Loving my Mother's Stepson

It's Luis

Ilsa's POV

The dining room was just as extravagant as every other thing in the house.

A long glass table stood in the center of the room, polished to perfection and surrounded by high chairs that seemed solely decorative.

I didn't miss the chandeliers that hung on the ceiling, casting a soft light over everything.

Josefina was seated, smiling from ear to ear next to Eduardo who sat at the head of the table.

Just a few hours in and she already made herself at home.

Typical.

“Ilsa.” Eduardo greeted me warmly as I approached them. “Welcome. We have been waiting for you.”

I forced a polite smile as I took a seat. “Sorry. I got lost.”

“Ah, don't worry. I'll have Luis give you a proper tour tomorrow.”

Footsteps echoed softly behind me. I didn't turn around.

I didn't need to.

I knew it was him.

“Speak of the devil.” Eduardo said, a proud smile on his face.

I could immediately tell that he adored him. I felt a slight pang in my chest.

I wonder how that must feel, to have someone's face light up when I walked in a room. Jacie was the closest thing I had to that. Sometimes I wondered why we weren't born of the same mother.

“Hello papa dear.” Luis's voice echoed as he took a seat opposite me.

He was now dressed in a casual T-shirt and sweatpants.

“Nice of you to show up, your highness.” His father teased.

“Anything for Josefina.” He said, giving her a sweet smile that showed off his pearly whites.

I watched as she blushed slightly, playfully waving him off with her hand.

I almost barfed at the interaction.

He was so confusing.

How could he be so hostile to me one moment, and sweet to my mother the next.

“So,” Eduardo continued, glancing between us. “I believe you two have met.”

There was a pause.

I looked at him, waiting for him to say something.

“Yeah,” he answered, eyes finally locking on mine.

I felt my heart skip a beat.

“Elsa right?” he added as he leaned back on his chair, holding my gaze, like he was daring me to talk back.

I wore the fakest smile I could muster. “It's Ilsa.”

“That's what I said.”

I bit down on my tongue, stopping myself from saying anything I might regret later.

Eduardo cleared his throat, giving him a stern look. “Ser advertido.”

Luis rolled his eyes, turning his attention back to his plate of food.

“Don't mind him. He gets these mood swings sometimes.”

“I guess someone's on their period.” I murmured in a sing-song voice, making sure he heard me.

If he did, he definitely pretended not to. I guess daddy's scolding did the trick.

“So Ilsa, what do you have going on currently?” Eduardo asked, pulling my attention back.

“Umm nothing special. Just taking a few courses online.” I answered.

“Oh, what about?”

“Literature.”

His eyes sparkled with interest. “That's interesting. I see you and Luis have something in common.”

“No we don't.” Luis replied sharply, earning a chuckle from Eduardo.

I stifled a laugh. That was definitely a surprise. I would've never pegged him as a literature kid.

“Piss off.” He mouthed as I smirked at him.

“Though I never seem to understand why he's embarrassed of it.” Eduardo continued. “His main focus is business of course. Someone has to run the empire when I retire.”

“Which wouldn't be anytime soon, love. There isn't a wrinkle in sight.” My mother said to him as they both shared a laugh.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. She was such a pick me.

Dinner continued, conversation flowing between Josefina and Eduardo.

They talked about random things. Business, travel, events, things I had heard a hundred times before in a hundred different houses.

I tried to focus.

But it was hard when I could feel him sitting right across from me. Silent, with a bored expression on his face.

“Luis, you will give Ilsa a tour of the house tomorrow.”

Luis looked at his father like he had just witnessed the highest form of betrayal. “Clara can do that.”

“If I wanted Clara to do it, I would have told her.”

He hesitated. “I'm busy tomorrow.”

“Doing what? The fundraiser has been postponed.”

“Mia is having a celebratory party for closing a huge brand deal.”

Mia? Who's Mia?

“No seas difícil. It would only take a minute.”

A minute? Yeah, I highly doubted that.

“It's fine Mr Vasquez. I don't mind exploring on my own.” I said. The last thing I wanted was to be a burden to another person.

“Please my dear, call me Eduardo. And I insist.”

Great. I forced a smile, returning to my half empty plate of food. I actively avoided locking eyes with Luis, which was quite difficult because he was directly opposite me.

By the time dinner ended, I was both physically and mentally exhausted. All I wanted was to take a long nap.

I stood, offering a polite excuse before heading out.

I could feel his gaze on me as I left the room, watching me, until I was out of eyesight.

During the walk back to my room, I replayed all the events that had happened in such a short amount of time.

Our coming here, the unimaginable luxury, how suspiciously nice Eduardo was… Luis.

He had to be the most arrogant and obnoxious person I've ever met. Why did he have to be so hot? Hating him would have been so much easier if his face was unpleasant to look at.

Half the time I was focused on his perfect jawline rather than the harsh words flying out of his lips.

Oh, those lips.

Those eyes.

I squeezed my eyes shut. “f**k no, Ilsa.”

It was just another house.

Just another countdown till we left.