The next morning, Chelsea woke up unusually early.
Shopping days were rare victories in a house full of competitive boys and business meetings.
Before even getting out of bed, she grabbed her phone and called her mother.
Mrs. Blake answered on the second ring.
"Good morning, Chelsea."
"Morning, Mom. I just wanted to tell you I'm going shopping with Rhianna today."
There was a brief pause on the other end.
"Alright," Mrs. Blake replied calmly. "But one of the boys must go with you."
Chelsea sat up immediately.
"Why?"
"You know why."
"Mommm," she groaned. "It's just shopping."
"And you are my daughter."
That was final.
Chelsea sighed dramatically.
Arguing with her mom was like arguing with a brick wall — a powerful, billionaire brick wall.
"Fine."
"Good. Enjoy yourself."
The call ended.
Chelsea flopped back onto her pillow.
Why did one of them always have to follow her?
She wasn't a child.
Still…
She knew better than to push it.
---
By the time she went downstairs for breakfast, she had already started calculating which brother would be the least annoying option.
The dining room smelled like fresh coffee and warm pastries.
Jason was already seated, scrolling through something on his phone.
The moment he saw her, he grinned.
"Heyyy, little bunny."
Chelsea rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.
That nickname had stuck since childhood. She had been significantly shorter than Kelvin and Jason growing up, and Jason never let her forget it.
"Good morning," she replied brightly. "Me and Rhianna are going out today. Shopping."
Jason smirked.
"No wonder you look so happy."
Kelvin looked up from his newspaper.
"Have you told Mom?"
"Yeahhhh," Chelsea dragged the word out. "Mom said one of you guys must follow me."
She looked visibly unhappy about it.
Kelvin nodded once.
"I have work at the company today."
Of course he did.
Jason stretched lazily.
"I have a game competition today. And I already have tickets for you guys to come watch me."
Chelsea's eyes lit up slightly.
Jason wasn't just good at gaming.
He was elite.
One of the best.
"Well, I have work," Kelvin repeated calmly. "So I won't be able to come."
"Okayyy," Jason said thoughtfully. "That leaves one more ticket."
Chelsea turned quickly.
"Hey! Can Rhianna come too?"
Jason shrugged.
"Sure."
Chelsea grinned.
At that moment, the butler entered the dining hall.
"Miss Chelsea, Miss Rhianna is here."
Chelsea shot out of her seat immediately.
"Already?!"
She ran toward the entrance.
The moment Rhianna stepped inside, both girls squealed.
There were hugs.
There was dramatic shouting.
There was laughter.
Jason and Kelvin barely reacted. They were used to this energy.
But Bryan—
Bryan had been quietly eating his breakfast.
And from the moment Rhianna walked in…
He hadn't looked away.
Jason noticed.
Kelvin noticed.
The two exchanged the slightest glance.
Interesting.
Rhianna finally pulled away from Chelsea.
"Are you ready?"
Chelsea hesitated.
"Yesss… but my mom said one of my brothers has to follow me."
Rhianna's shoulders dropped slightly.
"Oh."
"Kelvin has work. Jason has his competition."
Jason lifted his cup calmly.
"So that leaves us with Bryan."
Chelsea pouted.
"Bryan won't agree even if I beg him."
Silence.
Then—
"I'll follow you guys."
The words were simple.
Casual.
But they made everyone freeze.
Chelsea and Rhianna turned at the same time.
"What?" Chelsea blinked.
Jason leaned back slowly in his chair.
Kelvin narrowed his eyes slightly.
Bryan stood up from his seat as if nothing unusual had just happened.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" he asked.
No one answered.
He shrugged.
"Just tell me when you're ready."
And then he walked upstairs toward his room.
Chelsea stared after him.
"That was strange."
Rhianna, however, looked relieved.
"At least you can go now."
Jason watched Bryan disappear up the staircase.
He knew his brother.