Want 3

Krysie was silently chewing her food. She felt suffocated. She could barely swallow her food because of her mom's family's presence. The cold and intimidating aura coming from the two sons of Hermano.

"What are you thinking?" the eldest, Hunter said. "Why did you let your mistress' brat move here?"

"Hunter, watch your words," Hermano said.

The man named Hunter dropped his spoon and fork and it created a very unwanted noise as it touches the crystal plate. He leaned against his seat and look at her in pure disgust. "What do you think of our manor? An adoption center?"

Krysie completely lost her appetite. She slowly put down her spoon and forced herself to drink the glass of water that was just right beside her. She then wiped her lips using the tissue and took a deep breath.

"Krysie is Millet's daughter. She's your step-sister." Hermano's voice came out cold.

"Hell, no." The man abruptly stood and eyed her making the latter look down in shame.

Hunter stormed out of the dining area, leaving the room quiet and in a heavy atmosphere. She lifted her eyes to look at her mom and Hermano.

"I-I'm done," she uttered.

A gasp escaped from her mouth when Carson stood and held her wrist. And without further words, he dragged her out of the dining area and proceeded upstairs.

Krysie bit her lip to rein a sob. She was hurt. It's always like this. She always feels unwanted. And all she thought is that today and now would be different. But as people said, too much expectation would always lead you to disappointment.

They entered her room and he assisted her to sit on her bed. Carson lifted her chin and saw the tears forming on her electric blue eyes.

"Hey, why are you crying?" Carson asked.

She gently pushed his hand away and wiped her unshed tears. She sniffed and replied, "I-I'm good, Kuya."

"Sorry about that," Carson apologized. "Hunter wasn't used to-"

"It's fine," she cut him. "I-I'm used to this." She chuckled. "Maybe that's my hint. I need to leave. I didn't even last for a day."

"No." Carson held her hand and squeezed it gently. "You don't have to. I like you here. I'm happy you are here. Please don't leave."

The tears she was trying to stop suddenly escaped from her eyes as Carson pulled her for a warm embrace. She can't help herself but let out a soft sob as she cried on his shoulders.

This is the first time that someone hugged her tight and warm. She felt safe and warm inside. Even her father didn't hug her this warm and secure. It was always the liquors and cigarettes that her father adored. Not her.

"How can I make people like me?" Her voice cracked. "Why am I always unpleasant to everyone? Why is my existence make everyone feel so annoyed."

Carson hugged her more tightly and she felt him kissed her hair. "Hush now. If they don't like you, then your Kuya is here. I like you... I mean, I like you here. No need to fill your head with the thoughts of being unwanted."

"WHAT was that, Hunter? That was rude," Carson entered his library. "Sey was crying!"

"Why are you so concerned?" Elias tossed his rubics cube in the air. "She deserves it."

"She doesn't!" Carson sat along with the long sofa and massaged his temple.

"Why? Do you like her?" Hunter asked.

Carson lifted his gaze towards his older brother and scoffed. "I just want a sister."

"Krysie Forsuello is a beauty. Don't fool me by saying you just want a sister 'cause you fucking don't." Elias smirked.

Carson gulped and looked away. His brother just caught him off guard. What Elias said was true. Krysie is a beauty and hugging her a moment ago before the lady doze to sleep is the definition of heaven for him.

He can still feel her soft and smooth skin, smell her natural scent, and even the way she bit her lip whenever she feels embarrassed it's fucking lingering in his mind!

"Cat got your tongue?" Elias smirked. "You liked her more than a sister, Professor Carson."

Carson shook his head and grinned. "So what? Yes, I like her. And it's enough to make you two let her stay."

Hunter stared at his younger brother, then his mind flashbacks the scene the moment Carson and that Krysie girl entered the dining room.

"Then if she'll insist to stay, let her face the consequences of being an unpleasant bug inside our manor," Hunter said with finality and stood.

Elias and Carson watched their eldest stormed out of the library, leaving the two of them alone in the room.

"Damn," Carson cursed. "We've spent many years together, yet I still can't predict how his mind works."

"He's not Hunter for nothing."

KRYSIE started packing her things. This is final. She'll leave Adamson's manor. If they don't like her here, why not force herself on them? Besides, she survived for three years without anyone to hold on to. This is just normal for her.

"What the hell are you doing, Sey?" Someone slammed her door open.

She turned to see who talked and found out it was Carson. She glanced at the digital clock on her nightstand only to see it was two in the morning.

"Packing my things." She smiled. "Why are you still awake?"

"I heard your sniffs outside." He walked towards me and held my wrist. "You're not going to leave."

"But they don't like me-"

"I said I like you," he cut her. "I already convinced my brother so you'll stay."

"Carson..." Her eyes teared.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her for a hug. Krysie bit her lip to suppress a sob and shamelessly nuzzled at her step-brother's neck.

She felt at ease whenever she's with Carson. The heavy feeling she always feels would instantly vanish whenever he said some heart-fluttering words.

"You'll be alright here," she heard him whispered.

She felt something penetrating her nape and it was too late for her to realized Carson injected her something that makes her feel dizzy and sleepy.

"For now, sleep."

SHE got up from the bed and massaged her temple. Her eyes darted on where she placed her luggage as far as she remembered. But she found nothing. There was no hint of luggage placed above the sofa-bed where she placed it.

Krysie bit her lip in annoyance and went to see the wardrobe inside this room. And the moment she opened the door, it was there. Hanged and properly fixed.

