My Stepfather, My Ruin

Nicole Harper~•~“I’m getting married to a billionaire!”I didn’t speak for a few seconds, waiting to see if she had more to say. When she didn’t, I sighed. “Is that what you called me to say?”“A billionaire, Nikky! I don’t have to worry about money anymore.”“Is he going to help me pay off my debts?”“He’s not your dad, Nikky. Why would he do that?”Just as I expected. “I’m behind on rent and I might get evicted soon.”“You should have told me earlier! I went shopping a few days ago and I removed the tags on everything. If you can wait for a month, I’ll send you some money when he gives me my allowance.”I couldn’t wait that long. My landlord had been accommodating enough. I was behind on four months’ rent, but that was because one of my part-time jobs, the best-paying one, suddenly dropped me and my savings were forced out of me by my father’s creditors.I was broke and desperate and hearing my mother talk about her third marriage wasn’t what I was in the mood for.“Also, I sent y

Nicole Harper~•~The week passed by in a blur. I spent most of my time in front of my mirror. It didn’t take long for me to move as fluidly as I used to back in my freshman year. Clara showed me a basic choreography which I learnt in no time.On the night of the gig, I was pretty nervous, but Clara assured me that I’d be alright. Even if I wasn’t dancing properly, as long as I seemed confident, I was okay apparently. I took her word for it.I followed her to the club she worked for and we met with her boss and three other girls. I wasn’t entirely sure what Clara said to her boss but I was the only new face and they weren’t even scared I’d fuck it up. If this ended well, I’d owe her.We got a whole speech about how we couldn’t be forced to do anything and could say no if we weren’t interested which reassured me that her boss genuinely cared about our safety. Then it was time to leave.An SUV took us to the location. The girls chatted during the ride while I stayed quiet, looking out t

Nicole Harper~•~Two months later and I still hadn’t found someone who could make me feel the things that stranger made me feel in bed.I also had wet dreams about him even if I knew nothing of him.Sometimes, I regretted going because his image was imprinted on my mind, but whenever I recalled the money I made from it, the regret dissolved quickly. I was able to pay my rent up until my graduation. I was able to focus on my studies without thinking of where to get the next meal from since my mother didn’t even bother to keep her promise of sending me her next allowance.I was more than happy when my lease was up. I’d applied for work in several companies in Boston, but didn’t hear from any of them. When my mom suggested I go back home, I took it. My mom wasn’t a very good person, but she knew a lot of people. If I couldn’t find a job myself, I didn’t mind using her connections. Besides, I loved Chicago more than Boston and would prefer to settle down there.“So we’re never going to

Nicole Harper~•~I was lost in thought until I fell asleep.By the time I woke up, it was very dark outside. I checked my phone to see that it was already past eight at night. I blinked in surprise. How long did I think for? How long did I sleep for?I sat on the bed, not sure what to do, then my stomach rumbled and I found myself changing into something much more comfortable—an old t-shirt and a pair of shorts.Barefoot, I made my way downstairs and went to the kitchen. The space was huge. It was the kind of kitchen that made you want to spend time in it regardless of whether or not you knew how to cook.I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but I opened the fridge, hoping to find something to eat. A blue sticky note caught my attention and I carried the container it was stuck on.My lips pulled into a smile. At least, my mom was selfless enough to reserve dinner for me.I put it into the microwave and leaned against the kitchen island, doomscrolling as I waited for my food to heat

Tristan Michelson~•~Lily’s daughter unsettled me.The reaction she had on her face when she first saw me intrigued me. It was immediately obvious she was unsatisfied with me, but for what reason?I wished I could tell.I didn’t know if it was because she was actively trying to avoid me—it had only been a day but I could already tell—but something about her was stuck in my head. I’d asked her last night, but instead of being upfront about what she thought of me, she’d retreated quickly. When I realized I wasn’t going to get anything out of her, I left her alone.But she still lingered in my head.I leaned back in my office chair and loosened my tie slightly. The morning meeting had gone on longer than expected and I’d come back to my office to see that Nico had visited. I didn’t know how he had the time to skip work, but I definitely didn’t appreciate him eating into my time and making me skip work as well.Not like he cared though.I didn’t know what he was talking about because my