Three

~Claire

Thud.

Thud.

The sound of paper being flipped.

"Fuck, who in nine hell's disturbing my sleep?"I complained in my head, trying hard to force my eyes open.

When I finally succeeded, I got the blurry vision of a guy standing in front of the study table in my new room. Instinctually, I sat up hastily.

"Who...."my voice came out small so I cleared my throat. "Who're you?"

Whoever the guy was probably didn't receive any home trainings cause he didn't reply me. I looked closely to see he was going through the huge diary I used for drawing.

I frowned in displeasure. "Hey. You can't just snoop around my stuff,"I tried sounding firm but failed. Argh. Curse my small voice.

He finally clapped the book closed and turned to me. My breath hitched. I literally felt my heart thumbing hard and fast against my chest. Was he human?

He kept mute, his eyes locked with mine and then he walked closer. I gripped on tight to the hem of my dress.

He was this close to me and then reached out. I almost thought he was about touching me only for him to pull off the hairband holding my hair up. My hair came falling on my shoulder and down my back, resting on my bed.

My hair was what Amaya used to call a supernatural one. It was really long and I'd been contemplating on getting it trimmed for a while now.

I looked up at him wondering why he did what he did and I got my answer when he gathered his braided hair in his hands and tying it up with my hairband. I'd be a twisted lier if I said it didn't suite him better than it did me.

He was wearing an all black clothing. A denim jacket and baggy pants. A diamond Rolex resting on his wrist, a black earphone in his right ear. He looked hotter than fire if I was being honest.

I wondered what he was doing here in my room. Who was he by the way? If I were to judge by his looks, then I'd say he was Rowan's younger brother. Only, he was the hotter version of Rowan.

I looked closely at him and noticed a small tattoo on his neck. It looked like he had one too many under those clothes of his.

"Dinner's ready,"he finally spoke and I blinked. Was it possible to get soaked with just the voice of a guy? The answer's no. But when it's a strikingly hot dude like the guy in front of me, hell, it would be abnormal if you didn't.

He made to walk away when I called him back.

"Uhm....sorry, who're you?"I summoned courage to ask even when his demeanor screamed the don't-talk-to-me shit.

He kept mute for exactly fifteen seconds before probably dimming it fit to reply me.

"I'm Jace...."he looked over his shoulders, looking me in the eye. "And I think I'll be seeing you often around here, Kitten,"he walked out after that.

K... kitten? You see those people who love being called nothing else but their actual names? Well yeah, I was the cheerleader of that association. What I didn't understand was why and how the name 'Kitten' sent shivers down my spine. Translation? I actually.....liked it? Fuck, what's going on?

I stared at the now closed door, replaying his words in my head. Was it strange that an image of me on my hands and knees, crawling towards him popped up in my head? Argh. Remind me to keep away from Ana Huang's books please. It's been messing with my head and the first Greek god I'd ever seen, opened my eyes to that truth.

Geez, this wasn't good. I wasn't happy with coming here and it should remain that way.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself off the bed and into the bathroom to take a quick bath. I was beyond exhausted due to the flight and moving around shit.

Deciding to go for something way more comfortable than the corsets I was putting on, I threw on a silk PJ and let my feet soak in the relaxing feeling of my cotton slip-ons. I grabbed my drawing tab, hugging it to my chest as I made my way downstairs for dinner.

"Where's she, Jace? You're sure you called her?"I heard Rowan's voice from the dinning area.

"Why don't you go call her yourself then?"a deeper voice replied him.

Jace. Hearing his voice still gave me the goosebumps.

"You don't speak to me in that tone, young man,"Rowan said firmly, sounding slightly pissed.

"Rowan, Baby. Let it go, please,"I heard mum's soft voice and I almost did throw up. It was sickening to hear her sounding this loving when the last time I heard her use the tone was when dad still had a job.

Realizing I'd been rooted to the last stair for too long, I let out a gentle sigh and headed for the dinning. I met mum, holding on to Rowan's shoulder as the man glared at Jace who looked like he'd rather be anywhere than in that room.

"Uhm.... Good evening, Rowan. Mum,"I spoke quietly and I saw Rowan's shoulders relax as he gave me a genuine smile.

"Evening, Claire. How was your nap?"he asked sounding like he cared and I had a feeling that he actually did care. I think he was really trying to make sure things worked out.

"It was okay, thank you,"I returned his smile with an awkward one before moving towards an empty seat.

"Sit opposite Jace, Claire,"mum instructed, leaving Rowan and grabbing her own seat beside him. I ignored the feeling of nervousness that hit me hard and just did as I was told.

The room was silent, just as I liked it. Just the sounds of knifes cutting through steak and forks going into them, filled the room. I muttered a silent prayer for the silence to remain till I went back up to the peace of my new room. Well, God certainly ignored my prayers cause Rowan broke the silence.

