Nearest And Dearest Novels & Stories

“Ruby, these are Stephen and Nathan. Stephen, Nathan, meet my daughter, Ruby. They'll be your new step brothers.” “What?” I didn't know when that word escaped but I regretted saying it. My “brothers” narrowed their eyes on me. None of them were smiling. They looked at me like I was an intruder. In a way, I was. Logan gave a nervous chuckle and patted the back of his neck. “Ah. Both of you must be tired from your journey.” “Yeah. Boarding two different planes and driving for miles can get you pretty tired.” Mom said with a short laugh.

I wondered. I walked slowly towards the window with my arms wrapped around me. I grabbed the window handles to pull them back to close it but I stopped midway when I noticed the lights next door. Who could that be? The house beside us was empty for over a year. I squinted and could actually see the inside of the room through the window adjoining mine. Like seriously, I could strangle the guy who constructed these houses like that. So damn close! Anyway, we finally got some new neighbours. What an odd time to move in though, I couldn't help but think. I just hope they would be nice. My parents could have some pals.

He was standing in the middle of my living room, hands in his pockets, jaw tight in that controlled way I was starting to recognize too easily. “He stood too close,” I said. “Touched my hand. Said something about meaning it personally.” I exhaled. “Nothing I can point to. Nothing that would sound like anything if I said it out loud.” Nate didn’t respond immediately. He just looked at me. “But it felt like something,” he said quietly. “Yes.” His jaw tightened further. He crossed the room slowly and stopped in front of me. Not touching. Just close. “You don’t have to manage it alone,” he said.

His voice came from behind and Yasmin turned with a little pretense startle. Jace stood five feet away, his hands rested in his pockets, looking a little upset, his brows raised a bit. “Hi, My name is Yasmin" She said, taking steps closer. “I’m Katrina ’s best friend" She added. “I just moved in and got lost finding my room” she said again, giving a little chuckle. Jace furrowed, his eyes went down on her dressing for a second and his countenance shifted in irritation. A smile spread on Yasmin’s lips as she watched his eyes on her, believing he could resist her temptation. So she took the last step closer.

Close enough to take that photo. Close enough to kill us.

For the rest of the drive, not a single word passed between us. I began to notice small details that had previously escaped me. At the gates of our elite neighborhood, men in black suits stood at attention. They didn't smile. And as we passed the security post, they bowed to Adrian—not out of standard respect, but with a deference born of pure fear. When we arrived at the campus, I hoped he would just let me out and disappear. Instead, Adrian killed the engine and stepped out with me.