《In Love With My Evil Stepbrother》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    I am outside my boyfriend¡¯s apartment.


    I just took a 10-hour flight from East Coat to the West, transferred twice, switched subway, and then


    bus, just to get here in time to surprise him on his birthday.


    And here I am.


    Listening to him fucking another woman inside that door.


    ¡°Oh yes¡­oh Zack babe¡­fuck me! Fuck!¡±


    I can clearly hear the bed rattling, sweaty flesh smashing against each other, husky morns of pleasure.


    I mp my hand over my mouth to stop myself from screaming.


    All these times he¡¯s been begging me toe and visit, and this is his wee gift? Cheating on me


    with another woman?


    I feel betrayed, furious, and disgusted. Before I know it, I¡¯m banging on his apartment door.


    ¡°Zack! Open the fucking door! Zack!¡±


    The sound suddenly stops. A momentter, the door flies open as Zack appears behind it. His chest is


    naked, hair all raffled, I can still see all the hickey on his neck.


    ¡°Nat!¡± His eyes widen in panic, ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    I can¡¯t stop my voice from trembling. ¡°What the hell are you doing? Have you been cheating on me?


    Who is in there!¡±


    I shove him aside and try to push myself into the door. But Zack grabs my arm and stops me, as he


    growls, ¡°Calm down! Will you?¡±


    He runs his fingers through his hair, obviously frustrated. ¡°Look¡­Nat, I never meant for you to find out


    about this. But think about it, for the past one year we are almost never together. You never visit. What


    do you expect me to do?¡±


    I can¡¯t believe my ear.


    He is the cheater. And somehow, I¡¯m responsible.


    ¡°What to do? I expect you to keep your thing inside of your pants. Is that really so hard?¡±


    His forehead twists into a frown.


    ¡°Come on, Nat.¡± Finally he said, ¡°Don¡¯t be a baby.¡±


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    My heart is bumping repeatedly against my chest. I re at him and boom through my clenched teeth,


    ¡°Never, ever, call me a BABY! You disgusting, cheating, PIG!¡±


    I p him, so hard across the face that his head almost knocks on the doorframe. Before he realizes


    what happened, I turn my heel and stride away.


    I rush out of the building and suddenly realize it¡¯s pouring outside. I want to head back, but the


    entrance door is already locked.


    Great job, Natalia. You just locked yourself in the rain.


    ¡°Fuck¡­¡± I wipe the rain off my face and take out my phone.


    I want to call someone. The top one and two person on my contact list are Jenna and my dad, none of


    whom supported my idea ofing here in the first ce.


    Thest thing I need right now is another ¡°you should have¡± lecture.


    I scroll down my contact list while my body shivers in the rain. Suddenly my finger stops at someone¡¯s


    name.


    I¡¯ve never thought about contacting this person¡­but I am exhausted and soaking wet and have no


    ce to go to. What better idea do I have left?


    ***


    One hourter, my cab pulls over in front a townhouse. This is the most prestigious area in the city. You


    gotta have both the money and the power to be part of thismunity. Now as I open the passenger


    door, someone rushes over and opens an umbre for me.


    ¡°God what happened! You are drenched! Why can¡¯t you give me a call and let me pick you up at the


    airport?¡±


    I let her drag me into the house. ¡°Mom I¡¯m fine¡­I¡¯m probably just here for one night.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± her tone rises, ¡°Aren¡¯t you here to¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not here to visit you, mom.¡± I tell her, matter-of-factly.


    ¡°Oh.¡± The smile on her face faints, as she tucks a lock of hair to the back of her ear, apparently


    embarrassed.


    My mom is undeniably stunning, with her oval blue eyes and thick brown hair cascades down past her


    shoulder. She is well aware of her physical attractiveness, probably why she left my dad years ago and


    threw herself right into the arms of a billionaire.


    I resemble her a lot, like looking into the mirror. Zack once said he fell for me instantly the first time he


    saw me and hepliments me all the time about how good I look. But I don¡¯t care much about my


    appearance. And as it turns out, a pretty face is not enough to hold onto a cheating soul.


    Seeing the sad look on mom¡¯s face, I already regretted my earlier decision. ¡°Are¡­Mr. Ramirez and


    Eason home? If this is not a good time, I can easily get room at the hotel.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± said my mom quickly, ¡°Shawn is away for business trip and Eason is staying at his penthouse.


    You can stay in his old room tonight. Come, I¡¯ll show you.¡±


    So my stepbrother has a penthouse. Why am I not surprise?


    Eason¡¯s old room is on the second floor, first door to the left. When mom opens his bedroom door for


    me, suddenly it¡¯s like clock has been turned back. Everything is the same as I remembered it. Posters


    on the wall, his skateboard at the corner, and a ss cab showcasing all his antique collections.


    Eason loves to collect weird and funny stuffs when he travels abroad. All his collections are shockingly


    expensive. One time I wanted to use a teacup in his collection to drink water, and he told me this


    seemingly normal teacup is actually passed down from Victoria Era and worth thousands of dors. It


    shocked the crap out of me. But he justughed and tossed me the teacup like it¡¯s no big deal, saying I


    can have anything that I like.


    Awkward as it is between me and my mom, I do miss Eason.


    ¡°I always keep his room tidy and clean, in case he wants to stay the night.¡± Mom holds the door for me,


    ¡°but if you¡¯re notfortable with staying in his room, just give me half-an-hour, I¡¯ll get the guest room


    ready for you.¡±


    I cut her off. ¡°No that¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Alright, then.¡± She seems to have something else to say but eventually swallows it back. ¡°Love you


    baby, sleep tight.¡±


    She brings my backpack inside and close the door for me.


    Once I¡¯m alone by myself, I immediately sink to the floor. Closing my eyes, I can still hear Zack banging


    her and both of them growls in pleasure. That makes my stomach swirl with disgust.


    I slip into Eason¡¯s bed, pulling up the bed sheet to cover my head. His beddings smell like mint and oak


    wood, a smell that quickly soothes me. I crawl deeper into the bed, immerse myself into the warmth. It


    almost feels like someone is holding me.


    Too bad Eason isn¡¯t here. Although we haven¡¯t spoken to each other for 3 years, I can really use some


    company right now¡­


    ***


    I cry myself into sleep. When the morning sunshine falls in through the window, the headache is like a


    chainsaw slicing my scalp apart.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± I moan. I¡¯m desperately in need of a cold shower.


    Eason¡¯s bathroom is spotless, doesn¡¯t even have a bottle of shampoo or conditioner. I wonder how long


    he hasn¡¯t been home. I turn on the shower and flinch at the ice-cold water running down my skin, but


    this is just what I need to clear up my head.


    But then it urs to me, I left my backpack and clean clothes outside. And there¡¯s not even a towel for


    me to cover my body.


    Of course, I don¡¯t feelfortable walking around naked in my stepbrother¡¯s bedroom. But he¡¯s not


    around and I should be fine.


    I crack the door open, making sure no one is outside, and quickly sneak out. Mom stored my backpack


    in the closetst night. Now as I yank the closet door open and pull out the backpack strap, a box is


    knocked off and falls to the floor.


    ¡°What the¡ª¡± I look down and gasp.


    It¡¯s a box of condoms.


    Funny how his room doesn¡¯t even own a towel but has a full box of condoms in storage.


    And the next second, the bedroom door flies open. I jerk around and scream at the sight of a strange


    young man standing beside the door.

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    I leap at the bed sheet and cover my body with it.


    The man is apparently shocked as well. His hand still rests on the doorknob, taking in the sight that


    he¡¯s seeing.


    ¡°Who the hell are you!¡± I snap, ¡°Don¡¯t you know how to knock??¡±


    The man is tall and shockingly good-looking. His brown hair is in natural curls, which suits his pretty


    face. His eyes widen with surprise and then gradually squints. His lip suddenly curls into a smile and


    holds up his arm as he leans against the door.


    I can¡¯t believe he just stares. How rude!


    ¡°Can you not look??¡±


    The smile on his lip deepens into a sarcastic angel. ¡°Can you get out of my room?¡±


    His room?


    I look at him nkly for two seconds and suddenly take in a sharp inhale.


    ¡°Oh my god¡­Eason?¡±


    He sure has changed a lot. Taller, prettier, looking more like a man. I even catch a glimpse of a tattoo


    on the side of his neck.


    We spent one summer three years ago when my parents got divorced. It was such a great time. I was


    so sad when I had to leave for Miami to live with my dad. So I asked him to call or visit. But he never


    did. I tried to call him, but he rarely answered. We gradually grew apart.


    This is the first time we speak to each other in almost three years.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± I¡¯m a little overwhelmed. I want to give him a reunion hug and suddenly realize I¡¯m still naked,


    ¡°Eason. I¡¯m so happy to see you. But can you close the door for me? I¡¯m kindda in the middle of¡ª¡±


    He casually nods and closes the door.


    Behind him.


    I widen my eyes as he strides over and approaches me. I take a few steps back. He pushes When my


    bare buns touch the wallpaper, I suddenly realize now I¡¯m trapped between the wall and him.


    He¡¯s so close, chest almost touching my shoulders. He lowers his eyeline and gaze gradually fixes on


    me. I must be going insane right now. But he just felt so different. Not like Eason at all. Like some


    stranger with an amazing smell of mint and oak.


    This stranger makes my pulse quicken.


    ¡°Eason¡­¡± I stutter.


    I remember he has emerald green eyes. But now his pupil ispletely ck, so dark that it¡¯s like an


    abyss luring me in. I should look away, but I can¡¯t.


    Then he sneers and takes a step back.


    ¡°So, I saw you invite yourself into my closet without my permission?¡±


    My thought is still on his eyes. ¡°What¡ªno. It¡¯s a mistake. My backpack is in your closet, and I was


    trying to get my¡ª¡±


    ¡°Then why are you in my room?¡± He cuts me off, ¡°Why do you evene back?¡±


    I feel bewildered and hurt. ¡°I¡¯m sorry but mom said you don¡¯t live here and I¡¯m just here for one night.


    So, I thought it¡¯s fine.¡±


    But somehow, he seems even more angry.


    ¡°One night?¡± he says with a nasty tone, ¡°so you just love to show up, ruin everyone¡¯s n and


    disappear again, right? Like you are the princess and the sun orbits around you!¡±


    My jaw drops. But before I could react, he turns his heels and storms out of the room.


    What the fuck was that?


    Where is that sweet and charming Eason, who would give me the brightest smile whenever he sees


    me? Has he been using drugs and messed up his mind?


    I quickly get dressed. Before leaving the room, I still decide to clean the mess on the floor. My cheeks


    burn when I thought of these condoms belong to Eason.


    I rush downstair and catch moming out of the kitchen. ¡°Morning Nat. Do you want to have some


    breakfast?¡±


    ¡°Where is Eason?¡± I ask. I want to talk to him about what just happened.


    But my mom seems even more surprised. ¡°He¡¯s back?¡±


    Then I hear the engine sound from the garage. I run to the window and just in time to catch a sport car


    disappears around the street corner.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Momes to my side. ¡°Did you bump into him? My god¡­hope he¡¯s not mad with you staying in his


    room.¡±


    He can be mad. But he doesn¡¯t have to be such a jerk. I thought to myself.


    ¡°Ok, enough of him.¡± Mom holds my hand, ¡°What do you say we go out for brunch? Then we can go


    shopping and have our nails and hair done. When was thest time we shop together?¡±


    Shopping with mom is horrible. Thest time I went out with her, she looted the entire mall without a


    blink. The sale assistant at Herm¨¨s has to temporarily close the store just for us. I was half-scared that


    Mr. Ramirez would me hervish spending. But the man onlyplimented mom¡¯s taste when he


    got home.


    Then I gradually realize, vish¡± doesn¡¯t exist in Ramirez¡¯s dictionary. The wealth that this family


    possess exceeds my imagination.


    Now my mom seems so overly excited. I hate to break it to her. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m leaving today.¡±


    I¡¯ve got no reason to stay. Turns out my boyfriend is a cheating pig. And the heir of this townhouse


    apparently doesn¡¯t like me in his territory.


    ¡°No! Don¡¯t leave, not so soon, ok?¡± mom begs. I¡¯m surprised to find tears welled up in her eyes. ¡°Stay


    for another couple of days. Your semester won¡¯t begin in at least a month. What¡¯s the hurry? Let¡¯s go


    out for brunch and you can tell me what brings you back this time.¡±


    I remain silent. I push back the urge of asking her if she wants me to stay so bad, then why did she


    leave me and my dad in the first ce?


    But I don¡¯t want to be so cruel to her.


    ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    Before I can finish, my phone buzz.


    I take it out and is surprised to find it¡¯s Zack.


    [Nat. Can we meet up? At least let me exin.]


    That shameless bastard has the face toe back to me.


    I sneer at his text. Wondering what else he has got to say. Maybe he deserves another p from me.


    [Ok. But not at your ce.]


    He texts me an address.


    ¡°Mom, I need to go¡­somewhere.¡± I tell her, ¡°Maybe we can have dinner together?¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡± mom¡¯s face lights up. ¡°You need a car? Or I can drive you myself.¡±


    I don¡¯t need her to spoil me with my stepfather¡¯s money, so I take the bus. An hourter, I find myself in


    Boston¡¯s most bustling and extravagant mall, and I suddenly realize Zack¡¯s n.


    Whenever we fight, he¡¯d take me to a fancy restaurant where waiters wear ck ties and pulls out the


    chair for you. I lost my temper once in a restaurant like these, and must have the most awkward


    conversation with the manager. So, I try my best to hold the anger in that kind of environment.


    Zack knows my weakness and he use it against me whenever he needs my forgiveness.


    If I never caught him cheating, it¡¯d probably take longer for me to realize he¡¯s such a condescending,


    maniptive jerk.


    I lift my head, puff out my chest, and march into the restaurant.


    The waiter leads me to our table. Zack¡¯s already sitting there. His face expression all normal, not a


    shred of guilt in him.


    He stands up to greet me, but I ignore him. He passes me a menu. ¡°You must be hungry. Let¡¯s order


    first.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I say, sternly, ¡°If you got nothing to say, I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    He pulses for a second and lets out a heavy sign. He crosses his fingers together and ces them on


    the table, trying to look sincere.


    ¡°Nat,st night was a mistake.¡± He says, ¡°It¡¯s just a one-time thing, it never happened before I swear.


    I¡¯m so so sorry. I just¡ªI just really miss you and when you¡¯re not around, it¡¯s hard for me.¡±


    ¡°You miss me so much that you have to fuck another woman?¡± I ask.


    He frowns upon my words. ¡°No! Look, I was drunk alright? I¡¯d never do this with a sound mind.¡±


    Trying to me the alcohol? I can sense fury building inside of my body. ¡°Just say what you want.¡±


    ¡°I want you.¡± He reaches out and tries to grab my hand, ¡°I don¡¯t want us to break up because I made a


    stupid mistake. But could you please move to Boston? Your mom and stepfather live here anyway.


    Long distant is too hard, and everything will be alright once we are together.¡±


    Iugh. Maybe a little too loud. People turn around and look at us.


    ¡°Don¡¯t me distance and the wine. You cheated on me because you want to mess with other women.


    Even if I move back, you¡¯d still cheat. Nothing will ever change.¡±


    I know this. Because this is how my parents got divorced.


    Zack seems offended. ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re the saint now? Maybe I sleep with others because my girlfriend


    can¡¯t satisfy me. Ever think of that?¡±


    What did he just say?


    I jump up from my seat, chair scratches the hardwood floor making a screeching noise. Now everyone


    in the restaurant is starring. I glower at Zack, breath quickening, just when I¡¯m about to shout back, he


    stands up as well.


    ¡°Natalia.¡± He warns, ¡°Be civil. Don¡¯t forget where we are at.¡±


    I can feel people¡¯s staring. And quiet whispering all around the room. I¡¯m totally causing a scene.


    Then I hear footstep approaching me from behind. I wince in fear that it might be the manager, but


    suddenly I¡¯m pulled into a muscled chest and immersed in that wonderful smell of mint and oak once


    again.


    I look up and find Eason standing by my side. He is dressed in a casual white t-shirt and jeans, but he


    still gives off an aura of supercity. I can sense all thedies in the restaurant are quietly checking on


    him.


    ¡°Hey there.¡± He reveals a friendly smile and offers his hand, ¡°Natalia¡¯s boyfriend, right? I don¡¯t think


    we¡¯ve met. Eason Ramirez. Nat¡¯s brother.¡±


    Zack is confused but he leans in anyway to shake hand with Eason.


    The next second, Eason¡¯s hand drops. He casually grabs the water on the table and spills the entire


    ss right onto Zack¡¯s face.

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    Holy f¡ª


    I mp my hands over my mouth to stop the screaming. Gasp and sharp inhalesing from every


    corner of the restaurant.


    Zack is beyond shock. He freezes, as water dripping down his hair and forehead. He slowly looks up


    and seems still can¡¯t believe what has just happened.


    Eason is probably the only person not freaking out. He calmly ces the ss back and smiles at


    Zack. ¡°It suits you.¡±


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Are you FUCKING insane?¡± Zack shouts. He points at Eason and then directs at me, ¡°Who the fuck is


    this guy, Natalia? What¡¯s the matter with¡ª¡±


    Eason grips his wrist before he can finish. Eason¡¯s expression darkens, almost scary to look at. Inch by


    inch, he pushes down Zack¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Don¡¯t point at her, ever again.¡± He states, word by word.


    I¡¯m still in trance. Everything happened too fast. How did Eason know I¡¯m here? And why is he standing


    up for me? He was such a jerk this morning. What changed?


    Zack cringes. He¡¯s about the same size as Eason, but apparently he is afraid to fight him.


    ¡°Waiter!¡± Zack snaps his head at the waiter rushing towards us. ¡°This man just attacked me! I want to


    call police!¡±


    My heart suddenly drops. I can¡¯t believe how shameless he can be. But he¡¯s going to get everyone into


    trouble.


    ¡°Zack!¡± I hiss, ¡°There¡¯s no need for that.¡±


    Eason snorts. ¡°It¡¯s ok. Let him tell on us.¡±


    The waiter approaches us. Yet surprisingly, he turns to Eason and me first and slightly bows. ¡°Can I


    help you with anything, Mr. Ramirez?¡±


    ¡­Mr. Ramirez?


    Right, how can I forget? If Zack is a patronizing rich bastard, then Eason is ten times what he is.


    My heartrate is back to normal. Now I want tough so bad. Zack¡¯s fossilized face is amusing to be


    looked at.


    Eason holds me in his arm and nods at the waiter. ¡°Yes. You heard the man. There has been some


    shouting and attacking. Better call the police before things escte.¡±


    I stop myughter. ¡°Wait Eason¡­let him go.¡±


    As pleasant as it is to see Zack go down to hell, I can¡¯t bare spending another second with him. I¡¯ve


    had enough fun. That should be enough.


    ¡°You sure?¡± Eason looks at me. He seems so normal right now, like a protective big brother.


    I nod.


    ¡°Whatever Miss Moore prefers then.¡±


    It¡¯s strange to hear him call me ¡°Miss Moore.¡± But I don¡¯t hate the ring of it.


    Zack glowers at us and quickly storms out of the restaurant.


    I want to thank Eason for everything, but before I could do that, he turns back at me and gives me a


    small snort ofughter. ¡°So that¡¯s your Prince Charming huh?¡±


    I frown. I don¡¯t like his sarcastic tone, but I¡¯m still grateful for what he just did.


    ¡°I already broke up with him. Anyway, thanks for everything.¡±


    Yet Eason ignores my gratitude. Both hands in his pocket, he looks down at me and seems more


    condescending than ever.


    ¡°Sure you did.¡± He chuckles, ¡°You love the hypocrite type. As long as they write huge checks to animal


    shelter and pretend to care about global warming, you¡¯d let them do anything. No matter how much of a


    jerk he really is.¡±


    My jaw drops. What¡¯s with all the mood swing?! One minute he¡¯s this loving and protective big brother,


    and the next minute he just turns into this malicious monster.


    He must be on drugs.


    ¡°Are you seriously judging my love life?¡± I snap, ¡°Oh I¡¯m sure Mr. yboy must have a lot to say about


    this. Because he has so many condoms in his closet and has to sleep with almost every woman he


    ever set eyes on!¡±


    Eason¡¯s green eyes burn with me of fury. He shouts back, ¡°I won¡¯t sleep with you! That¡¯s for sure!¡±


    My mouth falls open. What did he just say?


    Eason seems to be shocked by his own words as well. His ears are red, but he continues to glower at


    me, not flinching away. Our fight has caused almost everyone in the restaurant to put down their food


    and enjoy the scene.


    The waiter tries to break our tension. ¡°Mr. Ramirez, do you want to use our balcony?¡±


    ¡°Yeah go to your fancy balcony!¡± I yell at him, ¡°I¡¯m out of here.¡±


    I rush out of the restaurant.


    It¡¯s a huge mistakeing down here. No, it¡¯s a huge mistakeing down to Boston. I should have


    listened to dad and Jenna on this.


    Mom is home when I get back. She¡¯s surprise to see my lunch n end so quick. ¡°So soon? Did you


    have a good time?¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s awful.¡± I sit on the couch, frustrated. ¡°Eason is an asshole.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± mom moves closer to me and pours me a cup of hot tea, ¡°I thought you and Eason


    were getting along.¡±


    Mom has the charisma of making people open up to her. Before I realize, I have already told her


    everything.


    ¡°Oh Nat, I¡¯m sorry about your boyfriend.¡± She gently rubs my shoulder.


    ¡°Ex, boyfriend.¡± I correct her.


    ¡°Yes, sorry.¡± She smiles, ¡°And about Eason¡­well I¡¯m sure he meant well. He¡¯s just not good at


    expressing his feelings. Despite his pride and everything, I think he really likes you.¡±


    ¡°He maybe, three years ago. But not anymore.¡± I murmur, ¡°Now he hates me.¡± And I have no idea why.


    Mom seems to disagree. ¡°Well maybe you don¡¯t know the whole story. I still remember when you left


    three years ago, Eason went through quiet a hard time.¡±


    I look up to her, confused.


    ¡°That¡¯s when he moved out.¡± Mom signs, ¡°He got into a huge fight with Shawn. They rarely talk to each


    other since. He¡¯s be quite¡­well how should I put it¡­gloomy.¡±


    Eason and gloomy? I highly doubt that. ¡°Mom, this is far-fetching. I think he¡¯s just upset because you


    and Mr. Ramirez were getting married. I have nothing to do with this.¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t think he cares that much about our marriage.¡± Mom smiles wanly, ¡°But can you try to be


    friend with Eason? It¡¯s already hard enough to have two people ignoring each other under this roof.¡±


    ¡°Mom.¡± I try to remind her, ¡°I¡¯m not staying. In fact, I¡¯m leaving today.¡±


    There¡¯s nothing worth sticking around for. It¡¯s already bad enough to get dumped by my boyfriend, I


    don¡¯t need to stay here and admire my mom¡¯s happy remarried life. Plus, it¡¯d be too awkward now to


    stay in Eason¡¯s bedroom.


    I rush upstairs to pack my bag, despite mom calling my name behind me. I ignore her and dial dad¡¯s


    number.


    He picks up on the first ring, ¡°Nat, everything alright?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Just want you to know I¡¯ming home today. Can you pick me up at the airportter?¡±


    He sounds surprised, ¡°Today? But Nat¡­I thought you were going to stay a bit longer.¡±


    ¡°Well, if you can¡¯te, I can take the shuttle. No worries.¡±


    His voice tenses up even more, ¡°It¡¯s not that¡­I thought that¡ªI mean why don¡¯t you stay at your mom¡¯s


    ce, for a while longer?¡±


    My body bes stiff. I can sense a trace of nervous and embarrassment in his tone.


    ¡°Dad¡­¡± I gulp, ¡°Are you asking me not toe home?¡±

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    I don¡¯t believe this. He didn¡¯t want me toe down to Boston earlier. What happened? What


    changed?


    Dad mumbles over the phone, ¡°Of course you are wee toe back. It¡¯s just¡ªI think you should


    spend more time with your mom. When was thest time you visit her? Maybe this is a great chance


    for you to bond.¡±


    I don¡¯t buy that. ¡°How long do you want me to stay here?¡±


    He falls into silence.


    My mouth goes dry. And my heart is falling into a bottomless pit. After a long wait, I decide to make this


    easier for him. ¡°Dad. What is the real reason?¡±


    Another painful silence. He finally speaks up.


    ¡°¡­Hallie wants to move in with me.¡± His voice so low. Almost hard to catch up, ¡°I thought it might be


    awkward if you two are both here at the beginning.¡±


    My mind wentpletely nk.


    I don¡¯t know what to think, nor what to say. But I guess my reaction doesn¡¯t really matter to these


    people anyway.


    ¡°So, this is it?¡± I grip the phone till my knuckles turn white, ¡°You are kicking me out because you want to


    please your girlfriend?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Dad¡¯s voice is squeaky, seems like he¡¯s trying to hide the guilt, ¡°I¡¯m just afraid that you¡¯d be


    ufortable. And I talked to your mom, Boston has better education. Maybe you¡¯ll have a greater


    chance getting into a better college if you stay there.¡±


    So mom is in this too. And it¡¯s a long-term n.


    Oh yes. Just looking out for me. As they have always been.


    When they first got divorced, mom also kindly suggested me go to Miami with my dad because she


    was afraid that I would be ¡°ufortable¡± here.


    And the same excuse again.


    I am a ser ball to them? They can just kick me aside whenever they don¡¯t want me around?


    ¡°Nat?¡± Dad calls my name, ¡°This is up to you really. If you want toe back¡ª¡±


    I quietly hang up on him.


    I put away my phone and walk out of the room. Mom is standing in the hallway, twisting her frail fingers,


    looking nervous.


    ¡°Nat. Did he tell you?¡± Shees to me, ¡°About his girlfriend Hallie?¡±


    ¡°Yes. And his n of getting rid of me.¡± I grip my first and ask through my clenched teeth, ¡°Have you


    ever thought of what I want? Why do you have to decide my life for me!¡±


    Mom takes a sharp inhale. Her eyes are filled with tears and sadness. But I don¡¯t really care what she


    thinks right now.


    I rush out of the townhouse.


    I don¡¯t really know where to go. I thought I could stay with Zack when I came here, but that n went to


    drain; I wanted to go back to Miami, but I was kicked out; my mom and that fancy townhouse shut the


    door on me long ago, so I don¡¯t really want to stay there either.


    Guess I am homeless.


    I wander around aimlessly and end up on a bus going out of town. The bus bumps up and down for


    more than two hours. I cry and fall asleep during the trip. When I wake up again, the bus has already


    stopped.


    ¡°Final stop, kid!¡± The driver shouts at me.


    I stumble off and find myself nearby a city park. Through the woods I can vaguely see the sea. It¡¯s


    getting dark now. Might not be a good idea going into the park.


    I slump onto a bench and start to question the point of this runaway. It¡¯s silly. Can I really live a life on


    my own without ever returning? I have exactly $529 on my ount, which can¡¯tst a month. Not to


    mention I will start college next year¡­


    I want to scream, cry and smash things. What have I done to deserve this life?!


    My phone has been buzzing nonstop. I take it out and find a ton of missing calls: mom, dad, Jenna¡­


    even Eason and Mr. Ramirez.


    I can¡¯t believe mom told everyone about this.


    Iy back on the bench and gaze nkly into the air. Maybe I¡¯ll go back and suck up with whatever


    ns they¡¯ve made for me. But tonight, just tonight, I want to be alone.


    Suddenly I hear heavy footsteps. I look up and find a group of drunk mening around the corner.


    They are pretty wasted, I can smell the vodka as they approaching me. It¡¯s an open street. But there¡¯s


    no one around except us.


    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Hey!¡± one of the men spotted me, ¡°What are you doing there!¡±


    My pulse quickens. I quickly stand up, ducking my head down to avoid eye contact, and hurry down the


    road.


    I pray for them to get lost. But today isn¡¯t my lucky day. Heavy footstep tags along as they keep teasing


    me with whistles and dirty jokes. ¡°Hey where are you going? Get back there!¡±


    They all burst intoughter.


    I start running as I fumble in my pocket in search of my phone and call someone. The phone slips


    through my fingers during the chaos. I crouch down to find it. But someone suddenly grasps my


    shoulder from behind.


    ¡°No!¡± I scream, ¡°Get away from me!¡±


    ¡°Shush¡­¡± someone locks both of my hands and presses my body against the tree. I start yelling for


    help, but he covers my mouth to muffle my words. ¡°This one is feisty. I like her.¡±


    His friends chortle and gather around.


    My body is shivering. I tried the kicking and biting, but none of those works. These are tough-built man


    and, even drunk, are still way stronger than me.


    I¡¯ve never thought of this even in my worst nightmare. Desperate eating me alive. I bite my tongue till


    copper taste fills my mouth, as tears drop down my cheeks and falls on a man¡¯s hand.


    ¡°She¡¯s crying!¡± someone shouts in excitement, ¡°Go gentle on her.¡±


    I can smell his terrible breath, like rotten fish and putrid water. I hold my breath and close the eyes,


    giving up on any useless resistance.


    Headlights pierce through darkness as a sport car flies around the corner making a shrill noise.


    Everyone is startled and turns back to look. The car full speeds towards us and makes a sudden stop,


    almost hitting a drunk man.


    ¡°Hey!¡± shouts the man, ¡°look where you are going!¡±


    The driver¡¯s door bursts open. A tall figure immerses from the bright headlight. My eyes squint at the


    strong light but, the next second, I recognized him.


    It¡¯s amazing how you can feel so desperate and fear one moment and the next totally safe and secure.


    My vision is blurred by tears as I take in a shuddering breath.


    It¡¯s Eason.


    As shocking and miraculous as it may be, he found me.


    He marches towards us without any hesitation and pulls a heavy punch on the man closest to him. The


    man yells in pain and staggers back. This all happens so fast. Before they realize, he has knocked


    down a few of them with ease.


    I dive aside. At first, I was still worried since they clearly outnumbered him. But a few momentster I


    realize there¡¯s no way they can beat him.


    ¡°Get the fuck out of my sight!¡± he deeply growls, pulling me into his arms.


    No one dares to challenge him. They immediately turn on their heels and run off into the darkness.


    As soon as they disappear, thest bit of strength that keeps me standing vanishes. I almost copse


    onto the ground, but he catches me.


    ¡°What the hell are you thinking?!¡± he roars onto my face. ¡°What if I didn¡¯t get here in time? What if I


    never found you? Before you shut off you phone, have you thought of the consequences!¡±


    My heart¡¯s still pounding from what happened earlier. The way he looks at me right now makes me


    want to scream and disappear. But his hands are still holding my arms firmly. Having nowhere to hide, I


    am forced to look back at him as tears scream down my face.


    He freezes. Gradually, the fury in his eyes fades away, giving way to a moreplex emotion.


    ¡°Stop crying.¡± He rigidly orders. But he sounds way lessmanding than he needs to be.


    Then I go from sobbing to wailing. I bury my face into his shoulders and let my tears wet his clothes. He


    didn¡¯t push me away. Instead, he holds on to me tighter, one arm around my waist and the other gently


    holding the back of my head.


    I feel safe in his arms. So I cry and cry, venting out all my sorrow and suffering.


    Between the choking sound I made, I hear his husky low voice mutters into my ears. ¡°I was worried


    sick.¡±

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    It takes me a long time to quiet down. Then it suddenly urs to me that my eyes are all red and


    puffed. Feeling embarrassed, I slightly push him away.


    ¡°Can you not look?¡± I said in a whisper.


    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Your eyes are what you are worried about?¡± Great, the sarcastic version of him is back.


    I heave a long sign and groan, ¡°Please let me know if you are going to begin the judging. So I can be


    prepared.¡±


    He res at me. But I¡¯m not afraid. Somehow his angry face makes me want tough.


    ¡°d to entertain you.¡± He taunts.


    ¡°¡­Sorry.¡± I manage to push my lips down, ¡°How did you find me?¡±


    He signs. ¡°Your mom called me. I don¡¯t think you would take the taxi. And there¡¯s only one bus stop


    near the house. So I followed the route, searched every bus stop.¡±


    My heart twitches with guilt. What I did was childish. And he¡¯s right, if he didn¡¯t get here in time,


    something horrible could have happened.


    ¡°Maybe I should call mom.¡± I stutter.


    I know I should call her and put her mind at ease. But my head is still aplete chaos and it¡¯s


    terrifying just thinking how she would react to tonight¡¯s event.


    Eason notices my reluctant. ¡°I can call her. If you don¡¯t want to.¡±


    ¡°Really? You would do that?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± He shrugs, ¡°I¡¯ve done you two big favors today. Why not make it a third?¡±


    Iugh and I know he¡¯s right.


    He walks away to make a quick phone call. Momentster hees back, and I am nervous.


    ¡°What did she say?¡± I ask, ¡°You didn¡¯t tell her about the¡ªabout what happened did you?¡±


    ¡°No. She just asked me to keep you safe.¡±


    I¡¯m relieved. I can deal with mom and whatever she has to say tomorrow. Tonight I¡¯ll be fine.


    ¡°I guess you don¡¯t want to head home right now, do you?¡± he grins, ¡°I¡¯ve got a n for us. Hop in.¡±


    He goes to open the door for me.


    I¡¯ve never ridden a sport car before. The space is restricted, making my whole body tightly anchored to


    the seat. Guess this car isn¡¯t built forfort.


    I shift ufortably in my seat, fumbling for the seatbelt. Eason gets in the driver¡¯s seat, both hands


    on steering wheel, squinting at me with a frown on his face.


    ¡°What?¡± embarrassed, I mutter. I¡¯m a bit worried that he¡¯d make fun of my ignorance.


    The next second, he suddenly leans forward, cornering me between his chest and the seat. I


    immediately stiffen. His presence is so apparent, making the already confined room even more


    crowded. He¡¯s so close that I can literally count his thick long eyshes.


    ¡°Why? What do you want?¡± I stutter.


    A slight smile touches his lips. He leans in even more and grabs something from behind my side.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± he sits back and chuckles quietly, ¡°Just getting your seatbelt for you.¡±


    I feel stupid of having my head all swirly around him. But he¡¯s way too attractive that sometimes I forgot


    he¡¯s my stepbrother.


    The drive is quiet at first. None of us speaks up. But Eason seems to be in a nice mood, since he¡¯s


    been tapping rhythmically on the steer wheel. When we are finally on the free road, he turns around


    and asks me: ¡°Ready for something fun?¡±


    My guard is up. His version of ¡°fun¡± can¡¯t possibly mean the same thing as mine. ¡°Maybe, what do you


    have in mind?¡±


    He grins at me widely and then turns on the music. I immediately cover my ear. The sound is


    unbearable! It shouldn¡¯t be called as music, just loud, annoying, frantic noise!


    ¡°Turn it off! Now!¡± I shout.


    ¡°You will be thanking me soon!¡± he shouts back over the sound.


    Suddenly he hits the pedal to the metal.


    I feel my body being thrusted forward, like a truck has hit me from behind, and snapped back to the


    seat. The roaring engine, the howling wind and the heavy metal music are almost deafening! It¡¯s like


    being thrown on a goddamn rollercoaster!


    I scream on top my lung. ¡°What the fuck! Stop!¡±


    He slightly releases the gas, but the speed is still so fast. ¡°Rx! Just enjoy it!¡±


    How can I possibly enjoy it?! It¡¯s more like torture!


    But after the initial panic passes, a strange electricity runs down my spine. My mind ispletely nk


    and my body so light that it almost feels like flying. I don¡¯t want to admit it. But he¡¯s right¡­this is


    thrilling!


    He notices my change of expression and shouts to me over the wind. ¡°Having fun?¡±


    ¡°Eyes on the road!¡± I scream and heughs.


    The ride is shorter than I expect. Before I realize, we have already exited the free road and pull into the


    city. My heart is still pounding from earlier excitement as he smiles at me, ¡°You like it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I admit, ¡°But next time give me a head up.¡±


    Heughs. ¡°Already nning on our next ride? I¡¯ll see how my schedule fit to it.¡±


    Iugh along, but then suddenly realize, I must not be the only girl he has brought to a car-racing


    before. In fact, this sport car is such a woman killer that he must have pulled this act a thousand times.


    My heart sinks a bit thinking of this. I¡¯ve always knew Eason is popr among girls, but it has never


    bothered me as much.


    Maybe because he has changed so much, and I¡¯m still not used to it.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± he can be so observant sometimes.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± I lie and look up. We are pulling into the driveway in front of a fancy building. ¡°Where are


    we?¡±


    ¡°My ce.¡± Eason kills the engine and clears his throat, ¡°I thought¡­I don¡¯t know. If you don¡¯t want to go


    back home, you can stay here for tonight. I have extra rooms.¡±


    He¡¯s nice to me again. I look to him directly and sincerely say, ¡°Thank you Eason.¡±


    He casually shrugs, as if it¡¯s no big deal. But I can tell that he¡¯s not so use to other¡¯s gratitude. I smile to


    myself and follow him into the building.


    His apartment is on the top floor, the penthouse of course. When we exit the elevator and he opens the


    door, I immediately take in a sharp inhale.


    I¡¯ve imagined his ce to be huge. But I¡¯ve never pictured¡­this.


    The living room is shockingly spacious, featuring a zed wall overlooking the entire city. Soft lights


    come to life as we step inside, illuminating the light-colored room d¨¦cor. The brown leather sofa and


    ivory hardwood floor are very harmonious to each other. This room looks like a picture from a home


    design magazine.


    ¡°Wow.¡± I don¡¯t know what to say, ¡°Wow!¡±


    He chuckles and gesture me toe inside. ¡°Thanks for thepliment.¡±


    I walk around and carefully put my hand on an ornament sitting on the table. ¡°This looks nothing like a


    house for a student.¡±


    ¡°Yeah well. I didn¡¯t want to stay in the townhouse. So this is what I get.¡±


    I snort aughter. ¡°Most student rent a studio with shared bathroom or live on campus if they don¡¯t want


    to stay with parents. They don¡¯t get this.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m d you like it.¡± He smiles as he opens the fridge and tosses me a bottle of ice beer.


    I really shouldn¡¯t be drinking. But thinking about everything that happened today, I decide that I deserve


    a sip.


    Eason pops up his can and sits next to me, ¡°Do you want to talk about why you stormed out this


    afternoon?¡±


    I fall into silent. I still feel hurt, but I don¡¯t resist the idea of telling him.


    So I told him, from how I n to surprise Zack on his birthday to how I got kicked out by my dad.


    ¡°That means¡­you are staying?¡± he asks. For some reason, his tone sounds odd, as if he¡¯s trying to


    suppress some strong feelings.


    ¡°I guess.¡± I groan. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this. I¡¯m so used to Miami now and I can¡¯t imagine I must start over


    on my senior year.¡±


    He doesn¡¯t seem to be so happy. ¡°You are only in Miami for 3 years. You were born in Boston.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, still.¡± I turn around at him, ¡°But you know what? If I stay, I might end up in your school. That¡¯s not


    so bad, is it?¡±


    He looks at me with a gentle gleam in his eyes. Gradually, he curls his lips and forms a smile.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s not so bad.¡± He grins.


    That smile is probably the most beautiful thing I¡¯ve ever seen. I know he¡¯s my stepbrother and


    everything, but my heart race still quickens because of him from time to time.


    Without thinking twice, something slips out through my lips. ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    He raises his eyebrows. ¡°Sure.¡±


    There¡¯s no turning back. I take in a swallow.


    ¡°Why do you hate me?¡±


    He looks at me for a long time, face unreadable. I suddenly feel nervous under his gaze. I want to


    change the subject, but he suddenly leans in and closes the gap between us.


    His voice husky and gentle. And he asks me, ¡°Why do you think I do?¡±

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    I slightly open my mouth, but no wordse out of it. Ipletely lost track of what I¡¯m going to say.


    A momentter, I stutter, ¡°isn¡¯t it obvious? You chase me out of your room. You shout at me at the


    restaurant. And you¡ª¡±


    ¡°And I drove around crazy trying to find you, I fought for you, and I risked getting a ticket just to cheer


    you up.¡± He shrugs, ¡°yeah, I must have hated your guts.¡±


    I flush. That¡¯s why he confuses me. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    He grins, ¡°as long as you feel better.¡±


    I truly do. The way I feel around him¡­it¡¯s so new and exciting and thrill. Being with him is such an


    adventure that it blows my head off. I know that¡¯s partially because hees from a different world


    than I do. But I don¡¯t hate it when he gets his rich on, not the way I hated Zack.


    And that¡¯s why he¡¯s so different.


    We talk for a while and finish the beer. And he leads me to the guest room.


    ¡°Bathroom is inside. You¡¯ll find anything you need¡­towels included.¡±


    I giggle. ¡°Anything in particr that I should keep my hands off?¡±


    He lets out a shortugh. ¡°No. Just make yourself at home.¡±


    We both smile at each other. Just when I¡¯m about to say goodnight, he gently lets me into his arm,


    giving me a short and warm hug.


    ¡°Goodnight Natalia.¡±


    Before I can react, he takes a step back and closes the door for me.


    ***


    I had a hard time falling sleep. But once I did, I slept surprisingly well. I wake up feeling refreshed.


    Breaking up with Zack, running away and chased by some scums in the park all seem like a century


    ago.


    I stretch a little in bed and reach out for my phone. God, it¡¯s almost 5 in the afternoon. How long did I


    sleep? I¡¯m also not too surprised to find hundreds of missing texts and calls from mom.


    I sign and toss it aside. My mom and her nagging can wait.


    The house is super quiet when Ie out. Seems like no one is around. I walk around a bit and see a


    slide door on the zed wall. It was too darkst night so I didn¡¯t notice.


    I stride over and slide the door open. Then I gotpletely astonished by the view outside.


    There is an infinity pool outside.


    Golden afternoon sunshine casts down on the sparkling water, as a muscr body emerges from it,


    creating radiating ripples. Hearing the door, he pulls himself to the surface and draws his wet hair to the


    back of his head. Gleaming drops run down his broad shoulders to his firm chest, he seems so


    handsome and godlike.


    ¡°Hey.¡± He reveals a grin to me, ¡°you are ate sleeper.¡±


    I step outside and crouch down by the pool. ¡°If your house has a rocket ship, I still won¡¯t be surprised.¡±


    Heughs. Green eyes glitter with joy. I suddenly feel a pull inside of my heart. God he is so hot and


    attractive¡­almost toxic. No girl on earth can resist him.


    He swims over and ce his arms on the curb. ¡°Care to join me?¡±


    I gulp. ¡°No thanks.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Well for one thing, I don¡¯t have a swimming suit.¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°Take off your shirt and swim in your bra.¡±


    I gasp at his bold statement. ¡°No! Not in a million years, no!¡±


    He whines. ¡°What¡¯s the big deal. We used to swim together all the time. You¡¯ve grown into a prude you


    know that?¡±


    Yes we swim together a lot, that summer three years ago. During that time, I see him only as my


    brother and friend. But we have both changed a lot since. Now it makes me blush just thinking of taking


    my shirt in front of him.


    He extends a hand to me. ¡°Come. The water is warm.¡±


    I am still fighting with the temptation as he suddenly takes a pull at my pants, almost yanking me off the


    curb.


    ¡°What the hell!¡± I steady myself and yell, ¡°Let go off me.¡±


    He bursts intoughter and is about to say something, when my phone suddenly buzzes.


    I take it out and, of course, it¡¯s my mom.


    ¡°Nat! Babe, are you alright? Gosh I was so worriedst night. Where have you been? How did Eason


    find you? Where were you twost night?¡±


    I have to chime in before she throws more questions at me, ¡°Mom I¡¯m fine. I am at Eason¡¯s ce.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± She sounds relived, ¡°when are youing back? At least talk to me. We can work everything out


    together¡ª¡±


    ¡°I need some time.¡± I pause, ¡°Alone.¡±


    Mom falls into silence. I can tell she¡¯s breaking down piece by piece, but she¡¯s not going to win me over


    this time with tears and pleas. She has coped with my father to banish me. I deserve some alone time.


    Then someone else speaks up on the other end. ¡°Natalia. It¡¯s Shawn.¡±


    I involuntarily sit up straight. ¡°Yes. Hi Mr. Ramirez.¡±


    Eason¡¯s father always scares the crap out of me. He is nice to me, no doubt, but he is also a very


    intimidating guy that no one dares to joke around. I¡¯ve never passed first name basis with him.


    ¡°You mom has been very concerned. We are all relieved to hear that you are alright.¡±


    I stutter. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine¡­and I¡¯m sorry that you have to fly back because of me.¡±


    ¡°My business trip is ending anyway. So, are youing back today? We can all have dinner together if


    you want.¡±


    I want to decline his offer. But Shawn Ramirez is not a person you can say no to. During my hesitation,


    he speaks up again, ¡°Or if you want to stay with Eason for a couple more days, that¡¯s fine too.¡±


    I feel a tuck at my heart. Stay with Eason? But like¡­me and him alone? In his apartment?


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I take a quick glimpse at Eason, who is still standing in the water and watching me closely. Yet the


    more important question is: would he let me stay?


    ¡°Natalia?¡±


    ¡°That sounds great.¡± My answer slips out before I realize.


    ¡°Awesome.¡± Mr. Ramirez sounds pleased, ¡°Let me know if he gives you a hard time. Though I know he


    wouldn¡¯t dare.¡±


    I hang up. Eason immediately pursues, ¡°Was that my dad? What did he say?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± I¡¯m a little nervous and try to avoid eye-contact with him, ¡°He asks me if I want to stay here for


    a couple of days. And I kind of said yes.¡±


    The next few seconds are awful for me. My heart keeps sinking as he remains silence. God, what¡¯s on


    his mind? What am I thinking? Of course he doesn¡¯t want me to stay. I¡¯m such an idiot.


    Just when I¡¯m about to tell him that this is a joke and save myself from the embarrassment, suddenly¡ª


    ¡°AH!¡±


    He drags me directly into the pool, causing a huge ssh. I choke on the water as I grab the nearest


    thing in my reach¡ªhis arms.


    ¡°What the fuck!¡± I yell between coughs, ¡°I told you I don¡¯t want to swim!¡±


    He bursts intoughter and holds my waist tight. Now I¡¯m floating in the warm afternoon water with him,


    with both of my hands on his broad shoulders, gasping for breath, and look down at him only an inch


    far away.


    His eyes are so beautiful, like a crystal-clear emerald, flickering with golden daylight. My mouth


    suddenly went dry as he raises his hand and runs his long fingers through my wet hairs.


    ¡°Hey Nat.¡± his voice soft like a summer breeze, ¡°I¡¯m d you can stay.¡±


    I can¡¯t pull myself away from his gaze. From the look in his eyes, I know he can¡¯t either. The way we


    lock eyes with each other, breath lingering, everything feels like a dream too good to be true.


    His palm holds my cheek and slowly closes the gap between us. My mind wentpletely nk and


    right at this moment suddenly¡ª


    A thumpes from the door. Thenrge talking andughing poor into the house.


    Eason immediately pulls away from me. Somethinges to his mind as he curses, ¡°fuck. I forgot.¡±


    I¡¯m still in trance. ¡°What? What¡¯s that?¡±


    He seems furious. ¡°There¡¯s supposed to be a party here. I forgot to tell them¡­hang on.¡±


    He swims away, but someone slides the ss door before he gets to the curb.


    ¡°Wow look at the lovely couple.¡± A red hair guy steps out and teases, ¡°who¡¯s this? Now Val must be


    pissed.¡±


    A pretty blonde behind him hisses, ¡°Shut up James.¡±


    Then she walks toward Eason, pulls him up from the water and wraps her arms around his waist. Her


    possessive gesture makes it clear that they are intimate. Then she shots me a hostile re.


    ¡°Enjoying your afternoon swim?¡± she chuckles, ¡°you should have waited for me.¡±


    Eason remains silence. But he didn¡¯t push her away either.


    Now I¡¯m still standing in the water alone, and all of them are standing on the shore looking down at me.


    I seem like aplete idiot.


    Eason has no intention of introducing me to these people. He grabs a towel from the bench and heads


    directly towards the house. The blonde follows him closely. My whole body went cold seeing him leave.


    I can¡¯t believe he just left me here, without a single word.


    What¡¯s wrong with him? Is he embarrassed of me or anything? At least he can have the decency of


    pulling me up and introducing me, not ditch me in the water like this and make me like a fool.


    The entire group loses interest in me and follows Eason inside. Only one guy in the back looks back at


    me, ¡°you need a hand?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I snap as I climb out of the pool.


    I¡¯m now furious at that jerk.

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    Chapter Seven When I finally clean myself up and step out of the room, the party has already started.


    Loud music is on, and a couple guys haveid out the bar section with bottles of vodka and beers.


    They are heavy drinkers given by their age. I¡¯m not against party. Back in Miami, I often have small and


    intimate gathering with my friends. We would grab couples of cold beers and head to the beach, enjoy


    the evening sea air. We talk, we drink, and we dance. We always have a st.


    I sign at my sudden nostalgic feeling. I miss Miami, and it¡¯s easy and rxing vibe. Boston is a busy and


    bustling city. It suits people like Eason, not me. We are indeed from two totally different worlds. I push


    through the crowd and try to find Eason. I want to talk to him about me staying here, which seems like a


    terrible idea now. Judging by the speed people pour alcohol down their throats, I better find him soon. I


    walk pass by two girls smoking joints and try not judge them. Then I finally spot Eason, sitting on the


    couch, with that blonde girl on hisp. She is giggling about something and then leans in to kiss him. He


    casuallyys back on the couch and lets her groping all over him. I can still tell he¡¯s quite used to their


    intimacy. I pause as I feel an unpleasant swirl in my stomach. Is that his girlfriend? Why didn¡¯t he say


    anything about her? But on the second thought, why would he? I¡¯m only his hick stepsister, whom he is


    ashamed of in front of his friends. I take in a shaky inhale and look away. I can¡¯t stand watching them


    making out. And I hate that blonde girl already. 1


    ¡°Hey.¡±


    I turn around and see a boy holding two red cups behind me. I recognize him as the guy who offered to


    help me earlier. ¡°You ok?¡± he smiles at me and offers me a drink, ¡°here.¡± ¡°No thanks.¡± I force a smile


    back, ¡°I don¡¯t feel like drinking.¡±


    ¡°Me neither. It¡¯s not wine. Just water.¡±


    I look at him suspiciously and take a sip. It really is water, ¡°You know if you don¡¯t feel like drinking, you


    probably shouldn¡¯te here.¡± Crap, I don¡¯t want to sound like a bitch. But I¡¯m in a bad mood and it just


    slips out.


    But the boy doesn¡¯t seem to mind. Heughs, ¡°well I¡¯ve already regretted it. But I¡¯m d to have one


    sober person to talk to.¡±


    He is nice and charming. I instantly grow fond of him.


    B


    SP


    ¡°Natalia.¡± I offer my hand, ¡°Eason¡¯s stepsister. So, you are a friend of him?¡± ¡°Alex,¡± He shakes my hand,


    ¡°and no. I¡¯m not his friend. Someone else brought me here.¡± I sense a subtle subtext between his words.


    He notices it too and smiles, ¡°don¡¯t get me wrong, everyone wants to be friend with Eason Ramirez. He


    is very popr. But I work in the student union and paly the school team¡­we are just different and


    therefor never get the chance to be acquainted.¡±


    I know he is just being cryptic about it. He is a straight-A top student. And naturally a guy like him


    wouldn¡¯t want to be friend with a rich brat like Eason. ¡°So what sport do you y?¡± I ask.


    (Windsurf.¡±


    ¡°No kidding!¡± I gasp in surprise, ¡°I windsurf myself! I¡¯m on the school team too!¡± His eyes slightly widen


    as well. ¡°Really? So which school are you in? Howe I never seen you in any of the practice or


    competitions before?¡± ¡°I go to school in Miami. But I heard Boston has the best team. I really hope I can


    see you guys train someday,¡±


    Someone suddenly cuts me off before I can finish. ¡°Natalia! Alex! Come and join us!¡±


    We both turn around and see that redhead boy named James waving at us. The rest of the group is also


    looking at us, Eason included. His hand is still wrapped around that blonde girl¡¯s wrist, but his eyes are


    on me. His lips press into a firm line.


    ¡°That¡¯s James.¡± Alex whispers to me.


    Jameses over and pushes us to the coach. ¡°Come,e, don¡¯t be loners. We are ying Truth and


    Dare. And you two are joining us.¡± I almost roll my eyes. Truth and Dare? Are they still in kindergarten?


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think I want


    to


    ¡±


    That blonde cuts me off. ¡°But you must. It¡¯s the rule. Every newbie must y.¡±


    I hate her even more. ¡°Rule? ording to whom?¡± Her voice is shrill and annoying. ¡°ording to the


    houseowner, of course. Right sweetie?¡± She rubs her body against Eason¡¯s chest and rests her head on


    his shoulder. Eason doesn¡¯t say a word. I take his silence for assent.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Anger boils up inside me as I snap, ¡°If the houseowner has to force it on me, I might as well leave.¡±


    An awkward silence builds up in the room. Now everyone in the group can see the tension between me


    and Eason. But most of them don¡¯t care about the reason, they are just gloating over my presumptuous


    challenge towards Eason and his date.


    Eason eyes me and slightly arches his lips into a sarcastic angel, ¡°let her be. She¡¯s too busy talking to


    her new friend about school project, interns, and scores. It¡¯s not easy to find someone equally nerdy in a


    party.¡±


    I widen my eyes. He¡¯s going after Alex now? What¡¯s the problem with him! ¡°You know what?¡± I sit back, ¡°I


    will y. Let¡¯s see what¡¯s so fun about this juvenile game.¡± Jamesughs, ¡°Not juvenile. Not the way we


    y it.¡±


    And I soon find out what he meant.


    Half an hourter, it¡¯s been 6 rounds. One girl was dared to take off her top and jumped into the pool; a


    boy was dared to unhook another girl¡¯s bra with his teeth, and I¡¯m pretty sure they didn¡¯t know each other


    before the party. Does everything have to be sexual for these people? 1 After James drinks up 6 shots in


    a roll and spin the bottle again, the bottle stops pointing at me.


    My heart sinks a bit, knowing my luck for tonight has ended. I gulp and look at James, hoping he can see


    the will in my eyes and go gentle on me. But he grins at me and deres, ¡°Nat, I dare you to kiss Alex.¡± I


    groan, ¡°seriously? Can¡¯t you think of anything new?¡± Normally I wouldn¡¯t mind the kiss since it¡¯s only a


    game anyway. But knowing Eason is watching has made me ufortable. I slightly squint at his


    direction, and there he is, ring upon me with fury. ¡°This is stupid,¡± Eason says through gritted teeth.


    His angry face is such a pleasant view. I shrug, ¡°it¡¯s your stupid game.¡± I exchange a look with Alex. He


    smiles and leans in to kiss me. It¡¯s more like a tap on the lips than a real kiss. I really appreciate him


    being a gentleman. When he pulls away from me, he even gently rubs his thumb against the corner of


    my mouth. The group let out a cheerful apud. Only Eason¡¯s face is tightened and dark, but I feel good


    to irritate him.


    ¡°It¡¯s your turn to spin,¡± James reminds me. I spin and the bottle points to a slim girl. I don¡¯t know her, so I


    give her the easiest dare and ask her to take a shot.


    She finishes her shot and spin the bottle again. This time it points to Alex.


    ¡°Alex. I dare you toy Natalia on the floor and make out to her for 2 minutes.¡±


    I almost choke on my drink.


    What¡¯s wrong with her?! I just cut her a ck and now she¡¯s giving me a hard time? I look up and catch


    her exchanging a smug look with the blonde girl named Val on Eason¡¯sp. Mean girl and her minions.


    No wonder. ¡°No seriously. This is too much.¡± Alex says, ¡°I can do something else.¡±


    ¡°This is your dare. It¡¯s settled.¡±


    B


    it Snuen


    Before Alex can say something else, Eason speaks up fiercely, ¡°It is stupid. We already saw them kiss.


    What¡¯s so exiting about that?¡± Val giggles, ¡°what¡¯s the big deal? They are both single and they seem to


    enjoy the kiss earlier.¡± ¡°The big deal is¡­well I know her and she¡¯s not the same with us. Give her


    something easier to do and leave her be.¡±


    My chest hurts. This is the reason? Not defending me or protecting me, he thinks I¡¯m not cool


    enough to y their stupid game? Does he really think so high of himself? ¡°It¡¯s fine with me,¡± said me


    glowering, while standing up from the coach. Eason pushes Val away and stands up as well. We re


    each other across the table and he snaps, ¡°are you losing your mind?¡± I look at him defiantly, ¡°why? Isn¡¯t


    this how your group ys the game?¡± I grab Alex¡¯s wrist and drags him up. I know it¡¯s stupid acting like


    this just to trigger his anger, and I should probably apologize to Alexter, but now I just want to see him


    mad. Alex clears his throat. With everyone staring, he puts his hand on my waist and pulls me closer.


    Before kissing me, he lowers his head and gently nudges the tip of my nose with his. Involuntarily, I hold


    my breath and close my eyes, waiting for his kiss to fall on me. Suddenly, I feel a hard pull on my elbow,


    causing me to stagger back a few steps. With sharp gasps and screams from the group, I¡¯m dragged into


    another person¡¯s arms. I¡¯m too shock to react, as Eason holds the back of my neck and presses his lips


    on mine.

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8


    Chapter Eight My whole body freezes in shock. What the hell is going on?!


    Millions of questions whizz past my mind, as he presses my neck and keep kissing me. I know I should


    feel shocked or mad or even disgusted, he¡¯s my brother for God¡¯s sake! 1


    But I still lost myself momentarily in this kiss. His lips are cold. I can even taste vodka and fresh lemon in


    his breathe. His eyes closed, long eyshes touching mine, causing my heart to flutter. I¡¯ve never felt


    anything like this with anyone before.


    But before I get to react, he pushes me away again. Without looking at me, he returns to the couch and


    sits down, like nothing has happened.


    I gulp. And suddenly realize I¡¯ve been holding my breath for so long that my lungs are exploding.


    Everyone else is clearly in shock as well. Especially Val. Her face distorts with anger. ¡°What the hell are


    you doing!¡± she voices out my question. Eason is surprisingly calm. Still not looking at me, he takes a sip


    of his drink, ¡°You wanted to see her kiss. Now you have it.¡±


    Val¡¯s jaw drops. Even she is stunned speechless. My initial panic fades away, as a new round of


    humiliation and anger takes over. He makes it seems like kissing me is not big deal. That it was spur of


    the moment. That I am nothing. But it is a big deal. My heart is still racing, my body still shaking. I¡¯m


    ashamed of myself for enjoying that kiss even a little bit and get tossed away like this. Alex tries to touch


    my shoulder, but I shake him off.


    ¡°Eason, you are an asshole!¡± I burst out, then storm out of the house. I run across the hall and press the


    elevator. Tears threatens to fall out, but I force them back. No, I won¡¯t cry for that bastard. Crying would


    mean that I let him get to me. And I won¡¯t let that happen.


    I can¡¯t believe how na?ve I am. To think that he is actually good to me and the only one who¡¯d take me in


    when everyone else turns me down. But turns out, he is only using me to kill his time. And he has no


    problem tossing me away or embarrassing me once he gets bored.


    I hear heavy footsteps approaching. Someone grabs my shoulder and forces me around.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Eason asks sternly. I can¡¯t believe his nerve. ¡°Do you really think I can still stay


    here? After what you did?¡±


    He seems embarrassed for a short moment, but quickly bes indifferent. ¡°Why? Because I ruined


    your big moment with that Alex guy?¡±


    I am done talking to him. ¡°Fuck off Eason. I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    But he grabs my wrist. ¡°You out of your mind? It¡¯ste and dark outside. Have you not learnt


    your lesson? Plus where¡¯d you go anyway? You have nowhere to go!¡± His words hurt me again. Yes, he¡¯s


    the beloved princes, and I¡¯m the unwanted child. But that doesn¡¯t give him the right to do whatever he


    wants to me.


    I shove him aside and try to get into the elevator. But he¡¯s way stronger than me. He tightens the grip


    and looks at me withplete fury, ¡°Natalia, I was fucking saving your ass! You¡¯d be kissing some


    random guy if it weren¡¯t for me!¡±


    My jaw tenses.


    But how can I tell him? That I¡¯d rather kiss Alex, someone I barely know, than him. At least kissing Alex


    won¡¯t leave me with a messed-up mind.


    ¡°Forget it, Eason. Just leave me alone.¡±


    His fingers loosen. I take the chance to break free and rush into the elevator. When the door closes, I


    see his face. It¡¯s filled with anger and sadness. Why the hell would he feel sad anyway?


    It¡¯s indeed dark outside. I stand on the street alone and ponder for a while. The best and only option I


    have is to go back to my mom¡¯s ce. I¡¯m tired of being homeless like this. Maybe I should get a ce of


    my own, if I can afford it.


    I took a ca. When I get to the townhouse and knock the door open, Mr. Ramirez appears behind


    it.


    ¡°Natalia.¡± He seems surprised, but quicklyposes himself and give me a smile, ¡°Quick,e inside.


    It¡¯s right dinner time.¡±


    Under Mr. Ramirez¡¯s protection, mom never gets the chance to interrogate me. But she keeps shooting


    suspicious re at me during dinner, as I keep ignoring her. What the hell am I supposed to say? That


    Eason kissed me, and my head is so fucked up right now?


    Hell no.


    ******


    I stay at their ce for a few more days, never step out of the house. Boxes arrive a weekter. My dad


    has sent all my belongings to me at once. I¡¯m again hurt by his urgent gesture to get rid of me. 1


    That day, while I¡¯m unpacking, Mr. Ramirez knocks on my bedroom door.


    ¡°Natalia, is this a good time?¡±


    I hurry to let him in, ¡°Yes. Please.¡±


    ¡°I was hoping to talk to you about your school.¡± Mr. Ramirez sits down, ¡°I¡¯ve talked to the board of


    Eason¡¯s school. They are more than happy to have a great student like you. In fact, there is a school tour


    today. So, I figured we can both go down there, show you around a bit, and introduce you to the


    headmaster.¡±


    I¡¯m so ttered. ¡°That¡¯s so nice of you. Thank you. But if you are busy, I can go by myself¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± He smiles at me, ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to talk to the headmaster about


    Eason¡¯s performance at school. So no trouble at all. Well, shall we?¡± 1


    I nod and follow him out of the room.


    I can¡¯t say I¡¯m 100 percentfortable with going to the same school with Eason. Especially after the


    kiss that night. And seeing his friends, I¡¯m sure that prestigious school is filled with rich bastards like


    them. They would make school hell for me.


    But I¡¯m not in any ce to be picky. I¡¯m grateful for everything Mr. Ramirez has done.


    The school tour is packed with people. And judging by the way they look and dress, I¡¯d say they are


    either rich or respected. Surrounded by a group of this, I feel pressure and out-of ced.


    Mr. Ramirez leads me to a nicedy wearing a velvet suit and pearl ne. ¡°Natalia, I want you to


    meet Ms. Dave, your new headmaster.¡±


    She is so stunning and graceful. I almost stutter, ¡°Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Natalia Moore.¡±


    ¡°Miss Moore, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡± She shakes my hand, ¡°I looked at your transcript, very


    impressive. This school is lucky to have you. And Mr. Ramirez, can I talk to you for a moment?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Natalia, why don¡¯t you join the tour over there? I¡¯ll meet you afterwards.¡±


    They left. I look around and see a group of students gathered by the door. They are talking about


    something enthusiastically, so I quietly approach them with my head down.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    But someone spots me as Ie close, ¡°Hey! Are you joining the tour with us?¡±


    ¡°Umm, yeah. Hi.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Katherine.¡± She seems very friendly, and pretty as well. ¡°What¡¯s your name? We may be ssmates


    soon.¡±


    I introduce myself and she follows up with more questions, ¡°Who¡¯s your father? Maybe I¡¯ve heard of him.


    We just found out our parents are in the same charity group. I mean, what¡¯s the odds??


    I highly doubt that she¡¯s heard of a middle-aged bartender in Miami, so I divert the subject, ¡°I don¡¯t think


    you know him. Anyway, what are you guys talking about earlier?¡±


    ¡°Oh! The Summer Ssh Ball!¡± she ps her hands in excitement, ¡°It¡¯s like a homing party. We


    were just talking about what to wear. My wardrobe is embarrassing. So, the girls and I are going


    shopping this weekend. We want to check out Valentino¡¯s Fall Collection. You shoulde with us!¡±


    ¡°Katherine¡¯s mom works in fashion. She gives great makeover advice. Oh, and we should definitely visit


    that hair salon you mentioned,¡± says the other girl.


    ¡°Oh yeah. My stylist is the best. I¡¯ll make appointments for us all.¡± Katherine turns to me again, ¡°What


    you say? Come, it¡¯d be so much fun!¡± These girls would be great friend with my mom. But all my life I¡¯ve


    never bought anything worth more than $100. I doubt all my savings put together are not enough to


    cover a single visit to those fancy salons.


    I should have seen thising when Mr. Ramirez arranged me into this private school. There¡¯s no way I


    can fit in, let along to be friends with them. I¡¯ve already learnt my lesson with Eason.


    I¡¯m still thinking about a polite way to decline her kind offer. Katherine suddenly takes in a sharp gasp.


    ¡°Oh, my, god. Check out who just walked in¡­ I think I might just faint.¡± Everyone turns around. My eyes


    slightly widens as I saw the person Katherine¡¯s referring to.


    Eason just stepped inside the door, with Valerie¡¯s arm wrapped his. They make a wonderful couple, both


    so beautiful, elegant, and ssy. Like they¡¯re just back from a hardcover shooting. 1


    I look at them, and suddenly feel a lump in my throat. ¡°Shut up! It¡¯s Eason Ramirez and Valerie Vale!¡±


    said another girl heatedly, ¡°What are they doing here?¡± ¡°Do you know them?¡± I ask Katherine.


    ¡°Are you kidding me? They are the most popr couple in the city. Everyone has heard of them. Don¡¯t


    tell me you have not.¡±


    I don¡¯t know how to react.


    ¡°Well, at least you know Eason¡¯s dad right? Multi-billionaire Shawn Ramirez. The guy is a legend! Can¡¯t


    believe we are going to the same school with his son!¡±


    The entire room has their eyes on Eason. But he seems quite used to the fuss that he caused. One hand


    in his pocket, he slowly scans the crowd, as if looking for someone.


    I quickly keep my head down.


    But the next second, I hear Valerie¡¯s shrill voice, ¡°Look who it is. Guess she find a way into our school


    anyway.¡±

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9


    Chapter Nine Katherine lets out an audible gasp. Signed, I look up and meet Eason¡¯s eyes in the air.


    He¡¯s looking at me coldly, expression undetectable.


    Valerie lets go of him and walks towards me, as people hurry clear out a pass for her. She stands a few


    inches above me with her high heels. She looks down at me, lips curved into a sarcastic angle.


    ¡°This is no ce for people like you. Drop out now and leave Eason alone,¡± she mouths a threat.


    I look straight into her eyes and reply, ¡°I earned my ce in here. Fair and square. You can¡¯t force me.


    And it¡¯s none of your business anyway.¡±


    She sneers, ¡°how? By that pathetic transcript of yours? You got in because Eason¡¯s father pulled some


    strings and wrote huge check to the board. Do you have no self-esteem? Using his family like this?¡±


    My face shes red under her question. On some level, I know she¡¯s right. But I¡¯m already too far deep


    into the war to back out right now. So I stare her back, while remain in silence.


    She squints at me, and suddenly turns to Katherine and the other girls, ¡°what were you talking about


    earlier?¡±


    They have no idea what¡¯s going on and Katherine stutter, ¡°we were talking about the homing party.


    And going shopping together¡­¡± ¡°Superb,¡± simpers Valerie as she gives me a nudge, ¡°Then you must


    take Natalia with you. She¡¯s got nothing proper to wear. Poor girl just got kicked out by her own father.


    Has nowhere else to go. If it weren¡¯t for Mr. Ramirez, she¡¯d probably live on the street right now.¡± 1


    My eyes widen in disbelief as she continues. How the fuck did she know about all this? Right, it must be


    Eason. How dare him!


    Katherine is still confused, ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Natalia, do you know Mr. Ramirez?¡± ¡°Oh you haven¡¯t told


    them yet?¡± Valerie speaks up before I can, ¡°She is Mr. Ramirez¡¯s stepdaughter and Eason¡¯s¨C¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Val!¡± Eason interrupts her sharply.


    Valerie stops and turns around to look at him. She suddenly seems a bit nervous, as if worried that he


    might snap. ¡°What? I am just introducing her to the group,¡± she defends.


    Eason strides towards us, his lips pressed into a firm line. I re at him, swearing to myself that nothing


    he does right now will make me forgive him.


    But he doesn¡¯t say a word to defend me. Without even looking at me, he grabs Valerie¡¯s hand and says


    in a surly voice, ¡°the tour is about to begin.¡±


    Right at this moment, a middle-aged man walks into the room and announces to us, ¡°ok


    students. Gather around. Wee to today¡¯s school tour. My name is Rob, I¡¯m gonna be your tour guy


    today. We also invite two honor students to join this tour, Eason and Valerie. Shoot us any questions you


    have and enjoy!¡± Students follows his lead and moves outside. I can still feel suspicious looksing


    from every direction. Thanks Valerie for ruining school before it even starts.


    Rob shows us around. This school is surprisingly huge, even got its own swimming pool, racetrack,


    fencing hall, and a well-equipped gym. And the library is said to have hundreds of years of history with a


    rich collection of literature.


    People have been deliberately ignoring me the whole time. Clearly, they don¡¯t want to be on the wrong


    side. Eason and Valerie, on the other hand, get their full attention. People have been pushing their ways


    in just to get closer to them. Valerie seems to enjoy this a lot, while Eason is clearly not in the mood. He


    keeps hands in his pocket the whole time, even appeared impatient when someone talks to him.


    When Rob announces the observatory is thest stop, I let out a long sign. Thank god I can¡¯t wait for this


    to be over. I drag heavy steps, listlessly following the group into the building, but suddenly I feel a hard


    pull at the elbow, and I¡¯m shoved into a small room.


    Eason closes the door behind him, looking down at me with cold eyes. ¡°Why are you ignoring me?¡± asks


    him abruptly. I almost burst intoughter. ¡°Is this some kind of joke? After you kissed me without my


    permission and told everyone what a pathetic orphan I am, you expect us to be friends?¡± He doesn¡¯t


    flinch under my questions, instead he takes a step forward, closing the distance between us. The light in


    this room is dim, and I can hardly see his expression, only hear his heavy breathing.


    His next question throws me off.


    ¡°You enjoyed the kiss the other day. Do you?¡±


    My heart suddenly starts thumping wildly. Why is he asking me this? Has he found out about something?


    Thankfully it¡¯s dark inside, so he can¡¯t see my ears are glowing red.


    ¡°No.¡± I said jerkily.


    He lets out a chuckle, as if mocking my dishonesty. ¡°You are a terrible liar.¡±


    He reaches out and holds my arm. When I didn¡¯t resist, his hand travels upward and finally rests on the


    back of my neck. His long fingers intertwine with my hair, fingertips gently rub my bare skin, causing an


    electric current down my spine.


    Then he lowers his head. Now I can clearly see his eyes. Those beautiful emerald-green eyes are filled


    with so many strong and intensive emotions that it¡¯s almost intimidating.


    ¡°Nat¡­¡± he calls me, almost whispering, ¡°I want to tell you something. I¡ª¡±


    I suddenly shove him hard at his chest. He¡¯s taken off guard, and staggers sideways. His back bumps


    into a shelf standing by the wall with a dull thud.


    I pant harshly, tightening my fist till nails dig into my palm. I don¡¯t know if this is another


    round of his game. But I won¡¯t let him y me like this.


    A few secondster, he looks up to me again. mes in his eyes have died out, only ice and cold now.


    ¡°I get it,¡± says him darkly, ¡°it¡¯s because of that Alex guy, isn¡¯t it?¡± I have no idea what he¡¯s saying. ¡°Eason


    Ramirez, are you out of your mind?! You are my brother for god¡¯s sake! That kiss is already one huge


    mistake. Now we can still pretend nothing happened if you just please leave me alone!¡± His voice is even


    higher than mine, ¡°bullshit! I¡¯ve never had a fucking sister! Stop calling me your brother!¡±


    I take in a shaky inhale, as he runs his fingers through his hairs and snaps, ¡°fine, if you want to be the


    Ramirez princess, be it. Let¡¯s see how long you canst in this school.¡±


    He shot me one deathly re and storms out, mming the door behind him.


    I drop to the ground as my legs can¡¯t hold me anymore. My head is such a fucked-up mess. Seriously,


    why is he acting like this? Why is he treating me like trash? Hisst two lines stick with me. I sit alone on


    the cold floor, pondering. Maybe this has something to do with his heritage? I know people have been


    calling my mom a gold-digger behind her back, so I keep a discrete distance with the Ramirez family, not


    want anything to do with their wealth.


    So is it possible that, Eason is worried about me stealing his inheritance? I rub my face in frustration.


    How can I let him know that I have zero interest in his money? I just want to keep my head down and


    finish my senior year. Is that too much to ask for?


    Then I hear sound of high hells approaching this room. I immediately stand up, as the door flies open


    with Valerie and three other girls appear behind it.


    ¡°What?¡± I ask sharply. Enough of Valerie and her drama!


    ¡°I saw Eason leaving this room a moment before.¡± Valerie steps forward with a sneer on her face, ¡°Why


    can¡¯t you just leave him alone? Or do you want to be like your mother? Marrying yourself into a wealthy


    family and change your pathetic loser life one thing for all?¡±


    I want to p her, but two girls jump at me and grab my hands and shoulder. I kick one of them at the


    calf, and she cries out in pain. Valerie yanks my hair backward with one hand, as she pokes her long nail


    into my cheek.


    ¡°Make this a lesson to you,¡± she smiles, eyes glittering dangerously, ¡°if you promise to behave, I might let


    you survive the senior year. Deal?¡± Then she reaches out and takes my phone out of my pocket, ¡°and I¡¯ll


    be keeping this for you. Girls?¡±


    The other girls push me onto the floor, follows Valerie out of the room and ms the door shut. I climb up


    and leap at the door, but it¡¯s already locked from the outside.


    Valerie looks back at me through window and chortles, ¡°Oh and they say this observatory is hunted. But


    who knows? Maybe the spirit has a soft spot for losers. Enjoy your night.¡±

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10


    Chapter Ten ¡°Help! Somebody helps!¡±


    I yank the door with all my might and yells. My voices and the sound of door rattling echo in the dark and


    empty corridor. But only death silence falls upon me. It¡¯s getting dark outside. The tour must have left


    hours ago. So I¡¯m all alone in this observatory right now. Doesn¡¯t this fancy school have a security guard


    or something? But on the second thought, this is summertime. Who patrol during summer vacation?


    I panic a bit at the thought of that. I¡¯m not exactly afraid of ghosts. But the thought of being left alone in


    an empty building with no food and water terrifies me.


    Mr. Ramirez said he¡¯ll meet me after the tour. But the tour ended hours ago, and he still hasn¡¯te and


    find me. Maybe he thought I left with Eason. Maybe something turned up and he must leave in a hurry.


    If that¡¯s the case, then I¡¯m screwed. ¡°Fuck!¡± I pound on the door, feeling more frustrated than ever.


    Nothing good has happened since I moved back to Boston and met Eason again. Maybe Valerie was


    right. I should keep my distance with him. He¡¯s like a gue that only brings bad luck.


    I examine the room, looking for a way out. There is a small window located on the upper side of the wall,


    near the ceiling. I might be able to fit through that.


    I stack chairs together and climb up. My temporarydder sways precariously under my steps, but I


    manage to grab the edge of the window before it copses. Taking in a deep breath, I contract my chest


    to the smallest and push my body through the tiny exist. The hard concrete scrapes my skin. But


    fortunately with one hard pull, I¡¯m through.


    I twisted my right ankle when I drop off to the ground. God that hurts! I groan a curse and head to the


    gate with a limp.


    I was thinking about ways to get home, when suddenly res of shlight appear from the darkness with


    heavy footsteps approaching. I look up in surprise and find a few figuresing towards my direction.


    ¡°Ms. Moore!¡± a security guard cries out, ¡°I found her! Over here!¡±


    Then I recognize one of the men as Mr. Ramirez. He runs towards me and finally slows down atst few


    steps, visibly relieved.


    ¡°Nat, are you alright?¡± he holds my shoulder. ¡°Yes.¡± I¡¯m surprised at seeing all these people. Seems that


    they¡¯ve been looking for me.


    Mr. Ramirez nods and turns around to look at Ms. Dave, who just arrives at the scene. ¡°This is not


    eptable,¡± his voice cold and stern. A few people clearly flinch under his gaze. Ms. Dave looks at me,


    ¡°maybe we should hear from Miss Moore first. What happened? Why didn¡¯t youe back with the


    tour?¡±


    Valerie¡¯s name was on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow it back. If I tip off Valerie, I¡¯ll have to tell them


    everything, probably involves Eason in. Things will get way moreplicated. And I know how high


    school hates snitchers. Don¡¯t want to go down that path before I even enter school.


    ¡°I lock myself in the observatory, idently. I tried to break out. But the lock snapped.¡±


    A thin smile twitches across Ms. Dave¡¯s lips. Mr. Ramirez stares at me, contemting, then asks again,


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    I nod, without saying anything else.


    ¡°Then an immediate repairment of the school¡¯s old facility is necessary. I imagine now the school has


    enough founding to cover that expense, correct?¡± Ms. Dave smiles, of course. The school really


    appreciates your generosity. You have my word, Mr. Ramirez, that nothing like this will ever happen


    again.¡±


    Then they walk us to the gate and watch us leave in our car.


    Mr. Ramirez sits in the back seat with me. When the car starts moving, he speaks up again,¡± Nat you can


    still tell me what actually happened.¡±


    I gulp, knowing that my silly little lies can¡¯t trick him. ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­me and some girls got into a fight. It¡¯s


    stupid. Nothing you should worry about.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± His smile grows wider, ¡°Making enemies prior to school? You are a lot like a Ramirez.¡±


    My cheek turns red. I can¡¯t tell if this is a criticism orpliment.


    ¡°Well, since you¡¯ve already made up your mind to face this alone, I can only respect that and stay out of


    your way. But remember¡ª¡± he raises his hand to pat on my shoulder, ¡°¡ªyou can always ask for help.¡±


    *


    *


    *


    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    With summertimeing to an end, mom went all crazy getting me ready for my new school. She


    bought all sorts of expensive and unnecessary things for me, and even asks if she should hold a party to


    celebrate the beginning my senior year, which I firmly declined.


    ¡°Why not? You can invite your friends over and I get to meet the parents from your school. Wouldn¡¯t that


    be nice?¡±


    I have to remind her, ¡°mom, I have no friends here.¡±


    Mom seems so very disappointed. She signs and spreads her hand, ¡°Fine, but at least buy some nice


    dresses. I heard there¡¯s homing ball, held on the first week of your school. You gotta find something


    to wear for that.¡±


    ¡°How do you know about that??¡±


    ¡°Because Shawn got an invitation. He¡¯s an alumnus.¡± She sees the look on my face and adds,¡° I know


    you don¡¯t want me to go shopping with you. Don¡¯t worry, I got a perfect person for


    you.¡±


    She drags me out of my room and goes downstairs. Stepping into the living room, I¡¯m shock to see


    Eason standing up from the coach, his lips pressed into a thin line.


    ¡°Eason is apparently free this afternoon. So he kindly offers to take you. Aren¡¯t you so sweet, Eason.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Mrs. Ramirez,¡± he says in a glum tone, as if forced into this. After our awkward fight in


    school, we have both try to avoid each other the best we can. We¡¯ve run into each other a couple times


    during dinner in the townhouse, but we never spook. Even if our eyes met in the air, we¡¯d quickly look


    sideways. So why on earth did he agree to this all of a sudden? ¡°Mom, I really don¡¯t think this is a good


    idea¡ª¡± ¡°Please. I¡¯m asking you a favor,¡± mom whispers back into my ears, ¡°Shawn was so d that you


    guys were getting alone. With you back, Eason has been more willing to show up here. It¡¯s a good sign.


    Could you please spend some more time with him? You know, do some brother and sister thing?¡¯ Only if


    she knew her dear stepson has kissed her own daughter. ¡°We should probably get going,¡± said Eason


    listlessly. ¡°Yes. Please go.¡± Mom shoves me forward, ¡°Buy something pretty honey. Enjoy your date!¡±


    Mom was trying to be funny. But an ufortable look passes our face at the same time. I ask him the


    moment we get into his car, ¡°why did you say yes to this?¡±


    ¡°Like I had a choice. Your mom got it all nned out for us,¡± He revs the engine deafeningly and


    elerate pass the block. I am not surprised when he takes me to the fanciest mall in the city. While he¡¯s


    tipping the valet, I jump off the car and head outwards. ¡°Natalia!¡± he quickly catches me up, ¡°Where the


    fuck are you going?¡± ¡°Out, apparently.¡± I shrug, ¡°there¡¯s no way I can afford anything in there.¡±


    He visibly clenches his teeth, ¡°I¡¯ll pay for anything you like. Just go!¡±


    I was still going to resist, but he grabs my elbow forcefully and drags me through the entrance. People


    look at us oddly as he escorts me into a designer brand store.


    The sales attendant wees us at once, ¡°good afternoon. Can I help you with anything?¡±


    ¡°She needs something to wear for a ball.¡± Eason pushes me forward.


    I stagger along a few steps and remain still at the spot, embarrassed. Everything in this store is so


    gorgeous and, needless to say, extravagant. This is not a ce for me.


    But the sales attendant has gestured me to follow her, ¡°of course, Miss. May I ask what¡¯s the asion?¡±


    ¡°it¡¯s-umm-a homing ball.¡± I say dryly.


    The saledy leads me to a rack. I¡¯m wary of touching the fabric while flipping through the clothes, afraid


    that it might get stained. Finally, I pick up one in ck dress, ¡°How much is this?¡±


    ¡°Very good choice, Miss.¡± She gives me a bright smile, ¡°This is our runway style. It¡¯s an open back


    embellished ruched crepe gown. The nice and clean cut will greatly entuate your figure. And it¡¯s


    currently for sale at $9600.¡± I almost cry out loud. A simple ck dress for $9600? Unbelievable. Eason


    takes a seat at the sofa and orders me, ¡°go try it on.¡± I try to salvage myst thread of self-esteem, ¡°But


    I¡¯m not really¡ª¡± ¡°Go try it on right now or I¡¯ll just buy it,¡± says him impatiently. I roll my eyes at him and


    head into the fitting room. The salesdy closes the drape for me and tell me to let her know if I need


    anything. I slip into the dress and can¡¯t help but admire its beauty. The fabric something close to silk, so


    soft and smooth, with ayer of natural gleam under the light. I know it¡¯s too expensive to be fell in love


    with, but still¡­


    I step out of the fitting room, feeling a bit ufortable. I¡¯m not used to wear high heels and anything so


    tight. I feel like a clown walking on stilts. But Eason¡¯s expression changes immediately the moment he


    sets eyes on me, as he involuntarily sits up from the sofa. ¡°¡­what do you think?¡± I clumsily turn around


    in full circle, as his eyes follow me closely. Then he stands up from the sofa, steps towards me. I¡¯m a bit


    wobbly on my high heels, so he reaches out to hold my hand and keep my bnce. Gently, he leads me


    close to him, and tugs a lock of my hair to the back. ¡°You are so beautiful, Natalia,¡± says him in a low and


    husky voice. I can¡¯t help but shiver. The way he looks at me, it¡¯s so hot and intense. Almost like he can


    see through my head. ¡°May-maybe I should take this off for now,¡± I stutter and run back to the fitting


    room. I pull the drape close and cover my burning check. He¡¯s so unbelievably handsome and attractive.


