FORBIDDEN FRUIT

Episode 6: Harper Wilder, the weirdo

Ivy's POV

My instincts must have kicked in last minute because I flung myself off Alex. The door opened and a young lady found her way inside. She must have been around my age. My heart was beating so hard that I feared it would explode. Alex and I were on the bed, both of us looking at the ceiling.

“You must be Ivy,” the young lady told me. Alex sat up and smiled at her. I did the same.

“How do you know my name?” I asked carefully. She didn't seem to have noticed the atrocity we were going to commit before she arrived.

“Let me do the introductions,” Alex stood up, playing the perfect host. “This is Harper, my girlfriend. Harper, I have told you about Ivy but then here she is, my stepsister.”

I didn't know how to react at that point. My saliva started tasting like ashes in my mouth. Alex was horrible!

“Oh, nice to meet you,” I extended my hand for a handshake. Harper looked at my hand maliciously before taking her eyes off.

“You should wash your hands. I am really careful with people I don't know cause I am a neat freak, you know,” Harper winked. She hugged Alex and pecked him. Afterwards, she held his hand and literally dragged him out of my room.

“I'll catch you later!” Alex exclaimed at the door. I waited for them to be gone before jumping on my bed. I felt like beating myself up.

**

“The picnic won't hold!” my stepmom said as she entered my room. My heart sank but after I thought about it, it didn't sound so bad. I wouldn't need to be stuck between two couples like a loner. Harper wasn't leaving anytime soon.

“Oh, that's really sad…” I pretended to care.

“There was a problem at work so your dad needs to go. It seems we'll have to travel sooner than planned,” Olivia explained.

“When would that be?” I asked, dreading the answer already.

“Tomorrow!” Olivia sighed. “It's been ages since I last saw China. I really wish to tour the country.”

“Then do so. Have the time of your life while you are there,” I replied with a smile on my face. “Alex and I will miss you though.”

“I doubt Alex will! He will have his girlfriend right here…” Olivia smiled. No doubts, she was elated by the idea of her son having a girlfriend.

“Wait…” I took a deep breath. “You mean Harper will stay with us here?”

“I'm sure you're happy. Having a girl as company would be nice,” Olivia smiled.

I smiled back, it was the right thing to do.

**

“Wake up! Today is Sunday for goodness sake!” That was someone barging into my room. I knew who it was so I shut my eyes until I could bear it no longer.

I jumped up from the bed with the intent to pounce on her like an angry wolf but the moment my eyes met hers, my boldness slipped away.

“Good morning, Harper,” I muttered instead with a smile across my face.

“You don't look happy to see me!” Harper replied, her eyes twitching every now and then. She started to gaze at me and I could almost feel it in my skin.

“But I am!” I replied too sharply. Harper didn't seem to mind.

“Check the wall clock. What does the time say?” Harper asked. Even before I could check, she continued, “It is eight freaking o'clock. You are supposed to be awake by now.”

“I should be…” I smiled. I felt like shouting ‘what is your f*****g concern about when I wake up!’.

But I couldn't.

Harper took my hand and took me to the kitchen. The correct word would have been dragged since I had no control over what she chose to do with me. Anyway, I found an empty kitchen.

“You know mom relieved the chef of her duties, don't you?” Harper asked.

“Mom?” I asked, trying to figure out who she meant.

“Alex is my boyfriend, little lady. Our parents are aware of the fact and we're just a match waiting to be made. Your stepmom has told me to call her mom. Isn't she such a cute mother-in-law?”

“Maybe,” I replied, trying to smile but failed.

“The chef won't be recalled. Both of us would be in charge of making meals until mom gets back from her vacation!” Harper replied firmly.

All my life, I had never cooked on my own. The only time I even lent a hand in the kitchen was on the day my stepmom made her first meal for the family. I hate kitchen and dolls, and everything else attributed to girls.

“I guess you're talented at cooking!” I turned towards Harper.

“I can do one or two,” she replied. “I'll leave you in charge since this is your kitchen. You have been here all your life, you know.”

“No, I don't…” I tried.

“I believe in you!” Harper replied. I was frustrated but again, I lacked the spirit to tell her to stop ordering me around. I had to play along. “Pasta would be nice. I will get the ingredients, you'll do the cooking.”

I watched as Harper got her phone and searched for ingredients to make pasta. It dawned on me that she had no idea how to cook either.

Maybe I could just tell her calmly that I didn't know how to cook and we should simply call the chef to avoid making a disaster together. Well, I had my composure to worry about so I decided to believe in myself like Harper had motivated. Harper, with her YouTube tutorial, guided me and we made spaghetti and meatballs.

Harper dished the meal for all of us and we called Alex to eat with us. Alex and I couldn't look into each other's eyes as it felt so awkward.

“Who made the meal?” Alex asked probably to lighten the mood.

“Taste it first!” Harper answered. I had a taste of the meal by myself.

I could see Alex struggling in digesting the meal. I spat mine out as well. The spaghetti was overcooked, it tasted flavorless, and really salty.

“Are you okay?” Harper handed him a handkerchief so he could spit it out.

“It's fine,” Alex replied, swallowing it with distress.

“It's all Ivy's fault. She oversalted it intentionally!” Harper shouted.