The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 464 REASʼ EVER FRUSTRATING THOUGHTS

WHEN Astrid entered his apartment, he was surprised when he saw that his brother was already there. But whatʼs more surprising was that the other was staring blankly at the ceiling and seemed to not even notice his arrival.

With Reasʼ SS Level physique, he should have already known that he was here even before he opened the door. But looking at the otherʼs dazed expression right now, that didnʼt seem to be the case.

When he walked towards the living room and the other still hadnʼt turned his head, Astrid decided to prank the other. He carefully stood behind Reas and then pat his shoulders with a bit of force. ????????????????.??????

”Boo!”

Reas jumped out in fright, grabbed his arm, and was about to throw him over. He quickly called the other;

”Reas, stop, stop, itʼs me!” Astrid quickly said.

Good thing the other has fast reflexes and immediately managed to stop.

Reas let go of Astridʼs wrist and said with a bit of scolding, ”Why did you sneak up on me like that? I almost threw you over!”

”Well, isnʼt the question here why did I manage to sneak up on you?” Astrid asked with a raised brow.

Reas stiffened, knowing what his brother was trying to say. He sat back on the couch. ”Iʼm just preoccupied.”

”With thoughts of Lauren?” Astrid said as he crouched down to pick up his AI cat housekeeper.

”W-why mention him all of a sudden?” Reas almost stammered, sounding all defensive.

Astrid became curious at his brotherʼs reaction. He sat down beside the other and said, ”Ah, because you just had a lunch date with him?”

Reas blinked, then a hint of red appeared on his cheeks. Probably because he was embarrassed by how he overreacted. ”Itʼs just a simple lunch. Besides, weʼre friends. Friends donʼt go on dates.”

The way Reas said that last part made it seem like he just ate something bitter. Now Astrid was truly curious about what happened to this ʼsimple lunchʼ. But thatʼs his brotherʼs business, and he didnʼt have the hobby to pry. Especially since it involved his brotherʼs love life.

He put Xiao Lan down and stood up. ”Iʼll make us some snacks,” he said, walking to the kitchen.

Reas raised his head once again and looked dazedly at the ceiling.

Although the start of the lunch was awkward, it returned to normal with both their efforts, but things started to get weird again when Lauren mentioned his past ʼscandalsʼ. By now, he already understood that the other really didnʼt have any romantic relationship with those he had a scandal with. Lauren was simply too friendly that the public gave different meaning to his actions.

But even if Reas understood that, thereʼs that small part of him that couldnʼt help but be annoyed. And the most annoying thing of it all was that he didnʼt know why he was feeling that way in the first place.

Itʼs truly confusing for him. But even though itʼs annoying, itʼs not like he disliked it. Which just made it more confusing.

A heavy sigh escaped his mouth. If someone could read his mind right now, they would probably want to punch him because of how redundant all his thoughts were. But he couldnʼt help it. These thoughts were the only ones that kept circling around his mind since earlier.

No, probably not just earlier. But something that would suddenly pop up in his brain from time to time.

”Why are you back so early, by the way?” Astrid asked from the kitchen. ”I thought youʼd be back much later.”

His brotherʼs question finally stopped the spinning thoughts inside Reasʼ brain.

”He still has work,” he only said.

As he answered that, he couldnʼt help but remember what happened before he and Lauren went their separate ways.

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After lunch, Lauren said that they should walk in the bay area to help them digest the food they ate. Reas had no reason to refuse, so he agreed.

Feeling the cool ocean breeze on his face, Reas glanced at the person walking beside him. Laurenʼs long hair was swaying with the wind, the corner of his lips was drawn up in a faint arc, showing his good mood. As if feeling his gaze, Lauren raised his head ”I really enjoyed our lunch,” the other started. ”Since most of my friends are celebrities and a bright smile appeared on his face.

His eyes curved like a crescent moon, revealing the small crinkles around them that showed how genuine the smile was. Reas couldnʼt help but feel a small flutter in his chest at the sight. Laurenʼs smile was infectious, and Reas found himself smiling back without even realizing it. For a moment, everything else faded away, and all he could see was Lauren.

That was, until the other opened his mouth and said something that quickly ended this ʼmomentʼ.

”I really enjoyed our lunch,” the other started. ”Since most of my friends are celebrities like me, itʼs hard to go out with them without causing any, well, you know, gossip. So, Iʼm really glad I have a friend like you. We should do this whenever the two of us have a free time.”

Reas steps faltered when he heard that. He didnʼt know which one made him falter, the fact that Lauren called him a ʼfriendʼ or that heʼs not even considered as someone he could be in a scandal with.

Lauren noticed him stopping and turned around with a questioning look. ”Whatʼs wrong?”

Reas barely held on to his bubbling temper and said in a calm tone, ”Nothing.”

But the fact that those thoughts circled around his mind even after they separated meant that itʼs definitely just nothing.

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Reas shook his head after remembering the emotions he felt then. It was a mixed of everything—disappointment, frustration, confusion, those three were the major ones. If he continued on like this, he felt like he would really have to consult a psychologist or at least someone professional.

No, wait. He glanced at his brother. Didnʼt he have a perfect professional here? Maybe his brother could solve his problem.