Chapter 3

NORA'S POV

“Ohh, you are here,” My mother said loudly from the third floor, dissolving the thick tension between Jeremy and I.

“Come and say hello to your stepdad.” She beamed with excitement.

My mother has remarried four times and each time, it was either for money or title so I am used to it. But this time, she crossed the line by getting married into the family of my sworn enemy that ruined my life.

I didn't burge.

She was furious. Her heels made clicking sounds against the tiles as she came down the stairs.

“Don't ruin this for me, this is an opportunity for you and you know it.”She roared, ignoring the fact that Jeremy was there.

I knew he was enjoying the scene, he leaned against the glass railing and crossed his legs as he sipped his whiskey. 

“You mean an opportunity for you because you did not do this for me!” I scoffed.

Mum clenched her jaw. 

“You are an ungrateful brat! Make sure you join us for dinner by nine.” She commanded.

I ignored her and ran up the stairs. 

“I'm sorry you had to witness that. It is probably her hormones that made her react like that.” I overheard her telling Jeremy as I ran up the stairs.

There were traces of affection or is it lust in her voice as she giggled sarcastically.

I entered one of the guest rooms and locked the door behind me. I sat on the floor behind the door and busted out in tears reminiscing how good my life was when I had my father by my side. I really needed him at that moment.

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I saw Jeremy standing at a distance. The halo around him was so bright. He walked towards me slowly, everywhere was so dark and silent.

“Hey Noey!” Jeremy broke the silence. He was shirtless.

All of a sudden he was so close to my face, he lifted my hands and placed them on his chest.

“You miss me,” He said, tilting my chin up.

“I don't,” I replied instinctively.

“I see.”

“Then why haven't you snapped your fingers from my chest by now?” He smirked

The sunlight hit my face. I immediately felt a sharp pain around my waist. It was so stiff.

 I had cried myself to sleep.

I thought everything that happened was a dream until my eyes landed on the king sized bed and the beautifully painted wall.

The realization then hit me.

I really have become Jeremy's stepsister.

‘Knock Knock’ 

I opened the door hesitantly and met my mother's scowling face. 

“Join us for breakfast this morning or you will lose your job.’ She threatened.

If I knew this job was going to come with a lot of prices, I would not have accepted it.

I reluctantly entered the shower. I turned on the hot water to soothe the pain in my waist. 

As I walked down the stairs for breakfast and to meet my so-called ‘stepfather,’ my heels clicked against the tiles which echoed throughout the room.

The house is so huge and even though there are so many servants, it still looked empty.

“I should have taken the elevator.” I murmured to myself. I finally got to the dining room and I saw empty chairs and tables.

“Where else are we having breakfast?” I asked myself, I was tired from the long walk on the stairs. I was going to leave for the office when I came across him.

‘REX!’ Jeremy's cousin.

I took a step back because he almost bumped into me.

‘I see you are my new step cousin.’ He sounded like he had been looking for me. “Welcome to the family!” He smirked.

Rex has always been a piece of shit. He is the one who cleans up after Jeremy's mess. He takes the blow for everything that Jeremy does because Mr Koch has to make sure Jeremy is the perfect one.

I ignored him.

“I hope you do know that you don't have a right over yourself anymore, you've been sold to Jeremy.” He quickly said before I could get out of his sight.

My steps came to a halt. “What did I just hear?”

I turned around fiercely and I saw him smiling maniacally. 

“What nonsense did you just spew?” My voice was sharp.

“You heard clearly, your mother sold you to Jeremy. Do you think the job you got just came easy?”

“Ask your money grubbing mother if…” He continued until Jeremy interrupted.

“What are you doing here? You were supposed to join us for breakfast in the garden!” Jeremy sounded furious on seeing me with Rex.

“Are you not here to pick up the files and leave?” He turned to Rex.

“Chill brother, I was just getting to know my step cousin more.” 

“Nice to meet you once again, Step coz!” He pocketed his hands and smirked as he walked out of the room almost bumping into Jeremy intentionally.

Back in school, they were always at each other's throat. Nothing had changed.

I was dumbfounded after everything I just heard.

“What did he say to you, Noey?” 

There it was again– that damn nickname. It used to make me cry but now it just makes my skin crawl.

“Nothing serious,” I lied.

He stared at me as if he was searching for the answer in my eyes.

I didn't want him to see that I was trembling. But I was sure he knew it, he could sense it. 

Jeremy walked towards me, holding an intense eye contact with me. He brushed my lips with his thumb slowly. My lips were trembling, the air was hot all of a sudden. I could barely breathe as he drew closer.

My body stiffened.

I shut my eyes, and he was silent for a while.

“Go to the garden, now!” Jeremy whispered into my ear.

His voice sent shivers down my spine as goosebumps took over my skin.

I panicked and quickly left his presence.

“Ohh, here she comes!” I could hear my mother's voice from a distance, her voice was laced with excitement. Like she had bragging rights over me.

I finally got to the breakfast table and it was a really lavish breakfast. I had only seen it in movies, the golden table was filled with fluffy buttermilk pancakes which drizzled with maple syrup, by the side was this golden croissant which appeared flaky.

Gosh! There was even avocado toast topped with poached eggs- My favourite. At the end of the table were fine porcelain cups and seasonal fruits.

I could not even recognise some of the dishes that were on the table.

I appeared before Mr Koch- my stepfather, and he smiled warmly at me. I tried maintaining a normal face since I couldn't force a smile. He stretched forth his hand, and I shook him.

My mum stood up immediately looking so tense.

“Nora!” She called out. By this time Jeremy had already joined us at the table.

I turned to look at him and he shook his head, with his face reading, I shouldn't have done that.

Mr Koch's face looked stern. He pulled his hand from mine and sat.

“I see you have not taught her the rules governing this house.” Mr Koch said asbhe faced my mother. His cutleries made clinking sounds against his plates.

“I apologise, I will–” My mother trembled a bit which was quite surprising.

“I understand, she is still new here.” He chewed gently.

“What is going on with these people?” I thought. The air has been so stiff since I got here. The guards stood like robots and I have never seen a stronger security.

I looked at my mother and her face was so pale. 

“Is it because of the handshake?” I wondered.

 My phone chimed, It was Laurel, she wanted to know if I was alright. I ignored it.

“Jeremy spoke highly of you, he said you were quite the brain in school until your grades dropped.” Mr Koch said.

My phone chimed again and again and again.

“What can I say?” I really didn't know what to say. I smiled awkwardly as I slipped my phone in my bag.

All of a sudden, my phone started buzzing. My mother kicked my foot underneath the table, she also gave me an eye signal.

I cut the call and everywhere became so silent.

Mr Koch stood and left the garden, his face hardened. My mother ran after him.

“Get into the car now!” Jeremy commanded, he threw the napkin on the table.