Who the hell did this? I can't remember fixing this last night?

"You're awake," said someone.

She turned her head to see the speaker and found out it was Carson. "Hey, good morning."

"Good morning." He glanced at his wristwatch. "Fix yourself we'll go out buy your school supplies for this Monday."

Her forehead knotted. "You have no work?"

"Baby, it's Saturday. I deserve a rest." He glanced at his wristwatch once again. "I'll wait for you in the living room. Move quickly."

Sey has left no choice but to take a fresh bath to make herself look presentable. She chooses to wear black fitted pants, a white spaghetti strap fitted crop top, and white converse shoes. She curled the tips of her hair and taint her lips with a candy apple lip tint.

"THANK you," Krysie said along their way out of the national book store. "You seriously don't have to bother yourself."

Carson stared at her face glimmering with happiness while looking at the complete book versions of Happy Potter he bought for her. "It's fine. I told you, just tell anything and I'll give it to you."

He watched her smiled. "I'm happy. I never felt this kind of happiness before."

Carson's heart felt warmth after hearing Krysie's words. Her innocent-looking face and a genuine smile are making his heart beat multiple times in a split of seconds. Krysie is a beauty, indeed.

"I'm glad you're happy," he replied.

The lady's face suddenly turned grim like she remembered something. "But Kuya Elias and Kuya Hunter doesn't seem to like me."

Carson wrapped his arms around Krysie's shoulders, not to comfort her, but to tell those guys who kept eyeing her that she's not available anymore.

"Just win their heart," he said. "Elias is kind and easy to please. He may look so distant but he's clingy when you get attached to him."

Krysie giggled which made him smile. "Really? That's cute! I love clingy brothers! You know, cuddle and do wrestling together just like how my friends and their siblings were. Damn, I want that, too!"

Carson can't help himself not to chuckle looking at her getting too excited about something that'll never happen. "Well, yeah."

He kissed her hair tightened the hug of her shoulders. Guys looking at Krysie is starting to get through his nerves.

"Baby," he said. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Krysie immediately shook her head which made Carson smile. He's glad. "I never had a boyfriend, Kuya."

"That's good-"

"Is that Kuya Elias?" she cut him.

Carson looks at where she pointed and nodded his head. "Yeah."

Krysie smiled sadly. "How can I win their heart? When I think they left no space for me..."

"You can win them someday. It'll take time, but it'll be worth it. I'm willing to help you," he said; trying to encourage her with his words.

The next thing that Krysie did was out of his expectations. She suddenly wrapped her arms around him and kissed him in the jaw.

"Thank you, Kuya. You're the best."

"HE'S being soft towards that brat," Elias said while clenching his jaw. "How can we able to shove her away when he's making her feel at home?"

Hunter was just silent, maybe thinking of ways how to throw their stepsister out of their manor. It's not like they don't like her. They don't want her presence in this mansion.

"Let him," Hunter replied. "You know Carson. Once he got tired of a woman, he'll side with us soon. Calm your tits."

Elias rolled his eyes and excused himself before storming out of Hunter's library. He's mad. Especially, on what he saw in the mall this afternoon. He doesn't know what got him mad, but maybe the thought that Krysie is flirting with Carson.

That brat.

He heads towards their pool area. Elias lighted the stick of cigarette he was holding and placed it in between his lips.

He sat at one of the lounges and stare at the pool like a lost boy; just like what he always does whenever he's in their pool area. He felt peace in this place and this serves as their freedom.

"Smoking is bad for your health, Kuya," someone interrupted his deep thoughts.

He lifted his gaze and meet hers. Elias didn't know why but he suddenly felt overwhelmed by just the sight of her.

She's wearing a maroon nightie and she's holding a glass of milk. He immediately diverted his gaze back to the pool.

Damn her long legs. I'm curious how it'll felt against my hands.

"What are you doing here?" he asked coldly.

He saw his peripheral vision on how she smiled and sat beside the lounge next to where he was sitting at the moment.

"I-I was thinking on making your milk," she said. "I followed you where you are heading that's w-why I'm here." She suddenly coughs after he blows some smokes.

He unconsciously dropped his cigarette on the floor and stomp it to finally take off the fire.

"Get inside. It's cold here," Elias said.

She handed him the milk. "Here. If you can't sleep, you can drink a glass of milk."

Elias looked at her. He doesn't know why he's very captivated by her electric blue eyes. His eyes dropped on her smiling lips... it looks inviting.

With all the courage he had. He pushed Krysie's hand making her lost the grip from the glass and it fell through the hard surface causing it to break.

He looks at her and saw how tears formed in her eyes. He suddenly felt awful and guilty. He knew she's making an effort to win their approval, but here he is. Testing her patience.

"Get inside," was all Elias said and stood.

His strides were faster than usual as he entered the mansion. He's tempted to look back, but he can't. He's damn guilty and if ever he'll glance back, he's sure he'll make something stupid decisions just like how his brother- Carter did.

KRYSIE wiped her tears while staring at the spilled milk and broken glass. She would probably be lying if she'll say she's fine and she wasn't hurt.

Maybe he really has a stone heart. She thought.

She stood and wiped her tears and decided to clean the mess. She doesn't want to bother her mother anymore about this kind of matter. She's Krysie Forsuello. She doesn't back out.

She immediately heads inside the mansion. She needs rest. After all, the next days would be a battle for her to win.

And that is winning her stepsiblings' hearts.