Chapter 2: Live With Him

The man who I fucked last night is my stepbrother? Is this some kind of a fucking joke?

I removed my eyes from the danger of his gaze and shifted it to my mother’s face. My heart was in my mouth as I gathered all of my courage to speak up after a moment of deafening silence.

“Tell me you’re kidding, mom.” I said in a controlled voice. She raised an eyebrow at me, as if my words sounded ridiculous to her ears.

“I’m not kidding, Bev.” She stared at me for a second before I got to see her sarcastic smile. “Oh, I get it now. Of course, I should’ve saw that reaction coming. We’ve already talked about this matter but I guess, we just couldn’t understand each other.” She toned bitterly.

I swallowed hard, not because I was affected by her words. But because I could clearly feel those intense stares from that man named… Atlas.

What’s with his stares, by the way? He must stop doing that! It’s as if he could remember what happened last night between us.

Or… maybe he really could.

My eyes widened because of that terrifying thought. Embarrassment crawled its way to me as I reminisced every freaking detail of that steamy moment I had with him.

“Bev? Beverly!” Mom snapped me out from my reverie. She was giving me a wondering look. “I said come and join our breakfast. Oh well, perhaps your rebellion last night got you preoccupied.” She said, disappointed.

I gritted my teeth. She pulled her chair and sat on it. Honestly, I don’t have a plan on joining her in the table but for some reasons… that Atlas guy who’s my, yeah, damn stepbrother was making me want to try at least. So, I did. I pulled my own chair and took a seat with a valid gap from his.

Mom looks satisfied for a moment as she continued putting some butter on her bread. However, I immediately regretted my decision after. Staying in the same atmosphere with her is already a mistake but with this man right here with us? It’s a fucking torture, especially now that I’m completely sober.

“So, you’re a professional pilot, huh.” Mom sounded impressed as she said that. The information got me that I slowed down from slicing my omelet. 

“Yes, I am.” Atlas answered. I shot him a side-eye look. He eyed me and I saw a ghost of smirk playing on his lips.

Oh, those delicious lips I’ve tasted last night…

Darn it. You better stay focus, Beverly!

“Trevor must be very proud of you.” Mom smiled sweetly as she mentioned the name of her newly found lover. I secretly snorted on my seat.

“Actually, he was. Back when I was eight and won in mathematics contest.” Atlas said in a dry humor which made my mother laugh still. Ugh, I can’t seriously withstand this.

Mom seemed to like him, huh. She looked very fond of him. So, that’s just it? The small family she’s been dreaming to have ever since. Only without Dad in it. How great.

I couldn’t resume my food anymore. It’s like every time I try to swallow, my throat refuses. It’s frustrating. 

Atlas eyed me once again. Our gazes met, he looked like he could sense my discomfort in this situation. I simply gulped and avoided his eyes before I could get myself lost in its depth.

“I’m full. Excuse me.” I stood up and decided to leave the table without waiting for their responses. Mom called me for about two times yet I never looked back.

I've been feeling cornered from those burning stares of Atlas and when I finally crossed the door, all of my emotions that I kept bottling up came into an explosion. I removed my heels harshly and threw myself to my bed. It feels sticky, knowing I’m still wearing the same dress I wore on my latest photoshoot yesterday.

But anyway, it’s least of my concerns now. I urgently need to call Hail right now before I lose my mind because of all the happenings in here.

“Come on, bitch. Answer the damn call.” I mumbled in a little bit annoyance. What’s taking her so long though?

I also want to know if she got home safe. Other than that, I’ll fire her the breaking news for this morning that will surely entertain the shit out of her. Oh, I can’t wait to hear her gasps and exaggerated reactions.

“Thank God! I finally reached you!” I exclaimed in relief after I heard her voice in the other line.

“Yeah. Sorry for making you wait, Bev. But you should say sorry to me too because you just disturbed my sleep!” She said which made me laugh like a witch.

“Did I? Sorry then, sleepyhead.” I heard her laughter from the background.

“You’re such a bitch.” 

“By the way, who dropped you home last night? Hey, I apologize for not being able to do that when it’s my responsibility to bring you back to your house, safe and sound.” I said in a serious tone now.

“Please, don’t worry about it. In fact, I should be thankful to you because you know what? Harvin dropped me off here! My gosh! It felt amazing, Bev. I think I’ve really fallen for him!” She began stifling her scream like a teenage lovesick fool who happened to get a kiss from her crush.

Meanwhile, confusion got me at its finest.

“Wait, what? Harvin who?” Is there a man named Harvin in our previous conversation about boys? Certainly, none. Did I miss something from the last seven hours? Definitely.

“Harvin Ryder, the bartender!” She happily stated and I was like, what the hell, Hailee Stevens?!

“That common guy?” The side of my lips tugged up in unintended disgust.

“Bev! Don’t call him like that. He’s a sweet loving guy, I swear!” She defended. My lips parted. I can’t believe this. Sweet loving guy? Those types were gone extinct a long time ago, I think.

