My Idol My Wife (GxG)

Sophia and Jonathan looked at each other, utterly perplexed. "Do you what?" they asked in unison, their voices laced with a mix of confusion and concern.

Harper met their gazes evenly, her expression calm and resolute. "I'll be responsible for Rachel's monthly allowance and her school fees until she's able to support herself," she stated matter-of-factly.

Sophia's brow furrowed, and a hint of defensiveness crept into her tone. "And why is that?" she asked, the idea of someone else financially supporting her younger sister unsettling her.

Harper leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with a quiet determination. "Well, will you?" she asked, the question catching Sophia off guard. "She needs a monthly allowance, and her school fees are about twenty thousand US dollars a year. Are you going to support her? Because please do."

Sophia's mouth snapped shut as she exchanged a worried glance with Jonathan. They both knew that their parents, especially their mother, would never agree to this arrangement. And if Rachel were to pursue it, she would never support Rachel because she's waiting for her younger daughter to come back crying at her mercy later.

Jonathan cleared his throat, his voice laced with skepticism. "Why are you doing this for her? You've only just met her through a game."

Harper's expression softened, a hint of sadness flickering behind her reassuring smile. "Because I care," she said simply. "And because this is what I've wanted since I was her age—someone to help me out."

The siblings fell silent, grappling with the weight of Harper's words and the implications of her offer. They were old enough to recognize that there was likely more to Harper's story than met the eye. Sensing the gravity of the situation, they decided it was best not to pester her any further.

Sophia broke the silence, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Are you rich?" she asked, her tone laced with a mix of skepticism and genuine interest.

Harper shook her head, her expression remaining calm and collected. "No, but I can work and study," she replied matter-of-factly. "It's always been that way for me, and the university in Germany is actually cheaper than in the USA. Plus, they'll be paying me in euros."

Jonathan leaned forward, his brow furrowed in thought. "And if Rachel decided to quit, then what?" he asked, the unspoken concern evident in his voice.

Harper's gaze softened, and she responded with a gentle yet unwavering tone. "Nothing," she said simply. "So be it. Rachel is Rachel; this isn't some investment, young lord." Her words carried a weight that made Jonathan feel both ashamed and strangely offended.

"That's not what I mean." Jonathan feels restless.

"I did this because I want to, because I care," Harper continued. "I saw a young lady with so much talent and persistence, with a future. And if she wants to pursue that, then so be it. It will be my duty to support her, even if none of her own family is willing."

Sophia felt a lump form in her throat; her own inadequacies as an older sister were suddenly laid bare. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words seemed to elude her. "Isn't that?" she began before trailing off, unable to articulate the complex emotions swirling within her.

Jonathan, however, was more direct in his response. "But you're not her family!" he exclaimed.

Harper's gaze remained unflinching as she met Jonathan's outburst with a gentle rebuttal. "Do I need to be her family to support her?" she asked calmly. "Are you going to adopt me?"

The siblings felt a twinge of shame, their defensiveness slowly melting away in the face of Harper's compassion. Sophia let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head in disbelief. "Oh, you're good at this," she murmured. "You should be a lawyer."

Harper's lips curled into a playful smile. "They have you at Harvard already," she quipped. "They don't need two smartass girls in the same field."

The tension in the air dissolved, giving way to an improved feeling of respect and understanding. The siblings knew Harper's offer was more than simply a financial gesture; it was an expression of her deep faith in Rachel's potential. As they battled with their own flaws and the implications of her proposal, they couldn't help but feel a profound sense of respect and gratitude for this remarkable young woman who had so unexpectedly entered their lives.

Sophia broke the comfortable silence with a playful remark and a mischievous glint in her eye. "You know, I've always wondered—do you think my mother will allow me to marry a woman?" she asked, her tone laced with a hint of teasing.

Jonathan's eyes widened, and Rachel stared at her sister with a mixture of surprise and amusement. "You're not actually going to marry Harper to make her a part of the family!" Jonathan exclaimed, a touch of exasperation in his voice. "I'm the male one, so if anyone should marry her, it should be me."

Sophia laughed, shaking her head in amusement. "That's such an outdated idea, Jonathan. Don't you know they'll be legalizing same-sex marriage soon? We're not living in the dark ages anymore."

Rachel interjected, her voice firm and resolute. "Hold on, you two. She's not going to marry any of you!" she stated, earning a collective stare from her siblings.

Jonathan leaned back in his chair, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, so you're going to enter this fight too, baby Rach?" He teased, his gaze flitting between the three of them. "Let's not forget, I'm eighteen, and Sophia Unnie is twenty-one. What chance do you have at thirteen years old?"

The siblings burst out laughing, and the once-tense mood gave way to a cheerful closeness. Their relationship changed from uncertainty and worry to deeper understanding and appreciation for one another.

Harper smiled warmly as she watched the conversation take place, her heart filling with a sense of pride. She had not only made a connection with Rachel, but she had also managed to make Rachel get closer and more open towards her siblings. To be more talkative towards them, to say things she wants and what's inside her mind.

"Alright, I should leave," Harper said, rising from her seat after emptying her cup.

Rachel's eyes widened, and there was a hint of distress in her voice. "Eh, but you still have four hours?" She protested, clearly reluctant to let Harper go.

Harper offered an understanding smile as she explained, "I need to change my clothes and, if possible, take a bath. Then I'll need to check in, and that will probably take more time." She placed a gentle hand on Rachel's shoulder. "Be nice to your sister and brother. They'll listen to you. And speak your mind to your parents—some things are better to enjoy because we never know when we'll lose them. And make sure to bring your butt to Seoul. I'll take care of you after that. Just give me a call, okay?"

Her words carried a sense of resolution, as if she were bidding farewell to a beloved family member. Sophia couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness as she watched the exchange.

"Okay," Rachel responded, her voice soft and sincere.

Sophia cleared her throat, her gaze meeting Harper's. "Time for you to go, then?" she asked, the disappointment evident in her tone.

Harper smiled warmly. "Yes, but this isn't a goodbye. It's a 'see you later.'" She turned to Rachel and pulled her into a tight hug. "Harper!" Rachel exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for everything! I can't thank you enough!"

Harper chuckled. "Don't worry too much, Rach. Prove them wrong. Be a diva; I'll be waiting."

"I will!" Rachel promised, her eyes shining with determination.

Harper placed a kiss on Rachel's cheek before stepping back. "Bye, Rach," she said softly. Turning to the siblings, she added, "No need to follow. I'm not good at handling goodbyes." With a gentle wave, she started to walk away. "Bye, guys."

The siblings watched as Harper's figure retreated, a bittersweet feeling settling in the air. Their time with her had been far too brief, yet it had left an indelible mark on their lives.