    When I¡¯m close to him, it¡¯s almost impossible to resist the temptation. I can¡¯t control myself, can¡¯t stop the


    quivering under his touch, can¡¯t run away from his gaze¡­ I let out a low groan. No this can¡¯t be


    happening. I can¡¯t fall for him. He¡¯s my brother, he already has a girlfriend, he is the wrong choice. But


    the next second, the drape opens unexpectedly. I look up and find Eason standing by the door.


    ¡°I¡¯m not done changing-¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± He steps in and closes the drape behind him, ¡°They have a ne, goes nicely with your


    gown.¡±


    Before I can say no, he moves closer and ces the diamond ne on my neck.


    Goosebumps appear when the cold jewelry touches my bare skin. His fingertips brush through the back


    of my neck, soft like feathers. He adjusts the ne a bit and holds my shoulders, ¡°what do you think?¡±


    I can¡¯t think right now. His hot breathes spread through my skin, burning up every sensation. The ce


    his hand touches me sends down thrilling electric current down my body.


    I open my mouth, but no wordse out of it. And the next I know, he¡¯s pushed me to the mirror and


    caught my lips with his.

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11


    Chapter Eleven His one hand presses me to the mirror, while the other pulls me impossibly close to his


    body. His lips mold with mine, taking away every shaky breathes that escaped my mouth. And as if it


    wasn¡¯t enough, he sucks my bottom lips and bites it, quietly urging me to open my mouth and let him in.


    My mind is cloudy. All sense is lost. So I shakily part my lips, as he immediately snakes his tongue in and


    tangles with mine.


    A sign of pleasure leaves my lips as I find myself melting away in his arms. He groans and travels his


    hand upwards, longer fingers ying with those thin stripes on my back, causing me to shudder under


    his touch. The thinyer of clothing bes nothing, I feel as though I¡¯m naked and my panties felt


    dam.


    ¡°Eason¡­¡± I gasp and tilt my head to escape from the kiss, trying to call back some senses to us. But he


    refused to listen. His hot lips trace my check, my neck and down to the upper part of my chest. I cry out


    as he suddenly bites on my cor bones and suck it hard. I try to push him, but he caught my hands.


    ¡°Don¡¯t push me away Natalia,¡± he murmurs into my ear, and my sanity leaves me again. My eyes flutter


    shut as I can hear my inner voice calling for more, longing for his touch. What should I do? He¡¯s toxic and


    impossible to say no to. Then I feel his lips back on mine again. He brings his hand down to lift up my


    gown and moves his hand dangerously close to my inner thigh. Inch away, his fingers will touch my


    drenched panties and my core¡­


    ¡°No!¡± I break free from his arms and take a few staggering steps back. My body ache at the loss of his


    warmth, but I manage to fight back the temptation.


    His breathing is rough, still recovering from the passion. He straightens up his back and looks at me,


    expression unreadable. ¡°This is wrong.¡± I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m telling him or myself, ¡°We are brother and


    sister, even not by blood. None of that should happen!¡±


    But he simply sneers at my statement.


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Say that all you want, little sis.¡± He walks closer and says in a low voice, ¡°You still want me.¡± I take a


    sharp intake of breath. But without saying anything else, he walks pass by me and leaves the fitting


    room.


    I quickly take off the gown and put back my own clothes. Thank god those delicate fabric didn¡¯t get


    creased. When I pull open the drape, I¡¯m just in time to see Eason hand the salesdy his credit card.


    ¡°What do you think you are doing?¡± I snap.


    ¡°Paying for your dress.¡± He says in a casual manner, ¡°Last time I check, looting is still illegal.¡±


    I¡¯m pissed. Is it really so hard for him to check in with me first? I¡¯ve also made up my mind to


    show him that I want nothing to do with the Ramirez¡¯s money. Now he just made it even harder to do


    that.


    The salesdyes forward with a smile, ¡°Miss, we¡¯ll have this custom made to your size and have it


    delivered to you by next Monday. This dress suits you well. You and your boyfriend have excellent taste.¡±


    Eason¡¯s lips curve up at the corner, but before he can say anything, I turn to her and say, ¡°this is my


    brother.¡± A strange and weird expressiones over her face. Maybe she¡¯s overhead the sound we


    made in the fitting room. But I don¡¯t really give a damn. I look at Eason, whose smile has faded away and


    became anger.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he stands up and heads out of the store, without looking at me.


    The drive back home is filled with awkward silence. None of us is in the mood to talk When we finally


    walk into the house, mom and Mr. Ramirez are sitting beside the table, ready for dinner. ¡°You guys are


    back!¡± mom stands up to greet us, ¡°Found anything good?¡± Ie to sit with her and mumble a ¡°yes.¡±


    ¡°Are you staying for dinner?¡± asks Mr. Ramirez to Eason. He shrugs and pulls out the chair facing me,


    ¡°sure why not.¡±


    I shift nervously in my seat. For some obvious reasons, I¡¯ve be more and more guilty of staying in


    the same room with him, especially in front of my mom and Mr. Ramirez. The dinner is delicious. But I


    didn¡¯t enjoy it a bit. I gobble up my meal, avoiding any eye contact with Eason, even though I know he¡¯s


    been looking at me. When I finish myst bite, I wipe my mouth and excuse myself immediately


    ¡°What¡¯s the hurry darling? We still have desert.¡± Mom looks up at me, ¡°Wait a second, you got some red


    marks on your neck Did you get sting by a Eason clears his throat and stands up as well, ¡°I¡¯m finished as


    well. Mrs. Ramirez, the dinner is very nice, thank you.¡±


    It¡¯s probably the first time he behaves so nicely to mom. Her face blushes with joy, ¡°it¡¯s nothing my dear.


    Drive home safely.¡±


    I try to keep my face calm leaving the dining room, but rage is still burning inside of me. Damn Eason


    and his audacity! I can¡¯t imagine the consequence of mom finding out about what happened.


    I pick up my pace heading to the stairs, but he grabs my hand from behind. ¡°Nat, wait a second.¡±


    ¡°What!¡± I turn back and snap at him.


    The light is off in the hallway, so I can¡¯t see his face clearly. But his bright green eyes are still twinkling in


    the darkness. The next second, a small box is shoved into my palm. ¡°See you in school,¡± says him


    whispering, ¡°oh and next time, I¡¯ll be careful with the marks.¡±


    I want to punch him in the face, but he already takes a quick step back Smiling at me, he turns around


    and leaves through the front door. I go back to my room and finally open the box he gave me. The


    morous light from the diamond immediately fills my eyes. It¡¯s the ne I tried on in the store. Even


    now, I can still recall the feeling when he put it on my neck


    So manyplexed feelings swirl inside of me, as I stare at his overly expensive gift.


    What should I do with him? I¡¯ve tried hard to stay rational, but my morals and sanity are slipping away.


    Maybe the next time I see him, I¡¯ll be lured into his trap.

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12


    Chapter Twelve The clouds are dense and opaque on the first day of my senior year, which kind of


    mirrors the state of my feelings. In my entire lifetime, I¡¯ve never detested going to school so badly.


    Mr. Ramirez kindly offered to drive me to school in his Rolls, which I can¡¯t say no to, since he had made it


    clear that he wants to send me off on my first day. Looks like the secret of me being the Ramirez¡¯s


    freeloader won¡¯t be kept for long.


    During the drive, Mr. Ramirez tried his best to easy off my nerve, but I kept tailing off from our


    conversation. As we approach the front gate of school, my symptom of nausea is getting worse.


    The parking area is already packed with fancy cars when we get there. In my old school, everyone had


    limited budget for cars, and as a result it wasmon to see dingy second handed Honda and Pirus


    everywhere on campus. But things clearly work different here. Mercedes and Porsche would still be


    considered as normal. I just saw a shy sport car with doors opened like wings pull into the student lot.


    But our Rolls stands out, nevertheless. I feel people¡¯s eyes flickered to me the moment I open my


    passenger door.


    The attention is just unnerving.


    Mr. Ramirez wishes me ¡°good luck¡±, which I mumble a vague ¡°yes¡± in return and jump off the car. As I


    start heading towards the front office, I let my hair fall off my shoulder, blocking all curious looks from the


    outside.


    There¡¯s already a long line in the front office when I walk in. It¡¯s shocking to see how many students are


    transferring into this school each semester. Mom told me that this is the most prestigious schools in the


    city, so whenever there¡¯s an open seat, everyone wants in.


    I scan the room and try to talk to the student in front of me, ¡°Umm, excuse me?¡±


    He turns around with a smile, ¡°yeah?¡±


    ¡°Hey. Is this the line for new transfers?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Yes. We are supposed to pick up our schedule and map here,¡± he seems to be d for having someone


    to talk to. ¡°My name is Eddie. Are you a new student as well?¡± He looks friendly, so I take the initiative to


    offer my hand. ¡°Yes, nice to meet you. And I¡¯m Natalia Moore by the way.¡± But his expression changes all


    of a sudden. He stares at me in shock, as if he just witnessed a ghost popping up from the thin air.


    ¡°Natalia?¡± he repeats, ¡°THE Natalia Moore?¡±


    I felt a surge of bewilderment. ¡°Yeah¡­ I guess so?¡±


    His face immediately grows cold at that. Without saying another word and leaves my hand hanging in the


    air.


    What the hell was that?


    I can¡¯t believe his sudden change of mood. Either this Eddie boy is insane, or there¡¯s something going on


    without me knowing. As I raise my head to look around, people are quick to avoid any eye contacts with


    me, even though they are clearly staring at me a moment before.


    Ok, something is definitely off.


    I was afraid that I might be a target when everyone finds out about who I am. But can rumors


    spread this fast? Even if I am the stepdaughter of the multi-billionaire Shawn Ramirez, do they have to


    be so hostile towards me?


    I keep wondering about this as the line moves on quickly. Finally it¡¯s my turn. ¡°Your name, please?¡± the


    red-haireddy behind the reception desk idly asks.


    ¡°Natalia Moore,¡± I inform her.


    She snaps her head right up, looking at me with an immediate light of awareness in her eyes. And that¡¯s


    when I can¡¯t hold it back anymore. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Have you heard of my name before?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she automatically denies, but then quickly corrects herself. ¡°Well, yes actually. I¡¯ve seen your


    profile, very impressive transcript. No doubt you will fit right into our school. So, here¡¯s your schedule and


    the campus map. Let me briefly walk you through.¡±


    She gives me a short orientation and wishes me good luck. Her reaction seems normal enough, but I can


    sense something is hidden from me beneath the surface.


    My first ss is literature in Building 8, which is not so hard to find following the map. As I start walking


    down the corridor and approach the ssroom, my heart starts thumbing crazy. It gets worse when I


    open the door and everyone¡¯s eyes dart back towards me.


    I gulp, pretending to be calm, and walk up to the teacher to exin my situation. Fortunately, my


    literature teacher doesn¡¯t give me that weird look upon hearing my name. She hands me a reading list


    and assign me to an empty seat at the back.


    As I start walking down the aisle, I idently meet with some curious eyes-let¡¯s just say that their looks


    are not exactly friendly.


    This out-of-nowhere hostility carries on throughout the entire morning. A girl deliberately ignored me


    when I asked her direction of the ssroom; one guy even bumped into my shoulder while passing by,


    even though it¡¯s an empty hallway. Quiet whispers of my names follow me wherever I go, but as soon as


    I turn around to look for the speaker, the crowd immediately spreads out.


    It¡¯s so frustrating! Embarrassing even. Here I am, haven¡¯t done anything wrong, and I¡¯m already the


    school freak. Worst part is I don¡¯t even know why.


    During lunch break, I walk into the caf¨¦ seeing that people have already sat in groups. That Eddie boy I


    met at the Front Office is sitting with his new friends at arge table, talking andughing excitedly about


    something.


    So clearly this is nothing against neers. Just me. I hold my tray and walk to a table with empty


    seats. But a ginger-haired girl at the same table instantly stops me, ¡°this seat is taken.¡± I felt a flush of


    embarrassment, but quickly gather my courage to stand up to her. ¡°I¡¯ll scootch over when your friends


    get here.¡± She gawks at me with a bizarre look, ¡°there¡¯s plenty seats here. Just find another table.¡±


    I roll my eyes at her and take my seat anyway. ¡°No thanks. I¡¯m fine right here.¡±


    My extraordinary bold behavior must have shocked her. She res at me with rage-filled eyes, but it¡¯s


    gonna take more than staring to scare me away.


    And right at this moment, I hear someone calling my name. I turn around and find that it¡¯s Katherine, the


    pretty girl I met at the school tour.


    She¡¯s even more stunning today. Her honey-brown hair is slightly curved to the back, seeming both


    stylish and casual. She has a very beautiful and angr face, which is entuated even more by a light


    apply of makeup. She makes every girl in this caf¨¦ take a hint on her self-esteem.


    She walks toward me with a bright smile. ¡°Hey you made it! How¡¯s your first day?¡±


    I lose my tongue momentarily, but she has already ced her tray down and taken her seat beside me.


    With her face, she can join any other table in this caf¨¦, but no, she chooses to sit with the newly


    appointed school freak. How astonishing.


    The ginger head sniffs at us. But Katherine ignores her, and turns to me whispering, ¡°tough day, huh?¡±


    ¡°You bet,¡± I mutter.


    ¡°Wanna know why?¡± She looks at me apprehensively, ¡°Valerie Vale issued a ban on you yesterday on


    her socials. Your name, face, all over the ce. Everyone in this school takes you as a target now.¡±


    I almost cry out.


    That blonde bitch Valerie? Has she lost her fucking mind? So taking my phone and locking me up aren¡¯t


    enough, and now she pulled this? This outrageous, even by her standard!


    ¡°Any ideas why she did this to you?¡±


    I snap, ¡°Yeah I have a theory.¡± Must be her pathetic obsession with Eason.


    ¡°This is bad, you know? She¡¯s like a queen in this school. No one dares to go against her.¡±


    I guessed so. Queen Valerie and King Eason, long may they reign.


    ¡°But what about you?¡± I grow worried towards her, ¡°if they saw us talking,¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry,¡± she gives


    me a yful wink. ¡°She wasn¡¯t being fair about this. I think I¡¯ve chosen my side.¡±


    I can¡¯t express my gratitude. Just when I thought I can¡¯t make a single friend in this school,


    epot I wove


    she showed up and offered me some kindness. I want to thank her for everything, but her eyes dart to


    my back,¡±speaking of the bully. Look who just entered the caf¨¦.¡±


    Previous Chapter

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13


    Chapter Thirteen I follow the direction of her eyes, and immediately recognize some familiar faces.


    Walking upfront is no other than the school queen Valerie Vale, and next to her is Eason. She has her


    arm wrapped around his tightly, like she¡¯s parading him around like a trophy. Eason¡¯s face is calm, a bit


    aloof even. His eyes travel right pass the crowd, as if no one in this room is worthy of his attention. I¡¯ve


    never seen him like this before. As far as I can recall, he¡¯s never been scanty in showing his emotions


    around me. I wonder if he has always been like this in school.


    There¡¯re six or seven students behind them, including that red-haired boy James I met at the party. They


    walk towards the only empty table and sit down, while the others admire them in distance.


    ¡°Wow.¡± Katherine gasps besides me, ¡°Intimidating, right?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen worse.¡± That would be partly lying. But I don¡¯t want to cave in just yet.


    ¡°Ok, enough of them,¡± Katherine snaps her fingers in front me to get my attention. ¡°Now, the top one


    priority for you is to find a date to the ball. If you pull that one sessfully, there¡¯s still chance for you to


    salvage the situation.¡± ¡°My date to what?¡±


    ¡°The homing ball! I can¡¯t believe you forgot. Please tell me you have shopped for that?¡± ¡°Oh.¡± I


    mutter, ¡°Yes. I bought a dress.¡±


    Which was paid by the very person sitting next to Valerie right now.


    ¡°OK one problem solved. Now you just need to find someone to take you to the ball.¡±


    I groan in frustration, ¡°Can¡¯t I just go alone?¡± I¡¯m already the target. Things can¡¯t get worse than that.


    ¡°Oh my god, no!¡± Katherine gasp inplete shock, ¡°That would be so sad. And pathetic.¡±


    I want tough at herment, but my smile turns out to be wry. As far as I can see, my survival is at


    stake here. Thest thing I should worry right now is some stupid ball and a date. ¡°I¡¯ll think about this,¡± I


    tell her dutifully, ¡°I think I¡¯m about to take off. See youter?¡±


    I haven¡¯t touched my food. But my appetite ispletely gone now. I pick up my tray and wave


    Katherine goodbye. Out of habit, I take a quick nce at Eason¡¯s direction, and that¡¯s when our eyes


    meet in the middle air.


    I have no idea how long he has been staring at me. He¡¯s resting his chin on his right hand, while holding


    Valerie¡¯s hand with the other. As we lock eyes, he raises his brow at me and smiles.


    I was fine with him walking in with Valerie and everything. Not jealous at all. But why does he have to


    smile at me? He must be so proud of himself. Having a popr girlfriend and messing with me at the


    same time. Way to go, fuckboy!


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    I groan a curse and escape the caf¨¦ immediately.


    Nothing special happens during the rest of my day. Fortunately, the schoolwork isn¡¯t so hard, so I can


    easily keep up. And as for my mean ssmates, as long as I keep my eyes down at all times and watch


    my ways in the corridor, I¡¯m fine for now.


    I spend a lot of time during ss thinking about the homing ball. I know I have absolutely zero


    interest in this event, but Mr. Ramirez is an alumnus. He has already told me this morning that he¡¯s


    invited to give a speech, so he¡¯d definitely notice my absence, which is thest thing I want.


    So I will go to this thing. But what about my date?


    I groan a curse. I bet there¡¯s not a single person in this school who¡¯s willing toe with me. I¡¯ll be that


    pathetic loser sitting on the bench the entire time. Maybe a school faculty will invite me to dance out of


    pity, making it even sadder.


    I suck in a deep breath and sign. My life would be so much better if Eason wasn¡¯t in it.


    ***


    Finally, my horrible first day ising to an end. With the bell ringing loudly, I¡¯m out of my chair


    immediately. I can¡¯t wait to escape this hell and go back home, scoop a bowl of ice cream and call Jenna.


    I miss her so much. It feels like a generation since we part.


    Once out of the ssroom, I pick up my pace heading out. The sidewalk is packed with exciting


    teenagers, talking enthusiastically about their first day, so I have to push my way through the crowd. I


    was so close to the front gate, when suddenly someone calls my name from behind. ¡°Hey, Natalia!¡±


    And that¡¯s when the atmosphere changes. Joyful chattering fades away, the crowd bes quiet, and,


    almost instantly, people start looking at me, as if they¡¯ve just found out there¡¯s an outlier among them.


    I¡¯ve got nowhere to hide. The only option was to turn around. So I did, slowly, and then met eyes with


    Eason.


    He doesn¡¯t need to push through the crowd like I did, as people just make ways for him voluntarily. With


    everyone staring at us, he walks up to me with his lips curved up and asks,¡± How¡¯s your day?¡±


    I look at him warily, pulling my guards up. ¡°Fine. What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, just checking in on you,¡± a harmless smile appears on his face. ¡°And you what¡¯s that on your


    neck? Looks like a sting mark or something?¡±


    His long index finger quickly brushes through my neck, as he slightly lowers his head, whispering with a


    voice that only the two of us can hear, ¡°or did someone kiss you and you just loved it?¡± I p his hand


    away. ¡°A mosquito. A disgusting mosquito with serious boundary issue.¡± He chuckles. Somehow my


    words didn¡¯t put him in a bad mood, and on the contrary, he finds my reaction very amusing.


    Now just seeing his smug face bums me out. I want to walk away, but Valerie suddenly appears from the


    crowd. Does she follow Eason everywhere he goes? ¡°Hey,¡± she fakes smile at me and leans her body


    against Eason, ¡°what are we talking here?¡± Eason¡¯s smile fades away a bit. ¡°Nothing much. You ready to


    leave?¡± ¡°Just a sec. I was just about to ask Natalia, are you ready for the homing party? Have you


    found a date yet?¡± This¡¯s way to obvious. She¡¯s gonna make me say it out loud, that I have no one to


    dance to at the ball, that I¡¯m a pathetic loser. I roll my eyes at her. ¡°I have it all ned out.¡± ¡°Oh really?


    Then who¡¯s the lucky guy? Tell us. We¡¯re all dying to know.¡± She¡¯s just sick. I¡¯ve seen mean girls and


    school bullies before, but no one has irritated me this much. Makes me want to p her perky face and


    knocks her on the ground. Just while I was quickly weighing the consequence of turning this into a fist


    fight, I spot someone at the corner of my eyes. ¡°Hey Alex!¡± The boy walking down the sidewalk turns


    around. He¡¯s surprised to see me, but then quickly walks over, ¡°Wow Natalia, Nice to see you again!


    What-umm-what are you doing here?¡± He looks around the three of us, a little confused by the situation.


    Eason¡¯s face instantly grows cold at that. Apparently he¡¯s not so fond of Alex, whatever reasons it may


    be. Now he¡¯s quietly gawking at Alex, with piercing and hate-filled eyes. And right at that moment, an


    idea strikes me.


    That might a terrible idea. A reckless and inappropriate idea. But it¡¯s also the only idea I¡¯ve got. So


    before I think it through, I¡¯ve already turned to Alex and asked him: ¡°Hey Alex. Do you want to go to the


    homing ball with me?¡±


    Persouneen

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14


    Chapter Fourteen Alex¡¯s eyes widen immediately at that. His mind must be spinning with confusion right


    now. I felt queasy, partially because of Alex¡¯s hesitated reaction, but also Eason¡¯s deathly re at us. I


    can see from the corner of my eyes that Eason¡¯s hands are clenched into a tight fist, as if the next


    second he¡¯s going to throw a punch at Alex. Why he hates Alex so much is beyond me, and I try not to


    be so self-conscious to think that this is all about me, but it¡¯s always nice to see him get pissed off.


    But if Alex turns me off right on the spot, it¡¯s going to be a huge price for me to pay.


    I hold my breath, while waiting for Alex¡¯s response. ¡°This is ridiculous,¡± Eason¡¯s tone is cold and jeering,


    ¡°Why do you think he¡¯d be willing to go with you?¡±


    I sniff. ¡°I¡¯m not asking you, aren¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Just saying the obvious. You can¡¯t just grab someone randomly from the street and ask him to


    But his sarcasticment is interrupted by a simple word from Alex.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    My heart race dramatically increases, as I look at him unbelievably.


    Did he just say ¡°yes¡±? As if to reconfirm what he just said, Alex reveals a gentle smile to me and repeats


    himself,¡° yes, I would love toe to the ball with you. I¡¯m so d that you asked me.¡±


    A surge of gratitude and warmth passes through me, as I can¡¯t help but smiling back to him. He must


    have sensed the awkward situation that I¡¯m in. I feel bad for using him like this. I¡¯ll thank himter.


    Eason¡¯s jaw tenses, seems like he¡¯s trying hard to suppress the anger. ¡°Charming,¡± he says through


    gritted teeth. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll see you guys at the ball.¡± He turns his hells and leaves us, with Valerie following


    him closely. She intentionally knocks on my shoulder and mutters a ¡°loser¡± with a voice so loud that


    everyone can hear. What a baby. Seeing the drama hase to an end, the crowd finally scatters. I


    finally get the chance to turn to Alex, as it happens, he¡¯s also looking at me. We lock eyes with each


    other, then burst intoughter at the same time. ¡°Well. May I get a chance to drive my dance partner


    home? If she¡¯s fine with it?¡±


    I giggle, ¡°I think she just said yes.¡±


    As we start heading towards the student lot, I take the chance to apologize to him. ¡°Sorry about earlier¡­


    that I cornered you that way.¡±


    U


    nit Fourteen


    ¡°Not at all,¡± he assures me. ¡°I¡¯m happy to do it. I was nning to do some training on the ball night, but it


    might be nice to take a day off. You know, to shake off some stress.¡± Alex drives a fairly new Volvo, which


    gotpletely buried away by the flock of fancy cars in the parking lot. But I¡¯m somehow relieved that


    he¡¯s not a member of the rich-brat club.


    During our drive home, we start talking about his training, which is when I find out that we have so much


    inmon. We both spent some time down south, fell in love with the sea and dedicated ourselves to


    windsurf. He even offered to introduce me to his coach, which I enthusiastically said yes.


    Time flies by so fast. Before I even realize, the car has already pulled over in front of the town house. He


    hits on the brake and smiles at me widely, ¡°guess I¡¯ll see you here on the ball night?¡±


    I nod sheepishly. ¡°Sure¡­Or we can just meet up at school? You don¡¯t need to pick me up.¡± ¡°Hey I¡¯m


    happy to do it. It¡¯s not like you forced me into anything.¡± I begin another round of stammering thanks, and


    clumsily climb out of his car. He waits till I get inside the house and wave him goodbye through window,


    then finally drives away. Mom is in the living room, pretending to read a novel while simultaneously


    peering over her shoulder. When I turn around, she instantly rises from the sofa and snickers, ¡°So? Who


    drove you home?¡±


    ¡°Alex. A guy from school,¡± I try to push down the corner of my lips, but eventually fails at it.¡± He¡¯s taking


    me to the homing ball.¡±


    I thought mom would be ted at the news, but her chuckles stop short, as clear disappointment flits


    across her face. ¡°Alex? I thought Eason was taking you.¡±


    This is absurd. ¡°What made you think that?¡± I snap.


    ¡°Well, when I asked him to take you shopping, I also expressed my concerns¡­since¨Cyou know


    ¨Cyou didn¡¯t know anyone at school, so I was afraid that you¡¯d end up going alone. And naturally I asked


    him to¡ª¡±


    ¡°You what?¡± I am appalled. ¡°Mom. Please. Please tell me you didn¡¯t beg him to take me.¡±


    Mom is clearly in panic, as she begins to twist her slim fingers together nervously. ¡°Well, technically, I


    didn¡¯t beg him. Because he offered himself before I -¡±


    ¡°Mom. Stop messing with my business,¡± I suppress my anger the best I can and tell her stoutly. ¡°I


    appreciate your effort. But I¡¯d rather go to this ball alone, than having Eason take me out of pity. Me and


    him are never going to be friends, no matter how much you wish that to happen.¡±


    She sucks in a shaky breath and mutters a ¡°fine¡±, obviously shocked by my sudden increase of volume. I


    turn my back on her and hastily walk away.


    When I get into my room, I notice a very nicely wrapped boxying on my bed. It¡¯s a delivery from that


    designer brand store that Eason took me.


    I sit on the bed and stare dejectedly at it. The moment I open that box, so many painful and


    Fi teen


    shameful memories will be unleashed. These memories all involve the same person, who upies my


    thought by day and keeps me awake by night.


    Whenever I think of him, I feel a spasm of pain mixed with sorrow, like someone has cut open my chest,


    grasped my heart, and squeezed it. Now I¡¯m forced to realize that I have let him into my head and myself


    to be deluded by his gorgeous face and temporary kindness.


    I pick up the box and ce it next to the diamond ne he gave me. I¡¯ve decided to give these back


    to him after the ball and rify things with him one thing for all. And that¡¯ll be the end of everything.


    ***


    With the homing ball looming on the horizon, the entire school is in celebratory mood for a whole


    week. I can hear people talking about it everywhere. Even in the middle of a ss, chattering and


    whispers about the ball business still won¡¯t fade into the background, no matter how hard teachers have


    tried to bring orders back into the ssroom.


    It is a good thing for me though. With everyone so upied by the ball, Valerie and her minions have


    lost their interest in me. As long as I keep my head down and avoid any confrontation at all ends, school


    life isn¡¯t so bad at all. I quietly pray for this situation tost, even after the ball.


    On the ball night, students are dismissed a few hours earlier to get ready. And despite my vehement


    protest, mom has invited a stylist to our home to do my makeup and hair. For the following two hours


    after school, I¡¯m forced to sit on the chair quiet and still and let the stylist dresses me up like a Barbie


    doll.


    Finally, the stylist¡¯s wordse as a salvation to me. ¡°All finished. You can check it out now darling.¡±


    I take a quick nce at the mirror and get stung by it. I have to admit that he did a wonderful job at it. My


    usually messy hairs arebed nicely now, cascading smoothly past my shoulder. He didn¡¯t apply too


    much makeup to my face, but he made a special effort to highlight my almond-round eyes and thick


    eyshes. My lips are wearing a peach-pink lip gross, which made them even more plumpy. Mom is


    dabbing the corner of her eyes with a tissue. ¡°My god honey, you look so beautiful. Whoever is taking


    you to the ball must be the luckiest guy in the world.¡±


    Her bias has blinded her. I sign and remind her again, ¡°his name is Alex.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Alex. Well, you should quickly get dressed. We are running short on time. You don¡¯t want to keep


    him waiting, do you?¡±


    She and the stylist exist the room, leaving me some privacy to get changed. When I¡¯m alone, I finally


    open the box and takes out the gown for the first time. It fits me perfectly, bringing out all the curves.


    I spin around in front of the mirror, and then carefully hides thebel under the cloth. I have decided to


    give back this dress and the ne to Eason after the ball. If he refuses, I¡¯ll simply return them and


    send back his money. I won¡¯t owe him anything.


    Once dressed up, I carefully exit my room and step downstairs in the high heels that mom


    Fourteen


    bought me, clinging to the handrail to keep bnce. Right at that moment, I heard a chuckle, and looked


    up to see Eason standing at the foot of the stairs, looking up at me with a crocked smile on his face.


    ¡°Having trouble?¡± he grins at me widely, as if he just witnessed something amusing.


    I roll my eyes at him.¡±Nothing I can¡¯t manage.¡±


    His smile grows wider, as he reaches out and offers his hand at me. But I ignore his help by marching


    right pass him. It wasn¡¯t hard to notice how handsome he is today. He¡¯s dressed in a fine-cut ck suit,


    which fits his tall and well-built body perfectly. All his hairs are worn back, revealing his full forehead and


    statuesque features. I¡¯ve always known him as good-looking, but today his beauty is even more striking.


    I¡¯m even a bit afraid to look at his face directly.


    He spins around to follow me. ¡°You look nice in that dress,¡± he whispers.


    I got disoriented by his low and husky voice for a moment, but then quickly sturdy myself and reply


    frigidly, ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Though you may need some help with those heels.¡± ¡°I have my help.¡± I pause, then


    re defiantly at him, ¡°In fact, I think my help is waiting by the door right now.¡± He squints down at me,


    lips gradually twisted into a cold sneer. ¡°This is the final chance to change your mind.¡± ¡°Change my mind


    to what?¡± ¡°To go to the ball with me,¡± he says quietly, as if it¡¯s a matter of the obvious.


    I almost burst intoughter. He and his mood-swing issues have got to be checked up. ¡°Are you seriously


    inviting me right now? Did your dear girlfriend Valerie stood you up?¡±


    His forehead ties into a frown. ¡°Who told you Valerie is my girlfriend?¡± ¡°Whatever Eason. Just get lost,¡± I


    hiss and walk around him. I may get to enjoy the ball, so he¡¯s not ruining it now. The doorbell rings just in


    time, and I rush to the door to get it. Alex is standing outside, with a bunch of tulips in hand. ¡°Wow you


    look so nice!¡± From the glimmer in his eyes, I can tell hispliment is sincere.


    ¡°Umm I don¡¯t know which flower is your favorite¡­so here, hope you like it.¡±


    I¡¯m ttered when he hands me the bouquet. None of my dates have brought me flowers on a date, not


    even Zack. So my face turned tomato red. ¡°Thanks, I love it.¡±


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    Mom rushes to the door and kisses me goodbye, telling me to enjoy myself and say hi to Ramirez at the


    ball. I got embarrassed, smattered, and escaped her bbering. When we are finally ready to leave,


    Eason appears again in the doorway.


    ¡°Eason. Are you going to pick up your date?¡± Mom asks him excitedly. How I hoped she would just ignore


    him and let him leave.


    ¡°Yes, on my way to it.¡± He nods casually and strides towards the door. I watch him warily as he


    abier Fourteen 10


    suddenly stops in front of us. ¡°Alex,¡± he says slowly. ¡°Take care of my sister, ok?¡± I find it odd hearing him


    address me as his sister. Alex must be felling the same way, as he nods uncertainly: ¡°Yeah, sure thing.¡±


    A hint of sneer appears on his face. That¡¯s when my intuition flickers: he¡¯s not letting me walk away this


    easily. Suddenly, as if to prove my sixth sense correct, Eason grabs my elbow. I let out a short cry of


    surprise, as he lowers his head to the hollow of my neck. ¡°Eason! What the fu¡ª My burst out in horror. If


    he does anything inappropriate in front of Alex, in front of mom, I


    swear to god Then I hear a quick sound of snapping, and something is ripped off from my dress. The


    next second, he rises up again, takes the tag of my gown from his mouth and tosses it at me. He just


    ripped that off with his teeth. ¡°You forgot to take it down,¡± he smiles at me derisively. ¡°Well, enjoy yourself


    at the ball.¡± He walks away from us, down the stairs and out of the yard,pletely ignoring the stunned


    expression on everyone¡¯s face.

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16


    Chapter Sixteen The music is ying on out loud as the ball reaches its climax. And only a curtain away


    from the crowd, I¡¯m messing out with my stepbrother.


    .


    His tongue has found its way in as it tangles with mine tasting every corner of my mouth. I can¡¯t help but


    bring my hands up to his hairs and clutch on to it, earning a tormented groan from him.


    I¡¯ve given up on the little restrain left in me and let myself drown in the passion. His breath grows rougher


    as if he¡¯s restraining from his own urgers. As the hot and wet kiss continues, I feel his hand travels down


    my waist, past my bums, and finally enters through the bottom of my gown. I shiver when his hot palm is


    ced on the soft skin of my inner thigh. ¡°Eason¡­¡±I moan his name, panting hoarsely and pleading.


    ¡°No¡­not here.¡± From the primitive look in his eyes, I have no doubt that he¡¯ll just take me right here


    behind the curtain a few steps away from the crowd, if I don¡¯t stop him.


    ¡°I know.¡± He sucks the bottom of my lips and licks it. ¡°Don¡¯t worry I won¡¯t fuck you here. But I still want to


    taste you.¡±


    Before I fully understand what he means by that, he suddenly brings his long finger to my core and


    presses it. A thrilling electricity courses through my body as I suddenly let out a wild gasp.


    He chuckles and adds pressure to his finger, circling around the clit and pulling it lightly. Thece fabric


    of my panties sinks into my flesh and rubs harshly against the lips of my pussy. I¡¯m drenched now.


    ¡°You are so fucking wet, my little sis,¡± He whispers dirty words into my ear. ¡°Do you want me to rip off


    your panties and fuck you with my finger right here?¡±


    His finger gently brushes the wet fabric but keeps staying on the outside as if he wants to see me beg.


    My mind is clouded. But thest shred of my consciousness is stopping me from giving up to his wicked


    game. I grasp tighter to his hairs, begging in silence. ¡°Say it Nat.¡± He mumbles and nibbles the hollow of


    my neck as his fingers continue the pleasure torment. ¡°Say you want it too.¡±


    Waves of sensation hit me again. A shaky cry escapes my parted lips and Ipletely surrender myself


    to him.


    ¡°Yes, yes please! I want it¡­ I want you.¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡± He groans and his long finger finally slips inside of my panties and shoves right into my pussy. I


    almost scream out. It¡¯s only one finger but I feel so full.


    ¡°God you are so tight.¡± He gasps out as he pulls out his finger a bit and thrust it into my core


    again. My legs trembles because of the pumping and my body is sliding down against the wall. He


    catches me and sits me on his thigh. That¡¯s when I feel his rock-hard muscle beneath the suit and his hot


    erection pressed against me. My head fall to stare him. His beautiful face tenses, eyes darken in a


    primitive way, and I can see little veins popping out of his temples. He¡¯s in this too. He wants it as badly


    as I do.


    This thought adds another shade of pleasure. My body aches to him sightly giving him more ess to


    my body. I,


    My willingness turns him on even more as he suddenly speeds up the movement and rubs my clit


    roughly using his thumb.


    I cry out then realize just how loud I am. We are in public space. Only a curtain away are thousands of


    teachers, students, and parents, including his father Mr. Ramirez. And I¡¯m still letting my stepbrother


    finger me to orgasm at such ce. I bite my lips hard to stifle moans. My lips are probably oozing blood


    but I don¡¯t care. The pleasure is just too strong. ¡°Hey don¡¯t do that.¡± He presses his thumb on my mouth


    and rescues my lips from my teeth. Then he presses my head to the hollow of his neck. I bury my face in


    it panting, feeling his muscle flex during the process.


    When another wave of pleasure rises from my core, I bite hard into his muscles and sinks my


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    teeth into his flesh.


    He grunts hoarsely. ¡°Sharp teeth. You are gonna pay for that.¡±


    As if to punish me, his finger thrusts into my pussy full length and slightly curves inside of me. His


    fingertip finds my G-spot and presses on it hard. My pussy clutches painfully hard at that as I start to rock


    my hips and climb my orgasm. He senses that I¡¯ming as he suddenly pulls my head up and kisses


    me hard. His finger picks up the speed. Fucking me in a rough way that I like so much and throw me


    over the edgepletely. The mind-blowing orgasm eats me up. I roll my eyes back as my juicy sprays


    out soaking wet his hand. His hand continues to rub my core, extending the pleasure till I slump on his


    chest. My mind is totally nk, still recovering from the passion. Hends soft kisses on my neck as if


    trying to ease me when he slowly pulls out his finger from me. My pussy involuntarily mps on to it


    wanting him to stay. He chuckles at my reaction. ¡°Wants more?¡±


    I gulp. My face is probably burning tomato red but it¡¯s dark here so he can¡¯t see. He can fuck me to


    orgasm with just one finger. I can¡¯t imagine what¡¯ll happen when we actually have sex.


    He sees through my thoughts and murmurs into my ear. ¡°Just picture you in bed makes me so


    fucking hard.¡± I can feel his swell beneath me and it¡¯s getting bigger and harder. If we keep staying here


    things might get out of control. So I detach myself slightly away from him. ¡°We may need to get back out


    there.¡±


    It just urs to me how rough my voice is. Probably because of the pleasure. ¡°Your panty is all soaked.¡±


    He teases me. In fact not only my panties, my entire inner thigh is wet with my juice. I bite my lips a bit


    embarrassed by his words. Now that my body has cooled down a little, my bum feels ufortably


    chilly with my drenched panties on. His lips curve up into a crooked smile. ¡°I can help you with that.¡±


    He undoes and takes off his tie, bringing it under my gown and starts wiping me off. I flinch away and


    hiss under my breath, ¡°stop it! It¡¯s gross.¡± ¡°It¡¯s damn hot. Or I¡¯ll just get down on my knee and licks it


    away. Which way is it gonna be?¡± He¡¯s fully capable with such things. So I keep my mouth shut and let


    him clean me up. Then I suddenly widen my eyes in disbelief when he folds the ruined tie and shoves it


    back into his pocket. ¡°Aren¡¯t you gonna throw it away?¡± ¡°No I¡¯ll keep it,¡± He kisses me. ¡°Till you return the


    favor.¡±

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17


    Chapter Seventeen When we step out of the curtain, he keeps chuckling quietly behind me. I shot him a


    deathly re and he quickly pushes down the corner of his lips but still can¡¯t hide his smugness.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± I roll my eyes. He¡¯s acting like a juvenile boy getting excited over sex with women. He


    shrugs. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You must have fucked a thousand girls in public ces. Stop acting like that.¡± I point out. OK that


    sounds a little gross and is probably an exaggeration, but I¡¯ve seen him with girls. His gloating smile


    fades away a bit as he frowns at me. ¡°What do you think of me? A breeding horse?¡±


    Well not so much as a breeding horse. But definitely a fuck boy. He clenches his teeth apparently


    irritated by my judgment. A soothing waltz melody starts ying in the background, so he offers his hand


    to me. ¡°Dance with me for this next song and I¡¯ll forgive your foul mouth.¡±


    I pause. His hand hangs in the middle air for a few seconds before he snaps grumpily. ¡°What


    now?¡±


    ¡°Who did youe to this ball with in the first ce?¡± I ask. ¡°No one.¡± He replies dryly. I find that hard to


    believe. He must havee with someone, Valerie most possibly. Then this leads to my other deeper


    worries: what¡¯s us?


    I¡¯vee to realize that Eason does want me, but definitely not as his girlfriend. The way he behaves


    has proven that.


    So just his sex partner. Someone he sleeps with when he gets bored. After all, what tops up the


    sensation than getting in bed with your stepsister? Yet before I figure out my thoughts, he suddenly grabs


    me by my wrist and pulls me into his arms with one strong pull. I didn¡¯t even get a chance to protest, and


    he¡¯s led me into the dance floor.


    He¡¯s an excellent dancer with smooth moves and fine gesture. I¡¯m grateful that I¡¯ve taken one or two


    dance lessons before so I can keep up with him now.


    But spinning with him is still awkward. Especially since people have been staring at us intensely


    whenever a couple passes by our side. I know what they are thinking. Stepbrother and sister? Most


    popr guy and the school freak? Either way it¡¯s weird.


    ¡°Eason.¡± I keep my voice low so by-passers can¡¯t hear me. ¡°You haven¡¯t answered my


    question.¡±


    ¡°God, you have a way to ruin everything,¡± He hisses. ¡°I said. I came with no one.¡±


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    ¡°Didn¡¯t you invite Valerie?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± His patience seems to be running out.


    ¡°But why?¡± I persist stupidly.


    ¡°Because-¡°He grits out.¡±- I wanted toe to this stupid ball with you and maybe fucks you a bit behind


    the curtain or in the restroom! You happy with that?!¡±


    He raises his voice a little too high, so I hurry to shush him. ¡°Keep your voice down!!¡±


    He lets out a scornful sneer and averts his face sideway to avoid eye-contact with me. But we are only a


    fist-wide away so he can¡¯t get any further anyway.


    I follow his dance move rigidly while processing everything quickly in mind.


    So like my mom said, he did want toe to the ball with me.


    But why didn¡¯t he say anything? Why does he have to be soplicated and self contradictory all the


    time?


    There¡¯s no way I can figure out what he actually wants. Even if I ask, he never gives me an honest and


    straightforward answer anyway.


    Just when I¡¯m still in the trance, suddenly hurried footsteps approach us from behind and then the next


    second I¡¯m pulled away from Eason¡¯s arms by a strong force.


    Long nails dig into my flesh. I spin my head to find Valerie ring down at me infuriated. Her face is


    twisted with anger as she barks at us:


    ¡°What the hell are you doing?!¡±


    I shake off her iron grip and roll my eyes at Eason. ¡°You want to take this one?¡± Honestly, I don¡¯t know


    what Eason is doing either.


    Eason raises his brows slightly his face indifferent. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°You asking me? You are my date for god¡¯s sake! Where were you a minute ago and why are you


    suddenly dancing with this pathetic little sl¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fuck you Valerie¡±I clench my first, ready to hit her in the face if she carries on


    She widens her eyes in shock and is about to raise her hand, but Eason pulls me behind him.


    ¡°Valerie that¡¯s enough,¡± His voice cold with a trance of impatience. ¡°I never asked you to the ball, did I?


    Even if I did what¡¯s wrong with dancing with my sister? Stop this mad show right now because you don¡¯t


    own me.¡±


    ¡°You are taking her side??¡±


    Eason only lets out a sneer not even bothered to answer


    A flicker of panic mixed with devastation passes through her face. I¡¯m surprised to see tears start to well


    up in her eyes. ¡°Go to hell. Both of you!¡±


    B


    .cr Seventeen


    She staggers back a few steps then quickly turns around and storms away. And with that, the entire


    dance floor finally resumes to its earlier moment-people have been so busy checking us that they¡¯ve


    forgotten to dance. Eason tilts his head and smiles at me. ¡°Well. Shall we finish the song?¡±


    He doesn¡¯t seem to be affected by that at all. It¡¯s a superpower really, to break someone¡¯s heart without a


    blink and to have everyone¡¯s attention on him and not even bothered by that. ¡°Nah I¡¯ll pass.¡±


    I free myself from him and walk pass the crowd carefully dodging people¡¯s curious look. He catches up


    and walks with me side by side. ¡°You leaving? So soon?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long night.¡± And a lot has happened. I need to clear my head and think about where this is


    going Before he gets a chance to say anything, we run into Mr. Ramirez by the front gate. He is on his


    way out.


    ¡°Are you kids leaving already?¡± he seems to be surprised by our early departure as well.


    ¡°Yeah. Nat is beat.¡± Eason replies.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Mr. Ramirez¡¯s eyes trail across our faces and that look has gotten me on my edge. ¡°Well if you are


    leaving, you are wee to ride in my car.¡± ¡°No that¡¯s fine actually,¡± says Eason quickly. ¡°I¡¯ll drive Nat


    home.¡±


    Without doubts, Mr. Ramirez nods and says good night to us.


    After he leaves, I let out a long sign with relief. The man can¡¯t possibly know anything. But it¡¯s still nerve-


    racking facing them, since me and Eason were fooling around and getting into each other¡¯s pants a


    moment ago.


    I hear a chuckle and turn around to see Eason grinning at me.


    ¡°Nervous?¡± he asks.


    ¡°You are not?¡± he and his thick nerve amaze me. ¡°Anyway, we should go home.¡±


    He raises his brow at me. ¡°Sure. But we are going to my ce.¡±


    ¡°What? No way! I¡¯m not going to your-¡± He drags me into his arms with one pull. His dark eyes cast down


    on my face with a look so intensive and hot that it makes my heart starts pumping wildly. He threads his


    long fingers through my hairs gently rubbing the bare skin on the back of my neck and whispers into my


    ear: ¡°I was serious about you returning that favor. And it¡¯s gonna be tonight.¡±

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18


    Chapter Eighteen I don¡¯t know why I let him take me home. But maybe deep down inside, I know we


    have crosses that line and I want this as badly as he does.


    He speeds all the way back. As soon as we step into the door, he presses me to the wall and hungrily


    captures my lips. I let myself drown in that wild kiss, hands holding on to his broad shoulder as those


    muscles flex under my palms. I take pleasure at knowing that my touch can bring pleasure to his body.


    His tongue slides into my mouth and tangles with mine making erotic watery sound. I moan between


    breaths and bring my upper thigh slightly higher to rub at his leg craving for more. I can¡¯t help it. I want


    his body on me and for us to be closer than we already are. He groans. ¡°Fuck. If you keep doing that you


    won¡¯t be able to keep that dress.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I tease him giggling. ¡°You¡¯re gonna rip my clothes again? With your teeth?¡±


    I still haven¡¯t forgiven him for ripping off the tag that way in front of my mom and Alex. He raises his


    brows at me and suddenly with a hard pull those two straps behind my back are snapped into half.


    ¡°Ahh! That hurts!¡± I cry out. My shoulders be a bit red at that. ¡°And that¡¯s one expensive dress!¡±


    He should know since he paid for that.


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    ¡°Sorry,¡± He doesn¡¯t sound very apologetic though. ¡°And I¡¯ll buy you more.¡±


    He lowers his head to lick my redden shoulder. A surge of titition rises from where his tongue touches


    my skin, sending electricity through my body. I lean back on the door panting while tightening my grip on


    to his soft hairs. It¡¯s the only way to stop my body from dropping to the ground. ¡°You know I can¡¯t get


    enough of this right?¡± his voice low and husky. ¡°How you shiver like that¡­and how damn wet you are.¡± I


    am drenched. My pussy is still wet from our earlier finger sex and more juice is streaming out of me right


    now. Those broken straps can¡¯t hold my dress anymore and gives him an easy ess. His fingers


    crawls inside from the hem and palm my chest.


    Goosebumps appear all over my skin. His fingertips caress my sensitive area, thumb circles around my


    nipples and gently pinch on them. I gasp, my chest rising and falling faster and my body arches more to


    him. The tickling pleasure is killing me.


    I want more and I want him to be rough with me.


    As if knowing my thoughts, he increases pressure on my nipples. Rubbing it harshly, pressing


    in and pulling out slightly. Then he lowers his body to catch one of my pink tops with his teeth and sucks


    it hard.


    A broken cry escapes my parted lips. My mind is clouded by desire.


    Suddenly the next second, he grabs my waist and lifts me up to his shoulder. I cry out, as he carries me


    and marches through the room.


    ¡°Put me down!¡± my head is dizzy upside down.


    He ps my butt. Not too hard but enough to shut me down. The faint burning sensation raises from my


    butt and sends a shock through my stomach until it settles in my pussy.


    I bite my lips, slightly shocked at what he can do to me. He doesn¡¯t go into the bedroom, instead he


    carries my all the way outside to the infinite pool.


    The next second, he drops me into the water. The water isn¡¯t cold at all, still carries the warmth from the


    summer sunshine. I gulp down a mouthful of water and end of coughing and choking. Luckily, the pool


    isn¡¯t too deep, so I manage to kick water and pull myself up quickly. He is still standing by the pool side,


    shoulders shaking by theughter. ¡°Fuck you.¡± I show him my middle finger.


    He smiles a crooked smile so breathtaking that I almost forget my irritation. Then he unbuttons his shirt,


    slides it over his head and throws it to the side.


    This is the first time I get a clear look at his body and it¡¯s every bit as pretty as I have imagined it. His


    shoulder is broad, and his waist is tight, well-built muscle covers on his beautiful framework. The dim


    pool-side lights illuminate his feature vaguely, making him almost godlike.


    I stare him like an idiot, as he goes on to takes off his pants. When there¡¯s only a boxer left on his body, I


    got shy and look sideway.


    Then I heard sshing water. He swims to me and pulls me into his firm chest. My feet leave the ground


    floating in water as his hot kisses fall all over on my chest.


    My head is swirling.


    On top of the myriad twinkling light of Boston, he is drowning me in his desire. His lips, his touch, his


    body¡­and this. Everything feels like ate afternoon summer dream.


    ¡°Hey,¡± his husky voice whispers into my ears. ¡°You want to return the favor?¡± I bite down on my lips


    holding my rough panting. Yes, I want him, and I want this. But if he¡¯s talking about sex¡­I¡¯ve got to say,


    I¡¯m still a little reluctant.


    Everything is happening too fast. Half a month ago we were still basically strangers. He was my


    stepbrother and childhood ydate and nothing more.


    How can things turn upside down in such a short period of time and flip my world so dramatically?


    His dark eyes fix on mine, looking so deep into my soul. He presses his thumb on my lips and caress it.


    ¡°Having second thoughts?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I reply quickly. Then after a short pause, I finally admit. ¡°Well, I mean¡­it¡¯s a little too


    fast.¡±


    He falls into silence, which is a bit disconcerting to me.


    He¡¯s not getting mad at me because of this, isn¡¯t he?


    I know how guys hate it when their dates say ¡°it¡¯s too fast.¡± But I¡¯m not his girlfriend anyway. Even if I am,


    I should get my own say in this. I hold my breath and wait for him to go rage. But after a short silence, by


    my surprise, his lips curve up into a casual smile. ¡°Sure.¡± He says and shrugs. I can¡¯t believe he just


    leave me off the hock this easily. I am even a bit¡­disappointed if it¡¯s not too self-contradictory. ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± He lets out a low chuckle. ¡°And you know, there¡¯s like a thousand ways for you to pay me back.¡±


    Before I even understand what he means by that, he grabs my waist and pushes me to the poolside.


    Then he pushes himself up from the water and sits by the curb, facing me. I am still standing in the pool.


    My head is right about the same height as his damp wet boxer.


    I gulp down and suddenly understand what he meant.


    He puts both of his hands on the ground behind me, eyes cast down to my blushing face. His smile


    grows wider, as hemands me with a hoarse and sexy voice: ¡°Take it off, babe.¡±

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19


    Chapter Neen I flinch slightly at his words. I wish I have enough courage to rip his boxer off and and


    make him moan so hard like he did to me.


    But the few experiences I had have proven that I¡¯m not so good at that sort of things.


    You stink in bed. In Zack¡¯s exact words.


    And as he had eagerly reminded me, that¡¯s exactly why he left me for another woman.


    I won¡¯t let that jackass ruin my sex life. But in my imagination, the next sex I have will be with my next


    boyfriend, someone who treats me dearly and I¡¯ll be able to ovee my own shadow with him.


    Not with my fuckboy stepbrother for sure, who mayugh at me the second I do something wrong.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± he asks, still waiting for my next move. ¡°Umm¡­¡± I hesitate, careful with my word


    choice. ¡°I¡¯ve never¡­well I don¡¯t exactly know how to-¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s so hard about it?¡± he shrugs. ¡°You put your mouth around it and you suck it.¡±


    I¡¯m pissed. So ¡°patience¡± is definitely not in his dictionary. ¡°Well then just forget about it,¡± I snap. ¡°It is


    hard for me!¡±


    He bites his lips to stifle aughter. Clearly my irritation somehow appears amusing to him. He ces


    one hand on the back of my neck, thumb gently rubs my earlobe. ¡°Hey hey I¡¯m sorry. I wasn¡¯tughing at


    you,¡± he apologizes and then suggests. ¡°How about we start one thing at a time? You can take off my


    boxer?¡±


    I gulp. Surely I can do that.


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    I reach out both of my hands cing them on the hem of his boxer and start taking it off. He lifts his hips


    slightly off the ground to help me with that. Then with one pull, his boxer is off and his whole body is


    present in front of me.


    Wow it¡¯s huge. Way more bigger than I expected. It¡¯s already half hard and it¡¯s getting harder and bigger


    under my gaze. His breathing bes faster on the top of my head. Then his hand travels up to the


    back of my head, fingers thread into my damp hair and add pressure to it, quietly urging me.


    I hold my breath and move closer. My hand trails up from his inner thigh to his crotch. Then gently palm


    his dick.


    He groans, chest rising and falling.


    I think he likes the way my hand wraps around him, so I gently tighten my grip and start moving my hand


    up and down. ¡°Fuck. Yea¡­like that.¡±


    His voice crack as if he¡¯s restraining himself. I like the way he sounds,pletely filled with desires.


    I want to hear more of his voices. So without him telling me, I lean in and bury my head between his


    thighs.


    Open my mouth to take him in.


    It¡¯s too huge for me to swallow the full length. The taste is not bad through, kind of salty. I lick its top with


    the tip of my tongue and decide that I like the way it tastes. He takes in a sharp inhale. ¡°Fuck do that


    again¡­move your head up-and down¡­¡± I do ask he says. Tongue circling on its top while my head


    starts moving up and down. Pulling out a bit and then sucking it all in.


    His panting bes faster and faster. His dick swollen even bigger in my mouth. He sits up and holds


    my head in hisrge hand, fixing my head between his legs.


    He sounds like he is going through something extremely pleasurable but also torturing.


    The way I take control of his body makes my heard racing wild. I don¡¯t even need him to teach me what


    to do to upgrade the pleasure, as I add in my hand and work the bottom half.


    ¡°My god Natalia¡­ You are unbelievable,¡± he gasps.


    I look up at him through the bottom of my eyshes. His face is twisted with desire. Eyebrows frowning,


    lips parted, veins straining against his skin. He is so unbelievably hot and beautiful. ¡°Fuck.¡± He curses


    and lets out a low chuckle. ¡°This is going to be my dream for the following week¡­you holding my dick in


    your mouth looking at me like that.¡± I decide to punish him for his teasing words. So I slightly squeeze his


    balls and sessfully earn a groan from him. ¡°Naughty,¡± hements, and I giggle. ¡°Go on babe. Make


    mee with your mouth.¡± His voice is such a turn on for me. So I oblige, picking up the speed with my


    mouth and work my hand all the way around his balls and bottom half. His body tenses, hips bucking off


    the ground to meet my mouth. He¡¯s totally losing control. I repeat the action again and again. My mouth


    is sore, but I can also tell he¡¯s getting closer. Finally, he suddenly grabs my hair and pulls me away. The


    warm liquid shoots out in short spurts and spills half on my shoulder and half on the water surface.


    I widen my eyes and blurt out. ¡°The pool¡­¡±


    That¡¯s gonna be hell of a clean work.


    He¡¯s still recovering from the rough panting. Yet immediately he burst intoughter.


    ¡°That¡¯s first thing you say after a blow job? The pool?¡±


    I let him know. ¡°I¡¯m not cleaning that.¡±


    Zack used to make me change the sheet after the sex. Woman¡¯s work as he said. I just hate it to my gut.


    ¡°The cleaningdy got that,¡± heughs.


    I hesitate for a moment and decide to keep myments to myself. Poor cleaningdy.


    ¡°Hey.¡± He jumps into water again and pulls me into his arms. ¡°Now can we go back to romantic again?¡±


    My lips curve up involuntarily. I rest my head on his chest and ask, ¡°you like that?¡±


    ¡°Fuck yeah. But why did you tell me you haven¡¯t done this before?¡±


    I frown and look up at him. His gaze is appraising.


    ¡°Because I haven¡¯t. That¡¯s why.¡± I tell him.


    He raises his brows and seems genuinely surprised. ¡°Seriously? That¡¯s the first time you give a blow


    job?¡±


    I¡¯m a bit embarrassed by that. ¡°If you mean that as a criticism, just save it.¡±


    ¡°God no. It¡¯s apliment for real. You are awesome. I¡¯m getting hard again just thinking what you did


    earlier.¡± I can¡¯t stop myself from smiling, as he nts soft kisses on my forehead. ¡°Hey you up for a


    swimming contest?¡± I challenge him. He seems stunned again and then burst intoughter. ¡°I thought


    you want some cuddling and kisses after what happened?¡± ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± I shrug and incite him. ¡°Unless


    your legs still shaking?¡± A crooked smile appears on his face. Suddenly he shoves me aside and dives


    into water, taking the lead. I yell in protest and catch on immediately.


    We swim severalps, and he manages to beat me every round. It isn¡¯t fair. I¡¯ve deliberately picked the


    timing to challenge him after the oral. He should be weak after that. I know I won¡¯t be my best self after


    sex. But his energy is unbelievable. Afterwards, we both float in water and talk randomly about things.


    This is the first time I learn that he wants to work in art after graduation. It shocked me really. I have


    never known him as an art person. But judging by his huge collection of antique it¡¯s also possible.


    I wanted to ask him about his rtionship with Valerie. And about us.


    But the summer breeze is so rxing, the water is so warm, and the atmosphere is just right. So I


    swallow it back eventually.


    I¡¯ll find some other time to deal with that.


    We go back inside after it¡¯s toote. We both go into shower. Of course, I¡¯ve to fiercely refuse the thought


    of sharing the same shower with him, which seems to disappoint him a lot.


    When I get out of the bathroom, he¡¯s still inside. So I collect my stuffs and ready to leave The dress is all


    ripped up, so I¡¯ll just have to borrow his hoodie to cover my body. Hopefully mom


    C


    ier Neen


    isn¡¯t waiting in the living room when I get back. ¡°What are you doing?¡± his voicees behind me when I


    pick up my shoes. I look back to see him standing by the bedroom door, arms crossed in front of him. His


    face falling ¡°Umm¡­I¡¯m going home?¡± He raises his eyebrows. ¡°So you¡¯re just using me like a sex toy and


    take off?¡±


    I gasp at his wild choice of words. How can he say that? I mean, even if it¡¯s like that, it should be the


    other way around.


    He strides toward me and grabs my arm. ¡°Drop your shoes,¡± he says sternly. ¡°You aren¡¯t going


    anywhere.¡± ¡°But where am I going to sleep?¡± ¡°For god¡¯s sake,¡± he rolls his eyes at me. ¡°Here. On my bed.


    Besides me. If you hate cuddling so much, I¡¯ll keep my hands to myself. But you¡¯re not leaving tonight.¡±

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20


    Chapter Twenty I end up spending the night. I¡¯ve made my protest, saying that my mom would get


    worried and stuffs, but he just won¡¯t listen. He basically dragged me to bed and forced me to lie down.


    ¡°At least let me change first?¡± I give up eventually. He can be very persuasive sometimes.


    He opens his closet and grabs a random t-shirt before he throws it on me. ¡°You can wear this.¡±


    It¡¯s soft, made in better fabric than my own pajamas. I am about to take off my clothes but suddenly


    notice him staring closely at me. ¡°A little privacy, perhaps?¡± ¡°A bitte for that, don¡¯t you think?¡± he grins


    but turns away anyway. I pull the ruined dress down and slip through his shirt, while asking him, ¡°so how


    come you don¡¯t have any feminine stuff here?¡± ¡°Because I¡¯m a man and I won¡¯t be needing those?


    Apparently?¡± Even his back is facing me, I can still tell he is rolling his eyes. My temper res. Does he


    really don¡¯t know what I¡¯m talking about or is he just ying dumb? ¡°I mean for your girlfriend, or partners


    or whatever you call those girls that you date,¡± I snap. ¡°Howe you don¡¯t have anything for them in


    this apartment?¡± ¡°Because I don¡¯t bring them back here. And I don¡¯t do dates¡­you done?¡±


    He turns back and a flicker light up in his eyes. The wicked smile on his face turns into something softer,


    as he reaches out to hold my hand. ¡°Hey, you look hot in that.¡±


    ¡°Well then I¡¯ll wear it to school tomorrow.¡± I lie down on my back.


    ¡°Then you will make every man in school drool all over you. And I¡¯d be dead to let that happen.¡±


    He takes up the space next to me, lying on his side facing me and closes his eyes. He is so rxed right


    now, his usual aggressiveness and smugness all gone. His face seems childish even.


    I study his face and can¡¯t help but wonder how we havee to this ce¡ªfrom childhood ydate


    to¡­well I don¡¯t know what we are right now.


    But he has made it clear that he doesn¡¯t do date. So maybe we are¡­sex partners? Friends with


    benefits?


    But he can have any girls that he like. Why would he want me? Me among all girls?


    This is fucked up. ¡°If you keep staring, I can¡¯t promise what¡¯ll happen.¡± His eyes are closed, but suddenly


    speak


    D


    IGI Twenty


    up.


    My heart flutters and I quickly shut my eyes. I hear him let out a low chuckle and ces his hand on my


    waist.


    ¡°Sleep tight. Little sis.¡±


    I had the worst sleep that night.


    Nightmares keeping at me. First it¡¯s my mom screaming at me, telling me to y nice with Eason


    because he¡¯s the heir of Ramirez family and we need him to like us. Then she locks me and Eason in the


    same room and when I look back, he suddenly turns into monster and shoves me out of the window. I


    scream and fall into a sea of mes.


    My eyes flutter open, heart pounding against my chest crazily. My whole body aches, as if something


    extremely heavy is pressed on me for the entire night. I move a bit, then realize that heavy something is


    Eason¡¯s body.


    He has clearly broken his promise of ¡°keep my hands to myself¡± since he¡¯s practically lying on top me


    right now. His heavy head rests on the hollow of my neck, his arms crossed in front of my stomach,


    holding tightly me like a throw pillow.


    He sleeps so tight. And I¡¯m so pissed.


    Quietly swearing to myself never to share a bed with him again, I break free from his iron cuddle and


    carefully move away. He groans vaguely in protest. I hold my breath. But luckily, he just turns around and


    goes back to sleep.


    Lucky bastard.


    I tip-toe to the living room and check my phone. Great it¡¯s only 5 in the morning, which gives me enough


    time to run back home, take a shower and get change before school.


    I walk on eggshells on my way out. As soon as the door is closed, I flee like escaping a crime scene.


    Eason¡¯s impact on me is unbelievable. I need some time alone, to think things over. And I won¡¯t be able


    to do that with him around.


    I arrive at the townhouse at precisely 5:30. Everyone should be in their sleeps so I should be safe. I


    cracked the entrance door open and sneak in.


    I head directly to the stairs, but someone speaks up behind me suddenly:


    ¡°Nat¡­babe is that you?¡±


    That scared the shit out of me. I snap my head around and fine mom standing up from the living room


    sofa, staring at me with her mouth open in surprise.


    ¡°Mom!¡± I blurt out, terrified. ¡°What are you doing here? Why aren¡¯t you sleeping?¡±


    ¡°I woke up early and couldn¡¯t sleep anymore. So I went down stairs waiting for you,¡± she walks around


    the sofa and moves towards me. ¡°Shawn told me you left with Easonst night. Why didn¡¯t youe


    home? Where have you been?¡±


    She studies me up and down, and gradually her look bes suspicious.


    I¡¯m so screwed.


    I know how I look. Hairs all messed up, dress ruined, the dark circles under my eyes screams weariness.


    I look fresh-fucked.


    How am I going to exin this?? Sure enough, she asks in a hesitate tone, ¡°Nat, were you with¡­maybe


    a boy?¡±


    I open my mouth and no wordse of it.


    She knew I left with Eason. She saw how I look. She is going to make the connection. ¡°Yes. A boy,¡± I


    manage to say that, breathing hard. ¡°You¡­you don¡¯t know him.¡± It¡¯s not the perfect excuse. But it¡¯s the


    only excuse I can think of right now.


    ¡°What? Really?¡± Her eyes light up a bit but still carry that wary look. ¡°I thought you are new to the school


    and don¡¯t know anybody yet. Who¡¯s the lucky guy?¡± My head spinning fast. But damn, I can¡¯t think of a


    single name to say. ¡°Oh!¡± She suddenly ps her hands together. ¡°I know. Was that boy you went to the


    ball with? What¡¯s his name again-¡±


    ¡°Alex.¡±


    ¡°Yes! Was that him?¡± ¡°Yes, him.¡± I say and then mentally p myself. What the fuck am I thinking? But


    it¡¯s toote to take that back. Mom is already ted in joy, ¡°Oh I like that boy. He¡¯s so polite and such a


    gentleman. When I heard that you went home with Eason, I thought you two didn¡¯t get along. But turns


    out everything went great right?¡±


    I mumble something vaguely and hurry escape upstairs. When I close the door behind me, I groan in


    frustration and rub my face.


    OK, a lie with my mom. Bad, but not terrible. She may never get the chance to meet Alex again and


    therefore I¡¯m safe. She¡¯ll never find out whom I spent the night with.


    And she shall never find out.


    I take a quick shower, get dressed and rush downstairs, escaping the house before mom catches me


    again.


    ***


    The entire school is still so hung up on the ballst night. The excitement will probably take another week


    to cool down. Many absences today in ss and the background is filled with cheerful prattling, so no


    one has noticed my woolgathering. I check my phone under table and find several messages from


    Eason.


    D


    er wenty


    [Where are you???]


    [Did you just take off???]


    [Natalia, you better answer me)


    I snort internally. Great, Prince Eason who can¡¯t stand being left alone for one second. I¡¯ll have to talk to


    him. But only when I¡¯m ready.


    [Not now]


    I text back. His message rushes instantly:


    [Where are you] (History with Robinson?] [b503?]


    I widen my eyes in shock, heartrate drastically increasing. What the hell is he doing? He can¡¯t track me


    down to my ssroom, right? He can¡¯t be this mad


    The next second, as if answering my thoughts, the ssroom door flies open, abruptly interrupting the


    teacher¡¯s lecture and send the entire room into dead silence.


    Eason is standing at the ssroom door. His eyes sweep the jaw-dropping crowd and finallynds on


    me.


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    ¡°Mr. Ramirez!¡± The history teacher Mr. Robinson splutters in panic. ¡°What are you doing? This is the


    middle of a ss! You can¡¯t just barge in here and¡ª¡±


    ¡°My apology, sir.¡± He casually nods at the teacher and steps inside. ¡°Family emergency. Can¡¯t


    wait.¡±


    He strides across the room, walking directly pass by those curious eyes, before he finally stops in front of


    my table. He stares down at me, taking in the horrified look on my face. A patronizing smile appears on


    his lips. ¡°Nat. A word?¡±

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21


    Chapter Twenty-One This just officially became the most awkward moment in my entire life. I bet my face


    is twisted with anger. But I try not to let my fury show because that¡¯s exactly what he wants to see.


    ¡°Eason,¡± I grit out through clenched teeth. ¡°This is HARDLY a good time.¡± He gives me a calm smile.


    ¡°Emergency, like I said. Do you want to follow me out? Or should I stay, and we can talk here?¡±


    I want to throw a punch at his smug face. But my rationality calls me off.


    The entire ssroom has wakened from their afternoon slumber, looking at us with great enthusiasm. I


    bet rumors about us will fly across the entire school sooner than I expected.


    ¡°Umm¡­Miss Ramirez?¡± the history teacher interrupts our staring contest.


    I dart him an angry re. ¡°Myst name is Moore, sir.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry Miss Moore. But if Mr. Ramirez insists that there¡¯s an emergency, maybe you should go


    with him. See what¡¯s happening.¡±


    He has made the judgmental call. Better sacrifice me alone than let Eason ruin the entire ss. I¡¯m left


    with no other options now. Infuriated, I sweep all my belongings into my backpack with one arm, knock


    Eason aside with my shoulder and stride towards the ssroom door.


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    Eason follows me. He even has the audacity to greet the teacher on the way out. ¡°Have a nice day sir.¡±


    Before the door closes behind me, I hear Mr. Robinson announces dryly. ¡°OK OK back to ss¡­ that¡¯s


    none of your business¡­¡±


    I march down the empty hallway with strong emotions bubbling up inside of me. When we reach the


    corner of staircase, I spin around to him roaring into his face:


    ¡°What the fuck! Eason Ramirez, are you fucking out of your damn mind??!¡± ¡°That¡¯s a lot of curses.¡± He


    sneers.


    I am shocked by his indifference.


    How can be so calm just standing here? Does he think this is no big deal? Does he think that he can just


    meddle with my life however he wants?


    I take in a deep breathe before asking him. ¡°OK. So tell me, what¡¯s the family emergency?¡± His eyes cast


    down me, cold and condescending. ¡°You walked out on me this morning.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so? How many times have you done that to a girl? Walked away after you done sleeping with


    them? Well here¡¯s your payback asshole!¡±


    b


    ersey-One


    My mind is clouded by anger. I was nning to talk to him nice and calmly about how I feel and where


    this is going.


    But he ruined it. Why does he have to be so difficult all the time!


    A furious scowl takes over his face.


    Suddenly he takes a step closer. His handes to brace on the banister besides my waist. His face is


    only an inch away from mine.


    ¡°Stop pretending to be the saint here Natalia,¡± his voice so cold that it makes the hair on my arms stand.


    ¡°Who wet my fucking fingers yesterday hmm? Who cum so hard under me, grabbing my hair, begging


    me to fu-¡± His words are interrupted by my rage-filled punch. But he moves so fast that he catches my


    wrist in the midair and forces it back of my back. We re at each other, both infuriated, with rough


    panting and chest moving up and down rapidly.


    I feel so embarrassed. After the initial rush of angry, now I want to cry.


    I¡¯ve worked so hard to move pass Zack. But my life seems to be down in another shithole all over again.


    Why did he have to tempt me? Why did I let myself fall?


    Now he has seen through my heart, and I¡¯ve fallen to a chess piece in his palm. My eyes be glossy.


    His rough breathing stops for one second, then I hear his low and hoarse voice, ¡°¡­seriously?¡±


    I blink back my tears and look away. He signs and lets go off me. After a long awkward silence, he says:


    ¡°Fine¡­I¡¯m sorry. I was only trying to talk to you.¡± I can¡¯t believe he is apologizing. But even when he says


    sorry, his tone is still harsh.


    ¡°Natalia. Can we just talk for a minute?¡± he asks.


    I sniff and try to fight back waves of strong emotions. He¡¯s right. We¡¯ve alreadye this far. Toote to


    backtrack or change our minds. I¡¯ll tell him how I feel, the way I¡¯ve nned.


    ¡°OK.¡±


    I organize my feelings and look straight at him meeting his dark eyes.


    ¡°We can do this. I¡¯ll sleep with you. But no one should know. And you must stop messing with my life.¡±


    With that, his expression changes.


    First, it¡¯s nk, like he¡¯s still processing my words. Then, it goes to shock. Wide-eyed, nostril red


    shock. Then gradually his shock elerates till everything reaches its final stage¡­ rage.


    D


    irt Toonty-One


    I¡¯ve prepared myself for his reactions. But his face still intimidates me a little.


    He suddenly bursts intoughter, shoulders shaking. ¡°This what you want? To be my fuck buddy?¡±


    My check mes. There¡¯s a strong disdain behind his tone.


    ¡°¡­yes. That¡¯s what I meant.¡±


    ¡°And why do you think I¡¯d agree?¡± He snorts, ¡°There¡¯s like a hundred of girls in this school waiting in line


    to sleep with me. Each hotter than you. Each better in bed. What¡¯s so special about you?¡±


    My chest hurts especially because of hisment on sex. He told me himself yesterday that I can make


    him so happy and I¡¯m awesome. It feels like a dream now.


    ¡°Then why did you provoke me?¡± I try to say without trembling. ¡°You said it yourself. That you want me.


    There are no other possible ways for us. We can only do this¡­friends with benefits.¡±


    More like stepbrothers and sisters with benefits.


    I know what I propose is horrible. The wiser way to do is walk away from him right not. But my mind and


    body refuse to do so. I¡¯m pathetic. Pathetically drawn to him. Maybe sleeping with him for a while will


    eventually wake me up from this obsession. He studies my face for a long period of time, as if he is


    assessing my value like a piece of cargo. It is nerve-racking. Eventually, he brings one hand to touch my


    face, his fingertips so cold. A cold smilees over on his handsome face. ¡°Sure,¡± he says. I forget to


    breath for one second. ¡°¡­Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah why not. We¡¯ll do this the way you want it. Fuck buddy. In secret.¡± His thumb moves across my


    cheek and caress my skin. ¡°I¡¯m tired of waiting anyway. Next time I want to fuck you, you¡¯lly on your


    back and spread your legs for me.¡± I bite my lips and swallow back the shame.¡°¡­sure.¡± ¡°And remember


    you ask for this yourself. I¡¯ll treat you like every other girl I¡¯ve fucked.¡±


    He talks as if he¡¯s given me any special treatment before.


    I say sternly, ¡°I know.¡± His thumb moves to my bottom lip and press on it hard. My heart skips a beat


    when his cold eyes cast down on to my lips.


    ¡°Shall we seal the deal then?¡± he asks. Before I even reply, he grabs my hair forcing my head up and


    catches my lips hungrily.


    B


    abier Twenty-One


    A surprise gasp escapes my parted lips. He takes the opportunity to slide his tongue pass my teeth and


    starts exploring every corner of my mouth. That¡¯s when the bell rings, loudly across the campus.


    Immediately after, sound of door opening, footsteps, and buzzing chattering fills the empty hallway.


    There are students and teachersing towards us from every direction.


    But he¡¯s still kissing me, fiercely.


    I start to panic and try breaking free from his arms, but he won¡¯t let go. He even increases the grip on my


    waist to hold me still.


    The sound of people is approaching quickly. I feel like I¡¯m going to pass out. He¡¯ll make us get caught!

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22


    Chapter Twenty-Two Eason¡¯s POV


    She¡¯s shivering under me, not because of pleasure of course. But for fear.


    I know what she is afraid of, yet I deliberately extend her suffering at this very moment. She bites my


    tongue and immediately a bloody taste fills our mouths. But I don¡¯t give a fuck.


    I didn¡¯t let her go till the footsteps is just around the corner.


    The moment my grip loosens, she moves away from me. She res at me with so much anger, as if I¡¯ve


    done something horrible¡­well I did, but only because she has provoked me.


    A group of students walk pass by. None of them notice anything wrong between us.


    In their eyes, we are just standing here talking.


    She finally restores her breathe and grits out in a low voice. ¡°You¡­you are fucking twisted!¡±


    I sneer internally. She probably wants to p me for my audacity. But we¡¯re in public. Since she¡¯s too


    afraid about our rtionship being exposed, she won¡¯t do anything at the moment.


    ¡°Save your energy to bed babe.¡± I smile, knowing perfectly well that my words would only anger her


    further.


    Just as I expected, her eyes burn with mes of rage.


    She and her hot temper. How intriguing.


    Just when I¡¯m about to say something else to her and see if I can get another interesting reaction from


    her, I hear someone calling me from behind.


    It¡¯s James. And a bunch of my other friends. ¡°Hey man.¡± He walks closer and then turns to her. ¡°Natalia!


    How¡¯s it going? Didn¡¯t see you in school for the past few days.¡±


    ¡°We are in different sses,¡± she replies harshly.


    She doesn¡¯t like James, apparently. Not only because he forced her into ying the Truth and Dare at


    the party before, but because she doesn¡¯t like his type.


    The yboy type. My type.


    She prefers someone with straight-As and works in Student Union. People who always appear so decent


    and nice. Like that Alex and her trash ex-boyfriend Zack.


    My mind drifts to the dark side for a moment thinking about Alex.


    James is still taking to Natalia. ¡°We are going to the caf¨¦. You wannae?¡± ¡°¡­Umm thanks. But I think


    I¡¯ll pass. I¡¯m not very hungry.¡± She says.


    Of course she says no.


    ¡°You areing.¡± I tell her.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    She darts me a sharp re. I raise my eyebrows and look back at her.


    If she wants to fight in front of everyone, it¡¯s fine by me.


    After a round of staring contest, she gives up eventually. ¡°Fine.¡± She mumbles reluctantly.


    She joins our group but picks up her speed and walks upfront, keeping her distance with us. She can be


    so stubborn sometimes.


    James walks beside me. He nudges me in the ribs and whisper to me. ¡°You two were kissing earlier,


    won¡¯t you?¡±


    I¡¯m still staring after Natalia. ¡°That obvious huh?¡±


    He snickers. ¡°You should see the look on her face when I called you¡­it¡¯s way too obvious. Her face tells


    the whole story.¡±


    I sneer and can¡¯t help but agree with him. ¡°Yet you won¡¯t believe what she just said to me.¡± I go on to tell


    him everything about Natalia¡¯s proposal.


    He almost bursts intoughter immediately after. ¡°Fuck, for real? She said that herself? Damn ¡­but isn¡¯t


    this just the way you wanted it? Going perfectly well ording to your n.¡±


    ¡°My n was for her to fall in love with me. Not to fuck her in bed. That would be too easy.¡±


    ¡°Yeah but still. You are getting close. It won¡¯t take long before she grabs your hands and begs you not to


    leave¡­especially since you¡¯ve kicked that Alex guy out of the picture now. You took care of him, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah of course.¡± That ex-girlfriend of his will keep him busy for a while. We walk into the caf¨¦ and each


    grabs a tray. James is still smirking behind me as we pick our food, ¡°fuck I can¡¯t wait. When is the grand


    reveal gonna be? I can¡¯t wait to see her smug face turns into pieces.¡± I replyzily. ¡°Have some patience.


    And keep your fucking voice down.¡± 0


    I see Natalia looking back at us warily. She¡¯s probably wondering what we are talking about.


    But she¡¯ll never guess what is waiting for her.


    I leave James and walk up to her smiling. ¡°Let¡¯s find a table little sis.¡±


    ***


    Natalia¡¯s POV


    When Eason is not being a jerk, he can be very nice I sit with him and his friends during lunch and it¡¯s


    not as awkward as I thought. These people probably know I¡¯m not a huge fan of them, so they didn¡¯t


    force me to join their conversations


    Surprisingly, they are talking about college applications and job interns.


    I thought their lives are all about pretty girls, fancy cars, and hookups. So it shocked me a little that they


    actually care about their future.


    EWU


    But on the second thought, these guys are born with privileges. Their parents are probably graduated


    from Ivy Leagues themselves, giving their children a much easier ess to top universities.


    It¡¯d be lying to say that I¡¯m not jealous at all. And it got me thinking Where am I going to go after this?


    Dad has ditched me. Mr. Ramirez would probably be willing to pay for my college tuition, but I can¡¯t let


    him.


    When I was with Zack, I¡¯ve always wanted toe to Boston and stay in the same city with him. So I¡¯ve


    been saving for my college fund, which is probably enough for a public school in Boston if I get a


    schrship.


    But now that I¡¯ve broken up with the jerk, it¡¯s probably better to find another city and start fresh.


    Somewhere more economic than Boston. ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Eason drags me back into reality.


    ¡°Umm nothing.¡± I say vaguely and quickly collect my stuff. ¡°I should probably get going. See you guys


    later.¡±


    I quickly stand up and leave the table. Eason says something to me on the back, but I didn¡¯t pay


    attention to him.


    My mind is deep in the sudden rise of anxiety about my future.


    I spend my entire afternoon sses thinking about it. I used to have a clear n about my future. About


    everything. But a series of incidents havepletely changed my life. Now I have no n, which is very


    unlike me. Plus I¡¯ve just gotten myself into another trouble-my weird rtionship with Eason. What the


    fuck am I thinking?


    My life is such a mess.


    When the bell rings across the campus, I drag my steps to the front gate with a heavy heart. I didn¡¯t even


    realize where I am going till I bump into someone.


    ¡°Alex!¡± I blurt out when I see the person I run into. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I didn¡¯t watch my steps.¡±


    ¡°Oh no you¡¯re all good.¡± He stands in front me and flushes, fumbling with words. ¡°Are you going home?


    Can I give you a ride?¡±


    ¡°No thanks. I can take the bus.¡±


    It¡¯s better to keep a distance with him after that ex-girlfriend incident. I was about to leave but he moves


    to stop me. There¡¯s a clear nervous on his face.


    ¡°Natalia, I was meant to talk to you about the ball and everything. Can I drive you home and we can have


    some time to¡±


    His words are interrupted by a sharp horn. I snap my head around to find a shy Porsche parked in


    front of the school¡¯s front gate.


    U T


    wenty-Two


    The door opens and my mom gets out of the car. ¡°Madam you can¡¯t park here! This is the towing area.¡±


    our school guard rushes forward but she waves him off casually. ¡°I¡¯ll be quick. My daughter is right over


    there.¡± Mom runs to me with everyone¡¯s eyes on her.¡° Hey Nat, you ready to go?¡­Oh my god is this


    Alex?¡± I¡¯m beyond shock. What the hell is she doing here? Alex smiles and greets her politely. ¡°Nice to


    see you again Mrs. Ramirez.¡± ¡°So nice to see you too! Nat has told me so much about you after-you


    know, the night. And thanks for taking care of her during ¡±


    That¡¯s when everything snapped back into my head. That¡¯s right. I lied to her about whom I slept with on


    the ball night!


    And she¡¯s going to slip out my lie right in front of Alex¡¯s face!


    I cut her off sharply. ¡°What are you doing here mom?¡± ¡°To pick you up for dinner. Didn¡¯t Eason tell you?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± My head is spinning so fast that it makes me sick. Ok, ok stay calm. The top priority is to get her


    out of here as quickly as possible.


    ¡°Well let¡¯s go now. You can¡¯t park there.¡± I say, talking fast.


