CHAPTER 2

Malia POV

Maverick let out a sly grin as he walked towards me proudly with a glint in his eye. "Nice to meet you... sister," he smirked amidst a long painful pause as he stretched out a hand.

How could he have the guts after what he did to me? If only he realized the terrible thoughts that his actions made me do. If only he knew that I almost slit my wrist in a bathtub and only a knock on the door from my mum was what snapped me out of it.

Maybe he wouldn't even care though.

I thought of ignoring his outstretched arms but my eyes fell on my Mum's warning frown before I half-heartedly received his mischievous gesture.

We all made our way to the dining table amidst smiles and welcoming gestures as Mum served all of us, a gracious smile on her face all through her efforts.

Step-dad gulped a glass of water and cut his bacon into neat smaller bites. "Malia, I'm sure this is all very new to you, but your Mum has told me a lot about you already, and I'm sure it will be a smooth ride with us and your new family."

My shoulders retreaded backward as an anxious smile formed at the corners of my mouth, and he continued. "I am sure you will also have a nice bond with Maverick as well. You can be sure that he is a good boy. You guys would be going to college in the same school so that would help..."

My ears tinged with irritation as the rest of his words just echoed through the air, my eyes staring into the distance as I submerged myself in my thoughts.

Has he already decided which college I would go to? Who is he to go that?

Gosh! Even though he is my soon-to-be stepdad, how can he just come in? And start deciding things?

Maverick snapped his fingers across my face mockingly, joking me away from my thoughts. "Where is your mind, Barbie doll?" He smirked.

He resumed, his shoulders hunched forward. "We will have our wedding soon but before then, both of you should start packing up because we will be moving into our new penthouse soon."

My skin suddenly felt cold and my jaws clenched as Mr Rowan Sinclair's husky voice reached my ears.

Was Mum also young to subscribe to ys moving out?

My gaze landed on hers and her sheepish smile already said that she was in on the useless idea.

Why won't she? A fucking gold digger.

"But why can't we stay here though?" I retorted sharply. "It's very convenient here as well, and I have my safe space, which is my room. Do you..."

"Keep shut!" Mum seethed, her eyes narrowing a fiery glare in my direction. "What safe space huh? Aren't you tired of being alone in your room all day and having that poor geek boy come over to do nothing but read books?"

She rolled her eyes dismissively. "Sometimes, I wonder if I gave birth to this kind of a girl."

Her words count to my heart like a magnet as I forced back the onrushing tears.

It was the second day of the new year, and I found a resolution not to cry anymore.

Mr Liam swayed his arm calmly, trying to repair the ugly situation. "Easy, there is no need for a quarrel."

My eyes were watery, and I winced in pain, "You know what? I'm out of here."

Storming over to my room with my steps loud and hurried, Maverick was grimacing behind me.

Urghh! I grunted, slamming the door behind me, about to put on my headphones only to see that Maverick had stuck himself between the doorknob and its hinges.

I tightened my jaw, my eyes red with anger. "What are you doing in my room?"

Maverick kept a blank expression as he ignored my ranting, taking a confident walk, his deep brown eyes taking in every detail of my room.

His presence immediately melted my anger somehow.

I guess it was his scent.

The same powerful fragrance that always lingers in my memory while I drool silently for him. He ticks all the boxes of whatever a girl would want in a guy. Honestly, I don't blame those girls who would sway their ass cheeks seductively in his way just to get him to talk to them.

Maverick is sculpted like a giant sculpture with a strong jawline. His eyes are deep brown, with broad shoulders and well-toned shiny arms. His thick abs were visible through his basketball jersey.

His grey pants accentuate his long, fit legs and there I was, checking out something bulgy between his legs.

Oh! Sweet sin. Not this time.

I quickly retracted my gaze.

His presence felt soothing and for a moment, I wanted to give him a warm embrace. I wished he could take the whole of me on his big hold arms while I swivel.

Yes, I hate him for ditching me for another girl on Prom Night but I want him.

I want all of him.

Only he could make me happy. Only he could make me drop my nerdiness.

He took a warm exhale and smirked, "Calm your tits, Barbie doll."

There was something about the way he called me a Barbie doll that sent a satisfactory shiver through my insides, but at the same time, I hated when he called me that.

Strange right?

Maverick moved closer; his steps were light and deliberate as he tilted his head downwards while I soaked in his awesomeness.

His lips curled up as if he was going to bury out laughing, "Do who is the poor boy your Mum was talking about?"

"How about you stop bickering and give if an explanation for why you chose fucking Sophia inside your Dad's car instead of being my date on Prom Night," I retorted, my body cooled up as I soaked in the heat of the moment.

"Oh! Never mind. It's because I'm not like her right? I don't have titties or a big ass like her, isn't it? I am not like the other guys that you roll with right?"

I could hear Mum's harsh words on that unfortunate night I got ditched echoing through me.

Maverick moved closer and closer again, our bodies almost touching each other.

Urghh! He should stop being so wholesome for my sake.

"Come on Barbie doll. I can always make it up to you," he uttered, his voice low and soothing.

"How?"

"Simple, let's go on another bigger date," he smirked.