ALISON
Anthony had practically moved into our shack, his presence becoming as routine as the creaky floorboards and the leaky roof. His attempts at normalcy were both comforting and wildly entertaining, especially when he tried to blend in with our less-than-stellar living conditions.
Today, he shuffled in, his six-foot-two frame moving with a comically cautious tiptoe that seemed completely out of place for someone of his stature. His broad shoulders nearly grazed the doorframe, and his striking blue eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint beneath his tousled dark hair. "Why are you creeping around like a cockroach in a kitchen?" I asked, trying to suppress a grin.
"Old habits die hard," he replied, dropping into the chair opposite me with a dramatic sigh. His smile was teasing, almost smug, the kind of smile that belonged to a playboy used to getting his way.
I raised an eyebrow. "What's up, Anthony? Did you get stuck under the fridge again?"
He laughed, a deep, rich sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "No, not this time. I actually came to talk to you about something important."
"Important, huh?" I said, feigning seriousness. "Like how to avoid crumbs?"
"Actually, yes," he said with that infuriatingly charming smirk. "But also something more serious."
"Okay, shoot."
Anthony leaned forward, his expression growing serious, but his eyes still twinkling with that playful light. "I've been thinking about your living situation. You and Dani deserve better than this shack."
I tilted my head, unsure where this was going. "And what do you suggest? A roach motel?"
He chuckled, the sound low and warm. "Close, but I was thinking more along the lines of a new house."
My jaw dropped. "A new house? Anthony, we can't afford that."
He held up a hand, his smile softening but still teasing. "Hear me out. I want to help you get your own house. A proper home where you and Dani can live comfortably and safely. I have the resources, and I want to use them to help you."
I stared at him, stunned. "Why? Why would you do this for us?"
"Because I care about you," he said simply, his gaze unwavering. "You've been through so much, and you deserve a better life. Besides, I've got a lot to make up for."
I felt a lump form in my throat. "Anthony, I don't know what to say. This is... it's incredible. But I can't just accept charity."
"It's not charity," he said firmly, his grip on my hand tightening slightly. "Think of it as an investment in your future. And maybe a little selfish on my part. I need to know you're safe."
"Safe from what? Breadcrumbs?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
He smiled, but his eyes remained serious. "Safe from everything. Including the people who might want to exploit my... condition."
I nodded slowly, the weight of his offer sinking in. "Okay. But Dani has to be on board with this too."
"Of course," Anthony agreed. "We'll discuss it with him tonight. But I want you to know that I'm serious about this. You deserve a fresh start."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at him. "Thank you, Anthony. This means more than you can imagine."
He reached out, squeezing my hand gently, his touch sending a warm thrill through me. "You're welcome, Alison. Now, let's figure out how to make this happen."
As we sat there, planning our next steps, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. With Anthony by my side, anything seemed possible. And for the first time in a long time, I truly believed that everything would be okay.
That evening, Dani came home, exhausted but curious about the unusual tension in the room. "What's going on?" he asked, glancing between Anthony and me.
"Sit down, Dani," I said, patting the seat next to me. "We need to talk about something important."
He looked worried but complied, sitting down and folding his arms. "Alright. What's this about? Did you finally figure out how to fix the roof with duct tape and hope?"
I rolled my eyes. "No, smartass. It's actually good news for once."
"Good news?" he said, eyebrows raised. "What, did we win the lottery? Or did the landlord finally decide to replace the windows from the last century?"
I took a deep breath. "Anthony has offered to help us get a new house. A proper home where we can live comfortably."
Dani's eyes widened. "What? How? Why? Did you promise to cook for him for the rest of his life?"
Anthony stepped in, smiling. "I have the means to help you, Dani. And I want to. You both deserve better than this. I want to ensure you're safe and have a stable place to live."
Dani looked between us, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief. "This is... it's unbelievable. But can we really do this? Or is this some kind of rich guy joke where you take us house hunting and then say, 'Just kidding, go back to your shack'?"
Anthony chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "No jokes, Dani. I’m serious. I've already started looking into it. We can make this happen. You just have to say yes."
Dani glanced at me, his eyes searching mine for any hesitation. "You sure about this, sis? You’re not just taking charity because he’s got dreamy eyes, right?"
I snorted. "Dreamy eyes or not, we deserve a decent place to live. And it's not charity, it's an investment in our future."
He smirked. "Investment, huh? Does that mean I have to promise not to burn the new place down with my cooking experiments?"
Anthony laughed. "That would be appreciated. We can include a 'no burning down the house' clause in the contract."
Dani took a deep breath, then nodded slowly. "Alright. Let's do it. I mean, if Alison’s cool with it, I’m in. But if you turn out to be a secret evil landlord who turns us into house elves, I’m going to be very disappointed."
Anthony smiled, a weight seemingly lifted from his shoulders. "Great. We'll start planning right away. This is the beginning of a new chapter for all of us."
As we sat together, discussing our future and dreaming of our new home, Dani couldn’t resist one last jab. "So, Anthony, are we talking about a house with actual doors and windows? Maybe even a roof that doesn’t leak?"
Anthony grinned. "Yes, Dani. All of the above. And maybe even a kitchen that won't double as a water park when it rains."
I couldn't help but laugh. "I think I could get used to that."
Dani nodded, looking more excited than I’d seen him in a long time. "Well, it’s about time. I was starting to think our shack was going to be featured in one of those 'before and after' home renovation horror stories."
With Anthony’s help, we were finally moving forward. And for the first time in a long time, I felt truly hopeful about what lay ahead.
I smiled when I saw my brother laugh with Anthony.
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