STEP-DAD'S SECRET

03|

✯𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏~𝐃𝐀𝐃'𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 ✯

(𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 ✿ 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕)

𝑊𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑗𝑏14

©2025© 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑗𝑏14

No part of this book should be published, copied or translated or i Sue you. It's been signed under f✦ckin platforms and apps. You copy, you get sued!

CHAPTER THREE (03)

MAI'S POV

It wasn't long before the morning sun came like a slap across my face. I slowly opened my eyes, wincing in pain. My body felt stiff and sore from sleeping on the hard floor, where I'd curled up in a ball, hugging my knees tightly to my chest. Tears had streamed down my face as I cried and cursed the world, and now my face felt puffy and swollen. The sun's ray streaming through the window hit my face, making me squint. I cursed under my breath, feeling frustrated and helpless. My mind began to wander back to the cause of my misery - Roman. I hated him more than old socks, grandpa's and vegetables. Ever since Mom lied about my age to have him, my life had taken a turn for the worse. And now, I had to live with him for a month while Mom went on her so-called "vacation". The thought made my blood boil.

I gingerly sat up, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand. My nose was still stuffy from crying, and my throat felt raw. I looked down at myself and groaned. My clothes were wrinkled and stained, and my hair was a tangled mess. I must have looked like a mess, both inside and out. I thought about the arrangement Mom had made, forcing me to live with Roman for a month. It felt like a punishment, a price I had to pay for her mistakes. I didn't know how I was going to survive this, but I knew I had to try. I slowly got to my feet, testing my sore body. I stumbled over to the window and pulled the curtains closed, blocking out the harsh sunlight. The darkness enveloped me, and for a moment, I felt a sense of relief. No offense but I actually like darkness, everything being covered like a cloth. I don't like light especially the bright light the sun made every morning.

I decided to focus on cleaning myself, since it was my only choice for now. Today was Saturday, which meant it was a free day, and all I wanted to do was escape to Zoey's house, where we could chat and eat together, away from the harsh sun. The thought of it put a smile on my face. I headed to the bathroom, and my eyes widened as I took in the luxurious space. It's not like my bathroom wasn't luxurious, but his was better. Everything was ready for me, and I noticed the bathroom had both a tub and a shower stand. The tub, in particular, caught my attention - it was massive, big enough to fit not just one, but three people. I stood there, daydreaming, imagining soaking in it, letting the warm water wash away my worries. The bubbles from the soap. The stream....mhmmmm... peace.

But my reverie was interrupted by the promises I'd made to myself last night, when I was angry and hurt. I'd vowed not to use any of Roman's stuff, but the truth was, I desperately needed a bath. After a brief internal battle, I decided that my hygiene was more important than my pride. I hurriedly brushed my teeth, trying not to think too much about it. Then, I turned my attention to the tub, and my eyes lingered on the inviting water. I dipped my toes in, and the warmth enveloped me, sending shivers down my spine.

"Gosh, this is heaven," I breathed, sinking deeper into the tub. The warm water cradled my sore body, and for a moment, I forgot about my troubles. I let out a deep sigh, feeling some of the tension melt away.

I sank deeper into the tub, letting the warm water envelop me. It felt like a cocoon of comfort, soothing my sore muscles and calming my frazzled nerves. I closed my eyes, letting out a deep sigh, and the warmth seeped into my bones. The water was a balm, washing away the stress and anxiety of the past few hours. My eyelids grew heavy, and my breathing slowed down. The tub was a sanctuary, a place where I could escape the chaos of my life. I lay there, letting the water work its magic, feeling my tension melt away.

My mind turned to Zoey and our plans for the day. I couldn't wait to get out of here and head to her house, where we could hang out and forget about our worries. We could watch movies, gossip about our friends, or just chill, eating our favorite snack. The thought of it put a smile on my face, and excitement built up inside me. I was looking forward to a relaxing day with my best friend, and I knew it would be just what I needed to take my mind off things.

The warm water continued to soothe me, and I felt more relaxed, more like myself. My muscles unwound, and I let out a contented sigh. For a moment, I felt grateful for this small moment of peace. But Roman's presence lingered in the back of my mind, like a shadow. I pushed the thought away, focusing on the warmth of the water and the promise of a relaxing day ahead. For now, I just wanted to soak in the tub and let the world outside fade away.

As I soaked in the tub, my mind wandering to my boyfriend. Maybe I should invite him to join us at Zoey's house? It could be fun to have him around. I thought about texting him, but decided to focus on getting ready first.

