In Love With My Step Brother

Chapter 2

Feeling frustrated, I dragged my bag downstairs to the hotel room. The heaviness in my steps hinted to everyone that something was off.

How I wished I had given Ivy a piece of my mind instead of pretending everything was cool. Collapsing onto the bed, I breathed heavily, staring up at the ceiling.

I couldn't believe that of all the people to run into in the vast expanse of New York, it had to be Ivy. But I wasn't going to let her ruin the moment.

I was here for my mom and no one else. Despite telling my mom I wouldn't make it to her wedding, I lied; I wouldn't miss her big day for anything.

After my masters in Oxford, I hadn't planned on returning to New York. I spent an extra year in the UK, juggling academics with my modeling side gig. It brought in some money, but it wasn't enough.

Though it might seem like I was thriving, I didn't want anyone, especially Ivy and my ex, Jasper, to laugh at me. I had to try my best to move on and forget everything.

I had also hoped to find love in the UK, but it never came, it seems love just wasn't for me.

Everything post-masters didn't go as planned, leading me to decide on relocating back to New York, using my mom's wedding as a convenient excuse.

The most exciting part? Having a brother! A step-brother, but it felt thrilling. I'd never had a sibling before, so it was a new and exciting experience.

My mom's husband, whom I hadn't met yet, had a son – a guy in his late twenties. I couldn't wait to meet him and finally have a brother.

Tomorrow, just before the wedding, would be the first time, and I'd be moving in too, it meant a lot for my mom. I knew she would be overjoyed that I had accepted her offer.

Anticipation buzzed in me; I had a feeling I'd be happy there. I heard my step-brother was the CEO of a major fashion label in New York, and since I was a model, everything seemed to be falling into place.

My mom had mentioned that if I decided to come back, she would talk to him about letting me work with his company.

Lost in these happy thoughts, my phone beeped. I stretched to pick it up from the bed, opening a text message that turned out to be an invitation.

I muttered to myself, "Ivy can't be serious!"

I couldn't believe she sent me an invite. Didn't she understand I didn't want to see any of them? I didn't understand what the hell she was trying to do.

I tossed my phone away, dismissing the invite – I definitely wasn't going. My admission into Oxford for my masters came at the right time, saving me from facing embarrassment and betrayal.

Then it hit me – if I didn't go, it might seem like I was still hurt and hadn't moved on. Two freaking years had passed!

Taking a deep breath, I still had time. My mom's wedding was tomorrow, and my ex-fiancé's daughter's birthday was in an hour. I needed to show Ivy I was still a force to be reckoned with.

Rushing to my bag, I pulled out a hot red killer dress. "Perfect!" I exclaimed. In no time, I was dressed and ready to shock everyone.

Ordering a cab, I arrived in a flash. Stepping in, I tried to control my emotions. The first thing I heard was, "Hazel! It's a lie... You're in New York?"

It was Ignacio, a college mate. "Ignacio! So nice to see you again," I replied with a smile.

"Where the hell have you been?" Ignacio asked. "You look f*****g good; you just ghosted us all."

Ivy interrupted, "exactly what I told her, I almost thought she was still mad at me." She then turned to me, "I thought you wouldn't make it."

Returning her pretentious smile, I replied, "Of course not! It's been two years since we all saw each other, so I figured it was a nice way to catch up."

Ivy smiled, gave me a peck, and left. Ignacio whispered, "How the hell are you able to cope with her? That girl is a viper!"

I said, "Nah... It's fine. I've moved on; we've all grown, Ignacio. I don't have time for that."

If only he knew how much I wanted to bite the hell out of Ivy at that moment, but I had to keep it composed.

I took a deep breath as Ignacio inquired, "So tell me, how is Oxford and who is the lucky guy?"

The question hit a nerve, and I gulped hard, forcing a smile. There was no lucky guy, as I'd never been lucky with love.

But I had to come up with something. "Uhm..." I began, but Ignacio interrupted, "Don't tell me all this beauty is just going to waste."

I laughed, pretending it was funny. "No I…." But before I could continue, a very familiar voice called my name from behind, "Hazel...."

Oh, f**k. There was no mistaking that voice. My heart pounded the moment I heard it, and I instantly knew who it belonged to.

Slowly turning, I saw Jasper, my ex-fiancé, standing right in front of me. It was the first time I'd seen him in two years, and he hadn't changed a bit. The pain I felt two years ago rushed back, and I couldn't bear it.

I wanted to speak, to say something, but I tried, and nothing came out. I stood there looking like a fool, as if I had seen a ghost.

I suddenly felt everyone's gaze at me, at us. Some of our college mates were there and they knew exactly what happened two years ago.

It was almost like the embarrassment I had escaped two years ago, was now right in front of me. Unable to endure it, I didn't know when I turned back and ran away from the party.

"Hazel!! Hazel!!!"

I heard him call my name, but I didn't turn an inch back.