Chapter 001

“He wasn't supposed to taste the forbidden. However, he couldn't resist the temptation. As if one little bite wasn't enough, he craved for more. Why did the forbidden taste like heaven even though it was sin?”

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CHLOE

“Damn it! How does this work?” I mumbled under my breath, talking to no one in particular since I was all alone inside the grand kitchen.

All I wanted was to prepare a cup of coffee to kick start the day because I know what's a waiting ahead needs a strong cup of coffee. It's the first day of my senior year. I won't lie. I felt a little bit nervous.

“Am I supposed to press this button or…this.” I knitted my eyebrows, utterly confused. How I wished I could have brought our simple coffee maker with me. I have been trying to figure out how the complicated espresso machine works but…

“Need some help?” I almost jumped when a deep voice pierced through the quiet air, startling me. Slowly,I turned my head towards the source of the voice and there he was!

Aaron Harrison.

He was leaning lazily on the doorframe, his head almost touching the head casing. The black shirt that he had put on fitted him perfectly as though it was made just for him. The shirt's sleeves were rolled up to his elbow and his strong hands crossed over his chest…

His midnight black hair glistened under the warm glow from the chandelier and there was no doubt he had just walked out of the shower not long ago. I didn't miss the smirk on his full lips and a glint of amusement in those green eyes.

I could tell that he had been watching me struggle with the espresso machine for a while and it seemed as if he was enjoying it a little bit too much.

Please someone remind me what the hell I was doing with Aaron freaking Harrison under the same roof, the famous green eyes QB of Phantom football team, the darling of many girls, but also…a heartbreak of a few.

Well, at least he was none to me and would never be! I pushed all the thoughts at the back of my head, a subtle smile touching my lips.

“No, thank you. I can manage.” I said dismissively, returning my attention on the espresso machine. As much as I needed help, there was no way I was going to accept his. I would rather spend a century figuring out how the machine works than let him help me.

“Okay, it seems like you're doing pretty good.” I heard him say mockingly. I rolled my eyes at his words, not minding what he said.

He walked past me and headed to the refrigerator to grab something that I didn't care about.Taking a deep breath, I pressed the second button to the left.

My lips curved into a smile when the machine began whirring, probably grinding the coffee beans. However, the smile on my face faded away instantly when a pungent smell of burning coffee wafted in the air.

“Oh no, what did I do?” I mumbled in panic, trying to figure out what to do. Before I could come up with a solution, Aaron was already by my side, his shoulder slightly brushing me.

The height difference between the two of us was pretty obvious. I think he's about 6’2 while I’m 5’ 4, my head barely reaching on his shoulder. His strong cologne assaulted my nostrils, almost choking me.

This is the closest that Aaron and I have ever been....

“I see you have managed it pretty well. Accepting a little bit of help from someone who knows how the espresso machine works wouldn't hurt.” He said cockily, easily managing the situation without breaking a sweat.

This is the sole reason why I didn't want to accept his help earlier. He's so full of himself. It's not that I don't know how to make coffee using the coffee machine. The reason why I messed up is because the model of the espresso machine was a little bit complicated. It has many settings compared to our cheap coffee machine that I was used. I know they're rich, he didn't need to rub it on my face.

“I’ll show you how it works.” He said, giving me a side look. Swallowing the lump down my throat, I let him teach me since I didn't have a choice.

“The reason for the burning smell is because the water was too hot. To regulate water temperature, you need to press here...” Aaron began to explain and I paid full attention. I made a mental note of everything that he was teaching me, making sure that I understood the full procedure so that I won't need his help ever again!

"Wow, what are the two of you doing over there?” My mom's voice cut through the air. We both turned towards the kitchen’s door. She had a big smile on her face and Jacob, Aaron's dad was wrapping his strong arms around my mother’s shoulders.

I have never seen my mother that happy before. She has been in a couple of relationships but she never looked happy the way she looked just now. I guess Jacob was making her happy and that's all that mattered.

She deserves all the happiness in this world.

“ Just sibling bonding. Aaron was teaching me how to…prepare a cup of coffee using the espresso machine.” I turned to look at Aaron who nodded in agreement.

“I knew the two of you would get along well.” My mother said, the smile on her face broadening. I almost rolled my eyes at my mother's words but held the urge to do so.

I wished she could know that Aaron and I are like water and oil. However, I remained quiet because I didn't want to make her worried. I can manage living under the same roof with Aaron for my mother's happiness. I’ll just assume as if he doesn't exist.

“We're getting along pretty well aunt. Is that so sis?” Aaron bumped me with his shoulder, giving me a wink as the corner of his lips twitched into a smile.

I know what he was trying to do. He was teasing me because he knows damn well that we don't get along that…well. Does he want to play games with me?

Well, I can play too.

“ Yes, really well.”I nodded, putting on a smile to match my words. My hand itched to slap that smug look on Aaron's face but held back.

I don't know how but…my mother gets along with Aaron so well. How does she do so when I can't stand sharing the same space with him?

When my mother told me that I was going to have a Stepbrother, I was so excited to meet him because that is what I have secretly been wishing for. Elara, my best friend, has three brothers who adore her and they treat her like a princess. It made me wish I had one, or maybe two who would treat me that way.

However, I never expected Aaron to be my Stepbrother among all the good guys out there. Why did it have to be Aaron bloody Harrison? My boyfriend’s mortal enemy