chapter 6

Nate's POV. 

Nothing scarred me as much as watching a man who was actively involved in my life suddenly become a monster but not only that, denying it through his teeth. 

It didn't help that he had recruited people into his life who didn't even know the first thing about him instead they believed that he was the best thing things sliced bread. 

I would never just understand this stupidity and blind trust that they exhibited towards a man that should be sent into the dungeon forever. 

"Oh, by the time we are done tomorrow, we are going to the grave site and getting this done and over with. I hope by the time that is concluded, you would be happy right?" I smirked. 

If he thought that threatening me with my scholarship was going to make me dance to his tune, he had a great shock coming for him because he was going to see me in ways he never imagined. 

My mother was going to get her Justice and I didn't care how long it would take. I was biding my time. 

"Oh, you cannot just leave, because there has been a new policy in school, I'm sure you're not aware of that." My father started, "they are planning to withdraw your scholarship but are just waiting until you have concluded the Nationals before they deliver the news to you." 

My father was everything else but a liar especially when it came to education. "You must be kidding me right now."

"Oh, I wouldn't. As a good father, I figured that there wouldn't be proper if my son was stranded so I provided a solution... You are going to stay here with me, complete your studies, go wherever you want and then..."

"Nothing. I am not going to stay under the same roof as you. In case you have forgotten who you are. If they had the slightest idea they would be out, but I guess you have mastered the art of covering your tracks." I commended him. 

Jessica's eyes bored into mine and I felt a rush of heat mingle with annoyance. She wasn't supposed to be present when I was having a meltdown. I hated the fact that she could have something against me in school and I wasn't that impenetrable person that she knew. 

She was smart and I could see the wheels turning in her head. She was probably trying to figure out why I hated my father so much and that was one of the things I dislike the most. 

"Cut down on your anger. Cut down on your drinking, smoking and the rest, you would have been able to call the shots if you had not wasted your time on things that do not even matter." Seth spoke. 

Jessica's Mom grabbed his hand, pulling him away immediately. 

"Well, well..." Jessica began, ruining the somber mood.

I had quite a number of things to say to her but I control my speech because I didn't want her to commit suicide. 

I was mad not stupid. 

"Don't try to strike conversation with me right now if you don't want to be burnt alive." I warned her, 

Jessica smiled ruefully, "I'm sorry that you have a friction with your dad but can we just establish some ground rules?" She wringed her hands.

That was cute. 

What? 

"What the hell do you want right now? You already know that I'm just step brother why don't you get over that obsession? You know that it would never work, especially with the family dynamic between us." I decided to hit her with the harsh truth so that she backed up. 

Just as I thought, she backed up, squared her shoulders, and glared at me. "You are just nothing but an asshole. I don't even know why I bought that to be civil with you. So what, I believed that you didn't think enough. I also appreciated your art and that's my crime?" She flung her hands in the air. 

I stepped a little closer, trying to be intimidating. "That's not the reason why you are mad. You are mad because I have been able to get under your skin. I rejected you so I understand how women behave when they are told that they are not enough. I don't blame you for whatever it is you are up to." I nodded, flicking my fingers in a shooing motion. 

Her eyes blazed with so much anger that I thought that she could combust. 

Her slender fingers pointed at me. "You know what? Suit yourself. You are staying in the guest room, my room is out of bounds, and we do not have to cross paths, because I don't even see how I am supposed to discuss with someone who acts as though something is missing in his brain." 

The insult washed over me, causing me to be a little upset at the way she's stood her ground refusing to be intimidated. 

"Call off this act before it lands you in trouble. I'm your elder brother you know?" I decided to annoy her even more. 

Surprisingly, this time she didn't react, instead merely focused her attention on me, "I know what this is. You a miserable and lonely, I don't know how long it's going to take, but, I am sure that you are going to beg to have me in your corner." She smiled and walked away. 

I snorted at her display of audacity because it was not even believeable. 

She was one of the people that could only try to be tough, yet I didn't have it in them still. 

"I'll be waiting, kid sis!" I called after her. 

She stopped just right at the foot of the stairs, "you are a pain. I hope it helps you sleep at night." She whispered,

I opened my mouth to shoot a retort at her, but heard the click of a tongue. "Can I speak to you for one second Nate?" Jessica's Mom spoke softly. 

We headed to the hallway and she looked at me squarely. "I need a favor." She declared. 

So this was where Jessica got her sass from. 

Looking right and left, she beckoned me to come. I obeyed. "I might be gone soon. Please protect my daughter." 

Holy shit.