Sinful Affair: My Stepbrother Is My Student

Heart To Hate

KIARA FALLS

~~

To be honest, I had no intention of moving in after the stunt Jack pulled and the drama he performed in the room that apparently belonged to his sister.

I would rather stay in my not-so-luxurious apartment where I have peace and privacy than move into this luxurious mansion with neither peace nor privacy.

“What do you say about the room, Miss Kiara? Is the interior up to your taste?” Edna asked me, bringing me out of my messy head.

Taste?

The room?

Uh!

How do I tell her that I haven't even taken a second to check out the room even though we have been standing in the middle of it for some minutes? I have been focused on my thoughts while I mindlessly get dressed.

“There will be no need to express my opinion about the room.” I let out still, not letting my curious eyes roll over the room.

It was better that way.

I wouldn't be staying here anyway.

“But—” Edna began.

However, I cut in, “Thank you for your hospitality. I better get going.”

I smiled tightly at Edna whose face contorted as confusion sneaked into her mind. I stepped out of the room, determined to stay far away from this family…. Especially the douche of a son.

Of course, I would still attend the wedding and stay in touch with my mom but aside from that, I don't want any relationship or ties with the Millers.

“You should probably take the lead,” I uttered to Edna, who was still staring at me like I was throwing away the best opportunity I would ever get in my life.

Perhaps… Perhaps I was.

However, I would sacrifice anything for peace.

Edna pulled herself together and offered me a smile as she stepped out of the room as well, closing the door behind her before walking in front of me, leading me to the living room where I assumed my mom and her man would be.

Gosh, I missed my man…

I couldn't wait to get out of here and go to him. Hopefully, I will meet him in his apartment before going to work. Moreover, it shouldn't be that hard to announce my decision to my mom and Steve and get the fûck out of here…. Or so I thought until Edna and I got to the end of the corridor and close to the living room— close enough to hear the heated argument between Steve and Jack.

“You seriously can't be serious!” Jack's voice boomed, reaching me even though I was still many feet away from him.

Seconds later, I heard Steve yelling as well, “Behave yourself, Jack. I have had enough of your… whatever this is.” He paused but quickly continued, “Kiara is family henceforth and she will move into this house whether you like it or not. After all, I won the dàmn place!”

I entered the living room with Edna but the father and son didn't seem to notice as Jack lashed out again, “Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You not only forgot about Emma yesterday but you also let a stranger into her room and now you are planning to bring that same stranger into our home. This house belongs to me as well just in case you forget that I am your goddàmn son!”

Steve scoffed and retorted even though my mom tried to make him stop arguing with Jack, “I will never forget Emma. She is my daughter, Jack and yes you are my son but that doesn't make you the owner of my house. And just to jolt your memory since it appears you hit your head hard enough to lose your memories, Kiara is no stranger. She is your professor and also your family because I will be getting married to her mother. Get used to the new dynamic, Jack or not. The choice is yours.”

Jack didn't respond immediately. He took his time and a temporary silence hung over us all.

Within that moment, I found time to ask myself how anyone could live with these… with the—- Steve and Jack.

Do I just drag my mom out of here and wipe her memories or every memory she has of these toxic people?

Perhaps I would have made up my mind if Jack didn't grit with venom dropping along with his words, “Last night, I thought I could hate you more but now I understand that it's so easy to hate you. I have enough room in my heart to hate every part of you.”

I could have sworn I saw Steve stumble as Jack’s words reverberated. Pain flashed through his face but all that was gone before u could confirm.

“Since this is your house and you are obviously eager to make a new family, I would remove myself from this house. I hope it pleases you that you destroyed your first family. You killed us all with your selfishness and—-” Jack hissed but stopped abruptly, shaking his head as he concluded, “Talking to you is a waste of time. I will see myself out. Don't try to bring me back—”

I chose that second to step into the argument even though I considered watching Jack leave so my mom and her man could have a peaceful life. That was possible in this house if Jack moved out as he was insinuating at the moment.

Yet, I spoke out; maybe I did that because I knew how cruel life could be to youngsters like Jack… no one deserved to do Life alone. Not even Jàckass here.

“Hold up, Jack.” I cut in, my voice breaking the hot tension in the room but in me for a second.

Before I could speak my mind, the tension intensified as Jack stared at me with pure hatred Unlike earlier when he stared at me with frustration and irritation.

