She laughed again, giving in to their desires.

  They had planned to leave that morning but were both consumed with desire. They ate in bed, talked, and had sex all day.

  When it was 6pm, she left the hotel.

  Ryan came to pick Brandon up by 7:00pm.

  “You left me in a club for a woman, so much for being my best friend,” he said as soon as he saw Brandon.

  “I thought you were going to pick someone else up too, though,” he said, laughing as he got into the car.

  “I don’t need to ask you how it went. You look like a fulfilled man.” Ryan said, driving out of the hotel car park.

  “That girl is good…..she is as sexy as her voice.“

  “Wait…. don’t tell me you left the club straight away?” he continued.

  “You took the best girl last night, Brandon…..not that I actually wanted anyone.”

  “Sorry, bro.”

  “Nah…it’s also good. Your family was worried, though.”

  “Oh,” Brandon exclaimed. He had switched off his phone earlier that morning after they both agreed to do so. He immediately switched on his phone and saw messages from all his family members.

  “They called me. I had to lie that you were with me.”

  “I think staying at their place makes them feel like I am a teenager. We’re all going to die anyway. I will move back into my apartment.”

  “So you can invite her all over all you want?” Ryan asked, raising his brows.

  “I have thought of it, but we both agreed it was a one-night stand, that’s all. But if I could have her all to myself like that every day I wouldn’t mind. She doesn’t want to be seen with any man right now.”

  “Now that’s teamwork.”

  They both laughed, and Ryan drove all the way to Demarco’s estate.

  After several rounds of explanations, a driver dropped Ryan back at his apartment.

  Chapter Three

  That night Priscilla came into his room and sat on his bed. She didn’t say anything. Just kept staring at him.

  “What???” He asked.

  “Where were you, really?”

  “You are also babysitting me?”

  “No, I just don’t believe that story. Ryan doesn’t know how to lie, he’s too polite, and it gives him away.”

  “Oh wow, I didn’t know you have started a case study on my best friend, sis.”

  “Case study?? What do you mean? Common everyone knows Ryan.”

  “And how come you are the only one here in my room telling me about his politeness?” he said, winking at her.

  “I…..stop it….”

  “I have been meaning to ask….do you like Ryan? Like…not normal likeness….you seem different around him….and now you are all emotional talking about him.”

  “What are you talking about?” She asked. But he knew she was feigning ignorance because she was trying not to blush.

  “He hasn’t said anything to me, but I think he likes you too.”

  “Okay…don’t change the topic. Start talking.”

  “Okay…I went to a club last night.“

  “I knew it,“ she exclaimed.

  “Shhhh….keep your voice down.“

  “And let me guess, you went with a lady to a hotel and stayed there until now?”

  “I can’t lie to you anyway. So yes, you are right.”

  “So, who is she? For a woman to have kept you till now. Wow”

  “That I can’t tell you.” He said, shifting his gaze from her.

  She remained in that position, not moving and still staring hard at him.

  “Honestly, Priscilla, you need a boyfriend, and maybe you will stop disturbing me,” he groaned loudly.

  “Who is she?”

  “Okay…promise you won’t tell anyone.“

  “You are my brother, why would I tell anyone?“

  “Okay. Christiana George.”

  “Wait. Get out….. you are joking right?”

  “No…see, I took a picture with her last night”. He showed her the picture, and she shrieked.

  “Oh my God….I love her.”

  “Hold up….I thought you were all grown up.. you are also in love with her?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Did you get an autograph?” she continued.

  “No…but I did get the cookie,” he said, referring to sex.

  “Ewwww…..why would she sleep with you? She asked, shaking her head.

  “I know I’m your brother, but surely you can see I’m a catch?” He asked.

  “Definitely not……I don’t even want to think like that…so much for a big brother. You couldn’t even get an autograph for me. Are you seeing her again?”

  “No….well, I didn’t get her number, and she didn’t get mine… we both agreed it would remain a one-night stand. Well, except if we meet again. Also, how was I supposed to know my 29 years old sister was in love with her”.

  She shook her head and walked to the door.

  “Sis?”

  “huhhh,” she turned.

  “I trust you with this information.”

  “Of course, not a word to anyone.”

  “Thank you. Also, Ryan is a good guy, trust me, sis. You can tell me anything at all when you are ready, you know what I mean.” he said, smiling lovingly at her.

  She smiled back and nodded without saying a word. She turned to the door and left the room.

  “Two butt heads.” Obviously, they liked each other, and he would be more than happy for them to be together. Ryan was a family man. He knew if he came forward, it would be to marry her. He doubted they’d play games with each other. But he wouldn’t force the issue.

  Brandon felt good. He wasn’t sure if it had to do with the bouts of sex he had just had since he was starved of it or that it was Christiana George, but he liked the feeling.

  He needed to move back into his apartment. He understood why they wanted them to stay together, but he wasn’t sure he could keep up with that.

  He was about to doze off as he was really fatigued from all the sex he had when his father came into his room.

