MY STEPFATHER

Chapter 4

I sit in the chair once again, swirling the glass in my hand. My mom and Frank have disappeared somewhere, probably taking pictures or signing documents.

" Is this seat taken?” The familiar buzz of a voice from the depths of the ocean asks me. I look up to find Mark smiling, with his perfectly white teeth.

" Be my guest.” I smile slightly.

" You look pale.”

" I'm just tired.”

" I can see.”

" Where's your girlfriend?”

" She went home.” He shrugs, taking a sip from his beer mug.

" Do you want to go somewhere quieter?”

" Yes, please.” I laugh and quickly send a message to my mom saying that I'm going to my hotel room because of a strong headache.

Silently, Mark and I manage to escape from the dancing crowd. Thank God no one tried to talk to us.

" My hotel room or yours?” He suddenly asks.

" Yours.” I shrug. My room is next to my mom and Frank's room, and I really don't want to be close to them when they go to 'sleep' tonight.

" Okay, do you like vodka?”

" Of course.”

" Good, because that's all I have.” He laughs and wrinkles his nose. We take the two-story elevator and walk through a few corridors until we finally reach our destination. He swipes the card, opens the door, and holds it open for me like the gentleman he's pretending to be.

" shiit, I forgot to take clothes from my room to change into.” I say, getting a little mad at myself for now having to sit in this dress that is already bothering me.

" Don't worry, I have a shirt you can borrow.” He smiles and hands me a black t-shirt. I thank him and he unzips my dress, then I go into the bathroom to change. I pull his shirt over my head, now that the monstrosity is off my body, I notice that the shirt only goes down to the middle of my thigh.

fvck.

I bite my lower lip as I try to fix my clothes, but it's useless. I swallow any shyness I have and look at myself in the mirror.

He has a girlfriend, he wouldn't try anything.

I tell myself several times as I leave the bathroom. I find him lying on his bed in shorts and a shirt, typing on his phone.

" Does it look good on you?” He asks, noticing my awkward figure standing in the middle of the room.

" Yes, thank you.” I climb onto the bed next to him, covering my lower body with sheets to prevent him from seeing anything he might like.

" Do you want me to order pizza?”

" That would be great.” My stomach growls at the thought of pizza.

Mark calls room service to have the pizza delivery guy let in while I order a large pepperoni and cheese pizza.

" Are you enjoying being rich?” Mark asks me as we stuff our faces with pizza and have a shot or two of vodka to wash it down.

" Oh my God, it's amazing. Like I have the wardrobe I've always wanted. I can go to fancy places. But I think I'll get a job, just so I won't empty Frank's bank account.”

" Well, I'm glad you liked it.”

" Do you work for Frank?”

" Yes, he and my dad own the company, but I'm training to be the CEO.”

" That's really cool.”

" I worked hard to get it. Many people think I got the job because of my dad and Frank. But actually, I worked hard to get it. He couldn't stop talking about his job.” His words slurred as we drank more and more of the vodkas he had to offer.

" So tell me, how did you meet Patricia?” I laugh.

" Her dad works for us. God, I honestly can't stand her. She's a b***h!” He laughs as I c***k up.

" Break up with her.”

" I would, but then her dad will sue me for breaking her heart.”

" That sucks, man. That's so fvcked up.”

" I know. She doesn't understand me and she bosses me around. She would honestly kill me if she knew you were here.”

" fvck her.”

" She can fvck off, I'm not giving her any more power over me.”

" Why?”

" She's a w***e and I'm not going to lose myself to a w***e. I'm waiting for when I meet her, you know?”

I sighed and felt sorry for him. I wish I could say that I understood, but I don't. I've been dishonored, and I'm sorry, even more now.

" Do you want to spend the night here? ”Mark asks, slowly cleaning up our mess.

" If it's not a big deal.” I bite my lip and help him.

" I want you to stay.” He smiles, his eyes buzzing with desire.

We get back to the queen-size bed and turn off the lights. We face each other when his hand brushes against the side of my cheek.

" I want to kiss you, but I can't. No matter how much I hate my relationship, I wouldn't dare betray her.” He murmurs sleepily.

" I understand. Goodnight, Mark.”

" Goodnight, Lola.” I put my hand on top of his, which keeps my face still, and I watch his eyes slowly close. I watch him for a moment, or as much as I can, since the room is dark.

Why do I feel like something is about to begin inside me?

I pull away from him and sigh. I couldn't have a crush on a guy I just met for a hot minute. Once again, I think about Frank and how good it would feel to have him inside me.

I shake my head and close my eyes as I try to force myself to sleep, hoping to forget all the feelings I have for Frank and Mark.

.....

" Hi dear.” My mom greets me as she enters my hotel room.

" Hey.” I rub my eyes as I continue packing my things.

" Where were you last night? I came here to check on you and you weren't here.”

" I was with Mark.”

" I see, is that your shirt?” She raises a thin eyebrow at me and I shake my head.

" Yes, but it's not like that, mom. We're just friends.” I wave at her as I feel her eyes piercing me as if she was trying to see if I was really lying.

" So, nothing happened?”

" No, he has a girlfriend and he's loyal. He just let me spend the night in his room.”

" I see.” She hums, clearly not believing my truth. " Well, Frank and I are leaving. It's a long flight to Fiji.” She wraps her peach-colored arms around me as the scent of vanilla extract fills my senses.

" I love you, have fun.” I kiss her cheeks.

" Love you more.” She kisses me on the forehead before a turn of the doorknob interrupts our goodbye.

" I came to say goodbye.” Frank enters the room and hugs me, his cologne filling my nostrils, leaving me with a tingling sensation. My body presses tightly against his, I could feel his abdomen pressing against mine.

" Try not to destroy my house while we're gone.” He laughs as he lets go of me.

" I should try.” I laugh. We say goodbye and they leave my room.

I finish packing my bags and put on a t-shirt and jeans when I hear a knock on the door.

" Come in.” I shout to whoever is on the other side of the door as I lean inside, closing my luggage.

" Ready?” Marks' melodious velvety voice asks.