My Step Father's Son

Chapter 3 - My Little Sister

Rhys Rivers

"Mr. River, Mr. Richard Steele in line 1," Lily, my secretary, intercoms me.

"Okay, Lily, thank you." I reply before picking up line 1.

Richard Steele is one of my clients; we have a substantial amount of cooperation and are about to meet up for discussion.

"How about 6 at Element Restaurant? I have a meeting near by before it," he says, suggesting our meet-up venue.

"6 will be fine. At Element?" I asked to make sure. The word 'element' popped into mind. I remember hearing Ava's plan to have dinner at Element too tonight. What a coincidence!

"Yes, if that's okay with you. Or do you want to go somewhere else?" Richard asked me back.

"No, Element is just fine. Mike and I will be there, Richard." I reply in a formal tone. It doesn't matter where the meeting takes place, as long as we can talk conveniently.

"Okay then, I'll meet you guys there." Richard replies with satisfaction.

After hanging up, my mind goes to my stepsister, Ava.

Last night was the first time I saw her again after four years. She is all grown up and a very attractive and beautiful young woman. I meant it when I said very attractive and beautiful.

Her short lace pajamas she wore last night didn't hide her sexy curve and hot figure. As a man, I can just tell by a glance.

And her scent—gosh, she smells really good. It was so good that I almost felt something building up inside me.

I can still smell her right now, as if I were just hugging her, just like I did last night.

I'm a normal guy. Of course, her beauty affected me. But she is my sister. Although she is not my biological sister, she is still my sister. So no matter what effect she gave me, I have to control myself and act normal in front of her.

Since she missed our dinner last night, this morning I looked for her, wanting to ask her to have dinner with me.

Initially, I wanted to persuade her to help me with dad's companies. But I was late. She already has a plan with this guy, called Joe.

She said he was not only her boss but also her boyfriend. It's not surprising that she has a boyfriend. Like I said, she is a very, very attractive young woman. Any man would love to be with her.

My phone rings, waking me up from my zone-out. It's Alicia, my fiancé.

"Yes honey?" I picked up her phone call right away.

"Rhys, baby, I miss you. How about we have dinner tonight?" Alicia says this with her coquettish voice over the phone.

"Tonight? I'm sorry, I can't. I have a business meeting tonight. How about tomorrow?"

"Rhys, can you just spare a little time for me? Diner tonight, okay? I have to go to Paris tomorrow," she pleads.

Alicia and I were engaged two months ago. But we hadn't met each other for a few days because of our jobs.

She works as a model for an agency. She's busy with her fashion show, photo shoots for brands, and commercials. And she travels a lot. I'm also busy with my work, raising the company I built four years ago.

"I'm sorry, Alicia; I really can't. We'll discuss an important project tonight." I really can't cancel the meeting with Richard. We're in a crucial stage, and it's not easy to have a convenient time with Richard.

"How about lunch?" I can make an exception for her and clear my other lunch appointment.

"I can't. I have a photo shoot!" she exclaims.

We have a dead end. "When will you come back from Paris? We'll have dinner together."

"Next week. Are you sure you can't spare your time for me?" Alicia is disappointed. I can tell.

"I'm sorry, not tonight," I reply apologetically. I really can't go with her tonight.

"Fine," she says, and then it's silent.

"Alicia?" I call her, but all I can hear is a busy signal. I try to call her back, but her phone is not active.

"Hi Bro!" Mike, my best friend, suddenly shows up at my office and sits on the chair in front of me.

"Hi Mike," I reply as I put my phone back on the desk, still thinking about what I should do to make up to Alicia.

"Something wrong?" He asks me, giving me a scrutinizing gaze.

"No, it's nothing." I reply shortly. "Anyway, we have a business meeting with Richard tonight."

"Yeah, I know that. Your secretary just informed me." He says it casually and then asks, "Is it about your dad?"

"What about it?" I asked back. I know he is still curious, and I let him be.

"You met your dad last night, right? What happen?" Mike knew my dad invited me for dinner last night, but he didn't know the reason.

"Yeah, I met him last night. We talked." I reply.

"And?" He raised his brows, curious about what happened.

"And he wanted me to take over his company." I tell him honestly. If there is anyone who should know about this in the first place, it's Mike. This matter relates to the future of our company.

Mike doesn't look surprised, though. "And you agree?" He asks.

"Yes, I'm his only son. Who else will do it for him?" I confirm.

"What about Ava? Is she going to manage the company with you?" He asks. I was surprised he remembered Ava.

"My dad said she didn't have an interest in running the company. Photography is her passion." I answer, telling him what dad said.

Managing my own and all of my dad's companies will be too much for me. I asked my dad about her last night because I might need Ava's help, hoping she could handle one of the companies.

Mike nods, listening to my explanation.

"But I want to talk to Ava about this. I hope she can help me. I didn't get a chance to talk about this matter because she didn't make it to dinner last night." I tell him.

"You'll better do that. We still need you in this company, Rhys." Mike agrees with me.

"I haven't decided yet. But I'll take my leave next week. I have to check on my dad's companies before taking over." I tell him in advance.

"Okay," he replies casually. "How is Ava, by the way?"

"She is fine." I answer and then clear my throat. Fine?

"Okay... Describe what is fine." Mike demands curiously. He's waiting for my answer.

