Chapter 4 A New Family

Melissa’s POV 

The next morning, I woke up with a slight headache. I felt my head hammering so bad that I felt the world spin as I tried to sit up. 

Stretching my hand towards my left, I hit a taut body, causing me to gasp in shock. 

My stomach churned seeing Jason, the famous hockey player, in bed with me. 

“No fucking way,” I whispered, quickly placing my feet on the ground, only to reach for my clothes and heels. 

I didn't even wait to observe his sexy body. That wasn't the most important thing at that moment. I need to get the hell out of this place as soon as possible. 

Just as I stepped out of the building, the sunlight that hit me looked too bright and too cheerful for someone whose heart had been stomped upon a few hours ago. 

Memories of last night came crashing back. Both the one that involved Jordan and Jason. 

I quickly waved a taxi, dashed into it, and made my way home. 

Getting out of the car, I ignored the driver's attempt to give me the rest of my money. 

“Keep the change,” I shot back. 

Just as I stepped foot into the house, I was amazed at how neat and sparkling it looked. 

How? What—

“Where were you last night?” My mom's voice resonated from behind, almost causing me to slip on the wet floor. Apparently, it seems she had just cleaned it. 

“I was…I…” I stuttered. Words failed me, and before I could say any more words, my mom had turned her back, making her way towards the kitchen. 

“Why don't you go upstairs, freshen up, and come join me in the kitchen?”

“I'm not really up for it, Mom!” I groaned, rubbing my forehead, which was still banging. 

“I'm not asking,” she lashed back, before adding. “Call your friends too. They are worried sick about you.” 

I dragged myself upstairs, sluggishly opened the door to my room to see it properly arranged with my birthday gifts gently placed at the corner of the room. 

“Melissa,” my mom's voice echoed from downstairs, causing me to dash into the bathroom. 

I splashed water across my face, brushed my teeth with slow, sluggish movement, and gently packed my hair into a ponytail. 

Back to my room, I quickly got my hoodie, stepped into a pair of short skirts, and went downstairs like a zombie

Even though my beneath were sore, I was careful not to let her know I had lost my virginity. My mom can be dramatic most of the time.   

Just as I got downstairs, the smell of chicken and sauce hit my nostrils while I heard my mom humming some songs to herself. 

Just as she sets her eyes on me. She handed a knife over. “Slice the onions and the tomatoes.” 

“You don't look too good. Did something happen last night?” She questioned, studying the way I was standing. 

“I'm fine,” I concluded, adjusting myself quickly. 

She scoffed alongside, slicing some cabbage before adding. “I was once a nineteen-year-old college student, Melissa. You don't need to hide the fact that you lost your virginity last night.” 

“Mother!” I snapped, rolling my eyes before slicing the tomatoes. 

“There's no point lying Melissa. Just admit it. You'll be needing some condoms—”

“Can we please not do this?” I rolled my eyes, my breath hitched as I ignored her totally. 

All her attempts to strike up a conversation about last night with me proved abortive. 

I don't want to have that conversation, and I definitely will never do that. Not with my mom. 

Not when she has not even gotten a grip on her life. Leaving my father for another man because his business crumbled at some point? It's so inhumane. 

“By the way, your stepbrothers are coming today,” she broke the silence that had stretched far too long.  

I froze, my hand cut the last slice of onions as a gasp escaped my lips. “Wh—what the fuck?!” 

“Language, Melisa. Language.” She warned, as if she didn't just ruin the remaining sanity I had left. 

“Who…in God's name are my stepbrothers?! Didn't you say we are supposed to move today?” I flinched. 

“Well, it's Gabriel's sons. And yes, they will be helping us move today to their house.” My mother explained. 

“Jeez, mom! Since when did I have stepbrothers?!” I asked, my eyes almost bulging out of their sockets. “You guys ain't even married!” 

“Well, he said he's going to propose soon. So you guys are eventually going to become a thing…you know…stepsister…stepbrothers…”

“This is absurd,” I heaved a sigh.  “Has he even proposed?” 

She went silent, only to shrug without any word of affirmation.

“Mom, did Gabriel propose?” 

“I don't want to force things on him, Mel. He's a man. And definitely knows what he's doing, okay? Right now, he just wants you and his sons to get along. He's having more issues than you can ever imagine.” She defended him blindly. 

“And yet you want us to move in with someone who's not certain about you?!” 

“Look, Melissa. I know it's a whole lot. But this is our life now. It's the only way we can survive. I'm going to marry Gabriel, you are going to meet his sons, and you all will get along just fine.” 

I cast the knife I was holding on the table, leaning against the fridge. “I don't know this guy. Why should I bother?” 

“He's family now.” My mother emphasized putting off the cookers. 

“Not to me. I've got things to do.” 

“No, Melissa. I've done all the work here. Including cleaning the living room after your birthday party. You'll stay back and meet them.” 

“No, I'll not.” 

“Yes, you will.” 

“Mom, you cannot force me to meet with–” My words were cut short when we suddenly heard the doorbell jingle. 

We both turned our heads towards the door. My heart raced faster as my mom smiled excitedly. “Our new family is here.”