CHAPTER FIVE

LIAM RAYNE

I left the apartment a few minutes after I was sure Noah was already gone.

A black Mercedes pulled in, Sammy stood outside, head dipped in a bow, waiting.

“You are supposed to be getting your job done” I said calmly then entered the car. He did the same and started the engine before replying.

“Master Luca didn't trust another driver for you” he said, and stepped on the gas.

I scoffed. Didn't trust? I wasn't his ten year old son who was kidnapped by the previous driver. I was a freaking adult and not one to be messed with either.

The car pulled over in front of the family house. Tall, immaculate, domineering, and most of all, luxurious.

A sharp depressed sigh escaped my lips. Back to this cage where everything had a rule. Even breathing was to be done correctly. I didn't mind it as long as I didn't live here.

“Master Luca is waiting,” Sammy said, neck lowered.

I hummed, slid my right hand into my pocket and walked towards the mansion. It was immaculate with a neat lawn surrounding it. I heard whispers from the gardeners, similar to the same whisper I have heard every time I set my foot here.

“That's the son who never comes home,” one of the gardeners said.

“If my mother was replaced, I wouldn't come home either,” another added and my fist clenched. If I heard one more word, I would snap their head off their body.

“ Get busy, now!” A cold masculine voice rang out, enough to make the gardeners lower their heads. He glanced towards me and bowed, “young master” he said and I nodded towards him.

He led the way while I walked behind him, hands still tugged in my pockets with a nonchalant pose.

The dining room screamed opulence. Long tables, well wrapped wipes with gold brimmed chairs surrounding it. Above was a crystal chandelier with specks of blue and white light contrast which made the dining room look a little less of golden hues.

My gaze calmly fell on the last person I wanted to see today.

My step sister– Zoe Rayne. She wore a pink princess style dress with a blue hair pin to her dark hair.

An innocent look for an awful character.

My jaws clenched, but I remained silent and only sat beside my father. I had been told to bring my best character. Disrespecting the man who removed my mother like she was insignificant was not in my list of things to do today. I couldn't let my mother's only legacy fail, not for strangers to benefit from it.

“Big brother, I thought you wouldn't come,” Zoe said, acting coquettish. Lips poked forward, hands ruffling her clothes. They were already seated at the dining table, probably waiting for me.

I ignored her and only nodded towards my father, then a stiff nod to the woman who acted like she owned the world–my step mother, Lara Rayne.

She forced a smile and nodded back while my dad's face twisted into a frown.

“Ah Liam, you should get along with your sister besides she would be attending the same college as you” he dropped, his gaze fixed on me. My hands clenched underneath the table.

So that was what this meeting was about. Have my step sister stay in the same college as me.

“Schools here are not the same as the ones in London” I said, not bothering to pick up the fork when everyone else had already dug in.

Zoe smiled and reached for the glass of juice “You are right brother. Schools here are even better and we would run into each other often”

My jaw tightened as I glanced towards my father who was busy cutting his steak like everything was normal.

I hated when he acted like everything was fine.

“Very well then” i said to Zoe, “ tell me father, is this why you called me back?”

“ What? Not a good reason?” He asked and my muscles bulged a bit. If he wasn’t my father, my fists would have already cracked his jaw.

He wanted to see my reaction. That was why he called me back, to tell me his step daughter was going to attend the same college as mine. To ruin everything for me.

“I mean, a phone call would have been better. I wouldn't have to miss class today”

Lara humphed. “What's there to be so proud about? Class? You mean theatre arts? Your father is a business man and you choose to study theatre arts! It's obvious you have no intention of inheriting his company!” She yapped as she kept the steak knife staring at me with a reddened face.

My knuckles turned white, I didn't smile, I didn't look towards her. I just stared at my dad who appeared calm and said nothing.

Zoe coughed lightly, “Brother, what mom is trying to say is that you should have ….”

“ I understood perfectly” I dropped then stood up calmly, “if there is nothing else, I will be taking my leave”

“What you choose to study won't make you escape responsibility son” My father spoke up.

Zoe seemed to freeze for a second, the smile on her face vanished.

Lara exhaled sharply, “ what's the point? He would spoil the family’s name with his career choice. Someone more fitting should be chosen”

“Dad is right, brother. You are the only one capable enough to handle the business” Zoe added with a smile.

I paused, glanced at her briefly. Her smile was stiff, her jaw slightly clenched with nails dug into her palms.

I maintained my distant expression and nodded, “ I know” I said and watched as her face fell, pale as a sheet.

A small smirk crept to my face, never have I been so satisfied watching the mother and daughter duo slapped so hard in the face.

Want to replace me? You can't!

“I will take my leave,” I said, and didn't wait for my father to say another word as I turned to leave.

Outside, Sammy was still waiting for me, his hands tucked in his pocket. He sighted me and instantly unhooked his crossed legs and bowed.

When I got close, he handed me my phone, “ you left this behind” he said.

My brows gathered when I saw a red notification dot.

It was Noah.

“Dude, you can reject whatever shit the student union sends to you. We can't be gay couples in a show. That's fucked up!”

My heartbeat accelerated as I read the message for the second time, then, a smile crept to my lips

“It worked,” I whispered.