I sat across from the Yang brothers' Nana, feeling mostly timid. She frequented the café here and there. I would like to think she liked me, but then again, we'd only ever interacted when her grandsons were around.

Her grandsons.

Nana Yang, was a small frail looking, but definitely not fragile Asian lady. Her grey hair was pulled back into a tight full bun. Her dark eyes were piercing behind her oversized red glasses. She always seemed to dress in white or beige, as proven as she she sat across from me in her beige long sleeved sun dress. She had on a long gold pink quartz crystal necklace, that I couldn't help but admire, every time my eyes caught the flick of it's light. On her fingers were two gold rings and in her right hand she held on tightly to her wooden cane with the gold tip.

In all honesty, I wouldn't accept any less from a grandma with grandson like Landon and Lao. She'd taken custody of them when Lao had barely turned two and Landon was in his last year of high school. Their parents both died at sea, celebrating their 20th anniversary. The yacht got caught up in a freak storm. The yacht was found first. Then the dad a couple days later. Never the mom. Just the memories of their screams and panic on the video recording they'd been taking to show their boys.

No wonder Lao hated water.

It made sense. I too would hate something that took my parents from me.

But Lao wasn't the only one. I don't know if you could tell but Nana Yang loved to talk. Landon learned to swim as a kid. But according to her, even then he wasn't too fond of water. After the incident he'd never actually set foot in the water again...until a young curious Lao had almost drowned. His brother had been able to save him, forgetting his own fear and hatred of said water.

This only made me like the Yang brothers more. I wanted to know more about them. I was starting to. Apparently, Nana Yang was their mother's mother, and didn't quite care for their father. Who get this, was a highly sought after cybersecurity professional back in his days. The apple truly doesn't fall far from the tree, which by Nana Yang's scoff of disgust, told me she didn't like it one bit.

Reasonably so, I got it. At least the dad was what you called a white hat hacker, so his job was 'legal.' Lao on the other hand didn't quite care for legalistic matters. I didn't want to tell her that I was pretty sure that most 'legal' hackers started off as 'illegal' like Lao, until a big company saw them and thought, it was better to have them on their side.

And I was most definitely not going to admit to her that it truly made Lao sexier in my eyes. And he had no business being that. He needed to get his ass back in college and on the straight and narrow. Maybe save me from all these headaches and confusing dreams. But I had a feeling, college was not going to do anything for him.

She seem exasperated. I'm pretty sure she'd tried to push it over and over. It had me wondering if Lao didn't purposely...get caught so he could get expelled. I wouldn't put it pass him. He wasn't dumb that was for sure.

"So you're going to teach him how to swim?"

I looked up the stairs wondering what was taking him so long, before looking back at Nana Yang, who slid a warm fragrant cup of tea in front of me. "I will...at least, I'll try." I answered as I inhaled the aroma before me. "What is this?"

"Lao's been experimenting." She replied with a shrug as she poured herself a cup. "Working himself hard." She put down the pot and sat back down across from me as she lifted those small sharp eyes to me. "He's trying to impress you."

My breath caught, as my smile shook on my face. My body tensing up as I laughed awkwardly and shook my head. "He doesn't have to impress me." I cleared my throat and quickly grabbed the tea, bringing it to my face.

"Humph." Was her only reply as she drank her tea.

I slowly put down my cup, not wanting to make eye contact. How much did she know? Did she know? No...but did she? The comment seemed... No, calm down, the comment was innocent. Don't start trying to find drama. I'm just here as her grandson's boss, and now swim instructor.

"He's very talented." I spoke up trying to break the silence. "He has an excellent sense of smell and taste...like heightened almost."

"Does he now..."

I sat back and swallowed hard, as I gave her a stiff nod, trying to read the room. I couldn't read it. She was not really saying anything...but why did I feel she was saying everything?

"He's stubborn that one." Nana Yang remarked after a couple seconds of silence between us. "Does whatever the hell he wants." She sighed. "Might be my fault. Was too old to raise a baby."

I smiled softly. "He's a great guy. You did well. With them both. Landon's amazing and —-" I trailed off, feeling as if I was on trial for some reason, the way she leaned forward in her seat.

"And Lao's a piece of shit?" She finished for me.

