A Baby For My Step Sister's Husband

“Chrysanthemum!” My stepmother, Julia called. Everyone called me Chrystie, but I guess this woman just loved my name. I hurried with the dishes when I heard my name. The queen mother called, and I must not delay. I rolled my eyes with a sigh. “You called me." I stood before her meekly, wondering who the guy seated next to her was. He couldn't seem to take his eyes off me. Damn, he was handsome and super gorgeous. In a nutshell, I would say his hot appearance was breathtaking. "Is this Thelma's younger sister?” The guy asked in an alluring husky voice that churned my stomach. Thelma was Julia's daughter. “No!" Julia snapped. "She's the maid.” "Maid?” I couldn't believe my ears. "I'm not!” My dad married this idiotic woman just mid last year, and has been on a business trip since New Year. Did she think I was a dummy and would keep mute? “Get out!" She barked. “I didn't call you here to run your filthy mouth. Get out and find Thelma. She probably turned off her phone again, so I wouldn't bother her.” I cussed under my breath as I stepped out of the house, without bothering to change out of my torn faded gown, one of my favorite house wears. As expected, I found Thelma with her friends next to the photo studio, where they loved to position themselves for high profile guys who stopped by often to get professional shots. The moment she sighted me, she whispered something into one of her friend's ears and they all burst out in laughter. There were about three of them. "Your mum needs you at home now." I said. There was a perfect silence, and they all stared at me like I was an abominable creature. “Get back!" Thelma said with disgust. “You stink! Don't come any closer." I felt pained. “Come on, don't be mean. Aren't you guys siblings?" A familiar voice asked. I looked up to find the same guy I had seen at home just now, in a different outfit and haircut. No way. He was a twin?? He had just stepped out of the studio and looked from Thelma to me. “Hell no, Jerry!" Thelma rolled her eyes like it would fall off their sockets. “She's our maid." I didn't counter her this time, and just walked away, dazzled. I stole one last glance at the guy to find him staring at me with curious eyes. I haven't seen identical twins in a long time. Why was he staring at me anyway? Meanwhile, was Thelma dating both brothers? Or perhaps, Jerry was just a friend? I returned home to meet Julia fuming. The guy was gone. She slapped me hard across my cheek before I could even breathe a word. "You evil child! Little wonder your mother didn't live long. You delayed on purpose, didn't you?” It actually took me about five minutes to get there and another five to return. But I had returned in less than ten minutes. Yet… “I saw the way you fed your hungry eyes on him. That's why you were quick to protest that you were not the maid, isn't it?” I was so pained this time I didn't even have the energy to cry or respond. My head ached me for the rest of the day. The following day, while I was at the public library, where I did a part-time cleaning job, I saw the same guy who I had seen with Thelma, Jerry. I immediately avoided eye contact with him and eased myself away from the aisle where I was cleaning. I began to clean hurriedly and clumsily, forgetting to thread with caution on the wet floor, till I slipped and kicked the bucket of water. Oh, what a disaster. My heart raced. I was barely a month into the job, and it's not like my boss liked me. “Chrystie! Are you blind?!” She barked, charging at me. "What are you trying to do? Wreck things for me and make me lose my job?!” "It's so obvious it was an accident,” Jerry stepped in. "You ought to be sympathetic, not throwing incentives at her!” But my boss ignored him and stooped low to me. I was too shocked from the fall to even stand up immediately, and my clothes were wet. "Listen very carefully.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Clean yourself up and get out. Don't even look back or ever return here.” She forced my palm open and dropped something inside. I stared down at it. Fifty dollars? What she owed me was a hundred bucks. The money gave me the energy I needed as I got to my feet and tried to hurry after her. "We both know this is not…” I tripped again, but was caught my Jerry's strong arms this time. "You should be careful.” We held each other's gaze for a moment as my heart raced wildly before he let me go. "Thank you.” I muttered in embarrassment, looking away. "Have you got extra clothes? I could get you something.” I shook my head like a fool. "No, don't bother. Thanks.” I watched him leave in relief while I quickly dried the rest of the water on the floor, along with two other colleagues in my wet clothes. Fifteen minutes later, I was ready to leave. But I was surprised to find Jerry lingering around. He smiled when he saw me, and I felt like waving a magic wand to disappear into thin air. I was still in my wet clothes. “You can have this." He handed some clothes to me with a beautiful smile. I couldn't refuse. It was a fine distressed jeans and Polo. Expensive designers. Based on my scale of living, I would say they must have cost a fortune. "Thank you.” I mumbled. Before he could say jack, I hurried out of his sight to get changed. I felt very relieved and grateful when I didn't see him again after I was done, and about to leave. I knew I was only pathetic in his eyes. There's no way he would fall for a nobody like me. Well, a relationship wasn't my priority now. I just needed to get into college. I desperately hoped to save enough that year, so I that I could retake the exams and gain admission into UC Berkeley the following year. I had no sponsor. My dad kept giving me flimsy excuses, each time I raised any talk about my school, he would change the topic. Apparently, my dad was gradually losing interest in me. Well, I was barely a few feet away from the library when a car honked at me. Jerry again. “Hey, hop in. I think it's about to rain." I was going to decline, but as if on cue, a loud thunder rumbled, and I didn't hesitate. But the moment I stepped into the car, I sighted Thelma approaching. If her eyes could fire bullets, then I'd be as good as dead.