3: Tattooed Rudeness

Celeste's POV

Hell, I'd be doomed to attend my mother's wedding.

Because of that, I spent two days with Anna, as yesterday was my mother's wedding.

To think the money I got paid for that shoot wasn't even enough to cover my bills if I ever decided to get a place. All I would get was a cardboard house.

However, I planned on reaching out to the Zane guy tomorrow, which was Monday.

With him, I could finally escape from my mother's claws. Hopefully.

“You should call me when you get home, okay?” Anna's voice snapped me out of my trance.

My gaze softened. “Of course I will,” I replied.

I just needed to spend the day in the house I knew my mother had sold.

And since Anna's boyfriend was coming over today, I had no choice but to leave her place.

Hailing a cab, I blew Anna a kiss before sliding into the car.

I watched through the window as Anna waved at me, and a smile stretched across my face.

She had been the only one who stood by me through the toughest time of my life.

Even when my mother decided to end my career by refusing to fund my shoots or even my rehearsals, Anna had been there every step of the way.

And that was the fucking reason I loved her so much.

“We are here,” the cab driver announced, and I smiled as I handed him some money before climbing out.

Making my way down the street, I barely took three steps before my eyes fell on my belongings right outside the entrance of our house.

A luxurious car with tinted windows was parked right in front of the house.

My brows knitted together. “It can't be that the owners arrived earlier than expected, right?” I murmured, clutching my bag tightly as I drew closer.

I bent slightly to see if it was truly my box when the shrill sound of a car horn made me pause.

Beeep! Beeep!

I turned swiftly with a frown etched on my face as a man dressed in a black shirt and dark sunglasses stepped out of the car and opened the back seat. He looked like a driver.

I watched.

Just as the car door opened, the first thing I saw was a pair of expensive black leather shoes, followed by a tailored black suit as another man climbed out of the car.

“Hey there.”

His deep voice vibrated through me, making me gulp hard.

What sort of luck had I stumbled upon to keep colliding with handsome men?

His hair was slicked back, his eyes shimmered with a dark glint, one hand rested inside his pocket, and his face was carved with coldness.

“How can I help you people?” I managed to say. I refused to let myself get fooled just because he was attractive.

He arched a brow as though he hadn't expected that question.

Then he leaned against the car. “I came to pick you up, so get in.”

His words made a laugh slip from my lips as I glanced around in case he was some kidnapper or something.

“Pick me?” My voice rose sharply. “I don't even know you, so why should I get into your car?” I retorted, trying to sound brave.

The man who had opened the car earlier tried to move closer, but the handsome man raised his hand, halting him.

My gaze darted to my belongings, then back to his face as I took a cautious step backwards.

Are you sure these weren't kidnappers?

If I ran, they would no doubt catch me in no time.

But if I remained standing here, they could simply grab me, shove me into the car, and take me to God knows where.

“Hey, don't come any closer!” I snapped, glaring at the handsome man.

He tilted his head to the side. “Are you getting in or not?”

A chill crawled down my spine at his tone.

“Why would I get in?” I asked, pointing at my chest. “Who the hell are you?” I snapped, giving him a murderous stare.

I wasn't some weakling he could simply abduct!

He crossed his legs lazily. “The guy your mother's newest victim sent to pick up his gold digger's daughter.”

I blinked once, then my lips parted. “My mother?”

“Isn't she?” he asked, raising a brow.

My gaze narrowed. I wasn't a fool who could be swayed by mere words. “And who exactly is your father that his gold is worth digging for by my mother?” I shot back.

“Dovan Revanchi. The man your mother married yesterday.” He cut me off smoothly.

My lips formed a perfect O as my eyes scanned his body. If he was the son, that made him my new stepbrother.

And here I was, wondering what his children would be like.

“Get in the car,” he commanded.

“I’m not doing that,” I retorted, throwing him a sharp glare.

“I already told my mother that. Besides, how did you even know it was me?”

His eyes swept over me with one of the most disgustingly judgemental looks I had ever seen.

“It’s not hard to identify the daughter of a gold digger, trust me,” he said coldly. “I’m very good at that.”

How rude.

Extremely rude.

Especially for someone who had never laid eyes on me before today.

In a blink, the other man moved closer and snatched my luggage.

“Hey, I’m not leaving with you!” I yelled, moving closer, but his hand suddenly yanked me towards him.

My chest collided with his as his eyes dropped to meet mine.

“I’ve got a million places to be,” he said impatiently. “So are you getting in, or are you planning to stay here until the police arrest you for trespassing?”

I shot him a stubborn glare. “I haven’t changed my mind. Now tell him to return my luggage!” I wriggled my hand off his grasp.

“Mmm.” He spun the keys lazily around his fingers. “I see you’re the stubborn type.”

A wicked smile flickered briefly across his face before vanishing just as quickly, with our gazes merely an inch apart.

Even though he smelled good and looked handsome, there was no doubt that his attitude stank!

“I’ll leave at the count of ten. One...”

I gasped inwardly.

This guy was insane. Did he seriously think I was bluffing?

“Two.”

I wasn’t going anywhere. He could count to a hundred for all I cared.

“Three.”

But then again... what if the police actually came? What if the new owners reported me for trespassing on their property?

“Four.”

I could always sleep on the streets, right?

Right?

“Five.”

Cold. Hunger. Harassment.

“Six.”

“Wait!” My voice rose higher than intended.

Shame clung to me like a second skin. Never in my life had I imagined doing something like this.

It felt as though my ego had bruised after refusing him, yet now I was going to accept just like that.

“Okay, fine.” My voice dipped low as I stared everywhere but at his face.

Immediately, I bit my lip, and he scoffed before turning to walk back to the car.

That act alone made me despise him even more. What a rotten attitude.

After I climbed into the car, his gaze stayed fixed on his phone, his face void of emotion, making me wonder what chaos brewed inside his head.

Suddenly, the car jerked to a stop. He turned towards me, staring deep into my eyes.

“I need to make something clear between us,” he blurted.

My mouth twitched. “Just because I came to pick you up doesn’t give you the right to speak to me. The moment I drop you at home, mind your fucking business and stay out of mine, understood?!” The way he spoke made my skin crawl.

If I had been weak, I would have felt intimidated, but I wasn’t.

“I don’t give a damn about your business. Drop me at the goddamn house!” I spat.

He arched a brow. “Smart mouth?”

I rolled my eyes.

Then he chuckled dryly as the ride continued. “We’ll see where that mouth lands you.”

His words sounded like a threat.

And for some strange reason, I could already feel trouble lurking in the so-called new home.