The moment I entered his room, different memories came rushing back.
-FLASHBACK-
"Come on, tell me how I did?"
I frowned at him.
He started his acting career as a child actor at the age of 8, and now that he's 11, he has finally landed a major role.
A lead role as a child.
Now, he's practicing his lines and asking his nine-year-old sister to tell him what she thinks of his acting.
"You came here without knocking and started speaking nonsense while I was trying to read my book. And now, you are asking me how you did?"
"What kind of book are you reading that you can't spare me even a little time?" he complained, taking the book from my hands.
He frowned as he flipped through the pages, obviously not understanding a single page.
"What kind of alien language is this? Why can't I understand them?"
Then he looked at the cover page.
"P- Programming?!? You are reading this?"
I tilted my head to the side, "You are acting and reading scripts, and that's your choice. So, why can't I read that?"
"Do you understand it?"
"Yes," I replied, taking back my book.
"I do. You know me, I wouldn't do anything that is not productive."
He shrugged before sitting beside me.
"Come on, tell me how I did."
He asked again, returning to the main topic of his appearance in my room.
I scratched my cheek, "Why not ask elder brother?"
"He's too busy trying to finish his studies early. I can't disturb him."
I raised the book, "I am also trying to study and finish my studies early."
He looked at me with his puppy eyes, something that no one could resist, especially with his charm.
"How about Amelia?" I asked, trying to gain control.
"That little one only knows how to clap and compliment me. But I need your brutal honesty," he replied.
I frowned as he continued looking at me with his puppy eyes.
In the end, I could only sigh. I can't defeat my second brother's puppy eyes, no matter how hard I try.
"Give me the script first before you start acting in front of me. How would I know what you are doing?"
He smiled happily before giving me his script.
Somehow, after I gave him my feedback when I was eight, he started seeing me as his critique.
I could only read it while looking at his notes.
The reason I couldn't fully reject him was because of the amount of work he put into his acting career.
"I really love you, little sis!" he gave me a bear hug, rubbing his cheeks on mine.
"Let me go. I need to read this and be done with your business."
After that, I had to give him feedback for five hours. If I had not called for Elder Brother Riven, he would not have let me go.
-END OF FLASHBACK-
I covered my face with my hands as I sat on his bed after remembering those times. I then stood up and placed his picture frame on the side table. It was the picture frame I took from his place on my first visit after returning.
I then left the room, but frowned when a smell caught my attention.
I looked at the time and found that I had been in Christopher's room for four hours. It is now 7 pm, and Kieran returned home yesterday at around 6 pm.
So, he must be back today as well.
Is he perhaps... cooking?
I decided to go down.
When I got into the kitchen, I found him there in his white shirt, cooking.
I stood by the door, blankly looking at him.
He seemed to have known my presence because when he turned, he did it slowly as if wondering not about my presence but my silence.
"Hi. I see that you cook your meals," I said after a few seconds.
"..."
Just then, my stomach rumbled.
I touched it before looking at him.
"Do I perhaps have some privilege to taste what you cooked?"
"..."
I sighed heavily, putting on a smile, "I'm sorry. I currently don't have the capacity to understand your actions. Or to read your mind. So, can you spare me a word or two?"
He looked at me without emotion, not even the coldness he usually exudes.
I chuckled, walking over to the coffee-making equipment. And started preparing some coffee for both of us.
"I know, I am currently too boring right now."
The bitter scent of coffee wafted to my nose.
"I am not as capable as you in the emotional department, so give me some chances in keeping up with entertaining you."
"Prepared for two."
I looked back when he spoke, but he was already stepping out of the kitchen.
I looked at the dishes he had cooked and chuckled when they were still there. It seems that I will serve since he already cooked.
I sighed again before setting the table, while he went upstairs, maybe to get change.
After setting everything up, I decided to drink my coffee while waiting for him.
When he got down, he was already done showering as well. No wonder he took so long to return, I thought he'd lost his appetite because I showed him such a boring performance.
But his taking his sweet time also gave me enough space to rearrange my thoughts and has calmed down.
When we started eating, the first taste made me blink in surprise.
"It's delicious."
It was the first genuine compliment I gave since I returned.
He looked at me but did not say anything and just continued eating.
"I think I am quite lucky to taste Kieran Sinclair's cooking."
He glanced up, coldness returning in his eyes because I was obviously teasing him.
I smiled wider, this time no longer as forced as it was a while ago. It was the same old smile I always wear.
"Thanks for the meal."