Meeting my new stepdad

Ariana's POV

Following me into the room, she said,

“Ari? Come on, don't be mad.”

Even my close friend had to be put in an uncomfortable situation because of my mom.

It's no wonder why I only had few friends

Zoey had stubbornly stuck to me, so I let her in.

That's exactly why I stopped putting efforts into friendships and focused more on my ambition.

To study, get a job, and gather enough money to live independently. Away from Mom's control.

Now even that dream was getting out of my reach.

“No, I'm not. I'll just go home.”

Zoey hugged her chest, her eyes roaming over me.

“I wish you didn't have to leave too. But….

Pecking her on the cheek,

“I’ll keep in touch.”

Before I realized, she appeared in front of me, raising her chin.

“I'm coming along. You'd have to pack me in a bag or something before you think of leaving me behind.”

I chuckled a bit, shaking my head.

Oh, Zoey.

At exactly 4pm we were done packing, and I sat on the patio overhearing the excited conversation going on between Mom and Zoey.

“Is that a Chanel you're throwing out?” Zoey asked.

“Oh, it's not worth that much since it's an old design. But you can have it if you like it.” Mom offered.

“No way I'm going to take something worth this much when Ari can have it.” Zoey giggled.

There was an uncomfortable silence before Mom said,

“She doesn't like stuff like this, so you can have it.”

“Oh no, it's too much…. Okay … I'll take it … you insisted.” She

Mom was right about that.

I was never materialistic.

The year I graduated college, I stopped receiving allowance from her and bought everything myself.

But I had to admit that Mom's materialistic personality with all her suitors did bring us food to the table.

We never lacked even if Mom never worked a day in her life.

When it was time to bid Zoey goodbye, I enveloped her in a tight hug, refusing to let go.

“You're so baby girl. Look how well you're choking me like we'd never see each other again.” She muffled, and we both laughed.

Caressing my back, she whispered,

“If it gets too hard with her….”

She paused, and I released her.

“Get a D.” She finished, and I gave her that look.

Grinning, she nudged me.

“Oh, just kidding.”

Leaning in, she started,

“She's a bitch.”

At that moment, Mom walked past, patting Zoey with a small smile, and I pressed my lips together, stifling a laugh.

Scrunching up her nose, she whispered.

“I don't like her either.”

I smacked her in the thigh, putting a finger against my lips.

“Shh, that's not nice.” I defended, trying not to make it obvious that I agreed with her…

“I'll really miss you, Zee.”

Pouting, she eyed me.

“Well, I won't. Just remember to call me when you get there, stranger, that I don't know.” She joked, and I rolled my eyes.

After promising to call her, we parted ways.

We took a morning flight and sat in business class.

From the hostess treating us like royalty and the entourage of men in black suits and sunglasses waiting for us at the airport, I suspected Mom's soon-to-be husband wasn't just an ordinary man.

Even the GLE we entered had this viper crest design on the bumper, and I noticed the other two cars had the same designs too.

I couldn't ask Mom about these things.

I lost that courage a long time ago.

Back in the car, me and Mom rode in the backseat in silence.

The man behind the wheel was in a full suit and sunglasses, barely looking the part of a driver.

More like he was part of some professional security.

Tension stretched between me and Mom before she asked,

“How exactly were you fired, dear?”

Her question tore something in my chest, so I looked out the window, refusing to be reminded about why I should hate Mr. Ferrari.

How could I detest someone and still have a wet dream about that same person?

Goodness, maybe I was the one in need of a psych ward.

It felt like I violated myself.

“Can we not talk about that, please?”

Mom relaxed into her seat, adjusting her sunglasses, with her lavender cologne filling the air of the car.

She was wearing a silk dress and silver stilettos with straps to hold them in place, her hair falling over her shoulders in a perfect trim.

If I didn't know Mom, I'd think she was the wife of some billionaire mafia king.

Applying her lip gloss for the third time since this ride, she put down the mirror by the top of the seat.

“You look gaunt. I'm trying to loosen you up so your stepdad doesn't think you don't like him.”

Refusing to turn to her, I curled myself into the corner of the seat.

Of course, typical mom to care about other people's feelings before mine.

I didn't utter one more word till we got to our destination.

It was a spacious villa that extended onto large landscaped lawns, built in a modern style with floor-to-ceiling windows and giant wooden doors.

A large pool was at the right corner of the house, the intricate designs of exquisite flowers surrounded every corner of the building…

Then there was a garage with a sliding glass door, which I could see through, filled with luxurious cars whose names I didn't know.

Impressive, I had to admit.

Was Mom's fiance a billionaire or something?

At the time we stepped out of the car, a line of women in maid uniforms were already waiting by the entrance, a practiced smile on their faces.

Even the guys in black all came out and stood in a straight, practiced line, their chests shot up, their expressions poker-faced as they all waited on us as though we were VVIP guests.

We were, but this was getting a bit too dramatic for my comfort.

“Come, let's go meet your stepdad.”

I didn't expect it, but Mom caught my hand, leading us in, and even then I felt the detachment.

Not being in the mood for arguments, I quietly went along.

The living room was large with a sleek interior and we sat beside each other waiting for my so-called stepdad.

“Welcome to your home, ma'am. Would you like tea, wine, sparkling water, or coffee?” An older maid with gray hair asked politely, her smile radiant.

She looked at me too, like she directed the question at both of us, and for some reason I caught the sincerity in her smile.

“Wine, the red one.” Mom said in a bossy tone that the maid smile faded.

Turning to me, she flashed a smile again.

“And you, ma'am?”

“It's Ariana.” I corrected it, and Mom sent a warning look my way, but I ignored it.

“And I'm okay, thank you.” I added, and she nodded before turning to leave.

“Wait.”

Stopping the maid in her tracks, Mom glanced at me.

“She'll take tea. And you'll address her like you did earlier.”

I could see embarrassment written all over the poor maid's face, but she nodded with a tight smile.

“Yes, Ma'am.”

What did she do that for?

When I turned to Mom, her chin was raised as she crossed her legs, her finger tapping on her purse.

Deciding to keep my thoughts to myself, I brought out my phone to text Zoey I arrived when Mom squealed like a teenager.

“Honey, it's so nice to finally be with you.”

Startled, I almost dropped my phone.

Then I rolled my eyes when I caught Mom squeezing him in a hug.

I didn't really care much about meeting him.

I just intended to live here like a ghost and would be glad if he treated me like one…

“I missed you.” Mom crooned.

Then I heard his voice for the first time.

“I do too. Where's Ariana?” He asked in a thick voice accented with Russian, I guessed.

It sounded so familiar that I put my phone away, walking up to meet them at the bottom of the staircase.

“Ariana dear, meet Gideon, your new stepdad.” Mom introduced.

At first I stepped backward, my pores suddenly became sweaty as I saw Mom in his arms, those pair of gray eyes staring back at me like I was in some kind of illusion.