My Step Father's Son

Chapter 1 - Meet again

Present Days, 22 Years old Ava Summer

It's late at night when I call a cab and carry my backpack on my shoulder. I just landed in Seattle from my job.

I was doing a freelance job as a photographer during my spare time in college.

I tell the cab driver to drive me back home and give him my address.

It only takes 15 minutes to get to our big house.

I put the security lock code on the entrance door, and it's opened right away.

The house is quiet; I believe everyone has already slept. I walk slowly to my room on the second floor, not wanting to wake anyone up in the house. I stop my steps in front of my room and take a glance at Rhys room for awhile.

I remember that my mother called and said that Rhys was going home for dinner. I told my mother I still had jobs to do and didn't know if I could make it.

And I couldn't. The job hadn't finished yet.

Edward finally started to communicate with him last week. Mom told me that Edward wanted to prepare Rhys for taking over the company, as Rhys is the only son he has. They still negotiate, though, because, as it turns out, Rhys owns a company too.

I don't know much about Rhys's company, but I read once in the business magazine that Rhys Company is included as the top new company in business management.

It's good to know that he's been doing well.

I guess I won't meet him tonight. I think he has already gone back to his place since his room is quiet.

I go inside my room, put my backpack on the bed, and then walk directly to my ensuite bathroom. I strip down and take a quick warm shower, brushing my teeth, and then put on my red short-sleeveless lace pyjamas.

It's summer now, and I want to be comfortable in bed.

My phone on the side table vibrates, and the light's on. I reach out and read the incoming message from Joe, my boss, and also my boyfriend.

Joe asks me if I am already home and how sorry he is because he can't pick me up at the airport.

I tell him it's okay because I know he is busy; otherwise, he would have picked me up.

We didn't chat for long because he knew that I needed rest.

I lay down on my bed and get ready to sleep.

Previously, I planned to go to sleep as soon as possible so I could wake up early. I need to edit the pictures of Anna and Adrian, the couple I took the pre-wedding picture of today. They expect to see the result tomorrow.

But after rolling around for half an hour, I still can't close my eyes. I decided to work on it.

A job is a job, after all, and it should be done as soon as possible.

I take my backpack and walk out of my room to my studio on the ground floor. Edward had given me permission to change one of the rooms downstairs to be my studio four years ago, when I started the photography programme.

Edward is a good stepfather for me. He provided whatever I needed. Especially since Rhys is not around.

I attach my camera to my iMac and then transfer all the pictures I took today.

I try to choose in between all the pictures and put the selected picture on a file before I start to edit them one by one.

It had been 2 hours, and I still hadn't finished editing the pictures. I decide to take a break and finish them tomorrow. I feel tired and sleepy. I need a rest.

I saved all the data before turning off the computer and leaving the studio.

Before going upstairs, I stop by the kitchen to get some water.

I don't want to waste another minute and walk to the fridge right away. Pour water into a glass, and then gulp it right away. I feel refreshed after taking a glass of cold water.

"Ava? Is that you?" Suddenly, I hear a masculine voice call my name. Who could it be?

I turn around to face him. In front of me stands a man with a bare chest. He wears sweatpants hanging below his waistline, showing off his V-torso, six-pack abs, and well-built muscle.

My goodness, what a hottie! Who is he?

No, wait. His voice...

"Rhys?" I ask hesitantly, as I'm not sure if he is my stepbrother, Rhys.

"Yes, baby girl. It's me!" He replies, smiling wide as he moves forward towards me.

No way! I haven't seen him for four years, and now he has changed a lot. How did he change so much? He's so f*****g hot now!

I feel weird and nervous when he moves closer. I can't even take my eyes off of him! What happened to me?

He stops right in front of me, and I gulp, staring at his hard chest and those muscles of his.

"Oh hi, Rhys! I'm sorry, I didn't make it to the diner." I say, trying to avoid a cringe-worthy moment.

"I know you've been busy," he replies, staring at me with his brown, still-dazzling eyes.

I smile slightly, looking down to avoid his gaze. Deep inside, I still feel my disappointment because Rhys left just like that without saying a word, calling, or coming to my graduation as he promised me.

"Aren't you going to give a hug to your big brother?" Rhys says this after I didn't reply to his words.

I look up and see him open his arms wide. Offering a hug.

A hug? Am I going to hug him? We were not used to giving a hug to each other.

"Sure," I finally say as I step forward and give him a hug.

His arms embrace me, and I don't know why I feel shivers throughout my body when his hard muscles touch my skin.

