Chapter 1

Chapter one 

                    Vianne's Pov 

My hands were trembling as a result of the cold wind seeping into my skin through the thin blouse I was wearing, mum hadn't gotten out of the taxi yet and she was still arguing the price with the poor driver. 

I stared at the house in front of me, it was bigger than our apartment building, a duplex painted in cream color with a closed garage at the other side of the house and a bike parked outside. 

They must be rich. 

Seems like Mum found another one again, "Don't just stand there Vianne, come help me with this luggage" She called from behind me and I huffed before going to help her take our stuff from the booth of the taxi. 

While we were on it I didn't notice a man coming out of the house, I was still on it when I heard my mum giggling like a little girl. 

I turned to see her in the arms of an older man, he wasn't that old but his brown hair had streaks of grey, I forced a smile as if I was delighted to see them like that even though it sickened me. 

Mum told me not to be formal while addressing him, I think she wants me to appear friendly towards him, but little does she know I can be anything but patronizing. 

"Vianne! It's such a pleasure to meet you" Theo beamed and I couldn't help but admit the man is good looking, better than my mother's gross ex who traumatized my life. 

"The pleasure is all mine, sir, I have heard a lot about you" I replied taking the last bag from the booth, I slammed it shut and the driver started the engine preparing to leave. 

"Ah, good things I hope?" He jokingly asked and I nodded even if I was lying, whenever my mother tried telling me about him I always zone out not interested in knowing the man she was recently screwing, imagine my surprise when she announced we were moving in, I asked her why can't we just love alone without any man but she wouldn't pay attention to me. 

"Let's go inside now, let me help with your bags" He left my mother's side heading towards me, my eyes strayed behind him and I noticed we weren't alone. 

A boy dressed in black jeans and a black leather jacket was putting on a helmet as he stood close to the Yamaha superbike parked outside the house. My mom turned when she noticed the stranger. 

For some reason I was curious to know who he was as he swung one leg over the bike with perfect ease, then he started the bike. 

His father paused when he heard the revving of the engine, I watched as the biker drove out of the gate without acknowledging any of us. 

"That was Levi, my son, he will be back for dinner," He said in a clipped tone. I immediately understood why he didn't bother exchanging pleasantries with us. 

Will you look at that, his son doesn't want us here too.

We entered the house and I was impressed by how homely and cozy it was inside, the living room was designed with white and sky blue color, the couches were the same, well arranged, and organized. 

"Feel at home, let me show you your room upstairs" He offered and I followed him leaving my mom downstairs, we climbed up the stairs and entered a hallway. 

"This is my room," He pointed at the first door on the right, "This is my late wife's room, and this will be your mom's," He said and I nodded a warm feeling swelled in my chest as he chose another room for my mom instead of making her stay in his late wife's room, I could tell he would be a good man. 

"The last room is Levi's, I will advise you not to go there without his permission" He warned stylishly, faking a smile. 

"Of course, thank you for taking us in" I expressed my gratitude and he waved off opening the door to my room. Levi's room was the one after mine and I took a mental note not to wander there while I'm sleepwalking at night. 

Mind you, I don't sleepwalk. 

"It's okay, I have always wanted a daughter, nobody told me boys are hard to raise without their mother" He scoffed at his own words and I grinned. 

"Don't worry, I know a thing or two about raising boys from my experience in babysitting" I joked and he laughed. 

"Thank you Vianne, I would appreciate your help. I need to take your Briar's stuff to her room, make yourself comfortable, and come down for dinner at seven" He said before walking away and I nodded. 

My room wasn't small but it looked too girly for my liking, the walls were painted yellow and the bed was dressed in pink sheets. 

"Right. Beggars can't be choosers" I reminded my ungrateful self. At least this is better than where we used to stay. 

I took a long shower savoring the fancy bathtub in my bathroom. I didn't know I was smiling when I got out of the bathroom. I could get used to this feeling of peace, not bothering about if someone was peeking through the door while I was taking a bath. 

I dressed up in my nightwear, a blue silk nightgown my mom gave me, I couldn't find the robe so I left my room like that but I regretted it when I got downstairs. 

Mom shot me a glare and I gulped not wondering what she was thinking, the gown wasn't exposing my body at all. 

"Vianne, you should take a seat. I was just telling your mom about my recipes for making pasta," Theo said, barely glancing my way as he set the table. 

I released the breath I was holding and moved towards the dining room when I heard the door creak behind me. I made the mistake of turning to see who was coming in. 

My jaw dropped as I stared at the guy who entered the living room, tousled light brown hair that could be mistaken for dirty blond, emerald green eyes, and a jawline so perfectly chiseled. 

I wished that was all, his eyebrows were pierced, and his ears too. He was so tall I felt like a child standing in front of a giant with his wide broad shoulders. 

He narrowed his brows under my scrutiny, that was my clue to look away but I could feel his eyes on me. 

"Levi, you at back," His father said with the edge in his tone again. 

I swallowed a hard lump in my throat as he stood beside me. 

"Good evening, you must be Briar," He said and my insides melted at the sound of his voice. 

Deep, smoky and rough. 

I kept my head down looking at his boots and then his big hands. 

What is wrong with me? 

My mom started blabbering about how tall he was and he gave scanty replies to some of her questions. 

Theo came to stand in front of us and I internally winced when I saw his son looking down at him. 

"Levi this is Vianne Howard, Vianne this is Levi, your soon-to-be stepbrother" He introduced. 

I was forced to look at Levi and the corner of his lips tugged into a smirk at whatever expression he saw on my face. 

I pressed my lips into a thin line and nodded at him as his father returned to setting the table. 

"Don't you speak Barbie doll?" He asked, his voice laced with amusement. 

"Don't call me that" I glared at him and he raised an eyebrow then scoffed. 

Luckily both our parents were too engrossed in their discussion to notice us. 

"You better get used to it," He stated. 

"My name is Vianne," I corrected, refusing to break eye contact with him. 

"I will call you whatever I want," He remarked stubbornly. 

"I-"

"As much as I would like to keep going on with this useless conversation, our parents are waiting" He interrupted heading for the table. 

I followed from behind him and sat beside him my gown raised up a bit exposing my thighs and as I tried pulling it down I caught him staring. 

"Pervert" I muttered and he chuckled, the sound scratching somewhere deep inside my head. 

"You can't put up a show in front of me and expect me not to watch" He replied. 

"I didn't put up a show" I scowled. 

"Are you sure about that Barbie doll?" 

I don't even know the answer to that so I kept my mouth shut.