Love so Wrong: Falling for My Stepbrother

6- A RIDE WITH A JERK

JENNIFER

Monday morning had arrived, and the prospect of sharing a table with Luca again and enduring his aloofness was unbearable. Just when I thought my life was finally taking shape, fate threw me a curveball in the form of Luca Ferrari. How was I supposed to cope with him? No matter how hard I tried to avoid him, he was an inescapable part of my life. The ultimate nightmare would be if my mom and his dad decided to get married and make him my stepbrother.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, still embarrassed about last night's encounter. I didn't fully comprehend how heartless Luca could be or how serious he was about posting my embarrassing pictures on the faculty forum. The thought alone was paralysing. Still, I knew I had to plead with him not to do it. Yet, I couldn't muster the courage to leave my room. Thankfully, my class wasn't until 10:30 a.m.

A gentle knock on my door broke my reverie, and I turned to see an elderly woman peering in, her expression apologetic. "Apologies for disturbing you, ma'am. Breakfast is ready, and everyone is waiting for you," she informed me.

She must have been the help who came in to tidy and cook. I reluctantly sat up in bed. "Um...excuse me. Is there any way I can have my meal here in my room?"

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but everyone dines in the dining room."

I nodded, swallowing my dismay. Once she left, I threw on a striped green and white sweater, put on my dark-rimmed glasses, and headed downstairs. Everyone was already seated and enjoying breakfast when I entered. Luca looked dashing in a black t-shirt and denim jeans, focused on his meal, not casting a glance my way, as if I were invisible.

"Good morning, sweetheart," my mom cooed as I approached the table. "Did you sleep well?"

I nodded. "Hi," I greeted everyone at the table before quietly taking the seat next to Luca. My mom offered me a warm smile.

"Jennifer, I hope you had a good night here," Marco inquired as he munched on his toast.

"Very much so. Thank you." I lied, my gaze shifting involuntarily to Luca, who was fully absorbed in his food, acting as though we didn't exist. I despised it when he spoke to me because he was nothing but a jerk, yet his indifference stung even more. I couldn't understand why I cared so much.

"I'm delighted that we're all getting along," Marco said, sipping his coffee.

I began to eat my food, struggling to keep my thoughts in check. The fear of Luca posting my pictures with some humiliating hashtags still haunted me. It would shatter me completely, and I wasn't sure if I could ever recover from such humiliation.

I lifted my eyes, only to be caught in Luca's unforeseen gaze. There was an unreadable quality in his eyes, a momentary connection that left a trail of fire through my veins before he looked away, resuming his meal. A strange flutter coursed through my body, settling in the pit of my stomach. A fluttering that was as unwelcome as it was undeniable. Now I understood why so many women fell on his feet. There was no question about his allure; his aura of confidence was magnetic, almost dangerous. I forced myself to focus on my meal, ignoring the warmth that threatened to colour my cheeks.

"Why don't you move in with us, Jennifer, since CSU is just a few minutes' drive from here?" Marco suggested, his offer coming as a surprise. I noticed Luca pause from the corner of my eye; his attention fixed on his dad.

I let out a soft chuckle. "I'm fine, thank you. I'd rather stay in the dormitory. Thanks for your kindness."

I caught my mom's eyes, they held a warning, a silent plea to consider, but my resolve was ironclad. There was no way I was going to live under the same roof as Luca Ferrari. Not in this lifetime. Luca was the first to stand up.

"I'll be leaving now," he announced gruffly.

"Luca, can you please give Jenny a ride to school? I caught a cold last night and don't think I can drive this morning," my mom requested, making Luca halt in his tracks and turn to her.

For a moment, I thought he might explode and tell my mom to leave him alone and never speak to him again. I braced for his temper, his usual outburst to reject any command. But he glanced at me, and I quickly looked away, focusing on my mom.

"It's okay, Mom. I can find my—"

"Is she ready?" Luca's voice cut me off, overshadowing my own. I looked up at him in surprise. "If she's ready, she should get in. I have practice."

