"Are you for real?!"

"Yup, the prodigal son gets to be the CEO." Since they had their meeting three days ago, Macy had been feeling a bit down, and it wasn't just because the lost boy was coming back home.

"That's bonkers! You've been busting your ass up everyday just for this."

It was true. Macy was never even a business fanatic, her dream was to become an artist and hopefully one day, a big time animator. But just to make her Mr. Darwin proud of her, she made the decision to dump out her dreams and take in his.

Sure, with her qualifications, she could land herself a good job at any company, it just felt like her effort was for nothing. "I guess it was inevitable. After all, he is the full hundred, I'm just half."

"Come on Macy, there's no need to sound so negative."

"Do you know what he said? He told me not to think I'm being replaced because I'm not his biological child, that it just feels right to have a man lead the company. Really?"

"Well if he says that, then maybe that's really what was on his mind?"

"Really Sage? Okay tell me, what does a man have that a woman doesn't?"

"Well, there is one thing..." Sage smiled but Macyy's expression remained Macy sober. "I'm sorry, I understand how you feel. Well, not totally but I get it. It sucks, and there's nothing anyone can say at this moment to change that."

The reason Macy was so bummed out was because it was inevitable. Even if she was already the CEO and William said he was coming back home, she was sure that his father would ask her to step down for him. Whereas the case would have been entirely different if she was his biological child. It wouldn't matter if she was older or what her gender was, the position would be hers by birth.

"So...what's going to happen now?"

"He said I can choose to keep my current job, or work with William as his Chief of Operations (COO)."

"What are you going to choose? If you keep your present job, it wouldn't be so bad right? I mean, the pay is nice."

"Yes, but if I do, I know Mr. Darwin is going to be hurt."

The whole reason she was working at his friend's company was because he told her to get training. Her boss was just paying her out of the goodness of his heart.

Mr. Darwin was a really sensitive man, and Macy knew that if she chose to stay with her boss, he would definitely read meaning into it. He wanted her to get along with William and to do that, they would have to work together, so choosing to work at another company when he had his own would make her look like a bad person.

"Well then Chief of Operations (COO) ain't so bad either right? You still get to be second in command. I mean, a boss lady's still a boss lady. Right?"

"That's not the point. That post was supposed to be mine. I'm the one who worked for it, and yet he gets it because of his genes. So annoying."

"I know love. When is he coming back?"

"The meeting was three days ago so probably in four days. I guess I can count on my mom to throw some kind of welcome home party for the brat."

"Knowing your mom, it's inevitable, everything is going to happen just like it did in the holy book. And you're already nailing your role as the jealous sibling who isn't going to enjoy the party."

"Oh shut up."

"Just so you know, I'm in. Either the dude is a brat or not, Mama's always down for expensive steak and good wine." Sage licked her tongue. "Your mom is an amazing cook, I'm still wondering if it's possible to have her adopt me."

Macy laughed at Sage's comments. "Thanks." She knew her friend had been trying to get her to cheer up all along. That was one of the reasons Macy loved Sage, she never wanted to see her sad or hurt.

"You're welcome baby girl. But I'm serious about the food thing though."

"I know you are."

Unlike Macy who was constantly going on diets, taking extra vegetables and smoothies to stay in shape, Sage was free to eat anything and everything. Right from their teenage years, all Macy had to eat was a donut and she'd feel bloated. But five, six donuts away and Sage's model figure never wavered.

"Well it's your house, so I don't think you have to ask for permission. If anything, my mom would probably be mad if you didn't come."

"Yeah she would, and that's because she loves me more."

"I should be heading home, my mom wants us to have a mother-daughter heart-to-heart conversation." Macy said, picking up her bag.

"By any chance, is there a William Sinclair somewhere in that conversation?"

"Ding ding. My mom is still under the impression that the bratty kid and I can still be fiends." While there was actually a chance for them to make up, Macy wasn't interested in trying.

"Well you better get going then. Wouldn't want to keep our mom waiting." Sage said with a smile.

"Our mom huh? You coming by later?'

"Uh obviously. I'm having dinner at your place."

"Okay. See you then."

★★★

Ring! Ring!

Macy's phone blared to life, ringing like it was nobody's business. Still half asleep, she grabbed the device and shoved it under her pillow. She hated being bothered in her sleep, especially so early in the morning.