It was hatred this time and it burned deeply, licking my inside as my eyes took him in.

Focus, Kiara Falls!

Say your piece and get the hèll out of here.

Inhaling sharply, I stuttered, “You don't have to leave, Jack.”

“In case you missed it, I don't want to live under the same roof with you and… all of you in fact!” Jack snarled, taking his eyes off me just to glare at his dad and my usually quiet mom.

I ignored his hateful words and announced, “I feel the same which is why I won't be moving in.”

Jack’s face snapped back to me and he gazed at me with the same hard but also with disbelief.

“Baby?” My mom called for me.

But I ignored her and continued speaking to Jack. “I won't be moving in so you can stay here and try your best to be less rude to my mom or you will have yourself to blame when I come back here to defend her.”

Jack scoffed at my sully threat. Heck, I sounded silky even to my own ears.

Before Jack could fire his argument, I turned to Steve and said, “Thank you for the offer but I will have to reject it and stay in my own home. Please take care of my mom and don't forget to invite me to the wedding.”

Steve’s green eyes held mine as I spoke and unlike Jack’s pure hatred, he gazed at me with fascination and cleared his throat, “I figured you would reject my offer despite my effort to entice you with the comfort of my home, Kiara.”

Comfort?

Please don't make me speak of the discomfort I have had to endure within these walls in the last hours….

I thought to myself.

“I respect your decision,” Steve added.

I smiled at him, forgetting that Jack was still in the room, brooding.

“Thank you, Steve,” I responded, ready to apologize to my mom and take my leave.

However, Steve etched, “Which is why I have prepared another offer for you, Kiara.” My face must have given away the fact that I was surprised because Steve added, “Don't be surprised, Kiara. I am not one to give up and don't you say I should take care of your mom?”

What does that have to do with anything?

Steve answered my unspoken question by saying, “To take care of your mom, I have to make her happy, and to make her happy, I have to find a way to make you move in with us. So please help me take care of your mom, Kiara.”

“Steve. I appreciate this. I really do but I can't move in—” I can't move in because I think I might want to jump your son not because I hated him but because he was attractive and the feel of his life still lingered on my lips… his gaze still burned on my birthday suit even though I was fully clothed at the moment.

“Hear my offer first, Kiara.” Steve practically pleaded, paying zero attention to his growling son. I nodded with no intention of accepting his offer but Steve didn't know that when he announced, “What about you see moving in as a job requirement?”

That didn't make sense to me so I said, “My job downs require me to move into my soon-to-be stepdad’s mansion, Steve—”

“But your new job would need you to move into the mansion,” Steve replied with a sly smile.

“New job?” I asked, shifting my gaze between Steve and my mom who seemed to be just as confused as I was.

“Yes, Kiara. I am asking you to take a job as Jack’s tutor. As his professor, you will teach him in school but as his tutor, you have to move in to keep an eye on his academic progress.” Steve met out the most ridiculous offer I had ever heard.

I couldn't stop myself from gigging, “Why would I want to be a tutor when I am already a professor, Steve? I am sorry to disappoint you but—”

“You will want to be a tutor because I will pay you more than you earn in the university, Professor Kiara Falls. I will pay you double, in fact.” Steve cut in, making an announcement that took my breath away. “Free accommodation. You can also have one of my drivers drive you around.”

“It comes with free meals from the best housekeeper too.” My mom chirped In, getting in sync with her man.

Edna made a sound behind me to join the conversation without having to say a word.

Double my salary… free accommodation… Free cars…. Free meals? All of these to be the jackàss tutor and move into the mansion… all of these to sacrifice my leave and sanity?

It was worth it. I had to confess and this offer was definitely something to sleep on and think about.

No one in their right sense would even say no to more money, Free accommodation, free meals, and unlimited access to cars that could be called beasts.

I opened my mouth to speak but found myself closing it again as words failed me.

What do I say in such a situation? Steve had me trapped and he knew it.

My moment of speechlessness was interrupted when Jack muttered with a tone of finality, “There will be no need for that.” my eyes shifted to him but he wasn't looking at me. His eyes were on his dad as he resumed speaking, “I am dropping out of college to pursue my passion… the same passion you try very hard to bury.”

“No, you are not!” Steve barked.

But Jack smiled wickedly, “Yes, I am and you can't stop me…”