Chapter 4

Dad wasn’t alone. A woman sat opposite him, smiling warmly. She had long gray hair and bold green eyes, she sat confidently with her legs crossed. I felt immediately intimidated by her calm but bold presence. 

“Rebel,” my dad said, getting up to give me a hug. “Meet Susan, she's going to be your stepmom” he showed me the engagement ring on his finger. 

Already?. I forced a small smile, stepping forward. Susan got up slowly, her curvy body and straight posture dominating the room, she stood well taller than my dad and I in her emerald green heels matching her emerald green dress that complimented her eyes. 

“Hi. I’ve heard so much about you,” her smile wasn't welcoming but it was warm. 

Dad wouldn't possibly tell her why I'm called Rebel instead of my real name. 

“You've started at Maryville already,” her eyes trailed over me, “My second son goes there too. You'll meet him soon. I told him to come right home after school. Have your seat David, you too Rebel. Refreshments are on the way.” 

I was lost of words as I took a seat, her presence felt suffocating, I didn't like it. 

We've barely sat down when we began to hear voices coming towards the room. 

“Can I get your bag instead?.” It was Annie. 

“No,” a cold voice answered her. 

“How about your jacket?. Or is there anything I can get you?” Annie probed. 

“No. Get out of my sight,”

That voice. It can't be. What's the coincidence?. It can't be…

Heavy footsteps walked into the room and I turned around to see Chris Kane walking towards us. His eyes met mine and both our jaws dropped open in shock. His green eyes widened simultaneously. 

What?. Chris?. Lucifer?. 

“Mom?” he said slowly. The grey hair and green eyes now made sense. 

“Chris, perfect timing. I want you to meet…”

“No,” he cut in. His gaze snapped back to me. “What is she doing here?”

“Chris—”

“She’s his daughter?” Chris asked, disbelief laced in his voice.

“Yes, she's my daughter,” Dad replied.

Chris looked me dead in the eyes. “This is a joke, right?” he said, his voice low but sharp enough to cut through the room.

“No,” Susan snapped, her voice made Chris tremble a bit, that's shocking, “It’s not.”

My dad placed a hand on my shoulder like that would somehow stabilize the situation, “This is my daughter Rebel. I've mentioned her before.”

“I know who she is,” he snapped, not taking his eyes off me.

I folded my arms taunting, “You think I'm happy to see you again too?”

His eyes flicked to me, green eyes firing with rage. 

“Have you two met?,” Susan asked, exchanging glances with both of us. 

“Yes, I saw him fight—” I started to say. 

“No, we haven't officially met,” he cut me short and gave me a deadly look, daring me to tell his mom he's been fighting. 

Oh, he's afraid of her, how convenient. 

“Then what's all the problem Chris?” Susan stared at him. He didn't say anything more but his jaw gritted together like he wanted to explode. 

Susan continued, “Why don't we all have dinner together tonight to get to know each other better. David and I agreed already. I've invited Sean, he's coming down all the way from college.” 

“I can't. Vanessa invited me to her party tonight. Is it okay if I go, Dad?” I turned to my Dad and asked. 

“Sure,” Susan answered firmly, not allowing my dad to speak, “Your dad mentioned you don't drive, Chris could give you a lift, he's great friends with Vanessa.” 

“Did you say Sean's coming?,” Chris’s voice was now low and sounded even more dangerous, like he was mentioning a dangerous enemy.

Something about Susan didn't sit right with me, she sounded too strong, “Yes but now I'll tell him the dinner is postponed till Friday. You two can just have fun at Vanessa’s party tonight and get to know each other. Chris, introduce Rebel to the boys—”

“Mum I'm not giving her a lift to the party, if she wants to go, she should find her way there,” with that, turning the back of his grey hair and began to walk away. 

“Chris. One more step and you won't like what's coming!.” 

My stomach tightened at Susan's threat. Sure enough Chris stopped walking and turned around to face us. A triumphant smile crossed Susan's face. I turned to dad but he said nothing. 