    ¡°What¡¯s the hurry? I¡¯m supposed to pick up both you and Eason¡­oh here hees!¡±


    My heart drops down to an even deeper pitch. I turn around stiffly and find Eason walking towards us


    from behind.


    His face grows cold immediately when his gazends on Alex.


    This can¡¯t get any worse. Even the air is getting thinner around me.


    I grab my mom¡¯s purse and grit out. ¡°Eason¡¯s here. Let¡¯s go now.¡± There¡¯s still hope to salvage the


    situation. I¡¯ll just exin to Alex some other time. ¡°Oh, darling don¡¯t be so rude. We should invite your


    boyfriend to dinner with us. I¡¯d love to know more about him. What do you say Alex? Are you free for


    dinner tonight?¡±


    Eason¡¯s eyes grow wide immediately.


    Alex opens his mouth in shock. And I¡¯m so screwed.

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23


    Chapter Twenty-Three I¡¯d never thought one day I¡¯d be having dinner with my fake boyfriend, my


    stepbrother AKA my fuck buddy, and my mom. Ridiculous as it may seem, yet here we all are, sitting


    beside the same table at a fancy restaurant.


    The waiter has taken our order and left, leaving the rest of us to suffer the awkward silence. As much as I


    would like to order a ss of wine and pour it down my throat, I can¡¯t. Damn legal drinking age.


    Eason¡¯s face is bleak and sullen. He only spit out a few words when the waiter asked him what he would


    like for dinner. The rest of the time, he remains dead silent. Yet his dark eyes keep raking at Alex, not


    even trying to hide his disgust towards the boy. Alex, on the other hand, is in aplete trance. I thank


    him with all my heart that he didn¡¯t rat me out when mom called him my ¡°boyfriend¡± and I feel horrible


    dragging him into this.


    Mom is the only one at this table who¡¯s actually enjoying dinner. ¡°Well, isn¡¯t this nice?¡± Her eyes trail


    across each of our gloomy faces. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to host a family dinner but was never able to find a


    good time. We should do this more often.¡±


    This is hardly a good time either! I want to yell at her. But instead, I can only tighten my grip on the


    napkin and grit out, ¡°Mom, that¡¯s enough.¡±


    Mom shots me aining look and directs her attention to Alex. ¡°So Alex, how long have you and


    Nat been dating?¡±


    ¡°Mom!¡± I raise my voice, losing it a little. ¡°What? I¡¯m curious. You never share these things with me.


    Unless, Alex, if you don¡¯t want me to snoop around ¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­no Mrs. Ramirez it¡¯s not that¡­¡± Alex seems embarrassed.


    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s hear it.¡± Eason suddenly pipe in.


    He dumps his napkin on the table, lean back on the chair and crosses his arms, eyes staring deeply at


    us. ¡°When did it start? Where did you guys meet? Tell us Natalia. I¡¯m so intrigued.¡±


    That asshole!


    I shot him a furious re, but he simply ignores me.


    Alex seems torn. He looks at me sideways obviously asking for help. My heart churns and I begin to


    make random things up. ¡°Well, we met at one of Eason¡¯s parties. We talked and found out we shared lots


    of interest. And we gradually started dating¡­and that¡¯s pretty much it.¡±


    I wrap up quickly. Hoping this hellish interrogation can be over now.


    But someone clearly hasn¡¯t done with his torture yet.


    Eason¡¯s lips curve up but that smile never reaches his eyes. ¡°How nice. But didn¡¯t you guys just meet?¡±


    ¡°When ites to love why does time matter?¡± I say and then instantly disgust by my own words.


    A raging gleam passes Eason¡¯s eyes. He leans in further and his eyes fix on Alex¡¯s face. ¡°So, when did


    this officially be a thing for you two?¡± he asks.


    I begin to answer. ¡°We¡±


    ¡°Why do you keeping getting all questions?¡± he sneers.


    I snap back. ¡°What¡¯s your fucking business??¡±


    Mom immediately frowns and shushes me like I¡¯m a five-years-old. ¡°Natalia. Language!¡±


    The situation is slipping towards a chaotic mess. Me and Eason glower at each other fiercely, as if we the


    next second would pick up a knife and thrust into each other¡¯s face.


    That¡¯s when Alex finally speaks up.


    ¡°Actually, we just started dating a few days ago. After the ball. Sorry I was a bit nervous when you asked


    me earlier because it hasn¡¯t been that long really.¡±


    That seems like a proper answer. But my heart sinks.


    Ah-oh. Not good.


    Eason sits up more as a sarcastic smile appears on his face. ¡°Is that so? But I was at the ball myself.


    Didn¡¯t you go to the ball with someone else? And if I remember correctly, your ex


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    girlfriend?¡±


    Fuck. I bite my lip and try to hide my panic. Even my mom¡¯s face drops a little this time as she looks at us


    clearly confused.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Nat?¡± She frowns.


    This isn¡¯t working. And I¡¯m being a bitch letting Alex take the me.


    So I take in a deep breath and ready toe clean. I¡¯ll tell her that I lied about me and Alex, And I¡¯ll find


    some other excuse to over my night with Eason.


    Yet just when I¡¯m about to do that. Alex cuts me off.


    ¡°Actually, that reminds me of something.¡± Alex looks straight into Eason¡¯s eyes, his face all serious. ¡°My


    ex-girlfriend Andria told me that it was you who called her and asked her to fly back. You said I didn¡¯t


    have a date, which clearly wasn¡¯t the case at all. Why did you do that, Eason?¡±


    ¡­What?


    My mind goespletely nk. What did he just say? Eason called Andria? How did he know Andria?


    No, the most important questions is, WHY did he call Andria?


    Taman


    I snap my head around to Eason. He ignores me, yet his jaw tenses and his nostrils re. His silence


    speaks for everything. I simply can¡¯t believe this. Did he go all this far just so that I couldn¡¯t go to the ball


    with Alex? I feel rage, but more terrified. A chill fall upon me. Oh my god. I heave sharply, chest rising


    and falling rapidly. I¡¯m pulling together all my strength to not flip out right here and right now.


    ¡°Excuse me. I need to use the restroom.¡± I say sternly and stand up abruptly, leaving the table without


    another word.


    I cross the packed dining room hastily and into the corridor leading to the restroom. My head is spinning


    with so many thoughts and emotions. If that¡¯s the case, if what Alex said was true, then Eason has just


    be the most maniptive person I¡¯ve ever known. How could he fucking do that!


    I grab thedy¡¯s room door handle and suddenly hear footsteps approaching. I turn back and find it¡¯s


    Alex. His face worried. ¡°Natalia.¡± He walks closer to me. ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°Yes¡­no.¡± I sign deeply,


    frustrated. ¡°God I¡¯m so so sorry. For dragging you into this. And for you to see all those shit¡­¡±


    ¡°No that¡¯s fine actually,¡± He grins. ¡°I¡¯m a bit surprise though. Do you want to tell me how I suddenly


    became your boyfriend?¡±


    My check mes with shame.


    ¡°Well it¡¯s a mistake. My-my mom thought I¡¯m seeing someely and she can be very persistent


    sometimes about getting to know every detail of my life. So when she asked me if I¡¯m dating you, I didn¡¯t


    correct her. Sorry,¡± I murmur.


    God that¡¯s embarrassing.


    Hope he didn¡¯t think of me as some pathetic lunatics who goes around and fantasizing strangers as my


    boyfriends.


    But to my surprise, he suddenly burst intoughter. Then he moves closer to me his eyes casting down


    on my face.


    ¡°So, are you seeing anyone at the moment?¡± he asks in a gentle tone.


    ¡°No.¡± I reply quickly.


    That¡¯s a lie. But he doesn¡¯t need to know.


    Damn my new life that¡¯s full of deceives and shames.


    U


    tier Twenty-Three


    ¡°Good.¡± He reaches out and holds my hand, a delight gleam flickering in his eyes. ¡°Because you know.


    When your mom called me your boyfriend¡¯, I found myself loving that very much.¡±


    My mouth forms a ¡°0.¡± I¡¯m speechless. Holy cow.

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 24


    Chapter 24: Fake Boyfriend I had a feeling that Alex may like me. But I don¡¯t want to be too self-


    conscious about it and therefore never put much thought into this. Especially after all the drama, I


    thought that all the feelings he had for me must have been gone.


    But he surprised me all over again. I don¡¯t know what to say. His smile gradually fades away in my


    silence and after a while he asks reluctantly: ¡°You do know what I¡¯m talking about right?¡± ¡°Yeah. Yes, I


    know.¡± I say quickly.


    And then therees the silence again.


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    We stand awkwardly facing each other in this dim hallway. His hands let go of mine and fall to his side.


    Eventually, I find my tongue again.


    ¡°Sorry Alex. But¡­ I just broke up with someone. I don¡¯t think I¡¯m ready to begin another rtionship yet.¡±


    Every wordes out hard, but I need to finish it. He has always been so nice to me. He doesn¡¯t


    deserve to be treated badly.


    ¡°Oh¡­well. I understand,¡± he says. There¡¯s a touch of bitterness in his tone, which makes my heart churn.


    I just turned down a very nice guy for what? For Eason? God I must be insane. He forces out a smile to


    me. ¡°But we can still be friends, right? I don¡¯t want to feel weird after all the stupid things I¡¯ve said.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, of course!¡± I nod eagerly. ¡°I would love that very much.¡±


    e


    ¡°And after a while, when you are ready to move on, promise to put me on the top of your waiting list?¡± he


    grins.


    The mood finally lights up again. And Iugh. ¡°You know there¡¯s only one person on that waiting list


    right?¡­You.¡±


    ¡°Nice. Seems like my chances are very good.¡±


    He pauses for a second, and then carries on. ¡°You probably don¡¯t care about this¡­but I¡¯ve broken up


    with Andria a long time ago. She needs to go to college in another city and I want to stay here. We


    ended things peacefully, no ugly drams. So it shocked me a little when she showed up at the ball.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for letting me know¡­And Eason is a crazy ass jerk.¡±


    Heughs. ¡°Yes, he is that. But do you have any idea why he did that? Is this some sort of the protective


    older brother thing?¡±


    No. It is definitely not that. I hesitate for a while and then say to him vaguely, ¡°Don¡¯t mind


    *24 Fake Boyfriend


    him¡­I¡¯ll talk to him.¡±


    Alex¡¯s gaze bes appraising as he studies my face closely. He asks me suddenly. ¡°Natalia, who did


    you spend the night with on the ball night?¡±


    I quail beneath his gaze. I think he¡¯s on to something¡­ I don¡¯t know. But Eason¡¯s hostility towards him is


    too obvious. He¡¯s a very smart guy. He might sense something is off. But luckily, he doesn¡¯t ponder on


    that for long and smiles. ¡°Well I better get back out there before Easonpletely ruins the dinner¡­see


    you there.¡± I let go of a breath I didn¡¯t know I¡¯m holding. ¡°OK.¡± He walks away a few steps and suddenly


    turns back at me and grins. ¡°And Natalia, I¡¯d be happy to y your fake boyfriend in front of your mom,


    before I officially move up from that waiting list.¡± I don¡¯t know how to response to that. I can only simper


    back stupidly. After he left, I enter thedy¡¯s room alone. I walk to the basin and turn on the tap. The cold


    running water cools down my hot cheek. I so don¡¯t want to get back out there, sitting with all those


    troublemakers and pretending to enjoy dinner in front of everyone. Wherever I look, there¡¯s trouble.


    I brace my hand on the desk front and study myself in the mirror. I¡¯m a little pale but despite that my face


    seems alright. Yet I don¡¯t carry that natural confidence and radiating aura like Valerie and Andria do.


    So it makes me even more curious, why do Eason and Alex want to be with me anyway? With Alex I get


    it, we hit it off real nicely. But Eason¡­


    He probably just enjoys seeing a mediocre girl like me lose control over him. Satisfies his ego.


    A woman walks out of the stall andes to wash her hands, waking me up from my wandering


    thoughts. I quickly turn off the running water and take a deep breath.


    Ok, time to go back to the battlefield.


    But the next second, the restroom¡¯s door flies open banging on the wall loudly. Both of us jerk around


    and find Eason step into the room. ¡°Excuse me!¡± The woman besides me gasps out, ¡°This is thedy¡¯s


    room!¡±


    He reveals a smile to herposedly, the same expression he carries whenever he causes a scene or


    makes troubles.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sorry,¡± He says calmly, stepping sideways to make way for her. ¡°But thisdy¡¯s room is


    temporarily closed down, for urgent maintenance.¡± I re at him infuriated. Last time it was family


    emergency, and now it¡¯s urgent maintenance. That liar!


    The woman probably notices the tension between us, as she looks back at me reluctantly and whispers


    to me worried, ¡°Dear. Is this young man bothering you? Do we need to call the


    police?¡±


    B


    r


    ick Boyfrend


    ¡°A phone call to the mental institution would suit his conditions,¡± I smile at her dryly. ¡°But no, we are good


    for now. Thank you and sorry to disturb you.¡±


    The woman nods with hesitation. She looks at Eason one more time and eventually decides to leave and


    gives us some space.


    Eason waits for her to exit and locks the door behind him, as I narrow my eyes at him and speak up in a


    sarcastic tone, ¡°there¡¯s nowhere to avoid you right? Do you know a word called¡¯ privacy¡¯?¡±


    His handes to brace on the basin behind me and traps me in his arms. His eyes cast down on me


    and lets out a light chuckle. ¡°Same question to you. Remembered how you burst into my room naked


    holding a condom in your hand?¡±


    ¡°That was a mistake! Mom told me to-¡±


    My words are cut short by his sudden kiss. He spares one hand to hold the back of my head and lowers


    his head to deepen that kiss. My heart skips a beat, as a thrilling electricity runs down my spine the


    second he touches my lips. Instantly, I forgot what I was about to say. I forgot all my anger and frustration


    towards him. The only thing vivid in my head right now is him. The impact he has on me¡­it¡¯s


    unbelievable.


    The kiss is quick and sweet. A short momentter, he detaches his lips inches away from me and asks in


    a husky voice, ¡°what did Alex and you talk about earlier?¡±


    I open my mouth to answer yet he suddenly catches my lips again. The tip of his tongue gently molds the


    shape of lips as he murmurs deeply. ¡°You better think carefully before you answer¡­ he came back with a


    smug look on his face. I hate that look.¡±


    ¡°The same look you carried every day?¡± I ask, sessfully earning a hard bite on my bottom lip from


    him. ¡°Ouch!¡±


    ¡°Think twice,¡± he threatens. I suddenly shiver since I feel his hot palm moving up from my thigh and


    approaching the hem of my shorts dangerously. I whine, twisting my body slightly. His touch is causing a


    familiar tingle in between my thighs. ¡°So?¡± he presses me, fingers rubbing the sensitive skin on my inner


    thigh. This is torture. I gasp and say between breath. ¡°Non¨Cnothing. He was just checking in with me


    and¡­¡±


    My mind is muddled. My panties is bing wet. The next part slips out before I realize, ¡°and he offers


    to y my fake boyfriend in front of my mom.¡± A dark look flickers in his green eyes. He suddenly


    invades into my shorts and presses hard on my core and rubs it. A shaky moan escapes my mouth


    immediately.


    ¡°Well, what did you tell him?¡± he studies my pleasure-tortured face closely, as he carries on the moment


    of his fingers. ¡°You said yes?¡±


    I pant and grab his arms, my nails digging into his hard biceps. ¡°Yes¡­ no! Ahh please¡­¡±


    D


    E T?4 Fake Boyfriend


    I have no idea what I¡¯m talking about. His fingers swirl outside of my drenched panties. I want him to


    insert his finger in and fill my emptiness.


    ¡°Yes or no?¡± he questions forcefully, seeming to enjoy the sight of my struggle. ¡°Did you tell him how


    soaking wet you are when you are with me? And how you rock your butt like this? And he should just get


    the fuck lost?¡±


    He suddenly thrusts a finger into my core, deep. I cry out, throwing my head to the back and


    overwhelmed by the sudden waves of pleasure.


    ¡°Eason¡­please!¡± I groan his name, pleading for him to continue.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± he curses and suddenly withdraws the finger from pussy. I clench my thighs together at the loss


    of his finger and the next second he picks me up from the ground and carries me inside. He kicks open a


    stall door and sets me on the toilet. He looks down at me with hot desire burning in his eyes. He brings


    up that wet finger covered with my juice and rubs it against my lips. ¡°Spread your legs,¡± he says hoarsely.


    ¡°As you promised.¡±


    Ho the Ste.

 Chapter 25

    Chapter 25


    Chapter 25: Inside the Stall Spread your legs¡­ A part of me feels shamed for everything we are doing


    but another part of me is ted with joy screaming wildly for him to take me right here and right now. I


    bite my bottom lip and gradually theter part of me wins. So, I do as he says and shakily move my legs


    apart. He lets out a chuckle and further closes the distance between us. The stall is tiny so there isn¡¯t


    much room left for me to move around. I¡¯m trapped between his muscr chest and the cold mental


    behind me.


    He unbuckles my short and pulls it down together with my soaking wet panty. My naked bum slightly


    shivers in the air but the next second his handes up to palm my pussy making me moan out loudly.


    ¡°Watch your voice,¡± he whispers to me with a hint of smile. ¡°Not so loud babe.¡±


    I jerk and suddenlye back to my senses. This is a Michelin-starred restaurant with dressed -up


    customers and ck-tie waiters. This is a decent and ssic ce. Plus my mom and Alex are only a


    few walls away. But here I am in thedy¡¯s room, butt naked, and mess with my stepbrother.


    Shame surges in my heart. But suddenly, he thrust his middle finger into my pussy full length with his


    thumb pressing and rubbing my clit. The pleasure is like electricity scattering my remaining rationality.


    ¡°You actually like that do you?¡± he lowers his head to bite on my corbone, feeling my body trembling


    because of his touch. ¡°You like the thrill of letting me fuck you in the restroom? What other ces do you


    have in mind? The car? On the beach?¡± I can¡¯t believe his foul mouth.


    But while he was saying that, a shock runs through my stomach and settles in my pussy. More juice runs


    out and wets his finger.


    He senses the change of my body and chuckles delightfully. ¡°Do you want me to make youe?¡±


    I take in a sharp inhale and remain silent. I can¡¯t say such things. So I quietly rock my butt on his finger


    hoping he can read my mind.


    ¡°No. Say it babe.¡± He is so cruel.


    I¡¯m still struggling with myself, as he suddenly pulls out his middle finger from me leaving me hung by the


    painful emptiness in my pussy. I groan frustrated and desperate, my butt chasing him eagerly. But his


    hand presses down on my thigh and stops me. ¡°Quick say it.¡± He tils his head and nibbles the sensitive


    skin on the back of my ear. ¡°Say it and I¡¯ll make youe.¡±


    His fingertips gently circle around my folds. And the dam finally breaks.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    25 n do the Stall


    ¡°Yes¡­ I want it,¡± I beg in a broken voice. ¡°Let mee¡­let mee for you.¡± ¡°Fuck.¡± He hungrily


    captures my lips and kisses me hard and rough. The next second, he suddenly moves back slightly and


    lower his body, kneeling in front of me.


    I look down at him panting fast. No, he can be serious about this¡­


    He picks up one of my let and drapes it over his shoulder. His face movers dangerously close to my


    wide-open pussy and his hot breath spreads on my sensitive area.


    I hold my breath, waiting anxiously for what¡¯s going to happen. He looks up to me from the bottom of his


    long eyshes and smiles. He is so pretty, and youthful and stimting. My heart stops every single


    time looking at him.


    ¡°Sit still,¡± he says. Then he buries his face between my legs and sucks a mouthful of my pussy.


    A sharp groan escapes my parted lips, but I quickly bite myself to stifle it. God that killing sensation!


    His tongue slides back and forward from my core to my clit, then gently circling around the folds. I shiver


    along with the moment of his tongue and tightens my grip on his hair. The electricity courses through my


    body. He further lifts my body up and tilts his head up to better taste me. My foot is barely touching the


    ground, giving him full ess to my bottom area.


    His tongue slides into the lips of my pussy and pulls out. And thrust into my core again. I moan in a


    broken voice as the pleasure keep hitting me like waves. My entire body is consumed by hot desire as


    he keeps fucking me with his tongue. Vaguely, I hear thedy¡¯s room door creaks open and someone


    walks in. A customer maybe, or a waitress. God is she going to find out about us? But I can¡¯t stop right


    now, not in the middle of this¡­


    Feeling my distraction, Eason suddenly gives a gentle p on my butt. Not so hard, but enough to bring


    back my attention. I mp my mouth with my own hands, listening to the approaching footsteps into the


    stall next to us, while Eason¡¯s tongue keeps thrusting into my core.


    The fear of getting caught, the sensation, the anxiety¡­ I suddenly throw my head to the back and my


    toes curl.


    I came, hard and fast on his mouth. The corner of my eyes be wet because of the intense pleasure.


    He tightens his grip on my butt and thighs to stop me from falling. His teeth gently bite my clit and the


    sting has me cumming again. My whole body is trembling like it has been shocked by electric.


    I hear water flushing, and the footsteps leaving the stall to the basin, as I ride the aftershock of my


    orgasm. Then finally, the door closes and we are alone again.


    I pant roughly as he finally stands up from the ground and kisses me again. His body presses


    close to mine and immediately I feel his swell beneath me.


    ¡°Put on your shorts,¡± he whispers to me. ¡°Go out there and find an excuse to your mom and your fake


    boyfriend. Tell them we are leaving now.¡±


    My mind is still clouded. ¡°What? But what am I going to say?¡± ¡°Whatever. I¡¯m taking you home and fuck


    you.¡±

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 26


    Chapter 26: A Wild Night When we get back out there, the waiter has already brought up our main


    courses. Mom and Alex are chatting enthusiastically when we take our seats, ¡°Nat darling. What took


    you so long?¡± Mom turns around and asks. I take a sip of my ice water and murmur, ¡°¡­nothing.¡±


    Eason took away my soaked panty and I¡¯m goingmando down here. The rough fabric of my shorts


    keeps rubbing harshly against my sensitive area as I sit here. I feel weird and ufortable, as if I¡¯m


    having a fever. The ice water didn¡¯t have much effect on my heat either.


    Alex notices the awkward expression on my face. He leans into me and whispers in a voice that only the


    two of us can hear, ¡°are you ok? He didn¡¯t give you a hard time, did he?¡±


    Before I can say anything, Eason suddenly clears his throat, a little too deliberate I must say. I look up at


    him and find him ring at me with a clear warning in his eyes.


    Meeting my gaze, he raises his eyebrow at me and tilts his head. I know he¡¯s reminding me of what I


    should do next.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m fine,¡± I say and slightly move away from Alex. ¡°In fact, I think¡­umm, Eason and I should


    get going now.¡±


    Mom and Alex are startled by that. ¡°What?¡± Mom almost drops her knife and fork as she looks at us with


    wide eyes. ¡°But you haven¡¯t even touched your food yet! What¡¯s the hurry? You better give me a good


    reason!¡±


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    A good reason is precisely what I don¡¯t have right now.


    I clench my teeth and shot an angry re at Eason, hoping he would at least help me out here. But that


    bastard just sits there with his arms folded in front of his chest, smiling calmly, as if it¡¯s none of his


    business.


    I hate him so much sometimes.


    ¡°Natalia?¡± Alex frowns. ¡°Tell us. What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    I bite my bottom lips as my mind spinning fast. I could tell them that I don¡¯t feel very well all of a sudden,


    but it¡¯s too risky. I know my mom too well. She¡¯ll get all worked up by her worries.


    So I go for option number two in a split second.


    ¡°We-we have homework to do. It¡¯s urgent,¡± I say.


    As soon as I said that, Eason makes a funny noise, but he quickly puts his fist to his mouth and turns it


    into a fake cough. Yet his face is twitching, and I can tell he¡¯s trying everything he can to stop himself


    from bursting intoughers right now.


    I mentally p myself. That¡¯s ame excuse, even for me.


    Mom is bewildered as she asks nkly, ¡°urgent homework? What¡¯s so urgent that you can¡¯t


    B


    26 ANANight


    even finish dinner?¡±


    I¡¯m speechless. Fortunately, Easones to my rescue this time. ¡°It¡¯s our group project. And it¡¯s due


    tomorrow.¡± He seems so solemn. ¡°We¡¯vepletely forgotten it but it¡¯s not toote to start. But you will


    have to excuse us. Looks like we can¡¯t stay for dinner.¡±


    He stands up and walks to me, pulling out my chair and motions me to leave the table. This is all


    happening too fast. When I pick up my backpack, Mom and Alex are still in a trance. I don¡¯t have the


    courage to take a second at them. So I simply mumble a quick ¡°goodbye¡± and walk away with Eason.


    We walk across the room hastily. Exit the front door ande down the stairs. Eason gives his ticket to


    the valet. And as we are standing there silently waiting for the car to be pulled over, he suddenly bursts


    intoughter.


    ¡°Fuck¡­ Natalia, are you out of your fucking mind?¡±


    His shoulders are shaking as he roars withughter, ¡°I get it¡­you are a nerd. But urgent homework?


    Seriously?¡±


    My check is ming red because of anger. Well, also because I feel so stupid of myself.


    ¡°Oh haha I¡¯m a terrible liar, hrious.¡± I said dryly. ¡°But if you are such a master of deception, why didn¡¯t


    you say anything? Now it¡¯s great. I bet mom and Alex are on to something¡­and keep your voice down!


    You areughing too loud!¡±


    I keep turning around nervously, afraid that mom and Alex would follow us out and notice how intimate


    we are.


    Eason takes my hand and gently squeezes it in his palm. His eyes rest on me with a faint smile of


    amusement.


    ¡°Calm down. No one is looking.¡± He says in a soft tone. ¡°And you only lied for a good cause, if it makes


    you feel any better.¡± I roll my eyes and snort. ¡°Do you not know what a good cause is?¡± He lowers his


    head and nts a soft kiss on my ear as he whispers, ¡°a good cause for me, at least.¡±


    His voice is hoarse and sexy, suddenly reminding me of why we are standing here and what we are


    doing next.


    My body bes stiff again as that internal heat returns.


    The valet pulls over our car just in time and we get in the car in silence. No one speaks up. The entire


    drive home we keep our mouth shut, no teasing words, no cursing, no fighting over with one another.


    There¡¯s a tension hanging in the air. It¡¯s intense and sexual. I wait anxiously. My heart rate gradually


    quickens as my palms be sweaty.


    3 Wild to an


    He drives us home to the penthouse.


    As soon as we enter the private elevator and the door closes, he grabs my arm and pushes me to the


    side roughly, capturing my lips hungrily. My back hits the wall, causing the elevator to sway dangerously


    as it goes up. ¡°The CCTV¡­¡± I remind him between my shaky breath. I don¡¯t want to give the security


    guard a free porn He mumbles a curse but keeps kissing me. His hand travels up from my waist to my


    back, pressing my body firmly to his chest. I can teel how much he wants me and that turns me on even


    more.


    The elevator finally reaches the top floor as he basically drags me out and forces me on the wall again.


    Now that we are finally alone, he pulls my shirt over my head, unhooks my bra in one move, and palms


    my chest eagerly.


    I groan out feeling his hand touches my nipple. It sends thrilling electricity down through my body till it


    settles in my pussy.


    My mind screams at me asking for more, more of him. So I raise my head to return his hot kiss, while my


    hand moves down from his biceps, to his rock hard aps and finally settles on his jeans. His muscle flexes


    along the way, and I¡¯m so d that I have this impact on his body.


    I unbuckle his jeans with my shaky hands. He pants roughly and presses his lips on my forehead, urging


    me, ¡°¡­go on babe. Take it. Grab my dick.¡± I do as he asks, slipping my hand into his boxer and take a


    handful of his cock. It¡¯s so huge and hot. I can feel it¡¯s slightly twitching in my hand.


    I want to give him more. So I start moving my hand up and down.


    ¡°Oh fuck¡­¡± He grits out, throwing his head to the back and closes his eyes. A vein on his forehead starts


    to pulse. The way he looks right now¡­it¡¯s so unbelievably hot and sexy. I stare at him closely, not


    wanting to miss a single second of it. I want it to be etched on the back of my mind if possible. I love this


    so much¡­I love him¡­


    Wait.


    I¡¯m instantly startled by my fleeting thought. What was I thinking? No, that¡¯s impossible. I must be out of


    my mind right now. Suddenly I feel a sting on my lips, snapping me back to reality. He sucks my lips


    harshly as if he¡¯s punishing me for my moments of distraction. ¡°Seriously? You have the time to think


    something else?¡± he groans, clearly displeased.


    Then the next second, he picks me up from the floor and throws me over on his shoulder. I squeal and


    try to kick him with my legs. Heughs and walks through the living room, straight into his bedroom and


    throws me on the bed.


    My back hits the mattress hard. Before I manage to get up, he quickly removes all our clothes and tosses


    them on the floor, then presses his body on to me again, overwhelming me with


    more kisses.


    My body is weak as water under him, as if I¡¯m melting away. I run my hand through his muscr contour,


    feeling every inch of his smooth skin. We are so intimately close right now.


    Suddenly, I cry out. He inserts a finger straight into me and starts thrusting. My pussy was already wet


    when he fingered me in thedy¡¯s room. Now as a stronger wave of pleasure hits me again, I almost


    came right on the spot.


    But he pulls out his finger right before that, leaving my body hangs in the middle of an orgasm. That¡¯s


    torture! I re at him with glossy eyes, a silent condemnation.


    He chuckles deeply. ¡°I¡¯ll make youe. Just not yet.¡± He reaches over to the nightstand and grabs a foil


    packet from the drawer. He rips it open with his teeth and puts on the condom. I mp my thighs


    together, waiting anxiously. Then he spreads my legs again and guides his cock to the entrance of my


    pussy. My heart almost stops from beating as I can feel my juice wetting the head of his cock. ¡°Nat¡­¡± he


    murmurs my name, his deep green eyes zing with desire and some other emotions I can¡¯t read. Then


    he surges all the way into me, filling every inch of me. I groan out in a mixture of pain and pleasure. He¡¯s


    too big for me. I feel I¡¯m being stretched by him. He stays still for a minute, eyes hungrily casting down


    on my face, gauging my reaction. Then he slightly pulls away and slides back into me again. His


    throbbing cock fills every inch of me, making me shiver in pleasure. Unconsciously, I want to run away


    from this mind blowing sensation, but he stops me with an iron grip on my legs. ¡°Fuck¡­you are so


    fucking tight.¡± He groans in a strained voice.


    His hand moves up to grab my hair forcing my head up to kiss me, as he gradually picks up the speed


    fucking me. My pussy clenches onto his huge cock eagerly. He mons out and buries his head to the


    hollow of my neck. ¡°Oh fuck Natalia.¡±


    He keeps thrusting into me relentlessly, moving his hips faster and faster. My back bucks off the bed,


    giving him more ess into my core. My toes and fingers all curled up, grabbing the sheet beneath me.


    ¡°Fuck babe you are so wet and warm,¡± he pants roughly, rocking his hips against mine. ¡°Oh fuck¡­yeah


    don¡¯t stop.¡± I moan grabbing his arms, nails digging into his flesh. The watery sound of him banging me


    fills the silence. He keeps fucking me so hard and wild, throwing me over one edge after another.


    I scream out when Ie for the first time. But while I am riding my orgasm, he pounds into me again


    and brings me directly to the second wave of orgasm. It¡¯s so overwhelming and mind


    -blowing


    It feels like eternity being filled by him over and over again. And eventually, he suddenly pulls me up from


    bed slightly and pressed my upper body to his chest. Then with one hard thrust into my core, he pants


    my name and I feel his cock twitch inside of me. He cums in me as well. We both copse to bed, feeling


    the aftershock. His cock is still inside of me. I close my eyes


    and pant roughly with my chest rising and falling fast.


    Then I feel his fingertip touching my temple, gently tugging a lock of sweaty hairs to my back. A soft kiss


    lands on my forehead. My heart flutters. Suddenly a wave of strong emotions surges up in me. I mp


    my eyes shut, too afraid to find out what those feelings are.

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27


    Chapter 27: Sex Talk I wake up in his arms the next morning. The minute I open my eyes, memories


    fromst night instantlye back to me. That¡¯s it. I¡¯ve slept with Eason, with my stepbrother. I carefully


    turn around to look at him. He¡¯s still sleeping soundly. No matter how much of a jerk he is by day, he


    seems so cute and peaceful right now. The summer sunshine pours in through curtains and onto his


    beautiful face, giving the whole room an amber glow. I study his perfect, straight, angr figure.


    Seriously, I can do this all day, staying in his arms and looking at his sleeping face¡­


    Wait.


    I jerk up a bit, scared by that fleeting thought just like I did yesterday. My movement disturbed him in his


    slumber, as he murmurs something vaguely and turns around releasing me from his arms.


    I fight back the temptation to crawl back to his cuddle and get out of bed quietly.


    I turn on my phone and quickly text my mom, letting her know that I got caught up my¡° urgent homework¡±


    so didn¡¯te backst night. Then I go into the kitchen and brew some coffee.


    My mind drifts away while waiting for the coffee to get ready.


    Well, beforest night, I thought sleeping with him would help me get over with my obsession and move


    on to the next phase. I only want him sexually. That¡¯s it. Period. Butst night didn¡¯t do a good job killing


    my wayward thoughts. Instead, it opens a door to something else.


    My own inner voice starts ying in my ears.


    ¡­ I love this so much¡­ I love him¡­


    I jump to my feet immediately, panic as hell. No, no way. That can¡¯t be it. We barely know each other


    right now. Plus, he¡¯s such a maniptive, forceful, difficult, and overwhelming guy. Why would I fall in


    love with him?


    That¡¯s just sex talk. My hormone talking. I take a deep breath and bury my ming face into my palms.


    That¡¯s right. No need to overthink this. I¡¯ll just keep some distances with him afterst night. ¡°What are


    you thinking?¡±


    I¡¯m startled and turn around to find him walking out of the bedroom. He yawns and walks closer to me,


    hairs messy in an incredibly sexy way. No one can look this good in the morning, except him.


    ¡°What are you doing babe?¡± he asks in a hoarse and sleep voice. His armse around my waist and


    hold me from the back. He rests his chin on my shoulder, gently rubbing his head


    against my neck. The intimacy makes my heart leap. ¡°Umm¡­nothing,¡± I say quickly, breaking free from


    him. ¡°Coffee?¡± ¡°Yeah, I can have some,¡± he leans on the counter. His eyes fix on me. A faint trace of


    smile lightens his face.


    I avoid his gaze and quickly pour him a coffee. But when I hand him the mug, he doesn¡¯t take it. Instead,


    he grabs me by my wrist and pulls me right into his firm chest. ¡°Why don¡¯t you look at me?¡± he asks while


    nibbling on the side of my neck.


    That¡¯s so itchy. I giggle and try to avoid him. But he tightens his arms and holds me closer, lowering his


    head to capture my lips. I almost drown myself in that kiss. The atmosphere is just right. Thezy


    summer morning, the freshly brewed coffee, the warm sunshine filling up the living room, the perfect


    boyfriend¡­everything is perfect. Except he isn¡¯t actually my boyfriend. His handes up to my waist


    and caress my naked skin. His breathe bes rougher. And I can feel him swell against me. But my


    mind suddenly clears up, like waking up from a dream too good to be true. And I quickly push him to the


    side and move further away from him. He is caught off guard. He staggers back and looks at me with


    parted lips and frowning brows, deeply confused.


    ¡°Nat?¡± he asks. ¡°What¡¯s the matter.¡±


    I can¡¯t look at him. If I do, I¡¯ll lose all courage. So I doge his gaze and quickly walk towards the living


    room, grabbing my bag. ¡°I think I should go,¡± I say. That enrages him. He strides across the room and


    grabs my shoulder forcing me to face him. That gentle smile on his lips is gone. Anger shes through


    his green eyes.


    ¡°What¡¯s your fucking problem Natalia?¡± he grits out.


    I cower under his furious gaze. I know what I am doing right now is horrible. But it¡¯s the only way to


    remain clear-headed.


    ¡°I just need to get home¡­mom may get worried.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll call her,¡± he snaps.


    ¡°No!¡± I say quickly. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t. That¡¯s it. I¡¯m leaving.¡± He narrows his eyes and studies my face. Just


    when I thought he was going to lose it and gopletely mad, his hands suddenly drop to his sides. He


    takes a step back as a cold sneeres over his face.


    ¡°Fine. Get lost,¡± he shrugs. ¡°I should kick you out of here the moment I¡¯m done fucking you. That¡¯s why


    we are together right? It¡¯s only sex and nothing else.¡±


    His words make my chest hurt. I take in a deep breath and look away, trying to blink back the tears in my


    eyes. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right,¡± I say.


    He snorts and walks to the side picking up his phone. His voice bes impatient. ¡°Then why are you


    still standing here? Valerie is meeting me here. You don¡¯t want to bump into her.¡±


    He¡¯s probably just saying that to make me mad. But that works surprisingly well. As I flee his apartment,


    tears have run down my face.


    I blew the whole thing. Things were going so nice and dreamy between us, and now all is gone.


    But if I let myself hover over him, I¡¯ll destroy myself in the end.


    ***


    Ever since that night, I never hear from Eason again. No calls, no texts. I bump into him a few times in


    school, but he just walks right pass me.


    Valerie is back again, following him everywhere he goes. Whenever our eyes met, she would stare at me


    with a smug look as if she has won some stupid contest.


    As far as I know, Eason is just ying her the same way he yed me. I think Valerie knows that as well,


    but she doesn¡¯t care. That¡¯s why she could stay by Eason¡¯s side.


    I hope I could have that kind of consciousness. But I can¡¯t let myself go down that deep.


    Fortunately, my life in school has finally be better. Eason invited me to sit with him once in the caf¨¦,


    and that sessfully got me off the target list. No one would deliberately pick on me anymore. They just


    go back to ignoring me. But that¡¯s all I ever need anyway. A boring yet peaceful senior. I spend so much


    time with Katherine, Alex, and Edie recently. The four of us basically be a group. Now that I have


    finally caught up with schoolwork and managed to make some friends, my life is finally back to normal


    again. I would think about that wild night with Eason from time to time. But other than that, we never


    cross again. I can¡¯t let myself to go down that road again and I think his pride forbids him to contact me


    anymore.


    TWO WEEKS LATER


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    Ses


    Days fly back quickly. When we are finally done with midterms, Katherine proposes us to all go on a


    short vacation.


    ¡°Beach house?¡± I ask with a frown. We are in the caf¨¦ waiting in line to get our food. Alex and Eddie are


    right behind us. She seems very enthusiastic about it. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s my uncle¡¯s beach house. Not far away


    from here actually, just an hour drive away. We can leave after school on Friday and get back Sunday


    night. Isn¡¯t it nice? I¡¯m so exhausted by the exams. We can use a little rest.¡±


    I keep my mouth shut. To be honest, I¡¯m not so crazy about that idea. My original n for the weekend is


    job hunting. Now that I¡¯ve finally caught up with schoolwork, I can start saving for


    my college fund again. I can¡¯t keep spending the Ramirez¡¯s money anymore. We all find a table and sit


    down. Alex knows about my job-hunting n, so he keeps quiet. But Edie jumps right on board


    immediately. ¡°Sounds great! I¡¯m in.¡± Katherine turns to me and Alex, ¡°What about you two?¡± I bite on my


    sandwich in silence. My hesitation is obvious. Her face drops immediately as she grabs my hand and


    begs, e on, we studied so hard for the past few days. Let¡¯s go. You can¡¯t let me and Edie go alone.¡±


    A regretful look shes by Edie¡¯s face but he quickly disguises it. He probably has a huge crush on


    Katherine. But she is way out of his league, so he doesn¡¯t dare to make a move on her yet.


    ¡°Yeah,e with us,¡± Edie agrees. ¡°It¡¯d be our first trip together.¡±


    I sign, ¡°But Alex already got me an interview. It¡¯s on Saturday.¡± 1 ¡°I could talk to them and have that


    rescheduled,¡± Alex shrugs. ¡°It¡¯s a job in local coffee shop. Not running for president.¡± Looking at their


    eager faces, I finally give in. ¡°OK fine.¡± Katherine cheers pping her hands together. ¡°Awesome!! Friday


    night, beach house it is!¡± I can¡¯t help but smile with her. Her enthusiasm is contagious. But suddenly the


    next second, someone appears from Alex¡¯s back and jumps into the conversation, ¡°What beach house?¡±


    I look up and find it¡¯s James. My heart sinks a little. James is both friend with Alex and Eason, so


    sometimes he would sit with us during lunch. During random conversations, Eason¡¯s name would pop up


    unavoidably, causing my heart to flutter every single time.


    ¡°You are all going to the beach house this week?¡± he asks.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Katherine says briskly. ¡°You wannae?¡±


    I wanted to stop her, but her invitation was already out. She¡¯s probably just being nice, but I really don¡¯t


    want to hear Eason¡¯s name over and over again during the trip. Fortunately, James shakes his head with


    a regretful smile. ¡°Oh I can¡¯t. I already had n. Well, you guys enjoy yourself.¡± After that, he picks up his


    tray and leaves our table quickly walking away. Katherine pouts looking at his back. ¡°Why is he in such a


    hurry?¡± ¡°Kat,¡± I lower my voice. ¡°Why did you tell him we are going to the beach house?¡±


    ¡°He already heard us talking about it. Plus, it¡¯s not a secret anyway. Why? What¡¯s the matter?¡± She


    seems confused. I bite my bottom lips and say nothing, trying to dislodge the stupid feeling of


    uneasiness. Even if James knows, it doesn¡¯t mean that he would tell Eason about it. It¡¯s only my


    paranoia.

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28


    Chapter 28: Beach House


    Eason¡¯s POV


    The annoying noise wakes me up from my sleep. I groan opening my eyes. It takes me a few seconds to


    realize that the persistent noise ising from my phone. I grab it and take the call, saying in a raspy


    sleep filled voice. ¡°This better be urgent.¡± ¡°Hey man. Having funst night?¡± James chuckles. I slowly sit


    up from my messy bed, rubbing my forehead and letting memories fromst night graduallye back


    to me. We were having a wild party. I remember taking tequ shots and having some random girls


    slipping their tongues down my mouth. I look around and find only myself on the bed. She probably took


    off after the party ¡°I¡¯m hanging up,¡± I snap. ¡°No no no wait! You don¡¯t want to miss this,¡± James raises his


    voice. ¡°It¡¯s about Natalia.¡±


    I was reaching over for the ss of water on my nightstand. And suddenly my hand pauses. Her name is


    like a wake-up call to my hangover. My mind clears up immediately. ¡°What about her?¡± I ask and


    immediately regret it. ¡°No forget it. I don¡¯t want to know.¡± ¡°You sure? What about your epic n of


    winning her heart and body? You¡¯re giving that up?¡±


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I drag my steps going into the living room while pinching the middle of my brows. ¡°I fucked her once.


    That¡¯s it. She¡¯s too difficult to be dealt with. Not worthy of my time.¡±


    I still remember the look on her face the morning after we slept together. It¡¯s like she had already


    regretted the whole thing. That look pisses me off every time I think of it.


    James bursts intoughter on the other end of the phone.


    ¡°Really? You guys slept already? And she dumped you immediately after? Fuck. Sorry man but I¡¯ve got


    to ask¡­did you do something wrong?¡± ¡°Are you fucking crazy?¡± I snap. ¡°Go fuck yourself. I¡¯m hanging up


    now.¡± I¡¯m pulling the phone away from my ear, but his voice rushes out from the speaker, ¡°She is going to


    the beach house with Alex!¡± My heart skips a beat.


    She fucking what??


    Before I realize, I¡¯m back on the phone again. ¡°What the fuck did you say?¡± ¡°I¡¯m telling you man. You are


    losing this one. I heard them talking about it during lunch break. It¡¯s true. She¡¯s going to the beach house


    with Alex during this weekend.¡± I clench the phone with rage burns up in me like mes. Alex? She¡¯s


    going out with Alex? Traveling together is a huge step and she¡¯s ready to take that step in just two


    weeks?


    ¡­Has she be his girlfriend already?


    I curse and give the dumpster a hard kick, running my fingers through my hairs. Fucking Alex with his


    smug face and straightened shirt. I know she loves his type. Even her mother loves his type. The


    straight-A, president of the student union type.


    A million of dark ideas surge up in me. I close my eyes for a second and let myself calm down. When I


    open my eyes again, I ask James, ¡°where is this beach house?¡± James gives me an address andughs.


    ¡°So you are back on board again?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡±


    I wanted to let her go. It¡¯s a stupid game anyway. But she picked the wrong guy. I¡¯m not losing her to that


    fucking Alex. ¡°Now we are talking! So what¡¯s your n then?¡± ¡°My original n,¡± I sit down on the sofa


    with elbows resting on my knees. ¡°My dad and that woman are celebrating their third anniversary in less


    two months. On the anniversary night, herees the grand reveal.¡± 1 ¡°Ouch that hurts! You are getting


    back at her big times! To be fair though, she doesn¡¯t deserve all these you know?¡± A surge of irritation


    passes through me. I don¡¯t like to be reminded about what happened between me and her three years


    ago. But I hated it even more when she came back this time pretending nothing has happened. In my


    opinion, she deserves this. Every single bit. ¡°Which side are you on?¡±


    James chuckles, ¡°You have to ask? Two months is a tight schedule. Are you certain that she can fall in


    love with you in such a short time?¡±


    Ipse into silence. When ites to her, nothing is for certain.


    ¡°I have an idea,¡± James announces eagerly. ¡°If you y it right, she¡¯ll be back in your arms at the end of


    this weekend.¡±


    ***


    Natalia¡¯s POV


    On Friday night, we drove to Katherine¡¯s beach house as nned. Alex is in charge of the wheel as I sit


    next to him upfront. Katherine and Edie take up the back seat. They are having a huge debate over a film


    I¡¯ve never heard of. I lean on the seat looking at the scenery outside the window. Dusk is approaching.


    As we drive down the coastal highway, streaks of light fall on the cliffs and the sea. The evening sky is


    filled with gold-and-red-tinted clouds of sunset. It¡¯s a breathtaking view.


    Suddenly the window is rolled down, letting the warm summer breeze to gush in. I look around and find


    Alex smiling at me. He then turns on the radio. A country music is on the y.


    I love how thoughtful he is. So Iy back on my seat and close my eyes, quietly enjoying the wind and


    the music.


    Maybe this trip isn¡¯t a bad idea at all.


    We arrive at our destination a little pass by 7p.m.


    There¡¯s a row of vis by the coast and Katherine¡¯s uncle¡¯s beach house is one of them. Each house has


    its own private beach. It¡¯s the perfect ce for a little getaway.


    When Alex pulls over in front of the beach house, Katherine leans over and asks, ¡°my uncle has called


    the butler to clean up the house. But do you guys want to grab something to eat first? I checked the


    weather report and it¡¯s going to rain tonight. I hate toe out againter in the middle of the rain.¡±


    ¡°Yeah sure,¡± I take out my phone. ¡°Let me see if there¡¯s an open restaurant nearby.¡± I¡¯m on my phone


    when suddenly a bright shlight pierces through the dark night and shines directly onto our faces. It¡¯s so


    ringly bright! The caring towards us definitely has its high beam on. We all cover our eyes as


    Edie murmurs in the back. ¡°What a jerk.¡± I peek through my fingers and catch sight of a sport car hurtling


    towards us. I¡¯m not familiar with fancy cars but I know it¡¯s a BMW M8. I¡¯m only able to recognize it


    because Eason has the same car. Suddenly panic seizes my heart as if I¡¯ve foreseen what¡¯sing


    towards me. The M8 makes a sharp stop right next to us. The passenger door flies open, and James


    jumps out of the car. He bends down and greets us cheerfully, ¡°hey guys!¡± All of us are shocked beyond


    words. I stiffly turn around my head and look pass the car window. Through the opening door, I see


    Eason sitting in the driver¡¯s seat, his hand still resting on the wheel. Gradually, he looks up and locks


    eyes with me. Those beautiful green eyes are so dark right now that they almost appear pitch ck. I


    take in a quick inhale involuntarily. The look on his face sends a chill down my spine.

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 29


    Chapter 29: Beer Pong ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I blurt out.


    Katherine sticks her head out and seems very excited, ¡°Hey you guys made it!¡±


    Made it?


    I shot her an angry re. She is perfectly aware of the tense situation between me and Eason, even


    though I haven¡¯t given her all the details. As my friend, shouldn¡¯t she respect my decision and not invite


    them over without checking with me first?


    I¡¯m probably overthinking this. But still, I taste a sense of betrayal.


    James leans on our car and grins at us, ¡°Katherine told us about your n. So I figured, why not join you


    guys and make it into a party?¡±


    I snap, ¡°didn¡¯t you and Eason have other ns?¡±


    He doesn¡¯t even blush as he replies with a wide smile. ¡°Change of n. We figured this would be more


    fun. Unless Natalia¡­are you shutting the door on us?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Obviously, I am.


    ¡°There may not be enough rooms for you guys,¡± said I sternly. ¡°In fact¡ª¡± Katherine begins but I manage


    to shut her up with my angry re. The atmosphere bes a little awkward among us. Right at this


    moment, Eason speaks up. ¡°In fact, dad also owns a beach house and it¡¯s just down this street. So if you


    don¡¯t have enough rooms, me and James will sleep over there.¡±


    Oh how convenient is that!


    My perfect weekend ispletely ruined so I stop holding my anger and ask him sarcastically, ¡°Oh


    really? So if we decided to fly to Ennd for the weekend, do you also happen to own a house there?¡±


    Eason slowly raises an eyebrow at me and sneers, ¡°As the matter of fact, yes. But you won¡¯t be able to


    know that since¡­you are NEW to the family.¡±


    We scowl each other in silence. If eyes could kill, we would both have gone to hell hand by hand.


    Eventually, Alex breaks the awkward silence and says, ¡°OK. Let¡¯s get inside first. It¡¯s gettingte and the


    rain ising.¡±


    We were nning on visiting a restaurant. But at this point, everyone has lost their appetite. So while the


    boys are helping us with our luggage, I simply order pizza. The beach house is beautiful, decorated in


    Mediterranean style with its arched windows, exposed beams, and hardwood floor.


    But I¡¯m not in the mood for room tour. As they are talking in the living room, I quietly grab a bottle of beer


    and wander over to the terrace.


    The terrace has an open view of the sea. But since it¡¯s alreadyte and the storm is approaching, the


    sea view isn¡¯t really pleasant at this moment.


    As I pop open my can of beer, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around and find it¡¯s Katherine.


    ¡°Hey,¡± she walks up to me and studies my face. ¡°Are you mad?¡± I am caught off guard by her blunt


    question. After a short pause, I speak up sternly, ¡°You think?¡±


    ¡°I figured you would be mad. But James said he really wanted toe, and I couldn¡¯t say no to him-¡±


    ¡°He told you he wasing?¡± I cut her off. ¡°When?¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­in the car? While we were driving here?¡± she smiles nervously at me. ¡°I was meant to tell you.


    Really! But I saw you were having a really good time with Alex, and I just couldn¡¯t find the right time. I¡¯m


    sorry, Nat, really.¡± I don¡¯t know what to say. I was really pissed at her. But she¡¯s being so honest with me


    right now and it seems petty to keep holding a grudge against her. Plus, she doesn¡¯t know the


    complicated history between me and Eason so I can¡¯t fully me her for inviting them.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I sign eventually. ¡°Next time just let me know first, ok?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± She promises and then gently nudges me. ¡°And hey, you are doing great with Alex. So just


    forget about Eason for now and focus on your thing with Alex.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± I smile absently. ¡°Let¡¯s get inside. It¡¯s going to rain.¡±


    The pizza arrives an hourter. After we feed ourselves, James enthusiastically propose that we should


    y Beer Pong.


    Katherine is immediately on board and Eddie follows right after her. Alex takes a look at me first and


    shakes his head hesitantly, ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­¡±


    ¡°Ohe on! It¡¯s raining outside so we can¡¯t really go swimming in the sea right now. We also can¡¯t sit


    around and do nothing while waiting for the storm to pass. So you guys are ying. I¡¯m not taking no for


    answer.¡± He basically drags us to the table and startsying out cups and pouring beers. I¡¯m very


    cautious about these wine games because that¡¯s how they got me to kiss Alex thest time. So while


    they are busy with the cups, I lean towards Alex and whisper to him, ¡°Are you good at this game?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t call myself a pro, but I¡¯m not bad either,¡± he grins at me. ¡°Rx. I got your back.¡± There are


    precisely six of us. So we are divided into two groups. Me, Alex and Eddie, versus Eason, James and


    Katherine. ¡°OK!¡± James eagerly announces. ¡°First up, Eason.¡± He hands the ball to Eason.


    Eason takes the ball. His eyes fall upon me as an evil smile lurks on his face. ¡°Taking shots is boring.


    The loser has to do something else for punishment.¡± Bad memories from the past floods back to me as I


    quickly protest, ¡°I¡¯m not doing Dares!¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± he casually shrugs. ¡°You can do Truths.¡±


    Before I can say no, he raises his hand and throws the ball. He doesn¡¯t even have to aim-and the ball


    falls directly into the cup in front of me. ¡°Wow! Drink up, Nat!¡± James ps cheerfully. ¡°And one question


    from Eason.¡± The evil smile on Eason¡¯s lips grows wider. ¡°OK, I¡¯ll start with an easy one¡­ Nat, when was


    thest time you had sex?¡±


    1


    I¡¯m clenching my fist so hard that my nails are digging into my flesh. But I¡¯ve managed to keep my face


    straight and look directly into his eyes while answering, ¡°¡­A year ago.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Eason raises his


    brows and sneers. ¡°You know you have to be honest right? It¡¯s called Truths for a reason.¡± I ignore him


    and drink up the beer in my cup. It¡¯s my turn to throw again. I aim carefully at my target and, luckily, the


    ball falls right into Eason¡¯s cup. ¡°OK my turn.¡± I stand up straight as a smile of revenge ys around my


    lips. ¡°Eason. When was thest time someone slept with you and never called you back?¡±


    The easy smile on his face disappears. He narrows his eyes at me and his nostrils re. ¡°No that¡¯s


    impossible,¡± Katherine seems to find my question amusing. ¡°Who would do that to Eason?¡±


    ¡°In fact, someone just did that to me a few days ago,¡± Eason picks up his cup and drinks up the beer.


    ¡°But she¡¯s a bitch. So I¡¯m not bothered by it at all.¡±


    I want to p him so much. The game goes back and forth for a few rounds, and we manage to reach a


    tie. Eventually, Eason takes over the ball again. And not surprisingly at all, he throws the ball to me


    again. ¡°OK Nat,¡± he raises his eyes and looks at me. ¡°Have you ever let someone fuck you in the


    restroom?¡±


    My heart stops at that. Everyone around the table is also shocked beyond words. This question is so


    offensive, explicit, and vicious. One dares not to think about the implicated meaning behind it¡­and I


    hope with all my heart that none of them would overthink this. ¡°Eason, w-why are you¡­¡± Katherine


    moves ufortably on her spot. ¡°I don¡¯t think this is ok. You are her brother nevertheless.¡± ¡°Oh I don¡¯t


    think she thinks of me as her brother,¡± Eason snorts. ¡°Do you? Natalia?¡±


    I throw my cup on the ground and walk away. I can¡¯t look at him anymore. One more look, I¡¯ll


    Pong


    definitely lose it.


    As I storm out of the living room, Alex catches me up from behind and grabs my elbow. ¡°Hey Nat, wait


    up. Are you ok?¡±


    I¡¯m forced around to face him. He seems genuinely concerned about me. I take in a deep breath and


    look at him, suddenly finding my eyes be glossy. ¡°I-¡­¡± I tail off. I want to tell someone about


    everything so bad, but I can¡¯t. The frustration is killing me. Alex is startled. This is the first time he sees


    me get all teared up. ¡°Hey, hey¡­it¡¯s ok. Comes here,¡± he pulls me into his arms and gently pats my back.


    I bury my head in his chest, sobbing uncontrobly.


    Alex strokes my hairs andforts me. He was about to ask me something when another person


    appears from behind him.


    It¡¯s Eason.


    The devil who had caused all my misfortune. He nces at us calmly and heads toward the door. Alex


    turns around and asks, ¡°are you leaving?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going for a swim,¡± Eason shrugs and walks right pass us. I can¡¯t believe my ears. There¡¯s a fucking


    storm outside! ¡°Are you losing your fucking mind?!¡± I can¡¯t help but yell at him, my voice high and


    squeaky.¡± It¡¯s raining like hell out there!¡± Eason pauses for a moment by the door. He turns his head


    halfway back, but he still doesn¡¯t look at me directly. Eventually, he simply lifts the corner of his lips into a


    cold smile. ¡°Why do you care?¡± he asks sarcastically and then leaves through the door.

 Chapter 30

    Chapter 30


    Chapter 30: Love Confession The rain finally starts to fall, pattering against the window. The view outside


    is pitch ck, with thunder and bright lightning looming within heavy cloud. I stand beside the ss door


    anxiously, staring into the darkness. No sane person would go swimming under this weather, unless he


    has a death wish. So Eason is crazy. Then why should I care so much about a crazy person?


    The rest of the group starts to y poker to kill the time. Their cheerfulughter only makes me more


    distracted. Eventually when James wins another round of the game and starts to shout out loudly about


    his victory, I can¡¯t take it anymore and walk up to him.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried about him?¡± I ask sternly.


    ¡°Who?¡± James says absently as he shaffles the cards.


    ¡°Eason! He went swimming and it¡¯s fucking raining!¡± I snap, ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried that something might


    happen to him? Aren¡¯t you guys like close friends?¡± My tone is a bit too harsh. The rest of the group


    snaps their heads up to look at me, all startled by my reaction. After a short pause, Eddie speaks up,


    ¡°Nat, the guy knows what he is doing. Plus, he was such an asshole to your earlier. So just leave him


    be.¡± ¡°Yeah, Nat. Don¡¯t worry about him,¡± Katherine nods. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t go swimming under this weather.


    He¡¯s probably back to his own house already.¡±


    I take in a deep breath and say nothing. Theirforts only build up the anxiety in my heart. James


    finishes shaffling and starts dealing the cards. He takes a quick nce at me and snickers, ¡°I mean if you


    are so worried about him. Just call him. Or you can sit down with us and y poker. That¡¯ll take your


    mind off him.¡± At this point, I don¡¯t even know if I¡¯m more worried about Eason or I¡¯m more pissed about


    how indifferent James appears to his friend¡¯s safety.


    ¡°Forget it,¡± I growl, ¡°I¡¯m going to bed.¡± I stride across the living room and head upstairs. After I enter my


    own room, I quickly close the door and take out my phone.


    Yet my finger pauses at the dialing button.


    Should I call him?


    If he is already back at his own house and is currently lying on his bed safe and sound like Katherine


    said, calling him will only make me look like an idiot. I can already imagine his sarcastic tone when he


    picks up the call.


    But¡­


    I take one more look at the storm outside and dial his number.


    He can¡¯tugh at me all he wants. But my consciousness won¡¯t allow me to take that risk.


    The dial tone goes busy for a long time.


    He¡¯s not picking up the phone.


    With each passing second, my heart sinks deeper. Is he mad at me and deliberately ignoring my call?


    I end the call and start texting him:


    (Where are you?]


    [You are not actually swimming, are you?]


    [Just let me know you are ok!!!)


    After that, I toss the phone aside and bury my face in my palms. I seem pathetic, begging him to answer


    me like this. Even though he has just humiliated me in front of my friends.


    I¡¯m so screwed.


    Thunder roars down the sky with deafening booms. After ten painful minutes, I check my phone and still


    nothing.


    No calls. No texts. Nothing.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Then my imagination goes wild. I can picture how he is struggling in water, fighting against the angry


    waves but gradually losing his strength. Then he starts to choke, drowning¡­


    That it.


    I jump up, rushing out of the door and dashing downstairs. The guys are still ying poker. They are all


    shocked to see me like this.


    I ignore them and run towards the door, as Katherine yelling behind me, ¡°Natalia! Where are you going!¡±


    ¡°Go find him!¡± I yell back and open the entrance door.


    I¡¯m immediately weed with the pouring rain. The storm is evenrger than I thought. The wind is


    running wild with heavy raindrops, whipping against me and instantly soaking my whole body. But I wipe


    my face and run in to the storm anyway.


    There¡¯s not a single person on the beach. I stagger across the wetnd and start to call his name at the


    top of my lungs, ¡°Eason! Where are you! Eason!!¡±


    But my voice is muffled by the roaring storm and thunder.


    I try to see through the sheeting rain and gaze towards the sea. But except for the tempestuous waves, I


    got nothing. No sign of him.


    I wander around in the darkness, desperately. Water is streaming down my face. And I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s


    rain or my tears. I¡¯ve never felt so helpless in my whole life. If something happens to him¡­


    I¡¯m so regretful. About everything I¡¯ve done and every word I¡¯ve said.


    I should have told him how I felt after our first night. He mightugh at me or even despise me, but at


    least I let him know my true feelings. But now-now I may never have the chance.


    My body shivers in the rain and I¡¯vepletely lost my way. I¡¯m on the edge of losing my mind, when


    suddenly I hear a faint voice calling my name in the distance.


    I snap my head around, afraid that it¡¯s only my mishearing.


    But no. Although my vision is blurred, I still catch sight of someone running towards me across the


    darkness and rain, calling my name.


    It¡¯s him.


    Suddenly I start to run, racing down the waterlogged, loose sand and towards him. My heart is doing a


    drum-roll against my ribs. I lose my bnce when I¡¯m closer to him, but he catches me in time and drags


    me to his arms.


    We hold each other tight, as if clutching on to a lost treasure. His hand presses my head to his chest


    firmly and I can hear his heartbeat. It¡¯s as wild as mine.


    ¡°W-why! Why didn¡¯t you call me back!¡± I gradually find my voice and it¡¯s shaking as hell. ¡°I was so-so


    worried! You fucking bastard!¡±


    I¡¯m crying as I yell. I try to break free from him, but he won¡¯t let me go. His grip is so hard that it¡¯s almost


    hurting me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Nat¡­I¡¯m sorry. Really. I walked home and didn¡¯t check my phone. I didn¡¯t know you would


    come out and look for me¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you expect me to do?¡± I roar on to his face, ¡°Let you fucking die?!¡±


    I¡¯m so furious and start to beat him with my fists. He takes hit and drags me into his arms again.


    His voice is so muffled in the rain but I still hear him asking me clearly, ¡°Nat, why did youe out and


    find me?¡±


    ¡°I told you. I was worried that¡ª¡± ¡°No,¡± he slightly pulls away from me, looking closely at me. His green


    eyes are so incredibly bright even in the darkness. ¡°I meant, why were you so worried? The only person


    who would go this far to find me in the storm is my mom. And that¡¯s because she is my mom. So why did


    you-why were you¡­¡± He pauses and gulps, as if the following words are hard toe out. But after a


    short silence, he manages to open his mouth again, ¡°Nat, do you love me?¡±


    I¡¯m speechless. My mind ispletely nk.


    His iron grip on my arms tightens, as he says urgently, ¡°love is probably too strong. Do you like me? Do


    you have feelings for me in a non-brother-and-sister way?¡±


    I can¡¯t stop my body from shivering. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s because of the rain or his question.


    I think of my feelings before, how worried and regretful I was. I regretted that I didn¡¯t let him know my


    feeling when I had the chance.


    And now, here¡¯s my chance.


    ¡°You said it yourself¡­¡± I slowly begin, word by word. ¡°That I never see you as my brother.¡±


    ¡°You are right about that.¡±


    His eyes light up immediately and his smile grows wider. He brings up his hand to palm my face as he


    says in a hoarse tone, ¡°I will take that as a yes.¡± Then he lowers his head to kiss me, eagerly and


    passionately in the rain.

 Chapter 31

    Chapter 31


    Chapter 31: Kiss in the Rain I don¡¯t know how long that kisssts. By the time Ie back to my sense,


    I¡¯m soaking wet and shivering from fingertips to toe. So I start coughing and sneezing right into his pretty


    face.


    He chuckles, ¡°Alright. At least now I know how you felt about that kiss.¡± ¡°No! It¡¯s just ¡ªI¡¯m freezing here.


    Don¡¯t you feel cold?¡± ¡°No. Not really,¡± he shrugs. ¡°How can I feel cold with our passionate hot love


    burning in my chest?¡±


    ¡°Eww, gross!¡± I hit him yfully. ¡°Eason Ramirez, I don¡¯t know you as a cheesy talking guy.¡± ¡°Now you


    know. And it¡¯s toote to have a second thought¡­ok enough of this. We¡¯re heading back. You¡¯ll definitely


    catch a cold if we stay out here a minute longer.¡± My feet are numb because of the rain. So I have to


    cling on his body and stagger forward. He signs and lowers his body having his back towards me. ¡°Hop


    on.¡± I hesitate. ¡°Umm¡­you sure? I weigh like ¡°You weigh like a feather. And with your limp legs, we won¡¯t


    be able to make it before dawn. So hop on.¡± I blush and climb onto his back. He picks me up with ease


    and starts heading towards the beach house. It¡¯s still insanely cold outside. But my body warms up again


    with him being so close to me.


    I rest my chin on the hollow of his neck and ask. ¡°Hey. Have you seen a movie called The Notebook?¡±


    ¡°No. Why?¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t? For real?¡± I gasp. ¡°It¡¯s such a ssic. We should definitely watch it together sometime.¡±


    ¡°OK, so A, this isn¡¯t a college interview, so I don¡¯t need to lie about how many ssic movies or books


    I¡¯ve seen. And B, are you asking me out on a date already? Because I have some other ns for our first


    date and it¡¯s so much better than your boring movie night proposal.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not boring at all!¡± I yell in


    protest. ¡°Hear me out. So there¡¯s a scene in the movie where the couple has a dramatic reunion and they


    just kiss it out right in the middle of a pouring rain


    ¡°Like what we just did?¡±


    ¡°Yeah and it¡¯s so romantic. I¡¯ve always wanted to try it out with someone before I die peacefully.¡± He


    laughs and his shoulders are shaking. I hurry to tighten my arms around his neck, so I don¡¯t fall.


    ¡°d to be at your service Miss.¡± He teases, ¡°You can pick ten other romantic scenes from the


    ¨C


    the Roy


    movies, and we¡¯ll find a time to do those as well. That¡¯ll make an epic date night.¡±


    Before long, we reach the terrace of a beach house. When he puts me down onto the ground, I finally


    realize that it¡¯s not Katherine¡¯s house. ¡°So you are telling the truth? That Mr. Ramirez actually owns a


    house here?¡± I ask while he opens the door.


    ¡°Ask the top ten riches people in Boston and they all own a house in this area,¡± he steps aside motioning


    me toe in as he chuckles. ¡°So you thought I just made that up?¡±


    I did but he doesn¡¯t need to know about that.


    I slowly move inside and turn on the light. Wow the interior is even prettier than Katherine¡¯s house. It¡¯s


    my dream houseing to life. Eason kicks off his shoes and walks across the living room. ¡°Come.


    There¡¯s a guest room on the first floor and we¡¯ll sleep there for tonight. I¡¯ll run you a hot bath.¡± I follow him


    into the guestroom and then into the bathroom. He pulls out a towel, tosses it to me and then bends


    down to turn on the tap. I wipe my wet hairs absent-minded, staring after his back. Everything is


    happening so fast. After the initial rush of excitement passes, a familiar anxiety surges up in my heart.


    I bite my lips and smile. ¡°Look at you¡­so normal.¡± ¡°You better mean that as apliment,¡± he says,


    testing the water temperature with his hands.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°I just thought you must have a butler or a maid to do these sorts of daily stuffs, like running a hot bath,


    putting on cloth, cooking¡­ I don¡¯t know you can take care of other people like this.¡± ¡°You have a very


    biased opinion on rich people, you know that? We have money. It¡¯s not like we are disabled.¡±


    I try tough along but myughteres out squeaky and awkward. My nervous is too obvious. After a


    short moment of internal struggle, I still decide to go for it. ¡°Hey Eason?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    I gulp and try to say the following words in a light and carefree tone. ¡°So where are we right now? W-


    what are we?¡±


    I said it and then the bathroompses into silence. He props his hand on the curb of the bathtub and


    says nothing. I can¡¯t see his expression from the back and the awkward silence is just killing me.


    Then finally, before I¡¯m suffocated by my own anxiety, he speaks up again. His tone lighter than I


    thought:


    ¡°You have to ask?¡±


    That¡¯s not the answer I¡¯m hoping for.


    ¡°Yes, I have to ask!¡± I squeeze the towel in my hand and snap. ¡°You are a very difficult person!


    ¨C 31 kesinthe Ran


    And a fuckboy who specializes in ruining girls. So pardon my questions!¡± He turns around and walks


    towards me. I¡¯m finally able to see his face clearly. It¡¯s still very gentle and sweet, with a slight trace of


    amusement, as if he is finding my questions funny. I¡¯m instantly relieved by that. ¡°Can we save my critic


    session toter?¡± he chuckles and palms my face. ¡°I thought my behavior spoke for itself. I¡¯ve never seen


    you as my sister, same as you.¡±


    I¡¯m drowning in his deep green eyes. I hold on to myst shred of sense and murmur, ¡°so¡­ boyfriend


    and girlfriend?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± He smiles and gently kisses me. I think I¡¯m melting under his lips. A short


    momentter, he slightly pulls away from me and says hoarsely, ¡°wait for me in the bathtub.¡±


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± I don¡¯t want him to leave.


    ))


    ¡°To get you some hot water. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be back shortly,¡± he smiles and heads outside. Then he stops


    by the door and turns around raising his eyebrows. ¡°And I don¡¯t need a maid for that!¡±


    Iugh. ¡°Noted.¡±


    ***


    Eason¡¯s POV


    Her carefree smile is contagious. As I walk into the kitchen, I find my lips curving upwards, smirking just


    like she did. Her smile makes my heart swell. I open the top drawer and take out the kettle. I¡¯ve never


    boiled hot water in my entire life, which unfortunately she was right about. But I don¡¯t want her to see me


    as a stupid rich brat who can¡¯t even put on his own socks. As I¡¯m fumbling with the kettle, I suddenly hear


    a gentle cracking from the terrace. I snap my head around and find a dark figure sneaking in through the


    terrace¡¯s ss door. ¡°Trespassing?¡± I roll my eyes. ¡°Seriously?¡± James steps out of the darkness and


    walks into the kitchen, shaking off the rain from his body. ¡°I could ring the doorbell. If you don¡¯t mind your


    little ¡®girlfriend to be rmed.¡±


    ¡°Keep your voice down,¡± I settle the kettle on the stove. ¡°She¡¯s in the guestroom.¡±


    James grins andes closer, nudging me with his elbow.¡±So, how did it go? Did it work?¡± I turn on the


    stove and smiles. ¡°Absolutely.¡±

 Chapter 32

    Chapter 32


    Chapter 32: The Bathtub Eason¡¯s POV ¡°Wow really?¡± James gasps in excitement. ¡°She actually believed


    that you are in danger? She must really like you.¡±


    I cross my arms in front of my chest, staring at the stove while my mind shes back to my earlier


    memories.


    -A FEW DAYS AGO ¡°I have an idea,¡± James announces eagerly. ¡°If you y it right, she¡¯ll be back in


    your arms at the end of this weekend.¡± ¡°Listening,¡± I rub my temples and try to focus on his words. ¡°You


    are not sure if she likes you, right? And she is a little-well, high-maintenance. So all you need right now is


    a chance to push her over the edge and force her to open up to you.¡± ¡°And how I¡¯m going to do that?¡± ¡°A


    dangerous situation,¡± James smirks. ¡°I checked the weather and it¡¯s going to be raining like hell this


    weekend. Let¡¯s say you are going for a swim in the sea and she is the only one who has noticed that


    your life is at stake¡­don¡¯t you think she will do something really irrational under this scenario? And then


    you can take this perfect opportunity to force out those true feelings from her.¡± I frown, ¡°And what if she


    just sits in the living room and decides to watch me drown?¡±


    ¡°Then this making-her-fall-in-love with you trick is a no-go,¡± James pauses but promises.¡± But I¡¯ve seen


    the way she looked at you. There¡¯s some deep shit feelings there. Trust me on this. She¡¯ll pour her heart


    out.¡± I rest my chin on my hands, thinking about his proposal. Actually, it¡¯s not a terrible n. I¡¯ve so


    fucking tired of ying this back-and-forth game with her. It¡¯s not going anywhere and my clock is ticking.


    ¡°OK,¡± I finally say. ¡°Let¡¯s just hope I don¡¯t end up died in the ocean.¡± -BACK TO NOW


    ¡°Man, you should see the look on her face when she went out to find you,¡± James is still babbling. ¡°I was


    a bit afraid that she would jump right into the ocean with you. So did you talk to her? How deep is this


    feeling that we are talking about? Ready to throw the L bomb?¡±


    I remain silent as my jaw tenses. The image of her desperate face pops into my mind and it doesn¡¯t give


    me any satisfactory feeling as I thought it would do. Instead, I felt my heart churn, as if I actually feel bad


    about making her sad this way.


    Bullshit. Yet I immediatelyugh at myself and shake of that stupid feeling.


    ¡°You done talking?¡± I hiss at James. ¡°Time to leave.¡± ¡°But you haven¡¯t given me any of the good stuffs


    yet,¡± James whines. ¡°Come on just tell me.


    What¡¯s she like when you found her? And¡ª¡±


    Then suddenly we both hear the door cracking. Our body tenses up immediately as Natalia¡¯s voice


    comes from the guestroom: ¡°Eason, there¡¯s no clean towels here. Can you bring some extras?¡±


    I let out a quiet sign of relieve and quickly shout back, ¡°Sure! Be right back¡± They I quickly throw in a


    teabag to the mug, pour in hot water and shot a warming re at James way before I head back to the


    guestroom.


    *


    **


    Natalia¡¯s POV


    I¡¯ve already taken off my clothes and sank into the hot bath before he returns, because I don¡¯t want him


    to watch me strip myself. But on the second thought, we are going to see each other naked tonight. So


    there¡¯s no way to avoid that.


    I blush at that thought and pat my cheeks to drive away the heat.


    Tonight has been such a magical night so far. We¡¯ve finally opened up to each other, truthfully and


    honestly. There¡¯s still a lot of things to be worked on but at least we are starting a proper rtionship


    together.


    A proper rtionship¡­my mind drifts away for a short second.


    I wonder how my mom and Mr. Ramirez will react towards this. I¡¯m not so worried about Mr. Ramirez


    since he¡¯s always been so nice and caring. I¡¯m actually more concerned about my mom.


    She has told me on various asions that friends and rtives from the Ramirez family are not very


    fond of her. They believe that she is a total gold-digger who ruined Mr. Ramirez and his wife¡¯s marriage.


    So if they find out that this gold-digger¡¯s daughter-AKA myself-dares to seduce the only heir to the


    Ramirez legacy, it¡¯ll make things worse for mom.


    I sign in frustration. So I guess we¡¯ll have to keep this a secret for now. The sound of door opening snaps


    me back from my own thoughts. I look up and find Eason walks into the bathroom with some fresh towels


    and a mug in his hand.


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Hey,¡± my lips naturally curve up the minute I see him. ¡°What took you so long? I thought I heard


    someone talking. Did anyone drop by?¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s probably the wind,¡± he says setting the mug down on the


    table then lowers his eyes to look at me. ¡°Miss me?¡±


    He smiles a crooked smile so pretty and youthful that it makes my heart stop. So before I even realize,


    I¡¯ve already murmured out, ¡°yeah¡­so much.¡±


    I really do miss him. Even if he¡¯s only been gone for 10 minutes.


    The smile on his face grows wider. Then he pulls off his T-shirt from his head and unbuttons his jeans. A


    minuteter, he¡¯s totally naked.


    in


    the Bathtub


    I can¡¯t help but stare at his muscr figure as he steps into the tub. The bathtub is notrge enough to fit


    two people, not to mention that he is tall andrge. So we are very close to each other and I immediately


    feel his hardened dick pressing against my skin.


    He moves to my back and settles me between his legs. Then he nibbles the sensitive skin on my neck,


    as he brings his hand up to palm my breasts, gently rubbing my nipples.


    I morn, throwing my head back leaning on his chest. He catches my lips and kiss me, as his hand travels


    downwards, into the water and finally reaches my bottom.


    I return his kiss, eagerly opening my mouth to invite his tongue in. This feels so different from our first


    night. The first time is all about desire and lust, but now¡­I can feel the attachment and love.


    He rubs my clit with his hand and then inserts a finger into my pussy. The hot water makes it easier. I


    gasp as I feel a familiar sense of pleasure rising from my between my thighs. I grab his wrist, deepening


    his finger into my pussy. He takes my cue and curves his fingertip inside of me, gently rubbing my inner


    wall. ¡°Oh god, Eason!¡± I cry out. The burst of excitement is overwhelming.


    ¡°Yeah? Does this feel good?¡± his voice is strained and ragged. ¡°You like it? Fucking yourself with my


    finger?¡± I suck in his lower lip with my mouth and beg, ¡°I want you. Eason, fuck me. Quick.¡±


    ¡°Fuck!¡± he groans.


    He grabs my waist with one hand and sightly lifts my body. Then the next second, he lifts his hips and


    thrust his cock deep into my core.


    ¡°Ahh!¡± I gasp, grabbing his firm arms till my nails dig into his flesh. He pants and immediately picks up


    the speed. It¡¯s so wild and rough. The room is filled with the sound of water sshing and our body


    smashing against each other. He is fucking me so quick and hard that my mind ispletely nk.


    ¡°Fuck, Nat!¡± He grits out besides my ears. ¡°You are so fucking tight! And ready¡­ready for me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes I am. Ahh Eason¡­please.¡± I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m saying actually. I can only call his name again


    and again and let him drive me crazy.


    He sucks the back of my neck hard. Then he brings one hand to rub my clit and my folds while his cock


    keeps pounding me. The pleasure is too much! I almost scream out as my legs stiffen and my toes curl.


    ¡°No. Wait for me,¡± he says in a forceful tone.


    He grabs my waist with both hands, picking me up and pressing me down. His cock enters even deeper.


    I can¡¯t help but clench my inner walls as he repeats the process. Then with one hard thrust, Ie and


    he pulls out just in time and I feel a warm liquid spill on the water. I copse onto his chest, panting and


    trying to catch my breath. He holds me in his arms,

 Chapter 33

    Chapter 33


    Chapter 33: After the Storm I wake up next morning without him by my side. Yet there¡¯s a delicious smell


    of fresh brewed coffee and French Toasting from the kitchen. I immediately get out of bed and head


    towards the kitchen.


    Eason is standing in the kitchen, pouring coffee into the mug. There¡¯s already two tes of ready French


    Toast on the counter with some fresh berries by the side and wiped cream on top.


    ¡°Oh my god.¡± I fake a shocking expression walking up towards him. ¡°Did you make this? Maybe I was


    wrong about you being a useless rich brat.¡± His eyes light up immediately when he sees me, and he


    drags me into his arms. A soft kissnds on my forehead. ¡°It¡¯s not toote to change your mind.¡± I giggle


    and tiptoe to kiss him back. He holds the back of my head with one hand, fingers threading into my hairs


    deepening the kiss, while he brings the other hand down past my waist and gently squeezes my ass. I


    immediately feel a familiar heat building between my thighs. He has the magic to turn me on so easily.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he whispers in a hoarse and desire-filled tone. ¡°What do you say we do something else before


    breakfast Suddenly, a voicees from the back of us and makes us jerk apart: ¡°Mr. Ramirez. Is there


    something else you need?¡±


    I snap my head around and find a middle-age, very kind-looking woman standing beside the door,


    smiling at us. My cheeks instantly burn with embarrassment. I thought there¡¯s only the two of us here! I¡¯m


    only wearing his shirt and my bottom is naked.


    Eason puts his fist besides his lips and clears his throat, ¡°No we are good. Thank you, Brenda.¡±


    ¡°OK, let me know if you need anything else,¡± the woman smiles. ¡°I¡¯veid out some towels by the pool in


    case you want to take a swim. And there¡¯s hand-squeezed lemonade and iced tea in the fridge. Oh and if


    you want to take a boat ride, I¡¯ll call the crew and let them know.¡±


    ¡°OK thanks.¡±


    ¡°You are wee, sir. And I hope you enjoy that French Toast before it gets cold.¡± She nods at us and


    then disappears behind the door.


    I turn around and catch a fleeting embarrassment pass through Eason¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°You said you made the French Toast!¡± I point a finger at him and yell. ¡°You evil liar!¡±


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    He grins, ¡°at least I made the coffee.¡±


    He pulls me closer and tries to kiss me again, but I move back quickly.


    ¡°Wait. Who¡¯s Brenda?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Our housekeeper,¡± he shrugs. Then he sees the worried look on my face and adds. ¡°Don¡¯t


    worry. She doesn¡¯t even know who you are.¡± I gulp. Yet I still can¡¯t help but feel anxious. ¡°What if Mr.


    Ramirezes down here one day and she mentions this to him-¡±


    ¡°Hey, listen to me,¡± He raises my chin and palms my cheeks. ¡°Thest time they came here was like 5 or


    6 years ago. And Brenda is very professional. She would never tell such things to my dad without my


    permission.¡±


    ¡°OK,¡± I murmur.


    He smiles and lowers his head to kiss me. His lips taste like butter and cream. I¡¯m soon tempted by him


    again and start to return his passion. Just when things heat up again, my phone suddenly rings. ¡°Wait¡­¡±


    I escape his hungry kiss and pant, reaching out to take my phone. ¡°Let me see who it is¡­it¡¯s Alex! ?


    ¡°Fuck him,¡± Eason curses in an irritated tone and grabs my arm. ¡°Turn it off.¡±


    ¡°I have to take this. He might be worried.¡± I manage to break free from him and press the answer


    button.¡±¡­Hello?¡±


    ¡°Thank god Natalia! You finally answered,¡± Alex¡¯s worried voice immediately rushes out from the speaker.


    ¡°After you said you were going to find Eason, you just disappeared into the storm. No texts, no calls. We


    were so close to call the police.¡±


    I do feel guilty about leaving the house like that without a single word. But yesterday was such a


    rollercoaster. My mind was so upied by Eason that I never thought of calling them back and letting


    them know I¡¯m ok.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± I walk a few steps away from Eason¡¯s intense gaze and lower my voice. ¡°It took me a while


    to find him yesterday. And after that we were both exhausted and spent the night at his house. I¡¯m sorry


    for getting you worried. Truly.¡±


    He signs. ¡°Well, as long as you are ok¡­but I still have to say this: what Eason didst night was


    extremely irresponsible. What if he got you into any danger? Has he thought of the consequences? ¨C¡±


    Right at this moment, Eason¡¯s voice suddenly pops up right behind my back, ¡°Nat. The breakfast is


    getting cold.¡± His voice is intentionally loud. I bet he was doing that on purpose to let Alex hear him. I


    quickly cover the speaker and shot him a warning re. But he only lets out a cold sneer and looks


    away.


