Chapter 2

　　"Moana are you okay" Richard asked after sensing my silence for some minutes

　　"Yeah I'm good, let's unpack" I replied, my voice shaking now.

　　It can't be real, a coincidence it might be.

　　Richard helped move the boxes upstairs. On the third floor, my room is just opposite another room which Richard has said belongs to his son.

　　I could hear my mum laughing to a joke Richard has made, perhaps he really does make her happy I thought.

　　My new room was two times bigger than my first one, white marble walls, purple curtains, the windows large and the view from here is beautiful. The backyard is filled with flowers and there's a pool!

　　Not bad I thought, at least I had found something I love, pools and I'd definitely swim all day in there.

　　Damn the so-called son who's now my step brother. Speaking of which, I heard another voice…

　　"I'm home"

　　The voice was familiar, I can't mistake that deep voice that makes my knees weak.

　　It can't be happening right now

　　I was climbing down the stairs overhearing the conversation.

　　"I thought you said it's next weekend they'd move in" Dylan's voice came out distant, talking to his father

　　How can his voice be deeper than his father?

　　"I said weekend, I didn't say next, and besides Rosa has been wanting to meet you" his father's response came out casual like it was nothing

　　My mum came out from the kitchen smiling warmly at Dylan who looks uninterested in this blended family thingy

　　"You're tall, Richard you didn't mention he was this handsome " my mum said "he obviously took after your height only"

　　"Welcome Ms Rosaline" Dylan blurted out, already walking upstairs and almost bumped into me.

　　Or rather I almost bumped into him.

　　"The fuck is wro—" Dylan's voice died immediately he saw me and I was just as shocked as him

　　"You?"

　　"What are you doing here?" his voice was cold but his eyes were already roaming my body

　　"I guess I should be asking you that but you turned out to be the dickhead Mr Richard said he has as a son and newsflash I'm your stepsister now" I replied hotly

　　I wasn't going to show him I'm affected with how sinfully hot he looks in his practice wear, his hair damp with sweat falling on his face.

　　Damn don't stare! I said inwardly

　　My eyes travelled to his full lips, red and succulent, they'd definitely taste like strawberries.

　　Shut the fuck up I screamed in my head

　　"It's so unfortunate shortie" Dylan's voice came low and teasing "and my step sister is eye raping me"

　　"You wish, I never asked for any of this and I hate breathing the same air as you, you better avoid…"

　　"It's mutual" he cut me off

　　There was a minute of silence, eyes glaring with something we'd never admit.

　　Then his gaze dropped, just for a second, flicking down my body before snapping back up to my face.

　　My skin went hot. I suddenly remembered what I was wearing… tiny shorts and a tank top with no bra underneath.

　　His eyes darkened, something shifting behind the cold stare, and I hated that I noticed and I hated that my pulse kicked up.

　　"Eyes up here, Dickhead," I snapped.

　　His smirk was slow and infuriating. "Hard not to notice when you're dressed like that, Queens."

　　"What's happening up there?" Mr Richard asked just climbing the stairs "you two know each other?"

　　His gaze didn't leave me, and that made my body hot, the heat between my thighs, his father is just a few steps away and the dickhead is looking at me with that devil's eyes of his.

　　"Yes"

　　"No"

　　We said simultaneously glaring at each other.

　　"Ww attend the same school" I answered again

　　"Same school," he repeated, his tone mocking. He let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "That's one way to put it."

　　My mum appeared at the bottom of the stairs, looking between us with a hopeful smile. "Oh, that's wonderful! You already know each other. That'll make things so much easier."

　　Easier.

　　I almost laughed.

　　He finally tore his gaze away from me and looked down at his father. "This is Rosaline's daughter?"

　　"Yes. Moana." Richard climbed a few steps, glancing between us. "Everything okay up there?"

　　"Peachy," he said flatly.

　　He turned without another word, stalked up the stairs to his room, and slammed the door hard enough to rattle the frame.

　　I flinched.

　　My mum's smile faltered. "What was that about?"

　　"Nothing." I stepped back, going upstairs into my own room. "We just don't get along."

　　"But…"

　　"Mom, it's fine. I'm unpacking. I'll be down for dinner."

　　I closed my door before she could argue, leaning against it and pressing my palms to my eyes.

　　Dinner was supposed to be awkward.

　　I had prepared myself for it, tense silences, forced conversation, my mum trying too hard while Richard pretended everything was normal. I'd even rehearsed responses in my head, safe topics that wouldn't reveal how much I wanted to strangle Dylan Dickhead for existing in my new life.

　　But Dylan had other plans.

　　"So Queens," he said, cutting into his steak with deliberate precision. "Your mom said you took gymnastics classes, no wonder you're so flexible during cheerleading." His eyes were on me teasingly

　　My fork paused halfway to my mouth. My jaw tightened. "Yeah, very flexible," I replied coolly. "But it's not all about the flexibility."

　　"I see." Dylan's smile was pleasant, the kind that would've fooled anyone who didn't know him. "You are good at juggling things. Top of the class and all that."

　　My mum beamed. "You two really do know each other. That's wonderful."

　　Richard nodded, looking between us with obvious relief. "I was worried there might be some adjustment period, but it looks like you're already comfortable with each other."

　　Comfortable indeed. I tried not to scoff.

　　I met Dylan's eyes across the table and saw the challenge there, the smugness barely concealed behind his perfect son act. He was playing a game, and he was winning.

　　Fucking Dickhead.

　　"We get along great, we only just compete in class," Dylan continued, reaching for his water glass. "Right little sister?"

　　The word landed like a slap. Little sister. He'd said it so casually, so deliberately, and I felt heat crawl up my neck.

　　"Sure," I managed to say, keeping my voice steady.