The Popular Jerk and I

CHAPTER 4: You're My Hunny Bunny

Lily's POV:

The bell rang for lunch time and everyone came out from their classes. I walking down the hallway towards my locker when I heard a familiar voice holler my name through the hall.

"Lily!" Jenny shouted while coming through the sea-walking-monsters on the hallway. I halted and whipped my head to her direction. She was trying to run her way towards me, but a lot of tall sea-walking-monsters blocked her way. "Excuse me, excuse me," she groaned to every tall person that was blocking her. I smiled at her and as soon as the tall monsters were out of the way, she looked at me with a bright smile plastered on her face, waving hysterically at me. She walked towards me and I could see a glint of sparkle in her eyes.

"Hey," I greeted.

"Oh my b****y goat, you need to tell me everything," Jenny squealed as she dragged me with her to my locker. "And I mean every. single. detail," she demanded when we arrived in front of my locker.

"It was shocking," I mumbled as I opened my locker, placing my books.

"Tell me all about it." She commanded as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Mom and I met Matt Austin's mom last night," I replied closing the door of my locker then faced Jenny. She was obviously surprised at what I just said because her eyes were so big that I think it was about to jump off of her face.

"Y-you m-met," she stuttered and paused to swallow. "You met his mother?!"

"Shhh!" I hissed placing my index finger on my lips then nodded. "Yes, I met his mother."

"What does she look like? Does she look pretty? I bet she looks gorgeous! Did she look like a celebrity? I heard she looks like Julia Roberts. How was her fashion? I heard she dresses modestly. Was she kind? She's classy, wasn't she? Tell me, did she like you? OMG, she's probably  already does! I mean, look at you! You're kind, pretty, a little bit smart, and you're secretly rich!" Jenny blabbed as we walked our way to the cafeteria. She went on and on throwing a list of questions at me, but I never got the chance to answer all of them because she was already answering them all by herself.

I halted before we entered the cafeteria. I faced Jenny and placed my hands on her shoulder saying, "Jenny, you're right. She's gorgeous, she kinda looks like Julia Roberts, she dresses modestly and she acts classy, but there's something wrong."

"What's wrong?"

"She was mom's high school best friend."

"She was your mom's what? High school best friend?!"

"Keep your voice down," I hissed then we started walking again, entering the cafeteria. "Yeah, she was my mom's best friend and trust me, mom told me all about her ever since I entered high school myself. She said that you and I were just like them back in their high school days."

"Really? That is so cool! So, how did the dinner go? And why did you say that there's something wrong? What did go wrong?" Jenny asked while she grabbed a piece of pie and placed it on her tray.

"Dinner was okay. Mom and Matt Austin's mom, Sofia, was talking and reminiscing their high school days together while Matt Austin and I were just shooting glares at each other. If only you could see the look on his face when he saw that I brought my mom with me, it was priceless!" I chuckled picturing his hilarious look on my head while grabbing a sandwich and placing it on my tray.

"Okay... but you still didn't answer my question. What do mean by 'there's something wrong'?" She reiterated as she opened a can of coke.

I bit my lower lip and we both took a seat at our usual table since freshman year. I looked at Jenny whose eyes were narrowed to me, ready to hear my reply. "The thing that was wrong was..."

"What?" She leaned in closer.

"Matt Austin's mom said that they're moving into a new built house and..." I replied and Jenny nodded, waiting to finish my sentence. She was all eyes and ears. "And remember the huge lot located in front of my house? Remember that there was a newly built modern mansion standing there? It was built for like 2 years and a half."

Jenny nodded excitedly at the mention of the beautiful mansion in front of my house. She told me before that she wished to be rich and someday get a house as big as that.

"That house was owned by the Austin's. And that's where they're moving." I deadpanned.

There was silence between us for 5 seconds. I knew because I counted.

"Oh my holy b****y freaking goat! The-they owned that huge mansion?! Ma-Matt Austin owns that mansion?! The-they built it?!" Jenny stuttered in astonishment.

(Flashback about what happened last night)

"You two know each other?" Matt Austin asked to the two mothers who looked like they were going to strangle each other any minute from now.

"Yes," mom and Matt Austin's mom answered in unison.

