Cynthia was just settling into her apartment after a long day when the doorbell rang.
She frowned. Visitors weren't unusual, but at this hour?
She opened the door slowly—and froze.
"Jason?" she asked, her eyes widening.
Her younger brother, all charm and mischief, was standing there with a grin that could have broken glass.
"Surprise!" he said cheerfully, holding a small bag. "I was in the neighborhood, thought I'd drop by."
Cynthia blinked. "You… were in the neighborhood? At five-thirty in the evening?"
"Yes," Jason said, shrugging, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Also, I missed my big sister. Can't let you be lonely while you're busy with… work drama
Cynthia stepped aside, letting him in. "Jason, seriously, you can't just—"
"I can and I did," he interrupted, marching past her into the living room. "Besides, I brought snacks."
He dropped the bag on the table and dug out two bags of chips, a soda, and a suspicious-looking dessert. "I thought we could have a little sibling bonding."
Cynthia laughed nervously. "Bonding… right."
Jason flopped onto the couch dramatically, kicking his feet up. "So, tell me everything. Who's distracting you at work?
Cynthia's heart skipped, and she groaned. "Jason, not now. I just—"
Jason leaned forward, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret. "Come on, sis. I know something's going on. I've been observing you for weeks. Your smiles, your texts, that mysterious day off last Friday—don't even try to hide it."
Cynthia blushed. "Observing? Jason, you're ridiculous."
"Ridiculous? Maybe. But observant too." He waggled his eyebrows. "So, who's the lucky guy?"
She froze.
Jason grinned. "Ah, I see. It's the tall, white broody one, isn't it?"
Cynthia's blush deepened. "You mean… Alexander?"
Jason tilted his head. "Hmmm… that's what I thought." He leaned back on the couch, smirking. "And let me guess—the other one? Or is it the one you told me about, Daniel?
Cynthia sighed. "Yes. Both of them are… complicated."
Jason's grin widened. "Complicated? That's my sister's life in one word." He nudged the dessert toward her. "Eat something. You'll need energy to handle these two mysterious men. Trust me, I know the type."
Cynthia took a bite reluctantly, still processing her brother's sudden appearance.
Jason, however, was already on a mission. He pulled a chair closer, eyes sparkling. "So, tell me everything from the beginning.
"Jason!" Cynthia hissed, covering her face.
Cynthia groaned. "You're making it worse, Jason."
"No, I'm making it accurate," he said with a smug grin. "But don't worry, I have a plan."
"A plan?" Cynthia repeated, warily. "What plan?"
Jason leaned in conspiratorially. "We need to test Alexander. See if he actually notices other people in your life. Or Daniel. Whichever one gets jealous first wins. Or loses. Depends on how you see it."
Cynthia threw a cushion at him. "Jason! Stop!"
He caught it without breaking his smile. "Relax, sis. I'm here to help. And to make sure you don't miss any red flags. It's my duty as a protective older—well, younger—brother."
Meanwhile, across town, Alexander was at home, pacing slowly. His phone buzzed with a message from Cynthia.
Cynthia: Jason surprised me today. Don't worry, nothing weird.
He read it again, frowning. Nothing weird?
He knew Jason Brooks. Or at least, he knew the type. Charming, teasing, mischievous… a brother who could turn any situation into chaos.
Great, Alexander thought, pinching the bridge of his nose. Just what I needed—another obstacle in my life.
He didn't reply immediately. Instead, he stared out the window, imagining Jason plopping onto Cynthia's couch, teasing her relentlessly, and maybe even getting under his skin.
Yes. Definitely getting under his skin.
Back at Cynthia's apartment, Jason had moved on to Daniel. Or rather, the idea of Daniel.
"So," he said, leaning against the kitchen counter, "you've got two guys in play. One brooding, one charming. Let me guess—which one texts you first in the morning?"
Cynthia groaned. "Jason, you are unbelievable."
"unblievable?" he repeated, laughing. "I'm just being realistic. And protective. Plus, I have to make sure my sister doesn't get played."
Cynthia shook her head, smiling despite herself. "Jason, you really think I'm going to let you decide that?"
"Maybe not," he admitted. "But I will tease you until you spill every little detail."
And that's exactly what happened. By the time Cynthia realized it, she had told him more than she intended: the awkward lunch with Alexander, the office projector disaster, Daniel's dinner invitation, and even the subtle jealousy she had noticed in Alexander.
Jason nodded thoughtfully, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Interesting. Very interesting. Huh… seems like someone's got a little competition for your attention."
Cynthia groaned again. "Jason! You can't just say that out loud!"
"I can," he said, waving her off. "And I did. Because it's the truth. You're basically juggling two men. And someone's got to keep track."
She buried her face in her hands, muttering something about never surviving this sibling invasion.
Jason, of course, wasn't done.
"By the way," he said casually, "I might swing by the office tomorrow. Just to check on things. You know, observe Alexander, Daniel… see how they handle my sister's brilliance under pressure."
Cynthia's eyes widened. "Jason! You cannot—"
"I can," he interrupted with a wink. "And I will. It's my duty as the annoying younger brother."
Cynthia groaned again, laughing helplessly. "You're ridiculous."
"Maybe," he said with a grin. "But you love me anyway."
Cynthia shook her head, smiling despite herself. "Unfortunately, yes."
Jason leaned back on the couch, clearly satisfied with the chaos he had caused. "Good. Mission accomplished. Now… snacks?"
Cynthia rolled her eyes but grabbed a chip anyway.
And for a moment, the apartment felt lively again, full of laughter, teasing, and the kind of messy, unpredictable energy only Jason Brooks could bring.
Outside, Alexander imagined this exact scene in his head—and suddenly, the idea of competing with her brother felt a lot more intimidating than Daniel.
And somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, Cynthia realized that life was never going to be boring—especially with Jason, Alexander, and Daniel all in play.