Chapter 4: Stay

Before I knew it, my cheeks were heating up.

This isn’t the first time I was complimented for my appearance and how I handle myself with grace—since my parents made sure that I’ll grow up this way.

Tons of suitors even said more than that as they admired me.

But… Why am I acting this way when River said those words?

Why is he giving me sensations I never felt with anyone before? Could it be that I like him?

If that’s the case, then… Could he be mine?

“You shouldn’t do that when you’re outside, River,” Dad scolded him. “You’re not in Italy right now. People might misunderstand your actions.”

“But she’s my little, demure princess. What would other people misunderstand?” River asked, raising an eyebrow.

I wasn’t stupid not to understand what my father was trying to say. Shivers sent down my spine as a realization struck me.

“He… isn’t my stepbrother, right?” I asked, yet deep inside, I was hoping to be wrong.

“Of course, he’s not,” Mom answered me instead, a playful smile curving on her lip as she shook her head. “He’s your cousin, Serenity.”

At that moment, I froze, and I almost forgot to breathe.

Oh, good gracious. This is much worse than I’ve been expecting.

***

I was on the veranda of my room, while mom was behind me, brushing my hair.

Everyone who will see us would think Mom is so sweet, still taking care of me like this despite me being in my twenties.

But no one knew what she was doing—why she was here, in my room, invading my privacy as she acted like a sweet mother, although it was completely the opposite.

“Since when did you learn how to disobey us, huh?” Mom asked as she brushed my hair with force, making me grimace in pain. “Do you think we wouldn’t know? That you even made Mia lie so you could wander off alone?!”

“Mom… I-It hurts…” I complained as I tried removing her hand from my hair, but it was to no avail.

“If it hurts, then you should have behaved as the sweet little daughter you are!” she yelled, yanking my hair toward her. “Goodness. How could you even hang out with River when you can’t even do that with Hans?”

I had a hard time answering her as I couldn’t help but grimace, feeling that my hair would be pulled out of my scalp anytime now.

“Maybe because he’s my cousin… And that’s why I feel comfortable around him—”

Before I could finish my sentence, I felt a hard slap on my cheek.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s your cousin. Hans is your future husband!” she snapped. “If there’s someone you should hang out with, it should be with the Continental, and not with the Palmer family!”

“He’s your nephew… Why are you mad at him?” I couldn’t help but ask.

Mom scoffed. “Nephew? That jerk?” She rolled her eyes. “He’s your father’s nephew, not mine. And even if I do, I won’t let myself be associated with the Palmer family, not even you.”

I sighed upon hearing those words. Can’t I even decide who I will hang with right now? Even with my cousin?

I felt a lump in my throat. Right. We’re cousins… which means I can’t entertain the thoughts of being with him right now, especially not after I realized I like him.

I just made a grave sin by fantasizing about someone who turned out to be my cousin, didn’t I?

“Alright. I won’t go near him,” I told Mom, my voice reassuring. “I promise.”

Maybe this is for the best.

***

That night, I didn’t even see River off despite my father forcing me to do it.

Thankfully, Mom helped me to get away from Dad’s scolding. She also wanted me to avoid River, after all.

“He’s the only person who isn’t afraid of me, and now, I already know why,” I said, sighing as I looked at River’s background on my phone.

Name: River Sage Palmer

Age: 27

Companies: Palmer Department Store, Palmer Airlines, Palmer Construction…

“Whoa, what the fudge,” I shrieked, seeing how many companies are under their family’s name—now under his name, specifically.

I only knew the Palmer family as they were mentioned by my Economics professor in one of our topics back then, but I never thought they were this rich! They almost entered every industry!

And their family is a relative of ours? Why are my parents trying so hard to marry me to Hans, then? If there’s someone who should be begging to marry someone here, it should be them.

With the Palmer family’s influence, I’m sure we could even be the wealthiest and most powerful family in this country.

But that’s not even important to me right now.

“What a shame that I need to avoid him,” I muttered, sighing as the disappointment consumed my body. “Let’s not think of him anymore, Serenity. This is just an infatuation. It will fade as soon as I don’t see him.”

After repeating those words like a chant, I walked out of the bedroom and went to the kitchen, craving some snacks and a cola.

I drank the cola as I closed the refrigerator, but as I did that, I noticed a muscular figure standing beside me—waiting for his turn to look for some food.

“Ah!” I screamed, unintentionally spewing the coke on him. “Shit! River?”

I wanted to slap myself as I saw River in front of me, but I didn’t want him to think that I was going crazy.

This isn’t real.

No. This shouldn’t be real. Why would my dear cousin be in our house, wandering around the kitchen… half-naked?

“Wow, what a nice way of greeting me a good morning, huh?” he teased, looking at his bare chest which was wet now. All thanks to me. 

I know I shouldn’t curse again, but fuck. This is real. Is this God’s way of testing me right now? On how I could resist temptation and sin?

“Could you give me a little help here, princess?” he suddenly asked, pointing at the face towel near me.

“Y-Yeah, wait.” 

I took the face towel and started wiping his body with it. Goodness. I’m having a hard time just by being in this kind of distance with him.

Get a grip, Serenity.

The flirty words he told you before shouldn’t affect you now. He’s your cousin. You don’t want to be dragged straight into hell, right?

Right. There are so many guys out there. I’m still young. I could still find handsome and hot guys like him.

“I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention,” I apologized, trying to distract my thoughts from those horrible imaginations I was having. “But why would you even walk here half-naked? This isn’t even your house.”

He chuckled, looking at me in disbelief. “Are you apologizing, or are you blaming me?”

“Both,” I answered honestly, my hands dropping onto his chiseled abs to wipe them, while at the same time, trying not to drool over it. “Now tell me, why are you here?”

“Because this is my house, too.”

I blinked in surprise. “I’m sorry?”

River didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he lifted my chin so I could look at his deep blue eyes, which were also piercing into mine.

“From now on, I’m staying in the Miller mansion,” River declared, his low tone sending heat straight to my core. “And let me give you a warning, Princess.”

River leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. “Wherever you are, I will always find you… Like how I did when you were in the bar last time.”

I closed my eyes in fear and anticipation. Each word and movement caressed my skin like a forbidden touch.

“So don’t you dare avoid me like the last time, Princess. Or you won’t like how I’ll push myself further into you.”