“It''s just a shame we don''t know what J looks like," Dolcemented with a pout.


    Juniper listened from the side, aplicated expression on her face.


    "Juniper, I think Melvin is calling you," Qadir said as the man approached, her inner gossip lighting up. "You two know each other?"


    "Yeah." Juniper nodded, looking at Melvin with a puzzled expression. "What''s up?"


    "I heard you were talking about getting fried chicken?" Melvin reached them, holding up a bag. "I bought you some."


    Juniper narrowed her eyes, staring at him. "You came all this way just to buy me fried chicken?"


    "Is there a problem with that?" Melvin''s gaze was fixed on Juniper, and the more he looked, the more he saw the resemnce to his mother, especially her eyes and mouth. So beautiful.


    The others also turned their attention to Melvin. In their eyes, Juniper was a prodigy who could do anything. Knowing Melvin wasn''t a surprise; they wouldn''t have been shocked if she knew a god.


    But was there a problem? They thought there was a huge problem! Melvin''s intention to win over Juniper couldn''t be more obvious. Was he trying to pursue her?


    Juniper stood her ground, not taking the chicken, her mind racing. What was he doing? Smiling at her like that, so happily. The gentleness in his eyes was the same look she had seen on her brother''s face, and on Shanley''s.


    Oh god. A horrifying thought struck her. Could he... like her?


    Juniper shuddered and instinctively took two steps back, creating some distance. "No, thank you." Qadir, sensing his “ill intentions,” stepped forward protectively.


    "Our Juniper only eats things given to her by Mr. Schwartz. She doesn''t ept food from other men," he announced with a huff, making it clear that Juniper was already taken.


    "Is that so?" At the mention of Shanley, Melvin''s thoughts turned to his sister possibly being snatched away by some old man, and his face instantly darkened. "Anything he can give her, I can give her too."


    Qadir and her friends exchanged looks. So they were right. Melvin


    was interested in Juniper. Not only was he trying to woo her with gifts, but he was openly dering var on Mr Schwartz. Content Belongs


    "I bought a lot," Melvin pressed on, that Juniper wasn''t taking the


    seeine are wings,


    bag drumsticks and nuggets...”


    Juniper listened, her mouth starting to water. It had been so long since she''d had fried chicken.


    "Oh." After a moment''s hesitation, she reached out and took the bag.


    "Thanks," she said calmly.


    "As long as you like it."


    A smile spread across Melvin''s face. He realized his sister was a foodie, just like their mom.


    "Shanley probably doesn''t let you eat this stuff, does he? If you ever want it in the future, I''ll buy it for you."


    Juniper frowned. “What''s your motive?" she asked in a low voice.


    "Motive?" Melvin chuckled. "Does wanting to see you happy count?"


    If she was his sister, even better. And if she wasn''t... well, he could just treat her like


    one.


    Juniper didn''t reply. She nced at her friends. "Let''s go."


    Melvin''s smile was giving her the creeps.


    "Okay, Juniper."


    As they walked away, Qadir kept looking back at Melvin. Did Mr. Schwartz know about this? The thought prompted him to pull out his phone and secretly fire off ate message to Shanley.


    [Mr. Schwartz, you have a rival.]