  “Your mother is asleep.”

  “Okay…what’s up, pops?

  “If we had the slightest chance of saving the world, would you take it?”

  “With everything I am, father…of course, I would.”

  “Okay, before your great grandfather died. He foretold this pandemic.”

  “Are you serious?” Brandon sat up suddenly, sounding serious.

  “He saw it with the time machine when something went wrong in a lab hundreds of years back, he wanted to see what would come of the mistake and he saw this pandemic.”

  “Wait, so that means, he knows the cause of the pandemic?”

  “Yes. But he never told us what it was.”

  “What does this mean, dad?”

  “It means we can go back in time to find out the cause, and possibly stop the pandemic or get a cure.”

  “The time machine hasn’t been used in years.”

  “I know, and I always felt we were putting it away forever. But maybe that is selfish. I’m sure he would want us to stop this. That’s the greatest invention in the history of humanity, Brandon. We can’t let everyone die when we have a possible solution.”

  “But father, wouldn’t that mean exposing the time machine?“

  “No one will know Brandon.”

  “So, why was mum trying to stop you from telling me this?”

  “The time machine hasn’t been used in years, and the expert who was really good at operating it was my grandfather. We haven’t learned how to use it. Of course, there are manuals and information he passed down to us, but that’s all.”

  “So, how does that affect mum? It doesn’t explain why she doesn’t want you to tell me.”

  “Brandon, there are several risks with using the time machine. We don’t even have the expert who built it, so the risks are heightened.”

  “What are the risks, father?”

  “Whoever goes back in time or into the future can become trapped there, forever. Also, because it hasn’t been used in years, the electric wavelength could malfunction, stopping the recipient’s heart, especially if the person is older. Only younger people stand a chance; even then, there may be damage to the heart. Maybe…, maybe not.”

  “Your mother doesn’t want to lose you. She was thinking you will want to go. So, when I spoke to her about it, she dismissed it and told me never to mention it to you.” his father continued.

  “Someone else at the lab can go, father. It doesn’t have to be me,” Brandon said. He loved the fact that there was finally an answer in view. But it sounded absurd. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe his father, but using the time machine to travel back and stop whatever started the pandemic was dicey. What if the cause couldn’t be found? What if the person got stuck in the time machine? What if the heart of the person stopped beating? There were just so many things that could go wrong.

  “Someone? I thought you’d jump at the chance to go. What happened to the fire and the zeal in you?”

  “Father, I desire a solution as much as you do. It’s becoming embarrassing that we can’t do anything about this. The great Demarco empire…..”

  “And here is our chance, son… here is an opportunity to prove ourselves.”

  “Father, it’s too risky.”

  “We are risk takers, Brandon. You, of all people, should not want to back down.”

  “I know, dad, but there is a lot to consider. What about mum? What if something happens to me. Will you be able to live with the guilt? What if it affects your marriage? There is a lot to consider, father. I want this solution, but it’s not just something to jump into. We have to consider all options.”

  “I know, son, I don’t just want you to back down yet, even before starting anything.”

  “Father. I will consider it, but it can’t be done hastily ……….”

  “What can’t be done hastily?……..” His mother cut into the conversation. She looked at her husband with questions in her eyes as though trying to ensure it wasn’t what she was thinking.

  “Mum, Dad thought we should start trying for a cure again. But I told him we can’t plunge into it because we are desperate. We need to take our time.” Brandon lied even though he wasn’t lying about the cure part.

  “But you said you wanted the lab locked up. Why are you suddenly bringing up the idea of a cure again?” she asked, her eyes on her husband.

  “All these questions, can’t you see what’s going on?” James said.

  “Why are you beating yourself up over what you can’t control. You’ve tried. Our son has tried. Demarco as a whole has tried. No one all over the world has a cure for this. With the surge in death rate, isn’t that saying it’s time to let go. What else do you want to do?” she said firmly.

  “What if there was hope …….”

  “Yes, let’s hope. But we are going to live together and have fun as a family while hanging onto hope and nothing more,” she said.

  “About living together,….huh, I was planning to inform you guys today. I plan on going back to my apartment,” he said, deliberately trying to ease the tension between his parents.

  The way she spun around to face him made him realize he’d made things worse.

  “What do you mean, Brandon? At a time like this?” his mother asked, looking at him in disbelief.

  “Yes, why this moment, son, when are not even sure of tomorrow,” James added.

  “Okay, you guys should calm down. I understand the idea of having us all home to spend time together in case these will be our last days. But I can still come and visit. I could come at weekends.”

  “Brandon, you told your sister to come from Europe because you were worried about her. Didn’t you?”

  “Well…yes….but.”

  “You think that’s different from requesting you stay here?” His mother said.

  “My apartment is not far, mum?”

  “So, what exactly will you be doing at home? Tell me…..”

  “Privacy, mum …I can’t even have friends over.”

  “Friends, or do you mean girlfriends?” His father said.