"I'm sorry, Ava; I did not give any news for you," he says while we are hugging.

"And not coming to your graduation," he adds as he breaks the hug and looks me in the eye.

"You should have called." I reasoned, telling him my disappointment.

"I know. But things are really hard for me," he explains.

I'm not sure what he meant, but perhaps living by himself all these years was really hard for him.

Rhys used to live on an easy street, and suddenly he had to leave everything he had behind.

"That must be tough for you," I reply, understanding his situation.

"In the beginning," he says as he nods. "But I got used to it," he adds, releasing his hug.

I sigh in relief. "I'm glad you are back now." I say this as I move backwards, giving some space between us.

"So, what did you do now? I heard you have a job," he asks while opening the fridge and taking a can of coke.

My eyes follow Rhys's movements, which make me gaze at his figure from behind. Damn, he really is a hottie!

I cleared my throat before answering, "Just a freelancer. I take pictures."

I look the other way, feeling embarrassed for admiring my stepbrother's sexy figure.

"I heard you have your own company," I state, wanting to know his own story.

"Yeah, I started it with Mike. You know him," he answers, raising his shoulder and drinking his coke.

I nodded as an answer. Of course, I know Mike. He used to come with Rhys's other friends when they were in college.

"So what's the plan? Are you going to stay with us again?" I want to know his decision. Sooner or later, he will have to take over the company. But I'm not sure whether he'll be staying with us again. He is a grown adult, after all.

Rhys stands in front of me, towering with his tall and muscular figure. He's leaning his hips on the kitchen cabinets leisurely.

Good God, why did he have to show off his stud-muffin in front of me?

"No, I have my own place now. You should come sometimes," he says, giving an invitation to visit him. "But Dad wants me to take care of his company, so I'll stick around," he adds. A genuine smile appears on his face; perhaps he's glad that his relationship with Edward is getting better.

I nod and agree with his decision to come back and take over the company. "I'm glad to hear that."

"Anyway, you have to pay back for not coming to my graduation." I tease him.

"Oh yeah, I sure do. Whatever you want, baby girl," he said, curling up his lips attractively.

He really is a ladykiller.

"Whatever? Okay, I keep that in mind," I reply, hiding my smile and giving him a serious look.

"Yup. Whatever you want. Just say it, and consider it's done." He says to rest assuringly.

"Okay, I will definitely think about it." I reply, letting out a small laugh.

"I have to go upstairs now. I need my pillow badly." I put the glass on the island table as my tired body needed to rest.

"Okay, sweet dream, Ava."

"You too, Rhys." I walk out of the kitchen and go upstairs. I'm so glad that our relationship is just fine.

I walk inside my room and drop myself on my comfy bed.

It's weird that after not seeing each other for a long time, I look at him differently. He isn't the same Rhys who ignored me or the stepbrother I dreamed of, like Mark, Emily's brother.

If I don't remember that he is my stepbrother, I would definitely make him mine. Or maybe not! I have a boyfriend, for God's sake. I tell and facepalm myself.

The next morning, I woke up early. I need to finish my job before going to college.

"Maria, can you bring my breakfast to my studio?" Passing the kitchen, I ask Maria, our maid.

"Sure, Ava. As usual?" She asks to make sure.

"Yup! Thank you, Maria; you are the best." I reply as I hug her lovingly.

"You are welcome, dear," she says with a smile, giving me a pat on my back.

I continue to walk to my studio and open Anna and Adrian's file. I start to work on their pictures, finishing what I did last night.

Not for long, Maria come and bring me my pancake and apple juice.

"Thank you," I say, curling my lips for a smile.

"You're welcome," she replies before leaving.

I eat my breakfast while doing my task. I'm so focused when my phone rings. It's Joe.

I pick up the phone and put it on a loud speaker. "Yes, Joe?" I greet him while chewing my pancake.

"Hey, how are you, beautiful?" he asks excitedly.

"I feel great, Joe. How about you?"

"Missing you," he says with a sweet tone.

I smile and reply with the same tone: "I miss you too, Joe."

"Have you finished your job, sweetheart?" He asks about the job I've been doing.

"I'm working on it." I reply, "Just a few more pictures, and I'll send them to you this morning."

"That's great!" He replies excitedly, "Anna and Adrian would love to see that!"

"I hope so. They are pretty good, though." I stare at the pictures in front of me and feel satisfied with them.

