”Never mind that,” he finally said. By now, the apple was half-done and browning on the exposed edges. “You were telling me about your math problem.”

Amy sighed audibly. She turned around once again to empty the contents of the egg pan into her own plate.

”I don’t have a math problem.” Gu went back to his food, visibly disinterested in the conversation now that they had shifted the focus to his homework. “I aced my exams last term.”

”Good for you guru,” Edward teased. “But seriously, let me see the question.”

Edward didn’t know exactly what was compelling him, but he found himself unnaturally interested in helping his girlfriend’s brother with his math work. He had always been good in math.

As far back as he could remember, he’d always known how to solve math. His mother, when she was alive, had encouraged him to go for competitions, even paid for some.

But the path he had later chosen in life didn’t need him to exercise that part of his brain. He’d gotten used to not having to crack his head over any equation.

So, it came as a surprise to him when he asked the boy again to be shown the problem.

”It’s okay, I can…”

Gu had been about to say he could always take it to school and submit but Amy cut into the conversation.

”Xiongdi, go bring the math problem and show the kind man. Be quick.”

There was a litany of mumbles as Gu Zhou exited the dining room, giving his food the chance to get cold which explained his resistance to going away in the first place.

But what Amy really wanted was to be alone with Edward for a few minutes so she could scold him about disobeying her instructions.

”I didn’t disobey your instructions, Red,” Edward pointed out as he accepted the plate of food she dropped before him.

”Yes you did. I said stay up. I also said that I will call you when it’s safe to come downstairs.”

”Your brother isn’t in any danger, Amy. My meeting him will harm no one, thanks for your concern.”

Because Amy didn’t appreciate the sarcasm, she turned around with a huff. She walked to the sink and dropped all the dirty dishes to be washed after she was done eating.

”Mm,” Edward moaned as he took the second bite of the toasts. “This is good.”

Amy rolled her eyes. She said nothing as she joined him on the table with her own plate.

”I don’t want Gu getting the wrong idea about us,” she told Edward in a voice that was supposed to make him reason her way.

But Edward was too stubborn to follow her train of thought.

”There’s only one idea anyone can get about us, Red and that’s the right one.” In his left hand, he held a half-eaten sandwich while the other waved about demonstratively. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll break the news to him.”

”No, no…Ed…”

”Shh!” Edward cut her short. He dropped the toast in his hand and leaned forward so he could grab her hand on the table and whisper, “You’re the first girl I have ever been serious about. There’s no way I am not announcing to the world who you are.”

The intensity and genuine emotions with which the words were spoken caused Amy to pause.

She stared into Edward’s eyes and stayed there until the sound of Gu Zhou’s shuffling feet broke them out of the hold.

He was impossible but she loved him all the same.. Gu Zhou set the math problem on the table and Edward returned his attention back to him.

Amy finished up her breakfast in silence, not wanting to disturb the moment that was passing between two of the most important men in her life..

”I used to love math as a kid, you know, ” Edward started saying to Gu Zhou when they were rounding up.

Amy’s ears piqued up at this; she had a lot of stories to hear about Edward’s childhood and his past generally.

Edward launched into the story of how he loved math and the support he received from his mother.

”Hate to cut this short but someone has to get going if he doesn’t want to be late for school,” Amy announced.

Gu Zhou sighed and stood up begrudgingly. Her sister’s boss was not bad at all and he loves to hear cool stories, one his sister was currently depriving him from hearing. He packed up his books into his bag.

”Thanks for the help…” Gu Zhou said and trailed off.

”Edward, ” he offered and stuck his hand out for a shake.

Gu Zhou took the outstretched hand tentatively but returned the shake as firmly as possible.

”Forgetting something young man?” Amy asked him as he was about to walk out of the house.

He came back to her and gave her a hug and she kissed his forehead back. Gu Zhou was slowly growing out of this stage but she wanted to enjoy it for as long as she could.

Silence greeted them behind the slam of the front door. Amy watched from the window as the school bus rolled away.

Amy felt Edward’s hands snake around her waist and he placed a kiss on the back of her neck before whispering into her right ear.

”You’re mine.”

Amy’s only response was to shiver. She could not tell if it was out of delight or the underlying danger she heard in his voice.

”Get dressed. I’m taking you out,” he instructed and released her.

She turned with furrowed brows. “Where are you taking me to, Edward? We only just started dating, literally.’

”I meant what I said , Amy. I want to announce and let everybody know that you are mine.” He held her gaze as said this. Amy gulped.