CHAPTER 02

ELYSIA. 

That rude man from the day before... He's Mr. Steele's son? His hazel orbs were on me lazily, and he had an indifferent expression. 

Should I say the universe is truly against my happiness in my mom's home? Why would this man of all people be my stepbrother? Slight annoyance was starting to boil in me. 

I suddenly realized Mr. Steele was waiting for my response with the same smile still on his lips. 

"Oh, hello-- Zane." I forced a smile. 

"You shouldn't force a smile, it looks horrible on you." Zane drawled, pulling out a seat and settling on it. 

My jaw was unhinged in shock, I blinked repeatedly. "What the--" 

"You don't have to mind him, Elysia, he can be a little icy sometimes, but he gets better with some time." Mr. Steele said. 

Get better with time? I'm sure if this man goes to rehab, he'll make sure to flip the main reason why rehab is built. He's a whole bad influence without a peer.

I nodded anyway, even Mr. Steele didn't look confident after saying those words. 

"Have you two met before?" Mom asked. Did she notice the awkwardness too?

But before I could give her a response, Zane beat me to it. "Of course, I can't ever forget someone like her." He was staring at me again, and it was the darkest and the scariest glare. 

Well, it was fucking mutual!

"Oh, have you two met?" Mom's eyes brightened, did she think our encounter was a good one? She was expecting a reply from me. 

"We have." I didn't go into details, it's better off between just this rude Zane and me. 

He stood up immediately. "Thank you for the meal." He turned and left the dining table quietly. 

The air turned lighter after he left, and a bit warmer. I scoffed silently, he made it so obvious that he was here. Even if he'd left, his scent still lingered, that annoyingly overwhelming scent of his. 

*

After breakfast, I followed Mr. Steele to his study as he said he wanted to have a few words with me. This was another situation I've been avoiding, having a conversation with Mr. Steele. 

He didn't say anything deep, fortunately, he just wanted me to move in with them after the wedding, saying it would help in making us bond faster as a family. I didn't want to and I didn't know how to openly reject the offer. 

"I'll think about it," I told him. 

There was nothing to think about, I'd rather be homeless than stay in the same house as Zane.  

Mr. Steele wasn't in a hurry, he told me to take my time. What time exactly? The wedding was in a few days and they'd expect a positive response by then, which I don't think will be possible. 

I didn't want either of them to have high hopes, so I decided to tell Mom the truth. 

"I'm sorry, I can't stay here. I don't like that Zane guy and him being my stepbrother is already horrible enough." 

"He's barely home, sweetie." Mom touched my cheeks. "I want you close and that job of yours, didn't you say it was closer to this place? It won't be a problem."

I had initially wanted to use the job as an excuse, but I can't anymore. She was right, it was closer to this place than even my apartment. 

"I-- I'll have to think about it." I swallowed. 

This time, it was hard to say because I knew I would be giving them the positive response I wasn't comfortable with. 

She smiled and pulled me into a hug. "Thank you so much, and thank you for coming as well."

"You really don't have to thank me, Mom." 

*

When I returned to West Hollywood in the evening, Nova was making dinner. I threw my purse on the couch carelessly and walked to the dining room. 

"How did it go? Damn, you look drained." She gave me a glass of water, as if she knew I needed it. 

"Of course I'm drained, Jesus Christ. Why did I get pushed into this dilemma?" I dropped the empty cup back on the table. 

"What happened?"

"I have to get my stuff ready, I'm moving in with them." I was on the verge of tests already. 

"That's fast." She frowned a bit. "Did something else happen?"

I told her about my encounter with Zane and how the universe has decided to punish me by making us step-siblings. 

"I think this is the worst it can get." I sniffed dramatically. "Though mom said he's barely home, so I think I can manage."

"Then why leave now?" 

"I have to stay around before the wedding this weekend, and I can confirm if she's right or not. I haven't given her a response yet."

Nova nodded and patted my shoulder gently. "It's already bad enough, I don't think there's anything worse than having that asshole for a stepbrother."

"Are you consoling me or making it worse?"

"Both." She grinned. "I'm almost done with dinner, we can pack up after eating." 

I nodded, too exhausted to even speak. 

*

By noon the next day, I was standing in front of Mr. Steele's mansion again, trying hard to not lose balance with how vigorous mom was shaking and hugging me. 

She gave me a blizzard of kisses. "Thank you so much for coming, you have no idea how excited I am."

"I've not given my response yet." I didn't want to feel swayed by how happy she was to see me. "I just wanted to stay for a few days before the wedding this weekend." 

"It's a fair decision to me." Mom took my bag and dismissed the housekeeper. "I'll show you to your room." 

 I followed her with a light exhale, I looked around the almost empty house. No sign of Zane. 

"Since he left after breakfast yesterday morning, he isn't back," Mom replied to my unanswered question. 

I shrugged, looking around the empty hallway. "Maybe my stay here won't be as bad as I thought." It wasn't just words, it was more like a wish.