“I can just tell Dwayne to give me a ride,” I quickly said. 

Two pairs of green eyes widened at me like I'd just told them the secret to getting rich instantly. 

“Dwayne?. Dwayne Quan?” Susan slowly approached me, “Rebel Honey. The Quan don't get along with the Kanes.”

She made me feel small, “I'm not a Kane and Dwayne helped me today so we're friends now.” 

“You will soon be a Kane Rebel,” Susan held my gaze as she stressed every word, “And you will do as I say. We don't make friends with the Quan.” 

“You…” I was cut short by Chris. 

“Don't fuck around with Dwayne, I'll give you a ride. Okay mum?. Can I go now?,” Chris muttered through gritted teeth.

“You think it was an option. Yes you can leave,” Susan waved him off. 

I turned to my dad but he was staring at Susan. Is he going to let her boss me around?. I can't even believe Chris would let anyone boss him around with his bad boy reputation. 

“And as for you, Annie will show you to your room. Your Dad's had your stuff moved from the hotel already,” Susan took her seat again just as Annie arrived with refreshments. Susan barked orders at her, no wonder Chris was also rude to her, is this how they treat people. 

Dad smiled and nodded at me, “Go with Annie, everything is settled.” 

“By the way, who's Sean?” I decided to ask. 

“Chris's brother. They don't get along well,” Susan answered. 

*********

By 8pm I was ready for the party. I was ready to get out of this mansion. My room was too large and pink for my liking and Annie was extremely rude to me, so were the other maids. Is there any more manners around here?. Hopefully this party will cheer me up. 

Sure enough Chris was waiting for me downstairs. 

“I'm ready,” I half whispered, joining him.

His green eyes almost fell out of their sockets when he saw me, he couldn't even hide it, he openly gawped at me. 

I went for a simple look, styling my long blonde hair into two pig tails, with two tendrils in front falling over my long dark lashes laced with mascara, beautifying my blue eyes. Red lipstick to match subtle makeup that highlighted my perfect face and cheek bone. 

Chris's green eyes trailed over my ripped skirt made of dark jean fabric stopping just after my butt line and transparent pantyhose over my long legs, with black and white sneakers. His eyes trailed further up over my white long sleeve —to hide my scar—crop top straining over my boobs. 

“You shouldn't dress like that,” his voice came out strained and husky, his green eyes never leaving my body. 

“I dress however I want” I reply back, leading the way out of the house. 

“Damnnnn!” 

I froze on my track immediately I stepped outside, four guys were standing beside a dark car, the four guys that followed Chris in the morning, they stared at me speechless. 

“Get in my car, don't talk to my friends!,” Chris dragged me by the shoulder into a car parked in a corner. 

“Chris, who's she?” One of them asked. 

“No one. I'll meet you guys at the party,” he let me into the front of his car and slammed the door shut. 

He got in after and drove away. 

“You don't want me to meet your hot friends?” I teased. 

He said rudely through gritted teeth, “Just because your dad's marrying my mom doesn't mean we have to talk. Stay away from my friends.”  

“Only if they don't come to me first,” I wanted to get on his nerves. I hated the way he was acting like he was in control of everything, like his mum.  

His arm tightened around the wheel but he didn't say anything till we reached the destination.

“Don't make friends with Dwayne and if you know what's good for you Vanessa either. Just stay in the shadows where no one sees you, looks like you'll be better there,” he left me with my jaw dropped open and marched off.

How dare he say that to me?!. I'll show him I don't belong in the shadows. 

The sound of loud music filled my ears immediately as I stepped out of Chris's car. This was a mansion rager, how rich are the kids at Maryville High?. 

Vanessa's house was a modern mansion almost as big as Chriss’. 

Guess who I found immediately I stepped in, Dwayne, he also noticed me immediately. He was leaning moodily against the wall with a drink in hand.