"We're enemies," Matt Austin's mom added.

Matt Austin and I exchanged looks, and from the look of our faces, tonight ain't gonna turn out good. Then suddenly...

"Sofia you classy b*tch!" Mom exclaimed and to our great shock, our two mothers were hugging each other like they were some kind of besties.

"Oh my god, I missed you so much you smexy b*tch!" Matt Austin's mom, Sofia, yelled back while pulling away from the tight hug my mother just gave her.

"Mom!" Matt Austin called out, surprised at his mother’s instant change of character. "I've never heard you talk like that!"

"Well muffin, this is your mother when she's with her best friend," Sofia replied with a wink.

"We used to call each other b*tches back in high school," mom chimed in proudly, receiving a groan and an eye roll from me. Go figure, mom.

Matt Austin and I wer still stunned looking at our two mothers grinning at each other like a Cheshire cat.

"You look gorgeous, Helen! Did you even age a bit?" Sofia complimented.

Mom smiled and replied, "Well, I don't know. I still feel young, you know." Mom and Sofia giggled. "You look stunning as always, Sof," mom added and they hugged each other again.

"Uhh... Are you two just gonna keep hugging all night?" Matt Austin interjected.

Mom and Sofia pulled away from each other.

"Come here, muffin," Sofia pulled Matt Austin into a tight hug and I heard Matt Austin squeal a bit. Ha, that was too tight I guess. "I missed you so much my little muffin."

Muffin? She calls him muffin? How funny is that? Lol.

"Cupcake," mom called. Oh my gosh, mom didn't just call me cupcake in front of them! I could feel my cheeks turning pink in embarrassment. I bet Matt Austin will make fun of me the next day at school. "This is my high school bff, Sofia Austin," mom introduced as Sofia faced to look at me.

She grinned at me like I was a beautiful stiletto in a luxurious boutique. "Oh my god, you're the prettiest thing I've seen in my entire life! You look so much prettier than your mother!" Sofia said as she greeted me with a tight hug. I was not sure whether or not that was a compliment or a sugar-coated insult directed towards my mom.

Okay, but this woman really hugs tighter than Jenny. I couldn't breathe. Thankfully, she pulled away after a few more seconds. "I'm Sofia Austin. Please call me Sofia for the rest of your life, dear. So, your name is cupcake, am I right?"

Crap. My name is not cupcake! Gosh, mom!

I heard Matt Austin left out a soft chuckle.

I managed to pull a small smile trying not to show how much I want to punch her son in the face right now. "You're mistaken, Sofia. My name is NOT cupcake. It's Lily."

"Oh my goodness," Sofia chirped. "Your mom named you Lily?"

I nodded.

"I remember you love lilies, Helen," Sofia said to my mom. My mom just smiled and nodded in reply.

"Excuse me madam, sir and visitors," a lady in her 50’s interrupted with her thick Spanish accent. I think she is a house maid here judging by her uniform. "Dinner is ready to be served."

"Let's eat," Sofia chimed as the Spanish woman lead us to the dining room.

The dinner was quite good. Except for the fact that Matt Austin and I didn't even utter a word unless our mothers ask us questions like, "Do you know that back in our high school years she was bla bla bla and we did bla bla bla?" Obviously, we don't.

Mom and Sofia kept talking about their past and how popular they were back in high school. They were best friends since freshmen year and they stopped communicating when they got married because they got busy. Sofia was the classy one as mom says and obviously she is when you meet her. My mother is the party-wild one. They're obviously different from each other. Mom wears clothes that make her look hot while Sofia on the other hand wears clothes that are more modest. Mom didn’t care much about her academics compared to Sofia. Sofia was the valedictorian in her class. No wonder where Matt Austin got his brains from.

I think the similarities they have is that they're both rich, beautiful, hot and... crazy? I don't know about you, but looking at them now, they look like teenage girls giggling over their cute crushes back in high school.

(Back to present)

I nodded in despair at Jenny's stuttered-in-astonishment response. Jenny composed herself and took a deep breath after all the information she just heard. "Okay, so that means Matt Austin will be your soon-to-be neighbor, right?" Jenny asked as she took a bite on her pie.