    Alex pauses, ¡°¡­he is with you?¡±


    ¡°Umm, yeah.¡± I try to dislodge the uneasiness that¡¯s stealing over me and say in a light tone.¡± You guys


    are going to the beach today, right? How about we meet you thereter?¡± ¡°Fine. See youter.¡± I hang up


    the phone and scowl at Eason. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± ¡°That guy is definitely up to something, ¡°Eason


    shrugs. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you had no idea.¡±


    He was right. I know Alex has feelings for me. But that still doesn¡¯t justify his behavior.


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°I was jealous, OK?¡±


    My lips part slightly. I¡¯m shocked by how straightforward he is. He takes this chance to move closer to me


    and gently pulls me into his arms again. ¡°You are my girlfriend now. Am I not entitled to get jealousy from


    time to time? Are you mad at me?¡± I was mad. But how can I stay mad at him when he looks at me with


    those beautiful green eyes and calls me his girlfriend?


    I am totally losing my mind over him.


    ***


    The weather is so good today that it feels like yesterday¡¯s storm was just a dream. When Eason and I


    arrive at the beach, the guys are already lying on the deck chair putting on sunscreen for each other.


    ¡°Hey Nat! Eason!¡± Katherine waves her arms and yells at us. ¡°Come here! Did you guys bring the iced


    beer we asked for?¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡± Iugh and show her the ice bucket in my hand.


    She cheers in excitement and takes over the ice bucket, as I find an empty chair and lie down, bathing


    under the warm sunlight.


    This feels so good. Sure we had plenty of beaches in Miami back in the days. But those are public


    beaches and it¡¯s always packed with people. Not mention the parking was also a pain in the ass.


    It feels so nice not to have to share the beach with others. I guess being privileged does have its own


    upsides.


    Katherine is on her phone, and she asks us, ¡°Hey my uncle said he can send some people down here


    and set up a barbecue grill on the beach. So do you guys want to y a round of beach volleyball before


    the feast to burn some calories?¡±. Beach volleyball was our to-go game back in Miami. So I jump on


    board immediately, ¡°Sure! Count me in.¡±


    The rest of the guys nod in agreement as well. ¡°Well then, two groups¡­same as yesterday?¡± James


    asks. ¡°No,¡± Eason says quickly. ¡°Nat will be on my team.¡± I frown as Alex stands up from his chair, raising


    his eyebrows at Eason and says, ¡°I think Nat is fully capable of making her own decision.¡± They look at


    each other. Both of their eyes are alight with malice.


    I sign internally. Not this again.


    ¡°Come on you guys. It¡¯s not a big deal,¡± I say. ¡°We¡¯ll just do the same grouping as yesterday.


    Easier this way.¡±


    Eason¡¯s chest rises as if he¡¯s trying to hold back the anger. But instead of saying anything, he simply


    gives me a cold look and turns around heading towards the volleyball court. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Alex pats me and


    Eddie¡¯s shoulder and smiles. ¡°Let¡¯s go beat the crap out of them.¡±

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 34


    Chapter 34: Crazy Game


    Eason¡¯s POV


    I know it¡¯s stupid for me to get angry over those trifles. But I just can¡¯t stand Alex, with him pestering Nat


    like a fucking annoying fly. I stare at them gloomily across the court before the game. Natalia is talking to


    him and then they both burst intoughter together. Her smile is so beaming and bright that I know she


    must have a special feeling for him as well. If I hadn¡¯t made the move first, she would have been with him


    already.


    I can¡¯t let that happen. The game began and I¡¯m all in for it. James told me that fucking Alex is pretty


    good at sports too but I¡¯m losing this one to him.


    At first, it was still a casual game yed in a rxing and friendly atmosphere. But my intention to win


    was probably too obvious that Alex sensed it quickly. He got serious immediately. And it soon turned into


    a brutal one-on-one contest between me and him.


    Fifteen minutester, after I managed to score another point, Katherine tosses the ball aside and


    copsed to the ground. Hot sweat is streaming down her face.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    ¡°No-I¡¯m done. I wanted to burn some calories, not to have myself worked up to death. I need to lie down,¡±


    she protests. ¡°You can just watch if you want to,¡± I tell her. I don¡¯t need her to win the game. ¡°Can I go as


    well?¡± James groans, both hands on his knees and panting heavily. ¡°You probably forgot. But sports


    aren¡¯t really my forte.¡± ¡°Hey,¡± Eddie shouts from the other side. ¡°Can we take a halftime break? I think I¡¯m


    dehydrating!¡±


    I look over to them and find Nat sitting on the ground, rubbing her feet. Did she twist her ankle?


    A surge of worry passes through my heart as I take an automatic step forward wanting toe over. But


    the next second, Alex appears besides her and hands her a bottle of water. She takes the water and


    smiles at him, letting him pick her up from the ground.


    ¡­Fuck.


    I turn around stiffly and head towards the deck chairs, with James shouting behind me, ¡°..so halftime?¡±


    ¡°Why not!¡± I snap. I grab a bottle of iced water from the bucket and poured it down my head. The image


    of them looking and smile at each other makes my eyes burn. I¡¯ve never felt this out of control in a long


    time.


    ¡°Hey man,¡± James walks up to me from behind and asks. ¡°What the fuck was that?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I ask absentmindedly, still thinking about Alex and Nat. ¡°The game! You! We yed for fun. It¡¯s


    not like we were trying to win the fucking Olympics.¡± ¡°It didn¡¯t seem like you tried,¡± I said sarcastically.


    ¡°OK, is it because of Alex and Natalia?¡± James frowns. ¡°Are you jealous of Alex? Tell me it isn¡¯t because


    if it is¡­then you are just crazy.¡± I squeeze the bottle in my hand and stay silent. My gut reaction was to


    say no. But after a long pause, I sign and rake my fingers through my hairs, ¡°yeah¡­probably a little.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± James cries out and quickly lowers his voice under my deathly re. ¡°Are you fucking out of


    your mind? This was supposed to be a game! You were supposed to dump her in front of everyone¡¯s


    eyes in less than two months! Remember? Don¡¯t tell me you are actually in love with her.¡±


    ¡°Stop talking shit,¡± I roll my eyes. ¡°I know what I¡¯m supposed to do. And I¡¯m not jealous of Alex. I just


    need him to stay away from Nat. Like you said, there¡¯s still two months. A lot of things can happen in two


    months. I can¡¯t have Nat change her mind during this period of time.¡±


    ¡°I thought you nailed her,¡± James shrugs. ¡°And no normal girl would choose him over you.¡± ¡°Yeah


    bullshit,¡± I remind him. ¡°He is her type, remember? Don¡¯t forget about her ex boyfriend.¡±


    If Natalia is one of those girls who have a bad-boyplex and fall easily for luxury gifts and frequent


    visits to fancy restaurants, then my n would go much smoother.


    But no. Her type is President of the student union and Mr. Goodie.


    Suddenly, something urs to me, and I snap my head around to stare at James, ¡°you didn¡¯t tell Alex


    about our n, did you?¡± ¡°What?! No!¡± James jumps up. ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°But what?¡± I snap. ¡°But like you said, he¡¯s a smart dude. I can¡¯t promise he won¡¯t figure it out himself.¡± I


    grit my teeth as anxiety starts to build up in my heart. Now that I think of it, when everyone else around


    us only think of me as Natalia¡¯s brother, only Alex doesn¡¯t. He¡¯s been holding a weird hostility towards me


    as if he knows what I¡¯m up to. ¡°Fuck,¡± I curse. ¡°Why did you bring him to that damn party in the first


    ce!¡± ¡°Hey you can¡¯t me me for it. That was your damn party,¡± James spreads his hands. ¡°And if you


    are worried about him that much, there¡¯s something else you should know¡­I heard that he¡¯s setting up


    an interview for Natalia in the uing week.¡±


    I almost throw my bottle of water onto the ground. I raise my eyes trying to find Natalia but only then do I


    realize that both of them are gone.


    ***


    Natalia¡¯s POV


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I take the ice bag he handed me and ce it on my ankle. I hiss at the pain. It really hurts.


    ¡°You alright?¡± Alex sits beside me on the sofa, lowering his head to look at my ankle. ¡°It¡¯s a bit swollen.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± I smile. ¡°Probably just need a break from the crazy contest.¡± He signs and says


    apologetically, ¡°sorry¡­ I don¡¯t know what got into me earlier.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t apologize. It¡¯s not your fault I twisted


    my ankle,¡± I shrug. ¡°If anyone was crazy earlier, it should be Eason not you.¡± To be honest, I am a bit


    pissed at Eason. He was so caught up in the game that he didn¡¯t even notice that I was hurt. It was Alex


    who escorted me back to the house and found some icebags for me.


    ¡°Hey Nat?¡± Alex suddenly moves closer to me and asks.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    I look up and find his face all serious and solemn. He frowns and takes in a deep breath before saying, ¡°I


    need to talk to you about something. About Eason.¡±

 Chapter 35

    Chapter 35


    Chapter 35: A Wild Guess My whole body tenses up immediately at his words.


    About Eason? Why?


    Did he find out about us???


    Now that I think of it, we aren¡¯t very careful about hiding our tracks. There is evidence everywhere: like


    yesterday, like that one time in the restaurant with my mom¡­


    I gulp and force out a smile, trying to sweep it under the rug, ¡°but they are still waiting for us outside.


    Maybe some other time-¡±


    I want to escape the scene so bad.


    But before I can stand up, Alex puts his hand on my shoulder and forces me back. I¡¯ve never seen him


    like this before. ¡°You will want to hear this Nat,¡± he says sternly. I gulp as cold sweat starts to form on my


    forehead. Oh god, he is definitely on to us. What¡¯s he going to say? Is he going to judge me for sleeping


    with my stepbrother? Is he going to tell my parents, my friends or everyone at school? If I beg him, will


    he keep the secret? My mind is a mess when suddenly I hear Alex says


    ¡°I think Eason is plotting something against you.¡± I blink and stare at him nkly, as my mind processing


    his words.


    A moment of silenceter, I burst intoughter.


    ¡°What Eason?¡± I wave my handughing. ¡°No¡­you must be mistaken.¡±


    His brow furrows. Apparently, he¡¯s not so pleased about my reaction.


    ¡°Nat, hear me out, ok?¡± he puts both of his hands on my shoulders and turns me around to face him, his


    eyes shing brightly. ¡°Your brother-well, stepbrother-is not a very good person. I¡¯m not saying this to


    make him look bad¡­it¡¯s how I really feel. I¡¯ve always sensed something was wrong about him, but I


    couldn¡¯t quite put my fingers on what it was.¡± ¡°Tillst night, I found out about something.¡± His


    seriousness affects me, and my smile gradually faints away. All his words sound ridiculous to my ears,


    but I still can¡¯t help but ask, ¡°¡­you find out about what?¡±


    ¡°Remember yesterday you went out to find him? The storm was like hell, so we were all worried.


    Katherine suggested we should call the police and everyone else agreed¡­except for Jarnes. And he


    said something really weird.¡±


    ¡°¡­what did he say?¡±


    ¡°He said¡­¡± Alex pauses and then continues in a low voice. ¡°¡­ ¡®don¡¯t worry. Eason has it all under


    control.''¡±


    I slightly part my lips and look back at him nkly.


    ¡­Eason has it all under control?


    What¡¯s that supposed to mean?


    Alex looks at my puzzled face and says hastily, ¡°you think it¡¯s weird too right? Like he knows that Eason


    would be OK. Like they¡¯ve plotted for him to go swimming under this weather, and they¡¯ve plotted for you


    to find him!¡±


    ¡­no way.


    My back falls on the sofa¡¯s back as I keep staring at him with a stunned look on my face.


    His usation is¡­outrageous!


    But every time I think Alex must be crazy, a voice in my mind starts to ask me back-then why did James


    say that?


    After a long silence, I finally open my mouth.


    ¡°But¡­¡± I clear my throat and ask dryly. ¡°But why would he do that? Why would he plot anything against


    me? What¡¯s in it for him?¡±


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Alex shakes his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know. But¡­just a wild guess: maybe he¡¯s doing this for the inheritance?


    with you back in the picture now, maybe he¡¯s worried that you might stole his money in the future.¡±


    Is he suggesting that Eason wants to trick me into the storm and has me killed?


    I meant tough because it sounds so freaking ridiculous.


    But my lips only twitch slightly and form an ugly smile.


    ¡°No. That can¡¯t be it,¡± I stutter. ¡°Me and my mom have no interest and no rights to the Ramirez¡¯s money.


    He knows that.¡±


    But does he? I ask myself. I also used to think that he was treating me so horribly because he¡¯s afraid


    that I might steal his money. Yet that also makes no sense. If he only thinks of me as a gold-digger, why


    did he sleep with me? Why did he say that he loves me and asks me to be his girlfriend? I sit there with a


    million thoughts whizzing through my mind. ¡°Hey,¡± Alex lowers his voice. ¡°My point is, be careful with him.


    These rich people would do any ugly shit for money. You have no idea.¡±


    I inhale deeply and nod.


    He doesn¡¯t know the real rtionship between me and Eason. So he has no idea that things are even


    moreplicated than it seems.


    Alex studies my face and frowns, ¡°You ok? I¡¯ll keep an eye for you just in case¨C¡±


    A voicer suddenly appears behind our back right at this moment, ¡°Keep an eye for what?¡±


    Alex and I both jerk around and find the entrance door is wide open. Eason is standing beside the door,


    narrowing his eyes at us.


    When did he get in?! A chill runs down my spine and the hairs on my arms literally stand up. After what


    Alex just told me, I am horrified to see him sneaking up on us like that. Alex takes in a deep breath and


    averts his eyes, ¡°nothing. We were just talking about how dangerousst night was.¡±


    Eason curves his lips and steps in, ¡°No need to worry. We are both safe and sound.¡±


    I remain silent. Alex shrugs and stands up, ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll head out first. Nat, don¡¯t forget what we just said.¡±


    He walks pass Eason and leaves through the door. Eason stares at his back till he disappears, and then


    turns back at me.


    A smile appears on his lips as he walks over towards me and sits on the sofa. He touches my ankle,


    ¡°does it hurt babe?¡±


    ¡°Not really.¡± My mind is still on what Alex said.


    ¡°So¡­¡± he gently rubs my ankle and asks casually. ¡°What were you guys talking about?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I reply quickly. Eason raises his brows, apparently not buying my words. But I¡¯m not in the


    mood to talk about it either. I need some time alone to think


    ¡°Let¡¯s head out,¡± I struggle to stand up, trying to keep a straight face. ¡°I¡¯ve smelled the barbecue already.¡±


    He signed. But fortunately, he doesn¡¯t keep pressing me. He lowers his body and gestures me to climb


    up his back, ¡°Come. I¡¯ll carry you out. Can¡¯t let you twist your ankle again.¡±


    The rest of the weekend flies by and everyone had a great time. We enjoyed a seafood feast on the


    beach, watched sunrise the next morning and sail out into the sea taking Eason¡¯s boat. The guys even


    caught a giant fish.


    But my mind was on something else the entire time.


    I kept thinking about Alex¡¯s words and wonder if his usation stands on any solid ground. It¡¯s crazy to


    use someone-my boyfriend to be precise-of something so horrible based on one single sentence. But


    I just can¡¯t shake off the suspicion. Guess parts of me never trusted Eason. On Sunday afternoon, we all


    pack up our luggage and ready to leave. Katherine¡¯s car and Eason¡¯s M8 are parked outside.


    I carry my bag walking towards Katherine¡¯s car. But right after I open the passenger door, a


    handing from my back pushes the door closed again. I snap my head around and find it¡¯s Eason. He


    takes my bag forcefully and announces to everyone else, ¡°you guys can go. Nat will ride with me.¡±


    I widen my eyes. My first reaction was to say no since I¡¯m not ready to face him yet.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t


    Before I can even finish my sentence, he grabs my wrist and drags me to his car. He basically shoves


    me into the passenger seat and ms the door shut. It all happens too fast. The next minute he has


    already gotten in the car and started the engine.


    Before the car drives away, I catch a glimpse of Alex¡¯s worried face.


    The sports car exits the parking lot and roars down the road. I grab my seatbelt and asks in a strained


    voice, ¡°can you please slow down?¡±


    ¡°OK,¡± he keeps his eyes straight ahead and says. ¡°But first you have to let me know what¡¯s wrong with


    you for the past two days.¡± ¡°Nothing¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t fucking y dumb with me Nat!¡± he suddenly snaps and


    startles me. ¡°You¡¯ve been acting so fucking weird after you talked to Alex! What the hell did he say to


    you?!¡± He caught me off guard. I didn¡¯t know he¡¯d confront me like this. Suddenly my mind goes nk


    and my tongue twists.


    And he is still speeding up as I struggle with my words. The wind wooshes by. The view outside the


    window bes blur because of the speed. My heart jumps to my throat before I finally cave in and


    screams, ¡°Slow down! Fine! I¡¯ll tell you!¡±


    He snorts and hits the break. The car finallyes back to normal speed. I pant roughly trying to catch


    my breath while my heart is still beating wildly. Fear grips my throat making it difficult to breath.


    And suddenly I find my eyes be glossy. Damn. I didn¡¯t know I¡¯m such a cry baby before I met him.


    He takes a casual look at me and suddenly freezes. From my watery vision, I see his eyes widen slightly


    as a shocking expression takes over his face. ¡°Nat why are you-fuck. Don¡¯t cry babe. I¡ªI¡¯m sorry.¡±


    He turns the wheel and pulls over the car. Then he quickly unbuckles his seatbelt and leans over, holding


    me in his arms. My tears break out. He pats me and shushes me beside my ears, like I¡¯m a three-years-


    old. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on?¡± he asks softly, pressing his lips on my forehead. ¡°Was it because of the


    speed? I¡¯m sorry. I promise I won¡¯t do it again. I don¡¯t want to make you cry¡­Fuck¡­I just want to know


    what you are thinking¡­¡±


    I sob and keep quiet. My mind is clouded. Should I tell him the truth? Or not?

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36


    Chapter 36: Mad Love An awkward silence fills the car. He waits patiently for my answer, threading his


    fingers through my hairs. I know there¡¯s no way I can escape his questioning. So after a long pause, I


    finally open my mouth.


    ¡°I-I just think it¡¯s a weird timing, with you and James suddenly appear at the beach house¡­¡± I say in a


    low voice. ¡°¡­and I thought you were giving up on me after-you know, that night. So what made you


    change your mind?¡± So that¡¯s my final decision-not telling him the truth. I know a rtionship counselor


    would probably tell me that it¡¯s important to share things with my boyfriend and to keep it open and


    honest in a rtionship. But I¡¯ve decided against it. Eason is the most maniptive person I¡¯ve ever


    known. I have to keep my guards up around him-even though I don¡¯t want to.


    I really hope that I can just throw myself into his arms and pour my heart out. But there¡¯s something


    about him-something that I can¡¯t quite put my finger on-that stops me from fullymitting to this


    rtionship. Plus, I want to protect Alex. I don¡¯t want to drag him into more troubles. Eason frowns. His


    deep green eyes trail across my face, as if he¡¯s trying to find out my true feelings. A momentter, he


    says in a strained voice, ¡°so that¡¯s what¡¯s been bothering you? You thought that I¡¯m up to something?¡±


    ¡°Eason¡­¡± I sign.


    ¡°Who fed these stupid ideas into your head?¡± he asks sharply and then snorts. ¡°No need to answer. I


    already knew. Fucking Alex.¡± I¡¯m irritated by his attitude. ¡°Am I so stupid that I can¡¯t figure out all these


    things by myself? Just admit it, Eason! You are weird and twisted. One minute you are acting all cold and


    heartless, totally fine with me walking away; and another minute you be gentle and sweet, kissing


    me in the rain and telling me that you love me! Which one is the real you!¡± He curses and hits the wheel


    with his fist. He res at me with fury burning in his eyes like mes and snaps:


    ¡°You use me of being twisted? Well then, how about you? One minute you were lying under me and


    letting me fuck your brain out and the next morning you just said you wanted to leave. Have you ever


    considered my feeling? You really thought I was ok with that?¡± I inhale shakily and don¡¯t know what to


    say. Yet he isn¡¯t done with venting his anger yet as he raises his voice and keeps going, ¡°No girl has ever


    done that to me. So I let you walk away that day. But do you think I was going to let you leave


    permanently? NO FUCKING WAY! I¡¯m not losing you. And definitely not losing you to that fucking Alex!¡±


    My body cowers under his rage. His chest rises and falls quickly and his nostrils re. He really is pissed.


    For a few minutes, none of us spoke. We can only hear his ragged and heavy breathing.


    ¡°Eason,¡± I bite my lower lip and sign. ¡°This is too much¡­do you really think this is a good idea to¡ª?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking ask me that,¡± he interrupts me harshly. ¡°We are perfectly with each other. If a certain


    someone could just stop meddling with our business.¡± I¡¯m amused by his childish speech. Before I even


    realize, I¡¯m already smiling.


    He looks at me and the angry look on his face is finally reced by gentleness. He takes my hand in his


    palm and pouts, ¡°¡­so, are we good?¡± I look back at him, deep into his eyes. I find nothing but


    passionate love and genuine feelings there.


    After pondering for a few more seconds, I ask carefully, ¡°answer me this and I¡¯ll trust you¡­ have you


    ever plotted anything against me?¡± His face darkens. ¡°So you still don¡¯t believe me.¡±


    ¡°Eason, just answer my question. Please.¡± ¡°No,¡± he says without hesitation. ¡°My feelings are real. Every


    bit of it. Believe it or not.¡± I bite my lower lip. Call me crazy and stupid but I really think he loves me.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    And it¡¯s true that I¡¯m using him of something based on no solid ground. What Alex told me doesn¡¯t


    mean anything.


    That sentence, Eason has it all under control, it probably just means that James trusts Eason¡¯s


    swimming skill. Or maybe James is just such a lousy friend that he doesn¡¯t really care about Eason¡¯s


    safety.


    And even though Eason was a fuckboy once, he has never trashed my heart. And I know for certain that


    he¡¯d never hurt me for money. He¡¯s not that kind of person.


    Finally, after a long silence, I raise my head and look at him.


    ¡°I believe you.¡±


    I have some trusting issues, but I need to work on that myself. His face lights up immediately at my


    words. Then he holds the back of neck and pull me in for a kiss.


    ¡°Thank god,¡± he murmurs. My heart swells. I raise my head to return his kiss and say quietly, ¡°don¡¯t


    disappoint me¡­ please.¡±


    I don¡¯t want to get my heart torn up again.


    ¡°Stop thinking about nonsense,¡± he grins and sits back into the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°I think our rtionship will


    go much smoother if you can just stay away from Alex.¡± I roll my eyes and talk back to him, ¡°how about


    you stay away from Valerie first?¡±


    He snorts and shrugs, doesn¡¯t say anything else and starts the engine again.


    I¡¯m a little disappointed at his reaction. I thought he would do something like exining his rtionship


    with Valerie or promising that he will cut it off with her.


    But no. He said nothing.


    I hesitate for a second and decide to keep my mouth shut for the time being.


    We just had a huge fight. No need to make things worse now. As long as his feelings are real, I have


    plenty of time to figure out his past.


    The rest of the drive is calm and peaceful. He turns on the music and rolls down the window, letting the


    summer breeze fill the car.


    We talk randomly about things. He says he wants to take me to Switzend this winter and teach me


    how to ski. And then we¡¯ll fly to Paris to check out some spring collections and do some shopping. There


    are a few art gallies that he thinks I will definitely fall in love with.


    The way he talks about these things is so natural, like he has been thinking about them for a million


    times. I can¡¯t stop smiling and nodding along.


    For the first time, I can see a clear future ahead of us.


    A few hourster, his car parks in front of the townhouse. I sit still in the passenger¡¯s seat and don¡¯t want


    to get off the car so soon. If possible, I want to stay with him all day.


    He takes my hand and kisses it, ¡°I hope you don¡¯t have to go.¡± ¡°Me too,¡± I sign. But if I spend another


    night with him, mom will definitely get suspicious.


    ¡°Are you free tomorrow after ss?¡± he asks. ¡°I want to take you to dinner. It¡¯s our first official date.¡±


    My heart leaps. I wanted to say yes but suddenly something else urs to me. ¡°I¡¯d love to but


    I can¡¯t¡­ I have an interview tomorrow.¡± He raises his brow, ¡°an interview for what?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for a part-time job. I need to start saving up for college,¡± I study his face. ¡°You are not


    stopping me, are you? I know Mr. Ramirez is probably willing to pay for my college tuition, but I don¡¯t


    want to keep spending his money.¡± I¡¯m also not telling him that Alex set me up for this interview. It¡¯ll get


    him all crazy again.


    Fortunately, he seems pretty calm. ¡°Why would I stop you? You are an independent and strong woman.


    I¡¯m proud of you. But I¡¯m still taking you out for dinner. I¡¯ll pick you up after the interview.¡±


    I smile and agree. After kissing him goodbye, I exit the car and head towards the door.


    I was so excited about tomorrow, about our first date, that I didn¡¯t notice that his face darkened


    immediately after I left. 1


    If I knew, if I was more cautious, I¡¯d probably be able to avoid many misfortunesing at my way.


    But no one can predict the future. And I was so madly and stupidly in love with him.

 Chapter 37

    Chapter 37


    Chapter 37: Unexpected Someone The next day after school, I go to a local coffee house for interview as


    nned.


    This job is nothing fancy, but it pays really well. Too well actually. If my job is to brew some coffee, serve


    some pastries and mob the floor, then I think I¡¯m definitely overvalued given my wage.


    The coffee shop is in the university district, right next to a school library. So I¡¯m not surprised to find that


    the room is packed with college students reading, writing and discussing assignments when I step in.


    There¡¯s a cute girl with pink hairs and lip rings standing behind the counter. She wees me with a


    hearty smile, ¡°Hey! What can I get ya?¡± ¡°Hi,¡± I can¡¯t help but smile back. ¡°I¡¯m here for interview. My name


    is Natalia Moore?¡± ¡°Oh yeah! I¡¯ve been expecting you. Follow me please.¡±


    She leaves the counter and leads me to the back and into an office. When we get in, she casually points


    me to a seat and sits down behind the desk herself, ¡°can I offer you anything to drink? Water? Tea?


    Coffee?¡± 1


    It looks like that she¡¯s the one doing the interview. Although she seems very friendly, I am still a little


    nervous, ¡°I¡¯m good. Thank you for asking though.¡±


    ¡°Rx,¡± she senses my nervousness and grins at me. ¡°You can call me L. Actually, I don¡¯t have any


    questions for you. Alex had already given me all the information I need, and it seems that you are more


    than qualified. You can start anytime you want.¡±


    I can¡¯t believe how easily everything goes, ¡°Sorry¡­but Alex told you about me?¡± ¡°Yeah. Don¡¯t you


    know?¡± she seems surprised as well. ¡°Alex¡¯s aunt owns this ce. So when he told us that his friend


    needed a job, we are definitely willing to help. And, of course, we are understaffed so we can really use


    some helps. Actually you don¡¯t even need toe in for this interview. You can just text me your starting


    time.¡±


    I had no idea about this.


    I thought Alex just walked pass by here, saw that they were hiring and simply passed on the information.


    Or maybe he worked here himself once and referred me as an old employee.


    But he didn¡¯t tell me that he had already gotten me the job before I even showed up.


    A wave of mixed emotions washes over me as I sit there processing the information. On the one hand,


    I¡¯m really grateful for everything he has done for me; yet on the other hand, I feel that I will never be able


    to repay him¡­especially since I know that he has feelings for me.


    ¡°Hey, are you OK?¡± L¡¯s voice snaps me back to reality. ¡°Do you have any questions for me?¡± ¡°Umm,


    no. I¡¯m all good,¡± I take in a deep breath. ¡°I can start tomorrow if that works for you.¡±


    ¡°Perfect!¡± she smiles. ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡±


    I nod and pick up my bag. She opens the door for me and says, ¡°I won¡¯t walk you out since I¡¯m still


    waiting for my next interviewer¡­Oh here you are! Right on time.¡±


    I turn around involuntarily to look at the person she is talking to. And the next second, I¡¯m face-to-face


    with thest person I¡¯m expected to see.


    It¡¯s Zack


    My asshole ex-boyfriend who cheated on me and dumped me and med me for everything. What the


    hell is he doing here??? I bet my face is as shocked as it can be. And his face is the same, like a thunder


    has struck him from above. We just stand there stiffly, staring at each other with wide eyes. The air is


    filled with awkwardness.


    L looks back and forth between us and frowns, do you guys know each other?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I finallye back to my senses. ¡°Bye L, see you tomorrow.¡±


    I drop down my eyes and escape the scene, as quickly as possible. But Zack suddenly takes a step


    aside and blocks my way, ¡°Nat¡­¡±


    ¡°Out of my way!¡± I snap. The moment Inded my eyes on him, those horrible things from the past came


    back at me immediately. Those harsh words he said and those shitty things he has done. Everything still


    hurts me like yesterday. I thought I¡¯ve moved on. But no. I still hate his guts. He better behaves and gets


    the hell out of my way before I lose it.


    Fortunately, after a short silence, he turns and makes way for me quietly. I instantly walk pass him and


    rush out.


    I walk hastily pass the room, out of the door and onto the street. After taking a long deep breath of the


    fresh air, I am finally able to calm down a bit.


    I can¡¯t believe I just run into him here like that.


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    I stand there by the street grabbing the strap of my bag as worry fills my heart. If I¡¯m going to see Zack


    every day I work here, I better quit this job now. But what¡¯s he doing here anyway? ording to L, it


    seems that he was alsoing in for interview. But why? I thought he was also born with a silver spoon


    and therefore never has to worry about the money. Maybe he¡¯s only working here for fun? Ahh this is


    fucked-up. Just when I thought I had found the perfect job, that jerk just had toe out and ruin


    everything for me.


    I sign in frustration and take out my phone, texting Eason and letting him know that my interview has


    went short.


    While I was waiting for Eason beside the street, I heard someone calling me from behind. Turn around,


    and I find it¡¯s Zack again.


    ¡°Stop right there,¡± I point my finger at him and warm him. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare taking another step further!¡±


    ¡°OK, OK. Calm down,¡± he spreads his hands and stops a few steps away from me. ¡°It¡¯s all cool.


    I just wanted to say hello.¡±


    ¡°I think we¡¯ve moved pass beyond that. We are now in hate-each-other-to-guts kind of area,¡± I say


    without hiding my disgust. ¡°Can¡¯t you just walk away and pretend that you never saw me?¡± :


    But he stands there still and keeps staring at me in a really creepy way, ¡°Nat I never hated you¡­ 1-I miss


    you. Everything has been wrong and different after you left.¡± My stomach swirls and I want to throw up.


    His words, his face, and everything about him make me sick.


    ¡°Just go. Now.¡± I wave my hand like chasing away a fly. ¡°Please? Like¡­ I don¡¯t get it. You slept with


    someone else, and you dumped me, and I¡¯ve moved on from that already. Why do you even bother


    talking to me now?¡±


    He opens his mouth trying to say something but swallows it back again. He frowns and twists his finger,


    as if he¡¯s going through some serious inner struggles. He seems gaunter and greyer than thest time I


    saw him. There are dark circles under his eyes.


    But I¡¯ve already lost my patience. If he¡¯s not leaving, then I am.


    I turn around and start walking away. Yet he rushes forward and grabs me elbow from behind, ¡°Nat wait!¡±


    ¡°Let go of me!¡± I bark.


    ¡°No-OK, one sentence, OK? Just one sentence and then I¡¯ll leave. Please, please hear me out!¡± he says


    urgently under his breath tightening his grip on my arm. ¡°Your stepfather is Shawn Ramirez, right?


    Please you have got to help me out. My family is going bankrupt because of him! If you can just talk to


    him and¡ª¡±.


    I can¡¯t believe what I just heard.


    That cheating pig has the audacity toe back to me and ask me for favor?! My whole-body is


    shaking. My head is going to explode. I¡¯m so angry that I can¡¯t even say a full sentence.


    ¡°H-how¡­what are you FUCKING thinking?! Do you really think-do you seriously believe that I¡¯m this


    stupid?! No¡­ No! Fuck! Get away from me!!!¡±


    I start to struggle violently with all my strength. I even try to beat him with my bag. But he just won¡¯t let


    go. His hairs are messy, his eyes bloodshot, and his face is twisted.


    And he¡¯s still pleading, ¡°Natalia please! This is serious. This is about the future and fate of my family! And


    me! I know we didn¡¯t end well but at least we had some happy times together, right? Can¡¯t you just do


    this for the sake of our past? Please I¡¯m not asking for much. Just one call! Just one word with Mr.


    Ramirez will be enough!¡±


    He scares me and I start screaming for help, so loudly that passers-by actually turn to stare. And young


    man steps out and shouts at us, ¡°Hey stop! Miss, is he bothering you?¡±


    Before I can reply, Zack snaps his head around and shouts back, ¡°Stay out of OUR FUCKING


    BUSSINESS!!¡±


    He is crazy. Zack is crazy. He is literally losing his mind!


    I want to run but my feet are numb because of fear.


    Right at this moment, I hear a screeching sound. A ck Maserati roars down the street and makes a


    sharp stop so close to us that it almost knocks Zack down.


    Zack jerks around and is just about to go nuts again. But his body freezes when he sees the driver¡¯s door


    flies open and Eason¡¯s furious face appears from it.

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 38


    Chapter 38: Bloody Fight Within the blink of an eye, Eason hase near us. He grabs Zack¡¯s cor


    and hits him right


    into the face. Zack yells out in pain covering his nose and staggers back. Blood oozes out between his


    fingers. Eason doesn¡¯t give him time to react as he raises his leg and kicks him down to the ground


    again. I stumble and fall, struggling to breath. I think I¡¯m having a panic attack. Some passers-by gather


    up and try to help me up, but my legs feel so weak that I can barely stand. ¡°Oh my god!¡± someone


    suddenly gasps. ¡°I think he¡¯s killing him¡­should we call the police?¡±


    I¡¯m whipped back to reality. Through my blurry vision I see Eason nails Zack¡¯s body down to the ground


    as he keeps pummeling him. Blood covers both his hand and Zack¡¯s face. The sound of his fist hitting


    against the flesh makes the hairs on my arm to stand up.


    Zack is begging for mercy, whining and crying. He is a huge guy and he can easily take me with one


    hand. But he doesn¡¯t stand a chance against Eason¡¯s brutal beating. I have no doubts that Eason wants


    to kill him right here and right now. ¡°No¡­no! Eason! Stop!!¡± I pull myself up from the ground and run to


    them with my shaky legs. ¡°You are killing him! Please stop!¡±


    I wrap my arms around Eason and try to drag him away. But his muscles are hard as rock and I can¡¯t


    move him even one inch. Now looking at him within such a close distance, I¡¯m even a little scared by his


    rage-filled face. ¡°I¡¯m killing this fucking son of a bitch!¡± Eason shouts as his face twists in fury. And he


    squeezes both his hands around Zack¡¯s neck. Zack¡¯s begging grows lower and he¡¯s barely conscious.


    I¡¯ve never seen Eason like this before. Hees from a very prestige family and people like him never


    get their hands dirty or get involved in bloody street fights like this.


    But now he is doing this for me. Getting his knees down in the dirt and beating the shit out of Zack with


    his own fists. He must have thrown away all his educations and manners in anger.


    Yet I have to stop him. I couldn¡¯t care less about Zack¡¯s life. But I can¡¯t have Easonmit such a huge


    mistake because of me. ¡°Stop, please! I-I¡¯m so scared,¡± I clench on to his clothes and beg. ¡°I¡¯m


    shaking¡­please¡­I need you.¡±


    That works magically well. Eason¡¯s body freezes and he turns to me immediately. His fingers loosen


    dropping Zack onto the ground. I lean in and wrap my arms around his chest. He holds me back, really


    tight, and lowers his head to nt kisses on my forehead.


    ¡°Shh, it¡¯s OK.¡± I hear his soft voice whispering beside my ears. ¡°I¡¯m here. Nobody can hurt you anymore.¡±


    Hisforting voice is thest straw breaking my nerves. I finally burst into tears within his arms, venting


    out all my fears and anxieties.


    ***


    The chaos ended with people calling the police. Ambnce arrives the scene shortly after to


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    take the unconscious Zack away. I vaguely hear a few words like ¡°concussion¡± and ¡°broken


    ribs.¡±


    My mind is clouded the entire time. Those buzzing noise, the crowd, the police, everything feels surreal.


    The only thing real is Eason¡¯s warm and firm hand and he¡¯s holding my hand the entire time.


    I was so scared that the police may take Eason away and throw him in jail. But that never happens.


    Eason made a call and a man in sharp suit arrived thirty-minutester. After a short negotiation with the


    police, he tells us that we are free to go. For now. ¡°Thank you, David,¡± Eason shakes hands with him.


    ¡°Natalia, this is David Brown, our familywyer. And please meet Natalia Moore, my sister.¡±


    ¡°My pleasure, Miss Moore. Sorry that we have to meet like this,¡± the man smiles at me. He seems very


    sophisticated. I¡¯m a bit relieved that a professional like him is taking care of the issue.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home and talk then,¡± David looks at his phone. ¡°Mr. Ramirez is expecting us.¡±


    I gulp. Of course, with something huge like this, of course Mr. Ramirez will be involved. I feel guilty and


    partially responsible for everything. On the drive home, I can¡¯t help but ask ourwyer, ¡°Umm¡­Mr.


    Brown?¡± ¡°It¡¯s David please.¡±


    ¡°Yes, David. I know it¡¯s probably too soon to say anything, but do you think Eason will get into any


    troubles because of this?¡± ¡°Well then, that depends on how badly that boy was injured and whether he


    wants to press charges against us. So we don¡¯t know anything for sure right now,¡± he says. My heart


    sinks. Ah-oh, that sounds bad.


    SS


    ¡°Ohe on, Eason whines besides me. ¡°Don¡¯t get her all worried again.¡±


    Davidughs and casually shrugs, ¡°But that¡¯s why you have people like me to take care of things. So you


    can rest assure that Eason will be alright.¡±


    Our car arrives at the townhouse shortly after. Mom is already expecting us outside. She rushes


    downstairs at first sight of us and drags me into her arms. ¡°Oh my god Natalia,¡± she sobs. ¡°How can


    things like this happen? Are you alright? Are you hurt?¡± ¡°No I¡¯m fine mom,¡± I pat her back. ¡°Eason is


    more injured than I am. His knuckles are ripped.¡± ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll have someone bring over the first-aid kit,¡± she


    signs and turns over to David. ¡°And Shawn is upstairs in his study. He said he wants to talk to you first.¡±


    David nods and heads upstairs. Mom disappears into the kitchen making us some hot tea. So that


    leaves me and Eason alone in the living room.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he moves closer to me and holds my hand again. ¡°Are you OK?¡±


    I bite my lip and nods.


    I really want to throw myself into his arms and kiss him and let him calm me down in his own special way.


    My whole body is craving him.


    But we can¡¯t. We are at home. We have to control the way we look at each other to not let our secret get


    exposed.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry that our first date ends up like this,¡± he whispers to me. His beautiful green eyes trail my face,


    and it gleams with love and gentleness. Right. Our first date!


    111


    Hill


    I almost forgot. If I didn¡¯t run into Zack, we are probably having the greatest time together right now. That


    makes me hate that bastard even more. I sign and ask him curiously, ¡°what did you originally n?¡± He


    stays quiet for a while and then says in a low voice, ¡°I was going to take you to the Secret Garden.¡±


    Secret Garden? I blink, ¡°what¡¯s that? Like a restaurant?¡± His body freezes. When he looks at me again,


    all those love and affections are gone. His face darkens with anger. ¡°You don¡¯t remember?¡± he asks in a


    strained voice. I¡¯m startled by his reaction. Should I remember this ce? I search my memories but


    no¡­I¡¯ve never heard of it in my entire life. ¡°I¡¯m sorry but no,¡±I¡¯m even more confused. ¡°Maybe a small


    hint?¡± He snorts and looks away, taking his hand away from me. There ites, the mood swing. I have


    no idea why he is pissed. Did I miss something that¡¯s really important to him? ¡°Eason,¡± I try to get him to


    talk to me again. ¡°Don¡¯t be like that. Maybe I forgot. What¡¯s this Secret¡±


    Yet I couldn¡¯t finish because David hase downstairs to get us. ¡°Eason and Natalia? Mr. Ramirez


    wants to see you both now.¡±

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 39


    Chapter 39: Scheming When we walk into the study, Mr. Ramirez is already expecting us. He seems


    calm but I still can¡¯t help but feel edgy.


    Mom walks in with us and closes the door behind her. She sits down next to me, her lips pressed firmly


    together, and she seems just as nervous as I am.


    ¡°Eason,¡± Mr. Ramirez turns his eyes toward his son, his voice deep and stern. ¡°I just received a phone


    call from the hospital. They said that the boy is suffering a server head concussion, internal bleeding,


    and his rib is broken. Do you have anything to say about this?¡±


    I inhale quietly. This is even worse than I thought.


    Yet Eason doesn¡¯t seem to care at all. He lets out a cold sneer and crosses his legs, ¡°serves that bastard


    just right.¡±


    BANG!


    Mr. Ramirez hits the table surface really hard with his hand. I almost cry out in fear but quickly stifle my


    voice. I cower in my chair, keeping my eyes down.


    I know Mr. Ramirez is an intimidating person. Yet I¡¯ve never seen him lost his temper like this before.


    Now I understand why he is both feared and respected by many people.


    ¡°Eason, do you think this is some kind of joke?¡± Mr. Ramirez stands up looking straight at his son. His


    face holds a frightening trace of anger that makes me hold my breath involuntarily.¡± Is this how you solve


    all kinds of problems? To beat someone to near death right on the street in front of everyone¡¯s eyes? Is


    this how a Ramirez react facing crisis?¡±


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Eason replies coldly. ¡°Because beating the shit out of him isn¡¯t enough. I want to see him


    destroyed, academically, socially, and permanently.¡±


    My heart has jumped to my throat. Before I can stop myself, I¡¯ve blurted out, ¡°No! Eason stop,


    This isn¡¯t your fault.¡±


    ¡°Natalia!¡± mom immediately interrupts shooting me a warning re. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡±


    But I don¡¯t care. I gather all my courage and look at Mr. Ramirez before saying, ¡°Zack came at me.


    Because¨Cbecause he said his family is going bankrupt because of the Ramirez. And he wanted to talk to


    you, but I refused him¡­Eason didn¡¯t do anything wrong! He was just protecting me.¡±


    I can¡¯t be the coward here and let Eason take all the mes.


    Mom widens her eyes and gasps, ¡°what are you saying? His family is broke because of us?¡± then she


    snaps her head towards Mr. Ramirez and asks sharply. ¡°Are you aware of this, Shawn?¡±


    Mr. Ramirez frowns and remains quiet. Yet his silence speaks for everything. Mom¡¯s face tenses and her


    eyes zing with anger. She¡¯s always been super protective me and this time is no exception.


    ¡°What were you thinking? Don¡¯t tell me you didn¡¯t know Nat¡¯s rtionship with that boy! Do you know that


    all of your business decisions may and will affect my daughter? How can you make such a reckless


    move and put Nat in danger! She is not a Ramirez. So she doesn¡¯t need to


    carry the risk!¡±


    ¡°Mom¡­¡± I say uneasily.


    Mr. Ramirez narrows his eyes at us. I¡¯m so afraid that he will take it on mom. But after a short while, he


    simply sits back to his seat and turns his eyes to Eason, ¡°maybe we should hear this from you, son.¡±


    ¡­What?


    I¡¯m totally baffled by the situation. Eason sits in his chair quietly. His face carries the same calm


    expression the entire time and I can¡¯t figure out what he is thinking. After a long deathly silent, Eason


    finally looks up to mom and says, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mrs. Ramirez. It was me. I advised father to take down


    Zack¡¯s family in the first ce. I apologize for dragging Nat into danger.¡±


    My mind went nk.


    No¡­this is ridiculous. How can Eason be the one? We haven¡¯t even started college. Who gives him the


    right to make any business call?


    Yet even though everything seems hard to believe. Eason is nevertheless the one and only Ramirez¡¯s


    heir. He apparently possesses more power than I thought.


    ¡°He advised me. And after putting some thoughts into it, I think it¡¯s a real good move. Brilliant tactic,¡± Mr.


    Ramirez stares at Eason. ¡°I thought you gave that advice based on logic. Yet it seems that it¡¯s not the


    case at all. Care to tell us why now?¡± Eason exhales and shrugs, ¡°That piece of shit treats Nat like trash.


    I want to see him pay. End of story.¡±


    Mom seems speechless as well. She falls back into her chair, her eyes roaming towards me for help. Yet


    I¡¯m still in a trance myself.


    I mean¡­how long did he n this?? And why didn¡¯t he say anything before? I know he¡¯s only doing this


    for me and probably he just didn¡¯t want to brag about it, but it still scares me a little. His scheming, and


    the fact that he¡¯s able to destroy someone¡¯s life so easily¡­all these scare me.


    I sit in my chair, rigid with shock and fear, unable to say anything at the moment.


    ¡°But father,¡± Eason breaks the silence, his tone very calm as if he has anticipated everyone¡¯s reaction.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to admit that was a good move, business wise. And I¡¯m sure Nat can forgive my


    recklessness.¡± He turns to me, smiling, ¡°right Nat?¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes are on me, waiting for me to


    response. Yet what can I say? Nevertheless, he did everything for me. ¡°Of course,¡± I avoid his gaze and


    look down, saying in a low voice. ¡°You didn¡¯t see the dangering either¡­ I don¡¯t me you.¡± ¡°Fine,¡±


    mom says harshly, strengthening up from her seat. ¡°But Shawn, I still need to talk to you about this.¡±


    Mr. Ramirez signs and then turns to us, ¡°Nat can you take Eason out and help him with his ripped


    knuckle? Your mom, David and I will take care of the rest.¡±


    We both nod and exit the room. When the door is closed behind us, I immediately hear mom¡¯s rage-filled


    voiceing from inside. I bet she is still super pissed about how Eason involved me into their business


    rivals.


    It¡¯s already so close to their anniversary. Hope nothing happens before that.


    ¡°Hey.¡±


    Eason suddenly takes my hand and drags me down the hallway. He leads me into his room, closing the


    door behind him and pulling me into his arms. ¡°Now you can tell the truth,¡± he whispers besides my ear,


    his hot breath on my earlobe. ¡°Are you mad?¡± I take in a deep breath and try to keep my mind sharp,


    ¡°How long have you been plotting things against Zack?¡±


    ¡°Since the first time I met him,¡± his long fingers y with a lock of my hair, making it harder for me to


    concentrate on what he¡¯s saying, ¡°I couldn¡¯t stand the way he treated you. And apparently, throwing a


    ss of water onto his face wasn¡¯t enough. Sorry, I didn¡¯t think he has the nerve toe back to you


    again.¡±


    My heart swells. So doesn¡¯t it mean that, even when he gave me a hard time on everything, he was


    actually looking out for me behind my back?


    That¡¯s¡­kind of sweet.


    ¡°Wait,¡± I suddenly realize something and pushes him away slightly, squinting at him. ¡°So you already


    started to like me at that time right? Even though you were acting like an asshole on the outside, you did


    have feelings for me on the inside!¡± Eason raises his eyebrows, giving me a meaningful smile. ¡°Aren¡¯t


    you a little genius,¡± he says and lowers his head to nibble my neck. I giggle wrapping my arms around


    his neck and kiss him, ¡°So how about you take me out again tomorrow? To that Secret Garden that you


    mentioned? I only have one crazy ex so no one wille in the way again, I promise.¡± He chuckles, ¡°I


    like that idea. Though we are not going to the Secret Garden.¡± ¡°Why not? If you¡¯ve nned it out


    already-¡±


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Can we talk about thister?¡± he interrupts me and slips his hand into my shorts. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to


    fuck you in this room.¡±


    I gasp in shock, ¡°No! They are just down the hall ¨C¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t finish in some long hours,¡± he catches my lips murmuring under his breath.¡± And these walls


    are soundproofed.¡±


    I still want to say no. But when his handes down between my thighs, I totally forget what I was going


    to say.

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 40


    Chapter 40: Betrayal


    Eason is thrusting deep into me when someone knocks the door.


    ¡°Eason. Natalia? Are you in there?¡±


    It¡¯s mom.


    My mind is clouded by the pleasure he¡¯s giving me. And mom¡¯s voice is like a wakeup call that I most cry


    out. But Eason quickly mps his hand over my mouth, stifling all my voice. There¡¯s only a thin door


    between mom and us. The fear of getting caught is like a thrilling electricity coursing through my body. I


    grab his shoulders shaking with desire and anxiety, my nails digging into his flesh. His hot gaze never


    leaves my face as he slightly pulls out his dick from me and answers her raising his voice:


    ¡°We¡¯ll be right down.¡± His voice is perfectly natural. Yet I still can¡¯t help but tense my body and feel his


    dick slightly twitching inside of my pussy. ¡°OK,¡±mom doesn¡¯t suspect a thing and says on the other side


    of the door. ¡°Dinner is ready. Come down when you are ready.¡± ¡°Sure. Thank you.¡±


    I hold my breath listening to her footsteps gradually leaving. And the next second, he draws up my legs


    and thrusts deep. A shaky moan escapes my lips and this time he stops me.


    ¡°Babe you are killing me,¡± he murmurs besides my ear, his voice filled with burning desire.


    With long and powerful strokes, he drives into me again, stirring up all the sensation in my body.


    My body is humming with electricity. I cup his neck and pull him closer, calling his name under my breath,


    ¡°god¡­Eason¡­I-I think I¡¯m about to ¡±


    He leans down and takes my mouth in a hot and deep kiss, rocking his hips against me and hammering


    into me again and again.


    ¡°Wait for me,¡± he pants.


    I pant and coil tight, my inner walls clench his hot dick. He lets out a shaky groan and picks up the


    speed, thrusting harder, deeper, and faster. Grinding against me. I feel the familiar heat building from my


    stomach. I bite my lips and find his rhythm, riding out wave after wave of delicious sensation and feeling


    myself reaching the climax.


    And finally he jerks, losing all control he had as hees inside of the condom, just as my orgasm


    rushing through me the same time, my juice milking all over him. He copses on top of me, burying his


    face in the hollow of my neck and inhales, as if he craves the special scent that belongs to me.


    ***


    Momentster when we bothe downstairs, everyone is already seated beside the table.


    ¡°What took you so long?¡± mom asks. Her face is dark, and she is still in sulk.


    I mumble a vague answer and take my seat beside her. Her nose twitches and she instantly frowns, ¡°you


    both took a shower?¡±


    Damn my mom¡¯s sharp nose. My heart skips a beat. Of course we both had to take a shower, because I


    don¡¯t want to smell like sex. But it seems that the shower only makes things more suspicious. ¡°The AC


    broke,¡± Eason pulls out the chair across me and sits down. ¡°It¡¯s like a sauna up there.¡± He always seems


    so natural and calm when he lies. I don¡¯t know if I should appreciate this trait of him.


    David is having a quiet conversation with Mr. Ramirez, and then he turns to us, ¡°so I just called the


    hospital. It seems that the boy will be alright.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Eason answers dryly. ¡°Good for him.¡±


    Mr. Ramirez narrows his eyes at Eason, his disapproval very obvious. ¡°David will go to the hospitalter


    and finds out what they want. But I hope you have learnt your lesson from this already: weigh up the pros


    and cons before you rush in next time.¡±


    Eason snots. And I quickly answer before he says anything defiant again, ¡°yes Mr. Ramirez, we both


    have learnt our lesson.¡± ¡°But what about Nat?¡± mom questions sharply, her voice high and squeaky. ¡°The


    boy assaulted my daughter right on the street! Aren¡¯t we going to do something about that?¡± David gives


    her aforting smile, ¡°of course we are. I will make sure he owns up to everything he did to Natalia.


    But in the meantime, maybe it¡¯s a good idea to put up some extra securities for Natalia?¡±


    I blink. Extra securities?


    An image of me going to school with a group of bodyguards clustering around me rushes into my mind


    and I immediately decline, ¡°no I really don¡¯t need that.¡±


    Mom frowns, ¡°But Nat¡ª¡±


    ¡°Trust me on this,¡± I say quickly. ¡°I alwayse back home right after school. What can possibly


    happen?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Mr. Ramirez,¡± Eason chimes in. ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eyes on her. Make sure she is safe.¡±


    I look up at him, with gratitude shing in my eyes. Yet the next second, he speaks up again and it


    makes my heart sink, ¡°though I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea for Nat to do part-time job now.¡±


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    I part my lips in shock and my eyes widen. He just said what?


    Mom immediately straightens up from her chair in disbelief, raising her voice, ¡°what part time job? What


    are you talking about??¡±


    ¡°Natalia was just offered a job at a local coffee shop. Didn¡¯t she tell you?¡± Eason says in an


    expressionless voice. ¡°And Zack was alsoing in for an interview at that ce. So that¡¯s why they


    met.¡±


    Chracter 4. Betra, al


    Everyone¡¯s eyes are on me, waiting for my answer.


    ¡°Natalia, is this true?¡± Mr. Ramirez asks me in a deep voice.


    I open my mouth, but no wordse out of it. I look towards Eason unconsciously, but then I find him


    averting his eyes, intentionally avoiding eye contract with me. I immediately sense betrayal. And then it


    hits me. He was waiting for this moment all along

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 41


    .


    Chapter 41: Ex-wife It¡¯s like a bucket of ice water being poured down my head. My whole body goes


    cold. I finally realize this: Eason was waiting for this chance all along. He never supported me of getting


    this job. But he also perfectly well that if he asks me to turn it down, I¡¯d never agree. So he waits for


    everyone to be present and then spill it out. That way mom and Mr. Ramirez can be the bad guy for him.


    That maniptive, cold blooded bastard!


    I¡¯m so damn mad. I feel like I¡¯ve been yed.


    ¡°Nat?¡± mom urges me, waiting anxiously for my answer. I take in a deep breath, ¡°yeah that¡¯s true.¡± The


    scar has been ripped open already. No need to cover it further.


    ¡°What? Why!¡± mom tightens her grip on the napkin till her knuckles go white. ¡°What made you believe


    that you need to get a part-time job? Do you need money?¡±


    Yes I need money! I want to scream at her. I need the money to go to college and start my own damn


    life, so that I don¡¯t need to be some trophy wives who live on allowance like she does!


    But those thoughts are just too harsh. And our familywyer is here, and I can¡¯t embarrass mom in front


    of him. So after a long pause, I simply spit out a few words, ¡°Yeah I need money. And I want to make


    them myself.¡± Mom sucks in a sharp inhale as if she has heard something absurd. ¡°Natalia,¡± Mr. Ramirez


    joins our awkward conversation. ¡°If you want a job, you are wee to do a paid internship at my


    company. It¡¯ll also help your resume.¡± ¡°Thank you sir, but I¡¯m fine with my current job,¡± I say dryly, trying


    to sound as respectful as possible.


    Eason, who¡¯s sitting right across me, suddenly leans forward his upper body. His eyes gleam with a very


    familiar light that I now recognize it as evil. He gives me a cold smile before saying, ¡°Nat, and who set


    you up with this coffee house job again?¡± My heart literally stops. I want to pick up the knife and stab it


    into his smug face.


    ¡°I found it myself,¡± I snap. ¡°Oh I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the case at all,¡± Eason says icily. ¡°It was Alex, right? He


    gave you the interview and put you in danger.¡±


    ¡°What? Are you fucking out of your mind? How dare you use Alex¡ª ¡± I yell.


    ¡°Alex?¡± mom gasps. ¡°Your boyfriend?¡±


    Eason snorts, ¡°Yes her boyfriend, who by the way seems to have zero concern about Nat¡¯s safety.¡±


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I smack my hand down on to the table before jumping up to my feet. That¡¯s it. I¡¯ve had it


    enough. All the usation, maniption and betrayal.


    ¡°So you wonder who gives me this job? Yes it¡¯s Alex. Because he actually cares about my circumstances


    and wants to provide a solution, unlike someone who says he¡¯s proud of me being a strong woman but


    acts theplete opposite! You are a fucking hypocrite Eason Ramirez!¡±


    The room goes dead silent as everyone wears the same mask of shock. Eason¡¯s face falls, his green


    eyes burning with fury. There¡¯s one second that I thought he was going to jump up and p me, but he


    just sits there and eyes me coldly in a very condescending way.


    ¡°Sorry, now if you will excuse me.¡± I grit out and leave the table. I storm out of the dining room, head


    upstairs and go into my room directly. It¡¯s hard to believe that we were kissing and having sex just a few


    hours ago. But this is our rtionship-bumpy, hard and toxic. The good moment is always fleeting, and


    we spend most of the time cursing and hating each other.


    I sit on my bed absent-minded.


    Maybe, I thought, maybe he¡¯de upstairs and apologize? I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯ll forgive him but I definitely


    want him to exin everything to me.


    But no.


    I wait anxiously for a long time. No one showed up at my door.


    Maybe he¡¯s done with me. Or maybe he simply doesn¡¯t give a fuck of how I feel. Sadness and angry


    surge up in me as I take out my phone and text him. (Maybe we should take a break.]


    (This is too much.)


    I click ¡°send¡± spur of the moment and immediately regret it. It¡¯s stupid to break up over something like


    this since we¡¯ve ovee so much together.


    Yet I¡¯m also curious of how he¡¯d react to this. So I sit there holding my phone, waiting for his reply.


    And another hour passes. Nothing.


    Eventually, I¡¯m forced to realize that he won¡¯t text me back ever. The phone slips through my fingers and


    drops to the ground as I bury my face into my palms.


    ***


    The next few days have been hell for me because I haven¡¯t heard back from him since. No texts, no


    calls, and he doesn¡¯t even show up at the townhouse again. My self-esteem prevents me from contacting


    him first, but I sure spend a lot of time staring at my phone screen hoping magic can happen and he can


    call me.


    I¡¯m pathetic.


    He¡¯s the evil asshole but why I¡¯m the one suffering?


    The only fortunate thing is that mom and Mr. Ramirez weren¡¯t affected by my drama. One dayter, they


    are back to being sweet and loving again. I¡¯m a little envy of how great they are


    together


    With their anniversary approaching, mom goes crazy shopping again. On the next Saturday morning,


    she drags me to a fitting. I¡¯m not interested in such things at all, but since my so


    called ¡°boyfriend¡± is ignoring me, I have nothing else to do.


    ¡°¡­so for the color palette of the party I¡¯m thinking white and beige. I wanted to go with rosily pink, but I


    was also afraid that people would call it cheesy. So basically I want to stay on the safe side. So do you


    have anything appropriate to wear sweetie?¡­Nat are you listening? Natalia!¡±


    I¡¯m whipped back to reality, realizing that I¡¯m staring at my phone again. Mom is standing on a tform in


    her newly made evening gown with three designers measuring her at the same time. She pouts staring


    at me, apparently upset by my distraction. ¡°You look very beautiful, mom.¡± It¡¯s apliment but also the


    truth. She¡¯s the most attractive woman I¡¯ve ever seen.


    She smiles and turns to those designers, ¡°can you bring over the collection again? I think my daughter


    needs something as well.¡±


    ¡°No mom I¡¯m fine!¡± I immediately decline. Those tailored clothes are shockingly expensive.


    But those designers simply smile and nod, then leave the VIP lounge.


    Mom walks down the tform andes to sit with me. She studies my face and then asks,¡± everything


    fine sweetie?¡±


    ¡°Yeah of course.¡±


    ¡°But something is on your mind, right?¡± her almond-shape eyes fix on my face. ¡°I think it has something


    to do with your boyfriend? With Alex?¡±


    It does have something to do with my boyfriend. But not Alex.


    ¡°Listen, I don¡¯t want to tell you whom you should date. But do you really think Alex is a good choice? I


    mean I liked that boy before, but this part-time job thing really changed my mind about him-¡±


    ¡°Mom! That¡¯s enough!¡± I snap, ¡°Howe you all me him for this? He¡¯s only doing me a favor! He did


    nothing wrong!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not ming him. But your top priority is college application and school. You need a boyfriend who


    understands that. If he¡¯s from one of those families that need him to do part time jobs to afford college,


    then I don¡¯t think he¡¯s the right choice for you¡­¡±


    Gosh. How can she say that? She was a smalltown girl herself! Did she totally forget that after


    she married a billionaire?


    ¡°One more word. Then I¡¯m out of here,¡± I mumble grumpily.


    ¡°OK fine,¡± mom spreads her hands. ¡°Well since you won¡¯t share you worries with me, I¡¯ll share one


    myself.¡±


    I wait in silence, not sure if I want to hear it.


    She signs again as unease shes through her eyes, ¡°Shawn¡¯s ex wille to our anniversary


    party.¡±


    I hold my breath involuntarily, ¡°Wait, do you mean-¡± ¡°Yes. Shawn¡¯s ex-wife. Eason¡¯s mother.¡±

 Chapter 42

    Chapter 42


    Chapter 42: Silver Dress


    If she weren¡¯t my mom, I¡¯d throw the F bomb


    ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± I ask sharply, ¡°Why on earth did you invite her!¡± ¡°I never invited her, OK? You


    think I like this arrangement?¡± mom says urgently. ¡°Even though they were separated, she¡¯s still Shawn¡¯s


    business partner. What can I do?¡± ¡°Millions of things! Have you tried talking to Mr. Ramirez about this? I


    think he will be equally awkward if his ex-wifees to his anniversary party that he¡¯s having with his


    new wife!¡±


    Mom sighs deeply, ¡°I tried. But he said they ended on good terms so no one should feel weird about this.


    And recently he is negotiating a new partnership with herpany, so he couldn¡¯t really uninvite her.


    And I don¡¯t want to jeopardize his work with our personal life.¡±


    I want to tell her that this is bullshit. No normal person would invite his Ex to the anniversary.


    But this is how high society works actually, full of fuck-ups and dramas. Since mom has absolutely no


    say in the Ramirez¡¯s family, the only thing she can do is to put up with all the humiliation and absurdity. I


    bite my nails in anxiety, thinking of Eason¡¯s mother, Caroline Griswold.


    I¡¯ve met her once, three years ago, when my mom just got married with Mr. Ramirez. She totally


    intimidated me with her tailored Chanel suit, impable make-up, and the whole upper-ss aura. That


    day she came to drop off a wedding gift for them. She hugged and kissed Mr. Ramirez goodbye right in


    front of my mom, like mom didn¡¯t even exist. When I murmured a ¡°nice to meet you¡± to her, she didn¡¯t


    even look at me and just walked right pass by me in her high heels as if I was dirt.


    Later I heard that she¡¯s an Old Money. Her family is filthy rich and has some kind of royal lineage, seems


    like that Eason¡¯s grandfather is a British Duke. Funny story, he really is a ¡°


    So power plus money, Caroline Griswold is definitely a tough person to deal with. I¡¯ve always had the


    feeling that even though mom won over Mr. Ramirez¡¯s heart, Caroline Griswold never took us seriously.


    And she has a special connection with Mr. Ramirez that mom will never be able to get. ¡°Mom, seriously, I


    don¡¯t know what to say,¡± I say dryly. ¡°You knew what you married into. So suck it up.¡±


    Plus, I have my own problem to deal with.


    If Caroline Griswold finds out that not only did mom steal Mr. Ramirez from her, but I¡¯m also dating her


    son right now, she¡¯s going to rip my face right off. ¡°I know,¡± mom ces her hand on my arm and pleads.


    ¡°But that¡¯s why I need you to be your best self at the anniversary. I know you hate all the dressing up and


    mingling, but can you just do this for me?¡±


    I really want to her that it¡¯s pathetic and that woman won¡¯t give a damn about how I look. But


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    I know mom needs my support desperately.


    So I nod my head with a heavy heart.


    Mom forces out a faint smile, ¡°thank you sweetie. Why don¡¯t you go get those designers? See what¡¯s


    taking them so long?¡±


    I rise up from my seat and walk outside. No one is around so I travel down the hall trying to find


    someone. Just when I walk pass by another VIP lounge, I hear a familiar voiceing from inside of the


    door.


    ¡°¡­Eason, what do you think?¡±


    I freeze right on the spot, can¡¯t believe my ears. And the next second, without second thought, I push


    open the door and barge in.


    Valerie snaps her head back and screams out loudly when she sees me. She¡¯s wearing a beautiful


    evening gown that greatly highlights her curvy figure. But all I can see right now is the man sitting on the


    couch-Eason.


    I grip my fists so tight that my palms hurt. Burning fury clouds my mind.


    back together already? What the fuck is his deal?!


    Eason¡¯s eyes widen immediately as shock takes over his face. He stares at me in a daze, as if he


    couldn¡¯t trust his own eyes.


    Valerie stomps her feet and barks, ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡± ¡°Shut up Valerie,¡± I snarl. ¡°Eason,


    you have anything to say?¡± He slightly squints his eyes. Then he gradually leans back in his seat, his


    face going back to being arrogant and indifferent. A cold smile appears on his lips as if he¡¯s enjoying my


    raging face.


    ¡°What do you want to hear?¡± he snorts.


    I re at him in silence with red eyes. So he doesn¡¯t even care to exin, not now, not ever. Thinking


    back to all those ¡°good times¡± we had, I feel so stupid and yed.


    I bite my lower lip as shame washes over me. Whatever I do now won¡¯t change the fact that I¡¯m a fucking


    idiot. So I turn around in silence and storm out of their room.


    When I go back to our room, those designers are already back with a rack of sample clothes for us to


    pick. Mom totally enjoys herself while flipping through those dresses and discussing it with designers,


    while I sit there quietly staring nkly at the air.


    Eason is back with Valerie.


    Or maybe. He never actually leaves Valerie. He has been ying me the whole time.


    Or all women are like trash to him. I should have known, since he¡¯s such a huge fuckboy. ¡°Nat sweetie?¡±


    I hear mom calling me. Look up, and I find her showing a silver gown to me. ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s


    absolutely gorgeous?¡± she admires the gown in a dreamy tone. ¡°I think it really matches your eye color.


    Why don¡¯t you go and try it on?¡± I¡¯m not in the mood to be mom¡¯s barbie doll. Yet before I can say no, the


    door to the VIP


    04014 Sre Dret


    lounge flies opens again and someone marches in the room.


    It¡¯s Eason, followed by Valerie. I jump up to my feet immediately. Fuck. Why can¡¯t they just leave me


    alone! ¡°Eason,¡± mom blinks in surprise. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see you here.¡± ¡°I ran into Nat earlier. Figured I


    woulde and say hi,¡± he answers mom, but his eyes find me directly. Why does he keep staring at


    me??? Valerie emerges from Eason¡¯s back and walks up to mom with a fake smile, ¡°nice to meet you


    Mrs. Ramirez. I¡¯m Eason¡¯s girlfriend Valerie.¡± Girlfriend my ass. That piece of shit doesn¡¯t take any of us


    as his girlfriend. Eason takes his seat beside me, giving noment on Valerie¡¯s deration. I instantly


    move away from him.


    ¡°And that is a killer dress!¡± Valerie gasps and takes over the dress from my mom without even asking her


    first. She turns to Eason and asks in a cheerful tone, ¡°Eason, I think I¡¯ve found the one. It really suits me,


    doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    I let out a loud snort, rolling my eyes. Mom frowns, ¡°I¡¯m d you like it. But I¡¯ve picked it for my daughter.


    There¡¯re plenty of others for you to choose.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Mrs. Ramirez. But I just love it so much. Or¡ª¡±Valerie looks at me giving me a vicious


    smile,¡±¡ªNatalia, maybe we can both try it on. And let Eason say which one deserves the dress. What do


    you think?¡±

 Chapter 43

    Chapter 43


    Chapter 43: Arranged Marriage


    Oh. My. God.


    I almost don¡¯t know if I shouldugh or spit in her face. But there¡¯s one thing I¡¯m sure of: she has


    absolutely no self-respect. She can reduce herself to Eason¡¯s y toy all she wants. I¡¯m not following her


    example.


    Yet before I can voice out my thought, Eason speaks up before me, ¡°Val just cut if off.¡±


    Valerie widens her eyes in surprise, as if she didn¡¯t expect Eason to go against her. But Eason has


    already risen up from his seat and walked up to her with one hand in his pocket. He takes the dress from


    Valerie¡¯s hand and hands it back to mom with a faint smile, ¡°Mrs. Ramirez, you have really a good taste.


    I¡¯m sure everyone would fall for this dress. But we shouldn¡¯t step in like this. Sorry about that.¡±


    Mom¡¯s face remains cold even in front of hispliment. I¡¯m sure she¡¯s just as offended as I


    am.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it dear,¡± mom gives him a polite yet frosty smile. ¡°If your girlfriend likes it, it¡¯s totally


    fine she can keep it. Like I said, there are plenty of other choices for us to choose from.¡±


    She ignores Eason¡¯s hand and turns to me, ¡°Nat sweetheart. Are you ready to leave?¡± I immediately


    stand up, ¡°Yeah totally.¡±


    I follow mom and march outside without even looking back. I didn¡¯t change my mind about Eason simply


    because he stopped Valerie¡¯s madness. He¡¯s still an asshole. I guess he was just embarrassed by


    Valerie¡¯s behavior.


    When we left the store, mom lets out a long sigh, ¡°Dear lord-what was that? That girl has absolutely no


    courtesy.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­that¡¯s Valerie.¡± I respond with a bitter tone. Guess Eason really likes the bitch type.


    ¡°And she¡¯s in the same school as you right? Has she ever treated you badly?¡± ¡°A bit. But I don¡¯t care


    much about what her.¡±


    ¡°You are doing the right thing, sweetie. Just ignore her,¡± Mom gently pats my shoulder.¡± Because soon


    enough there¡¯ll be someone else to take care of her.¡±


    I can guess whom my mom is referring to, ¡°You are talking about Eason¡¯s mom, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Shawn mentioned it to me once¡­Caroline has picked Eason¡¯s marriage partner a long time ago.


    He can date whoever he wants when he¡¯s still young. But you guys are going to college next year, so I


    guess Caroline will introduce the girl to Eason very soon. She will definitely get rid of any cheap chicks


    around Eason before that girles into the picture.¡±


    My mouth parts in shock hearing this.


    What the fuck¡­arranged marriage? And this is already the 21st centuries? ¡°Are you serious?¡± I gasp in a


    rather shrill voice, ¡°A marriage partner? Is Eason aware? Is he


    OK with this?¡±


    Mom gives me a suspicious look and I quickly hide away the panic on my face, ¡°I- I was just curious,


    nothing else.¡±


    ¡°Well, Eason doesn¡¯t have much choice, isn¡¯t he? Caroline Griswold is a very strong woman. If she has


    picked the right daughter-inw, I¡¯m positive that she¡¯ll force Eason down the aisle if she has to. And this


    is how upper society works.¡±


    ¡°But you and Mr. Ramirez married out of love,¡± I point out urgently. ¡°Shawn is the head of the family, so


    he doesn¡¯t have to listen to anyone. But there¡¯s a long way ahead of Eason before he can officially take


    control of his own life,¡± mom pauses and looks at me again. ¡°Since when do you care so much about


    Eason?¡± My lips twist with bitterness, ¡°I don¡¯t¡­just a little curious.¡±


    How na?ve of me to actually believe that there¡¯s a future ahead of us.


    Eason already has his life all nned out. He will probably go to Harvard and take over thepany


    after graduation. Then he will marry the girl that his mother has chosen for him and have beautiful


    children with her.


    What we have is nothing more than a short summer fling.


    When we get home, I go straight up to my room and lock myself in. Mom calls me for dinner once, but I


    simply tell her that I¡¯m not hungry. I¡¯ve lost all my appetite because of what happened this afternoon.


    I lie on my bed staring at the ceiling spacing out, till someone knocks on my door. ¡°Mom, I told you. I¡¯m


    not hungry!¡± I raise my voice. Then the doorknob turns, and someone just open the door open and walks


    in. I jerk around and gaze in terror on him, ¡°How did you I locked the door!¡±


    Eason shows me the key in his hand and then shoves it back into his pocket. He closes the door behind


    him, walks over and sits down on the bed, like he¡¯s the owner of this room.


    ¡°Excuse me? Hello?¡± I sit up and snap. ¡°Did I invite you in?¡±


    ¡°I invited myself,¡± he raises his brow with a wicked grin on his lips. ¡°And you didn¡¯t ask for my permission


    the first time, remember?¡±


    I exhale a long breathe in frustration. I don¡¯t have the energy to deal with him today.


    ¡°Just say what you want. OK?¡±


    He shrugs and ces a nicely wrapped box on my bed. I instantly recognize thebel.


    I¡¯m speechless. ¡°Please tell me it¡¯s not that silver dress.¡±


    ¡°Well, no surprise this time,¡± he smiles. ¡°You like it?¡±


    ¡°You fucking kidding me?¡± I kick away the box with my feet. ¡°You really think I still want it? It¡¯s already


    tainted by your dear girlfriend. Give it to her. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll keep it somewhere nice and high and


    probably worship it three times a day.¡±


    Eason sneers. He folds his arms in front of his chest and says indifferently, ¡°Valerie is not my girlfriend.¡±


    ¡°Then you are just a fucking fuckboy who deserves to fuck yourself in hell!¡± I say sternly.¡° Leave me


    alone.¡±


    Heughs out loud, ¡°that¡¯s a lot of fwords.¡±


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I bite my lower lip in anger. I¡¯ve always wanted to hear him exin his rtionship with Valerie. But now


    I¡¯ve realized that even if it¡¯s not Valerie, there will be someone else. He is simply too much for me.


    ¡°You¡¯ve given me the dress. Missionpleted. Now can you leave?¡± I ask in an irritated tone.


    He sits there in silence, his beautiful green eyes trailing across my face. Tension gradually builds up at


    this moment and I feel my cheek getting hotter under his intense gaze.


    No girls canst more than ten seconds under that gaze. I have to pinch myself to remain sane.


    Eventually he speaks up in a gentle tone, ¡°Hey. Are you done being mad at me? Are we still on that


    break?¡±


    ¡°Let me give you a datingnguage 101. ¡®On-a-break¡¯ means breaking up. Get it?¡± I say that quickly and


    feel pretty proud of myself.

 Chapter 44

    Chapter 44


    Chapter 44: Pain in the ass His face remains calm and cold. Yet I still catch a fleeting glimpse of panic


    and disbelief passing through his eyes. ¡°Surprised?¡± I sneer and take a moment to enjoy the look on his


    face. ¡°I thought you knew¡­ since you already brought your new girlfriend shopping today.¡± His face


    drops. ¡°For the second time, Valerie is not my girlfriend.¡± ¡°Just stop lying, OK? If she¡¯s not your girlfriend,


    then what are you really? Why on earth are you guys together all the time?? No forget it¡­ I don¡¯t want to


    know.¡± I wave my hand dismissively.


    He suddenly stands up. Taken aback, I raise my head to look at him and find his face dark and sullen.


    ¡°Are you asking me to cut connections with all my female friends?¡± he questions me in a strained tone.


    ¡°Is this what you want? Because I can do that. If only you could stop talking to Alex!¡±


    Even though I was mad at him, I was able to talk to him in a calm manner. But these words enrage me


    instantly. Anger explodes in my head and the next thing I know I¡¯m kneeling on my bed, pointing a finger


    at him and yelling. ¡°Are you kidding me?!! You know perfectly well that Valerie is not just a normal female


    friend! She likes you and you¡¯ve been fucking her for god know how long! Is it really too much to ask you


    to stay away from her now that we are dating? And why do you keep dragging Alex into this


    conversation? We are just friends, unlike you and Valerie!¡±


    ¡°But he¡¯s the reason you decided to break up with me, isn¡¯t it?¡± he raises his voice and starts yelling back


    at me too. ¡°If you don¡¯t care for him at all, why do you keep getting mad at me for an outsider?¡±


    ¡°Oh my god¡­ Eason! I-¡°I¡¯m too pissed to say a full sentence. ¡°I¡¯m not mad at you because of him! I¡¯m


    mad at you because you try to manipte my life! You didn¡¯t respect me at all! Don¡¯t you get it?¡±


    His lips part slightly, and a strangely un-focused look appears on his face. He looks at me, brows


    furrowed, and after a short pause he says in a low voice, ¡°No I don¡¯t get it.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit.¡± I snort. ¡°You¡¯ve dated like a thousand girls. Stop fucking y dumb.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve dated a few girls¡­but you are not like them,¡± he murmurs. ¡°All these¡­are very new to me.¡±


    My heart skips a beat. Is he telling me that I¡¯m special?


    No. This must be another trick. He¡¯s just trying to get me to go soft on him. I¡¯m not falling for that.


    ¡°Oh well. I¡¯m very ttered.¡± I say in a dry and sarcastic tone. ¡°But this is it. We are breaking up. I¡¯m not


    wasting my time on you anymore.¡±


    He¡¯s trying to say something else but a gentle knock on the door interrupts us.


    ¡°Eason? Nat?¡± mom¡¯s worried voicees from outside of the door. ¡°Is everything OK?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Shit. I forgot we are at home, and we need to keep our voice down.


    ¡°Everything is fine! Eason is just leaving!¡± I say. I jump off bed and start pushing him towards the door.


    But he grabs my elbow and whispers beside my ear, ¡°Nat, I don¡¯t want to break up with you.¡± ¡°Well, life is


    tough, and you can¡¯t get everything you want. Suck it up,¡± I hiss. I grab the doorknob and shove him


    outside. I keep telling myself that I¡¯m doing the right thing, even though my heart hurts every time I think


    of his words and the pleading look on his face.


    For the following week, I fully immerse myself in schoolwork and my part-time job at the coffee house.


    This way I have no time to think about Eason.


    Luckily, L has been an excellent mentor. She taught me everything I need to know about work,


    including how to deal with tough customers.


    ¡°So basically, you smile, you y cute, and you say, ¡®yes madam¡¯ and ¡®of course sir.¡¯ You listen to their


    ridiculous requirements and take down those freaking long orders. Then you can go spit in their mugs


    when they¡¯re not looking. Get it?¡± Iugh, ¡°Thanks for imparting your wisdom.¡± ¡°No problem. Now, are


    you ready for your first serving?¡± she hands me a tray of food and whisper, ¡°This is for the woman at


    table 27, the meeting room upstairs. I can tell she¡¯s a pain in the ass. She summoned me into the room


    to hear her order. I mean¡­ how hard it is to ce your order at the counter? This is a coffee house, not


    three-star restaurant!¡±


    I giggle and give her aforting look, heading upstairs. When I reach the meeting room, I take a hand


    to knock first. A few secondster, I hear a woman¡¯s voice asking me toe in.


    I enter the room and keep my head down the entire time. From a peripheral look, I can see a middle-


    aged woman sitting by the table, dressed in a sharp ck suit. ¡°Is there anything else you need,


    madam?¡± I ask after setting down her coffee and pastries. ¡°Yes,¡± she says. ¡°Bring me two sses of


    sparkling water, with fresh lemons on the side.¡± She is a pain in the ass.


    I nod and look up casually, then instantly freeze up when I see her face. ¡°Ms. Griswold?¡± I blurt out,


    astonished.

 Chapter 45

    Chapter 45


    Chapter 45: Heroic Behavior Her sharp green eyes fix on my face. Those eyes are just like Eason¡¯s, but


    they glint with an icy shine that makes the hair on my arms to stand up. ¡°Do I know you?¡± she asks in a


    sharp tone, as if I¡¯ve already offended her. I instantly regretted calling her. Hell, why can¡¯t I just keep my


    mouth shut and quietly walk away?


    ¡°Umm¡­¡± under her perching gaze, I gulp nervously before saying, ¡°I¡¯m Natalia. Natalia Moore. Maybe


    you didn¡¯t remember but-¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± she raises her brow. ¡°Right, Natalia.¡± She studies me, from head to toe, as if she¡¯s examining a


    livestock. The way she looks at me is so arrogant and condescending that I can¡¯t say I¡¯m not


    embarrassed at all. ¡°I¡¯ll bring over your water Ms. Griswold,¡± I say hastily trying to get her to stop looking.


    ¡°Wait,¡± she raises a hand. ¡°Do you work here?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°But why?¡± she leans back squinting at me. ¡°You and your mom don¡¯t really need the money, right?


    Since¡­you have Shawn now.¡±


    I instantly understand the implication behind her words. She¡¯s implying that my mom stole Mr. Ramirez


    from her and that makes mom a shameless gold-digger.


    But I know that isn¡¯t the case at all. When mom met Mr. Ramirez, his first marriage was already on the


    verge of falling apart. Ms. Griswold stayed abroad most of the year and the only reason they were still


    married was because of some legal issues. As soon as they sorted out the division of assets, they filed


    for divorce instantly. And that¡¯s when mom started dating Mr. Ramirez for the first time.


    Sure, mom picked up the bad, upper-ss mindset after she married to Mr. Ramirez, but I know she


    didn¡¯t marry him solely because of his money.


    So how can Caroline Griswold use mom of her own failed marriage.


    I grip on the tray, trying to sound as calm as I can manage, ¡°I¡¯m saving up for college on my own.¡± I


    emphasis thest few words. ¡°By working in a coffee shop?¡± a faint smile appears on her lips. ¡°You need


    to take a few extra shifts to cover the tuition.¡±


    I puff my chest and look straight into her eyes, ¡°Thanks for the advice. Now if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll


    leave you to it.¡±


    ¡°Actually there is,¡± she says in a forceful tone. ¡°You are not busy, are you? Sit down and tell me more


    about the anniversary party.¡±


    ¡°There are other customers waiting for me. So if you¡¯ll excuse me¨C¡±


    ¡°Oh dear,¡± she smiles looking at me with an almost pitying expression on her face. ¡°You are a waitress at


    a coffee house. How busy can you be?¡±


    I grind my teeth and scowl at her. And right at this moment, the door opens behind me and Eason walks


    into the meeting room. I¡¯ve suspected that she¡¯s meeting someone here, but I didn¡¯t know it was him.


    Now it makes me want to escape this room even more. ¡°Where have you been?¡± Ms. Griswold turns to


    him. ¡°You were gone for a long time.¡± ¡°I had to take a call,¡± Eason pulls a chair and sits down. ¡°Hey Nat.


    Didn¡¯t know you are on call today.¡±


    Didn¡¯t know my ass. It¡¯s obvious that he asked his mom to meet him here.


    ¡°So as I was saying, when do you think is a good time to-¡±


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll stop you right here,¡± Eason interrupts her without hesitation. ¡°I¡¯m not meeting the girl you set


    me up with. End of discussion.¡±


    What? I¡¯m startled by the information I just received. Ms. Griswold is asking him to meet a girl? His


    marriage partner perhaps? I knew this day would eventuallye¡­but so soon? I instantly feel a surge


    of mixed emotions. It¡¯s really none of my business since we¡¯ve already broken up. But I just can¡¯t stop


    myself from picturing the girl in my head. What¡¯s she like? I bet she must be elegant and beautiful, and


    she muste from a well-off family. She and Eason will make a lovely couple for sure. I blink and try to


    fight back those jealous dark feelings.


    Ms. Griswold¡¯s voice turns cold immediately, ¡°End of discussion? Eason, where¡¯s your manner? You


    better give me a very good reason for this. I¡¯m not asking you to marry her tomorrow, only for you to take


    her to the anniversary party.¡±


    ¡°I have no interest in being your puppy,¡± Eason sneers. I almost admire him for standing up to Ms.


    Griswold like this.


