CHAPTER 002: From Stranger to Step brother

~SAFFRON~

~Weeks Later~

Five years ago, my mom swore she'd never remarry. She lied. She also told me we’d never leave my Father's memories behind, so what the fuck is she saying right now, asking me to move in with her to her newly wedded husband’s house in New York? Leaving my lovely and peaceful life in our small town in New Jersey, my friends, my best friend Kate.

I rub both hands over my face, groaning as she keeps talking about Frederick Winchester being a good man—for the one hundredth time!

“Mom, I love you, and I want the best for you. But please don't involve me in your new marriage,” I say as she sits down beside me on my bed.

Her face saddens, and I have to look away. She’s not guilt-tripping me this time. She already did when I went against my wishes and attended her wedding with her new man.

“Baby, you know I can’t leave you behind. Please… Fred is a good man—”

“I don’t want to hear it, Mom.” My voice cracks.

“He’s a good father,” she continues, and I scoff.

If he’s such a good father, then his only child, some grown-ass boy who she’s randomly spoken about, would have attended their wedding.

“Please, Saff.”

I shake my head. “Mom, I can't.” I stand up and head for the door.

“Saffron,” she calls in a broken voice as I place my hand on the doorknob. I sigh and turn to look at her. My chest tightens at the sight of her teary eyes.

“What you’re asking me to do isn’t easy. I’ve spent all my life here. I’ve created memories with Dad.”

“I know,” she says sadly.

“Mom, I’m scared. I don’t want to leave his memories behind—this house,” I gesture around my room, helpless. “This place.” I then blink back the tears threatening to come out.

She walks over to me and takes my hands in hers.

“Saff, we’re not leaving his memories behind.” she says, her thumbs rubbing in small circles over my knuckles “Your father will always have a place in our hearts.” She presses a hand to her chest. “I will always love him.”

I couldn't stop the tears from coming out. My mom and late dad were like the modern day version of Noah and Allie from The Notebook. I had always wished to experience a love like theirs. His death had shaken her so deeply that she was diagnosed with dysfunctional grief and had to see a therapist. If anything, I should be glad she had found Fred, and not feel that she was betraying my dad.

“Fred makes me happy again.” Her voice trembles. “As shocking as it sounds, I have found love again.”

“Oh, Mom…” I hug her, and she wraps her arms around me tightly. “I will go with you. I’ll come with you to New York.”

She kisses my forehead sweetly. “Thank you sweetie.”

I nod, smiling through the tears. She lets go of me and smiles too.

Walking towards my wardrobe, she says, “Now let’s get packing. The limousine will be here soon.”

My jaw drops. "The limo—what?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This isn't fucking real.

I can't get over the fact that we are being driven by a chauffeur. Yeah, Fred Winchester is pretty rich, based on their wedding expenses and what my mom has blabbed about to me. But I didn't know he was rich enough to afford a Rolls-Royce Phantom limousine—I know a thing or two about cars. And as if I wasn't surprised enough, my mom is just telling me he owns an estate, and I'm going to be offered admission to Sterling Heights College, same college as my new step brother. My ex, Maxwell, attends the same college too! Jesus Christ.

“Why didn't you tell me?” I asked.

“Because you didn't care to know, Saff.”

I puff out air and try to calm my nerves. It feels like everything is happening too fast. A year ago, my mom was struggling to afford two square meals, and now I'll be attending a top college in New York.

I can't push past the feeling that I have left my childhood best friend, Kate. I had called her quickly before I started packing. She arrived and we both cried and said a heart-wrenching goodbye. I sigh as I look at the cityscape of New York through the car's window.

My new life begins now.

“You alright?” my mom asks suddenly, squeezing my hand.

I nod. “I’m just nervous, that's all.”

“It will get better.” She gives me an assuring smile, and informs my new step father of our arrival on a phone call.

The limousine takes another turn, and I pull out my phone to text Kate.

“We’re here,” I hear my mom say minutes later, and my tension spikes as we ride past a giant gate.

We ride past beautiful land and trees, stopping in front of a mansion that takes my breath away. It is far too magnificent to be real.

