Harem Investment System: Getting Money And Women - Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Sleepover (Part 2) Chapter 69: Sleepover (Part 2) Ethan led the way into the kitchen, Zack trailing behind him with a lazy stride.  The moment they stepped inside, Ethan opened the fridge, scanning its contents before grabbing a few bottles of soft drinks.

Zack sighed dramatically.

“No alcohol?

Seriously?

Vanessa likes them though,” Ethan didn’t even glance at him as he started pouring coke into three glasses.

“Alcohol isn’t good if you take it all the time.” Zack groaned.

“You sound like an old man.” Ethan smirked.

“And yet, I make better decisions than you.” Zack scoffed.

“Debatable.” Ignoring him, Ethan placed the three cups on a tray and lifted it with ease.  Zack watched him, shaking his head.

“Man, you really have no fun.” Ethan glanced at him as they walked out of the kitchen.

“Depends on your definition of fun.” When they re-entered the living room, Ethan found Vanessa sitting comfortably on the couch with Claire and Julie on either side of her.  The three of them were looking at Vanessa’s phone, engaged in something that had them smiling and giggling.

Julie, eyes shining with excitement, pointed at the screen.

“Oh!

I love this one!” Vanessa smirked.

“Yeah?

It’s a good angle.” Ethan placed the tray down on the table.

“What are you looking at?” Claire, grinning, turned the phone slightly.

“Date pictures.” Zack, who had been lazily standing beside Ethan, suddenly materialized next to the couch, leaning over to look at the screen.  “Hold up – let me see this.” Vanessa chuckled, scrolling through the images.  The photos captured various moments from their day – the beach volleyball game, Ethan wakesurfing with perfect balance, the two of them walking along the shore, and even a candid shot of Ethan rubbing sunscreen on Vanessa’s arm.

Ethan hadn’t even noticed that she was taking pictures.

Zack whistled.

“Damn.

These look good.

Who took them?” Vanessa smirked.

“Some fans, mostly.

A few were from my own phone.” Claire zoomed in on a particular image of Ethan standing in the shallow water, the golden glow of the sunset behind him.  His expression was calm, unreadable, the ocean waves lapping at his legs.

Julie sighed dramatically.

“Big brother looks like a movie character in this one.” Zack burst out laughing.

“Yeah, yeah, Mr.

Brooding Protagonist over here.” Ethan took a sip of his drink and sat down, unbothered.

“You guys done?” Claire ignored him, still scrolling.

“Wow, you really had a date date.

You went all out, huh?” Vanessa leaned back, stretching.

“Hey, it was fun.” She shot Ethan a playful look.

“He’s good company.

For the most part.” Zack grinned.

“Oh, now I have to hear about the bad parts.” Julie pouted.

“There were no bad parts!

It was awesome!” Ethan, sipping his drink, raised an eyebrow at Vanessa.

“Yeah, Vanessa.

Tell them about the ‘bad parts.'” Vanessa smirked, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers.

“Hmm, let’s see… There was that time he refused to race me.” Claire gasped mockingly.

“Oh no, how dare he.” Zack laughed.

“For real?

Dude, you turned down a race with Vanessa Carter?

What is wrong with you?” Ethan shrugged.

“It wasn’t necessary.” Vanessa shook her head.

“You’re no fun.” Zack nudged Ethan with his elbow.

“Man, you had a whole day to impress her and you didn’t take the race?

Missed opportunity.” Julie giggled.

“Ethan doesn’t need to impress her!

She already likes him.” Claire smirked.

“Ohhh, she’s got a point.” Vanessa raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by the conversation.

“Who said I like him?” Julie, completely confident, pointed at the screen.

“The way you’re smiling in all of these.” Zack and Claire immediately turned to Vanessa, their expressions full of amusement.  “Busted,” Zack teased.

Vanessa chuckled, but she didn’t deny it.

“Well, what can I say?

He’s tolerable.” Ethan shook his head, standing up.

“I feel like I should be getting paid for this level of entertainment.” Vanessa smirked.

“Your sisters are the real stars here.

I might just kidnap them.” Julie gasped.

“Really?!

Can I go?” Claire laughed.

“Absolutely not.” The conversation flowed effortlessly, the air light with laughter and teasing.  Ethan observed from the side, sipping his drink as he watched his sisters – especially Claire – interact so easily with Vanessa.

Claire wasn’t the type to be easily impressed.  She was independent, strong-willed, and fiercely protective of both Julie and Ethan.  The fact that she was sitting here, laughing with Vanessa like they were old friends, meant something.

Vanessa, for all her confidence and fame, had a way of fitting in naturally, like she belonged there.

Ethan wasn’t sure what to make of that.

Vanessa glanced at him.

“You thinking too hard over there, Grey?” He met her gaze, expression unreadable.

“Just watching the show.” Zack chuckled.

“You know what?

This is nice.

I vote we make this a regular thing.” Claire smirked.

“What, Ethan bringing home famous people?” Julie clapped her hands.

“Yes, please!” Ethan sighed.

“I regret everything.” Vanessa laughed.

“Too late now,You’re stuck with us.” The evening passed with an ease that Ethan wasn’t entirely used to.

The house, which often felt too big and too quiet, was filled with laughter, chatter, and the occasional playful argument between Zack and Claire.

Julie, as always, had the most energy, bouncing between Vanessa and her brother with wide-eyed excitement.

They played a few simple games – nothing competitive, just enough to keep the fun going.

A racing game on the console, a card game that Julie insisted she totally didn’t cheat in, and even some ridiculous charades that had Zack flailing around dramatically while Vanessa tried to guess his terrible acting.

For once, Ethan wasn’t thinking about work or anything else that usually weighed on him.

He leaned back on the couch, sipping his drink as he watched Vanessa interact with his sisters.

She was at ease with them, teasing Claire like an older sister would and indulging Julie’s playful antics like a natural.

Maybe he was just tired, but he felt a small sense of gratitude that she was here.

And then – Boom.

The first clap of thunder cracked through the sky like an explosion, shaking the air around them.