    ¡°Plus, I already have a date for the party,¡± he announces calmly. ¡°And may I ask whom that is?¡± his mom


    narrows her eyes dangerously. A bed feeling crosses my mind and I instantly want to escape the scene.


    But before I can do that, Eason points a finger at me and says, ¡°I¡¯m going to the party with Nat.¡± I feel


    hard to breath, as the way Ms. Griswold looking at me is absolutely terrifying. ¡°You are out of your mind,


    young man,¡± Ms. Griswold snap. ¡°What are you thinking? Going to the party with her? She is nothing


    more than a¡ª¡±


    ¡°She is dad¡¯s stepdaughter. She¡¯s my sister. And most importantly, she is my friend. I bet I¡¯ll have a much


    better time with her at the party than with some strange girls that I¡¯ve never met before.¡±


    With that said, he stands up from his seat and casts his eyes down on his mom¡¯s angry face.¡± And don¡¯t


    insult her in front of me. She doesn¡¯t need to tolerate your bad temper.¡±


    What he did was crazy¡­but so cool. I am still processing everything that just happened and the next


    second he walks over to me


    and takes my hand, ¡°let¡¯s go.¡±N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Then he simply drags me out of the room and leaves his mom alone in the room.


    I follow him all the way downstairs. He¡¯s going to take me out of the coffee house, but I stop abruptly


    ¡°Wait,¡± I frown. ¡°What was that?¡±


    ¡°What was what?¡± he turns back to face me.


    ¡°Are you using me again to irritate your mom?¡± I ask, a little suspicious.


    His face drops instantly, ¡°No. Why do you always assume the worst of me?¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­because you have a history?¡± I cross my arms in front of my chest. ¡°Otherwise, why do you have


    to meet her here? You know I work here.¡± He sighs deeply, ¡°I wanted to see you, OK? You were avoiding


    me all the time. And¡± ¡°And?¡± I hold my breath involuntarily. His green eyes lock with mine, ¡°And I want


    you to be my date to the anniversary party.¡±

 Chapter 46

    Chapter 46


    Chapter 46: Paying the Debt Natalia¡¯s POV


    ¡°Me? Your date?¡± I frown. ¡°What about Valerie?¡±


    ¡°What about her?¡±


    ¡°You brought her shopping for evening gowns the other day. So I thought you were taking her to the


    party,¡± I snort. ¡°She stood you up, didn¡¯t she? And that¡¯s why you areing back to me now because


    I¡¯m your backup.¡± ¡°You are unbelievable,¡± he sighs. He runs his fingers through his hairs as a spasm of


    frustration flits across his face. ¡°Stop piecing everything together in your mind!¡± he growls, lowering his


    eyelids to avoid my gaze. ¡°I took her shopping, but we didn¡¯t go shopping for evening gowns. If you don¡¯t


    want toe with me to the party, I might as well go alone.¡± That¡¯s when I notice a pink tinge appears on


    his cheek and his ears are turning red. Is he embarrassed for being so honest? He almost never shares


    his real thoughts and true feelings with me, and this is actually the first time. Oh god I love the honest


    Eason way much more than the maniptive jerk he used to be. 1


    This is the chance in a lifetime! I¡¯m not letting it slide away so I deliberately tease on him,¡± Well that¡¯s just


    too bad. I already asked Alex toe with me.¡± ¡°You what?¡± he lowers his voice dangerously, raging


    mes dancing in his eyes. ¡°You heard me,¡± I curve up the corner of my lips. ¡°I asked him the day you


    took Valerie shopping. We are already on a break, so I figured why not ask Alex¡ª¡± In the blink of an eye,


    he strides over, grab my chin and lowers his head. The next second, he presses his lips against mine


    roughly. I inhale sharply, and he takes the chance to slide his tongue into my mouth, kissing me


    passionately and wildly. And I didn¡¯t forget that we are standing right outside of the coffee house. His


    mom could be looking at us from above right now and anyone could see us kissing.


    ¡°What-what the hell!¡± I struggle against his iron grip and huff under his lips. ¡°Let go of me!¡±


    It¡¯s been a while since west kissed. And I can¡¯t deny that I crave for him. I want to be back into his


    arms so much. But my rationality is screaming at me,


    We are on a break!


    I bite his lip. He hisses and finally lets go. But his fingers linger around my cheek, caressing my skin as


    he whispers, ¡°God I miss you so much.¡±


    I¡¯m almost seduced by his hoarse voice and deep green eyes.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Are you crazy? Anyone could have seen us just now!¡±


    ¡°So what? You need to get used to it,¡± he shrugs.


    My heart almost stops beating. Wh-what does he mean?


    As if he can read through my mind, he takes my hands again and says in a low voice, ¡°Yeah that¡¯s what I


    meant. We can¡¯t stay like this forever. So I was thinking ¡ª if you are OK with this


    ¨C We can tell your mom and my dad about us after graduation.¡±


    I think I¡¯m living in a dream. My body is shaking, and my will power is gradually shattered by his sweet


    words.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± he murmurs besides my ears.


    I try fighting back waves of strong emotions and say breathing hard, ¡°¡­what about Valerie?¡±


    ¡°For a thousand times, she isn¡¯t my girlfriend. And,¡± he pauses before carrying on.¡±-I never slept with her


    again ever since you were back.¡±


    I bite down my lips to stop myself from smiling.¡±So, all those acts such as taking her shopping and


    parading her around the campus¡­you were just trying to get me jealous right?¡±


    A suspicious blush appears on his cheek and his tone bes grouchy, ¡°Are youing to the party


    with me or not?¡± Iugh briefly and then fall into silence, taking a moment to think it over. Eventually


    under his nervous gaze, I speak up smiling, ¡°I¡¯ll save my first dance for you.¡±


    His face lights up immediately.


    ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean we are back together!¡± I say hastily. ¡°I still need time to think everything over and


    make the right decision¡­hope you can understand.¡±


    ¡°Yeah of course,¡± hends a soft kiss on the back of my hand. ¡°A dance is good enough for me


    now.¡±


    Eason¡¯s POV


    She waves at me and goes back to the coffee house again. The moment she disappears behind those


    doors, the smile on my lips vanishes immediately.


    I snort internally, turning back and walking towards my car.


    I never doubted that I can get her back. She was mad at me for sure, because I pushed too hard. But


    she also couldn¡¯t reject me. I can see the love and passions hidden deeply in her beautiful almond-


    shaped eyes.


    The way she looks at me¡­it makes me feel so weird and my chest would constrict thinking about her.


    One more month. I tell myself. As soon as the anniversary party is over and the revenge is served, I¡¯ll


    dump her. I don¡¯t ever need endure those weird feelings anymore.


    I can go back to being my old self. Because this new self with her feels so fucking strange.


    When I¡¯m back at my car, my phone buzz and it¡¯s Valerie.


    [I¡¯ve found the perfect ne for the party! Really matches your cufflinks!!]


    (You wannae over and see it?)


    Right. I still need to deal with her. I stare down at the phone screen, fingers typing on the keyboard:


    [Change of n. I¡¯m not taking you to the party.] (WTF????] She¡¯s pissed. Obviously. (But it¡¯ll be over


    soon. Trust me.)


    I hit ¡°send¡± and toss the phone aside. I don¡¯t care much about what Valerie thinks. I also don¡¯t care about


    the girl mom just set me up with. Actually, I don¡¯t care about any girls in this world.


    I¡¯ve be this heartless, cold blooded, maniptive monster all because of her. And she¡¯s paying for


    her own debt.

 Chapter 47

    Chapter 47


    Chapter 47: Cleaning Lady


    Time really flies by. Without even knowing it, we are only a few days away from the anniversary party.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The party will be held at akeside country house. Mom is in hysterics, getting herself all worked up


    about everything looming on the horizon. She moved to the country house two weeks ago to make sure


    everything goes perfect.


    And three days before the party, she called me nonstop asking for help. I have no choice but to take a


    few days off from school ande to her side.


    Eason volunteers to drive me there. He picks me up at school in a red convertible, which is absolutely


    conspicuous in the school parking lot. People are actually turning their heads to look when I open the


    door and hop inside.


    ¡°How many luxury cars do you own?¡± I ask him when he exists the parking lot.


    His hands are on the wheels, eyes straight ahead, as a yful grin appears on his lips. ¡°Do you really


    want to know? Or are you just being ironic?¡±


    ¡°I was being ironic, but I am also curious now,¡± I giggle. ¡°Let me guess¡­10?¡±


    ¡°10?¡± heughs out loud, ¡°That¡¯s the top number you can guess?¡±


    I bite my bottom lip, feeling a little embarrassed. I¡¯ve always known that he is rich but exactly how much


    money he possesses is beyond my imagination.


    ¡°Stop making fun of me!¡± | groan, ¡°Just tell me.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± he smiles and taps his index finger rhythmically on the wheel. ¡°So in Boston I have 5 cars, but I


    usually only drive M8 and Maserati. And in New York, I think there are 3-4? I¡¯ve lost count. Let me


    think¡­ there are a couple more in L.A. I order a new Lamborghinist year and they just shipped to my


    house in L.A. a few days ago. We can fly down there and give it a test run one day. And that¡¯s how


    many I have in the U.S.-¡±


    ¡°OK, OK!¡± | interrupt him before he goes too far. ¡°That¡¯s enough. I got the idea¡­God, why do you need


    so many cars? You only drive a few normally. It¡¯s such a waste.¡±


    ¡°A waste? To be honest, only people with no money worry about practicability. I have more money than


    I can ever splurge in a lifetime, so I simply buy what I like.¡±


    Ipse into silence. He¡¯s right. We have different mindsets and I¡¯ll never be able to understand his life.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he takes a look at me. ¡°You are not mad at me, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s just-¡± | pause before saying, ¡°We are so different, you know? Do you really think there will be a


    future ahead of us?¡±


    He takes his hand off the wheel and reaches over, taking my palm. ¡°I know what you are worrying


    about. But let¡¯s just focus on the present. The rest wille into y when the timees.¡±


    I smile back at him, trying my best to shake off those dark feelings at the back of my mind.


    When we get off the freeway, he opens the top and lets the summer wind breeze in. The weather is so


    good. We even catch a glimpse of the stunning sunset. On the way, he stops the car once to get me a


    mint chocte chips ice-cream. It tastes so great and my mood couldn¡¯t be better.


    When we arrive at the country house, it has already passed 7. The car drives through the big iron gate


    and into the Englishndscape garden, which is so huge and clearly under careful maintenance.


    We finally stop at the front door, behind the fountain. A maides to greet us and takes our luggage


    when mom appears behind the doors and rushes downstairs.


    ¡°God! You are finally here!¡± she waves her hands in frustration. ¡°You should¡¯ve arrived this afternoon. I


    have so many works for you.¡±


    ¡°Umm..I let her drag me into the hall and ask. ¡°You have like a million maids and servants here. What


    do you need me for?¡±


    ¡°I need you to be in charge, OK?¡± Mom grabs my shoulders and forces me to face her. ¡°The


    construction in the backyard is still not finished. Maybe you can oversee that? Wait, you haven¡¯t seen


    the drawing yet. No, you can¡¯t do that. Let me think, let me think¡­go meet those florists! You can help


    them with all the d¨¦cor.¡±


    ¡°Mom, calm down.¡± Her eyes are all bloodshot, so I know that she hasn¡¯t rested properly. ¡°Everything


    will be fine. You have everything under control. Why are you so worried?¡±


    Mom takes a tremendous breath. ¡°Yes, yes. You are right. I need to calm down. Nat, why don¡¯t you


    come with me and meet with the-¡±


    Before she can finish, a couple appears around the corner. I am surprised to find that it¡¯s Mr. Ramirez


    and Eason¡¯s mom, Caroline Griswold.


    She has her arm wrapped around Mr. Ramirez and is whispering something into his ear. They appear


    very intimate-so intimate that they look more like a couple than him and my mom.


    Mom¡¯s face grows cold as soon as she sees them. And I immediately realize where her hysteriaes


    from.


    ¡°Alicia,¡± Mr. Ramirez smiles at my mom. ¡°Caroline was just telling me that the backyard looks


    wonderful.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± mom says dryly. ¡°I was just asking Natalia to help.¡±


    Caroline Griswold raises her sharp eyebrows at me. She is absolutely stunning today, but her smile


    seems very condescending and arrogant, ¡°Are you looking for something to do Natalia? In that case,


    maybe you can help the cleaningdy. It sure takes a lot of time to get my room ready.¡±

 Chapter 48

    Chapter 48


    Chapter 48: Secret Kiss


    The despise behind her tone is so obvious that I clench my fist immediately.


    The look on mom¡¯s face couldn¡¯t be uglier. She res at Caroline and grits out, ¡°I have other ns for


    my daughter


    ¡°Everything else seems perfect, except for my room,¡± that vicious old crone smiles. ¡°Shawn and I just


    finished a long discussion about our uing business n. I¡¯m quite exhausted. I¡¯d really appreciate


    it if your daughter can help the cleaningdy get the room ready.¡±


    She is so evil and maniptive! Just like her son in some ways.


    I feel sad for my mom. I know she hates the woman, but she also can¡¯t defy her because of her power


    and status. I have a gut feeling that Caroline will destroy anniversary party that mom has been nning


    for so


    long.


    I take in a long breath and make up my mind. Mom has done everything she could to protect me, and


    now it¡¯s my turn to do the same for her.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I say, looking at Caroline. ¡°Where is your room? I¡¯ll see what I can-¡±


    Right at this moment, someone interrupts me by cing a hand on my shoulder from behind. I jerk


    back and find it¡¯s Eason.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you with the cleaning,¡± he gives me a reassuring smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Caroline frowns, ¡°Eason you don¡¯t need to do that.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± Eason shrugs. ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing else to do. If you want to boss someone around, why not


    count me in.¡±


    | almostugh out loud. Only Eason can stand up to her like this. And it makes my heart swell. I love


    that he bes super protective when someone else gives me a hard time.


    ¡°Come.¡± Eason says to me, gently holding my shoulder and leading me away.


    We march out of the hall without looking back. When we turn the corner eventually, we look at each


    other


    and burst intoughter simultaneously.


    ¡°Oh my god I¡¯m literally shaking!¡± Iugh, gasping for breath. ¡°You should¡¯ve seen the look on your


    mom¡¯s face¡­I mean, aren¡¯t you afraid of her?¡±


    ¡°She is terrifying. But I¡¯ve managed to survive my childhood with her, so I know how to handle her,¡± he


    pats my arm. ¡°You don¡¯t need to be afraid.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not afraid. It¡¯s just¡­¡± I sigh, raking fingers through my hairs. ¡°How do you think she¡¯ll react when


    we finally tell her about-you know-about us?¡±


    I¡¯m trembling already thinking about the day she finds out about us. She¡¯ll never approve it for sure. I


    can only pray that she won¡¯t hire assassins to have me killed in my sleep.


    ¡°At first, it¡¯ll be hard. But she¡¯ll learn to ept it gradually. It¡¯s my life after all, not hers. Plus¡­¡± he looks


    at me, a yful gleam in his eyes. ¡°¡­Does it mean that we are back together already?¡±


    I¡¯m stunned, my cheek starting to flush.


    I keep telling myself that we are still on a break, and I still need time to think everything through. But it


    is so damn hard to think straight when he is around.


    He is just so¡­toxic and irresistible.


    My mind is always clouded when he is by my side.


    ¡°-¡± | gulp before whispering. ¡°-sorry but I need more time.¡±


    .


    ¡°OK. I understand. But¡­¡± his fingers intertwine with mine. The ce he touches me feels burning with


    fire. ¡°¡­ Can you give me an answer before the anniversary? I miss you so much. It¡¯s killing me every


    single second just looking at you but can¡¯t kiss you.¡±


    God this is torture. How can I say no to him with his emerald, green eyes fixing on me like this? His


    face is so beautifully youthful, and it makes my heart flutter every time our eyes meet.


    ¡°I can¡¯t give you an answer now. But-¡± I pause, biting my lip.


    ¡°But?¡± he moves closer, his breath quickening and his voice hoarse.


    ¡°But maybe¡­one kiss?¡± Before I can even finish thest word, he lowers his head and catches my lips


    hungrily. I feel myself drowning in his passion immediately. His handse up and holds my waist, as


    his tongue rummages my mouth.


    Soft moans escape his lips as we kiss. The touching lips has the same effect on him as it does on me.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    We are both deep into the kiss, when suddenly footsteps and talking approach us from behind. We


    quickly jerk apart and try to act normal, as a group of staffs walk by us. Luckily, nobody notices


    anything.


    | quietly let out a breath that I¡¯ve been holding. That was close.


    ¡°I miss you,¡± he says in a low voice, staring at my plump lips. ¡°Natalia I fucking miss you so much.¡±


    ¡°I know¡­¡± I murmur. ¡°I wish we don¡¯t have to hide like this anymore.¡±


    I really look forward to the day when we finallye clean to our family. I¡¯ll take all the me and


    usation, and all bitter sarcasms from Caroline if needed. Just to be with him in public.


    I think I¡¯m willing to take that¡­as long as he¡¯s willing to do the same for me.


    ¡°Hey, let¡¯s get to your mom¡¯s room. She must be freaking out right now,¡± I say.


    We go to the guest room and work with the cleaningdy to get everything ready. Seriously, the room


    seems spotless before we got there. I should have known that old crone was just being picky.


    And the rest of the time, mom has me upied with all kinds of works, double-checking the wine list,


    tasting deserts, going through the ylist with the band¡­I¡¯m so busy that I didn¡¯t even notice that


    Eason was gone.


    Eventually, mom notices how exhausted I am and send me back to my room.


    As soon as I get into the room, I throw myself onto the bed. God, this is crazy. I hope this party can be


    over asap. I¡¯m so drained.


    I don¡¯t have the energy to wash up and just slowly drift into sleep, when suddenly I hear a gentle knock


    on my window.

 Chapter 49

    Chapter 49


    Chapter 49: Midnight Firework


    Natalia¡¯s POV


    The sound is so annoying that it stops me from falling asleep.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± I groan, jumping off bed and heading towards the window.


    Then the next second, before I grab the handle, a bright and shy beam of light shots up in front of my


    window


    It¡¯s a firework!


    I¡¯m so amazed by the view in front of me that I freeze up on the spot. Those starry sparks explode into


    a thousand morous particles of light, like rainfall of diamond and gems, andpletely light up the


    velvet summer night.


    Momentster, the show finally stops. I immediately rush forward and shove the window open. Looking


    down, I find Eason standing on the ground, holding a few firework sticks, grinning at me.


    This is probably the scene every girl has been dreaming for, a hot boy waiting in front of the window,


    lighting the firework.


    And on top of everything, Eason himself is every girl¡¯s dream.


    ¡°What-what are you doing here? Where did you get this?¡± I ask, breathing fast.


    ¡°I brough it from your mom¡¯s party,¡± heughs. ¡°You like it?¡±


    ¡°From my mom¡¯s party? Oh my god she¡¯ll kill you.¡±


    ¡°Rx. Are you allergic to romantic stuff?¡± he rolls his eyes. ¡°These are the extras.¡±


    I can¡¯t stop myself from smiling. Him, the summer night, the firework¡­even if this is just a short


    summer fling, it has to be the best I¡¯ve ever have.


    ¡°So,¡± he raises his head and looks at me. ¡°Can Ie up there?¡±


    I hold my breath involuntarily. ¡°¡­Why?¡±


    ¡°Rx. I won¡¯t push you,¡± he spreads his hands. ¡°I know you need time to think. I just want to spend


    the night with you¡­lying on the bed by your side.¡±


    God. Can anyone say no to him?


    Before I even realize, I¡¯ve already blurted out, ¡°Come, but be quiet.¡±


    His smile grows wider and disappears from my view.


    Momentster, I hear a gentle knock on my door. Feeling my heartbeat elerating, I immediately rush


    to the door and get it. The door opens up and I¡¯m greeted by his face and a bunch of red roses.


    ¡°You-¡°I feel my cheek ming, ¡°You brought these from my mom too?¡±


    ¡°No. Hand-picked by me from the garden today,¡± he bows and hand me the bouquet. ¡°Can¡¯t go on a


    date without flowers, right?¡±


    I bury my face in the roses and smell the flower, the corner of my lips curving up. He can be so


    thoughtful and sweet when he wants to.


    ¡°I love it,¡± I say earnestly, ¡°Come in, quick.¡±


    2009 Mr M


    work


    I let him in and close the door behind him.


    He said he wanted to sleep with me and nothing else, and that¡¯s exactly what he does. We lie on the


    bed face to face, with my head resting on his arms. He pats me gently, humming a soft song.


    Sleepiness finds me again quickly


    Before I fall asleeppletely, I feel a soft kissnd on my forehead.


    Eason¡¯s POV


    I kiss her on the forehead and look at her face closely. Very soon, her breathing bes even. And I


    know she has fallen asleep.


    Very carefully, I withdraw my arm and grab my phone. I turn on the camera, aiming at her face, and


    snap a few shots quickly.


    I have an album of these: photos and videos of her being with me, screenshots of her texts to me¡­


    everything


    If everything goes as nned, the day after tomorrow at the dinner reception, instead of seeing a VCR


    of warm blessings from friends and rtives, all customers will see these. 1


    And they will know the gold-digger¡¯s daughter has seduced the only heir to the Ramirez family. 3


    Their reputation will be destroyed. She will be ashamed. And she will taste the same kind of bitterness


    that she left me with three years ago. 1


    I imagine her face at that moment once again. I should feel triumph and excitement. But surprisingly, an


    unsettling and frantic feeling grips my heart.


    I tighten my hug immediately, holding her closely to my chest. She mumbles something in her sleep


    and buries her face into the hollow my neck.


    No. I can¡¯t let her soften me up..


    I shake off those uneasy feelings and roll to the side. Her hands try to find me unconsciously, but I


    avoid her. She curls up by herself eventually and goes back to sleep again. Soon everything will be


    over. And she won¡¯t be able to influence me anymore.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 50

    Chapter 50


    Chapter 50: Awkwardness


    And we finally get to the day of the anniversary party.


    If this party dragged on any longer, mom would die out of anxiety, and she would take every single one


    of us down to hell with her.


    On that day, she forces me out of bed at 6 o¡¯clock sharp and pins me down in the makeup chair. Before


    ! even realize, there are already three people doing my hair, face, and nails at the same time.


    ¡°Mom!¡± I protest. ¡°This is your big day. Just leave me be.¡±


    ¡°Oh honey, but I want you to look great as well¡­Apply more contour to her nose.¡± She instructs the


    stylist, while wearing a super expensive facial mask which costs like 100 USD per piece.


    Luckily, my makeover is done a little past noon. Just when I thought I was finally able to grab a bite,


    mom told me that I should stay famished, to better fit the evening gown.


    ¡°Are you crazy?¡± I snap. My temper bes worse because of hunger. ¡°I¡¯m not going on a hunger


    strike just because of a stupid fucking gown!¡±


    ¡°Language!¡± Mom dodges the stylist¡¯s brush and yells at my direction. ¡°Is this how you want to behave


    in front of all other guests?!¡±


    But I¡¯ve already stormed out of the room before she could finish.


    I rush down the hall and almost bump into someone around the corner. Looking up, I find it¡¯s Eason.


    ¡°Hey,¡± his eyes light up immediately the moment he sees me. Then he smiles, ¡°What¡¯s with the long


    face?¡±


    ¡°Mom forces me do a fasting before the party. She¡¯spletely out of her mind.¡±


    Eason bursts intoughter, ¡°You don¡¯t need that. But I thought this could happen so¡­here, I brought


    you a sandwich.¡±


    ¡°Wow thanks!¡± | take it and gobble down as fast I can. The burning feeling in my stomach finally eases


    up.


    His eyes trail across my face as I eat. Then he brings up his hand and caress my cheek. ¡°You look


    absolutely stunning today.¡±


    I¡¯m wearing that silver gown that he got me, which is tailored to my own size. The cut hugs my body


    perfectly. And the diamond ne serves as a finishing touch,pleting my look.


    The way he looks at me makes me blush.


    ¡°Thank you. You look nice too,¡± I murmur.


    He does look nice. Today he¡¯s wearing a very formal three-piece ck suit, with his hairs wore back.


    He looks handsome and sophisticated today.


    ¡°So, shall we?¡± he offers his arm to me. ¡°Dad asked me to find you. We are supposed to be at the front


    gate, greeting all the guests.¡±


    I take his arm and head downstairs with a heavy heart. ¡°You sure I need to be there? Some of the


    Ramirez rtives are not very fond of me.¡±


    He pats my arm, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be there for you.¡±


    All preparation works are finished at this point and the entire garden looks wonderful. A thousand small


    lanterns hang from the tree, glowing like stars and fireflies even in the daylight. Some long tables are


    situated on thewn, with centerpieces of white lilies and roses. Clusters of flowers decorate the dance


    floor and patio Eason and I walk across thewn and arrive at the front gate. The driveway is already


    parked with cars and a few servants are busy directing the traffic. We join Mr. Ramirez, who is standing


    right at the gate and talking to people.


    ¡°Eason!¡± a middle-aged man who seems to be Mr. Ramirez¡¯s business partner greets Eason with a


    hug.¡° Haven¡¯t seen you in a while. What¡¯ve you been up to?¡± :


    ¡°Uncle George, long time no see.¡± Eason gives him a polite smile. ¡°School works keep me upied.


    But I definitely want to visit your firm again sometimes, if that¡¯s not too much trouble.¡±


    ¡°Oh god no, you are weed at any time. You are graduating next year, right? Do you want to do an


    internship at my firm? Or are you taking over your father¡¯spany already?¡±


    Mr. Ramirez pats Eason¡¯s shoulder, ¡®We haven¡¯t discussed that yet. But I¡¯m sure Eason will appreciate


    the opportunity.¡±


    I don¡¯t know a thing about what they are talking about and just stand there awkwardly. Luckily, the man


    notices me and asks, ¡°And who¡¯s this attractive youngdy? I heard your mom is setting you up with


    someone. Is this¡±


    Eason quickly cuts him off, ¡°Uncle George, please meet my sister, Natalia. And Natalia, this is George


    Hannigan, the owner of the biggestw firm in NY.¡±


    ¡°Sister?¡± Mr. Hannigan frowns, ¡°When did you¡­Oh.¡±


    I be even more embarrassed seeing his smile fades away right after he realized who I am.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Hannigan,¡± I nod at him.


    ¡°Um-hun. Right.¡± The man answers dryly and turns to Mr. Ramirez immediately. ¡°So, I¡¯ll see youter.¡±


    He leaves and Mr. Ramirez goes to greet another group of people. I sigh, feeling more out-of-ced


    than ever.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this nice?¡± Eason whispers beside my ears. ¡°He thought you are my girlfriend. People really think


    that we are a great couple.¡±


    | snort gloomily, ¡°Stop fooling yourself. He thought I was the golden girl you are supposed to date.


    That¡¯s why he said that.¡±


    ¡°Hey, you are you, alright? Don¡¯t let those shallow minded people ruin your good mood.¡±


    shake my head andpse into silence.


    The situation only gets worse when the Ramirez rtives arrive. Someone of them justpletely


    ignore me. Their eyes nevernd on me the entire time even though Eason tries to introduce me to


    them. A woman even throws her coat at me and asks me to check it for her.


    There¡¯s this olddy-I think she¡¯s Eason¡¯s cousin¡¯s grandma-and she starts talking about Eason¡¯s


    marriage partner nonstop. Even Eason can¡¯t get her to shut up.


    ¡°¡­I heard that she¡¯s a wonderfuldy. Well-educated, beautiful, and shees from a great family.


    This is a match made in heaven. You should definitely meet her sooner and stop wasting your time on


    those cheap missies,¡±


    ¡°I know what to do with my life,¡± Eason has to increase his voice even more. ¡°The resting area is over


    there.¡±


    I feel that there¡¯s a lump at my throat. After the onlydy, I turn to Eason, ¡°I¡¯m heading out for some air.¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Eason grabs my hand. ¡°We got more guestsing,¡±


    ¡°And why do they need me, Eason? Most of them don¡¯t care about my existence at all. They want me


    to be gone. I¡¯m not staying here and make a fool of myself any longer.¡± | snap and hurry away


    immediately.


    The garden and the house are full of people. I wander all the way around to the Staff¡¯s Exit and finally


    find a quiet ce to be alone.


    I finally get a taste of how it feels like to be a billionaire¡¯s second wife. Being overlooked, despised,


    undervalued¡­ this must be mom¡¯s daily life. And if I continue my rtionship with Eason, sooner or


    later this will be my life.


    Is it truly worth it?


    I don¡¯t have an answer now. So I just keep sitting there with an absent mind. The time travels by fast


    andter I hear musicing from the garden.


    The party is going to start.


    I take in a deep breath and pull myself together. I¡¯ll think about theseter. Right now, my mom needs


    me.


    I stand up from the bench and start heading towards the garden. I didn¡¯t watch where I was going and


    suddenly I bump into a staff with a trolley.


    ¡°Oh I¡¯m sorry,¡± I quickly apologize.


    But when the staff raises his head and meet eyes with me, I freeze on the spot. Cold shiver instantly


    runs down my spine. ¡°How-what are you doing here?!¡± I cry out.


    Previous Chapter

 Chapter 51

    Chapter 51


    Ch??ng 51: B? h? g?c


    Natalia''s POV


    Ng??i m¨¤ t?i s? nh?t - ng??i m¨¤ t?i ngh? r?ng t?i s? kh?ng bao gi? g?p l?i - xu?t hi?n ngay tr??c m?t


    t?i.


    ?¨® l¨¤ Zack!


    T?i sao anh ta l?i ? ?ay? Anh ?y kh?ng n¨ºn ? b?nh vi?n sao? T?i ?? ngh? lu?t s? gia ?¨¬nh c?a ch¨²ng


    t?i s? ch?m s¨®c cho anh ta. T?i sao anh ta l?i c¨® m?t trong b?a ti?c k? ni?m c?a m? t?i ???


    M?t cau c?m th¨¢n ng?n tho¨¢t ra kh?i m?i t?i v¨¤ t?i ngay l?p t?c quay ng??i b? ch?y. Nh?ng chi?c ¨¢o


    d¨¤i qu¨¢i ??n c?a t?i ?? gi? t?i l?i, khi?n t?i lo?ng cho?ng v¨¤ ng?. T?i s? ??n m?c b?t ??u b¨° ?i b?ng


    chan v¨¤ tay. Nh?ng ??t nhi¨ºn m?t b¨¤n tay l?nh l?o b?t l?y m?t c¨¢ chan c?a t?i t? ph¨ªa sau.


    ¡°Ahhh,¡± t?i s? h?i k¨ºu l¨ºn, ?¨¢ v¨¤o chan v¨¤ c? g?ng tho¨¢t ra kh?i anh ta.


    "Kh?ng! Kh?ng c¨® Natalia! Su?t¡­ .Xin h?y nghe t?i! ¡± anh ta xa l¨¢nh t?i v¨¤ c?u xin. ¡°T?i xin l?i, nh?ng


    t?i kh?ng c¨® y l¨¤m h?i! L¨¤m ?n tin t?i. T?i v? c¨´ng xin l?i v¨¬ nh?ng g¨¬ t?i ?? l¨¤m! ¡±


    T?i n?a s?c v¨¤ n?a khi?p s?. Anh ?y nhanh ch¨®ng bu?ng m?t c¨¢ chan c?a t?i ra v¨¤ dang r?ng ??i tay


    c?a m¨¬nh, th? hi?n s? chan th¨¤nh c?a m¨¬nh.


    "T?i sao b?n ? ?ay?" | si?t ch?t v¨¢y c?a t?i v¨¤ h?i m?t c¨¢ch nghi¨ºm kh?c. ¡°Em t??ng anh v?n ?ang ?


    b?nh vi?n! Kh?ng ph?i anh b? g?y x??ng s??n hay sao? ¡±


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°T-t?i kh?ng b? th??ng n?ng nh? c?u ngh?, OK? Lu?t s? c?a t?i n¨®i v?i t?i r?ng t¨¬nh tr?ng th??ng t¨ªch


    n?ng h?n s? gi¨²p ¨ªch cho tr??ng h?p c?a t?i v¨¬ t?i l¨¤ ng??i vi ph?m¡­ nh?ng ?i?u ?¨® kh?ng hi?u qu?


    l?m. Lu?t s? gia ?¨¬nh c?a b?n ?? th?c s?


    t?t."


    B?ng t?i quay cu?ng v¨¤ t?i c?m th?y bu?n n?n, "B?n ?? gi? m?o b¨¢o c¨¢o y t? c?a m¨¬nh?"


    T?i c? ?¨¢nh gi¨¢ th?p anh ta v? li¨ºm s? nh? th? n¨¤o.


    ¡°C? ?i ?i,¡± t?i n¨®i v?i anh ta. ¡°H?y r?i ?i ngay bay gi? v¨¤ t?i s? kh?ng b¨¢o c¨¢o v?i ??i an ninh¡­ n?u


    kh?ng n?u ?ng Ramirez v¨¤ Eason bi?t b?n ?ang ? ?ay, h? s? bu?c b?n ph?i lo?i b?.¡±


    "B?n ngh? r?ng t?i s? h? ?!" anh ?y ch?p v¨¤ l¨¤m t?i gi?t m¨¬nh. T?i nhanh ch¨®ng l¨´i l?i m?t b??c.


    ¡°Kh?ng¡­ xin l?i, t?i ?ang c¨® tam tr?ng t?i t?, v¨¤ t?i ?? m?t b¨¬nh t?nh t? l¨²c n¨¤o,¡± anh l??t ng¨®n tay qua


    m? t¨®c r?i b¨´ c?a m¨¬nh r?i xoa m?t. Anh ta c¨® v? ki?t s?c v¨¤ th?t v?ng, "C? kh?ng bi?t, Natalia ... c?


    kh?ng bi?t h? ?? l¨¤m g¨¬ v?i t?i."


    T?i nu?t n??c b?t v¨¤ c?ng l?i, "D¨´ h? ?? l¨¤m g¨¬, b?n c¨® th? x?ng ?¨¢ng v?i ?i?u ?¨®."


    "C¨® th?t kh?ng?" anh c??i chua ch¨¢t. ¡°B?n ngh? r?ng c?ng ty c?a t?i ?¨¢ng b? ph¨¢ s?n? T?i ?¨¢ng b? ?u?i


    kh?i tr??ng? Gia ?¨¬nh t?i c¨® ?¨¢ng b? cu?m h?t t¨¤i s?n kh?ng? V¨¤ em g¨¢i mang b?u c?a t?i ?¨¢ng s?ng


    tr¨ºn ???ng ph?? ¡±


    M?t t?i m? to v¨¤ t?i kh?ng n¨®i n¨ºn l?i.


    T?i bi?t r?ng Eason ?? khi?n gia ?¨¬nh anh ?y ph¨¢ s?n nh?ng ?? anh ?y ph?i b? h?c v¨¤ em g¨¢i anh ?y


    v? gia c?? C¨® ph?i¡­ nhi?u kh?ng?


    T?i ?ang trong tr?ng th¨¢i xu?t th?n trong m?t giay v¨¤ anh ?y nhanh ch¨®ng n?m l?y c? h?i n¨¤y ?? n?m


    l?y tay t?i, ¡°Natalia l¨¤m ?n! L¨¤m ?n gi¨²p t?i. T?t c? nh?ng g¨¬ t?i l¨¤m trong qu¨¢ kh? ??u l¨¤ l?i c?a t?i.


    L?a d?i b?n, n¨®i nh?ng ?i?u kh¨® ch?u v?i b?n, ¨¦p bu?c b?n tr¨ºn ???ng ph?¡­ t?t c? l¨¤ t?i. Nh?ng b?n


    c¨® th? vui l¨°ng n¨®i chuy?n v?i Eason v¨¤ ??ng ?? h? nh?t t?i kh?ng? N?u b? nh?t th¨¬ gia ?¨¬nh t?i kh?ng


    c¨°n ngu?n t¨¤i ch¨ªnh n¨¤o kh¨¢c! ¡±


    C?n gi?n d? c?a anh ?y l¨¤m t?i kinh ng?c. T?i thu m¨¬nh l?i v¨¤ tr¨¢nh ??i m?t ?? ng?u c?a anh ta.


    T?i th?c s? c?m th?y ti?c cho anh ?y. Nh?ng t?i c?ng bi?t r?ng Eason ?? l¨¤m nh?ng ?i?u ?¨® cho t?i.


    T?i kh?ng th? ch?n sai ngay bay gi? v¨¤ quay l?i ?am anh ta.


    "B¨¬nh t?nh, ???c kh?ng?" T?i c? g?ng n¨®i m?t s? gi¨¢c quan v¨¤o anh ?y. ¡°T?i s? th? n¨®i chuy?n v?i


    Eason, nh?ng t?i nghi ng? anh ?y s? l?ng nghe t?i. B?n ch? c?n v? nh¨¤ ngay bay gi?. B?n ? ?ay s?


    kh?ng thay ??i b?t c? ?i?u g¨¬. ¡±


    But Zack suddenly raises his voice. ¡°No! You will take me inside and bring him to me! I don¡¯t believe


    you rich bastard. If you want to help me, do it now!¡±


    Rich bastard? He should call himself that!


    Irritation surges up in me as I frown deeply looking at him. If guests find out that I have a mad ex


    boyfriending to the party and making a scene, it¡¯ll be the end for both me and my mom. God


    knows how they will gossip after that.


    ¡°No, Zack. You need to go home now,¡± I harden my tone. ¡°I¡¯ll think about helping you out but that is it!


    You don¡¯t get to tell me what to do. Those days are over, and I will not take more shits from you!¡±


    Hepses into silence, his head down.


    Just when I thought he has quitted talking nonsense, he looks up to me again. His face is lit with an


    insane and twisted smile.


    ¡°So you won¡¯t help me, right Nat?¡± he takes a step closer, almost whispering. ¡°I should have known.


    You are always a fake, cheap, BITCH.¡±


    A shaky cry for help almost escapes my lips, but suddenly a hard knock falls on the back of my neck,


    causing a sharp pain to spread over my body immediately.


    Thest thing I saw before falling into the darkness was the burning hatred in his eyes.


    tik


    Eason¡¯s POV


    I stand by thewn checking my phone.


    The party is about to start, and she said that she would save her first dance to me. So where is she


    now?


    An unsettling feeling appears, and I decide to call her again. But suddenly my phone is taking away


    from me.


    ¡°What are you doing man?¡± James appears, followed by Katherine. Their parents are friends to my


    dad, so naturally they are invited as well. This is a small town.


    I snatch my phone back from him and grumble, ¡°fuck off.¡±


    Katherine looks sideways and asks, ¡°Where is Nat by the way? Haven¡¯t seen her since I got here.¡±


    ¡°How would I know?¡± I roll my eyes. Yet the uneasy feeling in my heart intensifies.


    They stay with me for a while and then are summoned back by their parents, as I keep standing by the


    dance floor, distracted. My eyelids keep twitching for no reasons, making me even more edgy.


    ¡°Eason.¡±


    Someone calls me from behind. I turn around and find it¡¯s my mom. Not now. I don¡¯t have the energy


    for her now.


    Yet she walks up to me and stands by my side. ¡°Eason, the girl I want you meet is here today. So, I was


    hoping that you could invite her for your first dance.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I frown. ¡°No, forget it. I already have a dance partner.¡±


    She raises her eyebrows. ¡°And who is that?¡±


    grit my teeth and stay in silence,


    ¡°T?i kh?ng ?¨°i h?i nhi?u. Ch? c?n m?t ?i?u nh?y v¨¤ b?n s? l¨¤m quen v?i c? ?y. C? ?y r?t ?¨¢ng y¨ºu. Ai


    bi?t? B?n c¨® th? th?c s? th¨ªch c? ?y. C? ?y ?¨²ng h?n- ¡±


    "B?n s? kh?ng ch? im l?ng m?t l?n!" T?i c¨¢u k?nh.


    M? t?i d?ng l?i, c¨® l? b? s?c. C? ??i n¨¤y ch?a t?ng c¨® ai n¨®i chuy?n v?i c? ?y nh? v?y.


    "Xin l?i cho t?i h?i?" C? ?y ??t nhi¨ºn n?m l?y c¨¢nh tay t?i, m¨®ng tay d¨¤i c?m sau v¨¤o da th?t t?i. ''Anh


    s? ?? y c¨¢i l??i c?a m¨¬nh, anh b?n tr?. B?i v¨¬ t?t c? nh?ng g¨¬ t?i ?? l¨¤m l¨¤ cho b?n, v¨¤ b?n n¨ºn bi?t ?n!


    Bay gi?, h?y ch?nh ??n l?i b? ?? c?a b?n v¨¤ ?i m?i m?t c? g¨¢i ph¨´ h?p ?? khi¨ºu v?! ¡±


    T?i mu?n h¨¦t l?i v?i c? ?y. Nh?ng giay ti?p theo, ban nh?c b?t ??u ch?i, v¨¤ t?i th?y ?ng b¨¤ Ramirez


    nh?y ?i?u b? xu?ng s¨¤n nh?y. Kh?ng lau n?a, s? ??n l??t t?i. Nh?ng t?i b? m? ?¨¨ xu?ng c? h?ng. V¨¤


    ?i?u t?i t? nh?t l¨¤, Natalia v?n ch?a ???c t¨¬m th?y.


    Ch??ng tr??c

 Chapter 52

    Chapter 52


    Chapter 52: Kidnap


    Eason¡¯s POV


    A spotlight hits me and people are turning their heads at my direction. I vaguely hear the host¡¯s voice


    coming from the distance, asking me to take my dance partner and join the dancefloor.


    ¡°Eason!¡± mom grits beside my ear, pinching my arm. ¡°Go invite the girl now. Or you will regret itter.¡±


    She is pushing me. I know if I say yes, I will be her puppet once again, which is exactly what she


    wants.


    I take in a deep breath and pull myself free from her grasp, taking a step back.


    ¡°Mom,¡± I meet eyes with her. ¡°I don¡¯t care if she¡¯s a princess or the daughter of the richest man on earth, I


    won¡¯t dance with her.¡±


    There is only one person I want to share my first dance with


    And she is not here.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid, Eason! As the Ramirez¡¯s heir, you have a responsibility to-¡±


    I cut her off, ¡°Mom, stop fucking control me. I am the Ramirez¡¯s heir. Not you.¡±


    Her lips part slightly in shock. She¡¯s obviously astonished by my outrageous words. But I don¡¯t give a


    damn. She can go nuts all she wants after the party. Right now, I have a more important thing to do.


    Then, with everyone staring, 1 turn around and leave. I hear buzzing whispers behind me but so what? I


    can try to be a part of this party for her sake, but if she¡¯s not here, I might as well just drop the act.


    Right now, all guests and guests are gathered at thewn, so everywhere else is deadly silent. I dash


    across the hall, going upstairs and break into her room.


    No, she isn¡¯t there.


    A thousand crazy ideas whiz past my mind. My palms are sticky with cold sweat.


    Where can she be? She is not answering my calls either. Did something bad happen?


    But this ce is heavily secured since we have some really important people on the guest list. So what


    could possibly happen to her?


    I take in a deep breath and try to calm myself down. She wanted to be alone when she left me so she


    must have gone to somewhere quiet


    I turn around and head back downstairs again. I check the kitchen first, then go to the backyard. I ask


    every staff that I run into.


    But nothing. No one has seen her.


    ¡°Maybe Miss Moore had already left?¡± Our butler suggests. ¡°I saw a few cars leaving earlier.¡±


    ¡°No, impossible. She would have told me first,¡± I shake my head irritably. She promised to dance with me


    on the party.


    Or maybe¡­maybe she decided to break her promise. Nevertheless, she was seriously pissed when she


    left me because how my families had treated her.


    Fuck. I silently curse them. All my rtives are a bunch of stupid fuckers.


    Suddenly I hear two staffs whispering as they walk past me.


    ¡°¡­the delivery guy should have arrived a long time ago. Where is he?¡±


    ¡°No idea. His trolley was left in the parking lot. No one has seen him. How weird is that?


    Something urs to me in a split of second.


    I snap my head back and grab one of them. The man is startled when he sees me.


    ¡°C-can I help you with anything sir?¡± he stutters.


    ¡®Which delivery guy!¡± I snap, tightening my grip. ¡°Where is he!¡±


    The butleres in between us and tries to calm me down, ¡°It¡¯s nothing important. You don¡¯t need worry


    about that, Mr. Ramirez.¡±


    ¡°No, just fucking listen to me!¡± | grit out word by word.¡±-where did he leave his trolley?¡±


    ***


    Natalia¡¯s POV


    I gradually wake up from a painful slumber.


    I feel like my skull is being cut open by a chainsaw and my neck has been scattered into a thousand


    pieces.


    ¡°You are awake.¡±


    A low and bleak voice rings from above my head and I snap my eyes open instantly.


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    This is a small and dimly lit room with almost no furniture. I¡¯m lying on the damp floor with my hands tied


    up and there¡¯s a chair a few feet away from me. Someone is sitting on it right now.


    It¡¯s Zack.


    Suddenly, everything that happened before came back to me at once.


    ¡°Are you fucking crazy?!¡± I yell, struggling to sit up from the ground. ¡°What are you doing? Are you


    kidnapping me? If you think this is going to get you what you want, then you are-¡±


    He suddenly sprang out of his chair and start roaring to my face, ¡°Shut up! SHUT UP!! You don¡¯t tell me


    what to do bitch! So just SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!¡±


    I¡¯ve never seen him like this before. Like a crazy beast. It scares the shit out of me.


    He clenches his fists and takes a step closer to me. I quickly move back with my butt and feet, but he


    launches forward and grabs a hand full of my hairs before I get away.


    ¡°No! L-let go of me!¡± I cry out in pain.


    He forces my head up andnds a hot p on my cheek, ¡°You wish slut!¡±


    My vision bes blur for a moment and something hot rushes out of my nose. It took me a second to


    realize that my nose is bleeding.


    ¡°Listen to me you fucking whore,¡± he squeezes my face. ¡°You better wish the Ramirez is willing to pay


    me a shit load of money to get you out of here. Otherwise, you are going down with me!¡±


    The blood runs down into my mouth and I can¡¯t even spare a hand to wipe it. This is probably the most


    awkward moment in my life.


    Yet I don¡¯t want to anger him further, so I soften my tone and say, ¡°OK you can try calling Mr. Ramirez.


    But you better not be too greedy with the ransom. I¡¯m only his stepdaughter.¡±


    To my surprise, a twisted, ugly smile appears on his face.


    ¡°Mr. Ramirez? Who said anything about calling the old one?¡± he sneers. ¡°I called Eason Ramirez.


    Nevertheless, he¡¯s the one fucking you right?¡±


    Previous Chapter

 Chapter 53

    Chapter 53


    Chapter 53: Licked by Snake


    It¡¯s like a bucket of ice water being poured down my head.


    How can he possibly know about this?!!!


    Zack narrows his eyes and studies my face. Thought I tried everything to hide my panic, the look of


    surprise must be pretty obvious.


    A few secondster, he lets out short sneer.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure until just now,¡± he pats my face dismissively. ¡°You are really a cheap whore, Natalia Moore.


    So basically anyone can get into your pants right? As long as they pay you the right amount. You are no


    more than a prostitute, selling out your pussy for coins,¡±


    My teeth are chattering. Every word thates out is shattered. ¡°H-how do you,¡±


    ¡°How do I know about this? It¡¯s so fucking obvious alright? He was very protective of you. No one could


    have done the same thing for his stepsister. You two were definitely fucking.¡±


    Suddenly, a cold and evil smile appears on his face.


    ¡°So, what was it like to be fucked by the Ramirez¡¯s only heir? The golden dick must really taste differently


    huh? You were such a prude when you are with me. Yet you threw yourself right into his arms the


    moment we broke up. I guess money really can make you spread your legs. You like how he filled your


    empty hole??¡±


    He picks up a lock of my hairs and starts sniffing it. A weird and satisfying look takes over his face. I can¡¯t


    stop shivering as disgust surges up in me.


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    ¡°No¡­! Let go of me!¡± I cry out, disgusted by his behavior.


    ¡°Quiet!¡± he roars,nding another hard p on my face. ¡°See, you are doing it again! Turning me away


    and shutting me down! Everyone keeps shutting me down! But the world seems wide open to people like


    him! Fuck him. Fuck you all!!¡±


    I am so scared. He looks like a lunatic. Yet I also can¡¯t help but feel angry at the same time.


    How can he me everything on us? His own terrible personality caused all his tragedies, not us! Is he


    capable of anything else except ming others??!


    Fury clouds my mind. Suddenly, I spitted hard in his face.


    ¡°You..!¡±


    Although afraid, I still manage to utter these following words, ¡°You are pathetic Zack. A pathetic loser.


    That¡¯s why the world keeps shutting doors on you. Because that¡¯s what it is like to be a pathetic loser!¡±


    Bang!


    He grabs my hairs and knocks my head hard against the ground. And then again, and again! My


    forehead starts bleeding as I scream in pain. And the next second, he grabs the hem of my dress and


    rips it open.


    ¡°Shut your mouth bitch,¡± he sneers coldly while pressing my face down to the ground. ¡°Let¡¯s see if your


    hole got any tighter after being filled by the golden dick.¡±


    ¡°Wait-no..!¡±


    His hand creeps into my dress, his sticky palm rubbing against my naked skin. I pant in panic, getting


    goosebumps all over my skin. I¡¯d rather be skinned alive than having him touch me like this!


    Chetan 63cked by Snake


    ¡°Zack! Stop-no!¡± I scream, ¡°This isn¡¯t going to get you what you want!¡±


    ¡°No. But it makes me feel very good,¡± he chuckles, his thumb pressing against my core through my


    panties. ¡°What does he normally do before he fucks you? Does he get you wet first?¡±


    I feel like I¡¯m being licked by a snake, and it makes me sick. But his breathing bes heavier as he


    keeps rubbing my private areas. Now I can feel his erection pressed against my butt.


    ¡°Fuck. Your body is good as usual,¡± his rough breathinges in gasps. ¡°What will our princes think


    huh? Knowing that his whore is damn wet under me right now?¡±


    I scream and struggle violently. But it¡¯s no use. He easily controls me with one hand and takes out the


    phone with the other.


    My face is pressed closely to the floor, with a mix of blood and dirt on my cheek. I hear him dialing, then


    after a few seconds, the call is answered.


    ¡°Hello Eason,¡± Zack cackles.


    A short pause of silence. Then, a bleak and dangerous voice rings in my ears.


    ¡°¡­You better let her go now.¡±


    It¡¯s him.


    It¡¯s his voice. It¡¯s Eason¡¯s voice!


    My vision bes blur at once as tears threaten to fall. I miss him so much, even though we¡¯ve just


    parted for a few hours.


    ¡°But we are having so much fun here Eason,¡± Zack snorts. ¡°Your little girlfriend is horny. She is wet as a


    pond of mud right now. Wanna hear her sweet voice right now?¡±


    He brings the phone down to my ear.


    I choke up and then blurt out in a strangled voice, ¡°Eason¡­¡±


    I want him. I want him to hug me in his arms and make me safe again. Then I hear his low and hoarse


    coming out of the speaker, ¡°¡­don¡¯t worry babe. I¡¯ll get you out of there.¡±


    Previous Chapter

 Chapter 54

    Chapter 54


    Chapter 54: Last Words ¡°Great speech,¡± Zack sneers. ¡°You guys done?¡±


    Eason¡¯s voice bes cold again, ¡°I¡¯ll give you 30 seconds. State what you want.¡±


    ¡°Ten million USD in traveler¡¯s checks. A car with full tank. No cops. And you muste alone!¡± Zacks


    blurts out at once. ¡°Then you can have your little whore back.¡±


    My heart sinks.


    Oh my god. Ten million USD!!!


    Even if the Ramirez can gather that much money in a short amount of time, how will I ever be able to


    repay them?


    ¡°How touching,¡± Eason says sardonically. ¡°You talked about how your parents and sister were


    mistreated. But what now? You are going to abandon them and run away yourself?¡±


    Zack¡¯s jaw tenses and his face twists in anger.


    ¡°Do you want her back or not!¡± he snarls. ¡°Because if not, I can have so much fun with her¡ª¡±


    ¡°One hour,¡± Eason cuts him off sharply. ¡°And send me your location now. One hourter, I want to see


    her safe and sound without a scratch. If you darend a single hand on her, I promise you now, you will


    die miserably. I will have you skinned alive, chopped into pieces and feed to dogs. I will also make sure


    your families live in hell. Mark my words.¡±


    Zack shudders. I catch a spasm of fear flitted across his face.


    He swallows hard before continuing, ¡°Deal. If you get me what you want, I have no reason to hurt her.¡±


    After hanging up the phone, he quickly sends out our location and then turns to me, his face surly.


    ¡°Well. Let¡¯s just wait for your prince charming to show up.¡±


    The next hour is a living hell.


    Zack keeps pacing back and forth in the room, checking his phone regrly. I can tell his on edge.


    Threatening a Ramirez takes a lot of courage. He¡¯s putting everything he has at stake here.


    But I¡¯m d that he has lost his interest in me. So I lie quietly on the floor, resting and wondering about


    things. Has Eason told anyone about this yet? Has mom noticed that I¡¯m missing?


    And how¡¯s her anniversary party going so far? I feel terrible that I can¡¯t be at her side when she needs


    me the most.


    And oh god¡­ Ten million dors??? That¡¯s freaking insane¡­ Will Eason be able to get that money


    without drawing Mr. Ramirez¡¯s attention?


    And if Mr. Ramirez knows about this, is he willing to pay the ransom? I¡¯m only his step-daughter. 1


    My mind is a mess.


    And yet, in spite of everything, I never doubt the fact that Eason will try everything he can to get me


    back. I trust him. With all my heart.


    And all that¡¯s left is to wait.


    I don¡¯t know how long it has been. Half an hour? Or a full hour maybe? Suddenly, Zack snaps his head


    towards me and growls, ¡°he¡¯ste!¡±


    My body tense up immediately. The frustration on his face is even more obvious, which is a bad sign.


    I quickly sit up and move away from him slightly, ¡°has it been an hour already?¡± ¡°Yes! An hour and extra


    five minutes! He is fuckingte!¡± Zack yells. My mind is spinning fast. I need to get him calm down first.


    ¡°I know he¡¯sing. But probably got caught up at the bank? It takes a long time to get that amount of


    money. So you have to have some patience¡­¡±


    ¡°But he said it himself!¡± Zack roars frantically. ¡°One fucking hour! And now he iste! Why! He won¡¯t


    come, right Natalia? He has called the police!¡±


    I bite my bottom lip. He doesn¡¯t seem sane right now. ¡°He won¡¯t. He will keep his promise, I swear. Just


    wait a little longer and¡ª¡± ¡°No! Stop telling me what to do! Bitch!¡± Zack strides over and drags me up


    from the ground roughly. I can feel his hand trembling. He is being eaten alive by fear and desperation.


    ¡°This is a mistake. A huge fucking mistake,¡± he grunts in a crazy tone. I don¡¯t


    know if he¡¯s talking to me or to himself. ¡°What I¡¯m I thinking? He obviously doesn¡¯t care about you. You


    are only a whore he¡¯s been fucking. Why did I get you? You¡ªyou are FUCKING USELESS!¡±


    I try to speak but he ps me again, so hard that I cough out blood. He shouts to me, ¡°Shut up! And


    move!¡± He pushes me forward and forces me out through the door. When we are outside, I finally


    realize that we are at a mountain top cab. Judging by the view around, we are probably hundreds of


    miles away from the city. 1 At this very moment, I finally start to feel despair. ¡­Eason will never be able


    to make it on time. Zack pushes me to the cliff. I take a quick peek downward and feel cold sweat


    trickling down my spine instantly. If I fall from here, they won¡¯t be able to find my body in full piece. Zack


    grabs my shoulder and forces me to stand on the edge. The wine ruffles his hair and shows his


    bloodshot eyes, which is now fixed on me full of hatred.


    ¡°Anyst words?¡± he grits out,


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    I close my eyes in desperation. How did wee to this ce? When I started dating him, he appears


    so normal. He even seems like a gentleman. I used to dream about our future once, like going to the


    same college, living in the same city and starting a family together some day. I never thought, not even


    for a single second, that one day I would die in his hands. How ironic.


    ¡°Is it really worth it?¡± I ask him with a trembling voice. ¡°If you do this, you will be a murderer. Your


    life will be ruined. Stop now before it¡¯s toote!¡±


    ¡°No, you are wrong. My life had been ruined a long time ago, ever since that Ramirez bastard walked


    all over me.¡±


    Then his grip on my shoulder gradually loosens. ¡°Goodbye. Natalia.¡±

 hapter 55

    hapter 55


    Chapter 55: Safe and Sound Is this how I am going to die? I can feel Zack¡¯s grip gradually loosen and


    my body is falling backwards. A terrified scream escapes my lips as my entire life suddenly fast-


    forwards in front of my eyes. I want to tell mom that I wish her a lifetime of happiness; I want to tell dad


    that I¡¯ve forgiven him by now and he also deserves to be happy with his new girlfriend; I want to take a


    look at my friends again, Jenna, Alex, Katherine, and even Eddie¡­


    But most importantly, I want Eason.


    I want to hug him once more and let me him know my feelings. I love him. And I don¡¯t care how the rest


    of the world sees us. I want to trade in everything I have to be with him. But¡­everything that I want


    seems like a luxury now. Yet right at this moment, the roar from the car fills the air. Zack suddenly


    reaches out and grabs me by the shoulder, pulling me back from the cliff. He murmurs in disbelief, ¡°You


    hear that?¡±. I fall to the ground, too terrified to utter a single word.


    Cold sweats soak my dress. I ce my trembling hands on the solid ground and .. clench my fingers.


    Only then do I realize that I just narrowly escaped death.


    A ck SUV appears from the bushes with its deafening engine and makes a sharp stop in front of us.


    I recognize this car as Eason¡¯s Benz G-300, one of his luxury collections.


    The driver¡¯s door flies open, and Eason jumps out of it.


    He hasn¡¯t changed out of his suit yet and appears extraordinarily out of ce in this wilderness, with


    his ck tie and wore back hairs. Yet he looks dashingly handsome still. He seems like 007. I thought


    to myself and then quickly realize how impropriate this thought is.


    Eason ms the door shut and steps forward. His eyes fix on me as a gentle smile touches his lips.


    ¡°Hey babe,¡± he says in a low voice. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    I feel my throat constricted. He¡¯s finally here. ¡°What took you so long?¡± I choke in a strangled voice. ¡°Do


    you know I almost¡ª¡± ¡°Enough!¡±


    Zack suddenly grabs my hairs and drags my head back, exposing my neck. A sharp de appears in


    his hands, and he is pressing it against my throat. I swallow. The de instantly cut open a thinyer of


    my skin. Blood quickly trickles down my neck.


    Eason¡¯s face darkens. He stares at Zack with a dangerous look on his face and threatens, ¡°You better


    get that away from her now.¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Zack¡¯s grip tightens as he snaps. ¡°Where¡¯s those things I asked


    for?!¡± Eason calmly takes out an envelope from his pocket and waves it at Zack, ¡°Right here.¡±


    I hold my breath involuntarily. No way¡­he really got the money.


    Zack¡¯s body tenses immediately. I can feel his hands shaking with excitement.¡° Good, good! And¡­


    where is my car?¡±


    Eason nods at his Benz G-300, ¡°you can take this if you like.¡±


    Zack¡¯s eyes range over the shiny SUV and thene to rest on Eason again. Then, he asks with a


    hesitant yet greedy-filled voice, ¡°¡­it is a bit high-profile, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    Eason shrugs, ¡°I simply took what you asked for. And this car is worth at least $ 150 thousands dors.


    But if you prefer a cheaper one¡ª¡±


    ¡°No no!¡± Zack says quickly, breathing fast. ¡°This will do. Now, bring the envelope and the car key to


    me!¡±


    Eason narrows his eyes, ¡°You bring Natalia to me first.¡±


    ¡°How do I know if I can trust you!¡± Zack barks. ¡°OK. How about this then: let¡¯s trade.¡± Eason takes the


    envelop and the car key in his hands and puts both of his hands in the air. He takes a careful step


    towards us, and then another one.


    I stare at him, my heartbeat racing. I¡¯ve never felt this nervous in my entire life.


    The gap between us gradually closes and the tension is reaching its climax.


    Eventually when Eason is a few feet away from us, Zack shouts out, ¡°This is close


    enough! Now hand it over. No tricks! I warn you.¡± Eason nods calmly. My heart jumps to my throat


    when I see them trade. Eason¡¯s left hand is reaching out to get me. Yet his fingertips barely touch my


    shoulder when, suddenly, I feel a hard yank at my back. ¡°Goodbye bitch,¡± I hear Zack¡¯s voice shaking


    with malicious pleasure. I slip, my body falling off the cliff. Everything is happening too fast. A horrified


    scream freezes in my throat.


    BANG!


    The next second, my body hits hard against the rock wall but it stops falling. Trembling, I open my eyes


    and realize that I¡¯m hanging in the middle air, a deep dark chasm below my feet.


    f


    Someone grabs me before I fell. Tears streams down my face. I raise my head and look above. Even


    with a blurry vision, I still recognize his face. His face slightly twists, and veins on his forehead are


    pulsing. He grabs me with all his might and starts pulling me upwards. But there are many small,


    slippery rubbles besides the cliff so both of us drop a few inches. I scream in horror and sob, ¡°Ju-just let


    go!¡± ¡°What!¡± he cries furiously. ¡°Are you out of your fucking mind!!¡± My mind is nk, but I repeat


    myself, ¡°let me go. Or¡­or you will end up falling with me!¡±


    He can¡¯t pull me up with how slippery the rock is; if we stay here like this, I¡¯ll drag him down with me.


    This is a dead end.


    ¡°Listen to me. You ¨Cyou need to let go¡­I can¡¯t take you down with me¡­¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± he grits out. ¡°If you


    think I can let you die, then you are fucking wrong!¡±


    Tears keep falling. And I can¡¯t even see his face clearly. If this is the end of my life, then I¡¯m not wasting


    it on arguing with him.


    ¡°I-I love you,¡± I blurt out, sobbing uncontrobly.


    He clenches his teeth, muscles on his arms bulging. ¡°Fuck! Do you have to tell me this now???¡±


    I shake my head, crying so hard that I can¡¯t say another word. I need to let him know this now or I¡¯ll


    regret thister¡­or maybe there isn¡¯t a ter.¡± ¡°Hey hey, babe. It¡¯s alright,¡± he softens his tone. ¡°Look at


    me. Everything is going to be fine. Just hang in there a few more seconds. Someone wille and


    help us.¡±


    He is lying. I thought. He is just saying this to calm me down. But suddenly I hear quick footsteps


    approaching. Then a man¡¯s voicees down from above, ¡°Sir! Are you alright?!¡± ¡°Do I seem alright?¡±


    Eason snaps. ¡°Pull us up now!¡± Finally, I am pulled up with their help. The moment my knees touch the


    solid ground, I burry my head in his arms and start crying out loud. ¡°Shh, it¡¯s OK. You are safe now,¡± he


    pats my shoulders gently and smiles. ¡°I . thought you¡¯ve dried up your tears long before.¡± I look up with


    my watery eyes and find a few men in suit standing next to us. They seem like bodyguards. ¡°So you


    brought someone?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Yeah, do you think I really came empty-handed? They were just waiting at a distance. The moment


    they saw my car leaving, they woulde up right away.¡± I¡¯m speechless. Then I suddenly remember


    my speech earlier: asking him to let go and saying I love him¡­ God I¡¯m such an idiot! He sees me


    blushing and then chuckles. ¡°It¡¯s good to know that you love me though.¡± 2


    I¡¯m too embarrassed to say a single word.


    He ces his hand on the back of my head and pulls me in for a quick kiss. Then he whispers to my


    ear, ¡°But just so you know¡­if these guys hadn¡¯t been here today, I wouldn¡¯t have let go either.¡± My


    heart skips a beat. Does he mean that ¡ª


    ¡°I love you too,¡± he says, in a solemn tone.


    He has told me this before. But now I know he really means it this time. I wrap my arms around his


    neck and hug him with all my might. He kisses my neck and


    hugs me hard too. 2


    ¡°Sir.¡± A bodyguardes to our side, ¡°we might need to go. Our men have eyes on the target.¡± Eason


    nods at him and helps me up. I take his hand and ask, ¡°Target? Are you talking about Zack?¡±


    Eason snorts, a dangerous gleam flits across his emerald green eyes. ¡°Of course. How can I let him


    get away with this so easily?¡± he says quietly, sending a chill down my spine. ¡°Come. Or we¡¯ll miss the


    show.¡±


    LI

 Chapter 56

    Chapter 56


    Chapter 56:


    Car Crash I hurry and follow him while asking, ¡°What show? What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°You will see,¡± he wraps his arm around my shoulder and walk me to the side.


    ¡°Are we going to walk?¡±


    He lets out a short chuckle, ¡°No of course not. How do you think I managed to get here in such a short


    time?¡±


    Then I hear a loud ttering sounding from above. I snap my head up and see a helicopter fast


    approaching. It eventuallynds in the open space in front of us, causing a gust of strong wind.


    A real chopper! I¡¯ve only seen one before on TV!


    ¡°This is so cool!¡± I shout to his ears as he picks me up and helps me onboard.¡° But how much is this


    going to cost!¡±


    ¡°A lot cheaper than you think!¡± he shouts back. ¡°It doesn¡¯t cost anything if you own it!¡±


    I gasp in shock. So buying fancy cars isn¡¯t his most luxury hobby then. This is.


    He ces me on the passenger seat and fastens my seatbelt. I widen my eyes when I see him switch


    seats with the pilot and start checking the dashboard.


    ¡°Wait!¡± I raise my voice and try to shout above the noise. ¡°Are you flying this?¡±


    He tosses me a headphone and tabs his ears, indicating me to put it on. I do as he said. The


    headphone is sound-proofed and the next second I hear his musical voice ringing in my ears.


    ¡°No faith in me?¡± he asks with a smile.


    I subconsciously shake my head but then quickly nod again.


    I am terrified of flying. I can never sleep on flights. The smallest turbulence makes me jump in my seat.


    I know people say that airne is the safest


    transportation, but it scares the shit out of me anyway. A faint smile appears on his lips as he ces his


    hand on the joystick and pulls the helicopter off ground. I hold my breath and hold on tightly to my


    seatbelt, watching the mountain hill gets smaller as we liftoff.


    To my surprise, it¡¯s a lot smoother than I thought.


    He¡¯s a great pilot.


    I finally ease up a bit when we reach the cruise altitude, ¡°how long have you been flying?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    ¡°A couple of years,¡± he says. ¡°I used to fly to LA for weekends till my dad told me to stop because it¡¯s


    not very green. I can do a few stunts for you, like quick diving or reeling¡ª¡± ¡°No!!¡± I almost scream.


    ¡°Don¡¯t!¡±


    Then I hear his low chucklesing out of the headphones. Turning around, I see a yful grin


    touches his lips and finally realize that he¡¯s just joking.


    ¡°Well, probably not today then,¡± he promises. We hover in the midair for another 10 minutes before he


    points out the window,¡± Look.¡±


    I follow his finger and look down, and then see a familiar ck SUV speeding downhill.


    It¡¯s Zack.


    ¡°Now it¡¯s time for him to face some consequences,¡± Eason¡¯s voice deepens.¡° What should we do with


    him babe?¡±


    Anger surges up in me when I think of everything Zack did. I clench my fists and grit out, ¡°Can we stop


    him? And bring him back to the police? He won¡¯t get away with it this time!¡±


    Eason raises an eyebrow, ¡°take him to the police? That could take months or even years before he


    actually pays for what he did.¡±


    I¡¯m stunned. I don¡¯t quite understand what he is implying. Then I hear him ask me, ¡°You want him


    dead?¡±


    ¡­what?


    I can¡¯t believe my ears.


    Surely I want Zack to take ount for his sins but I¡¯ve never thought of having him dead!


    And why is Eason asking me this?


    I look at Eason, frightened, and then quickly take a nce at those bodyguards sitting in the back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind them. They can¡¯t hear us,¡± Eason says calmly. ¡°You can speak up your mind.¡±


    I answer him hesitantly, ¡°I hate him of course. I did wish for him to go to hell when he held a knife


    against my neck. But-¡±


    ¡°No but. That¡¯s all I need to know.¡± Eason turns at me giving me a faint smile, which is so beautiful but it


    also makes the hairs on my arms stand.


    Suddenly I have a very bad feeling about what¡¯s going to happen. Yet before I get to say anything,


    Eason does a hand gesture to one of the bodyguards at the back, who nods and then whispers to his


    own speakers. ¡°What are you doing?¡± I start to panic. ¡°What is he doing?¡±


    Eason takes my hand, ¡°It¡¯s OK¡­look down there.¡±


    I cast down my gaze and find Zack¡¯s car again. That ck SUV is about to make a huge U-turn.


    But the next second, instead of turning around, the car goes straight over the rail and shoots right off


    the cliff!


    ¡°Ahh


    I scream out loud, horrified, my hands covering my mouth. Then dense smoke rises into the air from


    where the car dropped. There seems to be an explosion.


    Eason squeezes my hand gently and chuckles, ¡°There.¡±


    I feel hard to breath.


    Did he-did Eason just kill Zack?


    ¡°¡­Was it you?¡± I finally manage to force out these words. ¡°Not me. Not you. No one is involved,¡± Eason


    shrugs indifferently. He is weirdly m, like nothing significant has happened. ¡°His car break failed and


    lost control. Bad luck, that¡¯s all. But if he hadn¡¯t kidnaped you, none of these would have happened.¡±


    He¡¯s so calm. How can be so fucking calm? It¡¯s a life for god¡¯s sake!


    I suddenly feel the world zooming out from me. The air is getting thinner, and my vision bes blurry.


    I vaguely hear Eason shouting my name, but I am unable to respond.


    Then I spiral down a deeper darkness.


    I don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ve slept. But I didn¡¯t sleep well. My dreams were filled with horrified screams,


    explosions and loud crashing sound.


    Then gradually, I hear someone calling me. I fight the slumber and open my heavy eyelids.


    A bright, ginger head appears in my sight. ¡°Oh my god!¡± cries the girl. ¡°Finally! You¡¯re awake!¡± I blink


    several times to be sure and then ask in a rough voice, ¡°¡­Jenna?¡± I can¡¯t believe my eyes. But it¡¯s


    really her, my best friend back in Miami, standing in front of my bed right now.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move just yet. Let me help you.¡± She grabs a pillow and shoves it behind my back to help me sit


    up. I rub my head looking around and find that I¡¯m in the hospital. ¡°God¡­what happened?¡± I murmur


    lowly. ¡°Why are you here?¡± ¡°You mom called me, and I caught the nearest flight. And I could ask the


    same thing Nat! What happened? You had a panic attack and a sever loss of blood. Your mom was


    THIS close to going crazy.¡± She puts her fingers really close together. I sit there with a messed-up


    mind, trying to process everything. Momentster I ask slowly, ¡°Where is Eason?¡± Jenna frowns, ¡°Your


    stepbrother? He¡¯s outside with your mom and stepdad, talking to awyer. He said that you were in his


    helicopter and suddenly had a panic attack and then just fainted. But wasn¡¯t yesterday your mom¡¯s


    anniversary party? What were you guys doing in a helicopter?¡± So he didn¡¯t tell him the whole story,


    which is good because it keeps us clean.


    I quiver in fear thinking of what Eason did to Zack. It¡¯s such a heavy secret that I cannot bear. Jenna


    studies my face, ¡°Wait¡­you¡¯re not telling me the truth. What really happened?¡±


    ¡°¡­Nothing But I¡¯m so so happy to see you, Jenna.¡± I lie to her, almost instantly. I can¡¯t tell her that


    Eason just killed someone for me. That would drive her crazy.


    Lying to my best friend makes me sad.


    Yet a flicker of doubt appears in her eyes. ¡°That¡¯s a lie.¡±


    Shit. She can be very intuitive sometimes. ¡°God, you never lie to me. This is bad, isn¡¯t it?¡± she asks


    heavily. ¡°And it must


    have something to do with your stepbrother Eason, right?¡±


    My heart skips a beat. ¡°Why do you say so?¡±


    She shakes her head with a frown, ¡°I have a very bad feeling about him. I don¡¯t care how handsome


    and rich he is. He just doesn¡¯t seem like a nice guy. He always gives me chills¡­And didn¡¯t he have a


    huge crush on you three years ago? Such a creep.¡±

 Chapter 57

    Chapter 57


    Chapter 57: Three Years Ago


    Natalia¡¯s POV


    ¡°What? Where did thise from?¡±


    I almostugh out loud.


    That is the most ridiculous I¡¯ve ever heard. I¡¯m literally shaking withughter.


    Before I moved to Miami for good, Jenna flied here once and stayed with me for a week to help me


    pack. She met Eason a few times that summer. 1


    But it was such a long time ago! And they didn¡¯t even speak to each other. So something is definitely


    wrong with her memory.


    ¡°You got it wrong. We were friends, but nothing more. In fact, I saw him dated at least 4 girls that


    summer. I even had dinners with his girlfriend! Do you still think he had a crush on me?¡±


    Jenna frown, shaking her head in perplexity. ¡°No, I¡¯m pretty sure about it. He used to stare at you in a


    funny way, like he was ready to take you as his personal prisoner any minute.¡±


    ¡°E, gross!¡± I shiver in disgust. ¡°You are totally fantasizing things. He was probably just sick of me


    following him around.¡±


    ¡°No! I know it for sure because-¡±


    ¡°Because?¡±


    ¡°One day you were out with your dad and I was waiting for you in your room. He came knocking on


    your door, with a bouquet and a letter in his hands. When I told him that you weren¡¯t here, he asked me


    to give the flower and the letter to you. He didn¡¯t seem like his usual self that day. He was shy and


    stuttered a lot. It was kind of cute though. But he seems like a total asshole now.¡±


    I¡¯m stunned.


    I have absolutely no memory of this.


    ¡°Wait. Wait, wait, wait. Back up,¡± I hold up my hand and stop her. ¡°When was this exactly? And where


    did you leave the flower and letter?¡±


    ¡°On your desk! I didn¡¯t stay till you get back, so I just put them on your desk. Oh, and that was like a


    week before we left for Miami.¡±


    I think hard for a moment and suddenly remember that day.


    I went to school with my dad to get my paperwork done. When we got home, we even bumped into Mr.


    Ramirez, Ms. Griswold and Eason on the doorstep. They were heading out for a charity event. Mom


    was upset about Mr. Ramirez going out with his ex-wife, so I ordered pizza and stayed with her.


    Me and mom talked for a long time that night, about her marriage and her new life. So I remember that


    day vividly.


    But I have zero memory of the flower and letter.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Jenna gasps. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you never get his flower and letter.¡±


    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t! Are you sure you left it on my desk?¡±


    ¡°Of course! Where else would I put it? It was sitting on your desk when I left your room. I swear.¡±


    But I didn¡¯t get it. For sure.


    If both of us are telling the truth and none of us suffer from memory loss, then there¡¯s only one


    exnation


    ¡°Someone took it before you came back,¡± Jenna murmurs.


    A shiver travels down my spine immediately.


    So Eason did give me a flower and letter three years ago. But hat¡¯s the letter about? What was he


    trying to tell me?


    And most importantly, who came into my room and took those things without me knowing?


    ¡°So who was in your home that day?¡± Jenna asks.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± I try hard to think back. ¡°There was me and my mom of course. Mr. Ramirez and Ms. Griswold


    was also there before I got home. And there were a few maids. So I guess 5-6 people?¡±


    I don¡¯t think any of the maids would take my stuff away without my permission.


    That left me with three people, Mr. Ramirez, Ms. Griswold and my mom.


    And Eason, if he came back and retrieved those things himself.


    ¡°I bet it¡¯s that old hag!¡± Jenna cries, waving her fists furiously in the air. ¡°How could


    she¡±


    Yet before she finishes, the door suddenly opens. We snap our head back and find Eason standing by


    the door with a tray of food.


    His eyes light up immediately when he sees me.


    ¡°Thank god you are awake,¡± he strides over and kisses me on my forehead. ¡°Your mom would skin me


    alive if anything happened to you. She is venting it all on my dad right now.¡±


    Jenna suddenly cried out in surprise, pointing a finger at us and yells, ¡°What the hell? You-are you guys


    ¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shh. No one knows about it yet!¡± I shush her. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you in a minute.¡±


    She pouts and mutters someints. When Eason turns around to fix my food, she mouths me:


    Ask him!


    I gulp, suddenly feeling a little nervous.


    ¡°So Eason...?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Three years ago, and you¡¯ve probably already forgotten about it¡­but before I left, you went into my


    room and gave me some flowers? And a letter? Do you remember?¡±


    A silence fills the room.


    I hold my breath waiting anxiously for his reply, and so does Jenna. Yet Eason doesn¡¯t


    say anything for a long time. He slowly pours a carton of milk into the ss and turns at me, his lips


    curving up a little.


    ¡°Did I?¡± he asks in a light tone. ¡°I forgot.¡±


    Jenna is such a hot temper, and she cries out immediately, ¡°No way! How could you forget? It¡¯s a week


    before she left and¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. Doesn¡¯t ring a bell. Sorry,¡± he shrugs and hands me the milk.


    Jenna wants to say something, but I stop her with a look.


    It¡¯s odd. Something happened but Eason doesn¡¯t want to talk about it. If he decides to keep his mouth


    shut, there¡¯s nothing we can do to force out the truth. Plus, I have some trust issues with him. I¡¯d rather


    find out the truth myself than ask for his side of the


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    story.


    He watches me drink the milk and says, ¡°I¡¯ll go see if they are done talking with thewyer. Your mom


    will interrogate youter. Don¡¯t let it slip.¡±


    Oh shoot! I almost forgot. There¡¯s still that business with Zack! So did he die? Did they know I was


    kidnapped? What should I say to mom!


    I want to ask him to stay so we can work on our story together. But Eason has already turned around


    and left, like running away from a crime scene.


    Jenna stares at his back and snorts, ¡°That dude just gets weirder and weirder. You know what? I¡¯ll help


    you find it out. Maybe he¡¯s nning on something super evil and wicked and you didn¡¯t know about it.


    We¡¯ll unmask the viin¡¯s veil together.¡±


    I sign, ¡°Eason got a tight mouth. If he doesn¡¯t want to tell, you can¡¯t get it out of him.¡±


    ¡°From him, probably not. But he has friends, right? Maybe we can poke around and see if his friends


    know anything?¡±


    That¡¯s not a very bad idea actually.


    ¡°He does have a very close friend James,¡± I say thoughtfully. ¡°I¡¯ll introduce you guyster.¡±


    Eason¡¯s POV


    I let them know that Nat is awake and head out myself. I need some air.


    I¡¯m a little fidgety, probably because too much has happened in the past two days. So I sit on the bench


    outside for a long time before taking out my phone and call James.


    He picks up on the first ring. ¡°Hey man! Everything OK? You all disappeared right after the dance. What


    happened?! All guests are still talking about it. Rumors are flying everywhere! And what about your


    revenge n on Nata¡±


    I interrupt his ranting, ¡°We¡¯ll forget about the n and put it behind us now.¡±


    ¡°¡­What?¡± he sounds shocked.


    I take in a deep breath and clear my mind. Her face appears in my head again, which suddenly makes


    me feel more determined about my decision.


    ¡°She was kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend Zack. And I went to save her,¡± I say in a low


    voice.


    ¡°What?!! Fuck why did he¡ª¡±


    ¡°And I realized that I would do anything for her just to keep her safe. So no one can hurt her, and that


    includes me.¡±


    I prepare myself before continuing.


    ¡°¡­ I think I¡¯m in love with her.¡±


    The moment I say that, all the frustration and anxiousness in my heart vanish like magic.


    Yes, I love her.


    I have been loving her for a very long, long time. Can¡¯t lie to myself anymore.


    I set a huge trap for her but it¡¯s me who end up fallen.


    James is too shocked to say anything for a long time. But he eventually sighs, ¡°I¡¯d be lying if I said I


    never thought of this. So¡­abort the n?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. And keep your mouth shut about everything. She even mentioned three years ago today. I don¡¯t


    know why, probably to test me or something. But I swept it under the rug. So just don¡¯t go near that


    subject,¡± I warn him.


    ¡°OK, OK, chill. I won¡¯t say anything if you don¡¯t. So what now? Just happily ever after?¡±


    I can¡¯t help but smile, picturing my future with her.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess so. We¡¯ll still have to face my dad and her mom, and my mom of course. But basically¡­


    happily ever after. Yes.¡±


    We¡¯ll be the happiest couple on earth if she doesn¡¯t know what I nned.


    So she can never find out about it. Absolutely not.

 Chapter 58

    Chapter 58


    Chapter 58: Back To the House Mom breaks down in fresh tears again when she sees me. I can¡¯t get


    her to stop crying. Eventually, Mr. Ramirezes forward and try to soothe her. But mom immediately


    turns against him, ¡°What do you mean everything is OK?


    This is my only daughter! And your son took her out and injured her on our anniversary party!¡±


    I sit awkwardly on the bed twisting fingers in anxiety and don¡¯t know what to say. I hate that mom is


    using Eason of my injury. She didn¡¯t know that Eason did everything he could to save my ass. But


    nor can I tell her the truth now¡­since a man¡¯s life was involved.


    Amidst the silence, Ms. Griswold speaks up in an expressionless voice, ¡°My son has nothing to do with


    this.¡±


    Mom¡¯s face turns an ugly purple. She jumps up like a furious hen trying to project her baby chicks and


    points a finger at Ms. Griswold, ¡°How dare you! It¡¯s him who took her out and we haven¡¯t even heard a


    single word of exnation from him yet! How can you be so sure that he¡¯s not involved?¡±


    Ms. Griswold gives her a short, derisive smile, ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask your daughter? She¡¯s right here and


    I bet she can tell a more credible story than Eason.¡±


    Mom snaps her head at me and asks harshly, ¡°Nat? Tell her the truth. It¡¯s Eason, isn¡¯t it! What was he


    trying to do to you?¡±


    Three pairs of eyes fix on me at the same time and the pressure is crushing me down.


    Should I say it? Should I tell them the truth? I open my mouth slightly and suddenly notice that Mr.


    Ramirez slightly shakes his head at me. I immediately swallow back everything I was about to say.


    ¡°What?¡± mom notices my hesitation and snaps. ¡°What were you trying to say?¡± Mr. Ramirez ces her


    hand on my mom¡¯s shoulder and says, ¡°Let¡¯s give her a break. Natalia has had a long day.¡±


    Mom sighs deeply andpses into silence. But I can tell that she¡¯s disappointed. From her perspective,


    she is probably thinking that I¡¯m ganging up with Eason to keep her in the dark.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll be fine,¡± I take a quick look at Ms. Griswold and turn to mom again.¡± You should just focus on


    your anniversary for now. Didn¡¯t you book a trip with Mr. Ramirez earlier? Go on that trip and enjoy


    yourself, OK?¡±


    I was trying to remind her that thest thing she needs to do is to keep fighting with Mr. Ramirez,


    especially since Ms. Griswold is back into the picture now. But mom clearly doesn¡¯t get my hint. She


    gives me a gloomy look and whispers,¡± ¡­just worry about yourself for now.¡± Then she turns around


    and leaves the room with Mr. Ramirez and Ms. Griswold.