"Fine is fine." I answer shortly as I tidy up my things, about to go for the next meeting.

"That's not an answer. Are you two good?" He wants a specific answer as he stands up with me and walks to the door. "Did she make you another cookie or lemonade?" There is an amusing tone in his voice.

"Lily, I'm going for a meeting with the client." I ignore Mike's question and talk to Lily instead.

"Yes, Mr. Rivers," Lily answered me, respectively.

"Well?" Mike doesn't let it go. He's still waiting for my answer. Why is he so curious about her?

"I told you she didn't come to the dinner. I haven't talked much with her. And no, she did not make me cookies or lemonade." I answer him, hoping he is satisfied with the answer.

"How is she? What does she look like now? Is she still as pretty as she used to be?" He asks continuously and then winks playfully. "I would like to know her."

Mike is single. He just broke up with his girlfriend two weeks ago.

"I don't know. I didn't pay attention to that." I'm lying. How can I not pay attention to an attractive girl like her? But I'm her brother; I can't say that, can I?

"That's too bad. Invite her, Rhys; I want to meet her." Mike asks as we step into the elevator. I reply with a hum, hoping that he won't ask about her anymore.

Time moves fast with our full schedule. Soon, it's evening, and we finally have dinner at the Element restaurant with Richard.

We've been talking seriously about our business cooperation for more than an hour. There's some bargaining point that we need to settle urgently.

We're just finished wrapping up our agreement and enjoying our meals when my eyes catch a beautiful young woman in her black dress. The dress wraps her body tightly, displaying her sexy curve. Everyone's eyes are looking at her, including me, Richard, and Mike.

Damn it, it's Ava! I curse inwardly.

Ava walks with a man who holds her tight in his arms. I assume that man is Joe, her boyfriend.

Her face blushes at what Joe says to her. And somehow, I feel uneasy about what happened before my eyes.

Perhaps I mind having those eyes looking at her hungrily, or maybe I mind seeing someone touch her like that.

It's because I'm her brother. I suppose I should feel that way, right? Maybe I become a super protective brother for her. So what?

We're back to our meals after she and Joe take their seats. But I can't take my eyes off of her. I keep taking glances at her many times, uncomfortable with Joe's intimacy towards her.

We'll finish our dinner soon, and I'm thinking of taking Ava home with me. I can tell how lustful Joe is for her, so I think it's better if she comes home with me.

"Will you excuse me?" I excuse myself and then stand up.

"Where are you going?" Mike asks me.

"I just want to talk to someone," I reply before turning around and walking in Ava's direction.

"Ava." I call to get her attention. She is busy talking to Joe and doesn't pay attention to her surroundings.

"Rhys!" he exclaimed in a lower voice, looking surprised to see me. She asks me what I am doing in the restaurant, and she also introduces me to Joe.

The man is also surprised to know that Ava has a brother.

Anyway, I tell her that she can go home with me after finishing her dinner. But Joe doesn't like the idea and insists on driving Ava home himself.

I'm disappointed that Ava decided to choose Joe. She has no idea how lustful and hungry that man is towards her.

Imagining the man touching her makes me feel uncomfortable, but I try to suppress the feeling and accept her decision.

I come back to my seat with Mike and Richard.

"What are you doing there? Do you know her? That hot girl?" Mike asks me curiously.

"She is Ava." I glare at him for addressing her as a "hot girl.".

"That is Ava? Ava, Ava? As your sister?" Mike asks in disbelief. He repeats his question to make sure he heard it right.

I nod and then sigh silently, still worrying about her.

"Wait, that gorgeous woman over there is your sister?" Richard also asks me in amazement.

"She is actually his step sister." Mike explains after he accepts the fact that the woman is actually Ava. And then he adds in a witty tone, "It's too bad Rhys doesn't pay attention to how attractive his step sister is."

He's teasing me for what I told him earlier. He knows exactly how I paid attention to her just now. So what if I care about her?

I go home as soon as our meeting ends. I try to call Ava many times, but she's not picking up her phone.

I start to worry. I call home, but she hasn't come home yet. It's almost midnight. Where is she?

After awhile, I call her again, and finally she picks it up.

"Yes, Rhys?" Her soft voice rings in my ear.

"Where have you been, Ava? Why didn't you pick up my call? Where are you?" I ask her, worrying.

"I'm... at home, Rhys. I went to Joe's place. Sorry, I didn't hear your calls." She answers softly.

I'm relieved she's at home already. But I don't like hearing her go to Joe's place.

"What's wrong?" She asks.

"It's nothing. I just worry about you." I answer. Yes, I'm worried because it's what a brother does.

"Rhys," she calls my name with her usual soft tone that I missed a lot. "I'm a big girl now. I can take care of myself. Besides, I'm with Joe; he won't do anything to harm me."

I realized she was right. I'm too protective of her. She might find it uncomfortable.

"You are right. I'm sorry. I... I think I still thought of you as my little sister." I reason.

"You think of me as your little sister, Rhys?" she suddenly asks back.

I did not prepare for this. Her question left me speechless for a while.

"Yes, Ava, you are my little sister." I answer her. I'm not sure when I've truly considered her my sister.

"Well, it's late. I better get to sleep. Good night, Rhys."

She sounds tired, so I let her be. "Okay, get some rest, Ava. Good night."