Right at the moment, someone knocks on the door. I take a glance and think that it could be my mother or Maria. "Come in," I say, half-screaming.

"I have some other jobs for you. Maybe we can discuss it later. Lunch?"

We're still discussing work when Rhys steps in and smiles wide at me.

Rhys looks so handsome in his suit, ready for work. I give him a signal to come in.

"I can't; I have lunch with Emily. I'm sorry. Why don't you send me the details first?"

"No can do babe. Diner than. 7 at Element? I'll pick you up." Joe says, do not give me a chance to say no.

I'm still very tired from my last job. And I have a full schedule at the college today. I try to say no. "Joe..." He could just send me the job details by phone, though.

"I miss you, sweetheart. Don't you want to see your handsome boyfriend?" He says it playfully.

"Fine. 7 at Element." I finally agree. Otherwise, he will tease me even more. I turn off the speaker and put the phone in my ear.

"Okay. I'll see you tonight. Oh, and don't forget the file." He reminds me of the file I've been working on.

"Okay, Joe. Bye." I end our conversation and take a glance at Rhys. He's been walking around my studio, inspecting the photos on the wall.

"You are talented, Ava." Rhys comments while looking fixedly at a picture.

"Thank you," I reply as I walk towards him.

"It's Laura." I say, staring at the same picture as him.

"Laura?" he asks back, turning his head towards me.

"Yeah, she is one of the kids in the orphanage." I explain. Laura is one of the cutest girls in the orphanage. She is beautiful, staring brightly with a contagious smile.

"And this is Sergio." I point to the picture next to Laura's. They are both charming and could touch people's hearts when we see them.

"I came there once a month to give Edward's donation. And the house mother allowed me to take their pictures." I explain.

"I used to do that for him. So you are the one who does that for him now," he comments, giving a small smile on his chiselled face.

"Well, he didn't have any other choice, did he?" I reply and turn to look at him. He just shrugs.

"He missed you, Rhys. He probably won't say it, but I know." I tell him about his dad.

Sometimes I caught Edward sitting alone, looking outside in a daze, like he was thinking about something. I'm pretty sure he thought about Rhys. Rhys is his only son, after all.

"Well, he never said that, nor did I. But he is my father; he will always be." Rhys replies in agreement. His eyes stare at a blank space, thinking of something.

"Right," I mumble shortly.

"How about you? Did you miss me?" After sighing, he suddenly asks, turning to face me. His face grins with playfulness.

"Missed you?" I ask in a tone of surprise, raising one of my eyebrows. "Maybe a little ," I answer, trying to hold my smile.

"A little? Oh, that's disappointing!" He says it with a dejected tone. And then suddenly he moves closer—so close that his face is only a few centimetres away from mine. "Because I missed you. A lot, baby girl." He whispers in a hoarse, low tone.

I gasp and hold my breath in response, staring at his deep brown orbit.

Damn it! Damn it! I curse inwardly as I turn around, trying to hide my blushing face. Suddenly, I feel my cheeks getting warm.

I clear my throat and ask, "So, what made you come here to my studio?" I change the topics.

"Well, I'm actually here to ask you for diner, which you couldn't make yesterday. But it seems you already have one just now." He says it in a defeated tone, raising his palm.

"Ah yeah, it's Joe. He is my boss from the agency." I chuckle in response to his words. I'm sure he was talking about my phone call with Joe.

"Are you sure he is your boss? That's not what I heard."

"Well, he is my boss, but he is also my boyfriend." I admit. I'm sure he already guesses it.

"Unlucky me. Maybe next time, baby girl," he says in a pathetic tone.

"Well, I should go now," he adds after taking a deep breath as he looks at his wrist watch.

"Give me your phone number, Ava." He's about to turn around when he stops abruptly before taking his phone from his pocket.

I give him my phone number, and he calls me right away.

"That's my number. Call me if you want to talk or anything," he says, gesturing with his hand.

"Okay," I reply. "You don't want to be late for work."

"Yeah, I have an early meeting. Bye, Ava," he says as he kisses my temple.

"Bye Rhys."

He walks out of my studio and gives me another smile before closing the door.

I get back to what I did earlier.

After finishing the edit, I send the file to Joe and notice him by message.

We chatted for awhile, talking about our dinner plan tonight. He teases me, and I tease him back. He wants me to wear something sexy for him, and I told him that I'd give him a surprise.

I'm not sure what kind of surprise I'll prepare for him, but I'll figure it out later. Right now, I need to go to college first.

I tidy up. My things, and then going back to my room.