To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

I retired to bed with a smile on my face. I couldn’t kiss him but I was glad for the long hug we shared. I didn’t want to let go of him but we both had to go to sleep.

My heart felt calm and at peace and a happiness like this was one I silently prayed that would remain like this. I was really happy because of how much Mason and I have grown and how I no longer harbor any hatred for him in my heart.

I felt free after a long time and smiling, I closed my eyes and tried to sleep.

The blaring sound of my bedside alarm jolted me awake and I soon started getting ready for work. I looked at my time and I was still too early.

Walking downstairs, I was greeted with a sweet scent and I looked to see that the table was set already and Mason was also dressed up for work. We both had breakfast together and it wasn’t as awkward as it usually was.

“If you don’t mind, can I drop you off at work and I can also come pick you up when you get off work too.” He suggested and the butterflies in my stomach increased.

He’s becoming really sweet and gentle but the help he’s offered me was more than enough because I didn’t want to feel like I was living off of him.

“Oh no, it’s fine. You’ve done so much for me already and dropping me off and picking me up at work would be extra.” I answered, nicely refusing his cute gesture but he only shrugged.

“You can buy us dinner tonight as a pay back, don’t think I’ll do things for free.” He smiled as he moved the fork to his mouth and got the pancake off it.

I refused but it was hard telling Mason No because he doesn’t take it for an answer and after much pressure from him, I finally agreed.

“It’s a good thing to not take No for an answer.” He smiled proudly and I rolled my eyes as I told him not to flatter himself.

He drove me to work and he’d even asked that I have a nice day at work. I watched as he drove off and my colleague standing behind me made me jump.

“Why the hell are you behind me?” I asked as I clutched my chest as I looked her up and down, she was still staring at the direction Mason had gone.

“Is he your boyfriend?” She asked, not looking away from where she was looking at but she somehow managed to move her head when I told her that Mason isn’t my boyfriend.

“Oh really, that’s nice,” she started and I raised an eyebrow, “if he’s not yours then you can set us up, right?” She added and my blood boiled.

Not wanting to say anything to her, I walked out on her and went into the company as I went about my work.

The day was stressful and I was glad it had ended already, I walked out of the company to see Mason already waiting for me.

He was on his phone and pacing around, waiting for me. I smiled as I approached him and his eyes lit up the moment he saw me.

We got into his car and he drove off, we’d both agreed on having dinner at a Chinese restaurant that he chose.

We walked into the restaurant and I felt nostalgic. It was the same restaurant that I’d found out about his trip away from the country and it brought back lots of memories.

Shaking the thoughts away from my head, we chose a table and sat at it while one of the waitresses took our order.

“So, honestly, why are you still single?” I asked, I’d thought it would be a great conversation started and I’d almost regret it the moment it rolled out my tongue.

“Isn’t it obvious?” He shrugged, “because my heart belongs to someone.” He added and I felt as though a knife had ripped through my heart.

He had another woman in mind and she isn’t me? Why did I ever think that he feels the same way about me like I do about him?

“Great, you must have so many women lined up to get on your bed.” I commented as I took a gulp of my wine and finished it all at once as he laughed.

I told him about the woman at my workplace who’d seen him and asked that I hook them up, I brought my glass to my mouth forgetting that I finished the content already and Mason laughed.

“Is that Jealousy I smell?” He sniffed amidst laughter and I shot him a glare. We concentrated on our food and it wasn’t long until we finished eating and drove back home.

“Can you join me for a movie? I’m not feeling sleepy yet.” I invited and he didn’t turn me down. We sat close to each other as I picked out the movie we watched.

I told him that I already told my mum everything that happened between us that she now knows about our relationship but she didn’t get mad at us.

He relaxed for a while and asked about Nicole, we talked about her and I told him about how life has been going on well for her and she also has a child now too.

We kept talking and I asked about his friends, he told me about them and I felt left out. I felt like the one who hasn’t gotten her life together but I was glad I’m doing fine now.

“I’m sorry but I’m still curious about your marriage. What happened?” He asked and my heart broke again. I’ve always tried to avoid talking about it.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” I gurgled before turning the TV off and walking to my room. Holding my chest, I laid on my bed and cried myself to sleep.