Ex Bully, Stepbrother, New Lover

[Tanya]

I think there are some people destined to hate you in life and there is nothing you can do to make them love you. Nothing.

Everyday, I stare at myself in the mirror to ask myself if I can ever forgive the guy that hated me back in highschool. He hated me so much that the whole school knew about it, and now I hate him too.

He tortured me with his power, showing me hell, and I started hating him back when I graduated highschool and got into college. I had to be away from him to hate him. Crazy! And it's a good thing I would never set eyes on him again.

"I am moving in with John" My mum said excitedly, cutting off my thoughts.

I have heard her talk about this 'John' multiple times and ever since he proposed to her, she has never stopped talking about future plans with him. The topic was starting to annoy me.

"And he said he would like to meet you"

I rubbed the back of my neck with my palm, feeling nervous about the whole meeting thing. I didn't want to meet anyone, yet she won't stop talking about it.

"Oh, Tanya" She stared lovingly at the glistening engagement ring around her finger "I am going to be Mrs Smith very soon"

I went still for a whole five seconds as the name 'Smith' rang a loud bell in my head.

I shut my eyes and shook my head, determined not going to think about that name.

"Look, Shawn was not gonna make me his wife, and someone was ready!" She said and flipped her fake blonde hair pridefully.

I sighed at the mention of her ex boyfriend. They've been together for so many years that I was surpised they could actually break up. "You and Shawn were perfect, mum" I told her and she scoffed loudly. She was displeased by my sentence but I was still going to say more "I don't see the reason why you guys had to break up after dating for years. You could have sorted out your differences" I shrugged.

"He was so cool and rich" I added the last part because mum has always loved rich men and had dated a lot of them in the past.

"But John is richer" She said sharply. "The guy spends a lot on me" She gingerly placed her palms on her thighs "And very soon I will become his wife. I will be called Mrs Smith"

My stomach twisted.

Smith again.

"Ohmygod the name is so cool!" She gushed, fanning her face with a hand.

I rubbed my palm over my forehead, praying I don't get a headache very soon. "It's not like you're walking into 'Will Smith' family, this is just a normal Smith family" I said causally.

"It is still a SMITH!" She pointed out, happily. "A John Smith family"

The more she says the name, the more my mind tries to go back to my high school days.

Mum's phone beeped and she checked it. "John's driver is here, we should leave now" She said, already on her feet, but I wasn't ready to leave.

I wasn't ready to meet her new family, the 'Smith' family.

"I feel weak" I lied. "I think I need to rest"

Mum narrowed her eyes at me "Don't use that old trick on me, young lady"

Busted.

I sighed. "Do I have to go with you?" I asked quietly. "I like it here" My voice was whispery.

"Come on, just for this weekend" She urged. "You're gonna like it there too." She said sounding certain

I twisted my lips, trying to believe her words, but I've got a really bad feeling about this.

Am I really going to like it there?

****

John's house big and beautiful. It was a nice mansion that had wealth written all over it.

The neat, healthy garden at the sides of the building added to the magnificent beauty and even as I looked around many times, I still could not take in everything.

"Maaaaan" I remarked, sweeping my eyes around my new environment.

This John guy is really very rich. Where the hell did my mum even get such a wealthy fiance? I mean this mansion is so magnificent.

"You see it's so beautiful!" My mum whispered loudly as we walked into the house.

"It is" I said, trying to be casual.

"You know you can scream about how beautiful this place is" She said. "You don't have to pretend"

Some people said they don't have an everyday fight with their mothers because their mother knows them well.

In my case it is not the same.

My mother and I fight every minute because she knows me well.

In the large, well furnished living room, there was a well dressed man with a relaxed face and a gentle smile, waiting to embrace mum.

I narrowed my eyes at him, feeling weird as I stared at him.

Something about his confidence was way too familiar. It was like I was seeing an older version of someone and it didn't help matters that his surname was 'Smith'.

"Clara" He called with a deep, calm voice that would make you wonder if he ever got angry.

He walked towards my mum, spreading his arms for a warm hug.

My mum grinned, wrapping her arms which were small compared to his, around his body.

I should be smiling, instead I was rolling my eyes, tempted to add a fat scoff.

"You are Tanya" John said and I jumped a little. The man almost caught me rolling my eyes.

"Yes sir, I am Tanya" I responded respectfully and quickly darted my eyes to mum. I pray she has not exaggerated some things about me to this man.

"Your mum told me you were excited about meeting me and your step siblings"

That was the exaggeration I was talking about.

Hold on, step siblings?

I frowned for a second, then gave John a fake smile the next second.

"I am so happy to meet you too, Tanya" He said with that same calm voice that made me doubt if he would ever hurt a fly.

"Nice to meet you, Mr Smith" I said, realizing he is not that bad– for now, but he was just too calm for me. To gentle.

"You can call me dad" He said and I reflexively rose my brows.

Isn't that 'dad' too early?

"Or you can call me John" He corrected, smiling. "Anyone that makes you comfortable"

"Okay....." I hesitated then continued. "John"

He grinned at me, pleased. "You should meet someone now"

Oh.

"Kieran!" John called loudly.

My heart skipped a beat. "Kieran?" I whispered shakily.

"Yes" John answered.

"Your step brother" Mum butted in, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

I heard the sounds of solid steps coming from somewhere, probably the kitchen. What followed after the steps was the appearance of the guy I thought I would not see again.

"Ohmygod" I whispered, my eyes wide at him.

He is now a full grown man with not much changes in those wicked and hyptonizing blue eyes.

Kieran. Freaking. Smith.

My jaw dropped to the ground and my heart pounded so fast and hard in my chest.

I could recognize him anywhere in any damn thing.

His piercing blue eyes, his dark blonde hair, his black earrings, his broad shoulders, his height and definitely that confident standing posture.

Kieran Smith.

My high school bully.

He stood just about two small feet away, a smile playing on his lips and a glint bright in his eyes. He peered down at my face and I almost lost my breath completely as his eyes reminded me of every crazy thing he did to me back in high school.

He is here.

Kieran is here.

He is here to torture me again.

I blinked at him and.....I passed out.