Owned By My Stepbrother

Chapter 9: Inigo's Protective Nature

HERA’S POV

I SHRUGGED my shoulders and looked at myself in the full-length mirror that was in the room. The room had a modern style, with a white and light gray motif. I explored the entire room, and I pushed it aside as I approached the curtain. Behind it was a glass door leading to a balcony. I opened the door to step outside, and a breathtaking, vivid blue sea greeted me.

"Wow!" I couldn't help but marvel at the beautiful blue sea before me.

I could hear the crashing waves on the shore and feel the strong breeze. Holding onto the balcony rails, I closed my eyes, taking in the refreshing air.

"Hmm..." The smell of the sea is truly delightful! I can't remember the last time I saw such a beautiful view. I smiled as I gazed out at the sea.

But when a strong gust of wind suddenly blew, I felt the cold again. Then, I remembered I hadn't changed yet, and I was still wearing those wet clothes.

So, I decided to go back to my room and change. As I was about to enter, my sight caught Inigo on the other balcony next to mine. He also hadn't changed his clothes and was currently holding a cigarette.

He didn't notice me because he was slightly facing the other side of the villa, but from where I stood, I could clearly see the sadness in his eyes. And after witnessing what happened earlier, I understood how he must be feeling, and I couldn't help but ask myself if Inigo was really the one at fault or the person who raised him.

As I am already tired, I decided just to let him be, then I continued to enter my room. I left the balcony door open, allowing the fresh air from the sea to enter my room freely. Despite having air conditioning in that room, I preferred the fresh breeze from the ocean.

I approached the large built-in cabinet to pick out the clothes I would wear. To my surprise, there were a lot of clothes inside. I examined its contents and managed to select something to wear. I pulled open a drawer where I thought the underwear would be, and I was correct. I chose a two-piece swimsuit. That way, if I decided to go swimming, it would be easy for me to change as I was already wearing a two-piece swimsuit.

Carrying the chosen clothes, I entered the bathroom and was astonished by its size. It was almost as big as the room outside. There was a large bathtub and a glass-enclosed shower room. However, I opted to use the bathtub, which had hot and cold-water options. I chose the hot option since I was already feeling cold.

As I filled the water in the bathtub, I approached one of the large cabinets nearby, which was as big as a full-length mirror.

The cabinet contained soap, lotion, shampoo, skincare products, and various perfumes. I grabbed the bathtub soap. Once I had put the soap in and the bathtub was filled with water, I immersed myself in it.

What a delightful feeling! This is what it's like to live a luxurious life.

When I started feeling refreshed, I dressed and left the bathroom.

Since I had nothing to do inside my room, I decided to go out and take a walk by the seaside. I wanted to make the most of that opportunity because I rarely get to experience such moments, and I didn't want to waste the chance.

After I came down from my room, I immediately looked for my mother to invite her to take a stroll around the island, but no matter where I searched within the villa, I couldn't find her. So, I decided to go out alone.

As soon as I stepped out of my room, I could immediately see the vast ocean. I walked closer to the shore, and I truly appreciated the beauty of the entire island.

The island was so huge, yet it seemed deserted. You could tell how prominent the owners were. I also noticed four more villas similar to the one we were staying in, and there was even a mansion-sized villa like the one Inigo's had in Warlington City.

Another thing I noticed was how beautifully landscaped the area was. They have preserved the island's natural beauty, with numerous trees surrounding it. The sand was pristine white, and fine as well.

"Miss!" that voice caught my attention. When I turned around, a super hunky guy was walking towards me. "Are you new here? I haven't seen you around before," he asked, looking at me curiously. I nodded in response to his question. "Ah, whose guest are you?"

"Mr. Sanders," I replied briefly, but he burst into loud laughter, which surprised me.

"Miss, you can't be serious, right?" he asked in disbelief, raising an eyebrow. "Because all of us here are Sanders. So, why are you referring to it generally?" he added, still in disbelief. "Anyway, I'm Stefan Sanders," he introduced himself to me.

"Ah." I suddenly remembered that we were on Sanders Island, so I couldn't help but laugh at my initial response. "I'm Hera, Hera Campbell. We're guests of Mr. Felix and Inigo Sanders," I corrected myself.

He nodded in response to my answer, and I wondered why he suddenly extended his hand toward me.

"Isn't this how you formally introduce yourself?" he chuckled, and I nodded in response. I was about to shake the hand he extended in front of me when someone else beat me to it.

As I followed the gaze of the owner of that hand, my eyebrows furrowed even more.

"Old style, Doc!" Inigo said, but he was looking at me. Stefan suddenly burst into laughter.

"I knew someone else spotted her," Stefan's remark to Inigo was loaded with meaning. Inigo, on the other hand, was looking at me seriously. "Alright, I'll leave you two," he bid farewell to the both of us, but before he turned away completely, he looked at me again. "Hera, be careful with my cousin. His charisma is different. You might not be able to escape afterward," he said before winking at me, finally turning around and leaving the two of us.

Once Stefan disappeared from our sight, Inigo turned to me abruptly.

"Next time, don't engage in conversations with just anyone, especially not here in—" He paused after giving me a thorough head-to-toe look. "And can you please, Hera, never go out dressed like that again!" he scolded angrily about my outfit.

"Why? Do you want me to wear a gown? We're by the beach, for crying out loud! And what's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I sarcastically questioned him.

"Look at yourself! You're attracting more attention from the guys on this island than anyone else! Go inside and change!" he ordered me sternly.

"Well, that girl who was practically clinging to you earlier was almost naked, and you didn't say a word! But now you're furious about what I'm wearing!" I shouted back at him, irritated. I couldn't understand his problem with my outfit and what he wanted to do with my life. Why was he suddenly acting like my big brother?

"That's Ava, and I couldn't care less even if she strips! What I'm saying is, you should change!" he yelled at me angrily. Then he pulled me back towards the villa.

"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM, INIGO?" I protested as he held onto my arm. I didn't appreciate his interference in what I chose to wear.

"YOUR OUTFIT IS MY PROBLEM! SO, IF YOU DON'T WANT ME TO BE THE ONE TO CHANGE IT FOR YOU, THEN CHANGE IT YOURSELF!" he threatened me, causing me to freeze. He had threatened me multiple times before, and I had been scared of his threats, but I didn't want to test him this time.

Mixed emotions overwhelmed me once again. I was infuriated with Inigo, but I had no choice but to comply with his demands. So, even though I didn't want to, I marched back to the villa to change into an outfit that suited my stepbrother's desires.

"Oh, where did you come from?" my mother greeted me, but I ignored her, and she looked curiously at Inigo, who was behind me. "Did something happen?" she asked Inigo.

But if I didn't respond, neither did Inigo.

"Hera, your mother was talking to you?" That was Felix, so I was forced to turn around. Even Inigo looked at him now, seemingly afraid of whatever his father might say to me.

"We just went out for a walk," Inigo quickly answered. "What's the problem? Why does it seem like you need to watch our every move?" he asked irritably.

"It's not like that, Inigo," my mother replied promptly, as if afraid that Inigo would get angry.

"Then, don't make us feel like we're doing something wrong with every question you ask!" Inigo angrily said and headed straight upstairs.

"Do you have a misunderstanding with Inigo, Hera?" Mama asked, concerned.

"Don't mind, Inigo. That child never has any manners, no matter where he goes!" Felix snarled too. And I couldn't help but be annoyed by what he said.

"Mom, I'll go upstairs too. I want to rest," I replied apathetically to both of them, and went up to the second floor without waiting for their response.