Secret obsession with my stepbrother

Episode 4

HAYLEY.

I stood frozen, unable to process everything that was happening right in front of me. How can Easton become my stepbrother? I'm not liking this one bit.

“Wow, Easton. I heard a lot about you from your father, I'm glad to meet you in person. You look so stunning..” Mom spoke as she reached out her hands for a handshake.

“Thanks, Ma'am…..” Easton replied, shaking her hands.

“No need to call her ma'am. She is going to be your mom in no time” Chris interrupted.. Easton looked so calm and collected in front of his father yet flirts and mocks people's insecurities? Or was he putting on a façade? He had good grades though. But do good grades justify his arrogance?

“Don't worry, Chris. I'm sure he will get used to it. Pardon him for the meantime.” Mom remarked and turned to me.

“This is my daughter, Hayley” She introduced me to them and I swallowed hard, trying to seem bold.

“Hayley!” Chris reached his hands to me..

“I have heard so much about you.. You are such a pretty young lady!” He exclaimed, flattering me as we shook hands.

“Thank you” I flashed him a warm smile. Not so bad, he looked quite okay..

“Let's have a seat,” Mom said..

We all sat down, Easton directly in front of me. I didn't want to have anything to do with him after he mocked me last night but life isn't making it easier for me right now. I'm trying to keep myself in control, not to stare at him or admire him besides he was becoming my stepbrother. Having a crush on a family member is quite forbidden and maybe this would help me get rid of the three years unrequited love.

We made orders and began eating..

“So Hayley. What school do you attend in Houston?” Chris tried to start a conversation while cutting his meatballs.

“Ermmm…” I lit up my face to meet his gaze.

“Elsik high school” I answered..

“Oh, Easton. Isn't that your school?” Chris observed and Easton nodded.

“Then it's great. I'm sure you two would get along quite well.” A reassuring smile settled on Chris’s face.

“I didn't know you went to my daughter's school. That's so great” Mom added. I rolled my eyes, he was such an asshole if she knew. We continued eating and after some few seconds, Mom asked Easton another question.

“By the way.. What do you enjoy doing at most? What are your hobbies?” She directed the question to Easton but before he could answer, Chris responded..

“Oh, Easton likes studying. An exceptional student. He maintains the top position in his school’s academic rankings” Chris boasted, his eyes glittering. Geez, he must be so proud of him.

“Oh, that's so great. You are not only handsome but so intelligent. It is a good thing you are going to the same school with Hayley and I guess you both are in the same year.” Mom joined in praising him. Look at him, his head must be swelling from all the compliments. No wonder he thinks life revolves around that.

“ You see, Hayley, on the other hand, struggles academically. last semester, I was so worried she wouldn't make it to the final year since she was among the last five” Mom narrated my ordeal and I couldn't help but burn in embarrassment.

I discreetly pinched her leg under the table, desperate to halt her embarrassing talks. Why is she trying to humiliate me in front of Easton and his father? Mocking my body wasn't enough, now he is going to mock me for not being smart.

But Mom totally ignored me and continued talking. “But now, I'm most concerned about her getting into college.. It's good that you are becoming step-siblings. I'm sure you would help her out right?” Mom requested.

“Sure, I would love to” Easton replied with a smile and I let out a bit of scoff. Helping out my foot, I don't need his help!

“Thank you…” Mom replied.

“Don't worry,Hayley. Easton would do his best for you” Chris added and I hideously rolled my eyes only for them to land on Easton. His lips curved into a smirk when he saw me. What was that about? I returned the gesture by curling my upper lips into a sneer.

We had a few more discussions while having dinner and when we were done, Chris was going to take Mom and I home..

They had concluded that we would move into their home by Monday after their court marriage. I can't believe this is happening. It seems so unrealistic. Easton drove out in his car and Chris took us home.

~

The next day, which was Mom's signing at the court, and the day we were going to move into Mr Enzo's mansion, so basically, Easton’s home.. I wasn't so sure of how living with Easton would be and I bet he wanted nothing to do with me. I mean judging from his expressions earlier, he was staring at me with so much distaste..