"To my great dismay, yes," I replied taking a sip on my favorite caramel drink. TBH, caramel is my chocolate. I love caramel so much. All desserts with caramel on it are simply my haven. Chocolate is also my favorite, but caramel is love. Just sayin’.

"So what are you gonna do now? You'll be neighbors soon and obviously, he's gonna make it harder for you to pass senior year," Jenny reminded.

"As if I will let him! And he can't—"

"Well, well, well," a familiar voice interrupted in our conversation. Jenny and I whipped our heads to see who was culprit and found Stacey Jones with her two other minions standing behind her and sending us daggers through their mean b*tchy stares. "Isn't it the new slave."

"What do you want, blondie?" I irked, raising an eyebrow.

She looked a bit shock at my reply and obviously a bit offended with the harsh tone in my voice. Yet she instantly smiled plastically at me then placed her hands on her waist. "Woah, acting tough aren't you? You're friend right there is also a blondie, FYI."

"Yeah but she's not your typical fake Barbie blonde like you. Seriously, why do you dye your hair blonde?"

She scoffed. "Excuse me? I didn't dye my hair! It's naturally blonde!" she responded in defense.

"Her hair is naturally blonde!" retorted Kris, Stacey Jones' gay minion.

"Oh, really? But why is it that the roots of your hair is brown? Is it just me or your real hair, or should I say, natural hair is growing that's why it's showing?" I exasperated. I loved staring back at Stacey, for the look on her face was priceless! And I am very aware that no one talks to Stacey Jones like I do. She's the queen bee? I don't care. Yes, she's known as the meanest girl in campus, but that doesn’t give her authority to step on others. She was also trying so hard to be just like Regina George from the movie Mean Girls.

"Give me a mirror," Stacey ordered her other minion, Lexi, who is a brunette girl. Lexi searched for a mirror in her purse but didn't find it while Stacey was waiting for her impatiently. "Damn it, Lexi! Give me a d*mn mirror!"

Ooh, watch the word there, sistah.

"I-I'm s-sorry Stacey, but I don't have one right now," Lexi stuttered in fear.

"How could a girl forget to bring a mirror in school!" Stacey yelled obviously furious. She took a deep breath, calming herself.

Kris hurriedly took out a face powder with a mirror on it from his sparkly purple purse, and handed it to Stacey, "Here you go, Stace."

Stacey grabbed the face powder from Kris annoyed, and then looked at her own reflection. Her eyes widened and her face reddened when she saw her natural roots showing. She bit her lower lip then closed the face powder in aggravation.

"You-you... You stupid brunette!" she scoffed then flipped her hair and turned her back at us. She walked away with her signature walk, copying Regina George's walk, and her two minions followed her.

"Says the girl with fake blonde hair," Jenny teased. We laughed and high-fived each other.

Then Jenny suddenly stopped laughing and elbowed me while her eyes narrowed to a certain direction. I followed her gaze and saw the three most popular guys in our school enter the cafeteria walking like they're some famous celebrities. All the girls were swooning over their gorgeousness and hotness except for me and Jen—

Oh no.

Jenny is also swooning over them!

Oh yeah, I remember. Jenny thinks that that guy named Jay Anderson is cute. She must be swooning over him. But still, they're not that gorgeous and hot to be swooned over! Okay, scratch that. They do look attractive.

I glanced at the three guys again and caught Matt freaking Austin looking at me, smirking! I looked away immediately and grabbed a bite on my sandwich.

What is wrong with him? Is he trying to make fun of me? Oh yeah, he'll make fun of me because my mom calls me cupcake.

"They're seriously the definition of a s*x god," said the girl sitting next to our table.

I rolled my eyes and slapped Jenny's head playfully. "Are you done swooning?"

Jenny snapped out from her fantasy land and looked at me like she didn't know what just happened. "Wha— I'm not!"

I chuckled at her defense. "Whatever. You were swooning, and swear to god you look ridiculous."

She rolled her eyes and punched me playfully on my arm.

"Hey, ladies," a familiar voice interrupted again and I already knew whose voice that belonged to. I turned around and saw Matt Austin standing behind me, smiling smugly.

Then he plopped down next to me, placing his tray on our table. His disciples did the same. They took a seat on our table without asking for our consent.