    I fall back to my bed and let out a long sigh.


    I want to tell her the truth, but I also want to protect Eason. There seems to be no way to achieve both


    at the same time. I¡¯m so torn.


    After a while, Eason is back again. He seems to be in a much better mood now. ¡°Where have you


    been?¡± I ask. ¡°Out making a phone call,¡± he sits beside my bed and holds my hands. ¡°Has your trial


    finished?¡±


    ¡°For now, yes. But how can you leave me alone to face this?¡± Iint. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to tell


    them. Do they know about¡­Zack?¡± I lower my voice at the mention of Zack¡¯s name, afraid that I might


    disturb a ghost.


    Eason notices the look on my face andughs, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He¡¯s not dead¡­well, not yet.¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°No. He¡¯s in a deepa right now. He hurt his spine in the car crash, and they say he¡¯ll probably


    never wake up again.¡± I don¡¯t know if I should be d or worried. The good thing is that Zack will


    probably never be able tell our secret to anyone; but if the police find out that Eason is behind this,


    Eason will definitely go to jail. ¡°Does anyone know?¡± I ask urgently. ¡°Does Mr. Ramirez know?¡± ¡°Dad


    didn¡¯t ask me directly, but I think he knows,¡± he studies my face. ¡°You are not feeling sorry for that


    bastard, are you? Because it could have been you, if I didn¡¯t stop him. He was going to kill you.¡± ¡°I


    know¡­but, I just think that you didn¡¯t need to get your hands dirty.¡± Eason smiles. He takes my hand in


    his palm and gently squeezes it, ¡°We get our


    hands dirty, and we are not ashamed of it. It¡¯s like a family motto. You should get use to this if you are


    to be part of this family.¡± My heart skips a beat, ¡°I thought I¡¯m already part of this family.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I was talking about a smaller kind of family. The family that belongs to you and me,¡± he clears his


    throat and his cheeks be pink.


    I giggle and lean in to hug him. I feel so happy right now. I doubt there is anything in the world that can


    ruin my happiness. ¡°Hey,¡± I rest my head on his chest and whisper. ¡°I have a close friend, Jenna. I want


    to introduce her to you and James. That¡¯s fine with him, is it?¡± ¡°Of course. There¡¯s no way he¡¯d say no


    to meeting a girl,¡± he kisses me on the forehead.


    ***


    I check out of the hospital a few dayster and go back to school. Life has gone back to normal again.


    But mom and Mr. Ramirez seem to be having a silent war with each other, while Ms. Griswold decides


    to stay a bit longer in the city. ¡°Why on earth is she staying?¡± Iint to Eason. ¡°Sorry I know she¡¯s


    your mom, but I just can¡¯t help but wonder why?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. She won¡¯t stay long. She¡¯s just here to


    talk business with dad¡¯spany.¡± ¡°I know, but¡­¡± I shake my head, feeling even more anxious. ¡°Mom


    cancelled their anniversary trip to Barbuda. And they are barely talking these days. I¡¯m just worried


    that¡­¡±


    ¡°That dad wille back to my mom?¡± Easonughs out loud. He seems to find this idea very


    amusing. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. My mother is a total control freak. Dad won¡¯te back to her in a million


    years.¡± His words sound very reassuring, but I still can¡¯t dispel the heavy cloud in my heart.


    ¡°You know what?¡± Eason whispers to my ears. ¡°Why don¡¯t we go back to the country house again this


    weekend?¡± ¡°What? No! I don¡¯t want to set foot into that dreadful ce ever again in my whole life!¡± I


    quiver in fear and can¡¯t stop thinking about Zack and the kidnap at the mention of that house.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t me the house. You just need some happy memories to rece the sad ones,¡± he


    suggests. ¡°And we can bring Jenna and James. The four of us can have the entire house to our own.¡±


    Speaking of which, things have developed rapidly between Jenna and James. I introduced them a


    week ago and they are practically unseparated now. I do want to have a good talk with Jenna about


    what happened for the past week.


    ¡°Well¡­ I guess so. Yeah?¡± I nod and agree.


    So on that weekend, the four of us drive back to the country house again.


    The house and garden remains exactly the same as the day of the party, with all the decoration,


    flowers and lights. I was a bit curious why they haven¡¯t taken down everything yet. But it¡¯s not my ce


    to question that either.


    James and Eason go into the room to settle our luggage, while I take the time to show Jenna around


    and have a private talk with her.


    ¡°Wow, what kind of a family are you marrying into?¡± she gasps while admiring the house.


    ¡°A difficult one, I guess? And don¡¯t say the word ¡®marry¡¯ just yet, it creeps me out,¡± I lower my voice and


    ask her. ¡°So what¡¯s the deal between you and James? You are not using yourself to lure him out, aren¡¯t


    you?¡± She rolls her eyes and snorts, ¡°That dude is so in and simple. A little cleavage and he is ready


    to wag his tail like a puppy dog. I can get him toe running towards me with a whistle.¡±


    I let out a heartyugh. This is what I love about her, so energetic and charming and full of girl¡¯s power.


    ¡°So, did you find anything?¡± I ask. ¡°Not yet. But he stutters and sweats a lot when I ask him about you


    guys. Something hideous is buried really deep. But don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll dig it out.¡± I have no doubt of that,


    of course.


    We are all a bit wore out after the house tour, so we head back to our room to rest. I take a good


    afternoon nap and when I wake up, it¡¯s already 7:00 p.m.


    I sit up at once and grab my phone.


    No calls. No texts.


    Where is everyone?!


    I go out of my room and run into a maid on the way, ¡°Excuse me. Have you seen Eason and my


    friends?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Ramirez is expecting you in the garden,¡± she smiles.


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    In the garden? But¡¯s dinner time and I¡¯m starving. I try calling them again but none of them answer.


    What¡¯s the matter with everybody! I rush downstairs and into the garden. It¡¯s dark already. I can¡¯t hardly


    see a thing without the lights..


    ¡°Eason!¡± I raise my voice and shout his name. ¡°Where are you? Stop this game and juste out!¡±


    And the next second, the entire garden lights up. A thousand smallnterns are glowing on the tree and


    among the flowers, making the whole garden like a fairnd. A trio starts ying and I immediately


    recognize it¡¯s a song I¡¯ve heard on mom¡¯s anniversary party.


    ¡­What the


    I¡¯m so shocked that I literally freeze.


    And then I see Eason, who is standing on the other side of the garden and wearing the same suit that


    he wore on that day of the party. With the music ying in the background, he makes his way to me


    with an easy grace. When he eventually stops in front of me, he puts out a hand to me. ¡°Miss Moore,


    may I have the honor?¡± he smiles.

 Chapter 59

    Chapter 59


    Chapter 59: First Dance ¡°What-why¡­what¡¯s all this?!¡±


    He holds his hand in the midair waiting for me as his smile grows wider, ¡°What does it look like? It¡¯s a


    surprise.¡±


    ¡°Yeah I can see that. But why?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ remember that dance you promised me?¡±


    I pause for a moment, and then suddenly remember that we did talk about it once before the anniversary


    party. I said I would save my first dance for him. Yet then so many things happened and that n got


    completely ruined.


    I didn¡¯t know he¡¯d still remember this.


    A sudden wave of strong emotions flushes through my heart that makes me want to hug and kiss him.


    Taking in a deep breath, I ce my hand in his palm.


    ¡°That¡¯d be my honor,¡± I say in a slightly shaking voice.


    He pulls me into his arms and leads me into the dancefloor. A beautiful music is ying in the


    background, and we dance to it. I¡¯m not a very good dancer, but dly my partner knows his moves very


    well. He holds me tightly by the waist and waltz me through the dance floor. It¡¯s like flying above clouds.


    This is probably a juvenile thing to say but¡­I feel like a princess living in dreand, which is made


    possible by him.


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    ¡°Are you happy?¡± he whispers beside my ears. I rest my head on his chest and murmur, ¡°Yes. And I don¡¯t


    think I can be any happier. Though I do hope that you could give me a notice and let me dress for the


    this.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to dress up to be perfect. Plus, no one is looking,¡± he smiles.


    He is right. This is even better than a dance in the real party. We couldn¡¯t kiss and hold each other in the


    real party, not with everyone staring. But we can do whatever we please now since we have the entire


    house to ourselves.


    I ce my hand on the back of his neck and pulls his head down, standing on tiptoes to kiss him. He


    returns my kiss with a greater passion, making me melt in


    his arms. I close my eyes and let myself drown in this moment of wonderfulness. And then I suddenly


    realize something.


    ¡°Wait,¡± I slightly move away from his lips and gasp. ¡°Is this why they haven¡¯t taken down all the


    decoration yet?¡±


    He raises his eyebrow, ¡°don¡¯t know why you are asking this¡­but yes. I asked the butler and maids to


    keep everything as it was. And I invited the trio back to y for us.¡±


    ¡°All these¡­just to give me a surprise?¡±


    ¡°A surprise, yes. But more like a promise,¡± he takes both of my hands to his lips and kisses them, before


    continuing in a solemn voice. ¡°I intend to keep all of my promises to you, no matter how huge or small


    the matter is.¡±


    I¡¯m so stunned. And I feel my eyes be misty.


    I haven¡¯t felt so cherished and special for a very long time, not since mom and dad got divorced and


    went on separate ways. It has always seemed that I was the extra one in people¡¯s life and this feeling


    just got stronger and stronger after I got kicked out by dad and moved to Boston this time.


    But Eason changed this. He lets me know that there is still one person in the world that will spare no


    effort in making me safe and happy.


    I once thought that he would totally ruin my life. But as it turns out, the wicked yboy really does have a


    gentle soul. ¡°Hey,¡± he leans over and touches his forehead to mine. ¡°I did all these to make your happy.


    Not to make you cry.¡± I quickly wipe the corner of my eyes andugh, ¡°these are happy tears. I promise.¡±


    Then I pause for a moment, before asking him in a low voice, ¡°How much longer are they going to y?¡±


    His eyes darken, as if he has already understood my hint. ¡°They can stop any moment.¡±


    ¡°Well then¡­¡± I giggle, then blow a gentle breath into his ears, ¡°can you tell them to stop and thank them


    all foring, then take me into the room and fuck me!¡±


    He takes in a sharp inhale, then suddenly picks me up off the ground and throws me over his shoulders.


    I cry outughing, while he carries me out of the garden,


    into the house rushing upstairs. We got lucky and didn¡¯t run into anyone on the way. We kiss each other


    like animals, holding each other and stumbling into the room. He kicks the door shut and presses me


    against the wall, then rips both my jeans and panties off. I am already soaking wet. And I¡¯m so hot and


    eager for him. I slightly part my legs when his finger touches my folds, ¡°¡­fuck me. Please!¡±


    He curses and thrusts his long finger all the way into my pussy, rough and hard. I let out a long


    pleasurable cry, my whole body shaking. We haven¡¯t had sex in a while. So he almost made mee


    with one finger.


    He rubs my clit and starts fucking me with his hand. I cling to his shoulder shaking, otherwise I¡¯d


    definitely fall to the ground with this intense pleasure. I feel my juice dripping down with the movement of


    his hand. ¡°Fuck, you are so tight!¡± he groans, taking my ass in his hand and squeezes it.¡° Are you ready


    for me?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± I beg, rocking my butt. ¡°I want you. Fuck me with your dick.¡± ¡°Fuck!¡± he curses, pulling out


    his finger and gives a gentle p to my ass. I clench my legs and feel the sudden emptiness in my body


    without his finger. Yet the next second, he pumps into my core hard and fast without mercy.


    ¡°Ahh!¡± I scream out loud, my body coursing with electricity. He is so huge, and he is fucking me so rough


    and hard. There is a bit of pain, but pleasure mostly.


    The mixed sensation is tearing me up.


    He grabs the back of my neck and forces me to look into his eyes, as he keeps thrusting deep into me,


    ¡°This is going to be rough OK babe?¡±


    My nails dig into his hard muscles as I moan, ¡°Yes fuck me hard please.¡±


    I love it when he goes rough. And I know he¡¯d never hurt me.


    ¡°Fuck! You are so damn wet. And always so ready!¡±


    He ps my butt again, this time a little harder. I can¡¯t help but clench my pussy at the prickling feeling of


    his p. Oh god this feels so good.


    He starts fucking me deeper and harder. Suddenly, as if he feels that this isn¡¯t enough, he pulls out his


    dick and throws me onto the bed, then plunges back into me again.


    He hits my g-spot and Ie, quick and hard. I start trembling and screaming under his body. The


    orgasm is too strong that I¡¯m afraid it¡¯ll eat me up. But he doesn¡¯t stop for me; instead he picks up the


    speed and fucks me harder


    while I ride my aftershock. And that makes mee again almost immediately. God this is insane. I don¡¯t


    know I can be this eager and horny in my entire life. Only he has the magic of making me crazy. We


    indulge ourselves in this overwhelming sex. When he finallyes and lies down beside me, I am so


    exhausted yet happy that I feel my chest is going to explode. Then my eyelids be heavy, but he


    gives me a gentle nudge before I fall asleep, ¡°Hey babe. There¡¯s something I want to give you.¡±


    I struggle to open my eyes again, ¡°sure what is it?¡±


    He gets up from bed and picks up his pants on the ground. Then under my gaze, he fetches a small,


    velvet box out of his pocket.


    ¡°What the hell??¡± I jump up and cry out, all my sleepiness disappeared at once. ¡°Wait, wait rx. I put it


    in the box because it¡¯s nicer this way,¡± he gestures me to calm down. ¡°It¡¯s less terrifying than it seems¡­


    at least I hope it does.¡±


    He takes a deep breath and hands me the box. There is a strange awkwardness on his face which is so


    unusual.


    ¡°Open it, will you?¡± he asks. I take the box in my hands. It feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. I don¡¯t


    know what¡¯s inside the box but I bet it matters greatly.


    With a hammering heart, I slowly open the box holding my breath. I¡¯ve thought of neckless, earrings, a


    piece of jewelry maybe, but¡­ I didn¡¯t expect to see this at all. 1 It¡¯s a key.

 Chapter 60

    Chapter 60


    Chapter 60:


    A Huge Step A key. But a key to what? Suddenly, an absurd idea shes across my mind as I gasp, ¡°You


    are not asking me to move in with you, are you?!!¡± He gulps and sits up straighter. I haven¡¯t seen him this


    nervous before.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I¡¯m doing,¡± he smiles awkwardly. ¡°But honestly, this isn¡¯t the reaction I was looking for.¡±


    I sit there still, my mindpletely nk.


    He is asking me to move in with him? But we are only 18! And, of course, he isn¡¯t like normal students


    since he has his own house and everything, but regardless, we are still too young to make such huge


    commitment! I am the only one to think that moving-in is a huge, huge step for a couple? Amidst the


    silence, he leans over and grabs my hands, ¡°OK now you are scaring me a little. You make it seems like


    that I¡¯m holding a gun to your head and


    forcing you to jump off a cliff.¡± I force out a smile, ¡°been there before.¡±


    ¡°Just tell me your real thoughts. It wouldn¡¯t be the first time you rejected me, and I think I can take the


    hit,¡± he says in a yful tone.


    His attitude eases me up a bit. I take a deep breath and try to organize my thoughts, ¡°well¡­ I just think


    we are moving a bit too fast. We just started dating not so long ago and there are so many issues


    between us, like our parents, school, college...Are you sure now is a good time?¡±


    And there is another reason. I haven¡¯t figured out what happened three years ago with that letter that


    went missing for no reason. I find it hard to open up to him with this between us.


    Li 1 L


    ¡°OK, I hear what you are saying. But I still think you should move in with me,¡± he says.


    ¡°Really?¡± I raise an eyebrow.


    ¡°Just answer me this: have you ever thought of our future before?¡±


    I¡¯m stunned for a moment.


    Of course, I have thought of our future, so many times that I¡¯ve actually lost count. I fantasize about us


    going to the same college, getting a nice little


    apartment off campus, working in the same city after graduation and, eventually,mitting a lifetime of


    happiness to each other.


    But I¡¯ve also been through so many heartbreaks at this point that I dare not think too deep into all these


    anymore.


    And now he is asking me this¡­


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    I gather all my courage and answer him in a low voice, ¡°Yes I¡¯ve thought of it before, so many times. But I


    don¡¯t see how that rtes to what we are facing now.¡±


    ¡°It does,¡± he cups my cheek with both of his hands and touches the tip of my nose with his. ¡°Because I


    want our future to be tomorrow, not yearster. I don¡¯t want to wait another 2 to 3 years to have you in


    my life. I want your face to be the first thing I see every morning when I open my eyes, starting today.¡± I


    find it hard to keep the corner of my lips down, ¡°you sound very forceful.¡± He smiles with me, ¡°So is it


    working then?¡± It is working, probably a little too well. God why is it so hard for me to resist him? ¡°Say


    something nicer,¡± I murmur. ¡°I¡¯ll probably say yes.¡± His breathing bes fast, and he says, ¡°I love you


    Nat. And I think we are destined to be together. If that¡¯s the case, I don¡¯t want us to waste another single


    day.¡±


    My heart swells. His words touch the softest ce in my soul. And I have to admit that I want everything


    he just said. Under his intense and anxious gaze, I slowly nod my head.


    ¡°Fuck! Is that a yes?¡± he gasps with a hoarse voice. ¡°I-wait, let me do this the right way.¡±


    He jumps off bed and slips into his shirt and jeans as quickly as possible. Then he takes the velvet box in


    his hand, getting down on one knee beside the bed.


    ¡°Oh dear god,¡± I cover my face with my hands, my shoulders shaking withughter. ¡°Please get up! I¡¯m


    begging you¨C¡± Yet he carries on anyway, in a yful yet solemn way, ¡°Natalia Moore, would you do me


    the honor-¡±


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    I hold my breath involuntarily, staring deep into his beautiful green eyes. ¡°¨Cof moving in with me?¡± he


    finishes.


    This seems very ridiculous, with him getting down like this and me sitting on bed naked. But I still feel a


    lump at my throat that makes me want to sob and cry. He looks at me, waiting for my answer anxiously.


    ¡°¡­Yes.¡± I choke and nod several times.


    The brightest smile appears on his face immediately. He jumps up and pulls me in for a long and deep


    kiss. I kiss back as hard as I can. At that moment, I¡¯m so happy that I feel my chest is going to explode.


    ***


    I get up the next morning feeling like a new person. I feel really good about this moving forward thing,


    especially since we¡¯ve been through a lot together already. I run into Jenna and James at breakfast.


    These two are also hitting it off really well. When Jenna stands up to get another cup of coffee, I follow


    her out and tell her what happenedst night. ¡°Wow really? Moving in together already?¡± she seems very


    surprised. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡±


    ¡°I think so, yeah,¡± I nod. ¡°Unless you¡¯ve found something that can prove me wrong?¡±


    Jenna shrugs, ¡°Unfortunately no. But I¡¯m positive that something is out there¡­ you know what? I¡¯ll check


    James¡¯s phone sometimes without him knowing.¡± ¡°What? That¡¯s a bit too far, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Rx. I¡¯ll dump him anyway when he bes useless,¡± Jennaughs and pats my shoulder. ¡°You just


    focus on dating the prince charming for now.¡±


    After breakfast, Jenna and I start wandering about in the garden, until James interrupts us saying that he


    wants to take Jenna out for a little ride. I want them to have more alone time, so I set her free and turn


    back looking for Eason.


    I find him talking to the bustler in the dining room. I walk closer and catch thest few words of their


    conversation.


    ¡°...yes, you can take down all decorations today. Is there anything else?¡± Eason asks.


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± the butler says. ¡°You made a video and asked me to y it at the anniversary party. But sadly,


    we never got to that part. Shall I delete it, or do you want the copy back?¡±


    A video? He made a video for mom and Mr. Ramirez?


    Aww, that¡¯s really sweet! Yet Eason quickly replies, ¡°Just delete it. The whole thing.¡± ¡°Hold on a second,


    Eason. You made that for them, right? I think they would love to see it!¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so. Don¡¯t mind that.¡±


    There¡¯s a fleeting panic in his eyes which confuses me. Is he afraid of me seeing that video? Did he say


    something sweet and embarrassing? I¡¯m even more curious now.


    ¡°But at least you can show it to me-¡±


    ¡°No!¡± he snaps, his tone harsher than I expected. ¡°Just drop it and let¡¯s go.¡± Then he shoots the butler an


    angry re, as if he¡¯s ming the poor man for mentioning it. Before I get to say anything again, he


    drags me away. Yet I keep thinking about it for the rest of the day. Eventually, I decide to go around him


    and acquire a copy myself. If he said something nice in the video, I will show it to mom and that¡¯ll


    probably ease up their rtionship. Soter I find a chance and go to that butler again asking for the


    video.


    He seems very hesitant when he hears my request, ¡°But Mr. Ramirez clearly said that¡­¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m his sister, right? You saw how close we are. Plus, if that¡¯s something you can show to the entire


    crowd at the party, I should also be allowed to see it. Right?¡±


    He pauses a little and eventually agrees. But he says that he doesn¡¯t have the video right now. Later


    when he gets back to his office, he will send me an email with the copy I thank him in a light mood. I


    really look forward to what Eason said in that video.

 Chapter 61

    Chapter 61


    In Love With My Evil Stepbrother By sparklytwinkle Chapter 61


    Chapter 61: Nails Fight I agree to move in together with Eason, but we haven''t really nailed down the details


    yet. At first, I thought I would be moving into his penthouse, butter he told me that we were going to get a


    new apartment.


    "But why? Your penthouse is well furnished and it''s not very far from school," I ask confused.


    He shrugs, "I''ve been living in that apartment for almost three years. It''s about time to make some changes. I


    want a brand-new start with you in a brand-new ce."


    He speaks like tossing away some old clothes. I simply can''t understand hisvish lifestyle. "You seem worried


    babe. What''s the matter?" he studies my face and asks.


    I sigh, "I''m simply worried that mom and Mr. Ramirez will find out about this if we make such a fuss about


    moving...and plus, what about the cost?"


    I know it¡¯s probably stupid to worry about money now since I''m dating the billionaire''s son. But I don''t want the


    beginning of our rtionship to be an unequal one.


    His face is full of surprises when he heard me asking. Then, he bursts intoughter, "You are worried that we


    can''t afford it?"


    I''m a little offended by his reaction, "You should always keep in mind that you are not dating a rich girl, so


    excuse me for being concerned about money."


    Seeing I''m seriously pissed, He quickly kills theugh and apologizes, "I''m sorry you are right. You should be


    allowed to contribute as well. How about this? I''ll pay the rent and electricity, and you can pay for our parking


    andwork.¡±


    So he is still thinking about getting a new house. I hesitate for a second and decide to back down. It''s not fair


    to ask him to alter his way of livingpletely. I guess we will have to meet each other in the mid-way.


    "OK. Have you decided on the house yet?" I ask.


    "Not yet. But I have a few options in mind. You are busy with school stuffstely, right? So you just worried


    about your own business, and I''ll take care of the rest."


    It feels nice to be taken cared of like this. I can''t stop smiling, and then warn him again, "But no luxury


    apartments. Somewhere nice and cozy?"


    He takes my hand and nts a kiss on it, "Got it."


    ***


    When he''s out there taking care of the apartment, I start to feel anxious about college applications. The


    summer is ending, which means that the first wave of deadlines and college interviews is quickly


    approaching.


    Yet the worst thing is, I seem to be the only one left who don¡¯t have a clear n about future yet.


    "What did you mean you get an offer already? I thought the application season just started!"


    I cry out during lunch time at the cafe, so loudly that people are actually turning their heads to stare.


    But I ignore everyone else and just stare at Katherine with wide eyes.


    She spreads her hands, ¡°I applied for Early Enrollment and got admitted. Why? What¡¯s the matter?"


    I''m too shocked to say a single word. And then Eddie, who is also siting at the same table with us, joins


    the conversation and asks her, "Sweet. Which school?" "Princeton," she smiles, and I immediately feel


    a lump at my throat.


    "That''s really nice! But you will be so far away from home," Eddie says. "I haven''t fully decided yet. My


    family set me up with a someone. And if things go well, I may not leave the city at all..." I am not


    listening to them anymore.


    I''m not jealous of her of course. She is the only girlfriend I have in this school and she''s such a


    sweetheart who always cares about me so much. But I guess I''m just a bit dismayed by the fact that


    her life is so perfect and settled while mine remains aplete mess. I swallow down those sore


    emotions and turn to Alex and Eddie, "What about you two?"


    The boys exchange a look of awkwardness before Alex mumbles, "Well actually


    No way. They too?


    "Well, OK, that''s just...just perfect," I suck in a deep breath. "I''m sorry but I think I need some time


    alone."


    I stand up to leave the table, but Alex grabs my hand, "Nat don''t be like this. You just went through a lot


    lately with your family and it¡¯s not toote to start preparing anyway."


    He is right. But I know if I keep sitting with them, the peer pressure will crush me down. So I murmur a


    few words of excuses and break free from his grip to leave. But then, I bump right into someone. "Hey


    watch it!¡± A squeaky female voice roars. "Areyou fucking blind??'''' I look up and not surprisingly...it''s my


    arch enemy Valerie. A vein on my forehead starts to pop. She picks the wrong day to fight. I''ve got too


    many grievances and nowhere to vent them.


    "What do you want?" I ask, staring into her eyes. She is a little stunned at first, but quickly puffs her


    chest and replies, "Don''t you know how to apologize?" "I do," I say. "But I¡¯m not apologizing to a mean


    bitch who''s been pestering me for too long. And yes, you are that bitch."All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    A tide of low gaspses from the nearby crowds. Students in the distance are standing on their


    tiptoes to watch. Valerie takes a small step back, covering her chest in disbelief and glowering at me


    furiously.


    "You freak!" she yells and smashes her tray of food to the ground. "Your life is so sad and pathetic, and


    your mom! You two are like pests sucking the Ramirez family''s blood! You and your mom should just


    disappear in people''s lives and that¡¯s better for everyone!"


    I can''t take this anymore.


    The next second, I grab the strap of my bag and take a full swing and hit her head with it.   She


    stumbles back letting out a sharp scream, as I jump forward grabbing a handful of her hair.


    "Apologize!" I shout to her ears. "Take your shit back now!"


    "Ahhh! Get the fuck off me you bitch!!"


    She struggles violently, taking me down to the ground todether with her. And then we start to roll


    around on the floor attacking each other with  our fists and nails. Her nails are longer, so I get a few


    brutal scratches on my face, but I manage to pay her back with a few solid punches. People are


    streaming with horror around us. Soon enough, someoneess forward and separate us forcefully.


    I pant roughly. My mind is so clouded by fury that it takes me a second to realize that Alex is holding


    me in his arms.


    "Calm down Nat,¡± he says urgently. "It''s not worth it."


    I snort coldly, "I know. But I need to get that out of my system. You can let go of me now."


    He releases me reluctantly. At the same time, Valerie gets up from the floor with the help of her


    minions. She''s covering her nose and moaning, "Oh god my nose... I think my ribs are broken..."


    "For god''s sake just drop the act!" Katherine says, unable to stop herself. "You scratched her face too!


    What about that?"


    Amidst chaos, heavy footsteps are approaching and the next second our headmaster Ms. Dave pushes


    through the crowd andes forward to us. "What is going on here?" she snaps. "Someone gives me


    an exnation now!"


    Valerie acts quickly and points a finger at me, ¡°She hit me and broke my ribs! Someone call 911 and I


    want mywyers!" Katherine makes a loud fake cough, "Bitch." I feel anger arose in me again, "Just


    shut your hole and stop lying!"


    "Language!" Ms. Dave hisses. ¡°This is not eptable. Both of you, in my office,


    now!"


    She escorts both of us into her office and closes the door behind her to block away curious gazes. Then she


    for elite students. We do not indulge nails fight and hair pulling-".


    "Not all elites," Katherine snorts lowly. "Definitely not her."


    Ms. Dave''s cold eyes travel over her, ¡°...what I''m saying is that you should be ashamed of your own behaviors,


    youngdies."


    "But she started it!" Valerie huffs. "We were just talking, and she just hit me!"


    Fucking liar! I raise my voice, "You insulted my mom!"


    "But you took the first punch!" Valerie shots me a vicious re and turns to Ms. Dave. "You are right, Ms.


    Dave, this is uneptable! I want to call my mom and dad. I want her to be suspended!"


    Ms. Dave narrows her eyes slightly, as if she''s weighing the situation. After a short pause, she directs her gaze


    to me, "Miss Moore. I have to say, I''m very


    disappointed in you."


    ...What?


    I can''t believe my ears. Then I hear her continues, "We must not let violence control us at any time. I''m afraid


    that you need to hold responsibility for this incident. I will give you a detention this time"


    "Are you serious?" I grit out. "What about her?!"


    Ms. Dave announces coldly, "Miss Vale is the victim here¡ª"


    "Victim my ass!" I jump up yelling. "Her nail marks are still on my face! She is faking the injury! Can''t you see?


    Or are you just pretending to be blind so you can protect the rich kid here?!"


    Anger shes across Ms. Dave''s face as she stands up to face me, "Careful with your words and false


    usations Miss Moore. You don''t want to get suspended right?"


    "But it''s so not fair¡ª".


    Suddenly, our argument is interrupted by a knock on the door.


    "Not now!" Ms. Dave snaps at the door.


    "Ms. Dave?" a familiar voicees from outside the door. "It''s Eason Ramirez. My sister is in there.


    May Ie in?"

 Chapter 62

    Chapter 62


    Chapter 62: First Home


    Hearing his voice, Ms. Dave frowns as a quick look of awkwardnesses into her eyes. I suddenly feel


    a burst of courage, so I go answer the door before she gives me a permission. And there he is, standing


    outside the door and looking at me with a gentle smile on his face.


    ¡°You OK?¡± he asks in a low voice, lifting his hand to touch those scratches on my face. I nod and step


    aside, making way for him toe in.


    Ms. Dave stands up from her seat and says in a cold voice, ¡°Mr. Ramirez, I don¡¯t see why you should


    come in here. Please wait outside till¡ª¡±


    ¡°Till you me everything on my sister and get her suspended? I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    He walks directly pass Ms. Dave¡¯s table and takes his seat beside me. He is totally ignoring Valerie. I


    notice that Valerie¡¯s face is twisting with anger and disbelief, which gives me an immense sense of


    pleasure.


    ¡°Carry on please?¡± Eason looks round the room. Ms. Dave takes in a deep breath and sits down with an


    icy face. She is probably weighing the situation and thinking if she should ignore Eason¡¯s challenge to his


    authority.


    Eventually, she speaks up slowly again, ¡°As I was saying, based on the severeness of Miss Vale¡¯s injury,


    I think it¡¯s fair to give Miss Moore a detention this time¡±


    Eason interrupts her immediately, ¡°Severeness? She¡¯s standing right there without a scratch, whereas


    my sister¡¯s face is covered in blood. Are you not seeing this?¡±


    Ms. Dave¡¯s chest rises and falls quickly, as if she is trying very hard to contain her anger. ¡°Miss Vale has


    a broken rib.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Eason lets out a cold sneer. ¡°So if I drag her to down the hospital and do a medical


    examination on her to prove the injury now, she¡¯ll also be fine with that?¡±


    I want tough, but suddenly Valerie lets out a sharp cry. She springs out of her seat and yells, ¡°Eason!


    H-how can you do this to me!¡±


    Eason stares at her up and down critically and chuckles, ¡°With this kind of agility I¡¯d say your rib is


    perfectly fine.¡±..


    ¡°I am your girlfriend!¡± Valerie screams, blushing furiously. ¡°She is not even rted to you! What on earth


    got into your head?!¡±


    Eason stands up from his seat as well and faces her, ¡°You are never my girlfriend Valerie. You know it


    perfectly well. I only chose to ignore your stupid act because I didn¡¯t want to bother myself with all the


    screaming, hysteria and exnation. But now, I¡¯m tired of it. We are done.¡±


    Valerie¡¯s eyes widen, as her body shakes like a leaf in the wind. She clenches her fists and murmurs


    hysterically, ¡°No¡­no I don¡¯t believe it. Everyone in the school knows¡­that we are a perfect couple! No


    one deserves you, except me!¡±


    But no one is listening to her anymore. Eason turns to Ms. Dave and asks, ¡°So?¡±


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    Ms. Dave sighs, ¡°Fine. If Miss Vale doesn¡¯t want to press this anymore, I guess you are free to leave.¡±


    I let out a sigh of relief.


    Thank God.


    If Eason hadn¡¯t gotten here on time, they would have skinned me alive for sure.


    But Eason stands here still, ¡°Ms. Dave, I hope you can get one thing straight. You and Valerie made a


    false usation against my sister and hurt her feelings. I¡¯m not letting this slip away this easily. You will


    hear from ourwyer within three days.¡±


    What? Even I can¡¯t believe my ears.


    He is threatening the headmaster?? Is it even possible?


    Ms. Dave¡¯s face is contorted with rage now, ¡°Eason, there¡¯s no need to make a fuss about this and


    involve yourwyer.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be the judge of that,¡± Eason replies coldly and offers his hand to me. ¡°Come, Nat.¡±


    I immediately ce my hand in his palm and let him take me away. Before we exit the door, he stops and


    looks at Ms. Dave again.


    ¡°Oh and just to remind you, Ms. Dave. Sometimes because of Natalia¡¯sst name, people tend to forget


    that she is a Ramirez¡­but she is. So I hope you can treat her with the respect she deserves in the


    future.¡±


    That is¡­so incredibly inspiring and touching.


    My mind keeps reying those words he said as he takes me out of the building


    ¡°Wait,¡± I stop before we enter the parking lot. ¡°Where are you taking me?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you are still in the mood for school after this?¡± he looks back and smiles. ¡°I¡¯m taking you


    somewhere else, to cheer you up.¡±


    I can¡¯t help but smile with him, ¡°And where is that?¡±


    ¡°What do you say,we take a quick tour to our new apartment?¡± ¡°It¡¯s ready?¡± I gasp, ¡°So quick? I thought


    it¡¯ll take you months to find a suitable apartment.¡±


    ¡°But we don¡¯t have months, do we?¡± he holds me in his arms. ¡°We¡¯ll both go to college soon. And who


    knows how long we¡¯ll stay here?¡± Oh yes. College.


    My heart sinks a bit thinking about it.


    My future hasn¡¯t even settled yet, and I didn¡¯t even ask him about his n. Maybe he wants to go to


    Europe for college and that¡¯ll leave us


    only a few months to be together. We have lesser time than we realize. But now hardly seems like a


    proper moment tounch such a heavy topic. So I swallow back my thoughts and follow him into his car.


    Half an hourter, he stops the car in a quiet and nice neighborhood and says, ¡°OK we¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°This is it?¡± I look through the window, a bit surprised. He smiles mysteriously, taking my hand and


    leading me upstairs.


    I¡¯ve asked him not to choose an overly expensive apartment. But knowing his way of living, I didn¡¯t


    expect him to follow my requirement faithfully at all.


    Yet this apartment turns out to be exactly what I wanted: cozy, nice, not veryrge but is perfect for two


    people. I instantly fall in love with the living room, which has a huge ss window to allow enough sun


    light into the room. I can already picture us lying on the wooden floor on azy afternoon, falling asleep


    bathed in the sunshine.


    ¡°You like it?¡± he wraps his arms around my waist from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.


    ¡°Oh my god¡­yes!¡± I take in a huge breath, nodding non-stop. ¡°I love it. I absolutely love it!¡±


    Heughs out, picking me up and carries me to the couch. I raise my head to kiss him the moment he


    puts me down. We sit there quietly and kiss each other. I¡¯ve never felt this happy and peaceful in a long


    time.


    After a while, he slightly detaches from my lips and whispers, ¡°You know¡­I just realized that this is my


    first home.¡± ¡°Nonsense,¡± Iugh. ¡°You have lots of houses and apartments.¡± His long finger coils a lock of


    my hairs, ¡°Yes, but those are like real estates, not home. Mom and dad grew apart for years, so our


    house never felt like home to me. I got more freedom after I moved out, but I felt lonely from time to


    time.¡±


    I tease, ¡°Not even with all your girlfriends¡¯ apany?¡±


    His face darkens a bit, ¡°I feel like you are going to use it against me for a very long time. Give me a


    number so that I can be prepared.¡± ¡°How about ten years?¡± I giggle. He gives me peck on the forehead,


    ¡°shorter than I expected. I can live with that.¡±


    My heart swells with happiness as I lie on the couch side-by-side with him. I know he has been lonely for


    a long time because of his parent¡¯s unhappy marriage. So I¡¯ve always wanted to fix things for him, to


    make things right.


    ¡°You know¡­I have a confession to make,¡± I turn my face to him. ¡°I asked the butler for the video.¡±


    The gentle smile on his face immediately freezes, ¡°¡­you what?¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t be mad, OK?¡± I hold his hand, ¡°The video you made for my mom¡¯s anniversary party? You


    said something in the video to them, right? I wanted to show it to them, so I asked the butler to send me


    the video behind your back. I ruined the party, so I should be the one to amend it. Do you think we can


    find an opportunity to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Have you looked at it yet?¡± he interrupts me.


    ¡°Hmm not yet but-¡±


    He shoves me aside roughly and sits up, then looks at me with a set of cold eyes.


    ¡°Who gives you the right to do that!¡± he growls furiously. ¡°You have no right to meddle with my business.


    Promise me you will never do such things again!!¡±


    I am so stunned and confused. Why is he so angry? I thought that he might be ufortable with this


    and that¡¯s why I¡¯m giving him a head


    ¨C up before showing the video to my mom. But does he need to be so rude???


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you?¡± I sit up as well, feeling embarrassed. ¡°I know I shouldn¡¯t have gone behind


    your back, but I was only doing this for you! If you are ufortable with it, I can just delete it. No need


    to yell, OK?¡±


    His chest heaves and he closes his eyes temporarily to calm himself down. After a short moment, he


    opens his eyes again and says in a low voice, ¡°You are right babe, I shouldn¡¯t yell at you. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    I¡¯m still pissed. He sits back down and holds me in his arms, ¡°My history with my parents is very


    complicated. And it¡¯s going to take more than one video to fix our rtionship. I need to take things slow.


    And I hope you can understand and respect that.¡±


    I bite my lips and nod, ¡°I know¡­of course I respect you.¡±


    ¡°Can you delete the video then?¡± he asks.


    I guess I can. I take out the phone and find the email from the butler. I hesitate a short second before


    deleting it, since I really want to see what he said.


    ¡°Not even for me?¡± I beg. ¡°Please, surely I can see it.¡±


    His jaw tenses, ¡°Sorry babe. Please wait till I¡¯m ready.¡±


    I sigh deeply and hit ¡°delete.¡± Now I regret not checking out the video first before telling him the truth.


    His face lights up again, ¡°Thank you. Are you hungry? You want something to eat?¡±


    I nod, and then shake my head, ¡°Yes¡­but I don¡¯t feel like going out.¡±


    ¡°No problem. I¡¯ll get a take-out and we can eat here,¡± he grabs his car key and kisses me. ¡°I¡¯ll pick up a


    few things from the penthouse and we can stay here for the night. Can you wait for me?¡±


    I say yes and he leaves.


    So except for the drama with Valerie and the short break out, today is aning really well. I stretch my body


    on the sofa and take out my phone.


    Surprisingly, I find a weird message from Jenna:

 Chapter 63

    Chapter 63


    Chapter 63:


    Agreement Jenna¡¯s POV ¡°Give it back to me, you asshole!¡± I yell at James, who has taken my phone


    away from me. ¡°Fuck! You texted her? What did you say?¡± his thumb scrolls down my phone screen as


    quickly as possible. ¡°The truth!¡± I bark ¡°The truth she should have known a long time ago!! Now give it


    back you filthy, disgusting liar!¡±. I rush toward him trying to snatch my phone back, but he quickly dodges


    me again. Before I can reach him, he has found my text message to Natalia. ¡°Oh, thank god you haven¡¯t


    told her anything specific,¡± he heaves a long sigh, apparently relieved.


    I can¡¯t believe how shameless he is.


    ¡°You should be ashamed of yourselves! Both of you! Eason is a pure devil to plot against her like this and


    you are no less! How can you help her to hurt an innocent girl¡¯s heart?! Are your hearts made of


    stones??¡± I roar, i


    An hour ago, when James was in the shower, I took his phone and checked his messages with Eason.


    I¡¯ve always sensed that something is wrong with that dude. And their messages proved me right.


    Turns out that Eason was going to make Nat fall in love with him first and then before dumping her, and


    then humiliated her on her mom¡¯s anniversary party in front of everyone. My stomach swirls thinking


    about those messages. Those scums deserve to burn in hell!


    ¡°OK, I know you are angry. But hear me out first please?¡± James gestures me to calm down. ¡°I won¡¯t


    deny that Eason and I did some shitty things in the past. But he has changed. He loves Natalia and they


    are happy together now. Do you really want to tell her the truth and ruin their happiness?¡±


    ¡°Their so-called happiness is entirely based on lies and maniption!¡± My mind is clouded by anger. ¡°I


    won¡¯t argue with you because a scumbag like you clearly can¡¯t understand. Now give me my phone


    back!!¡±


    He takes a deep breath and shakes his head, ¡°No. ¡°What do you mean ¡®no¡¯?! You can¡¯t stop me from


    giving her the full story¡ª¡± Suddenly, he raises his hand and tosses my phone into a ss of water.


    Shocked, I scream and lunge at it, but it¡¯s already toote. My phone is ruined already. ¡°Are you crazy?!!


    Are you out of your fucking mind!¡± Igrab him by the cor and roar to his face. ¡°You think this is going to


    stop me? I will go down there and tell her face to face!¡± His jaw tenses.


    ¡°You can¡¯t leave this apartment now,¡± he says in a low voice. ¡°I¡¯ve told Eason already and he ising


    down here. His bodyguards will track you down if you leave and it¡¯ll be ugly.¡±


    I¡¯m shocked beyond words.


    And besides shock, I am also a little afraid.


    Bodyguard? Are they really willing to go this far to keep poor Natalia in the dark? I take a deep breath,


    then suddenly turn to run. My fingers barely touch the door handle when James catches me from behind.


    He tackles me to the floor and wraps me in his arms.


    ¡°Let go of me!¡± I scream, kicking my legs violently. ¡°No!!¡±


    He pants roughly and his arms tightens, ¡°Jenna, just y along for this one time, OK?! If Eason gets


    here-if he sees you like this ¨CGod knows how he will react?¡±


    What can he do? Have me killed?


    I take a hard bite on James¡¯s ar?n. He cries out in pain but still doesn¡¯t let go. This piece of shit must be a


    real supporter of Eason.


    While we are still wrestling, the door to the apartment suddenly flies open and a group of people pour in.


    Someone drags me up and tosses me into the sofa. I climb up breathing fast and find that it¡¯s Eason and


    his bodyguards.


    That evil monster pulls over a chair and sits down in front of me. His face is calm, but somehow, I can


    sense the storming my way if I don¡¯t cooperate. I swallow and ask him nervously, ¡°¡­what do you


    want?¡±


    Eason gives me a faint smile, which is dazzlingly handsome I must admit. I can see why Natalia fell for


    this guy. But I also notice that his smile did not extend to his eyes, which remains cold and calcting.


    His eyes send shiver down my spine.


    And then he speaks up slowly, ¡°The question is not what I want, but what you want Jenna. You are


    Natalia¡¯s closest friend, and I take you as my friend as well. But do you want to take away our


    happiness? After so many things we¡¯ve been through?¡± ¡°Liar!¡± I say with a trembling voice. ¡°Forget it. I¡¯m


    telling her the moment I step out of this room.¡±


    He stares at me and then his face grows dark. He slowly rises up from his seat and sighs,¡± Then you will


    not be leaving this room, I guess.¡± My heart almost stops. I take a quick nce at those sturdy


    bodyguards and then back at him,¡± w-what do you mean I¡¯m not leaving this room? You can¡¯t stop me if I


    want to leave¡­you can¡¯t hold me against my will!¡±


    ¡°But that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m going to do,¡± he announces nonchntly. ¡°You are Nat¡¯s friend, so I won¡¯t


    hurt you. But you will have to stay here for a while I presume, no cell phone, no food and water, till you


    agree to board the next flight back to Miami and never speak of the matter to Nat ever again.¡±


    I clench my fist so tight that my nails are digging into my flesh. Deep down, I know he is telling the truth.


    And he is also fully capable of doing those shitty things to me. ¡°But¡­but even if I agree to leave Boston, I


    can also text Nat about the truth.¡± .


    He turns to one of his bodyguards and gestures him toe forward. The man takes out a piece of


    paper from his suit and ces it in front of me.


    ¡°This is a nondisclosure agreement,¡± Eason says. ¡°Sign it and you are free to go. Of course, if you say


    another word about it to Natalia in the future, there will be legal consequences. You major in journalist as


    I¡¯ve heard. You don¡¯t want to get yourself into any legal and PR troubles before the starting of your


    career, right?¡± I¡¯m beyond shock and furious at this point. I feel¡­absurd, mostly. ¡°¡­ This is how you rich


    shit buy people off?¡± I burst out. Eason doesn¡¯t even blink. He simply shrugs and replies, ¡°yeah pretty


    much. And it works perfectly well under most circumstances.¡±


    He is so cold, heartless and maniptive.


    And most importantly, he is filthy rich. The wealth he possesses basically gives him the right to do


    whatever he wants. There is no way I can fight against him. Nor Nat.


    We are like puppets to this rich brat.


    James breaks the silence hesitantly, ¡°Eason there¡¯s no need to be this tough. Surely she can eat


    ¨C¡±


    ¡°If she makes the decision now, of course she can eat. You can even take her out for a fancy dinner


    afterwards and that¡¯s none of my business, ¡± Eason shrugs.


    James sighs andpses into silence again. I shot him a furious re. That¡¯s it? He is so unbelievably


    weak. I can¡¯t believe I slept with this dude. I feel tarnished.


    ¡°OK I have to go. Nat is still expecting me at home,¡± Eason takes a look at his phone and says.¡± Jenna.


    Please think about it, OK?¡± He walks toward the door. I stare at his back as rage starts burning in my


    heart. Before he exits the room, I shout out to him, ¡°You know you can¡¯t keep her in the dark forever,


    right?¡±


    He pauses for a short moment.


    ¡°Oh I can,¡± he says slowly. ¡°And I will.¡±


    ***


    Natalia¡¯s POV


    My curiosity is totally aroused by Jenna¡¯s message. She texted me an all-caps message and then simply


    vanished. I tried texting back, calling her, ¡°nothing. Where did she go?


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    And she said that she wanted to tell me something about Eason. Did she find out anything about him?


    I suddenly be very nervous. It¡¯s hard to describe how I feel right now. I don¡¯t want to hear anything


    bad about him since we have been so happytely; but this happiness also feels like a dream. I also


    don¡¯t want to be kept in the dark I sit on the sofa, waiting for her reply for a long, long time. A few hours


    later, Eason is back ..


    and I still haven¡¯t heard back from Jenna yet. ¡°What are you doing there?¡± he ces the take-out on the


    table andes to kiss me. ¡°I ordered Thai food.¡± I¡¯m a bit distracted, ¡°I can¡¯t get in touch with Jenna. Is


    she with James?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. Probably,¡± he asks casually. ¡°Why do you want to get in touch with Jenna


    suddenly?¡± I can¡¯t let him know that Jenna was going to tell me something important about him. So I


    push my thoughts to the back of my mind and sit beside the table with him. He hands me the fork and


    suddenly his phone buzzes. He takes a quick look at the phone, then a mysterious smile appears on his


    lip. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± I ask while gobbling down the Red Curry Chicken. I¡¯m starving. ¡°Oh nothing. It¡¯s just an


    agreement that needs to be signed. I didn¡¯t think that person would sign it but I just heard that she caved


    in anyway,¡± he smiles. ¡°It¡¯s a relief for me.¡± ¡°Agreement? Something to do with thepany?¡± ¡°Yeah


    something like that. Nothing to bother you with,¡± he reaches over across the table and holds my hand.


    ¡°This is our first night in this apartment. And there will be so many nights like this toe. Do you know


    how happy I am?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t. But I can imagine,¡± I look into his eyes smiling. ¡°I love you Eason.¡± ¡°And I love


    you more, babe.¡± Hends a gentle kiss on the back of my hand.

 Chapter 64

    Chapter 64


    Chapter 64: The Truth


    The next morning, I slowly wake up in his arms. He is already awake. I catch him staring at me when I


    open my eyes.


    ¡°¡­why are you staring?¡± I ask sleepily. ¡°What¡¯s on my face?¡±


    He holds me tighter in his arms and whispers, ¡°nothing¡­I just can¡¯t get enough you. I can do this all day-


    watching you sleep.¡±


    ¡°Getting a little creepy here I think,¡± I sit up and stretch my back. ¡°Today is Saturday. Do you have any


    ns?¡±


    He sits up with me, ¡°So I was thinking¡­maybe we can go get some new furniture? You can redecorate a


    little.¡±


    The idea of decorating my first home definitely seems interesting. So I immediately jump on board.


    Since we are trying a simpler way of life now, I thought he would take me to IKEA or Target. But instead,


    he ends up driving me to a fancy mall with all those luxury designer brands.


    When the salesdy wees us into the VIP lounge again, I whisper to Eason, ¡°I thought we are


    buying furniture. What are we doing here?¡± ¡°They have house products here. And all decorations you


    might like,¡± he gives me a strange look. ¡°Where else would we go?¡±


    I sigh. I should have known that he might not have stepped into IKEA or Target in his entire life. Getting a


    cheap apartment is the hugest step he has ever taken.


    The salesdy sits us down in the VIP lounge and brings us champagne and a set of afternoon tea, all


    complimentary of course. But if you think about how much money we are going to spend here, the


    gesture bes less generous than it seems. ¡°Brings us the brochure and then give us a moment


    please,¡± says Eason. Everything seems so exquisite and¡­pricey. There are only pictures and


    descriptions listed on the brochure, but no price. I can¡¯t even begin to imagine how much will those cost.


    ¡°Finding anything you like?¡± he asks. ¡°They all seem very nice. But I hope you don¡¯t spend too much on


    this?¡± I try to persuade him. ¡°Because you know I can¡¯t even afford a teacup in here.¡±


    ¡°Let me worry about the money,¡± he gives a gentle peck my cheek. ¡°You just focus on choosing things


    that you like.¡±


    I sigh and eventually agree. While we are sitting there looking through the brochure and enjoying our


    afternoon tea, suddenly my phone buzzes. I take a quick, casual nce at it and instantly sit up. It¡¯s


    Jenna! Who just disappeared for an entire night.


    (Jenna: WHERE ARE YOU?!!)


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    Another all-caps message. What¡¯s the matter with her? I frown and quickly text back:


    [Me: Out shopping with Eason @central mall. Why?)


    A few secondster, another message shots into my inbox.


    (Jenna: LISTEN. I need you to go downstairs and wait for me at the employee¡¯s exit. I¡¯ll be there in 15


    min.)


    (Jenna: DO NOT TELL EASON!! Don¡¯t alert him!!]


    (Jenna: Tell him you need to use the restroom.] Oh God. She makes it seem so serious! What¡¯s the


    matter for god¡¯s sake? Why can¡¯t she just tell me? Is she afraid of Eason or anything?


    (Me: Just tell me what happened!]


    (Jenna: not now. Do as I say. Please.] ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Eason asks me all of a sudden, making me jump a little in my seat and almost dropping my phone.


    Looking up, I find Eason looking at me carefully. ¡°Who are you texting to?¡± he asks.


    In a split second, I hesitate and then decide to listen to Jenna.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I lie and put away my phone. ¡°Mom asks me to run some errands for her. No big deal.¡±


    I act all normal, so he doesn¡¯t suspect a thing. I keep track of the time and ten minutester, I stand up


    telling him, ¡°I need to use the restroom.¡± He points at a hidden door in the lounge, ¡°Sure. It¡¯s right there.¡±


    ¡­hell.


    I bite my bottom lips and quickly think of something else, ¡°I want to get that ice cream downstairs. I¡¯ll go


    to the restroom on the way there. Do you want a scoop?¡±


    ¡°No I¡¯m fine. Do you want me toe with you?¡± I force out a smile, ¡°I¡¯m not a three-years-old. Be right


    back.¡± After that, I quickly exit the lounge before he changes his mind. I wait at the employee¡¯s exit for


    Jenna. 5 minutester, she finally appears, thought she shocked me with her look: an oversized hoodie


    pulled down to cover half of her face, a ck sunss and a mask.


    Is she going to rob the bank?! ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you?¡± I cry out. ¡°Why are you dressed like this!¡±


    She makes a sharp stop in front of me and pants violently. After catching up a breath, she grabs my


    hand and blurts out, ¡°Nat! Eason is a freak! He is fucking insane you need to stay away from him NOW!¡±


    ¡­What?


    My mind goes nk. All of a sudden, I find it hard to understand what Jenna is saying.


    ¡°What-what do you mean he is a freak?¡± I ask then suddenly realize my body is shaking. ¡°But he can¡¯t


    be¡­why is he a freak? What did you say that!¡± Jenna grabs my arms and stare at me, ¡°You need to calm


    down. We don¡¯t have much time! So here is what he did¡­¡±


    Then she goes on telling me everything she has found out.


    ¡°¡­and yesterday he even locked me up in James¡¯ apartment and forced me to sign a nondisclosure


    agreement! He said if I didn¡¯t sign, I couldn¡¯t eat and drink! How insane is that!!¡± she finishes furiously.


    Oh, the agreement. Suddenly the memory fromst night resurfaces. ¡°It¡¯s just an agreement that needs


    to be signed. I didn¡¯t think that person would sign it, but I just heard that she caved in anyway,¡± he smiles.


    ¡°It¡¯s a relief for me.¡± I thought he was talking about business. But could it be that¡­he was actually


    referring to the nondisclosure agreement he forced Jenna to sign?! And all those things are happening


    right in front of my stupid face. But I just didn¡¯t see them. Maybe because he covered his tracks too well.


    Or maybe just because I chose to be blind.


    How insanely stupid I am. ¡°Nat?¡± Jenna looks at me worried. ¡°Say something please?¡± I suddenly bend


    down, gasping, coughing, retching. My body is sick. I feel so disgusted by everything happened to me.


    ¡°Oh my god Nat! Are you OK?¡±


    Tears streams down my cheek as I continue to dry heave. I can¡¯t stop myself. My stomach swirls every


    time I think of his face.


    I was so in love with him¡­I was crazy for him. But why!!


    Why did he have to fucking y me like this!!!


    ¡°Nat¡­please,¡± Jenna tries to cuddle me. ¡°You believe me, right?¡±


    I take a deep breath and slowly stand straight. My whole world just crumbled down in front me and I don¡¯t


    know what to do.


    ¡°I trust you¡­yeah I do. Because I guess¡ª¡± I start sobbing.¡±-I guess some parts of me already knew. I


    just didn¡¯t want to face it.¡±


    I¡¯m so stupid. There¡¯s no way that a fuckboy like him could ever fall in love with someone. Why was I so


    innocent to believe that I could be the one to change his heart? I was a puppet to him. That¡¯s all.


    ¡°God Jenna¡­¡± I grab Jenna¡¯s hand and busts into tears again. ¡°Help me. I¡ªI don¡¯t want to face him. I


    hate him. I hate him so much! What do I do? My life¡­my life is so screwed¡­¡±


    I¡¯m talking nonsense. But Jenna understands. She always does. ¡°Calm down, Nat. Now is not the time to


    cry. Soon he will discover that I ran away and told you the truth. He wille looking for you.¡±


    ¡°Why!¡± I cry out. ¡°Didn¡¯t he have it enough?!¡±


    ¡°He is crazy and paranoid! He threated my life just to get me sign that agreement! Now we need to get


    away from him for a while. You need to go back to Miami with me.¡±


    ¡­What? Back to Miami?


    TTT


    My head hurts so much that I can¡¯t think straight, ¡°What are you talking about? I just moved here. My


    mom is here. And my school¡­how can I just leave?¡± ¡°You got all credits you need at school already,


    right? You just need to apply for college. They¡¯ll allow you to take a few days off. And tell your mom that


    you are visiting your dad. She won¡¯t say anything. The most important thing right now is to get you away


    from that freak as far as possible. You hear me?!¡± I¡¯m still processing my heart break. I can¡¯t make any


    major decision right now. Before I realize, Jenna already hailed a cab and shoved me in. ¡°To the airport,¡±


    she says to the driver and then turns to me. ¡°You have your driver¡¯s license with you?¡±


    ¡°¡­yes,¡± I reply numbly. ¡°Good. We¡¯ll get you a ticket at the counter,¡± Jenna squeezes my hand. ¡°Trust me


    on this. It¡¯ll buy us time to figure out the rest and escape his craziness.¡± I look through the window and


    feel so surreal. This morning, I woke up happily in his arms celebrating the first night we spent in our first


    home; and now, I¡¯m on my way running away from him. How did everything be so fucked up!!!


    Suddenly, my phone rings. It¡¯s Eason. I literally start to panic, ¡°God what do I do? He¡¯ll ask me where I¡¯ve


    been!¡±


    ¡°You have to answer! He can¡¯t know just yet! Just act normal and make something up!¡±


    I hit the answer button with a trembling hand.


    And then I hear his voiceing out of the speaker, ¡°¡­ Babe? What¡¯s taking you so long?¡± It¡¯s him. The


    boy I love so much. The boy who has hurt me deeply. I cover my mouth with my hand and cry silently. I


    know I should say something, but I can¡¯t. it hurts too much.


    After a short silence, he speaks up again with a strained voice, ¡°Nat are you crying?¡±


    I can¡¯t say a single word. ¡°Why do I hear traffic?¡± his voice bes low and hoarse. ¡°Nat, where are


    you?¡±

 Chapter 65

    Chapter 65


    Read In Love With My Evil Stepbrother Chapter 65 ¨C Runaway


    Natalia¡¯s POV


    I open my mouth, but no wordse out of it except a shaky s*b.


    He seems to realize something. The next second, his anxious voicees out of the speaker again,


    ¡°Nat whatever you heard, don¡¯t make any rush decisions! Pleasee back to me and let me exin!


    Just-please, please don¡¯t go.¡±


    He is begging me. I¡¯ve never heard of him begging to anyone before.


    But he deserves this.


    I take in a deep breath as tears blur my vision. Then I ask him between gritted teeth, ¡°¡­is it true?¡±


    He growls lowly, ¡°God what have you heard! I can exin everything,¡±


    ¡°Just f**king answer my question!¡± Thall -cry and half-scream. ¡°Just do this for me ¡­just stop lying to me


    for this one time!! Is it¡­is it true?¡±


    Hepses into silence. I hold the phone and press it tightly against my ear. I can hear his restrained and


    shallow breathing on the other side of the phone, and it makes my heart tremble.


    I can¡¯t help but hope that he would deny it. And everything is just a bad dream. So that I can still go back


    to him and we can still be happily ever after.


    But then, I hear him say in a low voice, ¡°¡­yes.¡±


    I let out a desperate cry as tears pour down my cheek.


    ¡°But I can exin! I¡¯ve regretted it a long


    I hung up the phone before he can finish and toss it aside. Despair and agony fill, my heart. I didn¡¯t know


    a heartbreak can be this painful. I¡¯ve never experienced this before, not even with Zack.


    I guess it¡¯s the first time I ever loved someone this deeply. But now, my so called ¡°true love¡± just turned in


    to a bl***dy betrayal.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Jenna ces her hand on my shoulder. ¡°I know there¡¯s nothing I can say right now that will make


    you feel better. But you are strong, and you will move pass this. You just need a little time.¡±


    I bury my face into my palms crying and nod. At least now I have her by my side.


    Nearly an hourter, we arrive at the airport. Jenna takes me to the counter and buys us the next flight to


    Miami, which departures 2 hourster.


    Then we check in, pass security check and arrive at the waiting lounge. The entire process feels like a


    dream to me. Did I really just break up with Eason? Am I really going back to Miami? I feel like that I am


    sleep walking.


    ¡°Here,¡± Jenna hands me a bottle of water and sits down beside me. ¡°Are you hungry? Do you want


    something to eat?¡±


    I shake my head. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever have the appetite to eat anything ever again.


    ¡°I think maybe I should call my mom¡­or my dad. I must let him know that I¡¯ming home,¡± I murmur.


    ¡°Yeah. But didn¡¯t your dad have a new girlfriend or something?¡±


    F***k. I totally forgot. Dad is dating someone right now and he probably doesn¡¯t want me home. Well


    then, I just became homeless, AGAIN.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You can stay with me if your home gets crowded. But still, you should call him.¡±


    I nod and take out my phone. There¡¯re 36 missing calls and tons of unread messages. All from Eason.


    I don¡¯t want to read them. But the next second, two new messages pops up on my screen:


    (Eason: I¡¯m sorry.]


    (Eason: Please don¡¯t leave me.]


    Tears threaten to fall again. If he is sorry, why didn¡¯t he say anything sooner? Is he really sorry? Or is this


    another scheme


    just to trick me back?


    I can¡¯t tell anymore.


    ¡°Oh f**k,¡± Jenna suddenly curses.


    I look up but she presses my head down and puts her baseball hat on my heard.


    ¡°Keep your head down,¡± she hisses. ¡°I think I saw Eason¡¯s bodyguards just now.¡±


    What? My whole-body tenses up immediately.


    He is here already?! How is that even possible!


    I let my hair down to cover my face. I don¡¯t dare looking up but from a peripheral look I can see men in


    ck suits approaching us quickly. They are searching the crowd. One of them evenes to the


    check-in counter, I bet he is


    asking the staff if we are on the passenger list.


    ¡°Oh god this is even worse than I expected,¡± Jenna groans. ¡°He won¡¯t give up. We have to go.¡±


    She drags me up and starts heading toward the opposite direction. We quickly blend into the crowd so


    no one notices us.


    I take a look at my phone. 30 minutes left before departure.


    ¡°What do we do?¡± I try to keep up with her. ¡°Should we hide in the bathroom for now?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she shakes her head decisively.¡± They will wait at the gate. We can¡¯t go back anymore.¡±


    ¡°So¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll get out of the airport and take the


    shuttle to the nearest city. Then take the flight again.¡±


    ¡­What?


    I suddenly feel so exhausted. Right now, all I want to do is toy down in bed and cry the hell out of it.


    My head hurts so much and my legs are heavy. There¡¯s no way I can manage that long journey.


    ¡°Jenna¡­¡±


    I stop and meet her surprised gaze,¡° maybe you should just go. I¡ªI¡¯m so tired. I don¡¯t think he will do


    anything to me anyway,¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± she cries out furiously. ¡°How can you still be so f**king stupid?! That lunatic locked me up and


    basically forced me to sign the agreement! He will f**king


    do the same to you! Plus I signed the nondisclosure but I still chose to tell you everything. Are you going


    to run back to him after everything I¡¯ve done? Then you , are just weak and pathetic, and you probably


    deserve to be treated like this!!¡±


    I burst into fresh tears again. My god she is right. I even loathe myself right now. I guess everything I¡¯ve


    been through today really took a shake on my spirit.


    Jenna presses her lips and looks at me worried. Under her gaze, I quickly wipe the corner of my eyes


    and say to her,¡° Just p me if I ever want to back down again.¡±


    Smile appears on her face again, ¡°There is my girl.¡±


    We rush out of the terminal and hail a cab to the shuttle station. That hundreds dors flight ticket just


    went to drain but I guess that¡¯s the price I have to pay to get away from Eason.


    Before we get into the cab, Jenna suddenly stops me, ¡°Wait. Take out the SIM card from your phone.¡±


    I don¡¯t understand why but I do as she says. She throws the little card on the ground and stomps hard on


    it a few times.


    ¡°Why do you think he can get here so quickly?¡± she opens the door for me and whispers. ¡°I¡¯m not saying


    that he can definitely track your phone¡­but let¡¯s just stay on the safe side.¡±


    I shut the door and tell the driver our destination. As the car slowly drive away from the terminal, I


    suddenly catch a glimpse of a familiar figure.


    It¡¯s him.


    He just got out of his ck Maserati and met with his bodyguards. I still remember the car. It¡¯s the exact


    car that he drove to save me from Zack. He was such a knight back then.


    But then my knight betrayed me.


    I lean closer to the window and stare at him, trying to remember every detail of his face. I see him talking


    to his bodyguards, rushing into the building and disappearing from my sight.


    He has no idea that the girl he is looking for is sitting in a car behind him and driving away.


    I love him. But I also can¡¯t forgive him¡­.Bye, Eason.


    ***


    Eason¡¯s POV


    ¡°What the F##K did you say??¡± I roar to my bodyguard. People passing by are turning their heads and


    giving me strange looks, but I don¡¯t give a f**k.


    The 7-feet-tall man shivers in front me. He gulps and after a few seconds he finally answers in a low and


    humble voice, ¡°It¡¯s true sir¡­Miss Moore and her friend never boarded that flight.¡±


    ¡°Then search the f***king airport! They are still here!¡±


    ¡°We doubt it sir. We searched the entire airport already, so we couldn¡¯t have missed them. So the only


    exnation is that they were here before but they are gone now.¡±


    The air is suddenly getting thin around me, making me hard to breathe. I close my eyes and ask myself


    to calm down. But


    the thought of losing her is driving me crazy.


    I tracked her phone. She was there before without doubt. But now her location isn¡¯t moving anymore and


    her phone is turned off.


    Did she see me? Is it why she left?


    Her heartlessness is tearing my heart apart. Nat has a gentle soul. But she can be very cruel to people


    who betrayed her.


    I can me no one else but myself.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± I murmur.¡± Search the airport. Search every goddamn transportation station. Turn the city


    over if you need to. I have to find her¡­I have to.¡±


    If she leaves, she will nevere back again. This will be like three years ago,


    but way worse. I can¡¯t afford to lose her again.


    I clench my fist and turn around to leave. The bodyguard follows closely behind me.


    ¡°Sir, Mr. Ramirez is asking questions. I think he has noticed the-unusual activity.¡±


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Make something up! I¡¯ll exin to himter.¡±


    He takes a long stride and blocks my way. From his face, I can tell that he is in fear. But he still looks


    down and says, ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t Sir. He asked me to bring you home.¡±


    I narrow my eyes dangerously at him,¡± Careful. Always remember who you work for.¡±


    A short silence.


    ¡°I work for the Ramirez family Sir,¡± he replies.


    And the head of the Ramirez family is still my dad. Not me.


    Rage, despair, powerlessness, sadness¡­a thousand emotions are building inside of me. I want to throw


    a punch at him but I know I can¡¯t. It¡¯ll make things even more difficult.


    ¡°Fine. Take me to my father then,¡± I say coldly walking pass him. ¡°And after that, you are fired.¡±


    I¡¯ve always wanted to confess my rtionship with Natalia to my father. I wanted to choose the perfect


    asion and do it right. But I guess I don¡¯t get to choose now.

 Chapter 66

    Chapter 66


    Read In Love With My Evil Stepbrother Chapter 66 ¨C Another Stepbrother


    Eason¡¯s POV


    I march into dad¡¯s study. He is already there waiting for me.


    I used to dread this ce. Whenever I made a mistake as a boy, he would ask the butler to bring me in


    here and sit me down for a long lecture. He had to make sure I knew that I wasn¡¯t good enough to be the


    Ramirez¡¯s heir.


    But now that I¡¯m old enough, I¡¯ve learnt not to give a sh*t about how he thinks of me.


    ¡°Sit,¡± my father nods at me as I take my seat in front of me across the table. ¡°Your security team reported


    some unusual activities to me today. I think I have to ask you the reason.¡±


    I lean back on the chair and raise my eyebrows at him, ¡°My bodyguard snitched behind my back? How


    unprofessional.¡±


    A faint smile appears on his lips, ¡°You can fire him if you like. But the new guy will still report to me. I can


    assure you that.¡±


    My face tightens out of my control. I know that¡¯s a warning. He is telling me that I still don¡¯t have any real


    controls over the family.


    ¡°So? The reason?¡±


    I snort, ¡°I was looking for someone at the airport.¡±


    ¡°Whom?¡±


    I slightly narrow my eyes, giving him a challenging look, ¡°As the head of the family, I thought you had


    already known.¡±


    He stares back at me, the look in his eyes very dark and cold. Other people would start shivering in fear


    under this gaze, but not me.


    ¡°Natalia,¡± he says eventually. That¡¯s a statement, not a question.


    I make a funny noise with my nose.


    He slowly rises from his seat, now looking down at me, ¡°You got an apartment off campus not long ago.


    Was that for yourself? Or was it for someone else.¡±


    I sigh, ¡°Beating around the bush is very unlike you dad. Just cut to the chase.¡±


    ¡°¡­Were you two seeing each other?¡±


    I sit still for a moment and then suddenly burst intoughter, ¡°That¡¯s a very conservative way of saying.


    But yeah I guess you can say that. We were seeing each other, kissing each other, f**king each other¡¯s


    brain out and sneaking around behind your¡ª¡±.


    A hot pnded on my face before I can finish. God it f**king hurts. The old man still got it. But I feel


    more liberated than angry or ashamed. I enraged him on purpose. I need to get the lingering steam out


    of my system.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since Ist hit you. Because I thought you¡¯ve outgrown that. But apparently, I was


    wrong,¡± I hear my father¡¯s rage-filled voice. ¡°That p was for me, for Natalia and for her mother. You¡¯ve


    disappointed me, you¡¯ve disrespected her mother and you have messed with the wrong girl¡± And that got


    me.


    ¡°Who said she is the wrong girl!¡± I jump out of my seat and roar. ¡°I love her, and she loves me! We are


    perfect together. What¡¯s your ce to call her the wrong girl?!¡±


    ¡°She loves you? Then why is she running away from you right now?¡±


    F**k.


    Anger almost made me forget that he is my father. I just want to punch him in the face right now.


    Then he says sternly, ¡°I know you are a troubled kid, Eason. But I didn¡¯t expect you to be this


    outrageous. Now I need you to back down from this now and I will take everything from here. I forbid you


    to see her again.¡±


    I¡¯m so infuriated that I want to smack things now.


    ¡°Why the f**k are you stopping me dad?! You like Nat! Why can¡¯t you just be f**king supportive for once!


    Like a real father!!¡±


    ¡°Supportive? Are you even listening to yourself? I like Natalia as my stepdaughter. I didn¡¯t bring her into


    this family for you to screw her! You are brother and sister for god¡¯s sake! Just think about the scandal


    and rumors if this breaks out. I can see that you have absolutely no family honor!¡± Oh here it is. The


    family honor.


    I let out a low chuckle, but it is filled with sarcasm, ¡°Yes father, you are a very honorable man. So that¡¯s


    why you married mom for her wealth and title and let her into your loveless marriage. You turned her into


    this control freak and call that family honor.¡±


    My father¡¯s face darkens. I know I¡¯ve hit his soft spot.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going down your path,¡± I stand up facing him. ¡°Nat is the one. You can try and stop us, but it


    won¡¯t work.¡±


    This is the first time I leave the room before he dismisses me. I guess my respect for him has run out at


    this point.


    ¡°It won¡¯t work,¡± I hear my father announces coldly behind me. ¡°I won¡¯t let you ruin your life and her life


    like this.¡±


    ***


    Natalia¡¯s POV


    As soon as we step out of the airport, I¡¯m immediately weed by the dense and dripping humidity of


    Miami, which is so drastically different from the crisp and dry weather in Boston.


    I stand still in the evening wind for a movement, taking in a deep breath of the fresh air that smells like


    sea, and suddenly feel at home.


    Everything happened in Boston feels like a dream now.


    ¡°Come!¡± Jenna waves at me. ¡°I got us an Uber. We will make a stop at your home first. If things don¡¯t go


    well, you cane and stay with me.¡±


    ¡°Jenna¡­¡± I look at her and fell my heart full of gratitude. ¡°There¡¯s no way I can thank you enough.¡±


    ¡°You can save it then,¡± she gives me a yful smile. ¡°If I run into a heartless b*stard in the future, you will


    be responsible of getting rid of him for me.¡±


    She checks te number and walks to our car, which turns out to be a ck and shiny Benz. It surprised


    me a little when I saw it. This car is not exactly a luxury one but it¡¯s not cheap either. So it seems that


    even rich people have to get out and make a living Jenna bends down and taps the car window. It slowly


    rolls down and reveals the driver¡¯s face.


    It¡¯s a young man in his early 20s, dressed in tie and suit. And most importantly, he¡¯s got a super


    handsome face that can easily attract any girl¡¯s attention, ¡°Umm¡­can I help you?¡± he slightly frowns and


    asks. Even his voice is beautiful.


    Jenna blushes suspiciously, ¡°Uber? Can you open the trunk for us? We got luggage.¡±


    A flicker of doubt passes through his eyes. But then his eyes settle on me and the look of suspicious on


    his face quickly vanishes, ¡°Are you going to 388 Logan¡¯s Drive?¡±


    That¡¯s my dad¡¯s location. I nod.


    A charming smile appears on his face almost instantly, ¡°Of course. Let me help you with your luggage.¡±


    He gets off the car and opens the trunk for us. I can smell a pleasant scent of male cologne when he


    stands next to me. Suddenly for no reasons at all, my cheek turns pink.


    When he is not looking, Jenna secretly gives a tack at my sleeve and months me: Hot!


    I let out a rather stupid giggle at herment.


    When the car drives smoothly out of the airport, our handsome driver slightly adjust the rearview mirror


    and asks, ¡°So, what brings youdies to Miami?¡±


    ¡°We live here, actually. We just came back from a rather horrible and exhausted trip.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Where did you go?¡±


    Then Jenna goes on toin the weather and everything about Boston. My mind starts to wander


    about while they are talking. I can¡¯t help but think about Eason and all the mess I left behind.


    What¡¯s he doing right now? Is he still trying to call and text me?


    Is he still mad? Or has he moved on already? Maybe not yet but he will eventually. I know I shouldn¡¯t but


    I still feel the urge to cry just thinking that this may be the end for us.


    Suddenly Jenna¡¯s cry whips me back to reality, ¡°Wait! Stop the car!¡±


    I jerk my head in her direction, ¡°What?¡±


    She seems horrified, waving her phone at me, ¡°We got on the wrong car! This isn¡¯t our car! Our car is still


    at the airport!!¡±


    What the f**k?!


    Suddenly a cold shiver runs down my back, as all those horrible news I¡¯ve read before resurface in my


    mind: Serial Killer disguised as Uber driver abducts young women and brutally murders them in the wild.


    ¡°Who the hell are you!¡± Jenna yells at our driver and smacks the back of his seat.¡° Stop the car right now


    or I¡¯m calling the police!¡±


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    ¡°Wait, wait, calm down for a second,¡± our driver takes a look at us through the rearview mirror. ¡°We are


    going 80 miles an hour so I can¡¯t really stop the car right now. And Natalia, do you really not recognize


    me?¡±


    I¡¯m stunned. How did he know my name? Do I really know him?


    ¡°Liam Brown. Rings any bell?¡±


    I frown and search my memories. But no, no clue at all.


    ¡°Well then I guess your dad didn¡¯t tell you about me,¡± he shrugs.


    ¡°My dad? Are you a friend of his?¡±.


    ¡°Mr. Moore showed me a picture of you,


    Natalia. So that¡¯s how I recognized you at the airport,¡± there is a hint of smile in his voice. ¡°We haven¡¯t


    officially met yet, but my mom is dating your father.¡±


    Me and Jenna exchange a look of shock.


    Wait, if his mom is dating my dad, then that makes him my ¡°Sorry to frighten you earlier,¡± he slightly turns


    his head back and gives me a charming smile. ¡°But I guess that makes me your stepbrother in a way.¡±

 Chapter 67

    Chapter 67


    Read In Love With My Evil Stepbrother Chapter 67 ¨C Liam


    Fate really is ying me like a puppet.


    I just got rid of one stepbrother only a day ago and it throws another one right back at me.


    But I guess¡­the new one seems much better than the old one.


    Embarrassed, I quickly apologize for making a big fuss earlier. But Liam doesn¡¯t seem to mind that at all,


    ¡°I should be the one to say sorry. I thought your dad had already told you about me and I just couldn¡¯t


    resist the temptation to see the surprise on your face.¡±


    I let out an awkwardugh, ¡°I didn¡¯t know dad¡¯s girlfriend-I mean your mom-has a son.¡± .


    ¡°Really? You dad didn¡¯t mention a word about me? I thought he was so fond of me. Well, that hurts,¡± he


    clenches his chest and pretends to be shot in the heart. ¡°Ouch.¡±


    Jenna has a big stupid grin on her face. She turns to me and mouths me again: HOT!


    I sigh internally. My other stepbrother is also very hot, but we all know how that turned out.


    ¡°So why were you in the airport?¡± Jenna asks him. ¡°You weren¡¯t there to pick us up no?¡±


    ¡°Not really. I work in a Chicagow firm and just got a few days off from work. So I flied back home to


    visit my mom and Mr. Moore and then run into you guys at the airport¡­what are the odds?¡±


    ¡°Very rare,¡± I murmur.


    Eventually, we arrive at our home. I sit in the car, looking through the window at the house I had spent


    three years in, and suddenly feel a bit nervous.


    This used to be my home. But then dad kicked me out for another woman, Liam¡¯s mom to be precise.


    Although Liam seems nice, I wonder what his mom is like. Out of nowhere, I am suddenly reminded of


    Eason¡¯s mom and a cold shiver runs down my spine.


    Hope Liam¡¯s mom is better than that old crow.


    The car door files open while I was lost in my thoughts. Looking up, I find Liam holding the door for me, a


    hint of smile in his eyes.


    ¡°Ready?¡± he asks.


    I try to keep my spirit up and jump out of the car, heading towards the front gate.


    The house seems to be under good maintenance while I was gone. Thewn is freshly mowed, the


    broken fence is fixed, a bunch of yellow tulips are blooming in the garden¡­ I know my father¡¯sid-back


    personality, so he couldn¡¯t be the one who had done those works.


    Liam knocks on the door, ¡°Mr. Moore! Mom! Look who is back!¡±


    A few momentster, the front door flies open, and a middle-aged woman appears behind it. She is


    about my height, slightly plump and really kindly looking. She seems one of those people who would give


    free hugs on the street to strangers.


    ¡°On Liam!¡± she hugs her son tightly in the arms, though he is, much taller than she is. ¡°So nice to have


    you back! How¡¯s your flight?¡±


    Liam breaks free from her and moves aside for her to see me,¡±


    Mom, look who is back.¡±


    I hold my breath involuntarily and put on a nervous smile. Locking eyes with her, I stutter, ¡°Ni-nice to


    meet you¡ª¡±


    Umm what should I call her? Mrs. Brown? No what¡¯s herst name again?


    But before I finish, she lets out a short, excited gasp and rushes towards me. The next second, I am in


    her arms already, with a sweet smell of honey and butter around me.


    ¡°Natalia! When did youe back? Oh god so nice to see you dear!¡± she pats my back warmly as if she


    had known me for a very long time. ¡°Tom! Tom! Get out there! Your daughter is back!!¡±


    I¡¯m a bit overwhelmed by her enthusiasm. Liam skillfully rescues me from her arms and whispers to me


    smiling, ¡°my mom is a hugger. Get use to that.¡±


    Just then I hear a rushed footstep approaching¡­and a tall figure appears at the doorstep.


    It¡¯s my dad.


    I¡¯ve been secretly holding a grudge against me for kicking me out. But seeing him like this right now, all


    the grievance, agony and painful sufferings surge up in my chest at once. I feel my eyes be watery.


    Now I just want to run to him and cry in his arms like a three-years old.


    He is also looking at me, his lips slightly trembling.


    ¡°¡­dad¡­¡± I break the silence, sobbing.


    ¡°Oh Nat,¡± he strides over and pulls me in. He smells like paint and cigar as usual, which calms me down


    almost immediately.


    And with that, all my nervous feelings are gone. I know he still wants me home, no matter what he said in


    the past.


    Then we finallye into the living room. The kind woman sits me on the sofa and turns to his


    son, ¡°Liam can you help me with the tea in the kitchen for a second?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯lle too!¡± Jenna jumps up.


    I give her a grateful look, ¡°Thank you.¡± I know she is giving my father and I some privacy to talk.


    ¡°It¡¯s Hallie dear,¡± she smiles back. ¡°We¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    They leave the room.


    When we are finally alone, dad clears his throat before saying, ¡°so ¡­things didn¡¯t go well in Boston?¡±


    I was pushed aside, bullied, yed, and kidnapped. I fell madly in love and then had my heart torn into


    pieces.


    ¡°¡­yeah, not so well,¡± I answer lowly.


    My dad lets out long sigh and rubs his hairs. He isn¡¯t a very chatty man, the very opposite of my mom.


    So after a short silence, he says gruffly, ¡°You can stay here. Hallie is a decent woman. You will like her.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± I sneer bitterly. ¡°Who asked me to make room for you and her? Oh wait, it¡¯s you.¡±


    Dad presses his lips into a thin line, a clear guilt on his face. He shifts a bit in his seat, as if he is trying to


    move closer to me, but eventually gives up on the thought.


    ¡°Hallie and I just started dating and¡­and your mom really wanted you in Boston. But regardless, that


    was very selfish. I¡¯m sorry Nat,¡± he sighs.


    If he hadn¡¯t insisted on me staying


    in Boston, I guess none of those things would have happened between me and Eason. But the damage


    has been done already. It¡¯s about time to move on.


    ¡°Is my old room still avable?¡± I force out a smile.


    His eyes light up immediately,¡± Always. Always avable.¡±


    **


    *


    So I settle in, with my dad, Hallie and Liam. A few weeks have passed since then and I find my wounds


    slowly healing up.


    Mom called me, of course. She went all hysterical hearing that


    I¡¯ve flied back to Miami without telling her. But she eventually gave in after realizing that I wouldn¡¯t be


    coming back to Boston anytime soon.


    So I escaped my nightmare sessfully, at least for now. Although from time to time, Eason¡¯s face would


    still haunt me in my dreams.


    And another upside is that I can finally get the chance to focus on my college application. To my


    surprise, Liam turns out to be a great help during that process. He finds time to fly back every weekend


    recently and helped me polish several of my essays.


    Today is myst due day. After submitting everything needed for the application, I feel very relived for the


    first time in a long time.


    ¡°Mind if Ie in?¡± Liam knocks on the door with a te of fresh baked cookies in hand. ¡°Mom


    insisted you be the first one to taste her secret recipe.¡±


    ¡°Yummy!¡± I grab one and stuff it in my mouth. ¡°So, are you free tonight?¡±)


    ¡°Yes. But why?¡± he sits down beside me.


    ¡°I was wondering if you want to grab a drink after dinner? Thanks to you, my dear mentor, my


    applications went really well. At least let me buy you a drink?¡±


    He lets out a low chuckle, ¡°wait how old are you again?¡±


    ¡°You can sh the bartender your ID card and I¡¯ll dazzle him with my cash. How does that sound?¡±


    He bursts intoughter, ¡°That sounds lovely. Settles then, it¡¯s a date¡±


    I flush, and my heart rate inexplicably increases.


    Liam is a very charming person. Being around him is like being around a big brother. He can always


    make me feelfortable and protected.