After a while the ringing stopped, but it started again almost immediately.

"Ugh! Who the hell is it?" She forced herself to sit up, rubbing her eyes as she let out a yawn. She took out the phone to check the ID of the caller but instead her eyes caught something else. She was late. "Fuck!"

The day before, Mr. Darwin had assigned her with the task of picking up the bratty boy from the airport.

"His flight should arrive at the airport by 10:00AM, and you know how your brother feels about time. Please be there early to pick him up." He had said.

She glanced at the time again, 10:30AM.

Jumping out of bed, she rushed to the bathroom and had the shortest shower in the history of short showers. If only she hadn't stayed up all night watching animes, she would have woken up early.

The drive from their house to the airport was about thirty to forty minutes, sometimes longer depending on traffic. Even if she got there on speed record time, she was already late.

She threw on a pair of faded jeans and an oversized T shirt. Her red hair was wrapped up in a rather messy bun. Finishing her rushed outfit with a pair of sandals, she threw on her strap on purse and grabbed a pair of her glasses to cover her eyes. Normally she'd wear contacts but she knew she could blind herself if she tried to put it on while rushing.

Macy didn't dare to wait and eat even after the chef announced that he made her favorite for breakfast, and that there was cake for dessert.

She still hadn't gotten her driver's license so Macy called for a cab to take her down to the airport. William was a huge pain in the ass, the only thing good about him was his punctuality.

One time, they were supposed to go to school together but because Macy came downstairs three minutes late, William had gone without her.

He once made his father fire a worker just because she gave him his night snacks two minutes late.

Macy was more than thirty minutes late. She didn't care about him, if she could she would love to make him wait even more, her worries were Mr. Darwin. If William had called him that she was late, he would be really furious with her.

The road was fairly clear so they got there in less than forty minutes. She told the cab man to wait so he could take them both back home and rushed inside the large airport to find her estranged playmate.

The place was huge and Macy felt like she could get lost while searching for him so she decided to ask for help. "Um, excuse me? The flight from London that landed this morning, where are the passengers?"

The man, probably a security, looked at her and pointed right.

"Thank you."

She ran to the direction he pointed, looking around for William's blonde hair and freckled face. Her gaze was still locked on the crowd of passengers making their way out of the airport when she felt a hand grab her wrist.

She turned to face him, and for a moment, Macy forgot how to breathe.

The stranger towered over her, his squinting blue eyes fixed on her like he was reading her entire soul. His thin, rose-colored lips curved into one of the sexiest, most confident smiles she had ever seen. His diamond-shaped face sharpened his features in a way that made him look both young and unmistakably masculine.

He was tall - very tall. Macy, standing at 5'3, guessed he had to be at least 6'0 or 6'2. Even through his shirt, she could see the evident ridges of muscle. His biceps were sculpted, his chest solid beneath the thin white fabric.

And then there was his hair - long, silky waves that reached his shoulders, a stunning shade somewhere between silver and platinum blonde. It looked unreal.

His outfit wasn't anything extraordinary - jeans, a white T-shirt, and a leather jacket - yet somehow he made the simple look devastating. A pair of Air Jordans and a gold wristwatch finished the look effortlessly.

"You could take a picture, you know. It'll last longer."

Macy wasn't ready for the way his deep voice shook her entire system. It was smooth, dark, and dripping with confidence.

"What?" she breathed, still dazed.

"Well, you were staring," he said with a teasing smile. "I figured you might want photographic evidence."

She hadn't even realized she was staring that hard - but who could blame her? No one she had ever met came close to this level of handsome.

"Don't flatter yourself." She frowned. "My boyfriend is way better looking than you."

It was a lie. Grayson wasn't ugly, but beside this stranger, he barely passed average.

She tried pulling her wrist back, but instead of letting go, his grip tightened.

"Hey- let go!"

"I wasn't done talking," he said, the smile widening.

Who the hell did he think he was?

"You show up almost an hour late," he snapped, "and now you're refusing to take me home?"

"Take you home?" Macy repeated, confused.

Then realization flashed in her eyes - and his smirk deepened.

"Macy," he said, voice full of amusement. "It's me."

"...William?"

"Hello, big sis. Long time."

★★★

"Oh, William, it is so good to have you back home after so long!" Her mother pulled him into a tight hug, smiling from ear to ear.

