Love so Wrong: Falling for My Stepbrother

2- MEETING LUCA FERRARI

JENNIFER

I dialled my mom's number once again, but it was the same result - voicemail. Frustration welled up inside me as I shoved the phone into my faded jeans pocket. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, exhaling deeply.

"I'll get through today," I reassured myself, sweeping my wavy brown hair back and tying it with a hairband.

I had never been the kind of girl who turned heads. Fashion wasn't my thing; I preferred comfortable clothes. I didn't understand why that bothered everyone else so much since it was my life. On the other hand, I didn't even have enough money to look like the goddess everyone wanted me to look like. Mom would rather spend the money she made from her suitors on fancy clothes and cosmetics, leaving me with very little. So, I had chosen to leave youthful frivolities and focus on my education and building a better future.

Books and music were my only companions. I used to dream of becoming a rock star when I was younger. I still enjoyed music, but I don't have the spirit of a rockstar anymore. I wanted to be a boss now, to be in control. I put on my black-rimmed glasses and examined myself in the mirror, wearing a blue linen skirt and a white t-shirt with a cardigan draped over my shoulders.

"Perfect. Let's go chase the funds for today."

After high school, I had taken a leap of faith, taking college entrance exams in the hope that some miracle would happen. And it did—I was accepted into my dream college, but I didn't have enough money to register and cover other expenses. I had taken up three part-time jobs, but it still wasn't enough, and it frustrated me each time I thought about it.

I grabbed my purse, intending to leave my room when I heard the door click. I knew instantly that it was Mom. Her distinctive cologne filled the air, and relief washed over me. For a moment, I had thought she was serious about leaving me alone. No matter how annoying she could be, she was still my mom, and I loved her.

I descended the stairs quietly and found her sitting on the couch with her bag beside her. I didn't know how to break the awkward silence, so I headed for the door.

"Jennifer," she called out, using my full name, which she only did when she was serious or upset. But Judging by her tone, she was serious, not upset.

I turned to face her. Her eyes looked tired, and her mascara had smudged, giving her an eerie look. I sighed and approached her, preparing to apologise, but she beat me to it.

"I'm sorry about last night, honey," she said, her voice filled with exhaustion. I hadn't slept much either since the previous night.

"I'm sorry too," I replied.

"Come here." She patted the space beside her, and I obeyed. She took my hands in hers and squeezed gently. "I know I've failed you as a mother, honey, but I don't want you to think I don't love you or that I'm not doing everything I can to help."

"I'm sorry for what I said last night. I didn't mean it."

She swallowed hard. "No, sweetie, you were right. I've depended on my looks and let men treat me poorly. I can't let them treat you the same way." Tears welled up in her eyes.

I reached out and wiped her tears away. "It's okay, Mom. I just wish things could get better for us, and you would stop letting these men define you. That's why I want to go to school, get a decent job, and have a happy life with you. Fashion can wait until then."

My mother stared at me for a moment and then smiled, ruffling my hair. "You're much smarter than I am, my darling. You're right. I've decided to change my ways. I want to rebuild my life, and grow physically, mentally, and emotionally."

"That's great, Mom. I'll help you in any way I can," I said with enthusiasm.

My mom let go of my hands and rummaged in her bag, producing a piece of paper that turned out to be a cheque, which she handed to me.

"In light of that, I've decided to be a better mom. You're going to college," she exclaimed.

Dazed, I took the piece from her and stared at the cheque in disbelief. It was for thirty thousand dollars. I blinked several times to make sure it was real, and it still was. I looked at my mom, puzzled.

"What's this?"

"It's a cheque."

"I know it's a cheque. I mean, how did you get this much money in one night?"

"I met a man," she said happily.

My determination to help my mom become a better version of herself crumbled like a dilapidated bridge. When she said she wanted to grow, I thought it meant getting a regular job, saving money, and dressing less extravagantly. I had even mentally prepared a list of books to give her a fresh start.

"Another man?"

She moved closer to me. "Look, honey... it... it's not what you think. This man is different—responsible, charming, and kind..." She recounted all his qualities with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"And he gave you this much money just for being pretty?"

"No, silly," Mom chuckled, playfully jabbing my shoulder. "You know how men love to rescue damsels in distress? After our fight, I felt like I deserved an expensive liquor, so I went to a bar that Noah had promised to take me to."

"Who is Noah?"

"The bastard who hurt you." I nodded. "So, I sat there, drowning my sorrows in drink and crying. Then came this jolly good fellow. I didn't want to give him the audience at first because I was convinced I was done with them all. But this man sat down beside me and started telling me stories that piqued my interest. I looked at him, and he was so handsome I couldn't believe he was fifty."

"Another fifty-year-old. I see."

"No, no, honey, this one's different. He is a good one."

"Just don't bring him home."

"I won't unless you want me to. You see, there is a connection between us that I've never felt before. We talked like we had known each other for years, and he asked me why I was crying. I told him everything—about our fight, about you, how brilliant you are, how you couldn't afford college, and how it was affecting you. He said his son was attending the same college, and he wanted to see you go to college, too. So, he wrote a check, hoping it would be enough."