    And probably because of my history with my other stepbrother, I can¡¯t stop overthinking things when


    Liam bes flirty.


    ¡°Come downstairs,¡± Liam stands up without noticing the flush on my face and pats my shoulder.¡° Mom


    made a feast to celebrate.¡±


    I follow him to the kitchen and find the dining table packed with delicious foods. Hallie even made a cake


    with pink frosting and two huge words on top: College Student!


    I stutter and blush tomato red seeing these, ¡°Y-you shouldn¡¯t bother¡­thank you, I meant. But I haven¡¯t


    got admitted into any schools yet.¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°YET,¡± Hallie hugs me tightly.¡° I¡¯m sure you will.¡±


    Everyone sits down beside table. Dad is in such a high spirit, so he pops open a bottle of good wine and


    pours himself a full ss. The food, the drink, and family¡¯spany¡­my heart is swelled with


    happiness.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to raise a toast,¡± Liam picks up his ss and smiles looking at me. ¡°To Natalia, and a bright


    future ahead of her.¡±


    His dark ck eyes sh in the warm evening light, making it impossible for me to look away. I


    find myself lost in his gaze for a short moment.


    ¡°To Natalia!¡± Hallie and my dad echo.


    I blush and raise my ss as well. But before it touches my lip, suddenly a knockes from the front


    gate.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get it,¡± Liam sits down his wine and stands up.


    Suddenly, a rush of panic seizes my heart for no reason. So I follow Liam to the door and watch him


    open it.


    A face appears behind it.


    It¡¯s thest person I expected to see.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡± Liam frowns looking at the man in front of him.


    ¡°Yes,¡± the man looks over Liam and his gazends on me. ¡°Hope I¡¯ve not disturbed your dinner n. But


    I need to talk to you, Natalia.¡± It¡¯s Mr. Ramirez.

 Chapter 68

    Chapter 68


    Chapter 68: Meeting Again Even Eason being here would be less of a surprise for me. Mr. Ramirez


    needs to talk to me? But about what? What could possibly bring him from the east coast to the west? I


    swallow hard and step aside, whispering under my breath,¡° Pleasee in.¡±


    Mr. Ramirez makes his way through the door and then nods at Liam, who still seems very confused at


    the moment.


    ¡°Umm Nat? Who is this again? Liam asks me with a frown.


    Right at this moment, dad and Hallie follow us out of the dining room. Dad freezes the moment heys


    eyes on Mr. Ramirez-of course he recognizes his ex-wife¡¯s current husband.


    ¡°Sorry for intruding,¡± Mr. Ramirez says calmly, his eyes ncing around the room. ¡°I just need a moment


    with Natalia.¡±


    ¡°What? Why?¡± Dad takes an instinctive step forward and snaps. ¡°Did-did something happen to Alicia?¡±


    ¡°Oh no, it¡¯s nothing like that. Nothing urgent. I really just need 5 minutes alone with Natalia,¡± Mr. Ramirez


    says.


    I¡¯m slightly relieved hearing that mom is ok, but it makes me even more curious about what he is going to


    say to me.


    Eventually Hallie breaks the silence, ¡°Nat dear, maybe you can use theundry room? It¡¯s just around the


    corner¡­ Liam do you mind¡ª¡±


    WW


    ¡°Yeah sure. Follow me please,¡± Liam immediately nods.


    He leads us to the smallundry room down the hall and opens the door for us. Before I follow Mr.


    Ramirez inside, he stops, me grabbing my arm and quickly whispers to my ear, ¡°I¡¯m


    right outside, OK?¡±


    I know he is worried, which is really sweet. So I smile at him gratefully and close the door behind me.


    Then we are finally alone, in this dark little room with a musty smell hanging in the air. I¡¯m still weighing


    my words, but Mr. Ramirez simply goes straight to the point:


    ¡°You and Eason were together.¡±


    And just like that, like a huge iron hammer smashing right into my face, my entire world crumbles down


    at once. A thousand emotions surge through me, and the most obvious one is guilt.


    This is the man who protected me, fed and sheltered me, brought me into his family and treated me like


    his daughter. I still remembered that he drove me to school himself on the first day of school, just to


    make sure that I wasn¡¯t overwhelmed by anxiety.


    LI


    But how did I repay him? I slept with his son.


    ¡°Is it true?¡±


    I hear him asking me again.


    There¡¯s a lump in my throat, making it impossible for me to say a full word. So I can only choke and nod,


    my eyes filled with tears of shame.


    I don¡¯t know how he found out about this¡­but the least I can do now is stay honest and own up to my


    own fault.


    ILIST


    I hear him sigh deeply in the dark and says lowly, ¡°Natalia, I¡¯m really sorry.¡±


    1 TV


    I burst into tears almost instantly.


    ¡°No! No please don¡¯t say sorry¡­I-I should be the one to apologize,¡± I cry and stutter under my breath,


    my body trembling from head to toe. ¡°I let you down and I-I don¡¯t know what I was thinking¡­I¡¯m so


    ashamed of myself¡­¡± He takes a quick step forward and gently pats my shoulder, like what he did on the


    first day of my school to cheer me up. I hear his deep and soft voice in the dark saying, ¡°Don¡¯t feel bad


    about yourself. If it¡¯s anyone¡¯s fault, it¡¯s Eason¡¯s, not yours. You two are young kids, and kids like you


    make mistakes. We just need to fix those mistakes.¡±


    1


    LI


    Then he hands me a handkerchief and waits me to calm down a bit before continuing, ¡°The day you left


    Boston, Eason confessed everything to me. He was still trying toe to Miami to get you, but I locked


    him up and took his phone away.¡±


    Oh, so that¡¯s why I haven¡¯t heard from Eason at all, no phone call, no messages. I was slightly shocked


    by his unusual calmness, but now I see the reason.


    ¡°Thank you Sir,¡± I murmur, wiping the corner of my eyes with his handkerchief. ¡°And that¡¯s working, right?


    As long as we are kept apart like this, he will forget about me eventually.¡±


    11


    LLLL


    I say this while trying to ignore the obvious pain in my heart.


    Yet to my surprise, Mr. Ramirez shakes his head heavily, ¡°It works fine at first. But Eason kept trying to


    escape and got into a few fights with the bodyguard. A week ago, he got badly injured during the fight


    and fell from the third floor.¡±


    I mp my mouth shut to stop a gasp.


    Oh my god Eason¡­.he is crazy! ¡°And that¡¯s not the worst,¡± Mr. Ramirez adds. ¡°He refused to work with


    the doctor not let anyone treat his injuries, unless I agree to let him out of the apartinent.¡±


    Suddenly, I understand why Mr. Ramirez came this far to talk to me.


    ¡°He¡ª¡±I struggle for air and say through my gritted teeth.¡± He is on this way to here, right?¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m afraid so. Yes.¡±


    I suddenly feel my head really light and the whole world start spinning around me. I¡¯m not ready to face


    him. I worked really hard to put him behind me just a little bit and seeing him again will set everything


    back to square one.


    ¡°Natalia! Are you OK?¡±


    Mr. Ramirez quickly holds me before I drop to the ground. I cling to his arm and take a deep breath,


    closing my eyes for a moment.


    ¡°If you feel that this is too hard, I can¡ª¡±


    ¡°No I¡¯m fine,¡± I interrupt him with a low voice. ¡°Maybe we need a closure.¡±


    ¡°OK, if you are sure about this. He will be here in the next few


    days, so be ready. My men will stay close nearby. If he overreacts, they will take him away by force.¡± I


    nod stiffly. My mind remains a nk. ¡°Let¡¯s go back out there. I¡¯m sure your family is getting worried.¡±


    LLI


    LL


    He opens theundry room¡¯s door and lets me go out first. Liam is right outside, leaning against the wall


    and waiting for him. He stands straight the moment he sees me walking out.


    ¡°Are you crying?¡± he asks with a frown, shooting a re at Mr. Ramirez. ¡°Did something happen?¡±.


    ¡°No it¡¯s alright,¡± I shake my head. ¡°Mr. Ramirez is leaving. Oh, and your handkerchief.¡±


    I want to return the handkerchief to him but it is covered with stains right now. So my hand hangs


    awkwardly in the air.


    ¡°You can keep it,¡± Mr. Ramirez gives me a faint smile. ¡°Don¡¯t miss your mom. She will be fine. And if you


    need any school paperwork done in Boston, you can always call me.¡±


    LLLLL


    I get it. He is asking me not toe back to Boston anytime soon.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I murmur.


    Mr. Ramirez bids us goodbye and heads to the front gate. Before he exits the door, he suddenly turns


    around to me and says, ¡°Natalia, always remember what¡¯s right and what¡¯s wrong. Don¡¯t let him get to


    you again.¡±


    He is right. I can¡¯t afford to go through that painful heartbreak again.


    ***


    After Mr. Ramirez left, my family immediately gathers around. I can tell they are worried. ¡°What does he


    want?¡± dad growls. ¡°Dragged you into the little room and made you cry like this¡­I shouldn¡¯t have allowed


    him.¡±


    After my previous emotional outburst, I just feel so exhausted right now. Letting out a huge sigh, I wave


    dismissively at my dad, ¡°Don¡¯t me Mr. Ramirez. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Then what were you crying for?!¡± I ignore dad and turn to Liam, ¡°Does our date still count?¡± It takes him


    a second to realize what I¡¯m talking about, and then he quickly nods, ¡°Of course.¡±


    Dad is about to say something else, but Hallie stops him, ¡°GO have some fun you two.¡±


    She pushes him back to the dining room, giving us an opening to escape from his interrogation.


    Liam hails a cab and takes me to a local bar. He apparently knows the bartender and manages to get us


    a table despite the crowd.


    ¡°Here you go,¡± he sets two cups of beers and some snacks down. ¡°Hope you drink beer.¡±


    ¡°Yes that¡¯s fine,¡± I groan frustrated, ¡°Wait, I should buy you that drink.¡±


    He chuckles lightly, ¡°You can take the next round.¡±


    I raise my ss and take a few big sips. The sudden rush of alcohol clouds my mind and makes the rest


    of the world sightly out of focused, which is just what I need right now.


    I wish I can just stay drunk for the next few days so that I don¡¯t need to face Eason again.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I hear Liam asking me across the table. ¡°Mind if I ask you a question?¡±


    I hup and shrug, ¡°I knew these drinks aren¡¯t free. Go ahead.¡±


    ¡°So¡­is Eason your stepfather¡¯s son?¡± he asks.


    Well, apparently, he has been ears-dropping.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I pour another mouth full of beer down my throat and add. ¡°He is my stepbrother just like you.¡±


    He hesitates for a second and then falters, ¡°So¡­so you two have been¡ª¡±


    LL


    ¡°You¡¯ve heard everything, don¡¯t you,¡± I smile bitterly. ¡°Go ahead and judge me. Yes, I slept with my


    stepbrother.¡±


    ¡°No! Why would I judge you? You guys aren¡¯t rted,¡± he pauses and stares at me, his eyes brimming


    with eagerness.¡± Just like us.¡±


    My heart skips a beat as I quickly look elsewhere to avoid his hot gaze. Luckily, he doesn¡¯t say anything


    else and stands up offering his hand to me, ¡°You want to dance?¡±


    I ce my hand in his palm and smiles, ¡°Why not.¡± Right now, I just need to put all my worries and


    troubles behind me.


    He leads me into the dancefloor and holds my waist. He is really tall, so his hot breath sprays right


    behind the sensitive area behind my ears. I flinch a bit and slightly tilt my head, which would seem like


    that I¡¯m hugging him back.


    ¡°Natalia?¡± Liam¡¯s low and hoarse rings above my head, ¡°So I was thinking,¡±


    Suddenly, the rest of his words is interrupted by a huge crackling noise outside the dancefloor.


    Everyone jumps and turns their heads to look, including me and Liam. I hear a few gasps of shock


    outside the crowd and then everyone starts scuttling out of the way.


    I can¡¯t believe my eyes.


    It¡¯s Eason, standing by the edge of the dancefloor with a broken half ss bottle in his hand.


    His hair is messy, and his face covered by bruises and scratches. His left hand is still in a cast.


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    He seems terrible.


    We lock eyes with each other across the room, my eyes full of panic and his eyes bloodshot.


    11


    Then the next second, he suddenly raises the sharp ss and starts striding towards us!

 Chapter 69

    Chapter 69


    Chapter 69: Short-lived Summerlove ¡°NO !!!¡±


    I let out a sharp scream and make a lunge forward, stepping in between him and Liam. Eason stops


    abruptly in his track, his grip on the bottle tightening, his chest rising and falling rapidly. ¡°What the fuck


    are you doing!¡± 1 yell to him, making sure Liam is safe behind my back ¡°Drop your bottle now! Or I¡¯m


    calling the police.¡±


    His eyes be redder, as if the next second his eyes will cry blood.


    ITUD


    ¡°That¡¯s the first thing you say after so long?¡± he asks with a trembling voice, which is filled with sadness


    and rage. ¡°Do you have any idea what kind of life I¡¯ve lived ever since you left?!¡± I was sad at first. But


    now hearing him say these, anger starts to build up in my heart again. I grit my teeth taking a firm step


    forward and snatch the bouile from him. He quivers for a bit but doesn¡¯t resist. I smash the bottle to the


    ground making a huge noise. ¡°What kind of life you¡¯ve lived? Do you have ANY IDEA what kind of life I


    have lived?!¡±1 growl, unable to control my temper anymore. ¡°I cried myself into sleep! I escaped Boston


    like a criminal just to run away from you! My life was like hell after finding out what you have been up to!


    So shut the fuck up and stop making me the fault one!!¡±


    Eason¡¯s body quivers and his back slightly bends down. His lips press into a firuline, and after a while, he


    says in a low voice, ¡°Let me talk to you Natalia.¡± I avoid his gaze, ¡°I¡¯m done talking to you.¡± ¡°Please,¡± he


    moves closer with a pleading look in his eyes. ¡°We can¡¯t end this way. Let me exin, please.¡±


    Liam holds my shoulder and stretches out an arm to stop him, ¡°Hey I don¡¯t think she wants to


    talk.¡±


    Eason snaps his liead around toward Liam and grits out, ¡°This is our FUCKING business, W110 the hell


    are you?!¡±


    Liam¡¯s grip on my shoulder tightens, ¡°I¡¯m her brother.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit, she is the only child! You¡­¡± he tails off and then suddenly realizes something.¡±¡­ You are her


    father¡¯s girlfriend¡¯s son.¡± Liam lets out a cold sneer and pulls me behind him.


    I really don¡¯t think provoking Eason is a good idea right now, but Liam already takes a step forward and


    says:


    ¡°You are right. So I¡¯m also her stepbrother, the same as you. She is safe and happy here and has moved


    on from her past in Boston. You better get the hell out of here now and leave her alone¨C¡±


    Before he can finish thest word, Eason suddenly throws a punch at his face, knocking him hard to the


    ground. The crowd gasps and disperse. Then the two starts attacking each other fiercely on the floor.


    ¡°Stop!!¡± I scream, trying to pull thern apart but fail. ¡°That¡¯s fucking enough!!¡±


    The security man in the bar quickly approaches us. But before he arrives, a few men in ck suits


    suddenly appear from the crowd and separate the two forcefully. I recognize them as Eason¡¯s


    bodyguards.


    They stand there both panting roughly and still re each other. I have no doubt that is those


    bodyguards release them, they will lunge at each other again, like a pair of beasts.


    The security of the bar finally arrives at the scene and snaps, ¡°What the hell is going on here!¡±


    One of the bodyguard turns to Eason, ¡°Mr. Ramirez, should I clear the room?¡± Before Eason answers,


    Liam lets out a cold sneer, ¡°Oh so that¡¯s what you do? Have your sather¡¯s hatchet men follow you around


    and pay your way off? Is this how you treated Nat?¡± Eason¡¯s face turns pale, his body slightly shaking,


    maybe because their right has further injured his broken arm.


    But my sympathy for hiin has run out. ¡°Liam,¡± I say slowly. ¡°I should talk to him.¡±


    ¡°¡­Are you sure about this?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I nod. ¡°He won¡¯t leave unless we have a talk.¡± I know Eason too well.


    Liam sighs and wipes the corner of his ripped mouth, ¡°Fine. But I won¡¯t let you do this alone.¡±


    Eason shakes off his bodyguards and growls, ¡°What¡¯s your fucking business in this!¡± I shout him a furious


    re and snap, ¡°I need someone to be there, because I have to be sure you won¡¯t take me by force and


    ship me back to Boston! I have very little trust and patience in you so don¡¯t test my bottom line!¡±


    A dark and gloomy look appears on his face. After a sliort silence, Eason turns around and leads to the


    door.


    I gesture Liam to follow.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Momentster, we finally stand on the street alone, with his bodyguard guarding him in the distance and


    Liam behind my back, like a dealing scene in the gangster movie, which is so damn hrious in some


    ways.


    I cross my arms and look at Eason in the eyes, ¡°So what do you want?¡± A painful look shes across his


    eyes before he begins lowly. ¡°You didn¡¯t give me a chance to exin.¡±


    ¡°Now is your chance. Say it.¡± Despite my total disappointment in him, I am indeed curious. Why on earth


    did he do these things to me?


    I am fine with him dumping me, but does he have to y me like a sucking toy?! And that video he


    made¡­God, my stomach swirls with disgust just thinking about it!


    He pauses for a long time as if it¡¯s hard for him to say it.


    ¡°Before I say this¡­you have to know that I¡¯ve regretted everything a long time ago. I drop the n


    eventually because I¡¯m really in love with you. 11- if you hadn¡¯t found out about it, we would be so happy


    together right now-¡± ¡°Enough with the bullshit!¡± I snap. ¡°Just tell me why you yed me!!¡± ¡°Becalise you


    did the same to me!!¡± lie burst out. I can¡¯t believe my ears. What the fuck did he say? I yed him? Did


    he lose his mind? I suddenly bend down with my shoulders rocking withughter, because it¡¯s so


    unbelievably ridiculous and crazy.


    ¡°Oh my god Eason. If you want to be a jerk, at least be an honest one. Don¡¯t me everything on me! I


    dare to say this: when I loved you, I loved you with my full heart. I had no sliame nor regret! How can you


    use me of doing the saine lo you!¡±


    ¡°But you did! Three years ago!¡± his frantic roar echoes in the empty street. ¡°I fell in love with you three


    years ago and it¡¯s the first time I ever loved someone like that! I brought you flower and a letter, asking


    you to meet me at a restaurant called the Secret Garden. I wanted to ask you to be my girlfriend and stay


    in Boston.¡±


    ¡°Impossible! I never received anything from you!¡± I cry out,


    ¡°Now who¡¯s the liar?¡± he lets out a sarcastic and bitterugh. Then he takes out his phone and quickly


    scrolls down the screen, then turns liis phone screen to me. ¡°See for yoursell. I still have the test


    message you sent me three years ago.¡±


    I take his phone with a shaking hand.


    (Natalia: Got your flower and letter. See you @ Secret Garden, 7:00pm.]


    My mind is a nk. I double check the date and the sender. It¡¯s true. This message was sent out from my


    phone three years ago.


    Yet I swear to God. I have absolutely no memory of this.


    But then I suddenly remember what Jenna had told me, ¡®The missing flower and letter from my room.


    ¡°And then,¡± Eason continues with a trembling voice. ¡°At 7:00 pm in the restaurant, a waiter caine in with a


    huge stic bag. He opened the bar and poured everything on my head¡­it¡¯s my flower cut to a million


    pieces. He then took out a letter and started reading it in front of me and everyone else in the restaurant.


    I could still remember some of it¡­you said I was a spoiled, troubled fuckboy who doesn¡¯t deserve lo be


    with a good girl like you. You hated me. And I should just rot in hell and be as far away from you as I


    could.¡±


    ¡°NO!!¡± I scream and take a step back. ¡°You are wrong. I didn¡¯t know any of these flowers, letter, and


    restaurant and I certainly didn¡¯t do those things¡­someone did, but not me.¡±


    Eason stares at me looking dazed, and then gradually, his confusion is reced by panic and shock


    ¡°No¡­no you are lying,¡± he shakes his head and murmurs. ¡°Am I Eason? You know me. If I hate you, I


    will look you straight in the eyes and tell you. I


    would never stage a drama like that! And after we met again, you have a thousand chances to confront


    me and clear this misunderstanding but NO! You chose to revenge me beliind my back, for something I


    didn¡¯t even do in the first ce!!¡± His face bes even grayer, almost like a dying person. His body


    shakes violently as if the next second he will copse to the ground.


    This is fucked up. Everything is so fucked up!


    And I¡¯ve heard enough of his bullshit.


    I struggle to push back my tears and turn around to leave. But quick footstep approaches nie from


    behind and Eason grabs me by the elbow and stops me.


    His bright green eyes are brimming with hope, as if all of a sudden, he has found out the way to keep


    me. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to find out who did this to us?¡± he asks eagerly, almost begging. Because this is


    none of our fault! It¡¯s just a liuge misunderstanding. After we clear this, we can still be


    __13


    I shake liisnd off harshly and stare at liim in disbelief.


    ¡°My god Eason, you-you really have no sympathy in your heart.¡±


    At this point, I¡¯m already tired of being angry with him. I just find him and this whole thing very ridiculous


    and amusing.


    ¡°This is not a inisunderstanding. Deep down in your heart, you knew long before that I didn¡¯t do those


    things. But you still chose to y me like a puppet, simply because you enjoy the pleasure of ruining


    someone¡¯s life. This is who you are. Even if we find out who did it, it still won¡¯t change the nature of you.


    Whoever wrote that letter is right about one thing you are a troubled soul who doesn¡¯t deserve


    happiness.¡±


    I shoot him onest re that¡¯s enough to freeze him on the spot. ¡°I¡¯m done loving you Eason,¡± I say to


    himstly. ¡°Just go and give me my normal life back.¡± I manage to take a trembling step further and Liam


    catches me in time. He holds my hand and quickly escorts ine away from the scene and into his car.


    Before the car drive away, I look through the window and find Eason dropped to his knees and buried his


    face into his hands.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Liam asks beside me.


    I force myself to look away and bite down my lip till a copper taste fills my moutli, ¡°Yeah¡­just go. Quick¡±


    ¡°What if hees back to you againter?¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t. His father won¡¯t let him. Plus, he is too proud and too much of a fuckboy to look back.¡±


    I lean back to the chair and close iny eyes feeling exhausted. ¡°He¡¯ll forget me before he even realizes,¡± I


    say slowly. I don¡¯t believe he has any deep andsting feelings for me. Everything he did back there was


    simply part of his huge ego. He just wasn¡¯t used to being rejected.


    But regardless, this is probably my strongest moment. Walking away from him and putting an end to my


    short-lived summer love.

 Chapter 70

    Chapter 70


    Chapter 70: Three Years Later


    THREE YEARS LATER.


    I rush down the street, knocking a few shoulders along the way and stepping into one icy mud pond. The


    cold winter air is like a de cutting through my lungs. After making a sharp turn at the corner, I finally


    see the bus station.


    A bus has just arrived.


    ¡°Wait¡­Please wait a second!!¡± I yell to the driver


    But he only gives me a cold and indifferent look before closing the door and driving away from the


    station.


    ¡°¡­Fuck!¡±


    I bend down taking a time to catch my breath and then clieck the time.


    It¡¯s already 16:37


    Now I have exactly 23 minutes to make it across the town and arrive at the restaurant I work in, which is


    impossible, which means I¡¯m so screwed. Today is not the day to bete, because I¡¯ve made a n to


    talk to my manager about making an early withdraw of my sry. My rent is due in a few days and the


    incredibly high living expense in New York is sucking me dry. I have a student loan to cover my tuition,


    but I still ve to work my ass off to pay for that loan.


    I¡¯m now working at a fancy restaurant as a waitress. Not exactly a decent job, but it¡¯s good money. Also,


    when people get tipsy, they tend to be very generous with the tips. I was a little concerned about the


    money when I got admitted into NYU three years ago. But Liam talked me into it.


    ¡°It¡¯s a great opportunity,¡± he said. ¡°You will get the money thing figured out. Worst scenario if you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll


    help you with it.¡±


    With a little help from his side, I¡¯ve managed to make ends meet for the past three years. As long as I get


    that early withdraw today, I¡¯ll be fine. Ten minutester, I finally push myself into the overly crowded bus


    and leave for my job.


    On the way, I start to work on my speech to the manager, who is aplete and total cheapskate. I


    better have some good reasons prepared for her to give me the money.


    But suddenly my phone buzzes, interrupting my thoughts. I take it out and find it¡¯s my mom.


    Sigh internally, I answer her call, though I¡¯ve already known the reason she called. ¡°Hi mom.¡±


    ¡°Nat sweetheart! Have you put some thoughts into what we talked aboutst week?¡±


    ¡°Yes, mom. I¡¯ve not changed my mind. The answer is still no.¡± ¡°What?¡± she cries out. ¡°You are noting


    back for Christmas, AGAIN? Boston is only a few hours¡¯ drive away! Let me hear your reasons!¡±


    Well, mny reason is prelly simple,


    Ji¡¯s Eason.


    The boy who yed and screwed me three years ago. My dear stepbrother. It¡¯s been 3 years already.


    We haven¡¯t seen or spoken to cach other for the past 3 years. Since ourst encounter in Miami, he has


    completely disappeared from my life. No call, 110 messages, and I¡¯ve blocked all his socials. Mom tried


    to invite me back to Boston for


    Thanksgiving, Christmas and even spring break, but I¡¯ve said no to them all just to avoid him.


    It almost killed me thest time I walked away from him. We¡¯ve stayed away from each long enough


    already, and things better stay this way in the future.


    ¡°Mom,¡± I hold my phone trying to make something up. ¡°I¡¯m too busy. School, work, everything.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s been three years darling, and you are always busy. You ran back to Miami without a word, and I


    haven¡¯t seen you since. Why Nat? Did I-did I do something wrong?¡±


    Herst few words came out trembling and it makes my heart twitch. She didn¡¯t do anything wrong. It¡¯s


    all my fault.


    ¡°Nal?¡±


    I shake off those bitter feelings and say, ¡°mom it¡¯s not you. And if you really want to know wiy¡­Ine and


    Eason liad a little of a quarrel when I left. I didn¡¯t really want to run into him.¡±


    I try to keep a casual tone, hoping she won¡¯t get suspicious. Mom¡¯s voice suddenly cheers up. ¡°Oh! But


    you don¡¯t need to worry about Eason. He¡¯s not in Boston,


    ¡°What? Where is he?¡±


    I blurt out and instantly regret it.


    Fuck Why do I care?


    I have no idea what he¡¯s been up to nowadays. Mom mentioned him a few times over the phone. It


    seems that he was admitted into Harvard and started to work in Mr. Ramirez¡¯spany.


    But besides that, he is like a total stranger to me now. ¡°He is in New York darling,¡±mom says.


    ¡­What?


    I almost choke on my own saliva, ¡°He is in NY? Same as I am?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. He is visiting his girlfriend in NY. He¡¯ll probably stay there a bit longer and help Shawti inspect his


    company. So you won¡¯t see him at home this Christmas.¡±


    ¡°Oh,


    My mind went nk for a second.


    ¨C Eason has a girlfriend.


    Of course, he has moved on. What else do I expect? It¡¯s been 3 years already and he is always very


    popr among girls.


    But a secret spot in my heart, I still feel pain. Probably because I¡¯m still alone and single but he has


    already had someone. I guess the viin always wins. ¡°Nat? Are you still there? Promise me you will


    think about it OK?¡± ¡°Sure mom¡­ Wait it¡¯s my stop! Talk to youter! I quickly hang up the phone and


    jump off the bus When I finally dash into the changing room, it¡¯s already half past seven. ¡°You arete!¡±


    My manager, Lori, shrieks at me with her hands on her hips. She seems displeased.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± I mumble as I quickly slip into my white shirt and ck pants. ¡°Myndlord showed up at my door


    and I got caught up-¡± ¡°   ! Do I seem interested in yourme excuse?¡± Lori barks. ¡°Get


    dressed and move your ass out there!¡±


    She is not in a good mood, which is not a good sign for me. I hesitate a second when she turns her back


    at me and decide to go for it.


    Screw it. What¡¯s the worst thing that could happen? ¡°Lori? I was wondering if I could make an early¡± ¡°Oh


    my god you are still talking!¡± she squeaks and dumps my apron on my face. ¡°Get moving! NOW!!¡±


    ¡­Fine. Maybeter then.


    I quickly fasten my apron and get back to work. The restaurant is unbelievably busy today. I didn¡¯t dare to


    stop for even a single second or people would start to makeints.


    And I¡¯ve not been my best sell either today. My mind was so caught up in my financial crisis that I didn¡¯t


    really pay any attention to what I was doing most of the time. So while I was serving wine to a young


    lady, I idently spilled a bit on her dress. ¡°Ahh ¨C!¡± she lets out a loud cry, jumping up from her seat


    immediately. ¡°Watch it!!¡± I¡¯m snapped back to reality instantly. Oh god, there¡¯s a liuge taint on her white


    dress, which ! know won¡¯te off easily just by looking at it.


    ¨C What was I thinking!! I¡¯m so screwed.


    ¡°I-I am so so sorry,¡± I grab a napkin before bending down and trying to clean it. Please let me-¡±


    She dodges my hand like avoiding a gue and yells, ¡°Take away your filthy hands!! You¡¯ll only smudge


    it. This is Chanel and I¡¯m on a date! You ruined everything!¡± Now her roaring is drowning out the gentle


    music in the background. Customers are turning, their heads back to stare. I feel my cheeks burning with


    embarrassment right now.


    I¡¯ve not made any huge mistakes like this before. What got into my head today?? ¡°I¡¯m deeply sorry,¡± I can


    only bow apologetically again. ¡°Is there anything I could do Miss? We have a nket for you to cover up


    the stain if you want¡­¡± ¡°Then why are you still standing there!¡± she stomps the floor. ¡°Go! Hurry! My


    boyfriend is going to be here any second!¡± I rush back to the kitchen and find that nket I was talking


    about. On the way back I ran into Lori, whose pouchy face is purpling with rage. ¡°You stupid girl!¡± she


    screams. ¡°I heard everything! You better pray for that customer¡¯s forgiveness, or you will be paying for


    her dress yourself!¡± I suddenly feel hard to breathe.


    Paying for her dress myself? That¡¯s a Chanel for god¡¯s sake! I remember that once Eason bought me a


    Chanel dress and it costed him thousands of dors. I¡¯m still hoping to get that early withdrawal to pay


    for my rent, so where am I supposed to get the extra money? But now, I have no choice but to go back


    out there and face that customer¡¯s wrath.


    Taking a deep breath, I slowly move towards her table, gripping that nket in my hands.


    When I¡¯m a few steps away, I suddenly find that her date has arrived. It¡¯s a young man dressed in ck


    suit with his back facing me. Though I can¡¯t see his face, I can still tell that he is very tall and handsome.


    Hope her hot date won¡¯t give me a hard time as she did.


    ¡°Excuse me, here is the nket you asked for.¡± I approach carefully, handing her the nket. The couple


    turn their heads to me simultaneously and now I finally get to see the young man clearly. He has a


    beautiful face, perfect eyebrows, roman nose, half-domed cheekbones, and emerald, green eyes.


    Everything about him radiates upper-ss grace and vigor of youth. He is about 20 years old but seems


    very sophisticated. I stand there in shock staring at him, as is a thunder has struck on me. ¡­Eason.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.

 Chapter 71

    Chapter 71


    Midnight Date I¡¯ve imagined a million times what it would be like when we meet again. Maybe at our


    family gathering, maybe at a friend¡¯s party, or maybe even at my wedding in the future.


    But I¡¯ve never thought about this, with him sitting there with his beautiful new girlfriend, and me standing


    there all embarrassed like a clow


    This can¡¯t be any NOTIC


    But unlike me, he doesn¡¯t seem surprised at all. lle simply looks at me calmly, as if we just saw cach


    other this morning


    ¡°Babe,¡± lis girlfriend pouts. ¡°This is the stupid waitress I was talking about. She ruined the outfit you got


    me and ¨C¡±


    Hocuts her off, ¡°Natalia.¡±


    He isn¡¯t pretending that he doesn¡¯t know me, as I thought he would be.


    But he used to call me ¡°Nat¡± and not ¡°Natalia.¡±


    Then he stands up from his seat and leans forward, giving me a gentle hug. I can smell his scent, the


    familiar scent of mint and woods, but this hug feels very strange. His hug used to be full of passion and


    energy, but now it¡¯s polite and aloos.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time,¡± he rises up and smiles at me. ¡°How have you been?¡±


    How have I been?


    I have been terrible. For the first year we parted, I would think of him every single day and would relive


    all those happy and heartbreaking memories again and again. Every day was like hell And then when I


    finally managed to move on, I have lost the ability to love again,


    I thought it would be hard for him too.


    But now he proves me wrong He seems perfectly fine with seeing me again, as if he has already


    forgotten all our past. And that makes me like a fool trying to avoid him all these times. I don¡¯t know how


    to react. So I can reply lowly,¡±¡­fine, I guess.¡±


    His girlfriend seerns even more surprised than I am, ¡°Wait Eason, do you know her?¡±


    But Eatson simply ignores her and keeps staring at me, ¡°You¡¯ve lost some weight. I heard that you are


    studying at NYU now, then why are you working here?


    Really? Chut chat?


    I can¡¯t do this with him


    ¡°¡­I have to make a living Non all of us wis born with a silver sin.¡± Ilonce out a smile. ¡± Now please


    excuse me Miss, here¡¯s the nket you asked for.¡±


    I shove her the nket and turn around to leave I can feel his gaze following me behind my back, but I


    don¡¯t dare to look back


    I flee all the way back to the changing room and find a quiet corner to calm down. My heart is thumbing


    so wildly in my chest that I think I¡¯m going to throw up the next second.


    I really wasn¡¯t prepared for this. First myndlord showed up hunting me for rent, then I missed my bus


    and waste for work, and I ran into him with his new girlfriend, Bad things just keep coining at me like a


    rolling snowball. I let out a frustrated low groan. God, I don¡¯t want to go back out there and face them.


    Suddenly, the door to the changing room flies open and another waitress walks inside. She seems


    surprised seeing me crouching down at the corner, ¡°Natalia? What are you doing here?¡± ¡°Nothing. Just


    taking a short break,¡± I reply dryly. ¡°OK¡­but don¡¯t let Lori find you. She is a total nutcase today.¡±


    I liesitate for a while and ask her, ¡°Hey can I switch table with you? Just for this one time and I¡¯ll cover


    your shiftter if you need me to.¡±


    She gives me a look of disbelief, ¡°You want me to take over the table that you messed up?¡±


    Not going to happen then.


    ¡°¡­ Never mind,¡± I smile bitterly. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to face it myself.¡±


    After putting myself together, I go back waitressing. I put on my poker face and bring up their food,


    introduce their dishes and make my exit as quickly as possible. Eason sits there quietly the entire time,


    though I can feel his girlfriend¡¯s hostile gaze sing me like a dagger.


    When I appear again to serve their main course, his girlfriend finally can¡¯t help it and breaks the silence,


    ¡°you are Natalia, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    I nod, ¡°Yes iniss. So here we have your main course, a Dry-aged Muscovy Duck coupled with


    ¡°So he said you were his stepsister?¡± she cuts me off, defiantly. ¡°Howe I never met you before?¡±


    My jaw tenses. She won¡¯t let me have my peace.


    So I straighten up and look down at her before saying, ¡°I AM his stepbrother, present tense. My mom is


    still married to his father.¡± 1


    A hint of anger appears in her almond-shaped eyes. I quickly carry on before she loses it, ¡°And how long


    have you been dating again? I don¡¯t know you, so I assume this is a recent thing?¡±


    She hits the table hard with her hand and snaps, ¡°Is this how you treat your customer? First ruined my


    dress and then talk back to me?!¡±


    ¡°My apology, Miss. I thought you were talking to me as my stepbrother¡¯s girlfriend. Well, if you are only a


    customer, I won¡¯t disturb you any further. Please enjoy your dinner.¡±


    I¡¯m pretty proud of myself about this sph, which clearly pissed her off bigtime. She tightens her grip


    on the knife as if she wants to stab me in the heart. Then she snaps her head around to Eason and grits


    out, ¡°Babe. Aren¡¯t you going to say something?¡± I hold my breath involuntarily. Is he going to scold me for


    offending his girlfriend? Feeling nervous, I take a quick peek at him and find him staring at me intently,


    his green eyes glearning under the lights beautifully. He doesn¡¯t seem mad.


    I really wasn¡¯t prepared for this. First myndlord showed up hunting me for rent, then I missed my bus


    and waste for work, and I ran into him with luis new girlfriend. Bad things just keeping at me like a


    rolling snowball.


    I let out a frustrated low groan. God, I don¡¯t want to go back out there and face them.


    Suddenly, the door to the changing room flies open and another waitress walks inside. She seenis


    surprised seeing me crouching clown at the corner, ¡°Natalia? What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Just taking a short break,¡± I reply dryly.


    ¡°OK¡­but don¡¯t let Lori find you. She is a total nutcase today.¡±


    I hesitate for a while and ask her, ¡°Hey can I switch table with you? Just for this one time and I¡¯ll cover


    your shiftter if you need me to.¡±


    She gives me a look of disbelief, ¡°You want me to take over the table that you messed up?¡±


    Not going to happen then. ¡°¡­Never mind,¡± I smile bitterly. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to face it myself.¡±


    After putting myself together, I go back waitressing. I put on my poker face and bring up their food,


    introduce their dishes and make my exit as quickly as possible. Eason sits there quietly the entire time,


    though I can feel his girlfriend¡¯s hostile gaze chasing me like a dagger.


    When I appear again to serve their main course, his girlfriend finally can¡¯t help it and breaks the silence,


    ¡°you are Natalia, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    I nod, ¡°Yes miss. So here we have your main course, a Dry-aged Muscovy Duck coupled with


    ¨C


    ¡°So he said you were his stepsister?¡± she cuts me off, defiantly. ¡°Howe I never met you before?¡±


    My jaw tenses. She won¡¯t let me have my peace.


    So I straighten up and look down at her before saying, ¡°I AM liis stepbrother, present tense. My mom is


    still married to his father.¡±


    A hint of anger appears in her almond-shaped eyes. I quickly carry on before she loses it, ¡°And how long


    have you been dating again? I don¡¯t know you, so I assume this is a recent thing?¡±


    She hits the table hard with her hand and snaps, ¡°Is this how you treat your customer? First ruined my


    dress and then talk back to me?!¡±


    ¡°My apology, Miss. I thought you were talking to me as my stepbrother¡¯s girlfriend. Well, if you are only a


    customer, I won¡¯t disturb you any further. Please enjoy your dinner.¡±


    I¡¯m pretty proud of myself about this speech, whicl? clearly pissed her off bigtime. She tightens her grip


    on the knife as if she wants to stab me in the heart. Then she snaps her head around to Eason and grits


    out, ¡°Babe Aren¡¯t you going to say something?¡±


    I hold my breath involuntarily. Is he going to scold me for offending his girlfriend? Feeling nervous, I take


    a quick peek at him and find him staring at me intently, his green eyes gleaming under the lights


    beautifully. He doesn¡¯t seem mad.


    Then I hear him ask me, ¡°Have you had dinner yet Natalia?¡± I¡¯m stunned. Then I quickly bite down my lip


    to stifle augh. He ignored his girlfriend, again.


    I know it¡¯s really disrespectful, but I still can¡¯t help but feel a triumph feeling fill up my heart. From a


    peripheral look, I can see his girlfriend widen her eyes in shock.


    ¡°Not yet,¡± I say.


    ¡°When are you getting off from work?¡± he asks slowly, as if every word he says weighs a ton.¡± Maybe¡­I


    can take you out for dinner?¡±


    And that is my wake-up call.


    God, what am I doing? This is Eason! The person who yed me like a fucking toy and broke my heart.


    He has already walked out of my life and is currently sitting here with his hot girlfriend. What makes him


    think that he can ask me out for dinner? He doesn¡¯t have the right, not even as my stepbrother.


    The smile on my face faints away.


    ¡°You ARE having your dinner sir.¡± I remind himn coldly, ¡°And I get off at midnight so you shouldn¡¯t wait


    up.¡±


    Then I give a quick nod at them before turning away. I don¡¯t know what Eason is trying to do, and I won¡¯t


    bother myself trying to find out.


    The rest of the evening flies by. I got busy elsewhere and when I finally returned to Eason¡¯s table, they


    had already left.


    ¡°Generous tipper,¡± the waitress who helped me collect their bill gives me a jealous nce.


    I open the bill and find that he tipped almost 50%. Did he forget how to do math in these three years?


    ¡°What did you do? Flirt with him a little?¡± the waitress asks me. ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid. His girlfriend was right


    there.¡± I sigh and murmurs, ¡°¡­Though honestly, I don¡¯t understand mysell.¡±


    He just left without a word of goodbye, not that I want to talk to him again though. I just find this very


    unlike him.


    The old him would make some nasty jokes about how much I have changed and keep pestering me till I


    lose my temper. But now, he simply left a generous tip and walked away. I don¡¯t know how I should feel


    about that.


    Maybe he really is treating me like his stepsister now. I take a deep breath and try to ignore theplex


    feeling in my heart. He is doing the right thing, keeping distance with me, and I shouldn¡¯t feel sad about


    this anymore.


    ###


    When my shift ends, Lori calls me into her office. ¡°You messed up big time today.¡± She squints at me with


    those little ck eyes, ¡°They


    customer filled aint before she left. Do you have anything left to say?¡±


    I swallow hard and try to sound as sincere as possible, ¡°Lori I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll work harder and take on more


    shifts to make it up. I was not feeling well today because myndlord¡±


    ¡°Stop!¡± she balls her fist and snorts. ¡°I know you girls¡¯ tricks. It¡¯s always something, your horribleudlord,


    your abusive boyfriend, sick siblings? ¡®Thoseme excuses ain¡¯t working for me. You are fired.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± I cry out


    I can¡¯t believe this. One mistake, and she is going to fire me?! ¡°But you can¡¯t! I was a loyal employee and


    I worked so hard¡±


    ¡°You worked so hard till today! Do you know thedy asked the restaurant to pay for her ruined dress?


    Do you know how much that costs? I can¡¯t afford to have another mistake like this from you in the future.


    You should feel relieved that I¡¯m only firing you and not asking you to pay for the damage. Now get out of


    my office. GO!!¡± I bite my lips as hot tears fill my eyes. I know I should drop all my attitude and beg hier


    with my life, but my pride gets in the way. Before she scolds at me again, I turn around and leave her


    office.


    When I walk out of the restaurant, it¡¯s already midnight. And it starts to rain. The rainy night in New York


    is freezing cold and the worst thing is I don¡¯t have my umbre with me.


    I slowly crouch down under the roof, watching the raindrop drippling down in front me, as a strong wave


    of tiresome and exhaustion washes through me.


    Today I got fired from the restaurant and have no money to pay for my rent. I don¡¯t even want to go back


    to my apartment ¨C thendlord might still be there waiting for me.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    How can people¡¯s lives be this different? I walked away from my painful breakup with nothing but pain


    and scars, and I¡¯m still alone and broke now. But Eason seems perfectly well¡­he even got hotter over


    these years. It¡¯s not fair.


    I¡¯m still caught up in my moment of sadness when suddenly I hear footstep approaching me. Looking up,


    I find a man walking through the rain with an umbre in his hand. Hees to me and puts his umbre


    above my head to shielter me from the rain. I am so shocked at the moment that I am not even sure if


    this is a dream.


    ¡°Just got off from work?¡± he asks.


    I blink hard a few times and blurt out, ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    I thought he left with his girlfriend a long time ago.


    He crouchies down in front of me till our eyes are about the same level, while still holding the umbre


    for me. A faint but gentle smile appears on his lips as he says, ¡°you said midnight. I can wait till


    midnight.¡±

 Chapter 72

    Chapter 72


    Read In Love With My Evil Stepbrother Chapter 72 ¨C Whatever It Takes


    I crouch down there frozen, staring at him.


    ¡°I said midnight. And you just waited me till midnight?¡± my voice is filled with shock.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he nods.


    ¡°But why?¡± I ask, perplexed.


    I can¡¯t think of one reason that would make him wait in the weather like this for 2-3 hours.


    Is he just trying to be nice? Or does he still have feelings for-no, impossible. I immediatelyugh at that


    fleeting thought.


    And then I hear his answer, ¡°I said I want to have dinner with you. You clearly haven¡¯t eaten anything.


    Come, let¡¯s go.¡±


    He rises and gestures me to follow. Before I realize, I¡¯m already walking with him side by side under his


    umbre. The chilly wind hits me, and I shiver. The next second, a scarf that still carries his warmth


    lands on my neck.


    ¡°It¡¯s cold during the night, isn¡¯t it?¡± he says casually and looks straight ahead, paying no attention to the


    astonished look on my face. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to check the weather next time.¡±


    I touch the scarf, which smells so much like him. It¡¯s irresistible. After only a few seconds of hesitation, I


    tighten his scarf around my neck and instantly feel warmer.


    We walk together to the parking lot where he parks his car, which turns out to be a ck Audi. Very


    low-profile. Very unlike him.


    ¡°What happened to your fancy sports cars?¡± I turn to him and ask.


    ¡°I sold them.¡±


    I gasp in surprise. I can still remember the proud in his voice when he told me about his car collections,


    and now he is telling me that he sold them?


    Did his family go bankrupt?


    ¡°Why? Do you have a financial difficulty?¡±


    He blinks and then bursts intoughter,¡° Oh no, nothing like that. I needed money to start my own


    business, so I sold them for a good price. Plus, I can¡¯t have my business partners see me driving


    around in a gaudy convertible¡­doesn¡¯t seem very reliable that way.¡±


    I don¡¯t know which word makes me more surprised, ¡°business¡± ¡°gaudy¡± or ¡± reliable¡±?


    He really has changed a lot. And it makes it harder for me to read him.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask Mr. Ramirez for the money?¡± I ask.


    His face darkens for a quick second and then he quickly covers it with a smile, ¡°do you want to have


    dinner or ask question?¡±


    He is dogging my question. That I am sure of.


    He unlocks the car and open the passenger¡¯s door for me. Before I get in the car, I suddenly notice a


    darker area on his left shoulder. It looks like a water stain from the rain.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    But he was holding an umbrerge enough for us two.


    Then it suddenly hits me. I was walking on the right side of him. So he must be leaning the umbre


    more towards my side to make sure I¡¯m perfectly sheltered from the rain. That¡¯s how his left shoulder


    got wet.


    ¡°Something wrong?¡± he notices my moment of lost and asks.


    ¡°No! No, it¡¯s nothing¡­I¡ªnothing.¡±-


    I quickly lower my head and get in the car, avoiding his gaze so that he doesn¡¯t notice my red eyes.


    Stop being so sweet and gentle to me! He is only making this so much harder than it already is.


    Sit in his car, I quickly take a deep breath to calm myself down before he gets in.


    ¡°So, what do you want to eat?¡± he starts the engine and asks me.


    I¡¯m really exhausted, physically and emotionally. I¡¯m really not in the mood for dinner and just want to


    lie down. But my gut feeling is telling me that if I turn him down now, I¡¯ll probably not see him in a very


    long time.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­a simple bite perhaps?¡± I force out a smile. ¡°It¡¯ste and I¡¯m sure you have things to do


    tomorrow. I don¡¯t want to take too much of your time.¡±


    He doesn¡¯t say anything and just drive out of the parking lot. When the car goes into the rain, he turns


    on the radio.


    A song is ying, Whatever It Takes, by Life house.


    I¡¯ve heard of the song before but never really paid any attention to the lyrics. And now I¡¯m trapped in


    the car with nothing to do but to listen carefully, it just urred to me that, ironically, this song tells the


    exact story of us.


    ¡°¡­A strangled smile fell from your face;


    What kills me that I hurt you this way;


    The worst part is that I didn¡¯t even know;


    Now there¡¯s a million reasons for you to go;


    But if you can find a reason to stay¡­¡±


    I suddenly feel the air getting thinner around me.


    It¡¯s so awkward listening to this song with Eason, who has also done me wrong in the past. But I don¡¯t


    know if he has ever regretted it or not.


    We have both moved on, but this song just snapped us back to those painful pasts.


    And it¡¯s still going in the background.


    ¡°¡­I¡¯ll do whatever it takes;


    To turn this around;


    I know what¡¯s at stake;


    I know that I¡¯ve let you down;


    And if you give me a chance;


    Believe that¡ª¡±


    The song stops abruptly.


    Eason turned off the radio.


    I know why he turned it off, because unlike the singer, he doesn¡¯t have any regret for the past and isn¡¯t


    trying to ask for another chance with me.


    It¡¯s been so long already. He has moved on to a greater life.


    I clench the strap of my bag in the darkness and struggle to fight back those hot tears in my eyes. I


    can¡¯t let him find out that this song brought out the emotional side of me, which is weak and pathetic.


    I need to pretend that I¡¯m cool with everything, just like he is.


    ¡°So,¡± he finally breaks the awkward silence. ¡°Tough day at work?¡±


    ¡°¡­Sort of. I spilled a drink on your girlfriend, remember?¡± I¡¯m d that my voice sounds natural and


    calm, so I carry on with a light tone. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry about that. But I got fired for it and I guess we are


    even?¡±


    ¡°You got fired?¡± his voice suddenly turns darker and lower.


    ¡°Umm, yeah. It is my fault, nevertheless. Can¡¯t reallyin about that.¡±


    ¡°But don¡¯t you think it¡¯s a bit unfair? Getting fired over something really small like that?¡±


    I almostugh out. I guess the innocent side of him has remained unchanged.


    ¡°There¡¯s no real fairness in this world, Eason. Normal people like us can only be really careful about


    every little thing in our lives, or those little things will turn into a real b*tch ande back at us. Of


    course, people like you won¡¯t understand.¡±


    I said that and immediately realized that the final sentence sounded more sarcastic and mean than I


    intended to be.


    He remained silence driving his car with his face hidden in the darkness. I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s


    thinking.


    I¡¯ve regretted it already. We won¡¯t see each other after this one night. Why turn it into another fight?


    ¡°So¡­¡± I change the subject, trying to lighten the mood. ¡°Your girlfriend seems nice. How long has it


    been? How did you guys meet??


    ¡°Nice? You call the person who got you fired nice?¡± there¡¯s a hint of amusement in his voice.


    I sigh, ¡°I¡¯m trying to start a decent conversation here. Be a good boy and y along, OK?¡±


    He chuckles lowly and then says, ¡°I think food is a better idea than talking.¡±


    He pulls over to the side. I look through the window and see a little Taco joint at the corner.


    ¡°Wait here,¡± he says and then gets off the car.


    I sit there quietly, my eyes following him as he walks up to the Taco joint and orders our food. Staring at


    his back, I suddenly go into a trance.


    I can barely recognize him now. He used to be so bossy, arrogant, and haughty; yet now he is the


    exact opposite version of his old self: sophisticated, grounded, and reliable.


    I should be relieved that he has changed. But the truth is, I feel sad.


    It¡¯s sad that he has turned into a better person, but he doesn¡¯t belong to me anymore.


    Hees back to the car with two tes of fish tacos and hand me one. I immediately take a huge


    bite. It¡¯s so freaking delicious and immediately brings my appetite back to life.


    We both dig into our food without saying anything and finish up the te very quickly. When he throws


    away the garbage andes back to the car again, I suddenly realize that this is going to be the end


    of tonight.


    We¡¯ve got no reason to stay with each other anymore.


    He sits the driver¡¯s seat in silence, maybe thinking about the same thing. I suddenly feel a bit nervous.


    Will he ask me to do something else with him? Maybe grab a drink, catch up a little ¡­I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯ll


    say yes, but if he insists ¡°What¡¯s your address? i¡¯ll drive you home,¡± he says lowly.


    Oh.


    I let out a breath that I¡¯ve been holding. It¡¯s silly to feel upset, really. Of course he didn¡¯t want to stay


    with me anymore¡­ why would he?


    The drive to my apartment is extremely quiet. He never turned on the radio again, for obvious reasons.


    And we never talk again. I guess we could ask each other about how things have been for the past


    three years and reminisce our history together, like most exs who ended on good terms would do.


    But there are just too many traumas and bitterness between us. We don¡¯t dare to look back.


    Eventually, the car arrives at my apartment. He kills the engine and turns to look at me, meeting eyes


    with me in the darkness.


    ¡°So¡­this is me,¡± I murmur.


    He nods without a word.


    My mind is going through a brutal inner struggle. And after a short pause, without thinking it through, I


    blurt out:


    ¡°¡­ do you want to¡ªmaybee upstairs and have something to drink?¡±


    It¡¯s a f***king, stupid idea.


    But there, I¡¯ve said it. No regret.


    He remains silent. Those 5 seconds are literally the longest and most painful moment in my entire life.


    And then I hear him say in a deep and gravelly voice, ¡°¡­Natalia I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea.¡±


    He is right.


    I have to control every fiber of me to stop shaking and smile as calmly as possible,¡° You are right. It¡¯s


    gettingte. You better go home to be with your girlfriend. Bye, Eason.¡±


    With that said, I push open the car door and rush into the rain, not daring to look back.


    As I escape into the building, tears start streaming down my cheek. Embarrassment, shame,


    sadness¡­all those intense emotions surge up inside of my chest. I swore to myself not to cry for him


    again, but I guess it¡¯s impossible for me.


    I run up to the third floor and am ready to bury myself under my sheets.


    But I suddenly stop abruptly at the top of the staircase.


    To my surprise, there¡¯s a man sitting in front of my apartment door, with a baseball bat besides him. My


    landlord.


    Author


    Whatever It Takes, by Lifehouse. Highly rmended. Heartbreaking song.

 Chapter 73

    Chapter 73


    Read In Love With My Evil Stepbrother Chapter 73 ¨C Homeless


    I almost stutter, ¡°M¨CMr. Johnson, what are you doing here?¡±.


    He picks up his baseball bats and points it at me, ¡°What does it seem like? I¡¯m here to move you out of


    my house! Hurry up! Don¡¯t make me force you.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    I take a step back, staring at his baseball bat warily. Mr. Johnson is a little hot tempered, yes, but I


    didn¡¯t think of him as someone who would beat the shit out of his tenants just because they missed one


    payment.


    ¡°What are you doing with that bat?¡± I ask carefully keeping my safe distance with him. ¡°There¡¯s no need


    for that. I-I can call the police!¡±


    He rolls his eyes at me, ¡°Cut the crap little girl. I don¡¯t hit woman, but if you


    keep mooching off me, I might lose my temper. So get moving, now!¡±


    ¡°Please, Mr. Johnson. Just one more chance. I promise you I¡¯ll get the rent ready by the end of this


    month. Something happened at work, and I didn¡¯t


    ¡°NO!!¡± he roars, covering his eyes with his hands. ¡°No excuses! You said the same thingst month


    and you still came back empty-handed. I sent you an evacuation notice a week ago so technically, I¡¯m


    on the legal high ground here! Call the police or a f**kingwyer if you want, but you are still moving


    out, TODAY!¡±


    I clench my backpack and stand there still, fighting with my own embarrassment. He¡¯s right. I didn¡¯t pay


    for my rent on time so technically he can throw me out anytime he wants.


    But why today? Why make things worse for me when they are already bad enough?


    ¡°Oh god,¡± Mr. Johnson mumbles frustratedly, waving his bat like a whip.¡° You are not crying, are you?


    Don¡¯t make me seem like the bad guy here. Come one, hurry. Let¡¯s get you start packing.¡±


    I drag my steps to the door and open the door with my keys. He follows me in, starting to check up on


    everything while I pack my stuffs.


    My mind is a mess the entire time. This is the first time I get thrown out. What should I do? Well, I have


    ss tomorrow morning so I can probably huddle up on a bench in the park for tonight and go straight


    to ss, that is if I don¡¯t get frozen to death under this weather. I¡¯ll have to find another job and live in a


    motel before I get settled down again¡­


    How much does a motel cost again?


    While I¡¯m thinking all these, Mr. Johnsones out of the kitchen and says to me gruffly, ¡°Well, no


    wallpaper damage, no busted toilet, no f**king blood stains on the carpet. You are not a bad tenant,


    that I must say.¡±


    ¡°¡­Yet you are still kicking me out,¡± I close my suitcase and murmurs.


    ¡°I can¡¯t have you live here for free, can I? What would my other tenants think? So, are you ready to


    go?¡±


    I only have three suitcases and one backpack. He helps me with the heaviest one and escorts me


    downstairs.


    Once we are at the ground floor, he turns to me and asks, ¡°There¡¯s a cheap motel three blocks away.


    You need a ride?¡±


    I hesitate a little and say yes. I¡¯m really not in the mood to walk another three blocks under this


    weather.


    ¡°You should be thankful that I have a daughter about your age,¡± he grunts and pushes open the


    entrance door for me.¡± I¡¯m not normally this nice to tenants, you know? I usually just beat them out with


    my bats, and what the hell?¡±


    He suddenly snaps and scares me a bit. I follow his gaze and then see a ck Audi parked right in


    front of the entrance of the building.


    It¡¯s Eason¡¯s car.


    I¡¯m literally too shocked to say a word.


    It¡¯s almost 2 in the morning, two hours after he dropped me off!


    What¡¯s he still doing here?


    Mr. Johnson res at the car and huffs,¡° Who parked the f***king car here! Can¡¯t he see the No


    Parking sign? What if an ambnce needs toe through? Screw it, I¡¯m having it towed!¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± I try to stop him.


    The next second, the car door flies open, and Eason jumps off the car. There are ck circles under


    his eyes for theck of sleep. Now his face is filled with rage as he strides over to us and drags me


    behind his back with one hard pull.


    ¡°Lose the bat!¡± Eason snarls to Mr. Johnson. ¡°And drop her bags down! Now!¡±


    Mr. Johnson widens his eyes in shock and roars back, ¡°Who the f***k are you?!¡±


    Eason narrows his eyes dangerously at Mr. Johnson and then whispers back to me, ¡°Get in the car,


    Natalia.¡±


    There seems to be a misunderstanding. I ce my hand on his shoulder and immediately feel his hard


    muscle flexed under the shirt. He is really tensed up right now.


    ¡°Seriously! Who is this d*uch*bag?¡± Mr. Johnson shouts.


    I quickly step in between them before things get out of control, ¡°Eason calm down! I know him. He is


    myndlord.¡±


    Eason snaps his head around and frowns at me, clearly not buying my words.¡° Yourndlord? What¡¯s


    he doing here 2 o¡¯clock in the morning with all your belongings and a baseball bat?¡±


    Before I can answer, Mr. Johnson grumbles in a surly voice, ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask your little girlfriend? If


    she pays her rent on time, I¡¯d be home sleeping right now!¡±


    Me and Eason blurt out simultaneously:


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m not his girlfriend!¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t pay for her rent?¡±


    We exchange an awkward nce with each other and quickly look away. I can feel my cheek burning


    with embarrassment.


    Mr. Johnson lets out a snort, ¡°Alright. It seems that you guys clearly know each other. Kid, take her


    home tonight if you can. She just went homeless. And move your damn car.¡±


    With that said, he drags his steps away,


    not paying any attention to the ugly look on my face.


    Why the hell does he have to mention to my ex that I¡¯m ¡°homeless¡±????


    Great, now I¡¯m not only alone and single, but also poor and broke.


    Eason slowly turns his head at me,¡° Natalia, what did he mean by homeless?¡±


    ¡°¡­Doesn¡¯t concern you.¡± I murmur.


    Why is he still pestering me about this? Can¡¯t he just let it go?!


    I move forward to kick up my bags, but he grabs my elbow from behind and forces me to face him,


    ¡°Where are you going? Did you just get kicked out? Talk to me, Natalia!¡±


    ¡°Enough!!¡± I cry out furiously, shaking his hand off and taking a few steps back.


    I¡¯ve been trying to contain my feelings till we met.


    But I can¡¯t help it anymore.


    ¡°Seriously!¡± I roar to his face. ¡°Why are you still here? Why waited me at the restaurant?! I know we


    used to f**k each other but everything is in the past! Now you are like a total stranger to me! So stop


    bothering me!! If you want to show off your hot girlfriend and how sessful you are, mission


    completed! Now can you just f**king leave?!!¡±


    My shrill and wild yelling echoes in the empty street, like a siren scaring off a few stray cats in the


    corner.


    And he stands there still during the outburst, slightly lowering his head, making it hard for me to see the


    look on his face.


    He must be thinking how pathetic and ridiculous I am.


    I struggle to pick up all three suitcases and march into the rain, stumbling forward. I don¡¯t know where


    I¡¯m going. I just want to be away from Eason, as far as possible.


    All I was asking is to have a little dignity. But that¡¯s not gonna be possible since he just saw the ugliest


    side of my life.


    I wonder around on the street with three giant suitcases, soaking myself under the rain. The cold rain


    shower calmed me down a little, and I began to regret my outburst.


    Honestly, yelling at him doesn¡¯t make any sense. He was probably just trying to be nice to me since I¡¯m


    still his stepsister. But I made a whole speech about him pestering me and how we used to f**k each


    other, making it seem like that I still care,


    So stupid, Natalia.


    I finally arrive at a bus station before freezing to death. Dropping all my bags on to the ground, I slump


    onto the bench, staring into the dark night and starting to think what to do.


    Just then, a bright shlight pierces through the night. I turn around. It¡¯s his ck Audi again, slowly


    approaching and finally making a stop in front of me.


    He has been following me.


    At this point, I¡¯m already passed the stage of rage. I can only stare numbly at him, as he exits the car


    and walks up to me.


    Tati..


    He takes off his coat and wraps it around me before sitting down.


    We sit there silently for a moment, listening to the sttering sound of rain fall.


    Eventually, I ask lowly and exhausted,¡° Why are you still following me? I thought


    I made my point perfectly clear.¡±


    He sighs deeply, ¡°You think I can just let you walk away like that? You were alone and hom_?


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that word!¡± I warn him sternly.


    ¡°¡ªand clearly facing some troubles. I can¡¯t just watch and do nothing.¡±


    ¡°But why not?¡± I ask, utterly confused.¡± Why do you care?¡±


    That question has been hunting me till we met.


    He is kind to me, almost too kind. It makes me wonder if he is secretly plotting something else against


    me, like in the old days.


    Hearing me asked that, hepses into another round of silence. His elbows rests on his knees, making


    his shoulders seem very broad and his firm muscles very apparent under the shirt.


    He has grown to be a man now.


    Eventually, he speaks up slowly, ¡°Does it surprise you? That I¡¯m nice to you now?¡±


    ¡°¡­A little.¡±


    He heaved a long sigh and smiles faintly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not scheming anything evil against you. I¡¯m


    nice to you because¡­ well, I¡¯m trying to make it up for my


    mistakes in the past. You are right, we¡¯ve both moved on. But you are still my sister and the victim of


    my wrongdoing. I can¡¯t stand by idly knowing that you are in trouble.¡±


    He sounds sincere.


    But do I trust him? I don¡¯t know, maybe.


    Yet one thing I do know is that my heart is aching with sadness and pain hearing him call me his sister


    and nothing else.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your n?¡± he asks. ¡°You can¡¯t stay here all night.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a motel a few blocks away. Can you give me a ride?¡±


    He stares at me quietly.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I was just wondering¡­¡± he begins slowly.¡°¡­would it be extremely inappropriate if I invite you to my


    ce?¡±

 Chapter 74

    Chapter 74


    Chapter 74: Under the Same Roof


    I let him take me home eventually.


    I know this is a terrible idea and the wise thing to do is go find a ce on my own and stay as far from


    him as possible. But so many ups and downs in one night, my head has already stopped functioning. So


    I go for the easy option.


    Not surprisingly, he lives in the fanciest ce in the Upper East side. His apartment is huge and well-


    decorated, just like the one he had in Boston.


    I carefully step into the foyer, feeling both awkward and nervous. I nce around the spacious living


    room and notice no sign of trances of a woman.


    So he and his girlfriend don¡¯t live together.


    ¡°Why are you still standing there?¡± he turns around and smiles at me. ¡°Come on in.¡±


    I slowly inake my way into the open kitchen, staring at him as he opens the fridge and gets me a bottle of


    water, and asks, ¡°Are you sure your girlfriend won¡¯t mind?¡±


    He shirugs, ¡°Why should she mind?¡±


    ¡°Because if my boyfriend brought a someone home without asking me first, I would be pretty annoyed,


    which is how most people would react?¡± I point out the obvious


    He slightly raises his eyebrows, giving noments on my concern. And again, that makes me even


    more curious about his rtionship with his girlfriend. First he totally ignored her in


    the restaurant twice, then lie brought me liome without telling her, which all seem very absurd


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We just started dating. Nothing serious just yet,¡± he leans against the kitchen counter, his


    green eyes fixing on me. ¡°So, speaking of which, how are things going between you and Liam?¡±


    I¡¯m little thrown off by his question, ¡°¡­Me and Liam?¡±


    His lips curves in a faint smile, ¡°Hd a thing for you three years ago. Did that thing develop into


    anything serious for you two?¡± I bite down my bottom lips, feeling very ufortable about where this


    conversation is going


    ¡°He¡¯s only my brother,¡± I quickly answer trying to dodge around the subject


    ¡°But did he make any moves?¡± Yet he is not letting go.


    I take in a deep sigli and start to feel frustrated. ¡°Eason, it¡¯s been a long day. Do you really want to stand


    here and ask me about -¡± He cuts me off before I finish, ¡°Do you feel ufortable talking to me about


    this?¡±


    He has been polite and gentle since we met, but that seulence reminds me of the old him, the aggressive


    and condescending version of liim.


    I frown and reinine silent.


    He stares al me intensely, studying every detail of the look on my face, and then suddenly be smiles,


    ¡°sorry for crossing the line. But I thought since we¡¯ve both moved on already, it¡¯d be


    OK for me to ask.¡± ¡°Ask something else,¡± I say gruffly. He chuckles lowly, ¡°OK I will.¡±


    He says nothing else and shows me to the guest room. I take a quick shower and finally lie down on the


    bed.


    A million things happened today, meeting Eason again, losing my job, being kicked out of my apartment


    and staying at Eason¡¯s¡­ I suddenly remembered that three years ago I also spent a night at his ce


    after lighting with my parents; he kissed me in front of all his friends, which was the start of our toxic


    rtionship.


    Now things seem to circle back to the same spot, except that we both have changed.


    #


    ##


    The next morning, I wake up at 9. Going into the living room, I find him standing beside the kitchen


    counter in his gym clothes and sneakers and checking his phone.


    ¡°Morning,¡± he turns around and greets me with a smile. ¡°Coffee?¡± I walk to him, ¡°Yes please.¡±


    He pours me a cup and asks, ¡°Did you sleep wellst night?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Thank you again for letting me stay.¡±


    ¡°No problem. So do you have anything nned out today? Because I -¡± My phone starts ringing before


    he finishes. I give him an apologetic smile and turns around to pick up, ¡°Hello? Liam?¡±


    I didn¡¯t notice that Eason¡¯s face quickly drops hearing Liam¡¯s name.


    ¡°Natalia! Why didn¡¯t you answer my call yesterday? Did something happen?¡±


    A lot of things happened, but I didn¡¯t want liim to worry. ¡°No! I was just busy with work. So what¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°Mom mailed me the Christmas sweater and some handmade pastries. But she idently sent yours to


    me. So I¡¯m mailing your to you now. Same address?¡± ¡°Ummm¡­¡± I hesitate.


    No way I¡¯m letting him know that I¡¯m homeless now. ¡°I moved actually,¡± I stutter. ¡°You don¡¯t need to send


    anything to me. You can keep them.¡±


    ¡°Why would I keep a petite size girl¡¯s sweater? And inom would kill me if you don¡¯t get to taste her


    pastries,¡± heughs. ¡°You moved? What¡¯s your new address then?¡± ¡°My new address ¨C ¡°I take a quick


    nce at Eason, who is staring at me with his arms crossed, and then says, ¡°-I¡¯ll text you my new


    address.¡± ¡°Awesome. Don¡¯t forget to call miom when you have time. She really misses you. Bye,


    Natalia.¡± i hang up and Eason immediately demands, ¡°Liam? What does he want?¡±


    I slightly frown at his tone, ¡°Nothing. So where were we¡­oh right. I¡¯ll go apartment hunting today.


    Hopefully I can find a ce to stay, and I¡¯ll move out as soon as possible. I promise. I


    won¡¯t bother you for too long.¡± His jaw tenses. The look on his face is hardly pleasant. After a short


    pause, he shrugs and says coldly, ¡°whatever.¡±


    He tums to leave for the bathroom and stops the inidway, ¡°you can give him the address here. It¡¯s not


    that easy to find a new apartment in a rusli.¡± I was hoping that he was wrong about the new apartment


    thing. But after a few days¡¯ trying, I am forced to admit that lie was right.


    It¡¯s very hard to find a suitable apartment, especially since I have a very tight budget. My only two options


    are sharing a small apartinent with four boys with no private bathroom or living in another state, which


    isn¡¯t that cheap if I count in the traveling expense.


    Besides the apartment, I also need a new job. And the worst thing is, my finals are quickly approaching. I


    must inake time to study if I don¡¯t want to fail my sses.


    Every morning when I get up at 6, it is go go go. Calling for job interviews, making appointments with


    apartment agents, preparing for my finals¡­I¡¯m so busy that I even forget thest time I stop to take a


    breath.


    Luckily, Eason isn¡¯t home much. He also has schoolwork, and he has business stuffs to manage. We


    barely see nor speak to each other, which is a good thing because that means don¡¯t need to face his


    awkward questions and I get to have the whole apartment to myself


    A week has passed. And it is Friday again.


    i have made zero process on the apartment thing. I feel exhausted and am desperately in need for a little


    break. So after school, I made a stop at the grocery store, nning on making mysell a dinner, because


    gods know when was thest time I sat down for a proper meal.


    While I am shopping, Eason calls in


    ¡°Hey. What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Shopping for dinner. Oh, can I use your kitchen?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Of course, you don¡¯t need to ask for my permission,¡± he says. ¡°Are you just making dinner for yourself?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s not like I have a guest. Unless you areing home for dinner.¡±


    He pauses for a short moment and then says, ¡°I aming home for dinner, actually.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± now it¡¯s my turn to be surprised. His background sounds very buzzing, so I was assuming that


    he must be at a dinner party or a g now. And I recalled that he carried a suitcase with him this


    morning, so I thought he would be out of town tonight. ¡°You areing home? But ¨C Where are you


    now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­I¡¯m in another city for a meeting. But I am flying back today and will get back home before 10,¡± his


    breathing sounds a bit rushed. ¡°Can you make dinner for two?¡±


    ¡°OK. Not a problem. See youter.¡±


    He sounds weird. If he¡¯s not spending the night in another city, why bothered carrying a suitcase? I


    purchase all ingredients I need and head back home. Now that I think about it, I haven¡¯t


    cooked for him before. So I decide to make him my famous dish, seafood spaghetti with apple pie as


    desert, as a little thank you for letting me stay at his house.


    Time flies back while I am cooking. When I check the time again, it¡¯s already 9:30. He should be home


    soon. I wipe my hands and decide to call him asking how far away lie is.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    And just then, the doorbell buzzes.


    ¡°I was just about to call you!¡± I rush to the door yelling. ¡°Did your forget your ke-¡± Yet the final word


    vanishes as soon as I see who is outside of the door. It¡¯s a tall guy with dark hair and dark eyes, dressed


    in a ck coat. He smiles at me and bends down to hug me, but I am too stunned to say anything. ¡°Hey


    Natalia. Happy to see me?¡± ¡°L-Liam!¡± I stammer, totally panicked. ¡°What brought you here?¡±

 Chapter 75

    Chapter 75


    Chapter 75: Engaged ¡°I was worried about you,¡± he frowns and says. ¡°You gave me a new address


    without (elling me why you moved, and you rarely answered my calls for the past few days, so I came


    down here to check on you. Are you OK? Whose house is this?¡±


    I wasn¡¯t intentionally ignoring his calls. I was so busy for the past whole week that I didn¡¯t even have the


    time to check my phone


    As I try to staminer an excuse, a flicker of doubt appears in his eyes. I know what he is thinking this is a


    lancy apartment located in upper east side, somewhere I apparently can¡¯t afford.


    ¡°Are you¡­¡± he slowly begins, ¡°¡­dating someone?¡± ¡°No!¡± I quickly begin.


    I can¡¯t have him know that I¡¯m living with Eason right now. He won¡¯t understand. Plus, this is only a


    temporary arrangement anyway, so there¡¯s no need for him to know and I can spare his worries.


    ¡°My lease expired so I¡¯m staying with a friend before I get a new apartment,¡± I say, and it is partly the


    truth


    ¡°Oh,¡± he nods, slightly relieved. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to invite me in?¡±


    There is no good excuse to keep him out, so I can only step aside and let him in.


    But it¡¯s already 9:30.


    ¡°Wow the food smells great,¡± he notices the dishes on the table. ¡°Though it¡¯s a bit too much if you are


    eating alone are you cooking dinner for someone?¡±


    Another question I can¡¯t answer. I have no choice but to make up another excuse: ¡°I didn¡¯t make those.


    It¡¯s my roommate. She is cooking for her boyfriend. They will be back


    soon.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Then we shouldn¡¯t stick around and disturb them. Can I take you out for dinner? You haven¡¯t had


    dinner vet, have you?¡±


    This is exactly what I want, getting him out of the apartment before Easones back. But this way I


    won¡¯t be able to have dinner with Eason.


    Screw it, I can¡¯t care for so much. The priority is to stop them from meeting each other. ¡°Great,¡± I force


    out a smile. ¡°Can you wait here a second? I¡¯ll go change.¡± I let him hang out in the living room and go


    into my room. Carefully closing the door, I take out my phone and call Eason. He picks up on the first


    ring, ¡°Hey Natalia I¡¯m almost¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t home yet, are you?¡± I blurt out.


    He pauses, and then his voice deepens. ¡°Not yet. What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry. But something came up


    at school and I need to get down there. I had


    everything ready on the table. Just eat up and don¡¯t wait for me.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t even have time for dinner?¡±


    he sounds annoyed. ¡°I fly all the way back home just to have dinner with you. Can¡¯t you go tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Wait wait wait¡­you said ¡± gulp and then carry on in disbelief, ¡°-you flied home just to have dinner with


    me? But your meeting ends today right? You were nning oning home today anyway, weren¡¯t you?


    Please tell me you didn¡¯te back for-for me.¡±


    Hepses into silence again.


    I clench the phone as aplicated feeling fills my heart. I¡¯m both terrified and nervous right now.


    Terrified because l¡¯?n afraid of the possibility that he still has any special feelings for me, and nervous


    because there¡¯s a sinall part of me tljat wants him to say yes.


    A short momentter, he sighs and murmurs lowly, ¡°No of course not.¡±


    ¡°¡­Oh.¡±


    I guess I should be relieved.


    Just then, Liam knocks on my door, ¡°Natalia are you ready?¡±


    1 hastily cover the speaker and whisper, ¡°I gotta go. Talk to youter, Eason.¡±


    After hanging up, I grab a coat and exit to the living room. ¡°I¡¯m ready. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Liam takes me to a small pub, where I order burger and fries and he gets a beer. Wesit there and talk.


    He is fun, sophisticated and easy-to-talk-to as usual. I am willing to share my troubles at school and work


    with him because he can always provide a new perspective for me. I love the quality time we spend


    together During dinner, he asks about the status of my rtionship again. ¡°Mom called a couple days


    ago. She is wondering if you are seeing anyone right now.¡±


    Iugh, ¡°Does she want to know? Or do you want to know?¡±


    He shrugs andugh with me, ¡°You got me. I can¡¯t say I¡¯m not at all curious.¡±


    ¡°Well excuse me for not wanting to share details of my love life with my brother.¡±


    He slightly raises his eyebrow and gives me a long look, ¡°Your brother? Huli.¡±


    I lower my head and dig into my burger, avoiding his gaze. I know that he has a thing for me. And over


    the years, there were a few romantic moments between lis. But I have been very careful not to cross the


    boundary, because, clearly, dating your hot stepbrother is a terrible


    idea.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    I¡¯ye learnt my lesson. Swallowing down the bite, I continue, ¡°And honestly, there¡¯s nothing to share. My


    life is totally upied by school and work. Even if I want to date, I have no time.¡± ¡°I know. All i¡¯m saying


    is that don¡¯t waste out college. Just let me know if you need my help.¡± He is back to being a big brother


    to ine. I smile at him gratefully. He knows that I¡¯m not ready to respond to him, so he never pushes me.


    He is a very nice person, unlike Eason.


    After dinner, Liam insists on sending me home. When we finally get back to the apartment building, Liam


    stops at the entrance door and says, ¡°so good luck with school, work and apartment hunting. I¡¯ll see you


    at Christmas?¡± I hesitate a bit, ¡°I haven¡¯t decided yet¡­but I might need to spend this Christmas in


    Boston. Mom called me a lot recently.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± he seems disappointed. ¡°But it¡¯s true that you haven¡¯t seen her for a long time. But doesn¡¯t that


    mean that you are going to see¡­him?¡±


    He is talking about Eason.


    I shrug and pretend to be casual about it. ¡°It¡¯s ancient history. Me and Eason are still rted. It¡¯s not like


    that I can avoid him forever.¡±


    What Liam doesn¡¯t know is that Eason is right upstairs and we have already mel again.


    ¡°Well, in that case I¡¯ll see you after Christmas. Or you can visit me sometimes. Let me show you around


    the city,¡± he opens his arms and smiles, shing his white teeth at me. ¡°Goodbye hug for your big


    brother?¡±


    Iugh and hug him back. I¡¯m very lucky to have him by my side for these past three years. He helped


    me to manage through my darkest days. ¡°Take care, Liam.¡±


    Yet before we let go of each other, suddenly a deadly voicees from behind us:


    ¡°Natalia?¡±


    We both jump and jerk around. My heart drops hearing the voice. Not surprisingly, it¡¯s him, Eason,


    standing by the elevator and staring at us gloomily with his arms crossed.


    What is he doing downstair!


    Liam is totally shocked beyond words. He res at Eason in disbelief, and then snaps his head around


    to me and growls, ¡°What the hell is he doing here? Is he bothering you again Nat?¡±


    ¡°No! It¡¯s nothing like that! Liam I can exin¡ª¡±


    ¡°Natalia is staying with me now,¡± Eason says calmly.


    And that¡¯s thest straw. Liam lets out a furious roar and strides over to Eason. He grabs Eason¡¯s cor


    in one hand and points a finger at him, ¡°I¡¯m warning you, you bastard. Stay away from her! You are lucky


    enough that we didn¡¯t call the police three years ago in the bar, but I don¡¯t mind doing that now if you try


    any dirty shit on her again!¡±


    I rush forward and try to put a little distance between them, ¡°Stop Liam! It¡¯s nothing like that! He helped


    me after I lost my apartment. We are friends now. He is not doing anything inappropriate¡±


    Liam¡¯s hand loosens and I finally manage to drag him away. He stares at me, a bint of annoyance and


    disbeliel flickering in his dark eyes, and after a while he finally asks me:


    ¡°You lost your apartment? Why didn¡¯t you say anything to me?¡±


    I stammer, not knowing what to say. The truth is that I don¡¯t want to take his money anymore. I am not


    attracted to him, so it feels


    wrong to have him keep helping me financially. I know he doesn¡¯t mind, but I don¡¯t want things to be


    complicated between us. A clear disappointment appears on Liam¡¯s face. After a long pause, he sighs,


    raking his fingers through his hair and says, ¡°Never mind. I can¡¯t let you stay here anymore. Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll


    get you somewhere else to stay tonight.¡± He grabs my hand to leave, but Eason holds on to my other


    hand. Now I¡¯m like a string, being pulled from both ends.


    Eason stares at Liam coldly. Though there¡¯s no clear hostility on his face, his tone is filled with defiance.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think we should let Natalia decide?¡±


    ¡°Fine!¡± Liam snaps and turns to me. ¡°Nat, don¡¯t forget what he has done. People don¡¯t change.¡±


    Now they put me in a very difficult situation.


    The truth is that I don¡¯t want to leave. It¡¯s not that I really want to live with Eason, but simply because I


    don¡¯t want Liam to spend any more money on me, I know if I go with him, he will insist on paying for an


    apartment for me, which is simply too much.


    Even though Eason and me have aplicated history, I¡¯m pretty sure that we¡¯ve both moved on now.


    But I also know that if I say I want to stay, Liam will snap.


    Admit silence, Eason suddenly speaks up. ¡°I know you don¡¯t trust me. But Natalia and I are only friends


    now and nothing more. I live in New York, so it¡¯s easier for me to look after her. Nothing weird is going on


    between us. I can promise you that.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah?¡± Liam lets out a sarcastic and cold snart. ¡°How can you promise? Like you said, you don¡¯t


    seem like a trustworthy guy.¡±


    Eason sighs. He grits his teeth, and after a while, he finally says: ¡°I¡¯m engaged and about to get married


    soon. Now you trust me?¡±

 Chapter 76

    Chapter 76


    Chapter 76: His Mysterious Fianc¨¦


    Liam eventually left, even though he still found Eason hard to trust. Before he left, he repeated several


    times that I should let him know the moment I notice something is wrong with Eason and he¡¯ll fly to New


    York personally to help me move out of this apartment.


    I didn¡¯t really pay attention to every word Liam said, because my full heart is hang up by the news Eason


    just told us.


    ¡­He is engaged, and about to get married?


    To whom? And when?


    A million questions are whizzing inside of me while I follow Eason upstairs, Stepping inside of the


    apartment, I notice that the dinner I left for him is still on the table, untouched.


    Eason takes of his coat and throws it on the coachi. He turns back to me, green eyes ring with a hint


    of anger, and snaps: ¡°Why did you lie to me


    I wis about to ask him about the entirement thing, but he beats me on this and asks first Catching me off


    guard.


    ¡°W


    what lie¡±


    ¡°You said you couldn¡¯t have dinner with me because came up at school, which clearly was a


    Histone is very ressive, as if I have done something unforgivable. I stand there embarrassed for a


    moment, and then start to feel irritated.


    Yes I lied to him. But he also kept me in the dark, didn¡¯t he? For the whole time I thought he was only


    dating, he didn¡¯t even bother to let me know that he was about to walk down the aisle with someone I


    don¡¯t even know!


    So I shot back, ¡°Yes I lied to you! But so what? You had lied to me countless times before, terrible lies!


    And I¡¯ve forgiven you. Surely I¡¯m allowed to do that once!¡±


    His face darkens, and hepses into silence. For a moment, there¡¯re only heavy breathings from both of


    us and nobody says a word,


    I bite down my bottom lips, trying to fight back the sudden wave of sadness in my heart.


    He is engaged. He is about to be someone else¡¯s husband.


    So many things have happened on him that I didn¡¯t know of. This is the very first time that I¡¯m forced to


    realize that we¡¯ve all gone too far to look back


    Eventually, he speaks up in a hoarse voice, ¡°¡­you still me me for things I¡¯ve done, don¡¯t


    you?¡±


    I take in a deep breath and quickly wipe the corner of my eyes, ¡°Why does it matter Eason? Just ¡­


    don¡¯l.¡±


    I¡¯m still trapped in the same ce I was three years ago, and yet he¡¯s already moved on to his morous


    life.


    should I me him? Even if I do, there¡¯s nothing he could do about it.


