Chapter Four: Denial 

His mention of Marcus had gotten me so annoyed and it had also made me come back to my senses. I could not be enjoying the way my best friend's dad was teasing me sexually, that would make me no different from a whore.

Moreover, I was betraying Leslie 's trust.

"Was he the one that made you cry?" He asked.

"I wasn't crying," I seethed.

"You had mascara-stained eyes but I politely chose not to ask," he murmured, placing his hands on my thighs once more. "Apparently, I struck a nerve by bringing him up."

So that was why Leslie 's mother asked if I was okay earlier on, I thought to myself.

"Excuse me," I said, realizing that there was no way I could leave the bathroom without him stepping away from me. I was still trapped on the countertop.

"Why?" He asked. "Are you telling me you don't want more of this?" His hands were back on my thighs, finding their way to my underwear. I raised my hands to slap them away but he caught my hand in time with his other one.

"Ahh," I moaned, feeling his hand under my panties.

"So you do want more of this?" He asked.

"Please stop," I begged. My heart was heavy with guilt. It was only the first day of meeting my best friend's step dad and this was already happening between us. My mind wandered to Leslie and I wondered what her reaction would be if she should walk into this bathroom. I could imagine her hurt and that made me feel even more guilty. "Please stop-p," I cried, shuddering.

"You've been in denial for so long, Addison." His voice was husky and heavy with lust. "Do you really want me to stop?"

I could not bring myself to say no. This man was like the devil, making me find so much pleasure in sin.

"You can't even say no," he chuckled, letting go of my hand finally. They moved to my face and he stared into my eyes, while his other hand still worked wonders between my legs. "Beautiful... So beautiful."

"Don't make me do this," I finally said, moaning the words out. "Please."

"Tell me to stop one more time and I will," he mumbled.

"Please, st—" I didn't complete my words because he captured my lips with his.

*+*+*+*+*+*

Leslie was the one who woke me up the next morning. She was so energetic and I wondered how this girl never got hungover.

"Do you know what the time says?" She asked. "You've been out for so long. Did you stay up late?"

My mind wandered to what had gone on between her stepfather and me in the bathroom yesterday night. "No," I lied.

"Hey, you look flushed," she commented, sinking onto the bed. "Are you okay?"

"Of course," I stammered.

"If you say so. Anyway, my stepdad made breakfast this morning. Some strange Italian dish that tastes so good."

"Oh?" So he had been serious about making breakfast.

"I don't know why he's playing such a good husband," she rolled her eyes. "The food was actually good. He packed yours separately and put it in the fridge since you weren't awake."

"Oh. Cool, I'll microwave it later on."

"I've got music practice in a few minutes so I'll be off soon."

"Oh, let me take a shower quickly and get back to my dorm."

"Why don't you spend the rest of the weekend here instead?" She suggested.

"Are you sure? I—"

"It's cool really," she said. "And Lovina might still be using your dorm as a sex house."

"Right," I mumbled. I picked up my phone and saw a text from a strange number.

Please take care of her, she might have a hangover.

I smiled, remembering the guy who brought Lovina out yesterday.

"Why do you have that face?" Her expression was suspicious.

"So, won't you tell me about him?" I asked, wiggling my eyebrows.

"Who?"

"Seriously? The guy who brought your drunken ass to me."

"Yeah, I don't remember that— oh!"

"Mhm?" I teased.

"I will be late for my class," she said, changing the topic. "Love you, bye!" She kissed the top of my head and ruffled it.

"You are not escaping that topic!" I grinned.

"I love you too will suffice!" She laughed as she grabbed her duffel bag and walked out of the door.

I yawned and walked to the bathroom to take a shower and brush my teeth. When I was done with all that, I took out the most comfortable outfit I could find and walked downstairs to the kitchen.

My phone rang as I opened the fridge and pulled out the food that had been left for me. After putting it in the microwave and setting the timer, I picked up the call of the stranger.

"This is from Blue Digit Hospital," a soft feminine voice said. "Am I speaking to Addison Rodriguez?" She asked.

"Yes," I said, drawing out the word. "How may I help you?"

"Your attention will be needed at the hospital," she said quietly. My heart dropped a beat. I felt like I already knew what was coming. "There is an important piece of information we would like to relay to you."

"Is it urgent?" I asked.

"Somewhat."

"Can't you tell me over the phone?" I asked, bracing myself for whatever was going to come next.

"I am not sure it will be best to—"

"Just tell me," I rolled my eyes. I noticed Glen walk into the kitchen just then. He sat on the island and stared at me with an unreadable expression.

"Your mother, Mrs. Carol Rodriguez has passed away.

"Oh," I lowered the phone, swallowing hard. I did not know what to feel at that point. My mother has made my life miserable at some point but I also could not deny that I loved her and that she also loved me even though she showed it in a sick and twisted way.

"Hello?"

I hung up. Glen raised his brows at me, then once again his expression was blank.

"Hey," I said, trying to manage a smile despite the hurricanes of emotions flowing through me at that moment. "I—"

"Forget about yesterday," he said in a cold voice, staring into my eyes. "You were just a needy whore and I helped you out. Don't start acting all clingy."

My heart shattered into a million pieces there and then, and the tears that had not spilt when the woman on the phone announced my mother's death began to flow in torrents.

I hated myself.