I got out of the tub, feeling refreshed and relaxed. When I entered my room, I saw that my new dresses had arrived. I rummaged through the bags and picked out a pair of baggy jeans and a comfy shirt, with some sandals. I didn't bother with makeup - I never wore it. I quickly got dressed and hurried downstairs.

The maid from last night was waiting for me in the living room. She looked up and greeted me, but her expression turned stern.

She blocked my path, saying firmly, "Ma'am, where are you going? You're not allowed."

I tried to reason with her, "I just want to meet someone, I promise to be back early."

But she shook her head, "But ma'am, you're forbidden to leave."

I didn't hesitate, I quickly sidestepped her and made a run for it.

I left the gate and mansion behind, feeling a rush of freedom. I hailed a cab and used half of my change money to get to Zoey's place. The cab drove away from the mansion, and I felt relief wash over me. I was finally free from Roman's watchful eyes, and I couldn't wait to spend the day with my friend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The cab stopped a few blocks from Zoey's house, and I got out, taking a deep breath of the fresh air. I paid the driver and watched as the cab drove away. I stood there for a moment, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Although Zoey wasn't rich like Caleb or me, she was the one person who didn't want to be friends with me for my money or fame. That was what drew me to her, her genuineness. I smiled to myself, thinking about how much I valued our friendship. With a renewed sense of purpose, I started walking towards her house, eager to spend the day with my friend.

As I walked up to Zoey's house, she answered the door with a surprised look on her face. "Mai! What are you doing here? I thought you were busy with...you know, stuff," she said, eyeing me curiously.

I shrugged, feeling a bit sheepish. "I just needed to get out of there. I didn't plan on coming here, but I just ended up here."

Zoey's expression changed from surprise to a warm smile. "Well, I'm glad you did. Come on in," she said, stepping aside to let me in.

As we walked into the living room, Zoey asked, "So, what's going on? You look like you've had a rough morning."

I flopped down onto the couch, feeling a bit more relaxed. "It's just...everything. My mom, Roman, the whole situation. I just needed to get away from it all."

Zoey nodded sympathetically. "I'm here for you, girl. What's going on with Roman, anyway? You never really talk about him. Like literally I didn't even know you're getting a step-dad until last night."

I sighed, feeling a bit frustrated. "It's just...I don't know, Zoey. I feel like I'm being sold or something. My mom's making me live with him for a month, and I have no idea what's going to happen."

Zoey's eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa, that sounds serious. But don't worry, we'll figure it out. You're not alone in this."

I playfully rolled my eyes. "I came here to relax and not think about all this drama, but you're bringing it up."

Zoey held up her hands in a defensive gesture. "Okay, okay, let's forget about it. Let's watch some K-dramas instead!"

My face lit up at the suggestion. "Any new ones?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Zoey grinned mischievously. "Updates, yes!" She grabbed the remote control and started navigating to her favorite streaming platform. "I've been binge-watching this one show, 'Love in Seoul'. It's so good!"

I squealed in excitement, snuggling up beside her on the couch. "I've heard of it! Let's watch it together!" We spent the next few hours lost in the world of K-dramas, laughing and swooning over the characters. For a while, I forgot about my troubles and just enjoyed the moment with my best friend.

We spent the day lounging around Zoey's house, enjoying each other's company. We ordered some food and had a feast, laughing and joking around while we ate. After lunch, we played an intense game of rock paper scissors, with Zoey emerging victorious. I demanded a rematch, but she just grinned and said she was the champion. We decided to get up and dance to some of our favorite songs, belting out the lyrics at the top of our lungs. The energy in the room was infectious, and we couldn't help but move our bodies to the beat.

We started a pillow fight, giggling and shrieking. Feathers flew everywhere. We collapsed onto the couch, exhausted and laughing. Then, we focused on our schoolwork for a bit, trying to study. Our attention spans were short, and we soon found ourselves acting out fake scenes, using our best dramatic flair and over-the-top expressions. We cracked each other up, and our laughter echoed through the house.

We shared secrets and whispered stories to each other, our voices barely audible. We checked out each other's outfits, offering fashion advice and critiques. Zoey fixed my hair, and I helped her pick out a new lip gloss. It was a perfect day, filled with laughter, friendship, and just enjoying each other's company. The sun began to set, and I realized I didn't want the day to end. Zoey just smiled and said we'd do it all again soon.

