Benjamin didn't know squat about cosmetics or luxury items for women. Even with millions in his account, he lived a simple life.
"VelvetGlow VIP Card, Benjamin!" Isabella read the English words on the card and Benjamin's name. She was just a high schooler, 17 years old. She'd heard of Velvet Glow but didn' t really get what the card was for since there was no explanation on it.
"Benjamin, what's this VelvetGlow VIP card for?" She asked, curious.
Benjamin shrugged, "Beats me. I think you get a discount at that store or something."
When he rushed back home, the woman had given it to him. She'd confessed her feelings, but he'd turned her down.
"Thanks, Benjamin!" Isabella wasn't super into that stuff, but she knew to say thanks when someone gave her something.
She was still young, didn't wear makeup much, and her family wasn't loaded, so she rarely bought cosmetics and didn't know this was a luxury item.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Benjamin thought it was Logan and said to Isabella, "I'll get it!"
Excited, he walked to the door, took a deep breath, ready to hug Logan. He counted to three, then flung the door open, arms wide, and hugged the person standing there, saying, "Bro."
The words died in his throat when he realized he was hugging a woman. Soft chest, faint perfume. He quickly let go and saw it was Logan's mom, Harper.
Harper was in her forties, naturally beautiful even without much self-care. She wasn't as stunning as Amelia, but for her age, she looked great, and her figure was still on point.
Harper was startled, and after seeing the young man clearly, she stared for a few seconds before her eyes widened, "You're Mr. Smith's son, Benjamin!"
I turned beet red and stammered, "Aunt Wilson, my bad! Thought it was Logan coming back!"
Harper just shrugged it off, like it was no big deal.
Isabella, who was in the room, saw the whole thing and laughed so hard she nearly fell over.
"It's cool, just think of it as a hug from my son. You're practically family!"
Harper said with a grin, then shot Isabella a playful glare as she walked in, "What's got you laughing so hard?"
Isabella finally caught her breath, "Mom, Benjamin is hilarious!"
Harper chuckled too, then waved me in and told me not to sweat it. I felt a bit awkward at first, but since they were chill about it, I relaxed.
"Benjamin, I heard you went abroad. What are you up to over there? If you find any good gigs, don't forget about our Logan!"
Harper teased. Logan had gotten into a decent college but had to start working right after high school because of family stuff. Harper always felt bad about it, wishing her son could do more.
Those were tough times, but things were looking up now. Still, Harper, always planning ahead, wanted the best for Logan.
The worst part for Benjamin was when people asked what he was doing abroad. He couldn't exactly say he was a mercenary, doing all sorts of dangerous missions and even getting into small wars.
"Aunt Wilson, I'm studying medicine abroad. Not much to it. Got an interview at the city hospital tomorrow!"
Benjamin wasn't totally lying. He did start learning medical stuff from his mentor, but life took a wild turn, leading him into the mercenary world.
"Benjamin, you're gonna be a doctor? That's awesome!" Isabella exclaimed, not because she thought doctors were saints, but
because she envied their fat paychecks. Most doctors she knew were living it up, with nice cars and houses, especially those at big hospitals.
Harper kept praising, "That's fantastic, you're following in your dad's footsteps!"
Just then, the door swung open, and Logan walked in with groceries. He spotted Benjamin right away, "Benjamin, you're back!"
Logan dropped the bags, didn't even bother with his slippers, and rushed over to hug him, "You came back without a heads-up!"
Benjamin, Logan, and Sophia were tight, closer than most siblings.
Harper gave Logan a look, but he just laughed it off, saying it was all good, we were family.
Harper picked up the groceries and said, "Benjamin, you're staying for dinner tonight! I'll whip up something special, you guys catch up."
"Absolutely!" Logan said, pumped. "Isabella, grab my stash of wine from my room. Tonight, we're not letting Benjamin leave sober! Oh, and Benjamin, meet my little sis. But hands off, got it?"
Isabella blushed, feeling exasperated with her blunt brother. She shook her fist playfully, "Bro, shut it, or I'll sew your mouth shut!"
Benjamin couldn't help but laugh, but Isabella wasn't having it, "What are you laughing at? Say one bad word about me, and I'll sew your mouth shut too!"
"Alright, alright, I won't say a thing!".Logan turned to me, "Benjamin, don't mind her. That's just how she is, always shooting her mouth off!"
Isabella raised her voice, "Logan, who are you calling a loudmouth? Do you even hear yourself?"
"I'll get it myself!" Logan couldn't handle his little sister's whining anymore, so he got up to grab the wine. Isabella had this smug look and stuck her tongue out at me.
"Hey Benjamin, I heard Uncle Smith's been having some issues lately. How' s he doing?"
Isabella suddenly remembered her brother mentioning something about it before.
"What are you guys talking about? What happened?" Logan came back with a bottle of vintage wine and asked. Isabella still didn't know about Benjamin's dad passing away. "I was asking about Uncle Smith, bro!"
Logan's face went dark. "Bro, my condolences."
"What are you talking about?" Isabella complained and shot her brother a look, still clueless. Benjamin, feeling a bit down, said, "It's okay, my dad passed away. It's all in the past now. Let's not dwell on it, let's talk about you instead!"
Isabella was shocked to hear about Benjamin's dad. "Benjamin, I'm so sorry, I had no idea."
Isabella's question had brought up sad memories for Benjamin, and she felt really bad about it.
"It's okay, I'm not blaming you!".Benjamin said, trying to be cool about it.
Logan walked over and patted Benjamin on the shoulder. "Bro, don't overthink it, you still got me! We're family, my home is your home too."
During the roughest times abroad, Logan sent his own living expenses to Benjamin, helping him get through. Benjamin promised himself he'd always look out for Logan and his family.
Harper quickly got the meal ready. When everyone sat down, she noticed the weird vibe. "What's up with you guys? Why so quiet?"
"Mom, just eat, no need for all the talk!"
Logan was worried his mom would bring up Benjamin's dad again, so he jumped in. Isabella poured wine for Benjamin, trying to cheer him up.
Harper caught on and raised her glass. Everyone toasted, and as they drank more, the mood lightened up.
"Benjamin, you've been abroad forever, why haven't you brought a girlfriend back yet?" Logan took a sip of wine, put down his glass, and asked with a grin.
Harper and Isabella also smiled knowingly.
"You haven't found a girlfriend either!"
Benjamin shot back. He hadn't thought about relationships much, still had stuff to sort out, and wasn't into foreign girls.
"I don't wanna get married so soon, marriage means being tied down!" Logan wasn't lying; even though his family wasn't rich, he'd been with quite a few women.
Harper sighed, "What are you proud of? Do you think it's cool to be with those girls all the time? Don't think I don't know what you're up to. When you meet a good woman, get married quick. It's not good to be alone!"
"Aunt Wilson, can't you see? Logan's just picking the best wife for the Wilson family!"
I joked, and everyone laughed. Harper teased, "You're still so smooth with your words, fooling all those girls, huh!"
"Mom, you're talking nonsense again, Benjamin's still single!" Isabella rolled her eyes.
Harper looked at Isabella and smiled, "You're not even grown up yet and already defending others. When you grow up, will you have your eye on Benjamin?"