    He¡¯s about to get married, nevertheless, ¡°This is a mistake Eason,¡± I murmur. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t stay here. I ¨C I


    should go.¡± I turn to leave for my room, but he grabs my elbow from behind and forces me back. He


    stares at me intensely, a vein popping on his lorehead.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you to leave,¡± he says sternly.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°But I want to go! OK? Seriously why do you want to keep me here? You are engaged and about to get


    married! This¨Cthis is wrong!¡±


    ¡°But why does it bother you so much? Huh?¡± he suddenly asks. His gaze is so sharp that I¡¯m afraid that


    he might see through me. ¡°You were perfectly fine with staying with me before. What changed? Why do


    you care whether I¡¯m getting married or not?¡± I can barely look at him. I struggle to break free but he¡¯s


    not letting me to leave. My body is shaking under his firin grip, and I bet he can feel it.


    ¡°Natalia¡­¡±


    He suddenly calls my name, his voice deep and hoarse.


    ¡°Do you still¡­have feelings for me?¡±


    How dare he askine this?


    I know I should jump up and scolds at him the moment he asks me this. Or at least I shouldugh at his


    face.


    But feeling his hot palm touching my skin and his zing eyes fixing on me, suddenly I¡¯m at a loss for


    words. We stand there, so close to each other, like in the old days.


    After a long while, I finally open my mouth and say weakly,¡±¡­No.¡±


    That doesn¡¯t sound very affirmative


    So I quickly repeat again, ¡°No I don¡¯t. Don¡¯t think too much of yourself.¡±


    He stares at me, the look on his face unreadable. I slightly quail beneath his look and look away.


    Fortunately, he doesn¡¯t push me any further.


    ¡°Well then,¡± he says releasing my arm. ¡°If you don¡¯t have any feelings for me, you should have no


    problem staying here. I¡¯m only giving you a hand as your brother and your friend. Don¡¯t over think it.¡± ¡°I


    didn¡¯t over-think it!¡± I snap.


    He shrugs, ¡°Fine. So are we good?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± I reply stiffly.


    He slightly narrows his eyes on me. A meaningful smile appears on his lips. ¡°You still haven¡¯t


    congratted me on my engagement yet.¡±


    Why does he have to be so cruel?!


    But I don¡¯t want to appear weak in front of him. So I clench my fist and girt out through my teeth,


    ¡°.Congrattion.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± He smiles, ¡°Now I¡¯m going to enjay that dinner you made me. Care to join me?¡±


    I march into my room without a word and m the door close, shutting him outside.


    I spend the rest of the time before Christmas to avoid Eason the best I can. I try to make my schedule


    tight, keeping my mind off the fact that he is engaged and about to get married. Luckily, my efforts get


    paid off and I finally find a new job and a new apartment. I¡¯ll start moving after Christmas.


    I¡¯ve been thinking if I should go back to Boston for Christmas, given the awkward circumstances between


    me and Eason. But mom has been calling me non-stop and she promised me that Eason wouldn¡¯t be at


    home during Christmas. So I eventually caved in.


    On the first day of my winter break, 1 pack a small suitcase and prepare to catch the 4-hours bus back to


    Boston. Yet when I go into the living room, I¡¯m surprised to see that Eason is standing hallway, sully


    dressed, with a car key in his hand. ¡°Ready to go?¡± he asks me.


    I look at him, perplexed. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    He shes me the car key. ¡°What does it look like?¡±


    You don¡¯t need to drive me to the bus station. I can take the subway.¡±


    Heughs, ¡°No I¡¯m not doing that. But I¡¯m driving you to Boston.¡± ¡°What?!¡± | gasp, shocked and irritated


    at the same time. Please tell me you are noting back to Boston for Christmas!¡±


    ¡°Yet I am. That¡¯s my home. Where else am I supposed to go?¡± he picks up my suitcase and starts


    heading out. ¡°Hurry. Or we¡¯ll bete for dinner.¡±


    I chase behind his back, following him into the elevator and down to the garage. ¡°But what about your


    girlfriend? Mom told me that you were going to spend Christmas with her.¡±


    He looks at me, bemused. ¡°My girlfriend?¡±


    ¡°Yeah? The one I met in the restaurant? The one who got me fired?¡± I snap.


    ¡°Oh!¡± heughs out. ¡°Yes that was the n. But we broke up.¡±


    ¡­What did he just say?


    ¡°You broke up with your fianc¨¦?¡± I ask, astounded.


    ¡°No she is not my fianc¨¦. She is just my girlfriend. Well, ex-girlfriend to be precise,¡± he walks up to his car


    and opens the door for me. ¡°Let¡¯s go. We have 4 hours ahead of us.¡±


    He just gave me too much information to process. And I just realized that i never asked him to whom he


    is engaged to. ¡°So, you are engaged, but you are also dating someone else?¡± I ask, while he drives us


    out of the garage. ¡°Sort of,¡± says him with a shrug. ¡°That¡¯s cheating!¡±I argue sharply, ¡°Aren¡¯t you


    ashamed of yourself?¡±


    Yet he doesn¡¯t seem to mind my usation. With his hands on the wheel and eyes straight ahead, he


    smiles, ¡°I¡¯ve never met my fianc¨¦ before. Don¡¯t know what she looks like either. You can¡¯t really cheal on


    someone you¡¯ve never met before.¡± 1 That¡¯s even more absurd. ¡°If you¡¯ve never met her, wliy on earth


    are you engaged?¡±


    ¡°My mother got into this. She always wants me to be engaged and to get married as soon as I graduate.


    I tried to fight her but¡­eventually I decide that it¡¯s better to let her have what she wants.¡±


    I know Ms. Griswold. She is a strong and aggressive woman, who won¡¯t give up until her wish is fulfilled.


    But¡­


    ¡°But this is your marriage!¡± I exim in disbelief. ¡°You will spend the rest of your life with that woman.


    Don¡¯t you think you should get to know her a little bit better before rushing into this?¡±


    ¡°And that¡¯s why I¡¯ming back to Boston this time, to finally get to know her under my mother¡¯s


    supervision. I¡¯m not a fan of this arrangement, but¡­¡±


    He tails off. I turn my head to him and find his face dark and sulky. ¡°But?¡± I ask carefully, involuntarily


    holding my breath. He shakes his head andughs briefly in a self-deprecating way, ¡°But I guess I don¡¯t


    really care about it either. If I¡¯m not marring the girl i love, I can marry whoever my mom wants.¡±


    My heart stops for a second. But before I ask any other questions, he has already changed the subject,


    ¡°Music?¡± We both remain silence for the rest of the drive. And after 4 long hours, we finally arrive at


    Boston.


    I look through the window and feel a nostalgic feeling rising in my heart. It¡¯s been 3 years and I¡¯m finally


    back


    I¡¯m so looking forward to meeting my mom, Mr. Rainirez and my friends, Alex, Katherine. and Eddie..


    And most importantly, Eason¡¯s mysterious fianc¨¦.

 Chapter 77

    Chapter 77


    Chapter 77: Who can it be? Mom is thrilled that l¡¯ou finally back. Upon seeing me, she pulled me into her


    arms for a biy. huc and didn¡¯t let po for one minute. She asked me a lot of questions about my life in


    Miami and New York, and of course she didn¡¯t miss out the chance to interrogate me about the reason I


    left Boston three years ago.


    ¡°I had always been thinking that after you graduate high school, you could continue studying here. There


    are lots of great college in Boston and you could pick the one you like¡­¡±


    I sigh, ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve told you before. I can¡¯t afford a fancy elite college.¡± Seeing she opens her mouth in


    disapproval, I quickly add to that, ¡°¨C And don¡¯t say that Mr. Ramirez is willing to help me! I¡¯m not taking


    any more of his money.¡±


    She pouts.


    ¡°Fine¡­but I still don¡¯t understand why you needed to leave in such a hurry! You didn¡¯t even tell me and


    just got on a flight and left. Do you know what kind of damage it did to me? I kept thinking that I didn¡¯t


    something wrong,¡±


    ¡°Just let it go mom. It was three years ago. And I already said that I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°But wliy? At least you could give me a reason? Is it only me or are you really keeping a big secret that


    I¡¯m not aware of?¡±


    She grabs my hands and looks at me beseechingly. This isn¡¯t like when we were on the phone and I


    could simply make up an excuse and hung up. Now I¡¯m literally trapped. Just then, Mr. Ramirez emerges


    from the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hand. He makes his way to us and sits down beside mom,


    ¡°What are we talking here?¡± 1 Momints, ¡°I was just asking Nat why she left without a goodbye


    three years ago. She wouldn¡¯t give me a good reason.¡±


    Mr. Ramirez slightly raises his brows and I suddenly feel my stomach churn in nervousness.


    He knows why I left. He even chased me down to Miami personally and made me promise that I would


    put an end to everything between me and Eason.


    So is he mad now that I¡¯m back into the picture?


    Is he going to tell my mom?


    I stare at him with a hint of pleading in my eyes. After a short eye contact with me, Mr. Ramirez turns to


    mom again and smiles, ¡°Does she need a good reason to go back home? Because don¡¯t forpet that


    Miami is also her home.¡±


    I quietly let out a breath that I¡¯ve been holding and give him a grateful look. He winks at me briskly


    Mom didn¡¯t notice the briel exchange between us and is still frowning perplexed, ¡°Sure but I


    still don¡¯t understand,¡±


    ¡°OK enough of the interrogation and questioning. This is Christmas for god¡¯s sake,¡± Mr. Ramirez gives a


    gentle pat on her shoulder and subtly changes the subject. ¡°Ne you toll Natalia about the party yet?¡±


    Mom¡¯s face lights up at the mention of the party, which is probably her second favorite thing in the world,


    right behind slopping. ¡°Shawn has a few business partners to entertain so we are throwing a party in a


    few days. But we don¡¯t want to do it on Christmas because that day is for family only. So the party will be


    here on the day before Christmas Eve. You can invite all your friends over. How does that sound?¡±


    It¡¯s not a bad idea actually. Although I hate any asion with a lot of people, I do iniss my friends.


    ¡°Sounds great. I¡¯ll make some calls today,¡± I say.


    Mom ps in excitement, ¡°Fantastic! Nat you don¡¯t have anything else to do today, right? Can you give


    me a hand with all the party stuffs?¡± 1


    I nod when Mr. Ramirez rises from the s and says, ¡°Well, I¡¯ll leave you party experts to it. Let me know


    if you need me again.¡±


    He exits the living room. I stare at his back and quickly stands up as well, ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll find youter¡­


    there¡¯s something I need to do.¡±


    I catch Mr. Ramirez below the staircase before he goes upstairs.


    ¡°Hmm Mr. Ramirez!¡± I call on to him. ¡°I-I just want to thank you for¡­for everything you¡¯ve done. And I


    really appreciate that you let me stay here for Christmas.¡±


    He smiles looking at me. ¡°This is your home, Natalia. The past is in the past now. So you are weed


    here anytime.¡±


    I return a sheepish smile. He¡¯s always nice to me and I wonder if I¡¯ll ever be able to repay the favor.


    ¡°Oh and there¡¯s something else you should know about the party,¡± he says slowly while carefully


    watching my face. ¡°Eason¡¯s fianc¨¦ is going to be there.¡±


    My heart skips a leap. Yet I manage to keep my face under control.


    ¡°That¡¯s nice. I heard that Eason is engaged now, and I¡¯d love to meet my future sister-inw,¡± I say


    breezily ¡°And you will be fine with that?¡± he asks.


    I pull up the corner of my lip and try to smile as sincere as possible. ¡°Of course. I can¡¯t wait to


    congratte them.¡±


    I don¡¯t know if he trusts me fully or not. But judging by the satisfied look on his face, at least he is not


    suspecting anything just yel.


    ¡°d to hear that,¡± he pats me shoulder and goes up the staircase.


    I sigh internally and return to the living room with a heavy lieart.


    I guess I¡¯ll have to meet his fianc¨¦ sooner orter. Better get it over with,


    Mom spends the next few days decorating the townhouse and by the day before Christmas Eve the


    entire house has been sessfully transformed.


    The front door and staircasc are framed with beautiful gands and light strings, perfect for both daytime


    and nighttime disy. A giant swag is situated on the top of the mantel, and beside the mantel is a


    grouping of four poinsettias. The red flower really goes with the overall color palette.


    And of course, the most eye-catching stull in the living room is the giant Christmas tree, with hundreds of


    golden and glittering ornaments hanging on it. There¡¯s a huge pile of beautifully wrapped gifts under the


    tree. Mon has decided to do a gift swap at the end of the party.


    The party officially starts at 7. So guests start to arrive around 7:30. I stand by my mom¡¯s side giving


    polite smiles to strangers I don¡¯t know, until I finally see some familiar faces. ¡°Alex! Katherine!¡±


    I exim in delight and rusli forward to greet my friends, giving a big hug to each of them. Alex hasn¡¯t


    changed at all. And Katherine¡­well she looks fantastic She was already the center of attention back in


    high school and now she is even prettier.


    ¡°Oh my god! I miss you so much!! Eddie couldn¡¯te but he sends his regards,¡± katherine hugs me


    back and cheers excitedly. ¡°T¡¯ll forgive you for leaving us in such a rush only if you give me full details of


    your life since then!¡±


    I take them to the living room and offer them eggnogs. Then we start to talk


    Alex is studying at Cornel and is currently dating someone. I¡¯m really d that he has moved on from his


    little crush on me. And Katherine went to Harvard, same as Eason. I¡¯m not surprised that both of them


    are in Ivy Leagues schools. With their GPAs and family backgrounds, they can easily get into any school


    they want.


    ¡°So you and Eason are in the same school?¡± I ask Katherine.


    ¡°Yes. But in different departments. I rarely get to see him.¡± she quickly changes the subject,¡± Now


    enough about us. What about you?¡±


    I thien begin to tell them about my life, but I get distracted a lot and keep checking the front door. I¡¯m


    waiting for Eason¡¯s fiance to show up. Yet up till now, I see no sign of that mysterious guest. Alex finally


    notices my absent-mindedness, ¡°Nat are you expecting someone?¡±


    ¡°N-no. I was just looking for my mom. Umm do you guys need a refill?


    Before they say yes, I quickly take over their empty cups and go into the kitchen to calm myself down.


    I peed topose mysell. I can¡¯t let anyone notice that something is wrong with me.


    On the way back, I bunp into Eason, who is dressed in a neat suit and looks especially handsome today.


    ¡°Mary Christmas,¡± he smiles warmly at me,


    ¡°Mary Christmas,¡± I reply dryly. After abriel pause, I can¡¯t help but ask, ¡°I heard that your fianc¨¦ ising.


    When are you going to introduce her to us?¡±


    He shrugs nonchntly. ¡°No idea. I haven¡¯t mellier myself. Dad will introdher before dinner, I


    suppose.¡±


    ¡°As the future groom, aren¡¯t you at least a little bit curious?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say that I fully trust my mom¡¯s taste in selecting a marriage partner.¡±


    He lets out a cold and sarcastic sneer and then walks away.


    The next hour is like hell. I keep telling myself that I should take my mind off Eason¡¯s fianc¨¦. but I just


    can¡¯t stop myself from searching for my target in the crowd. So far I¡¯ve noticed two possible candidates:


    one is the daughter of Mr. Ramirez¡¯s business partner, the otheres with his family friend.


    ¡°Natalia are you OK?¡± Katherine whispers beside my ear while I¡¯m secretly checking one of the girls.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been staring at that poor girl like a hawk. Is something wrong?¡± 1 panic and quickly make


    something up, ¡°I was just looking at her diamond ne. It¡¯s pretty.¡±


    Katherine doesn¡¯t seem to suspect a thing and says, ¡°Good eye. It¡¯s a sapphire high jewelry by Harry


    Winston. That girl¡¯s got money.¡±


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I take a sip from my eggnog and taste nothing but bitterness in my mouth.


    ¡°Yeah I bet she does¡­¡± I murmur dryly.


    A little whileter, Mr. Ramirez raises from his seat and clinks his ss. The crowd quiets down and


    looks over to him. ¡°Family and friends, wee.¡± He looks around the room smiling, ¡°I¡¯m very happy to


    have every one of you here on this happy asion¡­¡±


    I spot Eason leaning against the piano drinking his wine. He seems bored.


    ¡°¡­ Today, not only my son Eason and daughter Natalia are back home, but we are also about to


    wee one more person into our little family. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce her to


    everyone here.¡±


    This is it!


    I involuntarily straighten my back and hold my breath. Who can it be? Candidate number one with her


    sapphire ne or candidate number two carrying the Hermes handbag?


    Mr. Ramirez makes a dramatic little pause before continuing. And then, surprisingly, he looks at my


    direction. My mouth parts slightly in shock. Why is he looking at me? And finally, he calls upon the name


    of Eason¡¯s fianc¨¦.


    ¡°Katherine.¡±


    Mr. Ramirez smiles pleasantly at our direction, ¡°Are you willing to introduce yourself to everyone?¡±


    What?

 Chapter 78

    Chapter 78


    Chapter 78:


    Happy Rotting In Hell The rest of the time is a blur. I vaguely heard that Katherine made a short speech


    about herself but I couldn¡¯t understand a single word that she said. My mind seemed to be shut down


    all of a sudden.


    Katherine, my best friend in Boston, the girl I¡¯ve known for almost 4 years, is Eason¡¯s mysterious


    fianc¨¦?!!!


    But how is the even possible? So when did this thing settle? Ms. Griswold talked about finding Eason a


    marriage partner three years ago, so did Katherine already know that she was going to marry Eason


    back then? Why didn¡¯t she say anything to me? Even if it just became serious recently, she still had


    plenty of chances to tell me today!


    Why the fuck did she keep her mouth shut?!!


    I look up numbly, trying to find Eason in the crowd and see his reaction toward this. But he is not


    standing by the piano anymore. He¡¯s nowhere to be found now.


    The buzzing conversation around me bes louder again as I finally realize that Mr. Ramirez¡¯s


    opening speech is over. A few people approach where we sit and try to congratte Katherine on her


    engagement.


    I suddenly jump up, heading towards the front door.


    ¡°Natalia!¡±


    Someone shouls behind my back. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s Katherine or Alex. But 1 didn¡¯t look back.


    I push open the heavy wooden door with all my might and rush outside. The winter wind in Boston is


    freezing and I¡¯m only wearing a tube-top dress. But weirdly I can¡¯t feel the cold, probably because all


    my senses were shut down all together with my mind.


    Someone catches up me from behind and grabs my shoulder, ¡°Nat where are you going!¡±


    It¡¯s Alex.


    I shiver looking at him. He sighs deeply before asking me bluntly, ¡°you and Eason were together for a


    while three years ago right?¡± I close my eyes helplessly. I¡¯m not surprised that he knows. He was


    already suspecting a long time ago.


    ¡°Natalia, what are you thinking? Eason is not a nice person. You know as well as I do. I assume you


    guys had already ended it, which is great. So just ignore him, let him marry anyone he wants and kick


    that asshole out of your life one thing for all. Isn¡¯t it what you want right now?¡±


    I grab his arm, almost clinging on him to stand straight because I¡¯m shaking like hell. ¡°No, no you don¡¯t


    understand¡­yes we ended it. But why does he need to marry Katherine? Of all people, why


    Katherine!¡± If his fianc¨¦ is a total stranger, I can probably act calm about it and send them my blessing.


    But knowing that person is Katherine opens a gate to all my dark feelings.


    There¡¯s a hint of pity in Alex¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯m shocked, just as you are. Katherine managed to keep us all in


    the dark. But I heard that her family is really well-off, especially her dad¡¯s side. So it also makes sense.¡±


    Yes it makes sense. Because all those girls, Katherine, Valerie, and all Eason¡¯s exes, they are are


    pretty, rich, privileged and smart. They are all perfect matches for Eason. I have nothing topare to


    them. Those girls make me feel little.


    ¡°Just like it go Nat,¡± Alex tightens his grip on my shoulder. ¡°The business with those upper-ss


    people¡­it¡¯s messed up. Why make your hands dirty meddling it? You deserve something much better.¡±


    ¡°Alex¡­¡±


    Before I get to say anything else, a slim figure appears behind Alex¡¯s back. Katherine elegantly


    approaches us smiling, ¡°There you are. Alex, can I have a moment with Nat?¡±


    Alex hesitates but eventually lets go of me. He gives me a worried look before leaving


    Me and Katherine stand face-to-face to each other in the cold wind. The smile on her face is warm and


    sincere as usual, but it suddenly makes me wonder if she ever treated me like a true friend.


    ¡°You rushed out before congratting me first,¡± she slowly begins. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you not happy


    for us?¡±


    ¡°How long have you known?¡± I ask staring at her. I¡¯m tired of circling around and just went straight for


    the point.


    She blinks, innocently. ¡°That I¡¯ll probably marry Eason one day? A long time, actually. That¡¯s why I


    asked to be transferred into his school, because I want to get to know him before everything finalizes.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± 1 gasp, stunned and furious.


    She knew the first time she met Eason?


    ¡°Of course I knew,¡± she giggles lightly. ¡°Why else do you think we became close so quickly? Don¡¯t get


    me wrong Nat, i like you a lot. But I never make friends for no reason.¡±


    And then suddenly, everything clears up for me, like a fog being lifted over the hidden secret


    She knew she was going to be Eason¡¯s fianc¨¦. That¡¯s why she chose my side, determinedly, when I got


    singled out by Valerie¡¯s little group. That wasn¡¯t because she really liked me, but because she also


    hated Eason¡¯s girlfriend.


    I also remembered our little trip to the beach house, the time when she invited Eason without asking


    me first. She said that it was an honest mistake. But now I¡¯ve realized that she probably just wanted to


    spend more time together with Eason.


    I stare at her pretty face and feel goosebumps appearing on my skin. For all these times, she stays


    close to me and Valerie without saying anything about her rtionship with Eason, because she knew


    she¡¯s going to the final victor.


    She terrifies me


    ¡°What¡¯s that face?¡± she is still smiling briskly. ¡°Are you mad?¡±


    ¡°¡­A little, yes.¡± I say sternly.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m sorry for keeping it from you. But that¡¯s why you are mad at me, right? And not for some


    other reasons?¡±


    I clench my jaw and stare at her warily. Does she know what happened between me and Eason?


    Surely if Alex can find it out, so can she.


    As if knowing what I¡¯m thinking, she chuckles and grabs my hands with hers. Her fingers are icily cold,


    like a snake licking my skin. ¡°Gossips fly quickly in this town,¡± she says fondly to me. ¡°But I never let


    those gossips bother me, because I know that some of them aren¡¯t true and some of them are already


    ancient histories. We can still be close friends, Nat. And you are still Eason¡¯s sister, which basically


    makes us family. So are you willing to give me


    your blessing? As my family?¡± I gaze at her, silently. She is a calcted and maniptive hypocrite. I


    have no doubt that if I say no to her now, she¡¯ll tell Mr. Ramirez and everyone else on me right away.


    This is a battle I don¡¯t stand a chance winning. ¡°Fine, I forgive you. And you have my blessing.¡± Yet


    before her face lights uppletely with a smile, I continue, ¡°Because you are a mean and vicious


    person just like Eason, which makes you guys a perfect couple. Happy rotting in hell.¡±


    With that said, I shake her off firmly and walk to the house without looking back.


    ***


    It takes me a few days to fully ept the fact that Katherine and Eason are going to be engaged.


    And the worst part is that Katherine starts to show up frequently at our house after the announcement.


    Oftentimes, when Ie downstairs, there she is, sitting in the living room with Ms. Griswold and Mr.


    Ramirez, talking enthusiastically about the engagement ceremony that¡¯s about toe up.


    Eason, on the other hand, showed very little interest in this whole engagement thing. He acts as if


    Katherine is still his old ssmate from liigh school and not his fianc¨¦. I don¡¯t know what he has been


    thinking, and quite frankly I don¡¯t think I should let myself care anymore.


    If he¡¯s fine with marrying an evil hypocrite, why should I care?


    I n on leaving Boston sooner to stay away from this whole mess. A day before my departure, while


    I¡¯m sit in the kitchen having breakfast with the whole family, Katherine shows up unannounced again.


    She says she wants to go shopping for engagement ring.


    Mom cheers enthusiastically, ¡°Oh great! I cane with you and give you some advice if you like.


    People have said that I have very good taste in jewelry.¡± I sigh internally staring at my coffee. Poor


    mom, she¡¯s probably the only person in this room who has absolutely no clue about anything,


    ¡°Actually¡­¡± Katherine looks over to Eason, who is checking his email and showed no interest what she


    has been saying. ¡°¡­I was thinking maybe Eason coulde with me?¡±


    Mr. Ramirez agrees with a nod, ¡°Of course. He should be the one buying the ring.


    Eason, please go with Katherine today.¡± Eason keeps his eyes on his phone and says tly, ¡°I can¡¯t. I


    have things to do.¡± ¡°Eason, this is the engagement ring. It¡¯s kind of a big deal,¡± mom says


    disapprovingly. ¡°Surely you can take some time off and go with Katherine?¡±


    Eason slightly raises his brow, giving noments on what mom said. The roompses into an


    awkward silence. And right at this moment, Katherine speaks up smiling, ¡°It¡¯s OK. If Eason can¡¯te,


    maybe Natalia can apany me?¡± What? I snap my head up from the te and re at her. Why is


    she dragging me into this? ¡°I just need a shopping partner,¡± Katherine continues lightly. ¡°Nat, you don¡¯t


    have anything else to do today right?¡± That little bitch deserves a round of apuse. She knows how to


    put on an act. I don¡¯t know how she can still smile at me, especially after what we said in the yard a


    couple days ago I want to scold at her, tell her to fuck off. Yet before I do that, I suddenly notice Mr.


    Ramirez staring at me, his eyes deep and dark like an X-ray.


    He wants to see my reaction on this.


    Shit.


    I quickly swallow back those cursing words and puts on a casual smile, ¡°Sure. Why not.¡±


    If that little bitch can act, so can I.


    ¡°You know what?¡±


    Eason suddenly puts away his phone and turns around to me smiling, ¡°I¡¯m actually free today. I¡¯lle


    with you two.¡± ¡°Oh great!¡± mom ps excitedly. ¡°Go buy something nice and pretty dear.¡± I sigh again,


    this time out loud.


    This is not great. This is the opposite of great,


    This is like hell.


    After breakfast, we go to thergest shopping mall in town together. This is the weirdest shopping team


    ever. Katherine has been trying to talk to Eason the whole time, but he just keeps ignoring her, like


    what he did in the restaurant to his ex.


    It makes meugh seeing how hard Katherine tries, but it also makes me wonder. Apparently Eason


    has no feeling for Katherine. Can he really stay married to someone he hates for 50 years and more?


    Or maybe rich people¡¯s marriages just work very differently than ours.


    Upon arriving at the mall, Katherine drags us to thergest jewelry store, probably the most expensive


    one too. She shows a great enthusiasm in everything she sets eyes on in that store. And pretty soon it


    urs to me, she¡¯s not only shopping for engagement ring, but also ne, earrings and brooch.


    I take a quick peek at those price tags and almost faint. God, if we are buying off everything she asked


    to see today, she might max out Eason¡¯s credit card¡­or not. Eason has more money than I can


    possibly imagine. He is thest person I should be worried about right now.


    I nce sideway at the future groom, who is sitting in the corner checking his phone, not giving a damn


    about the fact that his fianc¨¦ is looting the store.


    OK that¡¯s it. I need air.


    L


    I stand up quietly from my seat and exit the VIP lounge. There¡¯s a private restroom for customer in the


    store so I don¡¯t need to go outside.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Just when I close the door to my little stall, the restroom¡¯s door opens up again. Two peoplee


    inside talking. Judging by their conversation, they are salespeople in this store.


    ¡°So I heard Ms. Boothe in today?¡±


    Ms. Booth? My ear perks up. That¡¯s Katherine¡¯sst name. Are they talking about Katherine?


    ¡°Yes. And who would have thought?¡± the other says in a voice of contempt. ¡°I can still remember the


    ugliness when she got forcefully removed from our storest time. She¡¯s got big nerveing back


    here.¡±


    I cover my mouth in shock. Oh iy god.

 Chapter 79

    Chapter 79


    Chapter 79: Wicked Old Crone


    ¡°Why was she removed from our store again?¡± the other saledy asks on time. The same question I


    am wondering.


    ¡°She ordered several pieces of fancy jewelries but can¡¯t make the final payment. The manger offers to


    resell those jewelries on her behalf, yet she didn¡¯t like that option either. She kept telling us to show her


    some respect because her family is very respected in town.¡±


    ¡°Is it?¡±


    ¡°Well, yes, a few years ago. But the Booth family is going downhill and is facing financial crisis right


    now. Oh her poor fianc¨¦. If he marries her, he¡¯ll face so many troubles, like money wise.¡±


    ¡°Her fianc¨¦ is so hot. I think he can do so much better¡­¡±


    And then they leave thedy¡¯s room together.


    I stand still in my little stall, taking a time to process what I just heard.


    So Katherine is only marrying Eason for his money? Does he know about this? Does Mr. Ramirez and


    Ms. Griswold know??


    bet Eason doesn¡¯t know. He didn¡¯t even bother to get to know Katherine, let along her family. But one


    thing for sure is that his mother must know. She must have gone through a thorough background check


    before choosing Katherine as Eason¡¯s marriage partner.


    I suddenly feel a wave of rage surging up inside of me.


    How could she!


    Even though she divorced Mr. Ramirez years ago, she is still


    Eason¡¯s mother! How could she ruin Eason¡¯s happiness like this?!


    And Eason¡­that dumb ass! He should at least get to know Katherine a little better and then he¡¯ll know


    what kind of a mess he is going to marry.


    Eason may have a nasty personality, but I¡¯ve got to admit that he is smart, hardworking, and very


    talented in business. Such a brilliant person doesn¡¯t deserve to spend the rest of his life paying for his


    wife¡¯s family debt.


    I storm out of the restroom and go back to our VIP lounge. When I step inside the room, Katherine is


    just admiring her ring under the light.


    The huge diamond on that ring almost blind my eyes.


    I stride over and grab her hand roughly.


    She jerks up a bit, ¡°Nat! What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°How much is this ring?¡± I stare her straight in the eyes.


    She slightly frowns, a hint of uneasiness on her face. The saledy beside her answers, ¡°Miss, it¡¯s a 10


    carat, cushion cut diamond ring. The most exquisite quality, very ssic style-¡±


    ¡°How much!¡± I cut her off and snap.


    The saledy quivers and answers quickly, ¡°A-about 1200,000 dors.¡±


    More than a million dor.


    And just for a fucking diamond ring?!!


    Anger clouds my head almost immediately. I re at Katherine and ask sternly, ¡°This is very expensive.


    Can you afford it?¡±


    Katherine blinks a few times and I catch a fleeting panic passes her face. But she quicklyposes


    herself and smiles, ¡°It¡¯s expensive, yes, but it¡¯s worth the price. Diamond like this has collection value,


    common knowledge. I¡¯m sorry that you didn¡¯t get the chance to learn these things.¡±


    Oh now she isughing at my background.


    That bitch. I can¡¯t believe I treated her as my friend.


    ¡°Why are you mad, Nat?¡± Katherine asks while acting innocent. ¡± Don¡¯t you want your future sister-in-


    law to have the best in the world? If you truly love your brother-¡±


    She emphasizes the word ¡°brother¡± purposely.


    ¡°-then you shouldn¡¯t act this way.¡±


    I can see mockery flickering in her eyes.


    Just then, Eason, who has been sitting by the corner silently the whole time, finally rises from his seat


    and walks to us. He ces his arm around Katherine¡¯s shoulder and turns back at me, his green eyes


    slightly narrowing.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± he asks.


    ¡°Oh, nothing.¡± Katherine leans her head against Eason¡¯s chest and smiles, ¡°Nat was only concerned


    that the diamond I chose is too big and too expensive. Can you tell her it¡¯s the standard size and value


    for family like us?¡±


    Family like us?


    Now every word she said bes a stab at my heart.


    Eason keeps his eyes on me, his face unreadable. I move anxiously on my spot under his intense


    gaze. Is he mad that I¡¯m meddling his business?


    But then I remember what I heard in thedy¡¯s room and suddenly find some steel.


    I¡¯m doing this for a reason.


    ¡°Eason, can I talk to you for a minute?¡± I ask.


    Katherine straightens her back a little, looking nervous. She tries to say something, but Eason lets go


    of her almost immediately.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk outside,¡± he says.


    We find an empty room down the hallway and close the door. I¡¯m still nning on how I should tell him,


    but he turns around facing me and shoots first, ¡°Why are you messing with my fianc¨¦?¡±


    I¡¯m immediately infuriated.


    ¡°Messing with her?¡± I raise my voice in disbelief and roar. ¡°I¡¯m saving you, you dumb idiot! Do you know


    that her family is


    carrying huge debts and is probably counting on you to save their ass? You are nothing but a money


    bag to her! Don¡¯t get fooled!¡±


    He frowns, ¡°What debt?¡±


    Just as I expected, he doesn¡¯t know.


    I take in a deep breath and continue, ¡°Ask you mom, or Mr. Ramirez. Or at least do some investigation


    on her yourself. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s something hidden-¡±


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    He suddenly takes a step toward me before I finish, closing the gap between us. I jerk up and move


    back. But he doesn¡¯t stop till he traps me between the wall and his chest.


    ¡°OK there¡¯s a money problem,¡± he stares at me closely, his voice strained. ¡°But why do you care?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about? Back away!¡±


    I try to push him away, but he stands still.


    ¡°Even if there¡¯s a money problem, it¡¯s between me and Katherine. Why do you care?¡± he questions me


    sternly.


    ¡°Because! I don¡¯t want you to get fooled and sacrifice your marriage and your lifetime of happiness!


    Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡± He pushes me, breathing heavily. ¡°Why do you care about my marriage and my happiness? I


    fooled you, I yed you and I lied to you. Now seeing someone else doing the exact same thing to me


    should give you some sort of a satisfaction. Why are you acting so mad?¡±


    I re at him, my jaw dropping.


    This conversation is not going where I want it.


    ¡°You are missing the point,¡± I try to bring his focus back. ¡°I¡¯m talking about Katherine and her family. Do


    you hear me?¡±


    ¡°No, this is the point,¡± he replies stubbornly. ¡°The point is, why do you still care about me?¡±


    His bright green eyes raid across my face as if he¡¯s trying to search for an answer. Yet, honestly, I don¡¯t


    know the answer to his question myself.


    I don¡¯t know if I still care about him.


    Maybe a little bit.


    Well, a lot, actually.


    Maybe it has exceeded the appropriate amount of caring I should have for my brother, which makes me


    panic.


    I suddenly shove him aside and shout angrily at him, ¡°Fine! Marry her! See if I care!¡±


    Then, without waiting for his reaction, I lunge at the doorknob and run outside.


    Rage is burning inside of me.


    Does that vicious little bitch think she can y me like a fool and marry into this family that easily? No,


    ain¡¯t going to happen.


    I¡¯m done being the push-over. I won¡¯t have one more person walk all over me like that.


    The first thing I get home is to cancel my ticket back to New York. I need a few more days toplete


    my n. Liam said he was going to visit me after Christmas. I¡¯m afraid that I won¡¯t be able to meet him


    there.


    After I tell him about my n, he sighs deeply.


    ¡°You said you have something to do in Boston,¡± he slowly asks me. ¡°Does like little something involves


    Eason?¡±


    Ipse into silence, not knowing what to say.


    ¡°Natalia, you¡¯ve probably heard this a million times but I¡¯m telling you this again anyway: Eason doesn¡¯t


    deserve you. Walk away from him.¡±


    ¡°I know, but¡­¡±


    I bite my bottom lip in frustration. I don¡¯t know why, but suddenly today I have an urge to defend him.


    ¡°¡­but Eason has changed a lot. He started apany on his own, even sold his sports car for that. He


    has done nothing bad to me since we met. He isn¡¯t that mean rich brat anymore.¡±


    Liamughs bitterly on the other end. I can imagine that he is probably shaking his head in disapproval


    right now.


    ¡°We¡¯ll forever hold different opinions on this Natalia,¡± he said. ¡± And let me guess, you still love him.¡±


    I hold my breath involuntarily, my heartrate quickening. It¡¯s a lot more frightening hearing this from


    someone else.


    But yes, he is right.


    I do still love Eason.


    I keep telling myself that I¡¯ve moved on from Eason, but the truth is that my heart is still trapped where


    it was three years ago. It¡¯s too hard for me to set eyes on another person after Eason. That handsome,


    brilliant and proud bad boy is almost impossible to forget.


    ¡°I will take your silence as a yes,¡± Liam says lowly on the other end. ¡°This is probably toote. But let¡¯s


    just say if you hadn¡¯t run into him this time, do I stand a chance with you?¡±


    ¡°Liam¡­¡± I¡¯m a little stunned.


    I know he probably has a thing for me, but we both choose not to break it. I once thought that he would


    never say anything about it, until just yet.


    After a long pause, I finally speak up slowly, ¡°Liam¡­there isn¡¯t an if.¡±


    If there is a ¡°if,¡± I¡¯d choose not to go back to Boston three years ago.


    But there isn¡¯t.


    Liam sighs again, ¡°You are right. I just kept thinking if I made a move on you a little sooner, maybe we


    would be together already. But I didn¡¯t want to force you into anything, like what Eason did.¡±


    ¡°Because you are a better person than he is.¡±


    ¡°Yeah I think I am.¡±


    We bothugh out together. The atmosphere lightens up immediately.


    Before hanging up, Liam says to me, ¡°Go fight for that asshole, Natalia. He doesn¡¯t deserve you, but


    you deserve to get whatever you want in your life.¡±


    I smile briefly at his pep talk. Liam is a good brother. I own him so much.


    After the call, I go back to my n immediately. I have to find a way to prove that there¡¯s something


    wrong with their marriage. I don¡¯t know any of Katherine¡¯s family. So my only possible breakthrough is


    Ms. Griswold, who is behind this marriage the entire time.


    To be honest, that woman terrifies me. She despises me, like I¡¯m a piece of trash. But today I feel more


    empowered than ever. It¡¯s about time for me to stand up to those powerful bullies in my life.


    I grab something from my bag and hurry to the front door again. On the way, I bump into my mom.


    ¡°Where are you going!¡± she shouts after me. ¡°Today is Christmas Eve! Promise me you¡¯ll be back on


    time for dinner!¡±


    ¡°I will! Don¡¯t worry!¡± I should back.


    If my n goes sessfully as I expect.


    Eason mentioned to me that Ms. Griswold is staying at a fancy hotel downtown, and she¡¯ll being to


    the Christmas party at our house tomorrow. I call for a cab and tell the driver my destination.


    30 minutester, I stand inside of the hotel lobby, thinking about a way to bribe Ms. Griswold¡¯s room


    number out of the receptionist¡¯s mouth. Before I cane up with a n, a couple walks inside just on


    time.


    What are the odds.


    It¡¯s her, holding hands with her malepanion.


    I quickly dodge to the side and keeps my eyes on them. I see Ms. Griswold handing the hall boy a


    shopping bag and asking him to drop this off at their room, 2709.


    Fantastic.


    I watch them closely as they talk. Odd, herpanion seems very familiar to me. Have I seen this man


    before?


    Eventually they kiss goodbye and Ms. Griswold heads to the elevator alone. I wait for her to leave, then


    walk over to the reception desk.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I pull out the sincerest smile and say to the receptionist. ¡°I have a special delivery for Ms.


    Griswold, 2709.¡±


    The receptionist checks herputer and frowns, ¡°You sure you have the right room number? 2709 is


    under the name Mr. Booth.¡±


    Booth?! That¡¯s Katherine¡¯sst name!


    I stare dumbfounded at the receptionist for a few seconds and suddenly realize everything.


    Mr. Booth, her malepanion who seems very familiar to me¡­


    I¡¯ve never seen that man before. But I¡¯ve met his daughter, who looks exactly like him.


    The man Ms. Griswold is dating is Katherine¡¯s father.


    No wonder¡­no wonder she wants Eason to marry Katherine.


    Fuck! That wicked old crone!


    The receptionist stares at me and frowns warily, ¡°I¡¯ll have to make a call to the room before letting you


    up.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡± I slowly reveal a cold smile. ¡°Tell her. The delivery is from Natalia Moore.¡±

 Chapter 80

    Chapter 80


    Chapter 80: Christmas Gift


    ¡°Come in,¡± Ms. Griswold steps aside and lets me into her presidential suite.


    The room is enormouslyrge. While I¡¯m still carefully studying theyout of the room, Ms. Griswold


    already walked past me to the liquor cab and poured lierself a scotch. ¡°So,¡± she takes her seat and


    crosses her legs, ¡°Why do you need to see me?¡±


    Her eyes are full of distant. She doesn¡¯t even hate me. She just thinks that I¡¯m a dirt that doesn¡¯t


    deserve her time and attention.


    ¡°Well?¡± she urges me. ¡°Hurry. I don¡¯t have all day.¡±


    So I speak, straightforwardly, ¡°Call off their marriage now.¡± She pauses for a short moment, and then


    burst into a boomingughter. Sheuglis so hard that her scotch spilled out. ¡°Oh dear, oh dear,¡± she


    shakes her head stillughing, ¡°Are youing here to beg me? If you are, at least give me the proper


    attitude, like crying, pleading, dropping to your knees?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not liere to beg you,¡± my jaw tenses. Yet


    she carries on as if she didn¡¯t hear me, ¡°Your mom was really good at it you know? She begged me to


    give up on Shawn. She begged so hard that I almost feel sorry for her¡±


    I stride over and snatch her ss of scotch. The next moment, I smash the ss onto the floor,


    causing her to jump up from her seat and scream.


    ¡°You crazy little bitch!¡± she yells at the top of her lung. ¡°What are you doing!¡±


    ¡°Do not insult my mother,¡± I point a finger at her panic face. ¡°You thought I didn¡¯t know what happened?


    My mom met Mr. Ramirez after you two were divorced. She doesn¡¯t need to beg you to give up on Mr.


    Ramirez, because he already left you a long time before that.¡±


    Her face is twisted with fury and embarrassment, ¡°You disrespectful little shit-¡±


    ¡°I would have poured that scotch onto your face if you weren¡¯t Eason¡¯s mother. Now, sit and listen to


    me!¡±


    1 point at the sofa andmand her. I¡¯m a little shocked at how brave I am right now. I used to be


    terrified of confrontations. I tried to avoid it at all costs. Yet now, I¡¯m bossing around Ms. Griswold. God


    I¡¯m proud of myself.


    Guess I¡¯m just really mad at what she did to Eason, Anger gives me courage.


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    She stares at me, astonished. To my surprise, she sits down eventually under mymand and


    snorts, ¡°What else do you have to say? Their marriage is settled. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m calling it off.¡±


    I decide to cut to the chase, ¡°I know you are after Eason¡¯s inheritance. Katherine¡¯s family is carrying


    huge debt. Only the Ramirez¡¯s money can get them out of their deep hole. Call off their marriage now


    or I¡¯ll tell everyone about this.¡±


    She sneers, ¡°That¡¯s your big reason? Wake up to the real world dear! All upper-ss marriages are


    based on either money or title. Eason has money and Katherine has title. It¡¯s a win-win.¡±


    I looks at lier coldly, ¡°I also know that you are daling Katherine¡¯s father.¡±


    That¡¯s when her cocky smile freezes up. I carry on, knowing that I¡¯ve pushed the right button, ¡°You are


    trying to use Eason¡¯s inheritance to save the Booth¡¯s family, right?llow do you think Mr. Ramirez will


    react to this? If he finds out that his ex-wife is ganging up with lier lover to steal his money? I guess he


    wouldn¡¯t be very pleased.¡±


    She narrows her eyes dangerously, like a predator setting eyes on its prey. But I¡¯m not afraid of her


    anymore. Between the only two people in this room, I¡¯m the younger and stronger one


    She slowly rises from her seat, approaching me. ¡°You¡¯ve got a lot of nerve meddling our business,


    youngdy. Do you know what you are facing? We are fucking powerful people. I can stamp you out


    like a fucking cockroach if I want to.¡±


    ¡°Oli yeah?¡± I whisper back, staring defiantly into her eyes. ¡°What can you do?¡± ¡°OK if you really want to


    know¡­oh you are studying at Columbia University, right? And you have a student loan? Can you still


    afford a school like that if your student loan is revoked?¡± she cles.


    My heart sinks. This is low. ¡°No you can¡¯t,¡± I try to stop myself from panicking, ¡°You can revoke it based


    on no grounds. Ji¡¯s against the policy -¡±


    ¡°Policy my ass. Policy andw are only used to control normal people like you. For powerful people like


    us, it¡¯ll only take me a phone call to the university board to destroy your academic lise. Now get it?¡±


    I eye her furiously, iny hand curling up into a ball


    My angry expression pleases her and she continues even more excitedly, ¡°oh and you have a


    stepbrother Liam right? I heard that he is currently working at aw firm in Chicago. What if I tell you


    that a senior partner at thatw firm also happens to be my friend? It¡¯s very easy to fire a junior


    attorney like him.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you touch liim!¡± I snap.


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m not the one here seeking trouble, OK?¡± she points her finger at my chest andughs coldly.


    ¡°None of this would happen if you just step aside and pretend you didn¡¯t see anything. Go find


    someone ordinary and boring. My son is way out of your league.¡±


    She knows about me and Eason!


    How could she know? When did she know!


    Did Mr. Ramirez tell her? No, I doubt it¡­he knows that we have a rough rtionship, so he would


    never do anything intentionally to deteriorate it.


    So she must have lown for a very long time.


    And then, something shes across my mind, and I cry out in shock, ¡°The letter¡­the flower¡­ the


    message! It was you!!¡±


    11 there really is a tyysterious someone who took away the letter and flower Eason Sent me three


    years ago, it could only be her.


    She is the only one who had the full ess to the entire liouse. She was also around the house a lot,


    which means that she could easily use my phone to text Lason and deleted the message afterwards.


    And most importantly, she is the only person who bales une enough to orchestrate the whole thing


    Faced by my usation, she lets out a short and shrillugh.


    ¡°It took you long enough to find out, didn¡¯t it?¡± she shrugs her shoulders. ¡°That move wasn¡¯t clever, but


    it was still enough to keep you two separated for years. I did it once. I can do it


    again.¡±


    1 stare at lier, my body shaking. How could she-how could a mother do something like that to her own


    son?!


    ¡°You are his mom for god¡¯s sake! Have you ever thought about what¡¯s good for him?!¡±


    ¡°I have! That¡¯s why I¡¯m asking him to marry Katherine instead of you!¡± she stares at me critically and


    snorts. ¡°You think you deserve my son, you little scumbag? I¡¯ve already lost my husband to that whore.


    I¡¯m not losing my son again to her daughter!¡±


    My chest moves up and down rapidly because of anger. She lets out a sneer and goes into the


    bedroom. Momentster, shees back with a letter in her hand.


    I suddenly realize what it is. I can¡¯t believe she still has it after all those years.


    ¡°You can have this, on one condition.¡± She waves the letter in the air, like luring me into a trap. ¡°You


    promise. You will never tell anyone about anything we talked about today.¡± My eyes follow the letter


    involuntarily, ¡°I promise.¡±


    She studies my face, carefully judging if I¡¯m telling the truth. Momentster, she hands me the letter,


    ¡°Remember. It only takes one phone call to destroy both you and your brother¡¯s futures.¡±


    I snap the letter away from her and turn around to leave. She giggles behind me, her voice full of


    mockery, as if she¡¯sughing at myplete failure. I hurry out of her room, running down the hallway


    and straight into the elevator. When I make sure no one is around, I carefully take out something from


    my pocket.


    A recorder.


    I¡®ve recorded every single word she said to me. I sneer internally, looking at the recorder in my palm.


    Yes, I promised not to tell anyone myself. But people will hear the truth from her own mouth.


    I guess slie still underestimated me. She should have searchied me first before letting me in.


    Then I open Eason¡¯s letter eagerly. My lieart is thumbing wildly against my chiest.


    I can¡¯t wait to see what he has got to say to me 6 years ago¡­?


    ***


    When I get back liome, it¡¯s almost 12, long past dinner time.


    I sneak into the house quietly. Everyone has gone to bed, except Eason. He is sitting by the


    firece when Ie in, with a book on hisp.


    (Where have you been?¡± le raises his eyebrow at me. ¡°It¡¯s Christmas Eve. Your mom was pissed off big


    time.¡±


    I dust off the snow on my shoulder and sit down beside him, ¡°I was out getting your Christinas gist


    ready.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± he seems surprised.


    I take out a beautifully wrapped gift box and hand it to him, ¡°Merry Christmas Eason.¡± He epts my


    gift, astonished and shocked. The light from the firece is dancing in his green eyes, adding a


    mourous glow to his pupil. He is so handsome, almost godlike. I look at him intently, not missing a


    single change of reaction on his face.


    ¡°Why are you looking me like this?¡± he murmurs. A nervous blush appears on his face, which is kind of


    cute.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I smile lightly. ¡°Hey Eason. Can I ask you a question?¡± ¡°Yeah, of course.¡± He sits up a bit.


    ¡°Do you love Katherine?¡± He suddenly widens his eyes. His jaw is clenched immediately.¡±¡­What?¡± ¡°I


    said, do you love Katherine?¡± I repeat my question. And before he makes a sound, I answer that


    question myself. ¡°I don¡¯t think you do.¡± He leans forward even more, a clear hint of anxiousness on his


    face. He stretches out his arm and tries to grab me, but I stand up before he gets me. ¡°Good night,


    Eason.¡± I say breezily. I bend down to hug him and feel his muscle tensed up like a piece of rock under


    his shirt. That hug is really brief. Before he can react, I already walk away. ¡°Natalia!¡± he growls lowly


    behind me. ¡°What the fuck¡± ¡°Just open my gift!¡± I wave my hand and go upstairs without turning back.


    That night, I go to sleep with a light mood. But a loud noise wakes me up during the middle of the night.


    I open my eyes sleepily, yawing, and then realize the noise ising from the door.


    Someone is pounding at my bedroom door. ¡°Natalia! Open the fucking door!¡± God, does he want


    everyone to hear him? I hurry to the door. As soon as I open it, he storms in. ¡°What the hell is this?¡± he


    raises my Christmas gilt, his eyes bloodshot. It¡¯s that recorder with all my conversations with Ms.


    Griswold in it.

 Chapter 81

    Chapter 81


    Chapter 81: Love Confession


    I knew he would definitelye and confront me after listening to the recorder. But I didn¡¯t know that


    he couldn¡¯t even wait till the morning.


    ¡°Have you listened to it yet?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Of course!¡± he huffs. ¡°Why did you do it? Why did you go find my mom?¡±


    I¡¯ve expected him to be angry and confused. No one wants to be told that his fianc¨¦ is an evil person


    right before the engagement. But he doesn¡¯t love Katherine, that I can be sure of, so he can take the


    bad news. I just need to break it down to him slowly.


    ¡°Your mom asked me not to tell anyone. But you have the right to know.¡± I sit down by my bed, taking in


    a deep breath before continuing. ¡°Your mom is dating


    Katherine¡¯s father, which is why she has ganged up with them to steal your money. If you marry her,


    you will lose all your family wealth to them.¡±


    1.11


    Yet he remains silent. He just stands there, staring at me with a set of dark eyes.


    I frown, frustrated. Doesn¡¯t he trust me? The fact is so in and simple. Why is he still doubting me?!


    ¡°Look,¡± I try to persuade him with a little more patience, ¡°I know you don¡¯t care whom you marry to, but


    at least you deserve to be with someone who values your hard work! You worked so hard for


    everything! Don¡¯t throw it away!¡±


    He suddenly takes a big stride forward. My nightstand lights up his face and I finally get to see his


    expression clearly. To my surprise, he doesn¡¯t seem angry and confused. Instead, he seems more


    anxious and eager.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you about Katherine. She is irrelevant.¡± his voice is strained. ¡°All I want to know is why you


    care about me so much?¡±


    Here ites again. The same question he asked me in the jewelry store. What does he want me to


    say!


    Then I look into his eyes, which alight with eagerness and longing. Suddenly an almost absurd idea


    shes through my mind.


    Oh god. Could he still-love me?


    I¡¯m scared by that fleeting thought. No way, impossible. He was going to marry someone else. How can


    he marry another person when he is still in love with me?!


    Just then, he crouches down in front me. He takes both of my hand and brings them to his lips. He


    looks up at me, and murmurs in a way that almost sounds like pleading, Please Natalia¡­just give me a


    reason. Stop torturing me.¡±


    ¡°Eason¡­¡± I swallow and continue carefully. ¡°Are you do you still love me?¡±


    He pauses, staring back into my eyes weakly. This is the first time in almost three years he doesn¡¯t try


    to mask out his emotions in front of me. I see so many things in those eyes, sadness, desperation,


    longing¡­and love.


    He speaks up slowly, breathing hard. ¡°If¡­if I¡¯m still in love with you¡­what would you say?¡±


    My heart almost stops beating.


    He still loves me! God, he still loves me!!


    ¡°Fuck, say something!¡± he curses and buries his face into my palms. ¡°You are killing me. Just say that


    you are disgusted and want me to get out of here. Come on, say it. I can take it¡­¡±


    ¡°Why do you think I will be disgusted?¡± I mutter in a low voice.


    ¡°I-I lied to you. I carried on with my stupid revenge n without looking into the whole story. I know I


    don¡¯t deserve your forgiveness. And surely¡­I don¡¯t deserve to love you.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯ve changed!¡± I can¡¯t bear listening to him anymore. ¡°I¡¯ve forgiven you, a long time ago.


    Especially now that I know your mom set the both of us up. You are not the one to me.¡±


    He snaps his head up, his eyes brighter than usual. A smile lights up his face gradually, and I can¡¯t help


    but smile with him.


    ¡°I must be daydreaming,¡± he squeezes my hand, breathing hard and fast. ¡°But Nat, do you still have


    feelings for me-even the slightest.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I nod, giving him a clear and honest answer. We¡¯ve wasted 6 years already. I don¡¯t want us to


    wait another second. ¡± Maybe I¡¯m crazy¡­but I still love you.¡±


    He lets out a joyful low growl, jumping up and cupping my face with both of his hands. The next


    second, his hot lips are on mine. He kisses me, hard and deep, as if he wants to gobble me down. I


    raise my head to wee his lips and tongue while moaning in satisfaction. I miss this so much, the


    passion. that no one else can give me.


    ¡°This feels like a dream¡­¡± he murmurs hoarsely between our kisses. ¡°I¡¯ve dreamed at least a thousand


    times that I didn¡¯t make all those mistakes and you never left me. But then I open my eyes and you


    disappear from my sight¡­¡±


    I feel tears welling up in my eyes. I had the same experience when I left him. All those nightmares kept


    me from falling asleep.


    But luckily, we are back together now.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a dream.¡± I hug him with all my might and whisper beside his ear. ¡°We love each other.


    Nothing can keep us apart anymore.¡±


    He buries his face onto my shoulder and tightens his arms around me. I think I hear a few low sobs


    from him.


    We lie on the bed silently for a long time.


    Even though none of us said a word, we can feel each other¡¯s heartbeat and heat. I rest my head on


    his chest, feeling my heart so peaceful and full right now.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me you love me when you first met me?¡± I break the silence first.


    If I¡¯m still mad at him for something, it¡¯s the fact that he was going to marry someone else without


    letting me know how he really feels.


    ¡°I was terrified.¡± He whispers lowly. ¡°I was afraid that if I told you, you would avoid me again. I can¡¯t


    bear to lose you for the third time. I even made up my mind to keep my feelings to myself and just treat


    you nicely like your brother, if that¡¯s what I need to do to keep you by my side.¡±


    My heart aches. He has really learnt his lesson.


    ¡°But what if I didn¡¯t stop you? Are you really going to marry Katherine? Do you have any idea what kind


    of person she is?¡±


    He pauses, and then shakes his head slightly. ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t know¡­probably. I told you. If I can¡¯t


    marry you, it doesn¡¯t matter whom I marry. I didn¡¯t even ask my mom who is my fianc¨¦. I just didn¡¯t give


    a fuck. I was so desperate and lost.¡±


    ¡°And you just ruin your life like this?¡±


    He kisses me on my forehead, his lips slightly trembling. ¡°Yeah. That was the n.


    I¡¯m so lucky to have you.¡±


    I smile. ¡°So? What are we going to do with Katherine and your mom?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll call off this marriage first thing in the marriage. But I presume that you will want to vent your anger a


    little bit yourself?¡±


    I raise my eyebrow slightly, ¡°I can do anything I want?¡±


    ¡°Anything,¡± says him determinedly.


    ¡°I might give each of them a hot p,¡± I giggle.


    ¡°And they deserve it,¡± his tone turns cold. ¡± I¡¯ll never forgive my mother for treating you like that.¡±


    ¡°What about your dad? He won¡¯t be happy about this.¡±


    ¡°He is a reasonable man. I¡¯m sure he will understand eventually. And if he doesn¡¯t, I can take you with


    me and leave this family together. Let him live with his family honors and other craps. I¡¯m financially


    independent. I don¡¯t need his money and approval anymore.¡±


    ¡°Right. You have your own business now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to be a better person after you left,¡± he hugs me tighter, like holding on to a


    treasure. ¡°Guess I¡¯ve been waiting for you toe back to me all along.¡±


    ***


    We talked about a lot of things that night. Eventually I can¡¯t fight my sleepiness and drift into


    dreand.


    I haven¡¯t had such a good sleep in a very long time.


    When I open my eyes again, I find myself lying on my side with Eason¡¯s arms wrapped around me from


    the back.


    He notices I¡¯m wake almost instantly. ¡± Morning babe.¡±


    ¡°What time is it?¡± I rub my sleepy eyes.


    ¡°Almost 3 in the afternoon,¡± He says.


    ¡°What!¡± I sit up immediately, suddenly wide awake. ¡°Today¡¯s Christmas! Did my mome and get


    me?¡±


    ¡°She did. But I locked your bedroom door and stayed quiet. You phone has been buzzing nonstop. She


    must think that you didn¡¯te homest night.¡±


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    I grab my phone and find at least 30 messages and missing calls from my mom. She thought I had


    already gone back to New York without telling her.


    ¡°I need to freshen up,¡± I jump off bed and stagger toward the bathroom. Eason follows behind me. He


    rests his chin on my head while I¡¯m brushing my teeth. His hot breath spreads on my earlobe and


    makes me itchy.


    ¡°Hey stop.¡± I giggle.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m not letting go of you ever again, he hugs me tighter.


    I kind of like this clingy version of him. So I let him be.


    ¡°Nat,¡± he says lowly behind me. ¡°My mother and Katherine are here. Also some of my dad¡¯s close


    friends.¡±


    Right. They are here for the Christmas party all those noble and important people gathered up for a


    fancy party.


    ¡°Do you want me to spare them for this time?¡± I ask.


    He snickers shaking his head, ¡°God no. The more people the merrier. I¡¯m just telling you that today is


    the perfect chance for revenge. I¡¯m doing it if you don¡¯t.¡±


    Iugh out, ¡°Don¡¯t take the fun away from me!¡±


    He bends down and gives me a long kiss. Go kick their ass, babe. I¡¯ll be right there with you.¡±

 Chapter 82

    Chapter 82


    Chapter 82: Sweet Revenge


    When wee downstairs, there¡¯s already arge group of people gathered in the living room. The


    center of the crowd is Katherine, who is bragging her diamond ring to a few well-dresseddies.


    So Eason still bought the ring for her? I snap my head back ring at him. He frowns and whispers


    back: ¡°I was so caught up by our little argument that I didn¡¯t notice she took my credit card.¡±


    That little bitch!


    I puff my chest up and march into the living room. The chattering grouppses into a short silence


    when they notice the unexpected intruder, me. The cold expression on my face immediately sets


    everyone on the edge of their seats.


    Mom stands up from the seat besides Ms. Griswold (seriously I don¡¯t know how she can stand being in


    the same room with that woman) and wees me, ¡°Natalia where have you been? Come and look at


    Katherine¡¯s engagement ring. It¡¯s so pretty.¡±


    I ignore her and look straight into Katherine¡¯s eyes. ¡°Give me the ring.¡±


    She sits there holding the ring box with her lips slightly parted. I guess she didn¡¯t expect me toe up


    to her so forcefully. But she quickly recovers from the shock and says weakly, ¡°What do you mean


    Natalia? This ismy engagement ring. Eason bought it for me. You can¡¯t snatch it away from me simply


    because you don¡¯t have one.¡±


    The piteous look on her face wins her a few sympathetic looks from people around us.


    Mom is twisting her slim fingers together nervously. She always cares very much how these upper-


    ss people perceive her. ¡°Nat, don¡¯t make a scene. Have some manners!¡±


    ¡°Mom. I got this.¡±


    ¡°But-¡±


    Suddenly, Eason¡¯s voicees behind us. ¡°I bought this ring for you? Howe I didn¡¯t remember


    any of this?¡±


    He walks through the crowd and stands by my side facing Katherine. He sneers with a hint of mockery,


    ¡°I think the correct expression would be: you stole my credit card and bought the ring along with some


    other fancy jewelries without checking with me first.¡±


    A buzz ran through the crowd. Katherine flushes embarrassedly within the muttering around the room.


    Right at this moment, Ms.


    Griswold rises from her seat and interrupts everyone¡¯s discussion sternly, ¡°Eason, you are acting like a


    child. If you don¡¯t like the ring, go and buy another one for Katherine. She is your fianc¨¦. She doesn¡¯t


    deserve to be treated like this.¡±


    A fewdies agree her with a nod. Ms. Griswold shots a warning re at me but I only return her a


    sarcastic eyeroll.


    ¡°It¡¯s not the ring I don¡¯t like,¡± Eason says coldly. ¡°It¡¯s her. This marriage won¡¯t be happening. I¡¯m officially


    calling it off.¡±


    Mom lets out a short and shrill cry and quickly covers her mouth. The room bursts into a great deal of


    mutinous muttering as Ms. Griswold clenches her fists furiously.


    Katherine already started to cry.


    ¡°Eason! This is not your decision to make!¡± Ms. Griswold roars viciously, forgetting her upper-ss


    manner temporarily.


    ¡°Why!¡± Katherine sobs weakly. ¡°Did I do something wrong? Please just tell me¡­¡±


    The living room has turned into aplete mass. And right at this moment, a stern voicees from


    the staircase, cooling down the hot discussion downstairs instantly:


    ¡°What¡¯s happening here!¡±


    Everyone raises their heads to look. It¡¯s Mr. Ramirez, and Katherine¡¯s father Mr. Booth.


    How wonderful is that? Everyone I need has arrived at the scene.


    Mr. Ramirez strides forward to us. And then the next second, a hard and hot p hasnded on


    Eason¡¯s face.


    ¡°You shamed this family!¡± he growls lowly.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I jerk up a bit. But Eason grabs my arms and gestures me to calm down. He raises up his swollen face,


    looking back at Mr. Ramirez firmly.


    ¡°You can p me, hit me, cut me off, or even take away my family name,¡± Eason says. ¡°But I¡¯m not


    marrying Katherine Booth. I won¡¯t spend the rest of my life with a dishonorable person like her and


    wiping her family¡¯s ass.¡±


    Mr. Ramirez slightly frowns, ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    I break free from Eason¡¯s grip and step forward. I won¡¯t get him fight our battle alone.


    ¡°Katherine and her family are carrying huge debts! They are on the edge of going bankrupt!¡± I raise my


    voice, making sure everyone hears me clearly. ¡°Mr. Booth is here! Do you deny it?¡±


    Everyone snaps their head around towards Mr. Booth, who is blushing angrily. He ms his hand


    against the table and yells,


    Nonsense! Shawn, you and I are friends for years! Do you believe my words or this lying little twat-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk to her like that!¡± Eason snaps.


    I snort and turn to Ms. Griswold, whose face is pale like a piece of paper. ¡°And you, Ms. Griswold. You


    are dating Mr. Booth. And that¡¯s why you arranged this marriage so that the Ramirez¡¯s money can flow


    naturally to your lover¡¯s household. This marriage is based entirely on schemes and lies!¡±


    ¡°Liar!¡± Ms. Griswold screams at the top of her lung, pointing a finger at my face. ¡°You are a shameless


    liar! Someone gets her out of here!¡±


    ¡°This is my home!¡± I shout back. ¡°If someone needs to leave, it¡¯s you guys. Call me a liar all you want.


    But here¡¯s the hard proof!¡±


    I take out that recorder, which contains all our conversations from yesterday, and hit the y button.


    Ms. Griswold¡¯s voice flows out from the recorder, ¡°¡­Do you know what you are facing? We are fucking


    powerful people. I can stamp you out like a fucking cockroach if I want to-¡±


    ¡°Stop!!!!¡±


    She screams furiously, waving her hands in the middle air like a mad person, her face contorting with


    rage.


    ¡°How dare you! You piece of shit! How dare you recorded it!¡±


    She lunges at me like a crazy lion as if she¡¯s trying to kill me. Eason immediately drags me into his


    arms to protect me. Yet at the same time, another person wraps around her arms around Ms.


    Griswold¡¯s waist and tackles her to the ground.


    My mom sits on top of Ms. Griswold, pining her hands to the floor. ¡°Don¡¯t touch my daughter!¡±


    Mom?? I¡¯m stunned. I¡¯ve never seen this aggressive side of her.


    ¡°Alicia!¡± Mr. Ramirez hurries forward and helps her up. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    Mom grabs his cor with shaking hands,


    She attacked my daughter! Under my roof! I -I won¡¯t allow it!¡±


    ¡°Guards!¡± Mr. Ramirez raises his voice.


    Almost instantly, a few bodyguards rush into the living room and contains Ms. Griswold forcefully.


    ¡°Shawn Ramirez!¡± the crazy woman struggles violently. ¡°Let me go! Or I swear to god, everyone will


    hear about this tomorrow! The scandal will fly across town like a rocketship!¡±


    ¡°The scandal is already out there, and you caused it,¡± Mr. Ramirez says in an expressionless voice.


    He turns around facing all guests, ¡°My dear friends and family, I¡¯m sorry for you to see this. But there


    are some family disputes that


    I need to settle first.¡±


    Most people are too shocked to say a word.


    And some of them are eager to see more dramas.


    Mr. Ramirez looks around the room, his icy eyes traveling pass Ms. Griswold¡¯s face, and eventually


    fixes his gaze on Mr. Booth, who is sweating like hell right now.


    ¡°I won¡¯t ask you about the debt,¡± Mr. Ramirez slowly speaks up, ¡°because I¡¯ll look into that myself. Just


    answer me this. Did you gang up with anyone else to steal Eason¡¯s inheritance?¡±


    Mr. Booth gulps, breathing hard. It seems like he is melting down there.


    I almost feel sorry for him. It takes a lot of guts to handle the pressure from Mr. Ramirez. And


    apparently, this man doesn¡¯t have any.


    Eventually, he falls apart and mutters lowly,


    ¡°¡­yes.¡±


    ¡°Pfff!¡± Ms. Griswold spits at him, ¡°You weak wuss! Why did I choose you?! You got no spine!!¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t my fault!¡± Mr. Booth yells back. ¡± You know Shawn. He will find out everything eventually! I¡¯ve


    told you. This is a terrible idea to begin with-¡±


    ¡°Enough.¡±


    Mr. Ramirez waves his hand dismissively, looking disgusted. ¡°Guards, get them out of here.¡±


    His bodyguards pull Ms. Griswold up from the floor and drag her to the front gate, despite her violent


    kicking, biting, struggling and cursing. They dump her on the snow ground outside. Mr. Booth runs like


    a rat. He doesn¡¯t even need anyone to escort him.


    When bodyguardse to Katherine, she clings to the chair like a sloth and refuses to be removed.


    ¡°No! No please! Don¡¯t kick me out!¡± she screams and cries like a baby. ¡°I didn¡¯t know any of their ns!


    I love you Eason! Trust me!!¡±


    I stand in front of her, looking down at her pretty face being smudged by tears and snots. She used to


    be a lively girl with a pleasant personality. But everything has changed.


    ¡°Cut the crap.¡± I grab her hairs forcing her head up and snatch the ring box from her. ¡± You don¡¯t love


    him. You don¡¯t even know his middle name. You are only after his money.¡±


    She bursts into a desperate meltdown and still refuses to let go. Eventually the guards have to take her


    along with the chair and throw them outside. It¡¯s an ugly mess.


    ¡°So¡­¡± Eason stands close to me, whispering beside my ears. ¡°Do you know my middle name?¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± I giggle. ¡°But I¡¯ll hear you say it when you say your vows.¡±


    We look at each other andugh out together. A sign of victory is dancing in both of our eyes.


    ¡°Here is your ring,¡± I hand him the ring box.


    He takes it and tosses aside like a piece of trash. ¡°It¡¯s tarnished. We¡¯ll get a better er.¡±


    What! It¡¯s a million-dors ring! He has to get over hisvish lifestyle.


    Yet before I get to scold him, Mr. Ramirez¡¯s voicees behind us, ¡°Eason and Natalia. Can I see you


    both for a minute?¡±


    Oh crap.


    ¡°Shawn,¡± mom looks at us nervously. ¡°We still have guests here. Can¡¯t this wait?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. This won¡¯t take long. Stay here with our guests and we will be right back.¡±


    With that said, he turns around heading upstairs to his study.

 Chapter 83

    Chapter 83


    Chapter 83: Love Conquers Everything


    Mr. Ramirez sits down behind the desk, his eyes fixing on my face. Now I can understand why Mr.


    Booth shivered like a piece of leaf earlier. This man is fucking intimidating.


    ¡°Do you have anything to say?¡± he asks in an indifferent tone.


    Eason is about to say something, but I speak up before him. ¡°Sir, I probably shouldn¡¯t have exposed


    their schemes and lies in front of everyone downstairs, but I do not regret it. Eason doesn¡¯t deserve to


    be treated like that. He needs someone to look over for him.¡±


    Eason¡¯s grip on my hand suddenly tightens, as if a strong wave of emotions is surging inside of him. I


    lock eyes with him for a brief second and notice his eyes filled with nothing but love and gratitude.


    Mr. Ramirez taps the desktop with his knuckle and brings out attention back. ¡°So you just decided to


    step in and take over everything without a word with me first? Natalia, from your perspective, don¡¯t I


    deserve to know first?¡±


    I bite my lower lip in embarrassment. He right. But how do I tell him that I don¡¯t ful trust him on this? He


    is a strong and powerful man. With enough benefits, I thin he¡¯ll put the Ramirez¡¯s future before Eason¡¯s


    personal happiness.


    Even till now, I still don¡¯t know where he stands.


    ¡°With all due respects Sir¡­¡± I begin, carefully weighing every word I say. ¡°I thought you were on board


    this marriage thing as well. I have to expose Ms. Griswold and Katherine. I couldn¡¯t take any risks¡­¡±


    ¡°I agree. But you should have told ME about your suspicions and let ME do the rest of the work. Or at


    least ask about MY opinion before doing anything reckless. I¡¯m his father, his blood. Yet you are only


    his stepsister. You have no right to decide what¡¯s best for him.¡±


    I can¡¯t even keep my head up in front of his scolding. The original n was to get him understand our


    motives and tell him about our rtionship while he¡¯s in a good mood. But I pissed him off first. How


    am I supposed to say that I want to marry his son?


    My heart keeps sinking, like dropping into an endless pit. Yet right at this moment, Eason speaks up:


    ¡°You are wrong father. She does have the right.¡±


    Mr. Ramirez narrows his eyes dangerously at us as my heartrate suddenly elerates. Based on the


    way I know him, he¡¯s going to say something bold and reckless! Yet I hardly think this is a good timing!


    ¡°Eason-¡°I try to stop him, but he continues anyway.


    ¡°Natalia is the one and only woman I love in this world. Of course, she has the right to decide what¡¯s


    best for me.¡± He says in a in tone, like he¡¯s only saying the obvious. wife. ¡°She¡¯ll be my girlfriend.


    She will be my


    She will be the one who shares my grave


    when we pass away. I have no doubt cing my fate and future in her hands.¡±


    The roompses into a dead silence.


    Oh. My. God.


    I bet the look my face must be really funny right now, which is full of shock, astonishment and a little


    part of joy. I love how he¡¯s standing up for me and I love his love confession, but-


    This is Mr. Fucking. Ramirez!


    The man who can scare people to wetting their pants with a simple look! How dares Eason talking to


    Mr. Ramirez like that?!


    Meanwhile, the look on Mr. Ramirez¡¯s face remains unreadable. His gaze is still sharp, like he wants to


    piece through our souls with his eyes. Every second is like a living hell for me now.


    After what feels like an eternity, Mr. Ramirez finally speaks up, ¡°When were you two back together


    again?¡±


    ¡°We¡­we are not back together yet.¡± I mutter lowly. ¡°I really want to have your blessing this time. I know


    he¡¯s my stepbrother and this is ethically not OK. I also remember every word you said to me three


    years ago. But¡­we¡¯ve tried being apart and it just didn¡¯t work. We can only be together. And there¡¯s no


    other ways.¡±


    I finish my speech and hold my breath immediately.


    How will he react to this?


    Eason holds my hands and backs me up with three simple words, ¡°What she said.¡±


    I stare at Mr. Ramirez¡¯s face, waiting for his expression to change. Will it change to rage? Shock?


    Disgust? Or¡­


    But to my extreme surprise, a faint smile gradually appears on the man¡¯s lips.


    ¡°Well said. Both of you.¡± Mr. Ramirez says smiling. ¡°Now I believe that you¡¯ve really thought this


    through.¡±


    I can¡¯t hide the surprise on my face. I thought he would yell at us, throw a punch at Eason¡¯s face and


    ask us to get out of the house now. I¡¯ve prepared for something way worse! But Mr. Ramirez seems


    very m right now.


    ¡°Y-you don¡¯t disapprove?¡± I blurt out.


    Mr. Ramirez gives me a stern look, ¡°If there¡¯s a way to separate you two, I won¡¯t hesitate to do it. But


    apparently, there is not. Unless you have a better way to solve the current dilemma?¡±


    ¡°N-no! I don¡¯t. This is terrific! Thank you,


    Sir!¡± I quickly answer.


    A firework explodes in me and it¡¯s full of joy and thrill. I can¡¯t believe it. We have his blessing! Now we


    can truly be together without being afraid of any other obstacles! Oh, of course we also need to tell my


    mom. But I think I can handle her easily.


    I look towards Eason and notice that he¡¯s smiling too. I want to kiss him so badly right now. And from


    the look in his eyes, I know he is thinking about the same thing.


    Mr. Ramirez leaves his desk and walks to us.


    He ces a hand on Eason¡¯s shoulder and lets out a long sigh, ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted you to marry


    someone with a good family background, someone who can be a help to your career. But as it turns


    out, money doesn¡¯t stand for everything. Natalia is a good girl and has a decent heart, which is more


    important than money and title. Now that you¡¯ve chosen her as the one, don¡¯t ever let her down.¡±


    I take in a deep breath and nearly sob. Eason nods firmly, ¡°I won¡¯t, ever.¡±


    Then Mr. Ramirez turns to me, a gentle glow hidden deep inside of his dark eyes. He says to me,


    ¡°Natalia, I did try to break you two apart, but it was nothing against you personally. I¡¯ve always treated


    you as my child. And now I¡¯m happy to wee you into this family again, as my daughter and my


    future daughter-inw.¡±


    My eyes are filled with tears. I can¡¯t help but step forward and hug the man who¡¯s always been so nice


    to me and sob. ¡°Thank you¡­ thank you so much Sir, for trusting me and giving me another chance¡­¡±


    ¡°Still calling me Sir?¡± Mr. Ramirez pats my back smiling.


    ¡°¡­Thank you, dad.¡± I murmur sheepishly.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s in the family blood,¡± Mr. Ramirez sighs. ¡°I married your mom against everyone¡¯s will years


    ago. And now the same happens to you and Eason. Maybe love is really more important than money


    and family honor for us.¡±


    Easonughs out, ¡°d you finally find that out dad.¡±


    Mr. Ramirez releases me and smiles, ¡°Now


    You two must have so many things to catch up. Don¡¯t forget you still need to face. your motherter.¡±


    We leave his study together holding hands.


    The moment the door closes behind us,


    Eason drags me into his arms and catches my lips, eagerly and hungrily. I return his hot kiss with


    passionately.


    We¡¯ve both been waiting for this moment. for so long.

 Chapter 84

    Chapter 84


    Chapter 84: A Patient Predator


    Eason¡¯s POV


    I wake up in her bed the next morning.


    The first thing I look for is her. Luckily, she is still sleeping soundly besides me, her face bathed in the


    golden morning sunlight.


    She¡¯s like an angel.


    I let out a long sign, feeling relieved. I don¡¯t remember how many nights that I dreamed about her


    sleeping in my arms and woke up to find that everything was only in my head.


    It almost crushed me.


    I went through the darkest period time in my life three years ago when she left me. I couldn¡¯t cope with


    the fact that the love of my life was gone, and everything was my fault. So I fled back to New York from


    Miami and locked myself up in the apartment. I wanted to rot in that dark room, so that I didn¡¯t need to


    face the reality.


    I drank myself to sleep but just kept being woken up by nightmares. So I drank more, forcing myself to


    sleep. It¡¯s like a vicious circle. My life had fallen into a dark, endless pit.


    I remember one time I drank an entire bottle of vodka and passed out on the bathroom floor. If my


    bodyguard didn¡¯t find me in time, I¡¯d be dead already. I was taken into the emergency room because of


    alcohol poisoning and couldn¡¯t get out of the hospital bed for a whole week.


    My dad flew from Boston to New York to check on me. He sat beside my bed staring at me, but I didn¡¯t


    want to face him. I had no interest in talking to anyone, except Natalia.


    ¡°So are you acting like this because of her?¡± asked him sternly. ¡°Do you think she would be happy


    seeing you like this?¡±


    I stare at the ceiling, ignoring him. Truth to be told, I med him too. If he had given us a little bit of


    support, maybe she wouldn¡¯t have left.


    ¡°You are like a spoiled baby right now, which was exactly why she left! Because you couldn¡¯t take the


    responsibility as a man and you disappointed her!¡±


    He enraged me. What the fuck does he know! Who does he think he ising down here giving me a


    fucking lecture? He didn¡¯t want us to be together in the first ce! Isn¡¯t this exactly what he wants?!


    ¡°Get¡­out!!¡± I clench my teeth and hiss. The excessive alcohol had burned my throat. So my voice was


    rough and hoarse.


    ¡°I know Natalia left you. But you have a long life ahead of you son, and you are still in your twentieth.


    Lots of things can happen in the future. What if shee back one day and see you like this? Do you


    think she will still love an alcoholic?¡±


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    His words shed a light on me. Right, what if shees back one day? What if we meet again in the


    future and she finds me as this filthy and scruffy man covered in wine and vomit? She already has so


    many pursuers, if I keep letting alcohol destroy my body like this, I¡¯ll be out of shape soon and lose my


    only vantage.


    Not to mention that she has another hot stepbrother now¡­that Liam. God, do I hate him, his muscr


    figure, his great hair, his shy teeth and his charming personality.


    Fuck.


    ¡°You are a smart kid. You will figure this out,¡± my dad said that and left my room.


    Three dayster, when I was out of the hospital, I threw away all my wines and bottles. I went back to


    school and studied my ass off. My efforts paid me back. A yearter, I got into a good university


    majoring in business. My parents were thrilled. But I knew it wasn¡¯t enough. If I want to win her back


    one day, I still need to aplish more.


    So I sold all my fancy cars and got enough money to start my ownpany. I knew everyone thought


    of me as the Ramirez¡¯s heir, but I had made up my mind not to take over the family business. This way,


    I took orders from no one. I would be fully in charge of my own life, including my marriage.


    At the meantime, I got the news that she was admitted into a university in New York, which meant that


    she was only four hours away from me. It was killing me. All I wanted to do was to rush back to her side


    and drag her into my arms, forcing her not to leave again. But I told myself again and again that it¡¯s still


    not time. I was not ready.


    I hired a private detective, asking him to stalk Natalia and take pictures of her, which would surely piss


    her off if she ever finds out. Her photo was the only thing that kept me going for the past two years. I


    knew that each day I have waited and each step I have taken would bring me back to her a little closer.


    Finally, after two fucking long years, I made some progress. Mypany was on the right track, and I


    had gotten rid of my drinking habit.


    I was ready to meet her.


    ¡­But how?


    Showing up on her doorstep would only scare her off. So I had to make sure that our reunion seemed


    like a perfect coincidence. Luckily, the private detective told me that she was working at a restaurant, a


    great ce for bumping into someone. And to better sell it, I even brought a date. A fake date, of


    course. I lost interest on all other women after her.


    I was so freaking nervous that day. When she approached our table, my hands were literally shaking


    under the table. She looked wonderful, more sophisticated and mature. I had seen her face thousands


    of times in the photo, but nothingpared to her standing in front of me alive.


    She seemed surprised seeing me. But fortunately, she didn¡¯t push me away. Apparently, she believed


    that we had both moved on. So I kept my patience, ying the role as her big brother and gradually


    eased her guard down.


    Sometimes when I looked at her, I could still detect the lingering affections in her eyes.


    She still loved me! But be the one taking the first step. It had to be her. She had to discover her feelings


    to me herself.


    Just when my patience was running out, my mother called and told me that she wanted to introduce my


    marriage partner to me. Funny. Did she really think that I would still marry the random woman they


    shoved my way?


    But then I realized that this could be my gentle nudge to Natalia. So I eagerly agreed to her


    proposal and brought Natalia back to Boston.


    I knew I was being maniptive again, a trait that Natalia hated the most. But this is who I am. I


    nned ahead and I nned carefully. I¡¯m like a predator, carefully waiting for my prey to fall into my


    trap.


    The one thing I didn¡¯t expect was Katherine. I didn¡¯t even know her full name before this,


    just that she was Natalia¡¯s best friend in


    Boston. Nat was furious at first knowing that my marriage partner was her. But then she quickly got


    over it. She even came with us shopping for engagement ring. I didn¡¯t show it on my face, but I was


    panic as hell internally.


    What if she was really ready to give us her blessing? That way I¡¯d be doomed.


    The day before Christmas, I was already ready to give up on my whole n. I figured that I would go to


    my parents the next day and told them that this marriage is over. Then I would find Natalia, getting


    down on my knees begging her toe back. If she said no¡­. well, I didn¡¯t know what I would do if


    she turned me down again. I¡¯d rather die.


    So you can imagine the thrill and surprise I had when I opened her Christmas gift. She pulled me up


    from hell to heaven. I was a troubled person before her. She rescued andpleted me.


    She is my savior.


    ¡°Eason¡­¡±


    Her sleepy voice snapped me back to reality.


    I look down and find that she is awake now. I can¡¯t help but lower my head and nt a gentle kiss on


    her forehead.


    I love her so much.


    ¡°How long have you been up?¡± she asks, letting out a little yawn.


    ¡°Not long.¡± I say, tightening my arms around her.


    Not long, but it¡¯s enough for me to relive those dark times when she was gone. I will cherish those


    memories and take it as a constant reminder of how lucky I am right now.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!