My mouth dropped open in shock. "No...no, not at all. He's great—"

She scoffed. "Don't waste your time." She waved off my comment. "Landon's the better choice."

My mouth opened even wider in shock.

"No?" She asked raising an eyebrow at me. Her eyes watched me carefully. Her gaze seemed almost...amused.

I shifted in my seat as I felt myself get hot. "Well I...I mean...I don't...." I shook my head. "I don't know...what you mean." I finished weakly.

The old lady smirked as she brought her tea carefully to her lips, before putting it down. She slowly reached out and poured herself some more tea. "Lao's in a constant battle with himself to prove he's more than his brother." She lifted her eyes to me as she slowed her pouring to a remarkable even drip into her cup. "Wouldn't you say?"

I felt my heart race as a strange unfamiliar feeling crept inside me. Nana Yang held my gaze and everything around me seemed to stop at a standstill as I watched her. Those small black eyes of her, looking back at me. My heart lurched forward as the warmth of familiarity hit me.

I quickly lowered my gaze in confusion. And just like that the feeling passed. What was that?

"Who will you choose?"

My head shot up to her in surprise.

"She'll choose me."

I turned to Lao's voice as he came down the stairs, almost with a bounce in his steps as he neared the table.

"I told you to stop trying to steal your brother's girlfriend." Nana Yang sucked her teeth at him.

I blinked, feeling like I wanted to sink into the floor.

"She's not his girlfriend yet." Lao clarified as he grinned and stood next to me. He reached out and picked up my tea cup and drank from it. "Besides Nana, I thought you were on my side." He pouted adorable as he put the cup down.

Nana Yang sucked her teeth at him. "Ain't nobody on your side. Landon's my favorite."

My eyes widened, but Lao grinned and to my surprise, he went over to his Nana and kissed her cheek. "Everybody knows I'm your favorite." He kissed her wrinkly cheek again. I saw her smile, even as she hit him with the cane, telling him to move. There was a softer warmth in her eyes, behind those stern glares.

She turned to me and shook her head. "Don't pick either of them. You're too good for these knuckleheads."

I smiled at her in surprise that she was picking my side, over her grandsons.

"No snacking." Lao smoothed down her already perfect hair. "Doctor said you need to watch your sugar intake."

Nana Yang sighed. "Sugar...it's the worst drug, I tell ya." She groaned as she got up. "The worse drug."

"You going to take a nap?"

She hit his leg with her cane and he laughed and moved out the way.

"I'm gonna watch my shows."

"Oh you're gonna nap on the couch."

"Boy!" She lifted her cane threateningly and he chuckled and actually came over to me as a shield.

I couldn't help but smile at their interaction. Nobody could tell me this old lady didn't love her grandsons, but especially Lao. Also, I'd never seen Lao so playful, and teasing and happy. He slipped his hand in mine, lacing our fingers. Remembering where I was, I tried to pull away, but he held on firm. I looked back but Nana Yang was making her way to the living room ignoring us.

I turned back to Lao and pulled my hand from him. "What did you tell her?"

"Nothing." He replied with a shrug.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Nothing?" I arched an eyebrow at him.

He smiled. "She's perceptive." He replied stepping into my personal space as he brought his hand up, to gently touch my face.

I slapped his hand away. "Why are you smiling so much?"

"I'm in a good mood." He replied.

"Why?"

He grinned and took my hand.

"Stop." I laughed as I tried to pull my hand out of his, but he locked my arm under his and held on as he led us to the door. "You play too much."

"Why won't you let me hold your hand?"

"Let go."

"Come on."

"Let go."

"To the pool."

"I don't like guys who don't listen to me."

The way Lao dropped my hand was almost comical. He shoved his hands in his pocket and moved away from me. "Stop trying to hold my hand. I told you several times already."

I stared at him momentarily in disbelief, before aiming to hit him. "Now I see why your grandma's always trying to hit you with that cane!" I missed and rushed after him laughing as he dodged my hit. Yet I told him I was too old for his nonsense as he had me chasing after him.

