Chapter 2

• It was a few minutes to seven pm and we were already gathered at the dining room for dinner. Usually we had dinner around eight pm at my former house, so this was unusual for me.
• But that was not the only thing unusual to me. The shiny dining table was unusual, the expensive silverware was unusual, the hot stepbrother sitting directly opposite me was unusual.
• Mom and John sat at the short ends of the table, while Adonis and I sat directly opposite at the long side.
• “Gina, your mother and I have already made plans for you to continue your schooling. We have got you an admission at the same college as your brother, Adonis.” John broke the news to me.
• My heart skipped on hearing that, the spoon’s movement to my mouth paused. I looked up to Adonis and he winked at me, making my heart flutter.
• I was nineteen and just starting college, which made me wonder what level Adonis was at, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask him. All I knew was that he was twenty-one.
• “What are you going to say to your father, Gina?” my mother’s annoying voice cut through the silence.
• I forced a smile. “Thank you.”
• “Mgghh?” She hummed, like saying I should do better. Clearly she wanted me to call him dad, but that was one height I wouldn’t get to.
• “Sweetheart, it is alright. She is still getting used to all this, it is totally normal for her to feel this way, she just lost her father.” John said in an understanding voice.
• He was trying too hard to win me over and it scared me. Why couldn’t he just let me hate him?
• “Honey, I just want you to know that I am not trying to replace your father in your heart, but I will look after you like you are my own.” He promised.
• Adonis immediately cleared his throat to draw attention to himself. John smiled and added. “And of course Adonis will take you like a little sister, isn’t that right, AD?”
• He looked up with a smile that scared me and he nodded. “Sure father.” He grinned on one side of his face, his eyes stuck on me.
• John and my mother began discussing while I bowed my head and ate silently, it wasn’t for long before I felt something climb my leg.
• “Ahhh!!” I screamed in a panic, jumping up and ruining my shirt with food.
• “Gina, are you okay?” my mother asked immediately, sitting up.
• I held my racing heart and swallowed hard, confusion etched on my face, just then I saw the smirk on Adonis’s face; it was him! He had rubbed my legs with his from under the table!
• “Yes sorry,” I swallowed saliva again. “I thought a rat climbed my legs.” I murmured.
• “Oh, we don’t have rats here.” Adonis smiled at me. “Unless of course you came with them.” He added.
• I rolled my eyes at him. Jerk! Why am I not surprised?
• “Thank you for dinner!” I muttered immediately and moved away from the table, unable to stand the embarrassment.
• “Don’t bring the rats upstairs.” Adonis teased and chuckled as I headed to the stairs.
• “Hey, you better be nice.” I heard his father scold him.
• I quickly raced up to my bedroom and shut the door. My new bedroom was amazingly huge and beautiful; there was a large bed for only me, unlike the small bugs infested one I had back at Crimstone.
• I quickly took a shower and changed into my sleepwear, I then did a quick research on Ashmoor Academy, it was the college Adonis attended. I might have peeked into his room when I walked by hours ago, it is his fault for leaving his door open.
• Although the room was chilling cool from the AC and the bed was super comfortable, I still couldn’t fall asleep. I don’t know how long I rolled on the bed before finally giving up.
• I got up in search of water but there was none in the room, so I had to step out. The house was quiet when I walked out to the hallways, the kitchen was downstairs, the housekeeper had shown me around earlier, she called it a welcome tour.
• I rushed downstairs, trying to be as silent as I could. When I got to the kitchen, the lights were out, I touched the wall and luckily located the switch, then turned it on.
• But just as I turned around, a scream escaped my throat. “Oh my God!”
• He immediately covered my mouth with his palm. “Shhhh!” he hushed me, and when I was calm, he let go and moved back to the kitchen table.
• I stood there dumbfounded, my heart racing in my chest. He was shirtless, and had been sitting in the dark before I walked in.
• “What do you want, rat girl?” he huffed at me.
• I scoffed and ignored him, heading to the fridge to grab a drink.
• “Oh of course, water. I heard you don’t have any where you come from.” He further taunted.
• “Just mind your business,” I finally retorted.
• “Wow! She talks after all! What do you mean by my business? You are in my house, drinking my water. This is my business,” he folded his arms.
• I tried not to stare at his muscles and abs, even though they were so inviting.
• “Listen, I don’t like this arrangement any more than you do, so if you are looking for someone to take out your anger on, why don’t you go meet your father?” I blurted.
• “No, this is all your mother’s fault. You all are gold diggers.” He flared.
• I didn’t even mind him insulting my mother, but he better keep me out of this or there is going to be a problem.
• “You know what, go to hell!” I spat as I headed out.
• But he immediately grabbed my arm as I tried to walk past and I felt a shocking sensation run through my body. “But this is hell, Princess?” he whispered to my ears, making my body shiver.
• I swallowed hard and looked into his eyes. “It is Gina! Have a goodnight!” I uttered as I pulled my arm out of his grip and headed out.
• “We will see, Princess, We will see.” I heard him utter as I left. That sounded like a threat to me, and as much as I tried to be bold, he scared me!
• TBC!