"It feels good to be back, Mother," he said warmly. "You haven't aged a day."

"Oh, don't flatter me."

"It's true. You and Macy could pass as sisters."

Her mother practically glowed at the compliment. Macy rolled her eyes so hard it almost hurt.

"I assume I don't need to ask where my father is," William added dryly.

"He wanted to be here, but something urgent came up."

"And it was more urgent than seeing the son he hasn't seen in twelve years?"

"Come on, William. You know your father loves you. He just had no choice. He promised to come home early."

"He won't," William muttered. "And Mother - call me Liam now."

"Of course," she said, delighted.

Macy sat glued to the couch with a sour expression, watching them chat like best friends. She couldn't believe her mother's reaction. William - the same boy who tormented her all childhood - was now calling her "Mother," a title Macy herself had longed to hear from him years ago.

Instead of yelling, insulting, or mocking as he used to, he was laughing, hugging, and charming his way through the living room.

The transformation was unbelievable.

The William she knew was a small, freckle-faced boy with spindly arms and legs - she used to be taller than him.

Now? He was taller, stronger, impossibly handsome, with hair straight out of a fantasy novel.

Macy shook her head hard. She refused to believe she had just checked out her childhood bully.

"Macy, what are you doing over there? Come talk to your brother."

"Oh, we talked plenty on the drive home," she muttered.

"Mother, does my big sister still have hateful feelings toward me?" William asked.

She didn't need to look to know his eyes were on her. She could feel them.

"Of course not!" her mother said quickly. "Macy, come here. Now."

Macy groaned. The warning tone left no room for argument.

She dragged herself over. "Fine. I'm here. What?"

"I'm going to fix his meal. Keep him company while he waits."

"Why? It's his house. He doesn't need company-"

"Macy."

There it was - the deadly tone.

"Fine! I'll sit with him. But he is not my brother."

"You two will talk," her mother ordered before walking away.

William turned to her with amusement dancing in his eyes. "You look different," he said, gaze trailing leisurely over her.

"Twelve years is a long time."

"That's not what I mean." He leaned back. "You've lost your fierce edge."

"My what?"

"Back then you were small, but fierce. You had this fire to you. I always admired that. But now..."

He shrugged softly. "It's gone. What happened?"

Macy fumbled, suddenly unable to hold his gaze.

"Am I making you shy?" William teased. "You won't even look at me. Don't tell me... you're crushing on me?"

"Not in this lifetime!" she snapped, slapping his hand away as he reached for her hair.

"There she is," he smirked. "See? That wasn't so hard."

She crossed her arms. "How did you even recognize me at the airport?"

"This."

He pointed at her shirt.

"My shirt?"

"That's Dad's."

"What?"

She looked down - and froze. It was Mr. Darwin's shirt, the one from his high school reunion. She must've grabbed it by mistake during laundry.

She yanked it off immediately, leaving only her bra top.

"Maria! Thank God. I need help," she called as one of the staff walked by.

"Yes, Miss Macy?"

"Please return this to Mr. Darwin's wardrobe."

"Of course."

When Macy turned back, William was openly staring at her body.

"What?" she snapped.

"Nothing," he said, clearing his throat. "Just surprised you still call him Mr. Darwin. After all these years."

He stood and stretched. "Well, thank you for your exclusive company. I need a shower.

You're welcome to join me - if you want."

He winked and walked away before she could explode.

★★★

"Are you serious? There is no way he changed that much," Sage said.

"I'm telling you," Macy replied, pacing her room. "I didn't even recognize him. He's a completely different person - still an annoying brat, though."

"Aww, you're talking about me?"

Macy jumped at his voice behind her. "Ugh! What do you want?"

"In my house?" William grinned. "Don't be silly, big sis."

Sage's jaw dropped. "Is that him? Oh my God. He's- he's..."

"Hey," William said, smiling at her. "You must be Wilson. Damn, sis. She's way hotter than you."

Sage beamed, cheeks flushing red.

Macy felt something ugly twist in her stomach. Sage was prettier -she knew that, and she'd never cared before, but hearing William point it out stung.

And the worst part? If any other guy said it, she wouldn't care at all.

But William?

It bothered her. Badly.

"Wow, William... you look different," Sage stammered, still smiling.

"Thanks," he replied, eyes lingering on her.

Macy watched the moment stretch too long.

"Dude!" she snapped.

