CHAPTER THREE

Reina

Austin and I shared a hateful glare from across the table as Brock and my mom were too busy clinging to each other and laughing.

I knew what that glare said. I could translate it anywhere. And it meant, "I don't trust you one bit."

As if he could read my mind, he finally spoke, his gaze panning towards his dad.

"If I were you, I'd be more careful so I don’t become the exploited. I thought that was one lesson of becoming a successful politician."

My face burned with anger and embarrassment mixed in one. I wanted to reach out and smack the shit out of his face. Yes. That same face that turned to me and had a smirk on it as he leaned back on his chair and continued to stare at me.

It must have been a week since the devastating news of my mother getting married to the father of a guy who absolutely hates my guts. That morning, I had intentions of making it be as good a day as possible. Until my door creaked open and my mother walked in, still in her nightdress.

"Good morning, darling," she greeted in an airy tone, sitting on the edge of my bed. "I know you're still getting over the whole wedding thing, but I have some more news."

"What now?" I groaned into my pillow, my voice muffled.

"We're moving in with Brock to start the wedding preparations."

My eyes shot open. "Moving in? Now?!"

"Yes, Reina. The wedding is in six weeks. We have a lot to do," she said, her voice laced with excitement that I couldn't fathom.

Panic swirled in my gut, but I pushed it down. "But what about my school, my life and my friends?"

"That's the good news. Your school is closer to the mansion. And as for your life, it'll only get better, darling."

I sat up, my heart racing. "But mom, I can't just leave everything behind. And what about Austin?"

"What about him?" she snapped, her eyes narrowing. "You'll be step-siblings now. You'll have to get along."

Denial and anger battled within me, but I couldn't find the words to express them. "But he hates me," I whispered, feeling the weight of the situation crushing me.

"Reina, this is for the best," she said, her voice softer now. "Brock is a good man. He'll take care of us."

I shook my head, preparing to list a hundred and one reasons why moving in with the family was a totally bad idea, when my mom stood abruptly and folded her arms.

"That's my decision, Reina. If you don't like it, you can go fend for yourself."

Shock couldn't even begin to describe what I felt as I watched my mom walk out, slamming the door behind her.

What the hell?

I couldn't possibly find a job within a day, get paid and find an apartment. I didn't even have a built credit score or a friend to stay with. All my friends stayed in the school dormitories. So that left me with no other choice but to start packing up later that morning.

"This will be the best decision we will ever make, Reina. Trust me." As if I could.

The drive to the Reed's family was nothing short of awkward mixed with constant admiration for the change in environments. Soon, rocky paths and bustling, smelly roadside were replaced with greenery, sound of gushing fountain, beautiful landscapes maintained by numerous workers, aged men and women jogging their way down the estate and quiet.

As we both alighted from the car, two young women arrived, swiftly collecting our bags. I was taken aback but my mom blended in perfectly.

While she strutted towards the large, tall entrance door as if she belonged there, I was left admiring the architectural structure of the place. The massive empty spaces on the land and number of workers moving in and out of the mansion was enough to send me spiraling. But I kept my cool, knowing there were worse things to worry about.

However, I was met with the shock of my life when I entered the huge living room that looked like a ballroom and lacked soul, and saw my mom moving out with Mr. Brock.

"Hey, Reina. Welcome to our home." He pulled me into a casual hug that I knew I couldn't get used to yet.

"I know I should be giving you a warm welcome right now but unfortunately, your mother and I are engaged in some other activities."

"But don't worry," Mom chipped in. "Austin in home so he can make you feel at home. You both can get to know each other like that."

My heart plummeted to my stomach. Blood rushed to my ears as I heard the last couple sentences. Austin and I, alone in one house?

The walls would be painted with my blood before they returned. As if that wasn't enough torture, Mr. Brock proceeded to say, "By the way, I ensured your room was just across Austin’s. In case you need anything, you can easily reach out to him."

They did not give me time to process this and just walked out, my mom giving me a kiss on the cheek before breezing out of the house with her fiance.

How was I supposed to survive this?

I made my way up the staircase, determined to find my room and avoid Austin at all cost. If only Fate would be so kind to me.

There was no worker I could ask anything but to be honest, I was too nervous to want to talk to any of them. I didn't want to look like I was bothering them.

So I made my way down the hall on the first floor, by the west wing. The hall was longer than any kind I'd ever seen or been in. What kind of money do these people make to be able to afford these kind of houses? I found myself asking most times.

While I was lost in my thoughts, I walked past a room that was slightly open. My bag lay at the foot of the bed, as if beckoning me inside. I took it as a sign that I had found my temporary sanctuary from this hellish situation.

Without thinking twice, I stepped in and let out a sigh of relief. The room was decorated in soft pastels and had a large bay window that let in the natural light. A king-sized bed with fluffy pillows and a plush comforter stood in the center, and there was a walk-in closet that was bigger than my entire old bedroom. The sight of my bag was comforting, so I decided to take a quick bath to wash away the grime of the day.

I slipped out of my shirt, leaving me with my bra and was about to take off my jeans when the door across the room slid open. My eyes widened in horror as Austin emerged in nothing but a towel around his waist, his chest glistening with water droplets.