“Are you freaking serious, Hail? That guy, really?” She really hooked up with that guy, huh? Heck. I don’t even know what to feel about this.

“And what’s the matter with that? It’s not like he’s an ex-con for heaven’s sake! I like him, okay? I confirmed it when he kissed me before he left me in front of our gate.” She giggled. I ended up sighing in disappointment. 

I totally disagree with her, dating that guy. For me, he looked like he only fucks then leaves. But then, who am I to judge further, right? Maybe just give the man a chance. If he can treat my best friend well then, no problem. Good for Hail. But if he’s just another type of asshole then, he better resign from that bar already because God knows I will never stop hunting him for hurting my precious Hail.

He can dump any girls as he wants but not my bestie or else, all hell will break loose. That’s for sure.

“Fine. Want me to be honest with you? Okay, I don’t like him for you.” I said frankly. She gasped exasperatedly. I blew out a sigh. “But if he can really make you happy then, go on. Date the guy. Just don’t surprise me with a call at late night and make me hear your fucking cry.” I added and she replied it with a loud laughter.

“You really love me, huh? I love you more, Bev! You’re the best!” She even made a kiss sound. I chuckled and rolled my eyes up even though she couldn’t see me. 

“Uh-huh, whatever. It’s my turn now to spill some news.” I said lazily as I got up and decided to take a bath while still in line with her. 

“Um, okay? What is it?” She sounded so eager for it which made me smirk dryly and with that, I began sharing her the fucked up situation I have that I just happened to digest about a few minutes ago. 

Just like what I have expected, her reactions were priceless yet very accurate. But among all of her transparent reactions, what I couldn’t really accept was the fact that she found it amusing.

Amusing, really? In what way?

“God! Are you for real? You fucked your stepbrother?!” Her voice was so loud, it almost made me curse her. 

“Can you just try to lower your voice, Hail? I’m on a loudspeaker.” I hissed. She chuckled.

“But your room’s soundproof. Why are you so paranoid?”

“Ugh! I really hate my life, you know.” I let out a harsh breath and took my pink towel to roll it on my hair. 

“Oh dear, I know you more than you know yourself.” She wasn’t joking at that statement. It’s always a likewise though. It’s like, we were born to memorize each other.

Shit happens when the world is too heartless to make your life miserable.

How I want to bump my head on the cold tiled wall when I finished my shower and then, realized there was no bathrobe I brought with me inside. I closed my eyes tightly to calm myself down and take a deep breath before I opened the bathroom door and stepped out to get the fucking robe.

Keep your nerves calm, Bev. It’s just a bad day. 

“Bev? You still there?” 

“Yeah! Just… getting my robe!” 

“What? You showered without bringing one?” She questioned in between her laughs. I ended up laughing too at my own stupidity.

“Well, I was too preoccupied so-“ my sentence was cut off when the door of my room suddenly opened and it revealed my stepbrother who immediately got his eyes on my completely naked body! “What the hell?!” I screamed. 

I don’t know what to cover, my boobs or my jewel. It was too sudden and he literally shocked me to the fucking core!

“Huh? Is everything okay? What happened?” Hail’s voice kept on coming out from my phone that I threw on the bed due to panic.

“I’m sorry-“

“You fucking pervert!” My cheeks were burning hot and as I recovered from the shock, I threw my hairbrush to his direction but he flawlessly dodged it which truly annoyed me.

“Sorry. You didn’t lock your door so, I just assumed you’re on your bed… still dressed.” He said but it only made my blood boil. 

“Whoa! Who’s that, Bev? Is that a man? Oh my gosh! Is that your stepb-“ Quickly, I took back my phone.

“Talk to you later, Hail! Sorry! Bye!” And with that, I ended the call. I threw my phone again and faced the asshole intruder once again.

“What are you even doing here? Don’t you know how to knock?!” What’s wrong with this man? 

“Calm down, woman. It’s not like this is the first time I saw that assets of yours.” He seemed cool and all composed as he said that. Meanwhile, I think I dropped my jaw on the floor. 

He’s… he’s unbelievable! Damn. I can’t believe he’s the lucky man who got to fuck me last night! But damn me too for not feeling any regret. I just can’t believe myself either.

“You know what? Fuck you!” I hissed with an obvious annoyance. He slowly smirked. It almost wobbled my knees. Damn it.

“But you already did last night.” He said. 

No matter how hard I tried not to blush, his words still made me and it annoyed me more.

Why did he have to bring that topic up, anyway?

“Barbara requested me to tell you to pack your things because as per dad’s order, you two are going to live with us in Cameron’s Villa from now on.” He coldly told me. I blinked as I tried to process everything I’ve heard from him.

“Y-You’ve got to be kidding me!” Live under the same roof with them? With him? No way!

“Blame the two lovesucking birds.” He said acidly before he turned his back on me and left my room.