They sat down on the sofa opposite the bed, sitting face to face. Brian pondered for a while how to go about discussing Diana.
“She will be a doctor after her graduation this year, majoring in medical science. We became acquainted by accident.”
Sybil listened earnestly, holding Diana’s teddy bear in her arms.
Brian dropped several details and hid some truths during his explanation, which made his younger sister’s eyebrows knit into a frown.
“I didn’t expect you would fall in love with that kind of girl. From what you told me, I don’t quite understand what you see in her.”
Brian had no reply to her question.
Sybil was sure Brian had not told her something.
“I think you are putting her down because you haven’t won her heart yet. I know that’s your style, right?”
“How bold you are!” Brian’s face darkened.
Unfortunately for him, his reaction again informed Sybil she was not far off.
“Come on, Brian! What happened to your charm? You haven’t been able to conquer her yet?”
” If you don’t shut up, you can go back to your own room,” Brian warned Sybil coldly.
“Brian, please don’t be so mean.”
Thankfully, Sybil knew she had to back down, it was her brother’s home after all.
“Fine. I won’t ask about her anymore. So tell me, do we have to dine with Mum tonight?”
“What do you mean? Don’t you want to see Mum?” Brian said with a frown.
A pained expression appeared on Sybil’s face, “Oh, please. Mum was extremely hard for me when we were in France. Could you give me a bit of time to relax please before I visit her?”
“But I already informed her we’d be coming…”
“Noooo!” Sybil cried piteously.
Brian looked amusedly at her. “We only need to have one meal together. Mum can’t discipline you since you don’t live with her. I assume you do not intend to live at her place?”
Sybil felt better for Brian’s comfort.
“You’re right. As long as we don’t live in the same house, I’ll be fine!”
“Your father didn’t give you a penny all these years. It was Mum who supported you to undertake your education overseas. Now, look at your attitude towards her…”
It was impossible for Sybil to deny Brian’s reasoning.
“I do like Mum, and I appreciate her. But she was too strict on me…”
Thinking of their mother, a strong, independent woman, Brian certainly understood his little sister’s feelings.
Before long, Kate called to inform them that dinner would be ready at 7 pm.
As it was a family dinner, Brian intended to drive them there himself.
However, Sybil complained to him, “Brian, why don’t you take Ken? Did he do something wrong?”
“Why would we take him to our family dinner?”
“I guess you didn’t realize it, but Mum likes Ken. If he goes to dinner with us, she would be very happy.”
“Like?” When Brian thought about it, he recalled that his mother had been fond of Ken when he was a child. So he nodded his approval.
“All right. Ken can drive the car for us then.”
Sybil rolled her eyes at Brian’s inappropriateness, “You are so stupid.”
“What did I do now?” Brian asked.
After a brief discussion, the three of them were on their way to Kate’s place. Sybil was sat in the back of the car with Brian, and she couldn’t help asking him about Diana, “Why hasn’t she agreed to be your girlfriend?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“I guess she doesn’t like you because you are too arrogant and never say what you are thinking.”
Brian felt like his brain was going to explode for Sybil’s constant chatter.
“Sybil—–” Brian spoke threateningly.
“OK, OK! I’ll stop…”
“I guess it’s time we arrange a blind date for you. It seems you need a man to sort you out.”
“No way!” Sybil shouted at Brian in protest, “Don’t be so cruel! I am too young to give up on my life and get married!”
“Really?” Brian gave her a cheeky smile.
Sybil knew very well what Brian was thinking now. Then she turned away and refused to talk to him.
After a few minutes of peaceful silence, they arrived at Kate’s villa. They got out of the car, and Ken helped them take the gifts they had prepared for Kate.
“What kind of food do you think Mum has made? I hope it isn’t borsch. I hate that soup so much,” Sybil whispered as they entered the house.
“Less of your rubbish!” Brian muttered back.
As if deliberately timed to interrupt their bickering, Kate appeared in the hallway to welcome them. She hugged Brian first. Then she turned to her daughter with a look of dissatisfaction.
“Look at yourself. You are not a little girl anymore. You don’t always have to wear clothes with lace or pink. You should behave like a girl of your age.”
However, Sybil was already used to her mother’s criticism and ignored her with a haughty look on her face.
Fortunately, Kate switched her attention to Brian and chatted with him, whilst Sybil followed them silently into the dining room.
During the dinner, Kate casually mentioned Diana.
Sybil had a sensitive ear, and as soon as she heard the name, instantly asked, “Brian, is Diana, the girl that you are chasing?”
Brian knitted his brows upon hearing her question.
“Do you know her?” Kate chuckled.
“I certainly do. And I know Brian is very anxious that she hasn’t fallen for him yet!” Sybil said loquaciously.
“Sybil!” Brian was furious; she had so casually revealed what he told her in confidence.
“Aren’t you together yet?” Kate said with a surprised look. “But last time, you got along so well with each other. What’s wrong? Did you have an argument?”