Chapter 6 The room next door

Stephanie

The smile finally wavered when I stepped out of my room that evening and realized that my stepbrother's room was right next to mine, when we both stepped out of our rooms at the same time.

“No!” I gasped in horror.

Kendrix only chuckled, his free hand smoothening his jacket. I had planned to avoid Kendrix as much as I possibly could.

Well, until I planned my perfect revenge. I didn't trust myself not to strangle him for the stunt he pulled this morning.

I knew I had to endure his company for a while until I got even, but I had hoped it wouldn't be for too long. That maybe his bedroom would be on a separate wing like our parent's room, but of course, I had no such luck.

“I don't appreciate the horrified expression. Most people would be a bit more delighted when they find out who lives next door to them.” he frowned.

“Well, most people don't live next to you. I'm sure they will be more inclined to carve your tongue out in your sleep.” I sneered.

I wasn't even a violent person, I hated violence. The only trait I had that was maybe a little bit unhinged was my love for motorcycles. But in the few hours I had officially met Kendrix Sinclair, I had thought of a million ways to murder him and get away with it.

I couldn't understand why so many people loved him. He was rude, annoying, and just an asshole in general, yet he had so many loyal fans. If only his fans knew who he was behind the perfect golden boy mask.

“Oh, not my tongue. It's one of my most valuable asset.” he grinned.

“I highly doubt it's an asset if it's going to land you in trouble one day, considering you only use it to talk nonsense that annoys the fuck out of people.”

Kendrix smirked and trudged towards me lazily. I kept my feet planted firmly on the tiled floor and refused to yield a step backwards. That only seems to amuse him more.

“I use my tongue for a lot of things, Princess.” he leaned forward, his breath caressing my ear as he whispered, “Most of those things don't involve talking.”

I blinked, my mouth hung open but no words came out. Kendrix pulled away, his triumphant grin growing wider. He ran his gaze over me, once. His eyes were void of any emotions.

“Better than the crazy outfit from this morning.” he winked then brushed past me, nudging me on the shoulder as he went.

Oh, he did not!

I charged after him, heels clinking on the porcelain floor, more than ready to carry out at least one of my murderous intentions when my mother and Will exited from their bedroom. I forced a tight smile on my face.

Mum paused when she saw me, her eyes brightening. “You look so beautiful, Stephanie.” she beamed as she took in the red evening gown I was wearing and the jewelry I donned.

I had picked the gown from the closet. It wasn't so long that I could trip over it even in kitten heels, but it wasn't too short like my usual clothes. It seems exactly like what my mother would approve of. I had let my hair down when I couldn't think of how to style it. Hairstyling wasn't my strong suit.

The rage seems to chip away slightly at the sight of that smile on her face. A tiny part of me rejoiced at that smile. Will clapped his son on the back and they both nodded in greeting.

“We should go now. The limo is waiting.” Will said.

“Actually, I have a better idea.” Kendrix smiled politely, the golden boy smile that had definitely fooled a lot of people, but not me.

“I think I'll take my car instead. And Stephanie would love to come with me, won't you, Princess? I mean, we had so much fun this morning.” he beamed at me.

My smile grew tighter until I was almost baring my teeth as I glared at him. Will’s eyes darted between his son and I, clearly sensing the tension between us.

“Are you sure, Steph?” Mum asked.

Kendrix stared at me as if daring me to refuse, but I wasn't going to. I was curious about why he wanted me to come with him.

“I'll go with him. Kendrix is so much fun to be around. I wouldn't want to miss out on what he's offering.” I turned to my mother then. “Plus, school will be resuming soon. I need to find out as much as I can about KSE before I start senior year.”

Our parents reluctantly agreed and they left before us. Kendrix and I drove after them in his red Ferrari. He was looking smug the entire time.

“If you plan to kidnap me, it doesn't matter how famous you are, you won't get away with it.” I threatened.

He rolled his eyes. “Yes yes, your boyfriend would hunt me to the end of the earth, I know.”

The silence that echoed through my head at the mention of him wasn't one I expected, the rage melted away completely.

“How did you know about Noah?” I asked calmly.

He stiffened, his hand tightening over the steering wheel as he drove out of the mansion. He clearly hadn't meant to reveal that piece of information.

“I have my ways.”

“What ways?”

“Mine.” he ground out. “But considering your stiffness, I'm guessing I don't have the full information.”

I turned away from him and stared out the window. I wasn't going to discuss my relationship history with Kendrix fucking Sinclair of all people. The tensed silence in the car was so different from this morning.

Where simmering rage had been in my head just minutes ago, only silence remained. The silence that threatens to drown me, the silence I had tried so hard to claw my way out of barely weeks ago. I hated it.

“What happened?” Kendrix asked, piercing that thick, suffocating silence.

“None of your business.” I snapped.

“A few days ago, it might not have been my business, but we're family now, so it's very much my business.”

I whirled towards him. “Excuse me if I don't buy the ‘we're family’ bullshit when you've done nothing but humiliate me since I moved in.”

“I did no such thing.”

“Oh, so what do you call this morning? A warm welcome?”

“A favor, that's what I call it. I granted you a favor, and I don't see you thanking me for it.” He actually had the nerve to look pissed off.

A bitter laugh tore out of me. “You made me chase down your car for three blocks in the scorching sun, and you call that a favor? Sorry if I'm not feeling very appreciative about your ‘favor’.” I scoffed.

He went silent and I resumed staring out of the window. I didn't know which fancy restaurant we were going but I wish we got there sooner. The car had become so suffocating even with the air conditioning.

“I've never seen anyone look so uncomfortable while embracing her closest friend, and looking so relieved when the said friend pulled away. So yeah, you could say I did you a favor by pulling you out of that situation.”

There was silence in my head as I turned to Kendrix, and there was roaring, then silence again.

I had been told many times that I was good at keeping my face void of emotions.

My ex boyfriend had yelled the word “cold, unfeeling bitch” at me.

And yet, this young man who had done nothing but infuriate me in the past few hours, had read every emotion on my face. Every negative thought I had tried so hard to hide from the world.

I decided then that I hated him more for it.

So I did what I had gotten so used to doing this past weeks. Deflect. Pretend. Rage. Because those emotions were easier, those emotions wouldn't drown me.

“It's none of your business.”

Kendrix simply glanced at me, that single glance that I didn't want to know the meaning of. So I turned my face away and let the self-loathing fester.