The Affection Multiplier - Chapter 144: Jonathan has a suggestion. (Patreon)

So after laughing at your brother, realization strikes YOU this time that there’s a chance that Emma MIGHT also be your sister, which almost makes your heart stop. Thankfully, your brother is merciful enough to dispel that fear only minutes after letting you panic like an idiot.

“I actually did ask dad if there was any other siblings we might not know of. He said that, as soon as they knew I was on the way, he and Elena made some sort of deal where dad would take me in and then they’d split up. So no, your girlfriend is not your sister.”

“Oh thank god!” You sigh in relief. Mostly because it means you can’t be accused of incest, because you wouldn’t have stopped your relationship with Emma anyway.

“You’ll be meeting Mrs. Hayes, then?”

“That’s the plan.” Your brother nods. “I asked dad for details, too, but he said he wants me to hear her version first, his second. I can appreciate that, at least. He doesn’t want me to have an impression of her based on his own bias. I do have one of her based on yours, though.” He groans.

“Got to wonder if that factored in dad’s plans at all.”

“Hard to say.” Jonathan admits. “Hey, why don’t you come with me to meet her?”

…

“Excuse me?”

“I think the two of us deserve some answers to all this. Why was I raised by dad and our mom without ever hearing a word about her? Why does she have something against you when you weren’t even born at the time?”

…

He raises a good point, and you do have the Affection Multiplier. That, combined with your brother’s overwhelming charisma, might be just what you need to get some answers and get her off your back.

However…

“What if I let something slip and she finds out I’m dating Emma? I… I can’t risk that.”

“You’re really serious about her, huh?”

“I’m serious about all of them, brother.” You tell him seriously. “I’d marry all of them tomorrow if I could.”

“Woah! Hold your horses, Romeo! Marriage? Are you serious? Why commit yourself to something so drastic so soon?”

You blink, puzzled at your brother’s words.

“Because I love them, why else?”

In response to your words, he groans in what sound like disappointment. “Date them for a year and then tell me if you feel the same way. If you date them for two years and still feel like you want to marry them, I’ll gladly eat my words.”

“Whatever, that’s not the topic right now.”

“Correct.” He nods. “Now, come on, come with me! I’ll be there for you! When has your older brother ever let you down?”

“Remember that time you were supposed to pick me up from middle school but ended up running off with your girlfriend?”

“STILL holding that grudge? You’re never gonna let me live that down, are you?”

“You know, I always forget it until I have to remind you of your mistakes.”

Your brother groans and shakes his head as you casually drink more of your whisky.

You have to admit having your brother as support in that situation would be extremely reassuring. He’s not dad’s right-hand man just because he’s his son. Jonathan is the kind of guy who could sell you dirt and leave you happy with your purchase.

While you needed the Affection Multiplier to get out of a shitty situation, your brother is more than capable of getting out of it on his own. In a way, it’s scary to think what would happen if he had the app. A guy like your brother could easily take over a country in a month at most. Hell, he probably would.

“If you can get her to accept, I’ll go with you. I’m not just gonna show up out of nowhere.” You tell him.

“Deal.” Jonathan nods with a confident smile. There’s no ‘if’ here. For him, it might as well be done already. “Now that the heavy stuff is over and done with, it’s time for me to get some truths out of you.” He grins mischievously.

“So, spill it. Who’s your favorite?”

Oh God dammit. 

“Don’t start.” You half tell him, half ask him.

“Come on, out of those five there’s got to be one you like better, right?”

“This is stupid question because you’re not gonna like the answer.” You tell him, unamused. “I told you already, I love all of them.”

“For god’s sake, Dave! For the first time in our lives we can have a man-to-man talk as brothers and you give me this half-assed answer.” Jonathan groans and shakes his head in disappointment. “I’m telling you, I bet there’s one you like better than the others. You think about it, look deep within yourself, and tell me.”

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 How do you approach this?