Chapter 3 — A Line I Can't Cross

“Rosie's your daughter?” Henry asked, glancing at my Mum.

She nodded, brows furrowing in confusion.

“Rosie Alphonse?”

Mum's eyebrow rose up a fraction.

“You…” she paused, eyes moving from me to Henry. “Do you know each other?”

“Of course,” Henry said, with a slight smile. “Rosie was my student at Harvard College…. Remember,” he pressed.

“The one I told you I was a Professor at, three years ago.”

Mum gasped, lips parted in shock.

“Oh my… yes, yes. You said so, it just skipped my mind for a bit.”

“But… how come?” He asked, glancing at me then back to Mum.

“What do you mean?” 

“Your name's Denise Richards…” he trailed off.

“Ohh…” Mum chuckled softly, “Rosie insisted on taking her grandfather's name actually.”

“Ohh… I see.” He murmured.

Silence ensued.

Stretching longer than expected.

I shifted slightly, unsure of where to look or what to say next.

My gaze dropped briefly to the floor, then lifted again— 

His eyes were on me already, trailing over my frame.

My breath hitched.

I looked away, anywhere but directly at him, tapping my fingers by my side steadily.

I peeked from the corner of my eye as he pushed his hair back from his face, wetting his lips subconsciously.

“Okay…” Mum began, breaking the silence effectively.

“Since there's no need for introduction… I guess we can move on to dinner?”

“Of course, love.” Henry said, voice deep and soft.

“How about you both go and wait in the dining room… maybe catch up or something.”

“I think that's—” 

“I don't think that's—” 

Mum glanced from me to Henry, eyes glinting with unease.

God… this was so fucking awkward.

I let out a slow breath, trying to steady myself.

It didn't help much.

If anything, it only made me more aware of everything— him, my mum, and the fucked up situation.

“Here…” Mum said, shoving a row of plates and spoons stacked on it. “Take this in there.” She began urging me into the dining room.

I walked forward, faintly hearing her talk to Henry 

I began setting the plates and cutlery on the table.

Henry walked in also, setting a bowl and some cups down too.

“I'm really sorry, Rosie.” Henry began.

“For what?” I asked, sounding more nonchalant than I intended.

“I don't know… if I'd known I wouldn't—”

“Do not make me assume your love for my mum is weak that you would have or will dump her the moment you realize I'm her daughter.”

Silence.

I stared at him from the corner of my eye.

He blinked, lips parted mid-sentence.

“You're right…” he groaned, rubbing his palm over his face. “God… I'm such an asshole.”

I chuckled lightly hoping to ease his awkwardness and unsurprisingly, it helped.

“You're not acting very step fatherly, Professor Henry.” I teased.

“Don't blame me, I wasn't expecting these twists, I guess… and I really don't want to make you uncomfortable.”

“It's fine…” I waved dismissively. “The surprising feeling has passed already.”

He nodded thoughtfully.

“I mean… you were made aware that your future step daughter is someone from the school, so…”

“Yeah… I just didn't think it'd be my own student.”

“Yeah… what are the odds…” I mumbled.

“But I guess it's for the better… At least I get to be a stepdad to someone I already know.” he said with a shrug.

I didn't respond immediately.

The word stepdad sat strangely in my chest.

Unfamiliar.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, he mumbled something to himself, lost in thought.

I bit my lip, gaze trailing over his form.

As usual he wore his suit, but he had discarded the suit jacket and tie, rolling the sleeves up.

Locks of hair fell down his face, I found myself wantonly staring at his biceps as they flexed, fingers setting his hair back in place.

His gaze snapped to mine and I averted my eyes immediately.

“I would really like us to get along.” Henry said. “Are you still struggling with maths?” 

“Why are you asking?” 

“I could help you.” He offered.

I scowled, arms crossed around my chest.

“Are you trying to bribe me into compliance?”

He grinned. “Depends… is it working?”

I squinted my eyes at him.

Then—

“If you can help me with maths, further maths, physics and chemistry. Then we have a deal.”

He blinked, lips parted in shock.

“You seem to have gotten worse than before.”

I stared at him unamused.

“Do we have a deal or not?”

He sighed heavily. “That's like working overtime without pay. You do know I have a job of my own right?”

“Well… would you rather have your fiancèe’s kid fail?”

“This is starting to sound a lot like manipulation.”

“Come on Professor Henry…” I whined. “At this rate I'm not going to be able to attend E.A with the present scores I have and these subjects are a must pass.”

He scratched his head.

I waited quietly, watching him think.

Funny how the moment seemed oddly normal.

Like we were just two people having a regular conversation.

“Hmm… I'll just check my work schedule, that way I'll know when to make time for you.”

I nodded happily.

He chuckled. “We should shake on it.”

My heart skipped a beat.

Eyes trailing his tall figure as he walked closer to me.

He stopped, standing right in front of me.

“Deal?” He asked, arms outstretched.

I stared at his hand, wondering how it'd actually feel around my body—

He's your mum's fiancè Rosie.

I stared into his eyes, he smiled softly.

“It's almost like you're contemplating between creating a bomb for me or saving lives.”

I pouted.

“We're just shaking hands, Rosie… nothing else.”

Of course…

It was nothing.

So why did it seem like I was unknowingly making a dangerous decision?

“Take my hand, Rosie.” He murmured softly.

It's alrighty Rosie…

I steeled myself, taking his hand in mine.

Warm… that was how his palm felt.

My gaze traveled from our intertwined hands, to his eyes.

My breath hitched at the intensity behind it.

I licked my lips subconsciously… and his gaze fell there.

“Food is here…” mum's voice rang out, as she walked into the dining room.

We both pulled away from each other.

I brushed my hand lightly against my dress as if that would somehow reset everything.

The way I thought about him.

My dreams…

I just prayed the thought of him being my Stepfather would change everything.

Because if it didn't…

I wasn't sure what it would turn into.

And right now—

That was the one line I couldn't afford to cross.