I must have been dreaming, because who was this guy standing in front of me right now? Luca Ferrari was an enigma, utterly unpredictable. It was one of his qualities that made him unique. My mom urged me to follow him immediately, so I nodded and hurriedly left my seat, thanking Marco for the meal and heading upstairs to gather my things.

Luca was nonchalantly leaning against his vibrant red Ferrari when I stepped out of the house. Hands buried in his pockets, and eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. Without sparing me another glance, he began walking toward the driver's seat.

"I can find my own way," I said, my last attempt to salvage some dignity.

He ignored me and got into the car with an open roof, opening the door for me from inside. I slipped in as the car roared to life. I hoped this ride would go as smoothly as I had envisioned. I had been sceptical about riding to school with Luca in his car, but I had no other option. I had never planned to let anyone know that Luca's father was about to marry my mother, and even if they did get married, I hoped to keep it a secret. I wasn't proud of my mom's past, and some of her secrets were better left buried. I didn't want anyone to discover that she had been someone's mistress. There were secrets I didn't want anyone to know about because they would not only humiliate me but tarnish my image as well. Furthermore, I didn't want anyone to think we were after Marco's wealth, even though I had no idea about my mom's true motives. I hoped it was genuine love. So, I had resolved to stay far away from Luca, even if we became step-siblings.

I stole a glance at him as the car pulled into the driveway, and he remained focused on the road. Even his driving was attractive. I closed my eyes, mentally scolding myself for having such thoughts. Even if he wouldn't become my stepbrother, Luca was not the type of guy who would ever be interested in a girl like me. For the first time, I felt out of place in the clothes I considered comfortable. We were worlds apart, a complete mismatch.

"Don't post those pictures on the student forum," I said, clearing my throat as Luca pulled out of the driveway. I tried to maintain a defiant facade by raising my chin.

"I don't take orders from anyone. I do what I want," he replied, the car leaping forward as he made a sharp swerve, causing me to lurch forward as he accelerated.

The wind tousled my long fawn hair, obscuring my face. Luca was driving at an insane speed, and my heart raced along with the car. I was sure he was exceeding the speed limit. I had never been in a car speeding like this before. I gripped the plush seat tightly.

"Could you please slow down a bit?" I pleaded. But my pleas fell on deaf ears. He seemed to be enjoying himself, and before I knew it, he turned on the music player, blasting a trap song from an artist I didn't recognise.

I made a mental note never to trade my life like this again. I could tell Luca was relishing my discomfort, judging by the slight curl of his lips. I should have known better.

"As much as I don't take orders from anyone," he yelled to be heard over the blaring music, "I won't post those pictures because I can't be associated with you! You're not the type of girl I associate with, not even as a sister."

His words stung more than they should have, and I blinked away the tears welling up in my eyes. But Luca remained indifferent to my feelings. His eyes were still fixed on the winding road.

"That's why you can't be the one riding to school with me," he added. At first, I didn't fully grasp what he meant, but as the car slowed near a driveway, it dawned on me.

"What are you doing?" I asked, a sinking feeling in my gut.

"I'm dropping you off," he replied bluntly, looking at me with an arched brow. "Is there a problem? You said you had an alternative."

"What—" My words were cut short as his phone rang. He answered it, putting it on speaker.

"Hey, Luca," a female flirty voice purred from the other end.

"What's up, baby girl? I'm in your driveway now," Luca replied.

"Coming up, baby," the female voice responded, and Luca ended the call, turning his attention back to me.

"Are you still here, dear stepsister?" he quipped.

"Why did you agree to give me a ride if you knew you were going to drop me halfway?" I asked.

"Because you said you could make it on your own. I just gave you a lift for part of the way. Be grateful for that."

"I should have seen through your maliciousness, you jerk," I cursed, anger swelling within me as I pushed open the car door.

"I don't appreciate being cursed at," he retorted and sped away, leaving me in a whirl of dust and unravelling emotions. Even my hair looked like a crow's nest.

I removed my glasses and wiped away my tears. "Luca, you bastard. I hate you," I muttered.