CHAPTER 275: HOME [1]

Eira’s eyes flashed, and without hesitation, she charged after Brandon "Don’t you dare run from me, Brandon!"

Her footsteps echoed loudly through the hall as Brandon leapt over the back of the couch.

Eira sprinted around the side and her hands reaching out to catch him "You’re not escaping me this time-!" she yelled, lunging forward.

But in her rush, her foot caught on the edge of the rug. "Ah!"

"Eira-!" Looking at her, he blurted and rushed forward as his arms quickly extended to catch her.

But instead of feeling her fall into his chest, he suddenly felt her weight shift differently.

Eh?

Her lips curved into a sly smile, and the next moment, her hand grabbed his wrist with surprising force.

"Wait—?!"

Eira used the momentum of her "fall" to pull him down with her.

Brandon’s back hit the wooden floor with a dull *thud* and in one smooth motion, she straddled his waist and sat firmly on top of him.

"Eira?" he tried to lift himself, but she was already holding him down.

"You think you can just call me ketchup bottle and get away with it?" she hissed, leaning closer until he could feel the warmth of her breath on his cheek.

Brandon let out a dry smile "Hey, it was just a joke. Don’t you think this is a bit much?"

"Too late for excuses,"

Then, without giving him time to react, she lowered her head and pressed her lips to the side of his neck.

Not gently... she bit him.

"Ah-!" Brandon jolted and his body tensed as he felt her teeth sink just enough to sting.

Eira pulled back slightly, her lips brushing against the mark she left with a triumphant smile on her face. "There. Now you’ll remember not to mess with me."

Brandon stared up at her, "You bit me?!"

"Yes," she replied proudly, still keeping him pinned beneath her. "Consider it payback."

Her words trailed off into the quiet air between them.

Brandon felt his chest tighten as Eira’s weight pressed down on him, her lips hovering just above his.

When she leaned down again, her lips brushed his lips in a softer kiss this time.

Brandon responded instinctively, kissing her back as their mouths moved together slowly.

When they finally parted, Eira’s cheeks flushed, and she let out a tiny laugh as if embarrassed at herself.

She shifted slightly, her hair falling forward and fanning across both their faces like a curtain, dimming the light around them until it was just the two of them.

Her gaze locked onto his blue eyes, and her voice came out low, almost a whisper."You are so handsome it’s unfair..."

Brandon blinked at her words, caught off guard, but said nothing, just staring up at her.

Her eyes dropped from his to his lips, lingering there for a long moment before flicking back up.

Her voice trembled as if she were admitting something she shouldn’t "I don’t know what to say... you’re just... fuck, you are beautiful."

Brandon’s chest shook with a quiet laugh and his eyes were soft even as he teased. "What are you saying... you are also stunning."

Eira’s blush flared even deeper at his easy reply and her lips pressed into a thin line as if she wanted to argue, but couldn’t.

Instead, she leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek, "Sweet talker,"

Brandon just smiled, raising his free hand to pat her head affectionately.

The gesture was simple, yet it made her heart tighten in her chest.

She let out a small sigh and settled closer, nuzzling into the crook of his neck as if that was where she belonged.

His warmth surrounded her, and for a moment, all the noise in her head quieted.

But then, as though the thought had been nagging her all along, Eira murmured with a sheepish smile, "We can’t have sex... because of my periods."

Brandon hummed softly, his fingers brushing through strands of her hair, not the least bit surprised by her bluntness "Hm. But it also means you’re not pregnant, which is good for now."

"Also... Aunt Elize got her period, so she’s also not pregnant."

Eira’s brow twitched and her lips parted as she lifted her head to stare at him incredulously.

He didn’t stop there as though ticking things off a list "As for Ravene, she took pills. Only one I’m concerned about is Yverine..."

Her mouth dropped open, her entire face burning red as she pushed up slightly to look at him "Brandon!" she sputtered, flustered beyond belief. "Do you seriously keep track like that?!"

He only shrugged, "It’s important. Responsibility, you know? You all matter to me. I’m not just going to... ignore something like that."