"What? I'm just saying hi," Sage said, still staring at him.

"You said hi. Let's go."

Macy dragged her friend into her room and shut the door behind them.

"Sage! What the hell was that?!"

"What?" Sage blinked innocently.

"What were you doing with William?!"

"Mace, please. That man is sexy. Like- dangerously sexy. He looks like he walked out of a runway show."

"I know that!" Macy shouted, then immediately regretted how loud she sounded. "I mean- yes, he looks different. But promise me you won't go near him."

"Why?"

"Because he's William! My childhood menace! My villain! The brat who ruined my life growing up. You're my best friend - you're supposed to hate him with me!

And he's twenty-one-"

"Twenty-one is not bad," Sage muttered.

"And you're twenty-six! So crushing on him is strictly forbidden. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Good. Now we go downstairs and ignore him. Or I'm kicking you out before the party starts."

"You're so mean."

Maybe she was. Macy didn't even know why she was this angry.

But deep down, she knew the truth:

It had nothing to do with age.

Nothing to do with Sage.

Nothing to do with their childhood.

It bothered her because William thought Sage was prettier.

And that jealousy?

That scared her more than anything.

As expected, Macy's mother insisted on throwing a welcome-home party for William.

Since he barely had friends to invite, Macy called Grayson, and Sage-as usual-showed up without needing an invitation.

It was a simple gathering, more alcohol than food, with music humming softly through the living room. By eight, her mother disappeared upstairs with Mr. Darwin, leaving Macy, Sage, and Grayson alone with William.

Macy had the sinking feeling that something was going on between her mother and Mr. Darwin. She could see it in the too-long glances, the awkward silences, the sudden disappearances. But the night was already dragging on, and she promised herself she'd ask in the morning.

William, meanwhile, spent the whole evening openly flirting with Sage. To make matters worse, Sage flirted back. Macy couldn't tell if it was the alcohol or Sage's usual flirtatious nature, but irritation simmered in her chest like heat.

Around ten, Grayson kissed Macy goodnight and left.

She lingered outside after walking him out, letting the cool night breeze wash over her. Part of her wanted to stay out there and never return, but she wasn't about to leave Sage alone with William. Not after the way he'd been looking at her.

When she finally walked back in, she was surprised to find Sage alone in the living room.

"Where is he?" Macy asked.

"He said he was tired, so he went upstairs."

"Right... then I guess we should call it a night too."

She turned off the music and began gathering empty bottles and glasses. The staff would clean up in the morning, but it felt wrong leaving the place a mess. After tidying up, the girls headed to Macy's room and fell asleep almost instantly.

★★★

The first thing Macy felt when she woke was pain-sharp, stabbing pain pulsing right behind her eyes. She groaned, rubbing her temples. "Ugh... did we really drink that much?"

She turned to her side, expecting to see Sage curled up next to her.

But the bed was empty.

"No," Macy whispered as dread slid through her chest.

She shot out of bed and stormed down the hall.

If Sage was in William's room-

She didn't even knock.

She shoved the door open, heart pounding-

And froze.

Sage was curled up in William's arms, both of them tangled in the sheets, his bare chest pressed against her back.

"What the hell, Sage?!" Macy snapped. "I specifically warned you not to do this!"

"Calm down, Mace-"

"Yeah," William added lazily, that smug grin lifting one side of his mouth. "Calm down, Mace."

"Shut the hell up, William!" she barked, fury flaring hotter. "Sage, why would you-"

"Liam," he corrected, folding his arms behind his head.

"What?"

"You called me William. My name's Liam."

She stared at him, disbelief and anger twisting together. Something this infuriating was happening and he cared about a nickname?

"Why the hell would you sleep with my best friend?" Macy snarled.

"She wanted me." He said it casually, as if commenting on the weather.

"So what? You just sleep with every girl who wants you?"

"Why not?" His eyes glimmered with wicked amusement. "You're not excluded, you know."

He winked.

Macy felt her frown deepen so hard it hurt.

"Look, big sis," William continued, "what happened between us was nothing serious. Just two healthy adults handling... natural needs."

"Correction," Macy snapped. "One immature adult and one overgrown teenager."

He only smirked wider.

"Why don't you join us?" he teased. "I can show you just how much of an adult I am."

Sage giggled. Macy's blood boiled.

