Chapter 9

**SCARLET**
What was I doing? It’s not like I was a virgin.
I waited for another hour before I went down for breakfast because I was too embarrassed to see Luke’s face. I’d heard he always left at eight and returned home at seven, so he was barely at home. I guess I wouldn’t have to worry when he came back.
Mom and Thomas were on the porch having coffee when I came down. They were like newlyweds that couldn’t let go of each other. Thomas couldn’t stop nuzzling at her hair. I had to admit that Thomas was handsome, and he’d kept in shape despite his age. I didn’t want to interrupt them but I told them I was present anyway.
“Morning, Mom. Morning, Thomas.” I kissed both their cheeks and settled on the empty seat across from them.
“Oh, darling. Good morning!” Mom greeted me with the sweetest smile. “Did you sleep well?”
“Barely.” I shrugged and chuckled. “But I probably still have jet lag,” I reasoned, which wasn’t the real case.
“Have you had breakfast?” Thomas asked.
“Um, no, not yet.”
“Then you can join Lucas,” Thomas suggested.
“Luke’s still here?” I asked, almost out of breath.
“Of course, it’s Sunday,” Mom said.
Was it Sunday? Oh no.
“Go on, honey. He’s in the dining room.”
“Oh, okay.” Without a choice, it was better to just get over it.
Still hesitant, I went to the dining room.
Luke was already eating alone at the table, dressed in a Hermes coat, a white shirt, and casual jeans.
I could never get over how good-looking he was. He looked like he came out from a magazine cover to torture me.
A housemaid approached him and put out another plate. Silently, I settled on the seat on his right side. In a moment, the maid provided my breakfast as well. It was pancakes, eggs, bacon, and English Breakfast tea.
“Good morning, little sister.” He took a sip of his tea and speared another piece of his bacon with his fork. “Enjoyed the scene this morning?”
And, as always, he had to sound so cocky. I rolled my eyes. “There was no scene to enjoy.”
“Nothing? Is that a lie? I hate fucking liars.”
I shook my head in disbelief at hearing that line again. Jax said that all the time. Speaking of Jax, I forgot to check for his message last night. I was too occupied.
“I’ve seen plenty of those scenes,” I murmured. Sadly, they were no match compared to him. He was too perfect, and I was ridiculous for thinking so.
“Plenty.” He raised an eyebrow. “How interesting.”
“Nothing is interesting. And don’t call me ‘little sister.’”
“Why not? Aren’t you my little sister?”
I exhaled sharply. “I have a name, Luke. Or would you prefer if I call you dick?”
His lips curved in a playful grin. “Sweet little mouth with such dirty language. Do you prefer if I call you witch?”
“Why are we having this conversation?” I snapped.
Damn it, he really knew how to anger a woman. I ignored him and decided to eat quietly. Fortunately, the food tasted good enough to ease my irritation.
“Aren’t you going to kiss my cheeks too, like you kissed Gene and Dad’s?” he spoke again.
“Will you stop?”
“What? You almost kissed me last night, witch.”
My cheeks flushed. I could never forgive myself for losing my mind like that last night.
“Stop calling me a witch!”
I was supposed to enjoy breakfast in a beautiful place, but my stepbrother had to be so freaking annoying.
“I can call you anything I want,” he concluded, finally standing. I noticed he had already emptied his plate. “It was fun talking to you. See you tonight, witch.”
 
***

“Can I tell you something?” I asked, playfully biting my lower lip. Later that night, I called Jax. I’d been bored the whole day. There was nothing to do in the house. I didn’t know what else to do but stare at my phone screen, browsing another chat app site. To be honest, I was looking for a guy who might be similar to Luke; of course, I found no one because he’s the only one in the world. Every time I was disappointed, I uninstalled the application and got another.
Mom and Thomas went out shopping since it was the only time to have quality time together. After shopping, they told me they would be late because a governor had invited them for dinner. All I could think of was to call Jax. Even if I didn’t know what he looked like, I was sure he was handsome, given the different women weekly. He could even make me wet and aroused by only hearing his voice.
“I don’t want to hear it. I don’t care about any of it.”
He always said that, but he would listen to me anyway. “Well... I’m having a problem with my family,” I began. He might not want to hear it, but I just thought he would be the safest person I could talk to. Since there was no one in the house I could talk to, I’d rather speak to a stranger.
“I told you I don’t listen to any of this. I’d rather talk about our upcoming meeting. I’d prefer to reserve a room near your apartment, so I can pick you up. Just tell me where you live.”
“Wow, I didn’t know you’re such a gentleman. I thought you don’t do such things?”
He blew out a sharp breath. “What happened to your family?”
He certainly knew how to change the subject. “Um, this one person is giving me a hard time. My mother wanted me to live with her, but I don’t know if I can because of this person.”
“Who’s this person?”
“My step—” I paused. I never told Jax about Mom’s second marriage or my having a new family. Telling him now would spark an interest in me, but there were times I was also curious to know about him. I wanted to know what he looked like or if he had a Facebook or something since he was into social media. I tended to stalk people when I got too attached.
“It’s my brother,” I went on, deciding to change the story a little.
“And you cannot live with your mother because of your brother? Why not?”
He was not my real brother and never would be. “He’s just... He’s too complicated. I could say that we’re not close. Of course, I can’t tell my parents that. They’ve wanted me to live with them for so long.”
“Seriously, Ericka, you’re twenty-eight years old. You are old enough to decide what’s right for you.”
And twenty-four years old was old enough, but Thomas could be a rigorous father. I was about to say something, but he went on.
“Hey, I need to hang up,” I heard the sound of a car engine in the background.
“Oh, can I call you later?”
“No. I’ll call you.”
“Sure,” I murmured.
He dropped the call.
And almost instantly, frustration took over me. It was my first day at Thomas’ house, and I was already bored. I didn’t know what else to do. I tried reading a book, but nothing sunk in. I wanted to do new things in a new place. I had no friends to call or a boyfriend I could ask for a date, and it was already eight o’clock in the evening. Even if I wanted to go out, it would be very late when I came back.
I felt warm at the moment, then I remembered the swimming pool. The water looked very refreshing. I suddenly wanted to try to swim at the pool, where I saw my gorgeous stepbrother. I wanted to find out what was so special about the pool, why it was so inviting.
With a new twinge of excitement, I walked to my closet and dug out a swimsuit.