Her flustered shock melted into reluctant laughter, and she dropped her forehead against his shoulder, hiding the ridiculous smile tugging at her lips "You’re unbelievable," she whispered, her voice muffled against him.

She lifted her head again and narrowed her eyes at him.

With a playful glare, she reached down and pinched his cheek hard enough to make him wince "Bastard..." she muttered, though the affectionate warmth in her tone betrayed her.

She groaned, hiding her face against him again as she whispered, "I hate how much I love you..."

Brandon’s hand rested on her back, his thumb rubbing small circles, "Good. Because I love you just as much."

---

Ravene opened the car’s door and entered in and sat on the driver’s seat before closing the door.

Her gaze flickered to Elize who was sitting beside her on the passenger seat.

Then she turned her head to look at Brandon sitting in the center of back seat with Yverine and Dhayun on both sides and Eira sitting on his lap.

"We are good too go, right."

"Yes, Sister Ravene."

The car was quiet for a beat, filled only with the hum of the engine as Ravene started it and drove to the road.

Eira clapped her hands with childlike excitement "I am excited to see our new house."

Elize smiled gently and looked at them "Hope you guys will like it."

---

The drive didn’t take long and Eira’s excitement kept bubbling over and her gaze flickered to the windows as the scenery changed from the bustling heart of Solvyrn City to quieter, greener outskirts.

The road narrowed slightly before opening into a wide stretch of grassfields and the skyline behind them fading into soft distance.

The house came into view gradually, tucked a little away from the main road, sitting atop a slight rise.

It wasn’t a towering mansion, not the type owned by nobles or Great Houses, just a bit bigger than their old house.

The structure was spacious, modern yet homely, with pale stone walls and dark wood trims.

Large windows gleamed in the evening light, reflecting the hues of the sun.

Around it, the grass swayed gently in the breeze, dotted here and there with wildflowers.

The air was fresher than the city, clean, crisp, carrying the faint scent of earth and grass.

"Oh my gods..." Eira pressed against the window as if she couldn’t believe it. "This is ours?"

Brandon couldn’t help but chuckle to see Eira getting so excited when her mother owns a large mansion and is a billionaire.

His gaze softened in understanding. Seems like she is excited, because its home.. not a house.

Ravene parked the car on the smooth stone driveway and she let out a soft approving hum as she looked at the house "Yes. This looks so good."

The back door opened and Dhayun stepped out first, helping Eira down from Brandon’s lap.

Yverine and Brandon also followed them, leaving the car.

Brandon tilted his head up slightly, looking at the beautiful sight and greenery.

Elize got out last, closing the passenger door gently behind her.

Ravene stretched a little as she stepped up beside them "No nosy neighbors peeking over fences. And still close enough to Solvyrn to walk back if needed. It’s balanced."

Eira clasped her hands in front of her chest, practically bouncing in place. "It’s so beautiful... I want to see everything! The rooms, the pool, the view-"

Brandon smiled faintly at her enthusiasm, and without thinking, reached over to pat her head.

She looked up at him with wide eyes and smiled, grabbing his arm before tugging him toward the front door.

The group followed together, their footsteps crunching softly against the stone path lined with short shrubs.

As they neared, Brandon felt the cool breeze stir his hair.

He glanced at Yverine and Dhayun walking together and smiled before following Ravene and Elize.

"Alright," Ravene murmured, more to herself, sliding the key into the lock.

With a gentle twist, the mechanism clicked, and she pressed the handle down.

The heavy wooden door creaked open, swinging inward to reveal the cool, fresh interior.

Behind her, Elize was the first to step in and Ravene entered after her.

Brandon entered next, stepping carefully as Eira clung to his arm with a smile as she tried to peek into every corner.

Yverine and Dhayun followed closely.

"It’s... beautiful," Eira gasped, her voice echoing faintly in the high-ceilinged entrance.

She twirled once before letting go of Brandon’s arm, dashing forward a few steps "Look at how much space there is."