Then the Wolf Step In

Chapter 5

Joy’s POV

The class was over. I didn’t want to run into Ryan after school, so I spent half an hour in the library doing my homework. When I finished, I gathered my things and walked out of the school.

Near the school there are plenty of roadside food stalls. Hawkers and vendors are selling food and drinks on the street and the stalls were surrounded by students. The smell of food hit my nostrils and my stomach grumbled at the sight of an ice cream truck.

Long time ago, before my parents got divorced, the three of us would go for a walk in the park. We would walk all the way along the river. At the end of the lane stood an ice-cream parlor. Dad would always buy us ice cream. On the wall hung a menu listing at least 30 flavors and one of my dreams was to try each of them. I have tried chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, raspberry, mint, butter pecan…before I accomplished my grand project, mom left the team to seek her real happiness, or at least the lawyer claimed so.

I considered mom’s choice as betrayal against us, but dad told me not to blame my mom because sometimes fate has weird arrangements for people. If a couple were destined to fall in love with each other, they should also feel peaceful when facing the destined separation.

My dad was a sort of philosopher. He was a generous soul who could always brainwash himself to forgive people who has done harm to him. But I inherited none of his merit. I couldn’t forgive my mom and I didn’t buy the bullshit the lawyer said. The lawyer spoke for my mom, stating that Henry Davis was my mom’s soulmate and therefore my mom had every right to break the vow she made to my dad and pursue happiness. The lawyer made it sound as if my mom wasn’t happen when she was with dad but I knew it wasn’t true.

Ivy Morgan left my dad for another man. To me this was unforgivable and it didn’t make any sense. Mom promised to offer me an explanation when I grew up so I started waiting. I was eager to be 18 so that I could resolve the mystery, if any. When I finally turned 18, I lost my dad. Mom made a phone call, asking me to live with her. I said okay. She then offered to tell me the truth why she left but I said “No thank you, Mrs Davis. I don’t want to know”. Then I hung up the phone before she could say anything else.

Not that I lost my curiosity. When dad was no longer with me, I lost interest in exploring things but I knew this stage wouldn’t last long. When time heals my pain, I would cheer up again and regain my curiosity. I refused my mom only to revenge on her, robbing her of the opportunity to confess.

My stomach grumbled again. This time I answered its call, walking to the truck and bought an ice cream. Licking it, I found it too sweet. I don't know if it's because I’ve grown up, or the vendor added too much sugar.

Frowning, I nibbled on the ice cream while walking to the bus station, where I saw Ryan. Again. He was in uniform, leaning against the wall, a cigarette in his hands. As I watched him, he lifted his eyes and his eyes met mine. There was a smile appearing on his face. He tossed the cigarette in the trash, and beckoned me over.

Fuck.

Ryan must be following me. Or why would I bump into him wherever I go?

I didn't want to talk to him, so I pretended I didn't see him and walked away.

Ryan strode up and said, "Hey, I was calling you. Didn’t you hear me?"

I pursued my lips in a fake smile and replied, “Oh really? I must miss it.”

"The school was over hours ago. Why are you still here? Won’t your mom be worried?"

I rolled my eyes and said defiantly, "It's not like you have gone home yet. Won’t your dad be concerned?"

Ryan seemed to be in a good mood. He showed no intention to debate and gave me a smile.

I could never understand him.

He acted like he and I were friends. Why was he doing this? Make me fall in love with him so that he could dump me and break my heart? If this was Ryan’s plan, he was too naive. I wouldn't fall for someone like Ryan. He was brazen, self-righteous and showed no respect to women.

I had no interest playing love games with Ryan. I had a clear goal, which was to study hard, get admitted by university, left this city, found a job and then I could live my own life. By then I could obtain the real freedom without saying nice words to please Ryan and Uncle Henry.

Clenching my fists I walked towards the station. Before I could get there, Ryan pulled my hair slightly from behind. I stopped due to the sharp pain.

“What do you want?”I glared at him.

Ryan shrugged and merrily walked alongside me. He asked, "Why didn't you wait for me?"

I moved away his hand and hissed at him, "We missed the school bus."

"Okay, let's went home by foot then, darling."

I shivered at the way Ryan called me. He's out of his mind, right?

I frowned and went straightforward, "Ryan, don't you hate my mom and me? I thought it was only fair that you kept a distance from me. But now you and I go to school together and go home together. I wonder what this is about?”

Ryan chuckled, "You’re overthinking. You're Ivy’s daughter, which makes you my sister. I'm supposed to be nice to you."

Liar! If he truly considered me as his sister, he couldn't have called me slut and inquired me about the price per night.

Or could it really be his way of joking?

