"We have met before through an acquaintance," Xiran mumbled not wanting to reveal anything about Aselia.

"Yeah!" Silver added seemingly uninterested.

"But why both of you seem to hate each other? I understand vampires and vampire hunters don’t get along but both of you seem to have taken this to a whole new level," Rubisha’s eyes wandered from one man to the other.

"I have my reasons," Xiran kept glaring at Silver.

"And so do I," Silver spoke up although now he didn’t dislike Xiran as much as he used to. Knowing he himself was getting involved with a vampire as well.

Rubisha deeply sighed at them and their shenanigans before asking:

"Why are you here, Xiran?"

"I would rather talk to you alone about it," he said pointedly. His eyes indicated that he didn’t want to talk in front of Silver.

"I trust him. You can talk, he has been helping us deal with rogue problems," Rubisha had met Xiran for the first time when he came to attend one of their family gatherings and she was mesmerised by him. She had never seen anyone as handsome as he was until Silver.

"I don’t," Xiran answered and sensing his displeasure Silver got up. Although he wanted to ask Rubisha how she knew Xiran, he refrained from doing that in front of the grey-eyed vampire.

"I have to go on patrol, will see you around Miss Rubisha. Thank you for the soup," he put the soup bowl down. Giving a courteous nod to Rubisha he exited her condo. A hint of jealousy erupted in his heart leaving her with Xiran. Did they have a history together? Many questions bombarded his brain but he swiftly walked out and decided to ask her later.

Once the door shut Rubisha gave her full attention to Xiran and asked with a scowl:

"Did you really have to act like a moron with him?"

"I don’t like the man. I have some personal differences with him. Why was he in your apartment?" Xiran asked in all seriousness, crossing his legs in the process and he noticed Rubisha’s cheeks tinging a shade of red before she answered:

"He was attacked two days ago by vampires and got injured. I helped him nurse back to health, the least I could do for him after everything he had done for our city."

"I see. Now he is in good health no need to invite him back here," Xiran instructed in a serious voice and Rubisha couldn’t help but stare at him in disbelief. He was acting like a jealous elder brother who had just caught his sister with her new boyfriend.

"Why are you here? Rivan sent you?" she changed the topic no more wanting to discuss her private life with him. As much as she was harsh with Rivan she wasn’t with Xiran. She always listened to him and he acted like a messenger between sister and brother.

"I have something urgent to tell you so listen carefully and act on it the way I am going to instruct you. The future of your company depends on it," the gravity in his voice worried Rubisha and she knew he wouldn’t have come for some minor issue. She avoided her brothers and they gave her space unless it was something grave.

"I am all ears," Rubisha listened on intently as Xiran provided her with all the details of what was about to go down, becoming more and more furious with every word. Once he was done she replied in exasperation:

"Why would they try to do that to me? What have I ever done to them?" she wanted to cry out aloud but pursed her lips to not let any whimpers escape. Xiran sensed her agitation.

"You have done nothing wrong. But multi-billionaire companies don’t care about anyone. Everything is business for them. I know you have your differences with Rivan and Rumail but they are still your family and no one can have the best interest at heart than a loving family. We won’t let anything happen to your company, believe in us."

Rubisha knew her company was relatively small compared to Rivan’s established one and when the crisis would hit he would never back down from helping her.

"I am ready to stand against whoever will try to hurt my company but I want this battle to be mine and won’t seek his help until it’s the last resort," she sniffled but put forward a bold front.

Xiran smiled at her words and said: "And I expected nothing less from the kid sister of my best friend."

"I am not a kid though," she scowled again. She didn’t want Xiran to take her as a child but as a grown-up woman who knew how to run her own business.

"You will always be for me Rubisha. Just one thing more before I go. Life is unpredictable and you never know when it can end so let go of your hate and differences with your brothers and reconcile with them. You need them and they need you."

A warm smile he gave her, his own family was in shambles and he didn’t want Rivan’s family to remain apart.

"They abandoned me, their own sister," she replied with a fierceness which extended to her eyes.

"They were kids who had no clue how to take care of an infant. Times have changed, reconcile with them. You are lucky to have a family. Look at me,"

A bitterness could be sensed in his words which made Rubisha’s heart experience bouts of pain. Xiran further said:

"Despite having a brother and a father I feel alone. The only family I have is your brothers and I want you to be part of it too."

Rubisha was on tenterhooks by then, her voice had softened as she replied: "I will think about it."

"I am sure you will consider our offer," Xiran smiled a little and got up with these words. "Call me if the need ever arises, I will be here for you."

"I will but you must stay for dinner," Rubisha pleaded seeing he was all set to leave.

"I can’t, I have to get back. These are troubled times and I can’t leave the city alone for too long," he gave Rubisha a soft hug and took his leave. His heart content with knowing that Rubisha might change her mind regarding her brothers and they will get their sister back.