“There is just no way that you’re stronger than me, Man, Richard told Aiden “I’ve been training for <b>years </b>to be a bodyguard. You don’t get a body like thas overnight


    “I’m the top weightlifter in the country. Auden sand and flexed Tve won national awards in high school and college Let’s arm wrestle right now and settle this once and for all


    Richard waved away his suggestions I don’t want to hurt you, kid Let’s do something even more extreme What if we went rock climbing on a mountain? I know a pretty good ce only an hour away from the city.”


    “How is rock climbing extreme” Plenty of my friends do it as a hobby,” Aiden said dismay


    Richard grinned, and there was a wicked twinkle in his eyes. “I bet your friends don’t do it without equipment. We will race to the top of the mountain without any safety gear Now, that’s a challenge that will see who is the braver and stronger one”


    An excited grin bloomed across the younger man’s face. “Hell yeah! Now you’re talking.”


    The two guys pped hands, and I rolled my eyes


    “I bet Richard is very good at rock climbing,” <b>Ava </b>said and stared at his arm muscles with appreciation. Then, she turned to me and winked. “Too bad you’re too blind to see his muscles, Olivia Richard is a sight to behold.”


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    “I don’t know,” Gai said and fanned herself. “Your brother has a great body.”


    Ava stuck her tongue out. “Ew. I’m not going to even dignify that with a response.” But then all of the humor vanished from her face.


    I leaned forward and looked at my friend with concern. What had made her act so serious?


    “I’m not sure I want my brother rock climbing without equipment,” Ava said. “He could get seriously injured.”


    “I don’t think they were serious,” I said, trying to ease her mind. “I think they are just fooling around.”


    But the tension didn’t leave her. “I hope you’re right.”


    Alexander crossed his arms and looked at Gai. “Why don’t I arrange for Richard and Aiden to build up their muscles by climbing up my parents‘ fruit trees and fetching the apples for them?” he said in a loud voice.


    Richard heard this, and his face flushed. He must have figured that his boss would actually make him do this because he told Aiden that they should probably button up their shirts and get back inside.


    When they were dressed and back inside, some of the tension drained from my body. Hopefully, this weird night would end soon.


    After our dinner dishes were cleared, Ava brought out a delicious- looking chocte cake she had bought from the store. The night ended in silence besides the sounds of eating and the asional soft moan. At least Ava’s dinner party ended on a sweet note.


    I could breathe easier again when Alexander left with Gai and Richard. Alexander didn’t even try to hug me goodbye. Something that


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    I told myself I was relieved by, but had put a bad taste in my mouth even after eating that delicious chocte cake.


    I stayed behind to help Ava clean up. When she sent Aiden to throw away the trash, I knew that she wanted to talk to me alone. Sure. enough, right after the door had closed behind her brother, Ava turned


    to me.


    “What the hell is going on with Alexander and you?” she asked.


    My face flushed, and I stared down at my hands that were submerged in soapy water. As I resumed scrubbing a dirty te, I tried to think about how I should respond.


    Apparently, I was taking too long for Ava because she put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes..


    “You’re dressed way more fancy than you ever have been for a day at the office,” Ava pointed out. I opened my mouth, but she shut me down with a look. “And don’t tell me you changed beforeing over here because I know that you didn’t have time to.” She paused and blew her bangs away from her face. “Also, you have way more makeup on than usual. Who are you trying to impress at the office if it isn’t Alexander?”


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