Chapter 11 Chapter 11 : Big Brother and Sister - in - Law On Saturday morning , I contacted the guy who'd taken my photos last time . His name was Julian Coleman , a senior in the art department at University of Hillsbury . He was probably tan from spending so much time outdoors scouting for material , which made him look more mature than the average college senior - about my age , actually . The moment we met , he asked me , " So , your family's pressuring you to get married ? " I nodded , thought for a second , then shook my head . He was pretty straightforward . " Okay , just give me the rundown of your family's requirements . How much income , what size house , what brand of car . Let's get our stories straight so I know what to say when they start grilling me . " " Anything's fine , " I said . 11 ' ... Any other requirements from your family ? " " The ability to travel to the Europa Continent . " He paused for a beat , then burst out laughing . " That's a pretty unique one . Anything else ? " " That he's crazy in love with me . " Hearing that , he actually seemed to relax . " That's the easy part . I can act that . " I couldn't help but smile . " Aren't you a photography major ? You do acting gigs on the side ? " " Hey , we're all art students . The skills are transferable , you know ? " That evening , I brought my brand - new " boyfriend " home . When I got there , Hayden Hughes and Isabelle Pearson had already arrived . Isabelle was sitting on the sofa with her head down , her eyes red and puffy like she'd been crying . Hayden sat beside her , gently dabbing at her tears . When he saw me walk in , a storm began brewing in his eyes . " The young madam is home . " Mrs. Webb , the housekeeper , was the first to see me and greeted me with a smile . I smiled back . " Mrs. Webb , the young madam has been home for a while . Isn't she sitting right over there ? " Mrs. Webb immediately realized her slip of the tongue and corrected herself . " Oh , my apologies . It's the young 1/4 Chapter 11 miss who's back . And this must be your boyfriend ? " I nodded . " Yes , his name is- " " Julian Coleman , " the college student said , wrapping an arm around my shoulder and introducing himself . " Mr. and Madam Hughes , it's a pleasure to meet you . I'm Aubrey's boyfriend . I brought a few small gifts for our first meeting . I hope you like them . " I hid a small smile . He was right . The skills were transferable . He was a pretty convincing actor . Madam Hughes stood up and greeted him with a warm smile . " Hello , hello , please , have a seat . " Julian smiled back , then looked over at Hayden and Isabelle . " And these two are ... ? " he asked me . " My brother and my sister - in - law , " I said . Playing his part , Julian politely greeted them . " A pleasure to meet you both . " Hayden's entire focus was on Isabelle . He just grunted in response before getting up to grab her a tissue . Isabelle , however , looked up in surprise , her eyes still shimmering with tears . " Aubrey ... I ... " I gave her a small , gentle smile . " From now on , just call me Aubrey . Even though I'm a few years older than you , given the family pecking order , I should really be the one calling you ' sister - in - law . " " Julian chimed in , " Oh , so they aren't married yet ? " " They will be soon , " I said . " We're all going to be family anyway , so we might as well get used to it . " " You two are so lucky , " Julian said , looking at them . " It's amazing to see a couple so in love . " " It is , isn't it , " I agreed . N Madam Hughes's expression soured . She waved me over . " Aubrey , come here for a moment . " I figured it had something to do with Isabelle's Hughes ? " crying and walked over quickly . " What's wrong , Madam She sighed . " That glass jar of yours ... it's broken . " I froze . Hayden's voice turned cold . " Isabelle didn't do it on purpose . It was an accident . How much was it ? I'll pay you back . " " Can you even afford to ?! " Mr. Hughes , who had been silent until now , suddenly slammed his hand on the table . " That jar was filled with the prayer beads Aubrey earned for you , one for every single prostration ! Over 2/4 Chapter 11 seven hundred of them ! All shattered ! " The outburst startled Isabelle into a fresh wave of tears . She grabbed my hand , apologizing frantically . " I'm so sorry , Aubrey ! I just saw all the colorful beads in the glass jar , and they were so beautiful ... I didn't get a good grip on it , and it just ... " After Hayden disappeared , I went to the Sandalwood Temple on the outskirts of the city every single day to pray for his safe return . For every ninety - nine prostrations I made before the altar , the temple would give me one prayer bead that had been blessed by the Buddha . They were made of crystal , shimmering and iridescent . I had collected them for two years . Over seven hundred beads , earned through more than seventy thousand prostra Now , they were all shattered . " It's no big deal , " I said , forcing a casual smile to comfort Mr. Hughes . " They were just some cheap glass beads , really . " " Were they just ' simple glass beads ' ? You bowed ninety - nine times a day , every day ! Your forehead and knees . were ... " " Oh , " I cut in , walking over to playfully hug his arm . " Mr. Hughes , those beads were meant to keep my brother Hayden safe . Now that he's back , safe and sound , they've served their purpose , haven't they ? " Mr. Hughes's eyes flickered with surprise and confusion . " What did you just call him ? " " Brother Hayden , " I said . " Isn't that what I used to call him when we were kids ? " " But after you two ... " * After we got together , I stopped calling him that . * * Sometimes it was Hayden , sometimes dork . * * When I wanted to be cute , I'd call him ' hubby . ' When I was mad , ' you big idiot . ' * " I was being disrespectful before , always calling my big brother by his first name . know I was wrong , and I'll be sure to correct it . A brother should be called a brother . I won't just use his name anymore . " Madam Hughes's eyes instantly filled with tears . " Aubrey . Mr. Hughes just sighed and ruffled my hair . He used a little too much force , though , and nearly knocked my wig askew . I quickly reached up to fix it , complaining playfully , " Hey! I just got this new hairstyle ! Mr. Hughes , you're 3/4 Chapter 11 messing it all up ! " My childish act finally coaxed a small laugh out of him . " You silly girl . You're never going to grow up , are you ? " " With you two spoiling me , and my brother and sister - in - law looking out for me from now on , why would I ever want to grow up ? " Mrs. Webb called out to everyone , " Alright , alright , dinner is ready . Let's eat . " To ease the tension , I turned on the TV . Mr. Hughes liked watching * Wildlife Wonders * , and it just so happened to be airing an episode about primates nursing their young .. But the pressure at the dinner table was too thick . Mr. Hughes wasn't even watching his show ; he just stared down at his plate , brow furrowed in thought . Madam Hughes ate slowly , not saying a word . Isabelle didn't dare touch her chopsticks , sniffling quietly . I decided to break the silence and put some food on her plate . " Sister - in - law , you have to try this . Mrs. Webb makes the most amazing shrimp . " Isabelle shot me a grateful look . " Thank you , Aubrey . " " Don't mention it . We're all family , " I said , pointing at the TV . " Look at that baby chimpanzee , isn't it cute ? " My comment drew her attention . She nodded . " It is pretty cute . The mother chimp carries her baby everywhere . It doesn't look that small , either . I wonder how much it weighs . " I smiled . " Eight grams . " At the exact same time , Hayden spoke , his voice overlapping perfectly with mine . " Eight grams . " 4/4