I stared at her in disbelief after her story, and she widened her eyes, waiting for my reaction.

"So, you booked a private lounge and spent the entire night with him."

"What? No!" Mom almost cursed. "What do you take me for? He left shortly after that, and I got a motel room for the night."

"So, you didn't... like have s*x with this stranger?"

"Not at all. He just took my contact information and promised to call me to check if you're attending college."

I took a deep breath and exhaled. "This is... this is... I'm speechless. Are you sure this happened the way you're saying?"

"What? You think I stole the money? I can't steal from anyone, not even for your college. You should know that by now." She stood up from the chair and stretched like a cat. "I've done my part. If you still want to go to college, go and start taking the right steps right now."

***

I couldn't believe it. I was actually going to CSU. I waved at Mom as she got into the car that would take her home. Standing there, watching the car drive away, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of homesickness. Despite our disagreements sometimes, I would miss her a lot. The drive from home to school was an hour and forty-five minutes, so I opted to stay in the dormitory to be closer to campus.

I adjusted my glasses up the bridge of my nose and headed towards the dormitory. Finally, I was a college student, and the excitement bubbled within me, almost making me scream into the air, but I didn't want to be tagged a freak in this new school. Even as I walked towards my room, keeping to myself, I could feel the curious gazes of some girls who seemed to find me unusual.

"Did she step out of an '80s movie or something?" one girl whispered to her friend as they passed by.

I ignored their comments and entered my room. It had been empty when I arrived earlier, but now, I found two blondes inside, both of whom stopped what they were doing to stare at me. One looked disgusted, while the other seemed in awe.

"Hi," I greeted them and started unpacking.

"Excuse me," the blonde with the false lashes said, "are you staying here?"

"Yes, I am," I replied matter-of-factly.

"No, you can't," she blurted out, her friend trying to restrain her.

"Tammy, stop."

"No, I can't be given another freak as a roommate, not after surviving that psycho."

"I am not a freak," I retorted.

"Yes, you are. Who dresses like this, wearing large dark-rimmed glasses on a modern campus?" she snapped.

I shook my head. I didn't have time to explain my clothing choices at the moment. I was already running late for my next class, which was supposed to start in twenty minutes, and I still had to find the lecture hall. So, I quickly gathered my things and hurried out.

Someone followed me as I descended the stairs and caught up with me at the exit of the female dormitory. I turned to see the friend of the girl from the room, the one who had seemed more friendly.

"Hey, I'm Sandra, but you can call me Sandy," she said.

"I'm Jennifer." I glanced behind her; I was in such a hurry to leave.

"I wanted to apologise for my cousin's behaviour. She has just gotten out of—"

"Sandy, can we catch up later? I'm running late for class and need to find the Economic Complex Lecture Hall. I have a class and it starts in twenty minutes."

"Oh, you're majoring in Economics?" I nodded. "That's my major too," she said enthusiastically. "I'm headed there too."

I couldn't believe my luck. What had I done to deserve such kindness? I smiled at her as she grabbed my hand, and we walked away from the female dormitory.

As we made our way to the lecture hall, many students crowded around us. I silently regretted not bringing my scooter, which would have made transportation easier. As we approached the Complex building, I heard the loud roar of a car engine behind us. It was so deafening that I turned around just in time to avoid getting hit by a Ferrari. I managed to step aside, but the car drove through a puddle, splashing dirty water all over me. I gasped as the water stained my glasses and ruined my clothes. The driver didn't stop or slow down. Sandy and I watched the Ferrari until it was parked in front of the Complex building.

I was furious and ready to rain fire and brimstone on the driver, but as I took a step forward, I froze in my tracks as I caught sight of an incredibly handsome guy stepping out of the Ferrari. My heart spiked dangerously, and everything seemed to slow down as I stared at him in awe.

"Who is that?" I asked Sandy in a daze.

"That's the hottest guy on campus, Luca Ferrari, and yes, he owns a Ferrari," she replied.

I couldn't believe this fine specimen standing a few feet away from me was real. He looked like a picture from a magazine cover, dressed so casually in a grey and black hoodie and grey sweatpants. This guy was the embodiment of attraction; everything about him was perfect, from his dark tousled hair, which was shaved on either side to his deep tan of skin, his dark, almost bristling eyebrow, high cheekbones, sharp jaw, straight nose, and his full luscious lips...

Snap!

I mentally scolded myself. I wasn't here to admire him. He needed to know what he had done to me. I glanced down at my ruined clothes and stained glasses. I didn't miss the way girls fawned over him, but I was determined to address my grievances. So, I matched.

"Where do you think you're going?" Sandy asked, holding me back.

"I'm going to tell him what he did."

"You don't need to create a scene. We can go wash it off."

I pulled my hand away from Sandy and marched towards Luca, ignoring the whispers and stares that followed me. He had his back to me as he spoke to a girl.

"Luca Ferrari," I called out.

He turned to face me, and his chocolate-deep brown eyes struck me, but I didn't bat an eyelid and stared at him with a raised chin. His face twisted into a disgusted frown as his gaze travelled over me.

"You startled me," he muttered under his breath. "Do I know you?"

"No, you don't, but you're about to meet me," came my determined response.