Sinful Affair: My Stepbrother Is My Student

Same Old Jack

JACK MILLER

~~

I wouldn't have stopped walking if I didn't catch a glimpse of the blue eyes that glared at me behind a pair of silly glasses a few hours ago… in the lecture theater of the school, I should never have attended.

I would have ignored my sick father and his latest plaything without hesitation if I hadn't heard the name ‘Kiara’ which instantly rang a bell even though I naturally don’t pay attention to anything of recent or usual except my passion– running through a field while dribbling or passing a ball.

“Meet Zora’s daughter, Kiara.” My dad announced, waking the anger I had thought I would be able to suppress when I walked into the house and didn't see him waiting in the living room to tell me he was feeling the same heaviness I carried in my heart since the day began. Who was I kidding? That heaviness has been there for the past two years. “She has been looking forward to meeting you and–”

“I have met him.” The blue-eyed professor– or no. She wasn’t my professor anymore not if I stopped attending that hell of a school and definitely not when she is the daughter of the woman who has been trying too hard to talk to me since she moved into my home–

But was this place really home?

At this point, I couldn't tell anymore.

Nowhere felt like home… everywhere was cold and–

“What do you mean, Kia?” My dad’s plaything asked with the most annoying voice I have ever heard, only second to that of her daughter.

Plaything’s daughter answered with her eyes still wide with obvious shock, “He is my student. I met him in my class.”

Prior to this moment, I was shocked but now that I saw the resemblance between the daughter and mother, I was even angrier. There was no wonder I didn't like her when we met earlier. She was just as nosy as her mother.

“Oh, I completely forgot to mention the probability of that. That’s fantastic news though.” My dad chimed happily, even though he shouldn't be happy.

Not today of all day.

He shouldn't be having dinner with anyone today, in fact.

He should be curled up in a dark corner, crying miserably. He should be miserable but no, he had to be eating dinner and enjoying expensive wine with those that are eager to take over my mom’s position in this house.

“You can look over him while in school and also–”

“I do not need a nanny.” I hissed at my dad without looking at him.

He irks me so much.

God knows I wouldn't have passed the dining room if Edna wasn’t mopping the other route to my room. It would have been more preferable to this.

My dad chuckled, clearly uncomfortable but I didn't care, after all, he wasn’t miserable. “Kiara won’t want to babysit you as well not if you behave yourself in school.” I could feel Kiara’s eyes on me. She was probably contemplating telling my dad about the stunt I pulled in class today.

If only she knew I couldn't care less about what anyone thinks about me.

Kiara or whatever she is called made it too obvious that she would do anything to impress my dad. I mean, why else would she be wearing a dress even though she seemed uncomfortable in it, and what happened to those silly nerd glasses she had on earlier?

She disposed of them to fit her mother’s shoes, clearly.

Like mother like daughter.

“Why don’t you join us for dinner, Jack?” My professor’s mother said nicely– I would call her anything but her name.

I didn't bother to react to her fake voice. Instead, I continued walking, hoping to leave them all behind me soon but my dad stated firmly, “Join us for dinner, Jack.” He wasn’t asking. He was commanding me.

Who would have thought?

I scoffed, eying my dad with raw disdain in my eyes.

“If you are actually my dad or if you have any compassion left in you or if you are a decent human, you won't be sitting here, right now, asking me to eat dinner with you, your newest toy, and her crazy daughter.” I gritted, balling my fist. “Why do I expect you to be human–”

“Choose your words wisely, Jack Miller or–”

“Or what?” I snapped, losing whatever respect I had left for the man whom I once admired and looked up to. I was such a stupid kid to think highly of an obvious failure like him. “What will you do? Kill me? That would a you doing me a great favor.”

My dad stared at me, short of any more threatening words.

As it should be.

I uttered, “You can go ahead and create a new family for yourself. Your plaything can play mom and her.” my furious eyes cut to my loud professor as I added, “She can play Emma who you obviously don’t remember.” because if you remember her, you will know that today is her posthumous birthday…

A father should know that.

I didn't say those words out loud because I knew reminding my dad that his daughter would have been fourteen years old today if he hadn't orchestrated her death and cut her life short.

Actually, I shouldn't even bother with these people. Honoring Emma on a day like this was more important. I shook my head and took steps forward to get out of there but again, my sick dad– he wasn’t medically sick but I knew he was mentally ill. The world couldn't see through Steve Miller but I could; stopped me when he blurted with no care in the world, “I am getting married to the woman you insist on insulting in four months and her daughter will be more than just your professor so you might as well get to know them and get your ill manners in check, young man.”

I stopped dead in my tracks.

I must have heard him wrong…. It has to be–

“Her name is Zora. She won’t be playing your mom’s role, Jack. She will be my wife and–”

“Stop talking!” I shouted, turning back to face my dad. “Stop f*****g talking!”

“I will no longer tolerate your–” My dad began but I was so quick to shut him up by moving closer to the table and clearing it by pushing everything my hand could find off the table.

The sound of shattering fine dishes filled the room, mixing with my scream and another scream that sounded too high-pitched to be mine.

The high-pitched scream became louder when I stopped screaming just to glare at my unmoved dad’s expressionless face. “You are hurting yourself, Jackass!” She screamed even louder, reminding me of the nickname I got in class today.

“Again.” I turn to her sharply. “Learn how to mind your f*****g business!”

Despite screaming at her, I could feel the pain I had caused– no. I didn't cause this. None of this was my fault. I wouldn't have gotten angry enough to make my hands bleed if my so-called father hadn't pushed me to the edge.

Yes, I hate him.

I hate all of them.

“Jack, you have to sit down so we can take care of the cuts–” Ms. Plaything started saying.

How I wanted to lash out at her… at all of them and the world at large.

How I wanted to express the burning ache in my chest but instead, I scowled at her and gave up on getting to my room. I chose to leave the house for my dad and his new family… and mourn Emma somewhere else on a day like this.

“Get back here, Jack! Don’t you dare leave this house at this hour!” My dad snapped, failing to see what he had done to me… to us.

I scoffed, “Try stopping me.”

But he didn't even try.

He let me go, just like he did with Mom and Emma two years ago.

With pain in my heart and anger coursing through me, I left the building I once called home, heading for nowhere in particular but I was certain, I wasn't coming back to this house… not when I was still the same old Jack.

“I'm in control of my life from this moment.” I thought to myself as I zoomed off on my motorcycle.

Little did I know that a lot had spun out of my control.