Chapter 27 Lost in the Repeated Calls of "Brother"
Tobias and Kevin were polar opposites in personality, but they shared one thing: they'd do anything to protect their family.
When a guy had harassed Rachel before, Tobias found out and immediately rode his motorcycle to the bar to find the jerk, leaving him bruised and battered.
His sister was Tobias's treasure, and he wouldn't stand for anyone messing with her.
Hearing Amelia call Tobias "brother," Clea and Fallon were floored.
Clea thought, no wonder they looked a bit alike; they were siblings, not a couple.
Fallon, on the other hand, was wide-eyed with shock.
Brother?
Didn't Amelia only have Rupert as family? When did Tobias become her brother?
At that moment, with Amelia clinging to him, Tobias heard her say that the person in front of them had bullied her. He instinctively tightened his hold.
Though rebellious, Tobias had never dated anyone or even held hands with a girl. Being hugged by Amelia so suddenly made him feel awkward at first, but he soon realized how thin she was, feeling like he could wrap his arm around her entirely.
He couldn't help but wonder what kind of tough life she had lived before—never having enough to eat or wear, Rupert being sick, and being bullied at school. The thought broke his heart.
"It's okay, I'm here. Don't be afraid," Tobias said, taking a deep breath and gently stroking Amelia's hair. Then he looked up sharply, his eyes colder than ever, and stared at Fallon.
But this time, instead of losing his temper, he asked Fallon icily, "You said you go to Prestige High? Who's your dad?"
Fallon hurriedly tried to explain, "No, no, Tobias, I didn't bully—"
"I asked, who's your dad?"
Tobias's gaze was cold and fierce, giving her no room to explain. Fallon was so scared she couldn't speak.
Why was Tobias asking about Gray? Was he planning to do something to Gray?
Thinking about it, Fallon almost cried.
The Martinez family was powerful in River City.
Gray had just partnered with someone to open a real estate company there, investing all his money, and it hadn't stabilized yet. If something happened because of her, what would they do?
If the company went under, how would she maintain her lifestyle?
"I'm sorry, Tobias," Fallon said, tears streaming down her face. "It's all my fault. I was immature before!"
"Amelia, Amelia, I'm sorry. I apologize for everything. I shouldn't have targeted you. Can you forgive me?"
Forgive?
Amelia turned in Tobias's arms, looking at Fallon with a cold gaze.
Fallon looked disheveled, but Amelia, who had been bullied by her in the bathroom, had been ten times more miserable.
Even if she wanted to, Amelia had no right to forgive Fallon on her behalf.
But now, with people passing by and looking their way, it wasn't the right time to press the issue.
Since Fallon also attended Prestige High School, there would be plenty of opportunities to see her again.
Ignoring Fallon, Amelia said to Tobias, "Brother, I don't want to see her anymore. Let's go."
"Alright, let's go."
Tobias glanced at Remy, who, with impeccable timing, handed over the bagged phone.
Looking at the trembling Fallon, Tobias asked, "You said you were here to buy the latest ZE phone, right?"
He turned to Remy, "How many of the latest ZE phones do you have left?"
"Uh, five left. Black, white, dark green..."
"Pack them all up for me. Put it on the card from earlier."
Remy looked at Tobias like he was a hero, practically beaming. "Yes, sir, right away."
Then she added enthusiastically, "You and the lady might want to visit other stores. You can come back to pick them up later."
"Sure," Tobias agreed without sparing Fallon a glance, and led Amelia out of the store.
Fallon knew exactly what Tobias meant. He didn't want her to get the phone she wanted. No pink, no other colors either.
After what had just happened, how could she stick around and buy anything?
She had come to flaunt her wealth in front of Amelia, to show her the gap between them. Who would have thought Amelia would be with Tobias?
But what was going on?
Why did Amelia call Tobias "brother"? Did Rachel know about Amelia? Would Tobias do something to Gray's company?
Thinking it over, Fallon decided to call Rachel. She grabbed her bag and hurried out of the store.
Meanwhile, Tobias and Amelia stopped in a quiet spot.
Tobias took a deep breath and asked, "What's the deal with that girl? Why did she bully you?"
"She liked someone who liked me. She thought I was trying to seduce him," Amelia looked at Tobias, "But it doesn't matter. Bullies don't need a reason to hurt others."
Tobias pursed his lips, as if making a decision, "If anyone at Prestige High School bullies you again, come tell me."
"You used to only have your mom. Now it's different. You're part of the Martinez family now. You have Kevin, and you have me."
Tobias looked at Amelia seriously, "You're my sister. I won't let anyone mess with you."
"So, Tobias, you consider me your sister now?" Amelia looked up, her eyes pure.
Tobias blushed.
Just last night, he had warned Amelia fiercely that Rachel was his only sister.
And now, within a day, he was calling himself her brother.
"I told you to call me brother," Tobias said, his ears turning red.
He wanted Amelia to be close to him.
"I understand, brother." Amelia suddenly smiled, a bright smile that seemed to have a magical effect on others.
Tobias couldn't help but smile too, feeling relaxed, "So, shall we go buy some clothes now?"
"Okay, brother," Amelia replied sweetly.
That afternoon, Tobias indulged in Amelia's sweet calls of "brother," his long-suppressed protective nature fully emerging.
He eagerly took Amelia to various clothing stores, holding up pretty and cute outfits against her, wanting to buy everything for her.
"This one looks nice."
"This dress is great too!"
"Hey, pack up this bunny hoodie."
"Do you have this in pink? Get another one in pink."
When Rachel found them, Tobias was in front of a dressing mirror, tying a bow on the back of Amelia's coat.
His clumsy hands had tied a knot that he struggled to undo, sweating in frustration, making Amelia laugh.
"Brother, I told you to let the sales assistant help."
"I can do it better," Tobias finally undid the knot and tied a bow, proudly turning Amelia to face the mirror so she could see the bow on her back.
"See? Isn't it pretty?"
They were standing close, looking very intimate, and the store staff watched with envious expressions.
Rachel took a deep breath, standing at the store entrance, and called out in disbelief, "Tobias?"