I needed more evidence to tell. Confused, I muttered, “If you say so”.

"How was your day?"

"Good.”I answered before I realized I responded. Reminding myself not to lay down the guard, I gave him a suspicious look, “Why do you ask?"

"Why are you being so alert? I don’t bite, sister."Ryan smirked.

I called back mockingly, "You have all my trust, brother."

Ryan wanders off for a second. His eyes darkened and he swiftly moved away his burning gaze.

For some reason, I felt shivers sent down my spine.

Mom was surprised to see Ryan and I coming home together. And of course, she was happy. She walked up and hugged me, "You guys came home together. Why are you being so late?"

Because I stalled to avoid running into Ryan. I answered in my mind. Considering this answer was true but unspeakable, I picked another excuse, "I was hungry after school so I went to get an ice cream. We missed the school bus so we walked back."

Mom frowned and said, “So you kept your brother waiting just to buy an ice cream?"

"It's okay." Ryan said mildly.

I glanced at him and thought of the old days I spent with my family. No matter how long the line was, mom and dad would always wait for me and they never complained. I was uncomfortable with the idea that my mom wasn't the same person as she used to be.

Actually, she was different a long time ago. I just didn't want to admit it at that time.

Suddenly I lost my appetite. I said to mom, "I'm full. I will skip dinner and do my homework. Don’t wait for me. I will grab some food when I am hungry."

Before she protested, I brushed past her and rushed upstairs. Ryan followed me and echoed,"I'm not eating either."

As I was on the second floor, a sudden force tugged at my elbow, pushing me into Ryan’s room and I was shoved against the door. Taken back I was about to shout when a hand covered my mouth. I stared into the darkness and saw a vague figure. It was Ryan. He leaned on me, purring against my neck, "Where are you heading to? Haven’t I told you to come to my room? I was assigned to tutor you."

He was so close to me. The warm breathing made my heart thump frantically in the chest. I pushed him away and said, "Yeah I remembered that. But could you do this like a normal person? Why are you pulling me in and covering my mouth all of a sudden? I thought I was under attack."

Ryan chuckled as he turned on the light and said, "Relax. It was a prank."He headed to his desk, pulled out a stool and sat down. He gave another stool a slight kick and gestured me to sit.

I didn’t really want to be alone with him. It feels dangerous even though I couldn’t really know why I have such feelings. I decided to follow my instinct so I took some steps towards the door and said, "I don't need you to tutor me. I prefer studying myself."

Ryan nodded with an encouraging smile, "Sure. Go to study then."

I was a bit astonished. I hadn’t expected he would let me go so easily. Just then Ryan stood up and brushed past me. I was confused and asked, “Where are you going?”

"Having some small chat with your mom."

I squinted my eyes and asked,“Chatting about what? About how I cruelly reject your tutoring?”

“You know me so well.”Ryan grinned, “That’s exactly my plan.”

I cursed him in my mind. Taking a deep breath, I put on a smile and muttered through gritted teeth, "After a second thought, I think you could help me with my grades, brother."

"Wise choice, sister."His grin went wider, which made me roll my eyes.

Unlike what I expected, Ryan was focused when it came to studies. As he sat next to me, he was using a pen to highlight the major points while elaborating on the abstract definitions and formulas. There was little space on the desk so he simply rested one hand on the back of the chair, with the other holding the pen.

My body was tensed up when I realized I was cornered and encircled. We were so close that I found it hard to focus when his legs met mine from time to time. I was uncertain if the connection was accidental or planned. My breath became heavier and I could no longer stand this suffocating atmosphere. I spoke in a whisper, "Ryan, why don't we call it a day?"

"Why?" He asked.

"Because I'm tired. Time to sleep, I am going to take a shower and go to bed."

"Mind if I join you?"He said playfully.

"Of course I mind!" I said, pushing him away with brutal force.

"Aww, is this how you treat your brother? Another rejection.” He sighed and gave me a disappointing look, “You may break my heart some day, sister."

"I wish to see that day as early as possible.”I declared and said, “Can I go now, brother?"

Ryan smiled widely, "Off you go and come back tomorrow."

Once I escaped the room, I leaned my back against the wall and let out a long breath. Standing there for a while, I was about to go to my own room when a hand rested on my shoulder. I froze, turned abruptly and removed the hand, only to see my mom gaze at me in shock.

“Sorry mom, I didn’t know it was you.”I said with embarrassment.

“Who else are you expecting? You looked like you were seeing a ghost.”Mom laughed. She handed me a plate of cookies and ordered, “Bring this to Ryan. Your brother didn’t eat anything tonight. Must be starving."

She left me the plate and headed downstairs. Staring at her back, I muttered quietly, “But I didn’t eat anything either.”