Four years ago

Russell's POV

"You're showing too much skin. Get changed!"

Ryker raised an eyebrow at me because it was prom night, and I was dressed sexily. I am fifteen, but he looked at me like I was thirteen. He never approves of how I dress, as if he sees me naked when I wear sexy dresses.

"Kuya, prom dresses aren't in style anymore. This looks okay," I said. I'm dressed in a skin-tight red and black gown, with some skin showing in the back and cleavage. Ryker, 12 years older than me, has different clothing tastes. He's too old-fashioned and pretends to be a wholesome gentleman, which he is not.

"Change what you have on!" Ryker yelled again at me.

"Ryker, you know nothing about how women dress these days," said their mother. "That's how most women I see dress...."

"Of course, I know, Mom..."

"How could Kuya not know? He is a certified womanizer; if you bring Daniel with him, they are the perfect pervert duo." I teased my big brother even more.

"Do you want a man who sees her drool and makes his eyes swell? She's putting herself on display like... " Ryker said, but he couldn't finish what he wanted to say because our mother had already spoken.

"Like what, Ryker? Hurt your sister's feelings."

Ryker frowned. "She's spoiled because you always give her what she wants."

I stuck my tongue out at Kuya and rolled my eyes at him. He's getting jealous again, I know.

"Hmm, my date is beautiful," Daniel said with a smile as he looked at me.

Ryker and Mom both looked at Daniel, the newcomer. Daniel took a quick look at Mom. "Hi Auntie, good evening."

"Daniel, you're the one who gets the last word. Do you think Russell is showing too much?"

Daniel looked at me again. He was staring at me, which made me aware, knowing who Ryker was; he would like my outfit. Daniel is a man whore, and he likes sexy girls like Kuya, but in many respects, Daniel is a modern man who knows how to dress.

"Well?" I asked with my eyebrows raised. He's staring at me too much as if he is stripping me with his eyes.

"I don't see any problems with her dress, Auntie..." Daniel smiled and told my mom, "I'm her date, and no one can touch or even look at you, but men can drool on her."

I looked at Daniel. What else would I expect from a womanizer like Daniel? "You mean you don't think of me as a prostitute because of what I wear?"

Daniel was surprised as he looked at Kuya and then back at me. "No. You will only look like a prostitute if you act like one. And one more thing, even if that job is not a success in the eyes of others, we can't judge them."

"Okay, fine. If you want to wear it, you can since Daniel is your date. Be kind to him."

I had a quick look at Daniel. He is smiling from ear to ear, and it looks like my prom night will be something I will never forget. I let out a short puff of air.

"Let's go. My date might be waiting for me," Ryker said.

Ryker led me to the garage, holding my hand.

Claire whispered to me, "Ryker is so handsome."

We sat in the backseat. Even though many guys asked me to be on their date before prom night, Ryker wouldn't let me have someone my age as my date. Instead, he left me with his best friend, twelve years older than me.

"Do you like my brother, a pervert, and a stripper?" I whispered. "Look, we should hang out with other teenagers our age since it's prom night. This is once in a lifetime, and they ruin it."

"I'm fine with it. Ryker still looks young and handsome. As well as Daniel," Claire whispered. "Why not appreciate Daniel's effort? He's a busy man, but he makes time for you. And one more thing, our date will be the night's star. Look how handsome they are. All our classmates will ask for their numbers, but of course, out of old habit, I will give a different number when they ask for Ryker's number."

I said nothing. I did nothing but frown until we got to school.

Daniel helped me get out of the car right away. My face became less happy. Daniel smiled when he realized I didn't want him to be my prom date. Consider all my classmates the same age as their dates while bodyguards accompany them.

Daniel whispered, "Smile, babe. You should enjoy this night."

I gasped when I felt his warm breath, which gave me goosebumps. I pushed Daniel.

"Shut it, Daniel. Remember, I'm still a minor. Jeez, you're such a pervert," I said, annoyed.

Daniel chuckled. "I'm not doing anything. I'm just asking you to smile."

I growled, "Shh, smile your foot."

Our entrance caused a stir as everyone inside turned to look at us. They didn't seem to mind that our date was old for us. That night, everyone was watching us. It looks like my older brother and Daniel have a lot of charm.

Daniel put my wineglass on the cocktail table, which surprised me.

"Let's dance," Daniel said.

"I don't want to dance with you," I said.

I spotted Ryan and Monique dancing on the dance floor. As I watched them, I sighed. Ryan was supposedly my date. He should dance with me, but my obnoxious brother has made him go out with another woman. It seems impossible, despite my desire to become his official girlfriend tonight after two weeks of flirting with him.

"Common, Russell. Let's enjoy the night. It only happens once," Daniel said. "As you can see, many youngsters wanted to dance with me, but I turned them all down so you wouldn't be a wallflower tonight. If you don't want to dance, I'll find someone else, and you can stand there."

"Hey, what do you mean by that? Are you the only one with a pretty face? I have a lot of suitors."

"I know, but I won't let them approach or dance with you. I am your date. Your attention and your night should be mine only."

Daniel pulled me to the center as I took a deep breath. It surprised me when he slid his hand around my waist and pulled me closer as I placed my hand on his shoulder and avoided his gaze. Ryker and Claire were also there and had a great time.

"Hold me properly so it doesn't look like you hate me," Daniel said.

"That's how I feel tonight," she said with irritation. "I told you I didn't want to dance, but you insisted."

Daniel said nothing. Instead, it surprised me as I felt Daniel's warm palm on my bare back.

"You've lost a lot of weight because I think your waistline was 32 inches before, but now, it seems..." Daniel said.

"I know I'm sexy," Russell said. "You don't have to say that to me."

Daniel chuckled. "You know you shouldn't listen to my brother," I said. "We hate each other, and it won't be fun for either of us."

"I don't hate you, actually, I...."

"Hi, can I dance with Russell?"

Daniel turned around, and I quickly let go of him. Ryan is asking me to have a dance with him.

"Sure," I said, smiling.

Daniel grasped my wrist before I could walk. "Wait, Russell..."

I yanked Daniel's hand away from me, irritated. "A lot of women want to dance with you. You may choose among them. Enjoy the night!" I said with a smile, leaving him in the middle of the dance floor.