"What are you jerks doing here?" I taunted.

He smirked at me, leaned over and said, "Eating lunch with you, my hunny bunny."

"Wha-what did you just call me?" I scoffed. "Hunny bunny?!"

"Yeah," he teased. "You're now my hunny bunny."

"I'm not!" I exclaimed. His friends gave out a snigger.

"You're the cutest when you're angry, hunny bunny, or should I say, cupiecake," he chortled and his friends kept laughing.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny, jerk-faced," I sneered. "Call me that again and I will send you to your death bed!"

"What's that supposed to mean, hunny bunny?" he teased again then he took a bite on his apple and chewed it sexily and swallowed it like it was the best food he hasa ever tasted in this world. He was actually seducing me and giving me that smug face of his, like I would be wooed into him. Ha, as if!

"That means you're a dead meat sooner or later, muffin." I expressed the word 'muffin' with gritted teeth. I remembered her mom, Sofia, calling him muffin. If he thinks I don't have a response to his teasing remarks, he is so wrong. This girl is loaded, jerk-faced.

"If that's the case," he said as he stood up from his seat, "I should go now before I become a dead meat." Then he shuffled my hair saying, "See you later, hunny bunny," and he shot me a wink. His disciples stood up and walked away with him leaving me and Jenny at our table.

Thanks for messing my hair, jerkpid!

***

The bell rang signaling for the last class. And my last class is English. I went inside my English class and took a seat at the back near the window. I love sitting near the windows because if I get bored, I can space out while staring at the outside world, and imagine things like killing Freddie Krueger with my bare hands. I would love to snap his neck and see him die before my eyes.

"Sup, hunny bunny," a voice interrupted my thoughts. Great.

I looked at Matt Austin sitting on a chair beside mine, grinning like a cat. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. "What are you doing here, muffin?" I irked expressing the word 'muffin' again in a pissed off manner.

He gave out a soft chuckle. "I'm in this class too, don't you remember? We're English class buddies."

"You will never be my buddy, jerk-faced," I riposted.

He leaned closer and whispered, "Hunny bunny, I bet you want to be my buddy a little more than the girls in this school do. Or maybe you wanted to be more than just my buddy?" He shot me a wink.

I scoffed at his reply. Excusa moi? Is he freaking serious? This guy needs a shotgun in his mouth.

But before I could reply a comeback at his response, our English teacher, Mrs. Smith, Jenny's mother, came in. And yes, Jenny's mom is one of our English teachers here at Goldville High. Oh, I forgot to mention that the three popular guys are also in this class with me. Not cool.

I wish Jenny's here though.

"Hello, everyone," greeted Mrs. Smith.

"Hello, Mrs. Smith," all the students greeted back lousily.

"C'mon guys, I need more energy!" exclaimed Mrs. Smith. "Hello, lousy students!"

"Hello, Mrs. Smith!" yelled back the students.

Mrs. Smith is a really cool woman. She's funny and very outgoing as a person. She understands teenagers the most unlike all the other boring teachers here in Goldville High. She's the most favorite teacher among all the students and everyone wishes to be in her class. I just love her too.

"Now that's better," Mrs. Smith grinned. "Now, we are going to do something different today. Anyone up for something different?"

Most of the students nodded in excitement including me.

"So today, you my beloved students will give me Shakespearean pickup lines. Dedicate your pickup lines to someone in this room or any person who goes to this school. Anyone who can't answer will receive a deduction in their grade for tomorrow’s test. So, let's do this and have fun! You guys ready?" Mrs. Smith announced with excitement in her eyes.

Most of them yelled feeling the excitement while others were groaning silently feeling a bit terrified for the consequences and I am one of them. I can't remember any Shakespearean pickup lines at the moment, dang it! I'll be dead meat anytime soon.

Ugh, help me.

"Okay! Let's start," Mrs. Smith placed her index finger on her lip signaling the students to silence then she started calling a name, "Mr. Brad Cox, stand up. Give me a Shakespearean pickup line."

"Umm..." Brad responded, still thinking what to say. "Can I open my book?"

"No, you can't Mr. Cox," said Mrs. Smith who was now standing beside Brad. "Anyone who wants to save this little fox here?"