Lao wasn't having a panic attack or throwing a tantrum, but he was scared. Truly scared of the water.it caused my heart to ache. I saw it in his eyes, in his hesitant chuckle as he inched behind me as if seeking protection. We had to start from the beginning. 10 minutes dipping our toes in and laughing. 30 minutes, simply standing at the edge of the shallow end of the pool talking, until I saw his body visibly relax. By then there were fewer people at the pool, just a sprinkle of old ladies here and there doing their laps. It took another 10 minutes to convince him to dunk his head in the pool, after I did it several times. And then 5 minutes to get him to try to sit underwater, and simply play with the bouncy.

I laughed as he came up. My hands going up to wipe the water from his face, pushing his hair back. "Good, that's good." I smoothed the water off his face.

He grinned at me. "What's next?"

I laughed. "What you're not scared anymore?" I rested my hand on his warm cheek, even though the pool water was fairly cold.

"I'm terrified." He admitted his gaze drifting down to my lips. "I just want to get this over with as soon as possible."

I laughed and splashed him.

"Hey!"

I splashed him again, as he coughed and sputtered. "Aquina!"

I splashed him more, dodging him as he moved over to me, trying to grab me. Finally, unable to catch me, he hit the water and splashed me back. We moved around splashing each other. I wanted him to get used to water in his face, wanted him to feel comfortable with the unexpectedness of it, wanted him to know it could hurt, but it could also be fun.

I dove under the water, and smoothly swam up in front of him, breaking the water's surface, as I stood up, wiping the water off my face.

"You really like this don't you?" He whispered pensively.

I smiled, putting my hands on his shoulder. "Going down." I pushed him down underneath the water's surface. A little more teasing, before we start floating.

**

"You wanna grab dinner?"

Our steps slowed down as we came to the lobby of my apartment. I smiled and turned to him. "I have dinner plans."

He groaned softly and cocked his head to the side. "Where are you guys going?"

I scoffed. "Why would I tell you?" I asked teasingly. "So you could sabotage it?" I walked over to the elevator and pressed the button before turning to him.

"I wouldn't do that."

"Good." I grinned. "I would truly hate it if you did." I got in the elevator and took a couple unplanned steps back because Lao entered with me, reaching over to press the 17th floor.

"What are you doing?"

"Walking you to your door." He replied.

"I need——"

"You need to get ready. I can't come in." He replied. "Got it. I'm just walking you to your door...like a gentleman."

I chuckled and shook my head. I noticed he was watching my reaction carefully so I straightened up. "Okay. Thank you. I appreciate it."

"I'm a little thirs—-"

"No." I cut him off. It took everything in me not to laugh at his visible annoyance. The elevator door opened and I took just a single step before he took my hand in his and led me out to my door. He placed me in front of my door, put my hand on the keypad, and then turned his back to it. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Thank you for the swim lessons, I actually enjoyed myself."

I grinned as I entered my door code. "You're a fast learner."

"We're practicing everyday after work right?"

I shook my head. "Not everyday."

"Every other day?"

I smiled at his eagerness. Oh to be young and eager. "Let's do Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturday morning for now."

"What do we do Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?"

"Work." I smirked as I opened my front door.

"After." He insisted.

"After." I whispered leaning into him. "Is my business—-"

He kissed me quickly before pulling back. He doublechecked my expression before kissing me again. I smiled against his lips and pulled back.

"I had a great time today too." I reassured him.

"Choose me." He whispered his lips once again brushing mine. I could feel my heart double it's beat, his words like a hymn to my soul. A warm familiar tune of undying devotion—-I quickly pulled away from him, a strange sensation running through my body.

Seeing my reaction, Lao moved back and lowered his gaze. He chuckled sadly. "Sorry. I guess, I don't know how to play hard to get yet."

I shook my head. "No it's——"

"I'll go." He said quickly, forcing a smile on his face. "I'll go. Have a great dinner."

I watched him go, but I was still unsettled. I shouldn't have pulled away like that. But it wasn't out of disgust or fear...it was...strange, my train of thoughts. He got on the elevator, but didn't turn to look at me.

"Good night." I called out.

He turned in surprise and nodded. "Good...goodnight." He whispered back as the doors closed. Trembles passed through my body as I stepped into my house in a daze. There was something about Lao...

**

I giggled as he lifted my hand up, twirling me around as we walked down the boardwalk. The beautiful quarter moon shone brightly. The perfect breeze, passed by us every couple seconds, to make this night walking alongside the moonlit ocean, simply magical.

