Chapter 5 My One Night Stand, My Stepbrother?

Jade

My eyelids fluttered open, and an immediate weight settled in my head, as if someone had crammed the entire world inside it. For a fleeting moment, the unfamiliar surroundings blurred together... didn't fucking register.

Where the hell am I?

The opulence of the penthouse's furnishings suggested a world vastly different from my own-decidedly more upscale. A stark contrast to the cheap, worn-out furniture that adorned my humble abode.

So...Why am I in this sudden paradise?

A groan escaped me as I massaged my throbbing temples. This headache showed no signs of a swift departure. And, for the life of me, I couldn't fathom how I ended up in this lavish setting or who might be responsible-

Then it hit me.

Shit. Chase.

The fog of sleep lifted abruptly, reality crashing in with a jolt. My heart raced as the memories flooded back, unwelcome and vivid. Images of Chase, his every move etched into my mind from the early hours of the morning, replayed in explicit detail. The intensity of his gaze, the way he thrust his length into my pussy, and the way he pushed me to the edge everytime-all of it swirled in my thoughts.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

I closed my eyes, attempting to shove the details away, but they clung to my consciousness like this insistent headache.

Just as my nerves began to settle, fate hurled another curveball my way. A sudden realisation struck me like lightning-today was my mother's wedding. Damn!

Hell!

I shot up, the satin sheets pooling around me as panic set in.

My eyes darted to the clock. Less than half an hour remained! My mind raced, heartbeats quickened, and sweat coated my palms.

What the fuck am I going to do in such a short time?!

I fumbled for my phone and then noticed my clothes scattered haphazardly across the room, along with Chase's, in the aftermath of last night that still threatened to awaken desire. I even spotted the used condoms at the side of the bed, remnants of our last night's passion.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, hastily grabbing my scattered clothes to dress back.

On any other normal day, I might have stuck around, but today was no ordinary day.

A wedding awaited me-my mother's wedding.

God, the fact that I was actually attending it was hard to believe. If I were brutally honest, a larger part of me thought I shouldn't be there, but Mya had fucked up with my mind last night before this stranger fucked me.

But now, I needed to get back home pronto. Missing her wedding or, more importantly, making her sad was not an option. After all, I was her only family, albeit soon to be joined by another through marriage.

Would things remain the same? Hell, they wouldn't. Not at all.

So, I threw on my coat and snatched my purse, the faint sound of the shower tempting me the entire time. It urged me to peek inside, to catch another glimpse of the majestic creature I had seen up close...last night.

God, Jade! Fucking focus.

"Yes, I shouldn't hesitate," I whispered beneath my breath. "You have a wedding to attend."

Without a second thought, I walked out of the apartment, gently closing the door behind me. I took the elevator, pressing the button for the ground floor.

Man, leaving almost felt like a mistake. But I knew it had to be done.

It was just a one-night stand, after all.

Reaching the ground floor, I hailed a cab, heading for home. The ten-minute drive was a torment, each passing minute amplifying my regret over this entire situation. Every second, the memories of last night replayed in my mind, making it even more challenging.

Fuck, Jade! Get a hold of yourself.

Muttering curses under my breath, I exited the cab as it stopped in front of my house. I paid the bill and swiftly entered using my spare key. Knowing my mom had already left for the venue to tend to all those 'bride' things, I wasted no time. At the speed of the wind, I washed my face, changed into my formal dress, applied some quick makeup, and headed to the wedding venue.

By now, my breaths were coming as pants. It was a rush to get all the way here...

My eyes fell on my aunt on the first floor, where all the guests were taking their seats. "Hey Ruby, where's Mom?"

"God, Jade! You're finally here! Your mom was crying all the way here," she exclaimed, grabbing my hand and pulling me into a corner. "What the hell did you do this time?" she asked in a hushed voice, wary of anyone overhearing us.

"I'll tell you later, Ruby. Now, where is she?" I sighed, rubbing my temple. Damn, this headache wasn't budging.

"She's on the second floor, room 302. Get there before-" She suddenly stopped, her brows rising and eyes widening. "Are you drunk?" She had clearly noticed.

Well, it was too evident, I guess.

"I was drunk, and now I'm just dealing with a hangover. Bring some lime upstairs, if you can, please!"

"Wait, why did you-"

I ignored her and headed to the second floor. I had no time to listen to her lecture, not at least now when I knew my mom would be giving me plenty.

I reached my mother's room, apparently where she was getting ready, and knocked on the door twice before her voice came.

"Come in."

Hesitantly, I walked into the room, and my jaw dropped in awe. With that white gown hugging her and the light makeup and hair done, she looked truly beautiful.

Before I could compliment her, she opened her mouth. "So you finally got time to attend your mom's wedding," she cleared her throat, and it was evident she had been crying, with wasted tissue papers scattered on the floor.

Thank God she hadn't ruined her makeup in the midst of it all.

"You really thought I was gonna skip on your wedding?" I asked.

She released a sigh. "Well, not, but since you made it abundantly clear last night-" She stopped as she noticed something. Okay, no... I couldn't be looking so exhausted that everybody could notice my alcohol intake. "What's the mark on your neck?"

Her question took me aback.

Shit! The love bites!

Shit! Shit! Shit!

"Don't tell me you spent the whole night drunk in someone else's bed," her eyes flared with anger.

"I don't see anything wrong with it. I needed to get my mind off things," I shrugged.

"Get your mind off things?! Today's my wedding, Jade, and you're telling me you're late because you were drunk the whole night?!" she shouted. "How could you fucking do this? Instead of staying beside me, how could you just fucking abandon me and find a boy-toy to entertain you?"

Well, he wasn't a boy-toy-that wasn't the right name for him. But I couldn't tell her, given the circumstances.

"Mom, you're dragging this too much," I scoffed. "This isn't such a big deal, besides, this is not your first wedding that you'd be so nervous. So stop this bullshit already."

She chuckled at my words, tears evident in her eyes along with her disappointment. "Yes, it isn't," She walked closer to me, and for a moment, watching her expression, I began to regret my words-God, I could never stop this mouth of mine when it was required. "But this is the first time I am holding someone's hand after your dad, despite all the fears that are constantly gnawing at me... that everything will end up the same as the last time, and I'd lose my love once again."

And with that, she left the room, leaving me speechless with her last words.

Sighing, I took a seat, internally cursing myself for hurting her for no reason.

That one chance at life... should I also be happy that she was holding onto it?

Ruby walked into the room with lemon juice and a glass of water.

"Here," she handed me the plate and glass, "Do it quick. We need to head downstairs."

I mixed them together and finished it in one go. "Done, let's go."

And I headed downstairs with my aunt. By now, all the guests had arrived, and the wedding procedures had begun. My mother stood opposite the groom, Uncle Frank. However, something else caught my view. Well, someone else.

My breathing got stuck in my throat, my eyes widened as I noticed a very familiar man beside him. It was none other than the one I'd been with last night...

Chase Ashford...

This is why his name sounded familiar last night. His last name...Ashford.

Holy fucking shit! He was Frank's son!

I just slept with my soon-to-be stepbrother! Oh no...