To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

It’s been six months and I’ve finally brought myself to learn how to live without men. Without dwelling in the past and finally moving on with my life.

Working my butt off at my temporary job, I was happy at how well it paid and the respect I was accorded, no one ever mentions Mason when I’m around and I couldn’t be any more grateful for that.

It seemed as though my mum had told everything I said to her about Mason and I to Danny but six months has passed and he still hasn’t said anything to me.

I was expecting a confrontation, I was expecting to be bombarded with different questions especially when I’d walked out on him and gone for a drink at the beach but he still said nothing to me.

I’d wanted to bring it up too but I felt ashamed of myself, I felt as though I’d disappointed him and even looking him in the eye was hard for me so I decided not to bring it up too.

Exhausted, I sighed when I got home and sank into the chair as I rested my back and closed my eyes to relax a little. I felt a slight squeeze on my shoulder and I smiled.

“Rough day at work, huh?” She asked and opening my eyes, I turned to look at her as I stood and carried my bag with me.

“Tell me about it.” I replied and she laughed as she told me to go take a shower and get ready for dinner since she prepared my favorite meal.

After showering I got down to join them at the table and dinner was going on well until Danny decided to make an announcement.

“Mason will be home in three days’ time, he just told me about it.” He announced and my mum shrieked. It’s been five years and it was easy to tell that they’d missed him.

The news came like a shock to me and I felt a surge run through my veins like some sort of electricity.

What game is fate playing with me? I’d left LA just because I didn’t want to see or run into him again and now he’s coming to me again.

Why does he always have to be wherever I am?

Clearing my throat, I dabbed my mouth with the napkin with me and set it aside as I made my way to my room. Laying on my bed, I sighed as I closed my eyes.

It’s his father’s house and he’s welcomed anytime he wants to show up but why does it have to be now? Why does he have to leave LA for San Francisco now?

Questions kept running through my mind as I tossed and turned on my bed. All efforts to try and sleep proved futile as I couldn’t stop myself from thinking.

Finally clutching my pillow, I closed my eyes and tossed all my intrusive thoughts to the back of my mind as I tried to sleep.

MASON’S POV

The thought of going back to San Francisco seemed refreshing and I had no idea why but I felt some kind of excitement.

I missed everything about that place, it held a lot of memories and I silently prayed that I would be able to live the memories again but happily this time, more than the last time.

***

TWO DAYS LATER

Getting out of the plane and boarding a taxi, I finally got home. I was able to move back to San Francisco because our company opened a new branch here and I was granted the opportunity of being the CEO and everything about the branch was handed to me.

I never really had anything worthwhile in California and when the company told me that a penthouse was provided for me already, I was glad.

Also, I wanted to see Ava. I missed her badly that it hurts deeply and I just knew that being here would create an opportunity for that.

I couldn’t help but think about how pleasantly surprised my father and stepmom would be because they never stopped telling me how much they missed me.

They were really excited when I told them I was coming home and to be able to surprise them to my satisfaction I thought of arriving a day earlier than I’d mentioned to them.

I got home late and they all looked like they were getting ready. Ava’s mum screamed when she saw me and my dad hurriedly hugged me.

“I thought you were supposed to show up tomorrow?” He asked and I smiled as I told him that I’d thought against it and just wanted to surprise them.

“Well, it’s really a pleasant surprise, we missed you so much,” my stepmom said as she held my hand and led me into the house, “come in, oh my god! How are you?” She asked.

I’d wanted to answer her when Ava walked out of the kitchen with a cup in her hand and my jaw dropped. I had no idea she was in the house and she looked extremely gorgeous just like she always does.

She also looked as shocked to see me as I am to see her but she soon shook it off as we all sat at the dinner table to eat.

Dinner was a little bit awkward since it was more of Ava and I avoiding each other’s gaze throughout dinner. I’d told my father I wanted to go out with the guys but I wasn’t allowed to.

Entering into my old room, all the happy memories I made with Ava in here came rushing at me and laying in my bed, I closed my eyes as I savoured it.

Unable to take it anymore, I stood to leave my room to go to Ava’s because I knew sleeping would be extremely difficult here. Bracing myself, I knocked and she opened the door as soon as I knocked looking shocked.

She wasn’t expecting me to be the one at the door.

“What do you want?” She asked coldly and I was taken aback at first but I understood her.

“To see you,” I answered and she turned to close the door immediately but I stopped her, “please.” I begged and after much persuasion she finally allowed me in.