The Breaking Point

Mr. Fred and my mum rode in their own car, while Chris and I went with Robin. We had no idea where Mr. Fred was taking us—only that it was supposed to be a surprise for my mum. So, we trailed his car from behind, heading toward some unknown destination.

The ride was silent, but Robin’s expression gave him away. He looked tense, restless, and finally, he couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Did you really have to bring him along?” Robin snapped, his voice sharp with irritation.

“Yes,” I replied coldly.

“What are you trying to prove?” he pressed.

“Nothing.” I shrugged, my nonchalance clearly fueling his frustration.

“He’s not family, Ariana, and you know that.”

“He’s my boyfriend,” I shot back, my voice rising.

I knew those words would sting Robin, but I didn’t care—or at least I told myself I didn’t. Still, the look he gave me unsettled me. It sent a rush through my body, a sudden realization that I had just made things worse. I’d only brought Chris to spite my mum, and now it was backfiring.

“I don’t know what you see in this guy—” Robin started.

“Uh, Robin, I’m sitting right here. You know I can hear you, right?” Chris cut in.

“Fuck you, bro—”

“That’s enough, Robin!” I shouted. “What exactly is it that you and your father have against Chris? He hasn’t done anything wrong—”

Robin froze, his eyes narrowing. “My father knows about Chris?” he asked, his tone suddenly more curious than angry.

Earlier this morning, I’d asked Mr. Fred how he knew Chris, but he dodged the question until my mum appeared.

“What’s going on?” she asked, cutting in.

“It’s nothing—”

“Nothing?” I flared. Mr. Fred was lying, and we both knew it.

He forced a smile. “Ariana and I were just having a little chat about your birthday outing. She said she can’t wait for us to spend it together as a family.”

“Really?” my mum asked, her tone more rhetorical than curious.

“Happy birthday, Mum,” I replied coldly, forcing a dead smile, before slipping away to my room.

When Chris finally came over. She stopped me at the door. “Who is he? And why is he coming with us?”

“He’s my boyfriend, Mum. Why? Are you worried. I figured I could bring him along to keep me company while you and your new husband continue doing you.” I brushed past her before she could respond.

I knew exactly what I was doing—stirring confusion, maybe even panic. But did I care? Not in the slightest.

“Boyfriend?!” my mum’s voice thundered from behind me.

I couldn’t help but smile. I knew that word would unsettle her.

“What is going on?” she demanded, turning to Mr. Fred. But he just stood there, silent, with no answer to give.

"Calm down, sweetheart. Ariana is no longer a kid. She’s almost twenty two years, old enough to have a boyfriend—"

"But that’s—"

"Don’t worry. When we return, you can have as much conversations with her as you want. For now, we have somewhere special to visit. Don’t let Ariana spoil this day for you," Mr. Fred said.

Oh, how I hated this man. He always knew how to calm my mum down with just a few words. I lingered in the sitting room doorway that led outside, watching her, waiting for her to flare up the way she usually did whenever boys were mentioned around me. But Mr. Fred ruined everything—his deep, velvety voice, those damp kisses, the way he wrapped his arms around her, pressing his toned chest against her until she melted.

I rolled my eyes, shrugged, and slipped out to the car. And now here I was, face-to-face with Robin, who was unnecessarily angry—for what reason, I couldn’t even tell.

"Like father, like son," I scoffed inwardly.

We finally arrived at the place Mr. Fred had taken us to. Damn!, it was beautiful. It wasn’t just a restaurant—it was built beneath an aquarium. The sight felt like heaven: serene, classy, and impossibly elegant. I shouldn’t have been surprised; Mr. Fred was a billionaire, after all. But for my mum and me—and maybe even Chris—it was the first time stepping into somewhere this extravagant.

Behind the building stretched a park, lively with families enjoying picnics and laughter. The whole atmosphere was breathtaking. I had to admit—I was impressed.

“Do you like places like this? I could bring you here more often,” Robin said, trying to catch my attention as we walked.

“I doubt you’ve even been here before yourself, Robin.” I turned to face him. “This is your first time, isn’t it?”

He stammered, then smiled. “Well, yes. But I know places more beautiful than this, and I can take you there. My dad is just trying to impress your mum, that’s all.”

“Then why are you trying to impress me? We’re siblings, Robin. Siblings. Stop whatever you’re doing—it’s getting on my nerves. I get that you care about me—”

“I have always loved you, ever since we were kids,” he cut me off, his voice low but intense. “I’ve tried to get you out of my head, but it’s impossible. Just give me a chance—”

“I can’t love you, Robin.”

“Why?!” he flared, his eyes shimmering. “Is it because I’m your stepbrother?”

I hesitated, folding my arms across my chest. How could I tell him exactly what I was thinking without breaking him? Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Chris standing nearby, silent. He had clearly overheard every word, yet did nothing—just watching as someone was trying to steal his girl right in front of him, without picking up a fight. Such a weakling.

“Is it because of Chris? I can pay him off,” Robin pressed. His voice cracked. “I’ll die if I don’t get to have you, Ariana. Please.”

“I don’t love you!” I shouted, my voice carrying across the park. Heads turned. My chest heaved as I scanned the crowd, silently thankful my parents weren’t there. Where are they, anyway?

“I don’t feel a thing for you,” I said firmly.

“Why?” he demanded.

The truth was, there wasn’t an explanation. I tilted my head, voice breaking. “I don’t know. I just… don’t know.”

When I tried to walk away, Robin grabbed me and pulled me back. My body felt weightless in his arms. Before I could react, his lips crashed onto mine. His kiss was deep, desperate, and his lips were soft. I struggled, pushing against his chest, but he was too strong. Fury surged through me—I tore myself free and slapped him hard across the face.

I walked towards Chris, gave him a hot slap too, dragged him closer to me, and kissed him hard. Right in front of Robin. When I finally pulled away, I shot Robin a cold glare and walked off leaving both him and Chris standing there.

I didn’t care about the stares or whispers around me. All I knew was that this day was spiraling into the worst Saturday of my life.

But just as I reached the restaurant doors, Robin blocked my path again. His voice was low, trembling but determined.

“I don’t care what you do to me. But I promise—I won’t stop until I make you mine.”