  His mum shook her head and said, “I’m done with you.” She walked away and muttered to herself as she left.

  Chapter Four

  “Brandon, you are a scientist. Considering what’s happening in the world now, are you still just thinking about girls? You must be joking.”

  “Dad, it’s not really about girls. The government has succeeded in keeping it at bay here. A bit of fun here and there doesn’t hurt. I love my family, but I also want to be around other people.”

  “Suit yourself.” His father said, leaving the room and slamming the door.

  He knew that would be their reaction and felt terrible, but he needed privacy. He was tired of playing games with his sisters, the movie nights, and his parents’ excessive attention. He wasn’t a teenager anymore. He needed fresh air.

  Priscilla strolled into his room without knocking as soon as his parents left.

  “Come on. You are not going to hurt mum and dad by leaving, are you?”

  “Arghh, why are you guys making it seem like I deny them as my parents. I just want to move back into my apartment. There is a lot to do.”

  “Like…???” She asked, raising her brows.

  “Well…..you know, this and that.”

  “I don’t know, Brandon. If you want your privacy, you can move into another house on the estate…it’s big enough for us all.”

  “Move in, and have daddy scrutinize everyone that comes to see me via the security cameras.”

  “Does this have to do with Christiana? I thought you said …….”

  “No…..absolutely not…Don’t you feel bored here too?”

  “I don’t…..I have my family around me while the world is dying, and I feel blessed. Some people didn’t have the privilege of spending time with their families before dying, Brandon. I am not saying you shouldn’t go. I am just saying stop taking this for granted.”

  “Brandon. Mum said …..” Jennifer said, walking into his room with a frown on her face.

  “Here we go,” Brandon muttered.

  “But how could you, bro? You made me come home, and now you want to run off,” she said.

  “I didn’t make you come home…no one can make you do anything, sis...you came home because you wanted to. If you didn’t want to, you wouldn’t have come home,” he blurted out.

  That didn’t go well with her, though, and Priscilla gave him a look that said, “ you shouldn’t have said that.”

  “That’s not the point, Brandon…..do you know how unfair that sounds. Don’t I have my house? Doesn’t she have her house?” She said, pointing to Priscilla.

  “Jennifer…..”

  “You are just being selfish and self-centered. If no one will tell you or say it to your face, I will.”

  Her last statement made him angry, but he had to keep calm. Jennifer was very intense, and if he responded with the same energy, it would only escalate. That was why he flowed better with Priscilla, she was more about conversation than confrontation.

  “You do realize we are not the same age, we probably just feel differently about this. Watch the way you talk to me,” he said, frowning.

  “Okay…both of you, stop it,” Priscilla said.

  “Both of us…did you see how she spoke to me?” Brandon said.

  “Brandon, you know Jennifer doesn’t mean any harm. Everyone just feels you are not considering our feelings.”

  “I will come around weekends…..or even most days.“

  “Aren’t you putting us at risk too…how do we know people are not already infected out there….yes we are managing it well, but anything could happen, bro.”

  “Arhggg…..okay fine.I will think about it.”

  “Leave if you want to. Who cares anyway,” Jennifer said and left the room.

  He frowned again and made to follow her to respond to her.

  “Hey…, she is hurt and worried,” Priscilla said, pulling him back.

  “I know I’m normally cool-headed, but I’m not going to let my little sis make me feel bad. She’s younger and doesn’t get it.”

  “I know how Jennifer can be….but in this case, I am sorry, Brandon, you are not the one in the right,” she said and left his room.

  Brandon laughed as soon she left. What was going on? Just because he wanted to go back to his apartment, now he is the bad guy. He needed privacy, and he wasn’t getting in his parent’s house. The fact that they could just walk into his room says it all. Maybe he was too self centered, like Jennifer said. Was he? Family time has always been a big deal to everyone in his family except for him. He has always loved living alone since he was old enough to move out. He found he had more fun with friends than with his family. He knew leaving would mean offending his family, but at the same time, he needed fun. He was bored. He always went to the underground lab but struggled to know what to do. The fact that the whole world may be wiped out had discouraged him from pursuing several plans. There were still projects he could do at the lab, but he was no longer interested. He wanted to explore. He wished he could travel the world despite the pandemic. He wished he could even go to the moon and return. What was the point of just sitting here when he could have fun before dying?

  He wondered how far the US Government was going with the plan of relocating people to the moon. He hasn’t heard anything about it since they initially spoke about it.

  He dialed Ryan’s number.

  “Brandon, I was about to call you. Have you seen the news?”

  “No, why?”

  “They’ve found three new cases here. Jose Hugh’s medical center was where they presented. It’s been closed, and all the staff are being isolated.“

  “Oh my God, that’s about an hour ride away from here.”

  “Yes, bro, this shit is getting more real.”

  “It’s actually frightening.”

  “Some countries in Asia are almost completely wiped out….No one knows for real if they even still exist because, none of their stations are functioning. No news about them.”

  “I still can’t believe this is happening.”

 

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