I couldn't stop smiling. Our fingers laced together as we resumed walking. Dinner and conversations with Landon were always so surreal.

You know what.

I deserved this.

Why not?

Why not love this and enjoy it. What was it that tried to make me feel as if I didn't need this? That little voice in the corner or my mind that tried to say it was too good to be true. If it was too good to be true, then I was truly saying, I didn't deserve this. But I did.

Life could be so wonderful.

Just thinking...if I hadn't quit....if I hadn't taken that jump. If I hadn't just gone head first, no doubts, no what ifs, but with a determined mindset and pushed through, feeling, knowing that I would get this....would I have gotten it? Had I stayed at that job, would I have gotten to enjoy this perfectly paced life.

I sighed happily, closing my eyes and lifting it up to the sky.

I can create my own world.

I opened my eyes and smiled, feeling Landon's arms around my shoulders. I turned my head to look at his beautiful smile.

"Are you happy?"

I nodded. "I am...and I'm determined to be happy from now on."

He chuckled and leaned forward pressing his lips softly against mine. "Good." He pulled back slowly, to watch my reaction before kissing me again. A huge wave of deja-vu washed through me.

Landon pulled back again slightly, his lips still grazing mine as he spoke. "I should take you back home."

I tilted my chin up, causing me to kiss him again. I ran my tongue across his bottom lip before pulling back. His lips remained parted as he slowly opened his two toned eyes, to focus on me.

I held his gaze, as I watched him press his lips together and swallow. I smiled and the warmth I felt as his eyes roamed my face, made me take a step closer to him. Stepping on my tip toes, I kissed the tip of his nose.

**

Landon's hand dug into my hair as he kissed me hard. His other hand held my waist as he pressed me against my door. I moaned against his mouth, as my hands fumbled with the keypad. He deepened the kiss, his tongue swiping across mine.

I groaned and broke the kiss, as I turned to the keypad. "I keep messing it up." I whispered breathlessly.

His lips pressed against my neck as he nibbled on the sensitive flesh. I moaned as I pressed against him. My eyes feeling too heavy to remain open. I quickly put in my 4 digit code and pressed the pound sign. I'd never been so grateful to hear my door unlock with the familiar tune.

I opened the door, but he closed it behind us. His hands immediately grabbing my head as he kissed me again, with so much need and passion, I gripped his shirt. My mouth moved against his enthusiastically as I slipped out of my shoes.

Our mouth parted, for much needed air as our heavy breathing filled my empty house. Landon reached down, his hands gripping my thighs as he lifted me up effortlessly. I gasped, my feet leaving the floor as he pressed me against his body. Our lips found each other again as he carried me around my apartment. I clumsily, directed him towards the bedroom.

He kissed his way down my body as he laid me down on my bed gently. My center pulsating, my heart racing, I sat up partially, as he got off me. Landon watched me, with the sexiest most mischievous smile as he unbuttoned his shirt.

I moaned at the anticipation building up inside me. I couldn't wait as I scooted to the edge of the bed, and grabbed his belt. He took his shirt off as I unhooked his belt and unbuttoned his slacks.

Fuck.

Why were these Yang brothers so well endowed? It made no sense.

I bent my head down, pulling his thick erection from his boxer briefs, my mouth immediately enclosing over the head. He groaned in satisfaction as his fingers dug into my hair.

"Aquina."

My mouth was too full to talk. I held on to his thighs as I swallowed him. Landon ran his hand down my face and down my neck. I lifted my eyes to him, to see him watching me, his eyes glazed over with desire. A pool of wetness drenched my underwear, as he lifted my head. Pulling back, his dick slipped from between my lips as his thumb caressed my mouth. He pressed down on my bottom lip, so I parted my mouth for him.

He bent down, pressing his lips against mine, before kissing my cheek, down my neck, massaging my breasts. I gasped as my eyes closed. Lifting up my dress. Kissing my stomach, tongue in my belly, nibbling lower. Hands on my thighs, fingers hooking on my thong.

I fell back on the bed as he swiftly pulled my underwear off. He brought my leg up as he kissed his way from my ankles, down my calf to my thighs and higher. My hands went in his hair as he licked my throbbing center.

Fuck.