Brad groaned. Everyone laughed at the word 'fox' since Brad Cox is known to be the fox in Goldville High for being a manwhore and a playboy. He doesn't even care anyway.

“Oh, and you’ve got minus points for tomorrow’s test, Mr. Cox.” Mrs. Smith added. Brad sat back on his chair murmuring.

A confident red haired girl raised her right hand and stood up. "I'll save him."

"Not you!" Brad scowled then turned to Mrs. Smith begging, "Mrs. Smith, anyone but her. Please!"

"Ms. Fiona Wilson," Mrs. Smith called. "Okay, save this naughty fox right here. Give me a Shakespearean pickup line."

"This pickup line is for Brad Cox for giving me a short make out sesh last week," Fiona announced. Everyone laughed and teased Brad. Mrs. Smith silenced them and told Fiona to continue. "Brad, O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?"

Everyone hollered and laughed jokingly at Brad. Fiona looked proud at her answer. She looked at Brad winking at him while her hands were crossed over her chest. Brad silenced everyone by saying, "Oh shut up!"

"That's a good one, Ms. Wilson. That's from Romeo and Juliet," Mrs. Smith said grinning. She's obviously having fun at this moment. "Next will be... Mr. Jay Anderson."

Jay stood up and said, "This Shakespearean pickup line is for a girl that caught my attention today. This is from The Tempest. I do beseech you – chiefly that I may set it in my prayers – what is your name?"

"Sure, tell her you only want her name so you can pray for her health. Chicks love that sh*t," Brad mockingly interjected. Everyone laughed at Brad's remark. Jay just shot him a glare and Brad winked at him saying, "I love you, man."

"That's enough," Mrs. Smith silenced everyone. "That's nice, Mr. Anderson. Take your seat. Next, let's call on... Mr. Logan Hughes."

The boy named Logan stood up and immediately recited, "Come woo me, woo me, for I am in a holiday humour and like enough to consent. That is for Lily Christova who has been my crush since freshmen year."

"Burn!" a guy shouted and everyone looked at me laughing. Logan narrowed his eyes on me and smiled showing his yellowish braced-teeth while shooting me a wink. I instantly looked away and my eyes landed on Matt Austin's. He was smiling smugly at me and teased, "What a handsome secret admirer you got there, Lily."

Crap.

Mrs. Smith silenced everyone again and said, "Okay, that was... okay, Mr. Hughes. That line is from As You Like It. Let’s call on the next one... aha, Ms. Lily Christova."

Me? As in me? But why me? I couldn't think of anything right now!

Think, Lily. Think.

"Uh, y-yes?" I stammered as I slowly stood up. I could feel my legs turn into Jell-Os. This can't happen to me. I need to answer. Think, Lily.

"Ms. Christova, any Shakespearean pickup lines you got there?" Mrs. Smith asked smiling at me brightly. I love Mrs. Smith, but I hate it when she calls me in class and makes me answer questions. I don't like attention, especially being laughed at because I was not smart enough to answer a question. And particularly, not in front of the jerkpid, Matt Austin!

Wait. I think I remember. I read this line from a Shakespeare book I read this summer! Thank God that I became a book geek! Phew!

"I-I don't have anyone to dedicate my pickup line with. Is that okay?"

Mrs. Smith nodded, "Sure."

"Um... Okay. So, I read this line from the book, Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare," I trailed off, took a deep breath then finally recited, "I do love nothing in the world so well as you; is not that strange?"

Then suddenly, Matt Austin stood up, and his eyes narrowed at me and he interceded with another pickup line saying, "I pray you, do not fall in love with me, for I am falser than vows made in wine."

I looked at him intently. What was he trying to say? Was he replying to my pickup line or something? Or was he trying to make fun of me? His eyes never left mine until everyone laughed at his sudden interruption. Then, he shot me a smirk and a wink then, he sat down on his seat again.

Jerk.

"That was awesome, man!" Brad yelled praising his best friend. "I pray you, do not fall in love with me," Brad mimicked and laughed again. Jerk #2.

I sat back down on my chair, grouchily. I can't wait to hear the bell ring and get out of this room. I hate being laughed at. Thanks a lot, jerkpid.

Briiiiiiiiinnnggggg!

