Step-Brother

CHAPTER 3

I always was a daddy's girl. Always and forever. My dad was my hero. The man who brought a smile everyday in my face. I saw him dying little by little.. It broke something in my soul. The day he died was the worst day of my life. I had to go throught so much pain alone just because she wasn't strong enough.

"I want to know why now, after all these years..", I decided to ask.

"I met someone who shares my pain, he helped me a lot and with time we became inseparable. He used to tell me to call you and make sure everything was alright with you but I was always so afraid that you wouldn't forgive my acts.", my mother said between two sobs.

"Dave?" I ask and she just nods.

I want to forgive and move on because after all she's all I got. I don't have any family anymore.. I hope this is the right decision.  

"I forgive you", A tear rolls down my face. "Stop crying.. didn't we already cry enough..", I add.

"You are just like your father.. He had the kindest soul." my mother huggs me.

"Ha ha ha and strong headed like you", I laugh.

"Oh what.. That's not true.", She rolls her eyes but laughs two seconds later.

"Let's go down to have dinner sweetie." She takes my hand and we leave my new room.

We reach the living room and Dave is already waiting for us, texting on his phone. Everything is already set on the dinning table. He looks up at us from his phone and gives us a warm smile.

"Are both of you okay?" he asks. I just nod but smile back at him.

"Yes, everything is perfect my love.", my mother answers happily.

We seat down and I turn myself in Dave's direction. I muster all of my courage together and begin speaking:

"I should have said it before, but congratulations to both of you.". He seemed surprised  for split of seconds before he composes himself again. Did he think I was some kind of ungrateful brat?..

"Thank you. I know the current situation isn't ideal and all of this came out of the blue for you but I'm very happy that you try to accept me.", Dave says calmly, and breaths out a breath, I am sure,  he was holding since  I arrived.

"No need to thank. I want the best for my mother. But don't you dare hurt her, or else-",  I am abruptly interrupted.

"Sweetie don't!", My mom cries out. Dave chuckles.

"I see. Don't worry. It won't happen.", he assures me.

"Right", I grin. "What are we waiting for, to eat?", I ask.

"We need to talk to you about someone else.", my mother is scratching her arm nervously.

Huh.. What is she talking about again, I ask myself. I put some water in my glass an begin drinking.

"Dave has a son, Xander.", my mom blurts out. As soon as the words are out I begin to choke on my water. 

"Oh no, sweetie. Are you alright?? Let me help you.", my mother panics. She comes over to where I'm sitting and gives me little hits on my back.  "Mom stop you are making it worse.", I say between coughs. 

I'm here since this afternoon and she couldn't have told me that sooner? Not only did she marry a new man but Dave has also a son. 

"How old?", I manage to ask.

"Xander is 25 years old", he responds. 25 hmm..5 years older than me. He surely doesn't live here anymore, I suppose.

"He also lives here..", he comments. I begin coughing again..

"Are we waiting for him?", I demand after regaining my calm.

"I was just texting him before you two came in here. He won't be home until late tonight. There is still a lot of work to do at our company.", he replies.

Don't panic Julia, don't panic. You accepted the fact that now you have a stepfather, why not an stepbrother too, I question myself. Arghh.. Maybe because I already spoke to Dave and he seems to be friendly and nice. But this stepbrother of mine...What if he doesn't like me? Well I couldn't care less if he likes me or not. I just don't to be trouble for mom. Not now that everything seems to be okay again..

Well this is a f*cking mansion what are the chances to run into him. 

--

There was an awkward silence during dinner. The lasagna my mom made was delicious.. My stepbrother didn't show up as Dave suspected him not too. Could it be because of me? He doesn't even know me. Yet if I am having trouble with this situation perhaps he is too..

I didn't dare to ask more out of my mother and Dave, afraid to be told more than I can endure. My mother knew better than to talk with me when I was still this confused.  She was understanding. I really missed this side of her. I felt my heart at peace. After dinner, she decided we could watch a movie all together. 

She took the popcorn out and now here we are watching some silly action movie. Mom and Dave sitting on the couch with him holding her waist and me, sitting on this amazing comfy armchair. I could fall asleep right here. I don't know for sure who picked out the decoration in this mansion but in whatever room I went, it was extraordinary. Everything looks beautiful and expensive. 

I close my eyes for a moment and try to relax but I can't. I needed to do something to get my mind out of this whole stepbrother/dad thing. 

Maybe I should call Jessica tomorrow and go for drinks with her. Jessica used to be my bestfriend, we grew up together but eventually we went separate ways. We tried to maintain contact, we skyped at least once a week. Then the final exams came and I was focused on graduating. Graduating being achieved , there is no reason why I shouldn't give her a call now that I'm back "home".

I close my eyes for a few seconds again.. Or so I thought. I am softly shaken awake and I open my eyes to see my mother standing before me with a smile.

"You fell asleep sweetie. The movie is over. You better go to your room, I don't want you to wake up tomorrow here with back aches.", she explains.

"Thanks mom, I will go. Goodnight.", I rub my eyes.

 I stand up and kiss her cheek.

I make my way upstairs paying attention not to fall because I'm still very sleepy.

Looking at my feet, I rush straight against a rock hard wall.

"Ouchh.. Sh*t that hurt", I yell out and look up.

Wait this is not a wall..