I held on to him tightly as he moved above me.

Fuck.

My head dug into the pillow, ass up as Landon's fingers gripped my hips. Slamming into me, my ass jiggling against him. I moaned loudly, toes curling. As he hit the spot, over and over again.

FUCK!

I gasped as he rolled off me. His own heavy breathing ringing in my ear. I swallowed hard, my body unmoving after the two back to back orgasms. My eyelids felt too heavy to function as they closed. My body buzzing with electricity as I felt myself drift off.

"Fuck...."I whispered breathlessly.

**

I watched Lao as he wiped the table and I finished rinsing the cup in my hand. He'd been really quiet the past two days. Not grumpy quiet. Just quiet. Surprisingly he hadn't flirted with me, or even tried to kiss me. I mean, I wasn't saying he should....just...I wasn't expecting him to give up so quick.

Did he know?

I don't think they talked to each other about wether or not they fucked me. I didn't say anything. I was pretty sure Landon hadn't either. Had he still picked up on it? Was I acting different? Thinking about it, he hadn't even asked me yesterday how the date had gone.

He'd already thrown in the towel?

It made sense. I mean, why wouldn't I pick Landon. He'd probably known it. Everybody had. But he'd been so enthusiastic that I would pick him.

I carefully put the teacup away. Why was I feeling so...uncomfortable? This was good. This was a good thing. It made life much easier. It was Landon, of course it was Landon.

My eyes followed Lao as he sanitized the next table.

But I didn't want to hurt Lao.

I wasn't hurting him.

He seemed to be handling it well.

It was me making a big deal out of nothing.

Maybe I had really offended him at my door the other time. I shouldn't have pulled away like that. Maybe he thought I hated him.

I didn't. I didn't hate him at all. I liked Lao. I liked him a lot. He was fun, he made me laugh, he was smart....he....he....he spoke to something within me. I quickly turned around as I wrung the drying cloth in my hand.

Why the hell was I trying to make matters more difficult. I shook my head and put a smile on my face as I turned back around. "You're up for swimming lessons today?"

His hand on the table slowed down. He paused for a second before looking over his shoulder at me. "I'm busy today...can we do it Friday instead?"

I blinked in surprise but nodded. He was busy? But he'd also rescheduled, so was he not mad? I grinned. "Great! Don't give up on it. Practice makes perfect."

He nodded and turned back around. I sighed. Was this how it was going to be from now on?

**

I'm not going to lie. I lowkey maybe was looking to see if this Yang brother thing was going to drag out, but I guess this wasn't a fucking movie. And I guess it wasn't right to play with two brothers' hearts. Especially when I was obviously head over heels for the older brother.

So why did Lao irritate me so much.

He literally hadn't done a single thing wrong.

Over the next couple days, I just keep getting more and more irritated with him, while he on the other hand must have sense it. He didn't linger after closing anymore. He left. He left me to stare after him. He left me to go home and have strange dreams of him intertwined in my life in the strangest ways possible. The feeling of being unfulfilled when I got back up.

Why?

I should be living my best life right now!

When Landon comes back Saturday, I just knew he was going to make it official. I was giddy, but also frustrated and sad. Was I going to lose Lao? I didn't want to lose Lao. I know I can't have it all, but Lao....fuck.....Aquina.....why are you making your life so complicated. Stop thinking of Lao. He's given up pursuing you. Why are you still holding on to that? Landon is what you want. Landon is what you've always wanted. You can have him.

I can have him.

I want him.

"I'm going to go."

I turned around, looking up from the register to Lao all packed with his duffle bag. I nodded. "Okay."

"So I'll meet you at the pool at 7?"

I blinked in surprise. "You still want to practice today?"

He shifted on his foot. "I asked if we could reschedule to Friday and you said okay."

"Yeah, but I thought——" I trailed off.

"You don't want to." He whispered.

"No, I thought—-never mind. Yeah, I'll meet you there." I smiled at him, my heart feeling light. So he wasn't mad? Or he was over it. Was he over it? Awww....i missed hanging with him.

Lao nodded and left without a backwards glance.

I blinked as I turned my attention back to the register, the smile remaining on my face. Oh Lao....I couldn't love him how he wanted me to, but I could love him as a friend. Because I did. I loved him. As a friend. He made everything just a little brighter.

