The Queen's Back

Chapter 42

"What's wrong if I'm a little bossy? Maxwell doesn't mind getting bossed by me," Mona said to Albert as she looked at Maxwell with a pleased expression. "Aren't you afraid he won't be able to take it anymore one day?" Albert asked. He meant it as a friendly reminder. Mona was his sister after all. Even if he didn't particularly like her, he still had her best interests at heart. "That's not going to happen," Matthew answered decisively on Mona's behalf.

The siblings looked at Maxwell in unison. Maxwell was still driving, and he continued to explain, "No matter how domineering your sister is, I can live with it."

Mona's eyes were filled with surprise that she couldn't conceal. She thought this might be the confirmation she was waiting for, that Maxwell already had feelings for her.

She wanted to

I to find a chance to test her theory.

just spoil her then," Albert replied.

well (ached softly, and with a full smile on his face, answered, "Yeah, I'll do that."

As long as Mona stayed by his side, no matter what she did in Nathontown, he wouldn't object.

Albert knew for sure then that Maxwell was completely smitten with Mona. If he wanted to play video he'd have to go through her.

games with Maxwell,

He looked at Mona in the passenger seat with eyes full of hope. "Hey sis, why don't you let Maxwell play a round with me? You're the best!"

Albert's words reminded Mona of a time long ago when he used to say that, except that it wasn't to her, but to Barbara. Thinking of her teenage brother's tragic past, her heart ached for him.

Right now, Albert was a freshman in high school, and he hadn't fallen into the cycle of drug abuse, getting into fights, or skipping classes to play games. She thought if she somehow helped him to focus on his studies, he might not have to go through that. "Tell you what, it's going to be Friday in a couple of days, if you write your weekly report by yourself, and don't skip any classes for the rest of the week, I'll let Maxwell play video games with you on Friday. What say you?" Mona offered.

She knew she had

him to attend classes dutifully first, she'd have a shot of getting him to improve his grades at a later

think, Maxwell?" Albert asked

studying and preparing for exams thing was

sister," Maxwell said eagerly. It was

Albert's face, Mona added, "There isn't anyone who can give you a proper challenge at school when it comes to video games, right? You

truth. The people in school sucked. They were no match for Albert at

clenched his fists as he tried to convince himself. It was just two days

1/3

08:16 Tue, Oct 22

Chapter 42

he said, "Deal. I'll go to class and study hard these two

Mona replied with a

school, Maxwell began

2 $ €, 74%%

him, the more handsome she felt he was. She didn't understand why she had ever been afraid of

agreeing to play video games with Albert," Mona

+5

I'll pick you up from

then asked, "Isn't it troublesome for you to chauffeur me back

car, but couldn't

She

at all," Maxwell replied easily. He was

might have to rope you in to teach me." Mona clasped her hands together with t***ng eyes, as if she were pleading with him... The timing of Mona's decision seemed right to Maxwell. After all, Mona had started working and needed to get her

her, but he wanted to do so of