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Chapter 5: Stepfamily Tour

The man looked to be around my mother’s age at least. He practically beamed like the sun, so blinding that it was making me sick. Gross. The two people at his side looked more like my age, their appearances practically identical except for the differences between their genders. As expected, the ‘east-siders’ were radiant without a speck of dirt on them. I could see invisible, giant dollar signs all over their clothes.

They must be my “stepsiblings” Mom told me about.

As expected, my stepsister was already staring at me with disgust as if I were a rat that just scurried out of the sewer. My stepbrother stared at me with a perplexed expression as if he was still trying to decide what to think of me. I couldn’t help but notice that he was a total hottie, definitely not a nerdy-looking dude with giant glasses. Not a book in sight. The two of them had ashy-blonde hair with eyes colors that reminded me of blue flames. Their natural beauty literally screamed ‘east-side.’ My judgemental thoughts left me when my mom whispered in my ear.

“Please, please, be polite. Lie if you must. Just don’t start a scene.” I rolled my eyes as my mother pleaded.

I gotta keep a good face. Got it.

I forced another smile as I walked up with my mom. My mother’s new husband showed no ill will in his welcoming smile.

“You must be Sukia Arlee! My, you are as beautiful as your mother. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” the man said as he took my hand and bowed to kiss it like a gentleman. Now that he was closer to my face, I could see how greasy his hair looked as if he were determined to style his hair perfectly. Was he trying to impress me?

“The pleasure is all mine.” I say with a little bit of edge on the word ‘all.’ My mother caught my tone and gave me the stink eye in the corner of her eye.

Sorry. How could I resist?

“Your mother has talked about you often to me, many good things, I must add,” he said.

I peeked at my mother this time with a bit of surprise and suspicion, hearing that unexpected news took me off guard. But the man continued to speak with a friendly tone. “My name is Gabriel August. And this is my son and daughter, Julian and Grace.” When the twins were quiet, Gabriel leaned over and whispered to them urgently. “Say hi, will you?”

Grace refused to look at me from where she stood with her arms crossed. “Hello.” her greeting was brief.

Julian at least shook my hand with a charming grin as a decent welcome. “Hey.”

Somewhat decent. I was about to say ‘Sup’ but I quickly bit my tongue again. My mother definitely wouldn’t appreciate my 'street talk' amongst these fine, wealthy, civilized fuckers. I then peeked at my mother.

August, huh? I guess her name is Isabella August now.

The thought made my stomach churn. My urge to get the hell out of here was growing even stronger. But Gabriel gave me little time to think as he started to wave me inside.

“Come! Come, let’s give you the tour!” he beckoned me to follow. I glanced at my mother and she just smiled brightly while looking at me, clearly excited to show me my new life. I held in a dramatic sigh. Fuck my life. And so, I followed after my new stepfather. Even though the man referred to everyone to give me a tour, Grace, predictably, walked away from us the moment she got the chance. Fine by me. Too bad I lost sight of– what’s his name? Julian?

As I dragged around the place I was supposed to call home now, I couldn’t help but feel impressed by the size and elegance. Elegance was definitely something I wasn’t used to after living in trashy neighborhoods. Looking at it all was a little overwhelming. Gabriel was chatting away, probably telling me all about his grand home, but I mostly tuned him out. As we walked down hallways I couldn’t help but notice all the maids that passed us by. Some were cleaning, some were carrying laundry. It must be nice, having so many people pick up your shit for you.

Along the tour, my new family and mother showed me the kitchen that was ridiculously big for a family of three, not counting my mother. And then the dining room was twice as big. They showed me the library, study, and where their bedroom is. There was even a big pool and a rose garden that had bushes tall enough to be a maze. And finally, last and definitely the best, I was shown my room. Mother knowing me best, asked everyone to let me get settled into my bedroom and I smiled at her gratefully before fleeing to my own, personal space.

When I entered my new room for the first time, my jaw dropped. It was practically as big as Amy’s living room. The bed was king-sized with a crimson comforter and a black, laced canopy. Even the circular rug in the middle of the bedroom was crimson with black patterns. There was even a wardrobe with an unnecessary body mirror standing up next to it. I see a cushiony chair with a just as cushiony footrest that matched the theme. My bathroom was, once again, overly big with a hot tub and walk-in shower along with even more mirrors. Why were there two sinks? I have no earthly idea.

On the other side of the room from my lounge chair was a door that led to my balcony. It was on the second story and I had a great view of the rose garden. It was beautiful. I couldn’t help but marvel at everything that now belongs to me. I let the pleasant breeze tug at my clothes and wave my long hair as I stared at the garden being tended to by the gardeners. There, I saw Julian talking to one of the gardeners that was holding roses. The gardener was blushing as she talked to the handsome man.

I couldn’t lie, both he and his sister were gorgeous. No matter how much I hated it. Blondies were my favorite, you don’t see a whole lot of them on the west-side. I noticed Grace’s hair was a little longer than mine meanwhile Julian’s hair was shaggy with the sides of his head buzzed.

He’s definitely a looker. Too bad he’s off-limits.

I huff out a sigh. It wasn’t often I saw men my type. And the thought of having to get used to the fact I have a brother and sister now was extremely distasteful but I was willing to put up with it for my mother’s sake. Or at least until I decided that this place would be a decent home for her and I wouldn’t have to worry about her well-being anymore. Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t realize I was staring until Julian looked up at my balcony. My body stiffened and my cheeks burned with embarrassment as I quickly went back into my room.

Shit. It probably looked like I was ogling him!

I tried to shake off the awkwardness and flopped onto my king-sized bed. The softness made my back scream in pleasure to the point I could pass out right here and now. Pulling out my stolen phone, I was about to give my friends a reassuring text but before I could I whirled my head around when I heard a couple of knocks at my door.

“Seriously? I’m being bothered already?” I grumbled to myself with irritation as I sprung up and marched up to the door. Upon swinging it open, I was going to yell in the face of whoever had the audacity to disturb me when I literally just got into my room. But instead, I just ended up colliding my face into someone’s chest. I yelped as a painful sting shot through my nose and I stumbled backward but before I could fall, a strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me back onto my feet.

“Are you alright?” I heard a pleasant voice say with a tone full of so much kindness that it could’ve easily washed away my rudeness. I looked up at the face that belonged to the warm body I had been pulled into and was surprised to see it was Julian. My cheeks began to heat up again, now that I was so close to his body I could see that the man was literally flawless and could pass for an angel. His appearance alone was enough to rattle my hostile nature. Unlike me, he didn’t seem the least bit bothered by our faces being so close together. His eyebrows furrowed in concern when I didn’t respond to him. “Sukia?”

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