Craving My Mafia Stepbrother

[FLORA]

I stare at the test papers in horror.

A ‘U.’

A fucking ‘U!’

At this point I think it's safe to say I'm hopeless when it comes to Math. Because tell me why after putting in all my efforts, I struggled to pass all my other courses and totally flopped Maths.

Mom's going to be pissed.

I stare at the paper again and let out a deep sigh. Guess it's goodbye to that summer vacation Mom promised me. Once she sees this, I'll probably be grounded for the rest of my life.

“We're home, miss," my driver says, pulling into the garage and turning off the engine. I take in a deep breath and step out of the car.

I move towards the house silently hoping that Mom is nowhere to be seen. I'll appreciate a few minutes of peace to myself trying to think of how to put my life together.

But I guess the universe hates me. Because why on earth are my parents sitting in the living room staring at me like the world is about to come to an end?

“Flora Stewart," Mom calls, sharply rising to her feet. “The university just called me and guess what they said? You failed, again!"

I shake my head and let out a nervous laugh. “No, mom. You must be getting things all wrong. I passed my courses…”

“With a U in maths D– minus in the rest? Do you call that passing your courses? What the hell is wrong with you, Lara!”

Honestly I don't really know what to say at this point. Mom rarely loses her temper and as such I'm always at a loss of what to do when she does.

I can't tell her that I haven't been studying effectively since this year started. That lately, concentrating on my studies seems like winning a Grammy award, that whenever I open my books to study my mind somehow travels to severed hands in my lunchbox, dead rats and toads in my locker and bloodied notes in my car.

I certainly can't tell her that an unknown number calls me during the odd hours of the day, just to make me listen to their breathing and sometimes a low chuckle.

“I'm sorry Mom," I murmur, but she hears me anyway.

“You are sorry? You failed your semester exams and you are telling me how sorry you are? You better get your shit in place else there will be no graduation for you.” With that, she turns around and walks upstairs.

" I'll talk to her,” James, my stepfather, says before heading after her.

Just Great!

I head to my bedroom and throw my bag on the floor before flopping on my bed. My phone rings instantly, and I look to see it's Jenny.

“Hey," I say, leaning the phone on my headboard and lying flat on my bed.

“Your mom scolded you, didn't she?"

“Who wouldn't scold me?" I let out a sigh and lay on my back. “Last year I was a straight “A” student, and this year I have to read my brains out to get a D-minus.”

Tch! What a huge fucking joke.

I can't explain the drastic change to anyone, not even to myself. The only thing I know is that since I started seeing dissected animals in my locker and severed body parts showing up in my room and the strange phone calls, I'm on the brink of losing my sanity.

I can't put it together to concentrate on one study session, talk less of reading for one exam.

God, I'm never gonna graduate like this!

“Why don't you see the Dean?" Jenny suggests. “I hear they host tutoring sessions for students who fall back in academics."

“Okay," I say, not really planning on doing so. There's no way I'm signing up with the school's tutoring program. I'd better drown in a sea full of sharks.

But I guess fate really is against me because tell me why in class the next day my name is sounded over the telecom, summoning me to the Dean's office.

“Looks like someone's in trouble," Jenny teases as I pack my bag and head out the class.

The corridors are filled with students going to and fro, or just standing and conversing.

I head to the Dean's office and push the door open, not bothering with a knock. Mr Hans is busy with something on his computer that he doesn't even look up when I step in.

“Have a seat, Ms Stewart," he says, not bothering to look up at me. I slowly make my way to his desk and take a seat opposite him.

He slowly looks up at me and intertwines his fingers. “Ms Stewart, do you need to see the school counselor? Anything you might want to tell her?"

I shake my head calmly. “I don't need the counselor Mr. Hans. I'm perfectly fine."

“Really?" He doesn't sound convinced. “Then please explain why last year you were top of your class, acing all your courses, but this year you're struggling so hard to get a “D”. What's happening to you, Lara?"

I sigh but don't respond.

What I'm I supposed to say? That I haven't been studying because I can't seem to focus? Or that once I'm studying and get that call, a panic attack seizes me making it impossible to continue studying?

“You're mother is the only reason we haven't kicked you out since the first semester," he tells me like it's something I don't know.

My mother, Anna Stewart is a business mogul. She dominates the business world and most people tremble at the mere mention of her name. Not to mention she's a Mafia heiress.

She's the school's biggest investor, and as such they don't get to kick me out. No matter what I do, the highest thing I get is a warning and maybe a detention.

“You'll be joining the school's tutoring program."

" What!” I say, not sure I actually heard well.

" You heard me correctly, Ms Stewart. You will be joining the school's tutoring program and if in the next semester exams, your grades don't look impressive, you will retake the entire semester exams."

I stare at her like she just ran mad.

I hate the school's tutoring program with everything in me. Most of the tutors are rude as hell and don't even take their time teaching you.

Asking me to join the program is like telling me to give up my pride and submit to someone who can't even get his self respect in check.

Mr Hans doesn't wait for my response. He slides a file towards me. “His contact and basic information is in there. He'll start teaching your class next week, but you are to start your sessions tomorrow. Give him a call."

I nod slightly and rise to my feet.

“Ms Stewart," he calls and I turn back around. “Take this tutoring seriously if you have any intentions of graduating with your friends."

I don't say anything. I just turn around and wake out of the office, slamming the door on my way out.

Once I get to my locker, I place my bag in it and open the file.

My breath stops in its tracks as I stare at the name staring back at me.

Dr. Adrian Stafford!