For the love of God, thank you for answering my prayer! Saved by the bell!

"Okay, see you next time, everyone. Don't forget to read Romeo and Juliet," Mrs. Smith announced while everyone was busy getting up and leaving the classroom.

I stood up and picked up my English textbook and my bag. I glanced at Matt Austin who was sliding his bag in his arms placing it on his shoulder. When he caught me glaring, I hurriedly scurried towards the door as fast as I could. I need to get away from that jerk. To my annoyance, the hallway was packed with tall monsters.

Just great. Now I'm walking like a zombie.

Let me pass through, you big *ss giants!

Finally, I arrived at my locker. I placed my English textbook inside and shut it again. I turned around and I almost died from a heart attack.

"Hey," Jenny greeted.

"H-how long have you been standing there?" I stammered asking Jenny. She was like a ghost who suddenly popped out from Neverland.

"Just now," she said. "You know, I was thinking of adding Jay on f*******:, do you think he will confirm me?"

I gave out a chuckle. "Seriously? You want to add him?"

"Yeah," she replied innocently. "I can't hide this anymore. I really do like him. I'm sorry, Lily."

"Don't be sorry, silly. I already know that you have a huge crush on him ever since sophomore year but you kept on hiding it because you know how much I hate their group," I said in response.

She nodded in agreement. "I love you for not getting mad at me, Lily," she said grinning at me while locking her arm on mine.

I smiled at her and patted her shoulder, "No problemo, sistah."

We arrived at the parking lot and saw Matt Austin standing beside his white Ferrari 458 Spider. This guy is too much. How could he drive that luxurious car to school?

Well, everyone in the popular circle drives a luxurious car. Our town, Goldville, may not be that big of a town, but trust me, the people that reside here are crazy rich! But no one's richer than the Austin's. They’re practically royalty. Most buildings and houses were built by their construction company. Heck, our school was built by their company. They're that big and loaded. Woopidoo!

Jenny nudged me, interrupting my thoughts.

"He's coming here," Jenny whispered.

Then I saw Matt Austin walking towards us with his signature smirk plastered all over his face. Seriously, how could he walk like a model on a parking lot? This isn't the runway, dumb*ss!

"Hi, ladies," Matt Austin greeted.

"Uh, I need to go. See you tomorrow, Lily!" Jenny quickly waved then, scrammed her way to her mom's blue Honda civic sedan car.

"Jenny, wait! I thought we're going home to—" before I could finish my sentence, Jenny was already inside her mom's car, and Mrs. Smith just happened to be inside the car already, so they drove off immediately.

"You my hunny bunny," said Matt freaking Austin, “are coming with me."

I placed my hands on my hips and turned to face him, "Says who?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Me," he smugly replied. "You follow every single thing I say to you. Remember, you're my pet-girlfriend for the whole year. And starting right now, you're on duty as my slave, comprende?"

I rolled my eyes as he walked to his car clicking the remote key on his hand to unlock the Ferrari. I got no choice to follow him and do what he says or else I will be dead meat and won't survive senior year. Now, we don’t want any of that.

Yay, life.

"What are you doing? Get in," he demanded while he was already inside the car and his key was already in the ignition ready to start the engine. I stared at him wishing he would pop and disappear like a bubble but sadly, I'm no witch.

"Be a gentleman, will ya? I won't get in if you won't open the door for me," I demanded back then crossed my arms over my chest. I tapped my foot on the ground, an act of waiting then he rolled his eyes, but he opened my door inside the car without even getting out.

"Now it's open. Get in," he commanded again.

I was waiting for him to get out of his car and walk me to my side of the door and open it for me like gentleman guys do in the movies! And what do I get? The exact opposite! Ugh.

I rolled my eyes at him and shot him a glare before walking to my side of the car like I had no choice.

He started the engine and we drove off.

"Wait," I said. "This is the way to my house."

"This is the way to my house too, remember?" He responded.

"What do you mean?" Please don't tell me they just moved in to their new mansion located in front of my house. Please, please, don’t.

"We moved to the new mansion this morning.”

Just great.

“The guys moved everything since last night, so all I have to do now is live in that house and make you suffer," he replied smugly while turning the steering wheel to the right.