What made her angrier was the split-second flash of curiosity that passed through her mind - what would it feel like to be in his arms? Warm. Strong. Dangerous.

She hated herself for even thinking it.

"Macy," Sage said gently, "Liam's right. It's nothing serious."

"Would you at least get up?" Macy snapped.

Sage scrambled out of bed, collecting her clothes.

Then William rose from the sheets too.

Macy immediately wished he hadn't.

He wore only a pair of briefs, and the sight of him-tall, muscled, toned in every perfect place-sent a rush of heat to her cheeks. Her breath caught. Any healthy woman would respond. And she was healthy.

He walked toward her, slowly, almost deliberately. He towered above her, and she found herself staring directly at his chest. She couldn't think. Couldn't breathe.

Her fingers twitched, wanting-betrayingly-to touch him.

He tilted her chin up with one finger. "My face is up here, darling."

He watched her. Smirked. Saw everything written in her expression.

"Ah," he murmured, satisfied, letting her go.

The spell broke. Macy blinked rapidly, grabbed Sage's hand, and dragged her out of the room without another word.

★★★

The next two weeks were hell.

William seemed determined to remind Macy exactly why she used to hate him as a kid. He teased her nonstop, called her names, smirked whenever she glared.

"Big sis!"

Every time she saw his face, her frown deepened.

"Why do you keep calling me that?" she snapped one afternoon.

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

"When we were kids!"

Back then, she had begged him to call her his elder sister. He never did-he called her a witch or commoner instead.

"Macy," he said abruptly, "why do you dress like this?"

"What?"

"Oversized clothes. Cute, yeah, but..." He pulled out a photo-her photo-from a year ago. High-waisted jeans, a crop top, hair loose. "If I'm honest, this picture... turns me on."

Her heart lurched.

What was going on?

And how did he even get that picture?

He stepped closer. Macy's breath hitched.

He reached toward her hair.

"I love your hair. Have I ever told you that?"

She couldn't speak. Could barely think.

He slipped off her hair tie, letting her curls fall freely down her back.

"Let them breathe," he murmured. "You always look better with your mane loose."

Her heart pounded violently against her ribs.

Then he stepped back, gave her a once-over, and nodded.

"There. Now you don't look like a forty-year-old woman."

He smirked and walked away, leaving Macy's thoughts smashed into pieces.

★★★

Things only got worse when Sage and William grew closer after their night together. Macy hated it. She tried-subtly and not-so-subtly-to separate them, but every attempt failed.

"Mace?" Sage plopped beside her. "Are you ignoring me now?"

Macy stayed silent, scrolling through her phone even though the screen was blank.

William came downstairs. He didn't even glance at either of them-just walked straight into the kitchen. Sage sighed.

"Macy, seriously. What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?" Macy scoffed loudly. "You're really asking that?"

William watched quietly from the kitchen doorway, sipping apple juice like it was a movie.

"I don't see the problem," Sage said defensively. "It's not like you can date him."

"It's wrong," Macy snapped. "It's so wrong."

"Why?" Sage challenged. "What exactly is wrong about it?"

Why?

Why was she so angry?

She'd been asking herself the same question for days, and there was only one answer she didn't want to say out loud.

"It's absurd."

"Absurd?" Sage repeated.

"Yes! Of all the men in the world, why him? Why William?!"

"Why NOT him? Why are you so against it?"

"Because he's mine!"

Silence.

Sage blinked. Confused.

William grinned like the devil.

Macy's heart dropped. "W-what I meant is... he's like my brother! That's all. You can't date him because-because he's basically my brother."

Even she didn't believe the words coming out of her mouth.

"I need to be alone," she muttered, fleeing upstairs.

★★★

She stayed in her room the entire day, pacing, thinking, spiraling.

She wasn't upset because it was awkward.

She was upset because she was jealous.

Jealous of Sage.

Jealous of William touching someone else.

But that was wrong. Wasn't it?

They weren't related by blood, but their parents-

No. No. It didn't matter. It was wrong.

A knock sounded on her door. She ignored it. Probably Sage.

Another knock.

She stayed silent.

"Your friend left," a familiar voice drawled.

Her heart stuttered.

She jumped off the bed and swung the door open.

William smirked down at her.

"What do you want?"

Instead of answering, he leaned in and pressed a soft, teasing kiss to her lips.

He pulled back slowly.

"Does that answer your question?"