"And that's why I don't eat pickles." Zoey said, her face mixed with a joke and serious expression.

She'd just told me her little story about her hatred for pickles and I bursted out laughing and said, "Because they look like men's d-..."

Zoey quickly covered her ears, "Don't say it, Mai!"

I held up my hands in mock surrender, "Okay, okay, I won't."

Zoey's expression turned mischievous, and she asked, "So, have you gotten intimate with Caleb yet?"

I rolled my eyes, "Zoey, no, we just started dating. And your mind's always in the gutter."

Zoey winked, "Just in case, I'm available for tutoring sessions."

I giggled and playfully pushed her, "Sure, I'll come knocking when necessary."

Just then, Zoey's eyes darted to the clock on the wall, and she exclaimed, "Oh no, look at the time! You should get going, my parents will be back from work soon."

I nodded, knowing I had to leave. We exchanged farewells, and I stepped out of the house. Luckily, I managed to hail a cab quickly and headed back home, feeling a bit more relaxed after spending the day with my friend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I arrived at the mansion, and to my dismay, it was already raining. I was a little soaked from the short trek from the cab to the entrance, but I managed to make it inside without getting completely drenched. The mansion's grandeur and popularity didn't faze me as I stepped into the foyer.

As I entered, I spotted Roman sitting at the dinner table, eating. He was already done with his meal and was cleaning his mouth with a napkin. He looked up, and our eyes met. For a moment, I was taken aback by his chiseled features and piercing gaze. He looked so hot and attractive that I had to snap myself out of it. I was about to head upstairs when he called out to me, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.

"And where are you going, young lady?" Roman asked, his tone firm.

I froze, my feet rooted to the spot. "Upstairs to my room to change and sleep," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Roman stood up, his cold aura following him as he walked towards me. He put his hands in his pockets, his eyes never leaving mine. "It's 11:37 pm, almost midnight. Where did you go?" he asked, his tone brooking no argument.

I felt a surge of defiance and replied, "It's none of your business where I went, okay?"

Roman's expression didn't change, but his voice took on a slightly menacing tone. "My house, my rules. Now tell me your whereabouts, young lady."

I stood my ground, refusing to back down. "You're not a boss over my life and have no control over me, Roman."

Roman's expression remained icy, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded me. "We'll see about that," he said, his voice dripping with a chill that sent shivers down my spine. "You're living under my roof, and you'll follow my rules. I don't care about your independence or your personal life, but while you're here, you'll do as I say."

He took a step closer to me, his eyes glinting in the dim light of the foyer. "I have ten rules that I expect you to follow. Listen carefully, because I won't repeat them."

I felt a surge of resentment, but I nodded curtly, indicating that he should proceed.

Roman began to list off the rules, his voice cold and detached. "First, you'll be home before 6AM every day after school. Second, you'll attend all family dinners. Third, you'll keep your room tidy at all times. Fourth, you'll respect my personal space. Fifth, you'll not have any overnight guests. Sixth, you'll not use my cars without permission. Seventh, you'll keep your phone on silent mode after 10 pm. Eighth, you'll not enter my study without knocking. Ninth, you'll attend all social events I deem necessary. And tenth, you'll be honest with me at all times."

He finished the list, his eyes boring into mine. "Do you understand these rules?" he asked, his tone unyielding.

I felt a spark of anger, but I bit back my retort, knowing that arguing would get me nowhere. "Yes, I understand," I said, my voice cool.

Roman's gaze lingered on me for a moment, as if searching for any sign of dissent. Then, he nodded curtly. "Good. I expect you to follow these rules without fail."

I looked Roman straight in the eye and said, "And I have one rule, which is I won't follow any of yours." My voice was firm and unyielding. "Roman, I'm Mai Harper Isla, and I'm not going to take orders from someone like you. I live my life the way it's supposed to be, as an independent lady."

With that, I turned around and walked away, leaving Roman standing alone in the foyer. I could feel his eyes on me, but I didn't look back. I knew he was used to getting his way, but I wasn't about to let him dictate my life.

I went upstairs to my room, feeling a sense of satisfaction at having stood up for myself. I did my evening routine, washing my face and brushing my teeth before changing into comfortable clothes. I then checked my phone for any messages from my friends before getting into bed.

As I settled under the covers, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I knew that living with Roman wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to do things my way. I closed my eyes, feeling a sense of resolve wash over me. I was Mai Harper Isla, and no one was going to change that.

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