"Jerk," I retorted. I looked out the window and saw my house. I smiled. I can finally get off from this jerk's car. As I was waiting for him to pull up the curb in front of my house, the car turned to the other side, entering into a big and automatic gate. "Where are you taking me?"

"To my new house," he bragged.

You have got to be kidding me.

And when we drove past the gate, I beheld the most beautiful mansion I have ever seen. The house looked so much better up close than from my view in my bedroom. This mansion looked like it could be owned by the President of America! I bet they spent lots of money to build this. This is like a house for royalties!

"Holy cow," I uttered astonishingly as I got off the car. "This place is..." I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was not dreaming and yes, I wasn’t dreaming. "This place is beyond beautiful!"

"I know. Our company has the best engineers and architects in the world," he stated. "Let's get inside and have some hot drink. It's getting colder out here."

I nodded enthusiastically. I want to see what’s inside!

"Hold on," I halted. "Tell me why am I here?"

"Didn't your mom tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Your mom is probably on the plane now to New York."

"What?! Why is she flying to New York?"

"She said it was an emergency. Your grandparents called her this morning and she went to the airport immediately," Matt Austin said. "She hasn't called you yet?"

I was about to shake my head to answer him with a no, but my phone rang. I took my phone out from my pocket and saw "Mom" on the caller ID.

"Why did you leave me all alone, mom? I need an explanation!" I demanded to the other line which was my mom and I heard her sigh in reply. "What's wrong, mom?"

"I'm sorry that I left you there, cupcake," mom responded in a sad tone. "Your grandma called me this morning. She said your grandpa had a heart attack. He's in a hospital right now in New York and he was calling my name when that happened. So, I had to go."

"What?" that's all I could say. My grandpa had a heart attack? I felt my heart crushed. Even though I barely knew him that much, and even though I have only seen him once in-person back when I was seven, he is still my grandfather. He is still part of my family tree.

"But don't worry, cupcake. Your grandpa's fine. He's still alive," mom reassured. "He just wants me to take care of him and stay with him until he gets his strength back. Don't worry too much, okay?"

"Okay, mom," I replied in relief.

"By the way, cupcake," mom continued. "You'll be living with the Austin's for now."

"What?!" I exclaimed.

"I can't let you stay at home alone and without any adult supervision. If you stay there with the Austin's, Tesa, the Spanish woman will look out for you and Sofia is staying there for a week before she goes back to work. So, I feel safe for you."

"Mom, I can't stay here. I don't want to," I said then looked at Matt Austin's face. He's raising an eyebrow at me.

"You need to, cupcake. I sent all your clothes to the Austin's new mansion that is located in front of our house. Also, you can't get inside the house since I locked it and the key is with me."

"What?! Are seriously doing this to me, mom?!"

"Cupcake, don't worry you're in good hands."

I looked at Matt Austin smiling smugly at me with arms crossed over his chest. Pft, I really am in good hands, huh.

"Mom, please come back as fast as you can. Please!"

"I'll try dear, but I also need to help your grandma and uncle run the business until your grandpa recovers. So, I'll be staying here longer than I probably should."

"For how long?"

"I don't know, cupcake, but a few months?"

"Months?!"

"Yeah, anyway cupcake, I gotta go. The plane’s about to take off. I'll call you again tomorrow. I love you, sweetheart."

"Hello? Hello, mom?" I took my phone away from my ear and saw 'call ended'. Just great. Now what?

I looked at Matt Austin and he still has that signature smirk on his face.

"So..." and the jerk spoke. I thought he will just smirk at me all night.

"What?" I said irked.

"Ready to enter your new home?" he asked enthusiastically.

I glared at him because he was obviously enjoying the fact that now he can make me suffer a lot easier than expected. Especially now that I will be freaking living with him!

NO. That is my answer. I am not ready to enter my new home.

This house may be very beautiful and grand, but I can feel that this house will be a hell for me too. If only you could see the evil smirk on this jerk's face right now. He's totally planning all the evil things he could do to make me suffer as his slave. Thanks to that stupid pick-a-girlfriend-inside-the-black-box thing that they do every year. Ugh.

"Of course, I am! I am SO excited that I want to barf," I replied sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

He laughed, "Right."