Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Jonathan woke up with a pounding headache as the familiar ache of a hangover settled in . His mouth was dry , and his body felt heavy as he groaned , pushing himself up from the bed . Sunlight streamed through the curtains , too bright for his liking , and he squinted against it , shielding his eyes with his hand . " Ugh ... what time is it? " he muttered , glancing at his phone on the nightstand . The screen lit up with missed calls and messages - none of which he was in the mood to check right now . His head was still spinning , remnants of last night's drinking clinging to his thoughts like cobwebs . He stumbled out of bed , feeling the weight of the previous night bearing down on him . Flashes of Eunice's furious face came to him - her words , her slap , the sound of her heels clacking as she stormed out of the club . He rubbed the side of his face where she had slapped him , still feeling the sting , though it was his pride that hurt more . " Why did I mention Laura ? " he groaned , realizing that was the trigger for the whole mess . He walked to the bathroom , turning on the tap and splashing cold water onto his face . It didn't help much . As he stood there , gripping the edges of the sink , he stared at his reflection in the mirror . His bloodshot eyes stared back , and he barely recognized the man looking at him - disheveled hair , tired expression , a hollow emptiness beneath the surface . " You're a mess , Jonathan , " he muttered under his breath . He knew it was true , even if he didn't want to admit it . He had a girlfriend who just broke up with him and a best friend who's currently avoiding him . But as usual , he brushed it off . That was his coping mechanism - laugh it off , party harder , avoid responsibility . He grabbed a towel and dried his face , trying to shake off the grogginess . But even as the cold water cleared his head , the reality of his situation settled in . Jonathan groaned as the pounding in his head only grew worse while he dragged himself out of the bathroom . He needed a strong cup of coffee - something to clear his foggy mind . Dressing in a pair of sweatpants and a plain T - shirt , he glanced in the mirror , running a hand through his messy hair . He still looked presentable , or at least enough to face the world . Satisfied , he grabbed his car keys and headed downstairs , eager for the caffeine fix waiting at his usual café . As he descended the stairs , however , a quiet murmuring reached his ears . His family was gathered in the living room - his mother , father , and younger sister Tabitha - all speaking in hushed tones , the air tense as if they were discussing something they didn't want him to overhear . Jonathan paused for a second on the bottom step , watching them curiously . The moment Tabitha spotted him , her eyes widened slightly , and she quickly cleared her throat . It was a clear signal to their parents to stop talking . The discreet conversation came to a sudden halt , and they all straightened up , pretending like they hadn't just been whispering about something important . His father shifted in his seat , and his mother gave a too - bright smile , her hands nervously fiddling with a magazine on her lap . " Morning , " Jonathan mumbled , rubbing the back of his neck . The atmosphere was thick with awkwardness , and he could feel the tension radiating from them . It wasn't the first time they'd done this spoken quietly as if trying to keep something from him - but today , it felt more obvious , like they were deliberately avoiding letting him in on whatever was happening . " Morning , son , " his father replied , his tone too casual . His mother nodded in agreement , offering a weak , " Good morning , Jonathan Late night ? " Tabitha just gave him a brief glance before she busied herself with her phone , trying to appear uninterested , though her body language gave her away . Jonathan could tell they had been talking about him , or at least something that involved him . " Yeah ... something like that , " Jonathan replied , his voice low . He wasn't in the mood to pry , especially not with the headache that was already doing a number on him , but their behavior stuck with him . " I'm heading out for some coffee , " he added , trying to cut the awkwardness . " Coffee sounds good , " his father said , leaning back in his chair , but there was something about his tone . Jonathan could feel Chapter 9 +25 BONUS his mother's gaze on him , her lips pressed together in a thin line , as if she wanted to say something but didn't know how . Before anyone could offer to join him or prolong the strained conversation , Jonathan turned on his heel and headed for the door . His hand gripped the keys tighter , an uncomfortable knot forming in his stomach . As soon as he stepped outside , he paused for a moment as his brows furrowed . What were they talking about ? And why did it feel like they were walking on eggshells around me ? Shaking off the thought , he slid into his car and started the engine . But still , he couldn't shake the feeling that whatever his was family talking about without him , it directly concerned him . Without another moment of hesitation , he turned the car off and stepped back inside the house . As he walked in , the air shifted , the energy in the room tensing as his family noticed his sudden return . His parents exchanged nervous glances , while Tabitha , caught off guard , stared at him with wide eyes . " Jonathan ? You're back already ? " his mother asked , her voice too light , too forced . He scanned their faces , suspicion creeping in . " Yeah , " he said , his tone flat . " I forgot something . " His father leaned forward slightly in his chair with a flicker of apprehension passing through his expression . " Is everything alright , son ? " he asked , trying to sound casual but failing to hide the strain . Jonathan folded his arms and stood in the middle of the room , his gaze moving between them . " No. But you tell me . What were you all talking about earlier ? " he asked directly , not bothering to dance around the tension . His mother shifted uncomfortably , her smile faltering . " Oh , it's nothing , dear , just some ... family matters . " " Family matters ? " Jonathan echoed , raising a brow . " Because it looked like you were having a conversation you didn't want me to hear . " Tabitha shot a glance at their parents , her lips pressing together tightly . " Jonathan , it's really nothing- " " Enough , " Jonathan interrupted , his patience thinning . " What's going on ? Just tell me . " The room fell into an uncomfortable silence . His father sighed deeply , rubbing his temples as if bracing himself for something . His mother finally looked at him , her eyes soft with concern . " It's your older brother . He arrived earlier this morning . " Jonathan flinched at the mention of his brother . The brother he had long hated . The brother he was always compared to - the one who excelled at everything , who always outshined him . Jonathan clenched his fists subtly , the familiar surge of anger rising within him . The perfect son , his mind taunted . Better grades , better looks , better at everything . He took a deep breath , trying to compose himself , masking his emotions behind a cool exterior . " That's it ? " he asked , forcing a casual tone , even though his heart pounded in his chest . His voice didn't betray the bitterness stirring within . His family seemed to buy it . His mother gave him a small , relieved smile . " Yes , dear . He's here to help with some business matters . We weren't trying to keep it from you ... we just didn't want to overwhelm you first thing in the morning . " Jonathan nodded stiffly . " I see , " he muttered , keeping his gaze lowered to avoid meeting their eyes . Overwhelm me ? he thought bitterly . As if . We're not kids anymore . I'm not the same lousy brother he once had . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!