I skipped school to attend Mom's court wedding as a witness, so did Easton and since we were moving today, it was quite a good reason to skip school. The court wedding was scheduled in the morning and it didn't waste time. Mom and Chris, my new stepfather signed their papers and then he sent a driver to come pick us and our belongings afterwards. We weren't moving with so many things from our small bungalow apartment.

We just packed our clothes and went with the driver.. I couldn't help but awe when we landed at their mansion.. It was such an exquisite mansion that would sweep anyone off their feet. Chris was a big shot as I suspected.

“wow” A low gasp slithered out of my mouth when the driver halted the car.

Chris was already waiting for us in front of the door.

Mom climbed out of the car and I followed. Chris spread his arms wide and she rushed to embrace him.. I rolled my eyes, they were all over each other at the court this morning.

Chris planted a soft kiss on her cheeks after the hug ,looking at her tenderly. “Welcome home Tiana” He muttered.

I proceeded to the car trunk to take out our luggages while Mom and Chris were busy displaying affection.

“Oh, Hayley. You don't have to worry….” I heard Chris approaching me and the driver too.

“He will do it,” He said, pointing at the driver.

“Feel at home, okay?”

I nodded and allowed the driver to take our luggages..

“Come on, let's go in” He mentioned and we began heading into the mansion.

My awe knew no bounds when we stepped in. It was absolutely breathtaking. I continued skimming my eyes over the living room's opulent designs. Chris circled his arms around mom's shoulders.

“Easton!” He called out and my heart skipped but I tried to keep calm.. How the hell are we even going to be staying in the same house..can I even do this?

‘Remember he doesn't want anything to do with you, Hayley.’ My inner voice reminded me..

Easton 's figure gradually emerged from the staircase and I tried as much as I could not to stare too much.

“Take Hayley's luggage and take her to the room.” Chris demanded and Easton nodded, walking over to pick my luggage from where the driver dropped it.

“Follow me,” He muttered.

I cleared my throat not too loudly though and followed him. I was really going to be living with Easton in one home, this was happening so fast.

As we reached the first-floor hallway, out of Chris and mom’s presence. Easton paused and turned to face me. He pushed my luggage in my direction, his eyes glinting with a jeering smirk. "I bet you have hands, Flatley," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

I felt a flutter in my chest as I met his green eyes, but I shook it off. What the heck does Flatley mean? I knew he was putting a façade in front of his father. Such an asshole. "Flatley?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Easton's smirk widened, and he stepped closer, his voice taking on a mocking tone. "Oh, come on, Hayley. Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I mean." He answered, his eyes going down to my chest region. My eyes widened in realization, wait! What?! He would replace my name with that!

I quickly placed my hands on my chest in defence. “You can't call me that!”

His smirk widened the more. “Well, I will call you whatever I chose to, I wonder what you were doing the day God was endowing other girls? Let me guess” he placed his hands on his jaw, “watching people f**k?”

“I….I …. wasn't watching!” I stuttered, feeling guilty. He is such an asshole. He shouldn't be calling me Flatley. That mockery and rejection was enough.

He burst into a mocking laughter. “Really? Well, what else can I expect from a dumb person like you, Flatley?”

I wrinkled my forehead in fury, he can't keep calling me that and I wouldn't let him intimidate me. I might not speak in front of people but I can definitely speak to him!

“Stop it. Or I'm going to tell Chris that you keep mocking me. You keep mocking people's insecurities. You think you are perfect? Show me to my room. Don't worry I have hands to pull the luggage” I rolled my eyes and picked my luggage, strolling past him..

“You think he will believe you?” He asked as I was strolling forward and I halted and breathed out a sigh. He knows what he was doing.

“Watch and see. Show me to my room, mister or will I say Master Easton?” I said in a sarcastic snort.

Easton smirked and stomped towards me as I stumbled backwards, my heart racing with every step.. He kept coming closer, what the heck does he want? I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack.

He kept coming until I felt my back land on a hard surface..

He placed his hands above my head, pinning me in between. I felt trapped and I couldn't bring myself to stare at him. Those green eyes of his would make me lose my breath. I was suffocated enough with him being this close.

“Wh..what ..do you want?” I stuttered, my voice shaky.

I gazed up at him and saw a smirkeplaying across his lips.. I quickly took my eyes away.

“That is the door to your room, Flatley”