3| Two Handsome Monsters are My Half Brothers
1845 Words
CASSANDRA
"Are you sure you want to do this? You still have a chance if you change your mind and leave here. Remember, I never forced you. The choice is yours."
He dragged me out of the karaoke place and took me to a pretty luxurious apartment. He also led me into a room.
I just froze in the middle of the room. My feet sank in the soft, thick hair of the carpet. I actually went into a man's room. First time in my life.
"If I refuse, will you reveal this lie to my friends?"
"Lies are still lies. Why don't you just tell them the truth that you don't have a boyfriend? Just tell them that you just picked me up as your boyfriend."
I gripped the straps of my backpack very tightly. "I will not let them humiliate and belittle me again."
"If you still want to maintain that lie, make love to me!"
My face turned pale. I really couldn't move and couldn't say anything. I just stood staring at him like an i***t. He even sat casually on the bed.
"Why? Why are you doing this to me? Is it fun for you? If you want money to compensate for that lie, I will pay it."
"Beloved!" said the young man a little louder. "Didn't you say that I was your lover? It is normal for a couple to have a romantic relationship. If you pay me money, then we are not lovers. What will happen if your friends find out? Especially that young man."
"That young man?" I don't see the point.
"The young man who secretly watched us when you kissed me in front of the toilet."
What? I know absolutely nothing about it. Is it Zach? How could that be-
“You also want to show that young man that you can get a worthy man who can love you, right? I really impressed the girls. Just look how jealous they are when they see you cuddling with me."
The words of this person exactly disturbed my worries. I really felt humiliated not only by my friends but also by Zach's nonchalant attitude. He's such a loser. Even though I love and admire him a lot, he doesn't seem interested in me.
"Your love is one-sided, huh? Or maybe you don't dare to accept my offer because you're still a virgin?"
My face was red with embarrassment and anger. I immediately looked away.
"What's wrong with maintaining virginity for someone I really love?"
"Too bad if you give up that virginity to a jerk who can't respect your feelings, miss. You really are an innocent girl. You can go now."
No! I already came here and sacrificed all my pride and honour. I will not back down and turn around.
"Your name?" I asked.
"What?" He was surprised and turned to me.
It was then that I realized he had unbuttoned his shirt. On display are the muscles of the chest and abdomen, which are so dense and perfectly formed. I even have to swallow hard to see his body is so tempting.
I cleared my throat. "Name! At least let me know your name before we do that."
For the first time, he smiled so sweetly at me. A really genuine smile. When he smiled, his eyes almost closed tightly. I was amazed by his charisma.
"Erick, that's my name. And you?"
I am so ashamed. "Could you not ask my name? You shouldn't know. Let's just do it now!"
"Wow… well… you really are excited. Has anyone told you that you look adorable when you blush?"
I'm even more embarrassed.
"Come here, come to me!"
He sat on the side of the bed bare-chested. He patted his thigh and asked me to sit there.
Shyly, I approached slowly while removing my clothes.
That night, we did too. I really make love to him. I surrendered my virginity to a strange man I had just met that day. Suddenly, the man stood in front of my house and introduced himself as my half-brother.
As for the other young man, he is Zach – the first love I still admire. Zach also came over and introduced himself as my half-brother. This is really cruel!
I opened the blanket that covered my whole body and breathed roughly.
My chest feels tight. I hope this is all just a bad dream and will end when I open my eyes. I can not take it anymore. Suddenly my room felt stuffy.
I got out of bed and ran to open the bedroom door.
Erick stood by the door while leaning against the wall. His hands were tucked in his trouser pockets, and one leg was bent back. He lowered his head and smiled casually.
“Hi, Cass!”
"Erick?" I'm nervous. I hope that day we will never meet again. I was so scared that our parents would find out. "What are you doing here?"
"Cassandra…"
Erick seduced me. He said my name in an erotic tone. His voice drags me back to the day he took my virginity.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. You have–"
"Stop!" I shouted.
Erick burst out laughing. He pondered momentarily and said, "I thought I might regret it for the rest of my life. Because I have to go through the days without knowing your name. I always hoped to see you again."
"Stop talking nonsense!" I hissed threateningly. "I don't want anyone to hear this conversation. You have sworn to keep this secret meeting just for the two of us."