"So, Claire. Tell me.... What do you think of everything so far? Me as a person, the house and your brother,"he nodded at Jace who hadn't taken eyes off me since I entered the room.

Wait....what? Br...brother? The hot geek was my brother?

I looked up, finally locking eyes with Jace for the first time since I walked in. Jesus, he was fine as hell. His eyes were like these kinda mirrors that I could stare at for an entire eternity and not get tired. Two of his long braids fell over his face and I was tempted to help him push it back in place.

He sent me a smirk that had me looking away. Thou Lord, help thee to resist all temptation that thine enemies shall send thy way, Amen.

"Brother?"I asked in a whisper as I stared at Rowan in disbelief. Rowan looked too young to have birthed a guy like this. It wasn't possible.

"Yes. You didn't know? Helen, you didn't tell her?"he looked over at mum who gave a faker-than-fake laugh.

"It totally slipped my mind. I'm sorry,"she pouted and Rowan nodded, staring back at me.

"I didn't introduce you two earlier cause I thought your mum told you about him. Claire? This is Jace. My son. Jace? Meet....."Rowan was still talking when the creepy guy interrupted.

"Claire Scarlett Rainer. Age 17 and in her last year in highschool,"he spoke, not blinking.

O...kay? That was weird. How did he know me when I didn't even know I was having a brother till about thirty seconds ago?

"Uhm...hi,"I tried but failed to speak loudly. He nodded at my greeting and finally took eyes off of me. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding in.

Weirdo.

"Jace is 19 and in his finals in highschool,"Rowan spoke and I frowned at Jace who had his attention on his plate.

19? What the hell was a 19 year old guy like him doing in highschool? I was thinking maybe he'd be in college or something.

"He isn't really the bright kinda guy,"Rowan answered my unspoken question. Ohhhhh.

So that was the reason. Was it funny that the Jace in question actually looked like he was some kinda genius or something?  Anyways, let's not judge a book by it's cover.

"Oh,"was all I could mutter in response as I slowly picked on my food.

"Listen, Claire,"his call had me looking up at him again.

"I know it's hard for you to adjust with all these, but give it time. Give it a chance, give ME a chance. I know your dad's always going to be the number one in your heart, and your mum's the number two, but I'd be glad if you could make me number three. I'm not asking you to just give in. I'll work hard to ensure I earn that title from you,"he spoke with a fatherly smile and I shifted on my seat uncomfortably.

I didn't like the way everyone on the table had eyes on me. It felt awkward. I saw Jace give his dad a short, cold look through the Corner of my eyes.

He definitely didn't seem like he had a good relationship with the his dad. What could it be that they had going on?

"It's none of your business, Claire. Just stay out of their issues,"I internally scolded myself.

Wasn't trying to poke nose, but there was something about Jace's eyes. They held alot of sadness in them. It made me wonder what the issue was.

His dad was filthy wealthy, and super nice — to me, at least. So what could the issue have been?

I realized I hadn't said anything I'm response to Rowan's mini speech when my mom pinched my thigh from underneath the table.

"Oh, uh.... Thanks..... for the hospitality,"I chuckled awkwardly and silence reigned after that.

.......

Thanks for the hospitality?!! How and why the hell did I have to say that!? It sounded super awkward, and to top it all, embarrassing!

Cheers to my amazing personality as an introvert.

Letting out a sigh if frustration, I grabbed my drawing tab, and began sketching.

I loved drawing alot. It reflected my emotions and feelings best. Most times, I never even have a particular thing in mind to draw. I just let my heart lead me and this was one of those moments.

Pausing my work midway, I connected my iPods to my phone and turned on Lily by Alan Walker. The song was just too amazing to not listen to.

"Lily was a little girl, afraid of the big wide world,"I hummed alongside Emilie Hollow.

I wasn't done with the drawing yet, but boy....I could tell it'd turn out beautiful.

With the song 'Lily' on replay, I continued my draw till I was finally done in two hours. That was when I took a good look at what I drew.

Jace.

Maybe it was because I was just so curious about his entire personality, but he was definitely on my mind and that was what brought the result I was looking at.

One of his braids escaped the tight grip of the hairband, dangling in front of his right eye. He had a small smirk on his naturally pouted lips.

Man, he was beautiful. I caressed the photo, a small smile subconsciously resting on my lips.

Fuck, Claire my he's gonna be your fucking step brother really soon. Snapp out of it!

Deciding not to let anyone see the picture I drew, I Iocked it in my safe folder. I would have deleted it, but it was just too fine an art to be wasted.

Taking a deep breath, I put the tab aside. That was enough for one night.

Ah shit. I still hadn't called Amaya or Dad yet. I felt too tired to do any of those, so I just sent same text to them both.

:) I arrived safely! Will call tomorrow, I'm too tired, need to sleep.

Making sure the text was delivered, I shut down my phone and clamped my eyes shut, letting sleep embrace me in it's dark arms of darkness.