“Honey.” I hear Fred's excited voice and turn to see him and my mother kissing while the chauffeur takes our bags and luggage inside.

I can't stop myself from smiling.

Fred Winchester is one handsome man—tall, broad in physique, with an impeccable fashion sense. From the few conversations I've had with him, he's a kind man. And no matter how I try to deny it, I kinda understand why she fell in love with him.

“Saffron,” he says when our eyes meet, smiling as he walks to meet me. He looks so delighted to see me.

“Hi.” I give an awkward hand wave, and he pulls me in for a brief warm hug.

“I’m so happy you came,” Fred says, grabbing my shoulder gently. I glance at my mom who is staring at us like she is living in her answered prayers.

“I’m glad I came,” I tell him, and we all walk inside.

The interior of the masterpiece mansion leaves me so shaken and speechless. We are welcomed by the butler and my mom takes me on a tour around the house, starting with the gigantic living room. After a moment, I notice she's looking at me, waiting for a response.

“The whole place is beautiful. I love it,” I say truthfully, and she shivers with delight.

After we leave the kitchen, we come to a door in the hallway. She pauses, her hand lingering on the doorknob.

“Would this be my room?” I ask.

She nods excitedly and turns the doorknob. I enter first.

“So what do you think, Saff? Do you like it?” she asks as I keep looking around the room, which is three times bigger than my old one in New Jersey. I turn away from the window to look at her smiling face.

“It’s… It's um…”

“Good?”

“No,” I say, and the smile on her face fades quickly. “It’s perfect!”

When she sees the perplexed expression on my face, she smiles. I sprint to my new beautiful big wardrobe and open it. I gasp at what it entails.

“They’re so pretty,” I say, touching all my new beautiful clothing, my accessories. Happiness blooms in my chest as I stare at my comfy bed with a big, comfy brown teddy. Maybe leaving New Jersey isn't bad after all.

“Fred and I made sure you'd be comfortable,” My Mom says from behind me.

“Oh I will be comfortable” I say excitedly “Thank you, mom. I love it!”

She smiles with her teeth, her eyes crinkling.

“Jason’s room is next door” she says suddenly, her voice sounding nervous. “Hope it's not too soon?”

Right. Fred really has a son. And I just found out his name's Jason. I've never once cared to know about him or what he looks like. In fact, I didn't care about his existence. But now, I do. I have to. If I'm going to be living with some boy next door, I really hope he won't make my life here miserable. As an only child, I have low tolerance for unruly behavior. Also, where is he?

“Saffron?” My mom's voice pulls me back.

“I don't mind.” I say quickly.

Her face relaxes. “Freshen up and meet us downstairs for dinner,” she says, opening the door.

“And…” she pauses just as she is about to shut it behind her. “Jason is on his way. I really do hope you two get to like each other.” She finally leaves.

And I really do hope he's not a jackass.

At dinner, we are all seated. I'm sitting close to my mom as Fred whispers things in her ear that make her cheeks flush. They remind me of how lonely my life is. How Maxwell never loved me. I sigh, pushing away the memory of him. It hurts less now.

I hear the sound of a car outside as I sip from my juice, but it fades away too quickly.

“That must be Jason,” Fred says.

Somehow, that gets me tense in ways I can't explain. I adjust in my seat, suddenly concerned about how I look. Or maybe I just want to give him a good first impression. But why should it even matter what he thinks? I don't even know him. I stare hard toward the direction of the front door for minutes, waiting for him to appear as I eat slowly.

“Jason, come sit with us.” That's Fred.

I glance at Fred quickly and realize he's staring somewhere else. When I follow his eyes carefully, a quiet gasp escapes me. My pulse thunders in my ears, and my stomach flips as he comes into my view. The room dims for a moment. It's not possible. No way! I'm imagining him. I blink my eyes and he's still there, approaching us at the table. Oh my God. The fork slips from my fingers and clatters onto the plate. My palms turn slick; sweat prickles along my spine.

This isn't just some boy. This is the Damon-Salvatore boy hot I had a revenge kiss with at a random party.

And he is supposed to be my new step brother?!