In Love With My Evil Stepbrother

Chapter Fourteen Alex’s eyes widen immediately at that. His mind must be spinning with confusion right now. I felt queasy, partially because of Alex’s hesitated reaction, but also Eason’s deathly glare at us. I can see from the corner of my eyes that Eason’s hands are clenched into a tight fist, as if the next second he’s going to throw a punch at Alex. Why he hates Alex so much is beyond me, and I try not to be so self-conscious to think that this is all about me, but it’s always nice to see him get pissed off.

But if Alex turns me off right on the spot, it’s going to be a huge price for me to pay.

I hold my breath, while waiting for Alex’s response. “This is ridiculous,” Eason’s tone is cold and jeering, “Why do you think he’d be willing to go with you?”

I sniff. “I’m not asking you, aren’t I?”

“Just saying the obvious. You can’t just grab someone randomly from the street and ask him to

But his sarcastic comment is interrupted by a simple word from Alex.

“Yes.”

My heart race dramatically increases, as I look at him unbelievably.

Did he just say “yes”? As if to reconfirm what he just said, Alex reveals a gentle smile to me and repeats himself,“ yes, I would love to come to the ball with you. I’m so glad that you asked me.”

A surge of gratitude and warmth passes through me, as I can’t help but smiling back to him. He must have sensed the awkward situation that I’m in. I feel bad for using him like this. I’ll thank him later.

Eason’s jaw tenses, seems like he’s trying hard to suppress the anger. “Charming,” he says through gritted teeth. “Guess I’ll see you guys at the ball.” He turns his hells and leaves us, with Valerie following him closely. She intentionally knocks on my shoulder and mutters a “loser” with a voice so loud that everyone can hear. What a baby. Seeing the drama has come to an end, the crowd finally scatters. I finally get the chance to turn to Alex, as it happens, he’s also looking at me. We lock eyes with each other, then burst into laughter at the same time. “Well. May I get a chance to drive my dance partner home? If she’s fine with it?”

I giggle, “I think she just said yes.”

As we start heading towards the student lot, I take the chance to apologize to him. “Sorry about earlier…that I cornered you that way.”

U

nit Fourteen

“Not at all,” he assures me. “I’m happy to do it. I was planning to do some training on the ball night, but it might be nice to take a day off. You know, to shake off some stress.” Alex drives a fairly new Volvo, which got completely buried away by the flock of fancy cars in the parking lot. But I’m somehow relieved that he’s not a member of the rich-brat club.

training, which is when I find out that we have so much in common. We both spent some time down south, fell

fast. Before I even realize, the car has already pulled over in front of the town house. He hits on the brake and smiles at me widely, “guess I’ll see you here on the

another round of stammering thanks, and clumsily climb out of his car. He waits till I get inside the house and wave him goodbye through window, then finally drives away. Mom is in the living room, pretending to read a novel while simultaneously peering over her shoulder. When I turn around, she instantly rises

from school,” I try to push down the corner of my lips, but eventually fails at it.” He’s taking me to the

her chuckles stop short, as clear disappointment flits across her

absurd. “What made

take you shopping, I also expressed

anyone at school, so I was afraid that you’d end up going

what?” I am appalled. “Mom. Please. Please tell me you didn’t beg him to

begins to twist her slim fingers together nervously. “Well, technically, I didn’t beg him. Because he

appreciate your effort. But I’d rather go to this ball alone, than having Eason

in a shaky breath and mutters a “fine”, obviously shocked by my sudden

notice a very nicely wrapped box laying on my bed. It’s a delivery from that designer brand store that Eason

on the bed and stare dejectedly at it. The moment I open that

Fi teen

These memories all involve the same person, who occupies my thought by day and

feel a spasm of pain mixed with sorrow, like someone has cut open my chest, grasped my heart, and squeezed it. Now I’m forced to realize that I have let him into my head and myself to be deluded by his gorgeous face

to the diamond necklace he gave me. I’ve decided to give these back to him after the ball and clarify things

***

hear people talking about it everywhere. Even in the middle of a class, chattering

their interest in me. As long as I keep my head down and

ball night, students are dismissed a few hours earlier to get ready. And despite my vehement protest, mom has invited a stylist to our home to do my makeup and hair. For the following two hours after school, I’m forced to sit on the chair quiet and still and let the stylist dresses me up

stylist’s words come as a salvation to me. “All finished. You can check it

made a special effort to highlight my almond-round eyes and thick eyelashes. My lips are wearing a peach-pink lip gross, which made them even more plumpy. Mom is dabbing the corner of her eyes with a tissue. “My god honey, you look so beautiful. Whoever is taking you

I sign and remind her again,

should quickly get dressed. We are running short on time. You don’t want to

finally open the box and takes out the gown for the first time. It fits me perfectly, bringing out all the

front of the mirror, and then carefully hides the label under the cloth. I have decided to give back this dress and the necklace to Eason after the