Erick raised his hands and smiled kindly. "Calm down, my little sister. I won't say anything to our parents or to anyone. Promises and secrets will still be kept. I'm here at your mother's request. She asked me to check on you. Do you need help packing your things?"
"No need!" I replied curtly.
I dragged my two travel suitcases that I rarely took out the contents. Because I already knew, sooner or later, we would pack up and move again. I only take out the things that I use every day.
I looked at Erick sharply. "Could it be… Do you already know about this? Have you planned it from the start? You already know that our parents are related and will get married?"
Erick's face looks serious. He looked at me with a considerate face. “Oh, really? How can I know about such things? I was even notified yesterday afternoon that our parents are getting married."
"Isn't this too coincidental? How come three days ago you were suddenly in this town? Even though it's clear you live in Everna."
"Yes, we do live in Everna. Three days ago, Dad asked me to come here to take care of Zach's transfer school. That's the only instructions I got. And suddenly, Dad caught up with us yesterday afternoon to come here. He said he would marry your mom and at the same time came to pick you up."
I almost couldn't believe his explanation. But, there is one fact that makes me hurt. Because that day, after leaving the karaoke place, he suddenly took me to his empty apartment to make love.
"I heard that our future stepmother has a daughter. But I never thought that it was you who became her daughter. It seems we were fated to meet, Cassandra."
"What would you do?"
"About what?"
"Our parents' wedding, of course!" I pretended to be tough in front of him.
"I agree, and there is no problem with their marriage. My dad became a real workaholic after our mother died 10 years ago. He was rarely even home. He kept travelling from country to country just to keep himself busy and take his mind off our mother. And I don't like that. But, ever since Dad met your mom, he became cheerful and excited again. Because of that, I don't want to take away my dad's happiness just because of a stupid reason."
He emphasized the words 'stupid reason' as referring to me, who might reject our parents' marriage.
Erick walked away and left me alone in the corridor. I caught up and tugged at the hem of his sleeve.
"What?"
"From the start… you already know that I like Zach. But you purposely used me and took my virginity to see Zach's reaction? How dare you! We even made love in Zach's room…"
Without realizing it, my tears spilt.
"Stop whining and pretend that nothing happened between us. Don't you also want our parents to be happy? Let's just say what happened between us never existed. And pretend that we don't know each other."
Erick left me alone, who looked so messed up. My tears keep spilling.
"He really is ruthless. He is so cruel!"
I just left my suitcases at the door. I ran down the stairs and even walked ahead of Erick. I shoved him away roughly, then dashed past him with anger exploding in my chest.
I went to the kitchen after wiping my tears dry. I saw Mama washing dirty dishes. I approached Mama slowly and hugged her from behind so tightly.
"What's wrong, Cassandra?"
"Leave it like this, Mom. I want to hug you. I don't know why I suddenly miss you so much."
I kept hugging Mama from behind, and she continued to wash the dishes in the sink.
"Mom just married Davian. I will support and bless your marriage."
The sound of plates crashing stopped. Now only the sound of running water can be heard.
Mama let go of my hug from her waist and turned towards me.
"Thank you," Mama whispered, stroking my head affectionately. "Have you finished packing?"
"There's nothing I can take with me. When are we leaving? The sooner, the better."
"Yeah, I'm done washing the dishes. Tonight too, we go with Davian to his house in Everna. Can you help Mama carry some bags and load them into the trunk?"
I nodded. I went to my mom's room to take some suitcases and prepare to pick them up. I grabbed the suitcases and took them to Davian's car, which was parked in the yard of our rented house.
"Slutty girl," said Zach, who suddenly appeared from our porch.
My heart ached when I heard Zach say that. "What do you mean?"
"You don't have to pretend to be an innocent and pure girl. And don't ever think that I'd love to be your stepbrother. Whatever happens, I accept our parents' marriage, but not with your presence."
My body was shaking violently. Does Zach know what happened between me and Erick?
"Zach, that's not—"
Zach opened the car's side door and pushed me down onto the middle seat. Then Zach fell on me when no one else was watching us.
"Zach, what's wrong with you?"
He covered my mouth with his left hand. Zach brought his face closer to mine. He looked at me with a look I couldn't describe in words.
- Writer