**

"Hey." I grinned as walked up to the edge of the pool, surprised to see him already in, after the last practice I had with him. I sat on the edge and put my feet in. I looked around the empty pool room. "It's Friday evening....where is everybody?"

Lao shrugged as he also looked around.

"Even the lifeguard isn't here." I questioned. "Was the pool open today?"

Lao nodded and moved a little away from the edge as he grabbed a tube with him. "Are you coming in?"

I grinned. "You seem a lot more comfortable. Or do you just want to get this over with?" I purposefully made a big splash as I got in. Feeling refreshed, I went underwater, allowing the perfect water to envelop around me as I swam a little, before coming back up to the surface. I turned to Lao further towards the shallow end, watching me. I hadn't realized I'd swam that far. I grinned and swam back to him, with lazy breast strokes.

I splashed him playfully and he only smiled and moved his head away.

"Ready?" I asked him.

"Can I show you something?"

I nodded, but watched in confusion as he went to the edge and pulled himself out of the pool. "What is it?" I asked watching him walk away...no, not away, towards the other end of the pool. "Lao?" I called out, slowly following him as he went to the deep end. "Lao what are you doing?"

He didn't answer, my eyes widening as he jumped in.

"Lao!" I didn't hesitate as I quickly swam over to the other end. "Lao! Lao......." I stopped as his head broke the surface.

He wiped his face and grinned. I stared at him for a minute, as my mind tried to compute why he wasn't drowning. "You——" I watched his hand moving the water back and forth. I looked underneath at his feet gently flipping back and forth. "You're treading water...." I whispered in shock.

He chuckled. "It's hard, practiced this all day yesterday after work. But look." I watched as he put his hand out and swam to the shallow end without stopping, in a freestyle.

My jaw dropped. "Lao!" I exclaimed happily.

He stopped at the shallow end and turned around. "How was that?"

"You know how to swim!" I laughed as I swam over to him. "How? How? Just last week you could barely float!" I grabbed his shoulders excitedly.

He laughed, as I held him.

"You learned so fast! Who taught you? Is this what you've been doing?" I beamed as I cupped his face.

He smiled at me. "I knew you would be happy, if I learned how to swim." He whispered.

My heart lurched forward as I froze. "What?" I whispered.

"I wanted to surprise you."

My hands slowly dropped off him as I felt the unnecessary tears threatening to spill from the surprised heavy onslaughts of emotions I was feeling. "B-but—-but you—-you were so scared..."

He chuckled. "I still am." He admitted. "But pleasing you, overshadowed that."

I couldn't speak as I stared at him as if in a trance. Tears I couldn't control rolled down my face. "Lao...."

"Wait." He whispered and swam to the edge. He grabbed something I hadn't seen earlier. The lights went off. I gasped as the pool shimmered with purple lights.

I slowly lifted my head at the soft music playing overhead.

*Whoa, my love, my darling

I've hungered for your touch

A long, lonely time

I turned slowly to look back at Lao who'd swam back to me.

And time goes by so slowly

And time can do so much

Are you still mine?

I need your love

My bottom lip trembled. "Lao..." my voice was so soft, I wasn't even sure, I'd spoken.

He came closer. "Do you believe in fate?"

I nodded.

"Do you believe you're fated to me?"

I took a deep breath.

"Think about it." He whispered. "Think of who you want. In the deepest corner of your mind. Put away all the doubts, the fears. That person there. That's your fate." He cupped my face. "Is it Landon or is it me?"

I stared at him mesmerized. His words rang with such a familiarity to it. It's almost as if I could feel my soul ring.

"It's me." He answered for me as he kissed me softly. "It will always be me." He tilted his head and kissed me softly again. "I'll make sure every choice I make, has you fated to me." He kissed me softly for the third time, before pulling back slightly. "Don't you want to be mine?"

I wrapped my arm around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. A kiss in which he quickly tilted my head and took over.

Lonely rivers flow

To the sea, to the sea

To the open arms of the sea,yeah

Lonely rivers sigh

Wait for me, wait for me

I'll be coming home, wait for me

Woah, my love, my darling

I've hungered, hungered for your touch

A long, lonely time

*Unchained Melody by the Righteous brother