Single Daddy's Obsession

Chapter 2

Maxine Martin's POV

"Mom! Margaux!" I sobbed as I watched the coffins of the two people I loved most lowered six feet below the ground.

It was two in the afternoon and I still hadn't eaten. I couldn't feel hungry or tired anymore. All I felt was the pain in my heart because of their loss. Even the heavens seemed to sympathize because as I shed a torrent of tears, it started to drizzle at the memorial center where we were laying my family to rest.

The coffins of Mom and Margaux were finally lowered. I just hugged my best friend, Klea, as I watched the gravediggers cover the coffins with dirt. My eyes were swollen from crying. I couldn't stop crying. Today was more painful than when I was still mourning them. Because now, I really felt that when I went home later... I would be all alone.

I felt a gentle touch on my back, which somehow eased my pain.

"Maxine, you can do this."

I heard those words repeatedly from several relatives. But inside, I knew I couldn't bear it after Mom and my sister were buried. I didn't know where I would go from there.

And Mom and Margaux were finally laid to rest. One by one, the people who attended the burial started to say their goodbyes. Relatives from Mom and Dad's side, especially those I hadn't seen for a long time. Some handed me envelopes containing money—help for me.

I didn't know how much money they had given me. How many days I could eat with it. How long I could continue my studies. I hoped that it would last for a month's worth of expenses. I would also get money from Mom's company. I had to go there to get her benefits and have them given to me.

"Max." Klea suddenly came close to me again and patted my back. "Do you want me to take you home?" she asked.

"Thanks, Klea. But I want to stay with Mom. I want to stay here for a while," I told her.

"Okay, then. I need to leave first, Maxine."

Klea left shortly after. I was so grateful for my friend who didn't left me. We also have classes tomorrow at school. It's been a week since I last went to school. I sent an excuse letter and I need to go back tomorrow because it will be harder if I have a lot of lessons to catch up on. I'm also thankful that Klea has been telling me about our lessons. It's just that it seemed like nothing went into my mind.

I really need to study hard. I need to finish my studies. That's what I thought, rather than dropping out. I'll figure out how to find a part-time job. The only problem is where I'll live. I'm paying one hundred twenty two bucks a month in rent, and I can't afford to stay there anymore. Aside from the money, I think it will be hard for me to move on if I go home there every night. I feel like I'll struggle to continue and I'll always remember being an orphan. No relatives have offered to take me in. I also don't want to live with relatives because I'm not close to most of them.

"Sis, Maxine..."

I suddenly turned around at the voice calling from behind me. I immediately faced it. I was surprised to see that Ethan was still here. He also looked like he had been crying because his eyes were slightly red. He had a sad expression on his face.

"Ethan, I thought you left," I said to him.

I didn't notice him anymore because my attention was on my sister and Mom. Though he offered his condolences earlier. And I did too. We both lost someone dear to us.

"I-I need to go..." he said.

I felt like his voice was about to crack. He really loves my sister. I just hope he can move on quickly. It's a shame, his relationship with Margaux didn't last long.

"T-thank you, Ethan, for your condolences. Thank you also for making my sister happy during your time together," I said.

"Thank you too, Max. Because you accepted me for your sister." Ethan gave a forced smile. "What are your plans now?"

I was taken aback by Ethan's question. I sighed, turned away from him, and looked again at Mom and Margaux's tomb. I took a step back and stood beside Ethan. Now we were both looking at the grave.

"I-I don't really know, Ethan. I-I just need to finish school. That's my priority. I'll figure out how to find a part-time job near school. I can't give up because I have no one to rely on now. I also can't stay at the house anymore. Aside from the expensive rent, I might not recover from the sadness," I said to Ethan.

"If you need a job, Max. I can help you," he offered.

***

My brow furrowed as a luxurious car stopped in front of me while I was waiting at the corner for Ethan to pick me up. I knew that car was worth at least ten million.

It was Sunday. Ethan texted me and said he was on his way. I told him to just wait for me here in front so I wouldn't have to go far. Our house is on a narrow street, and he might have trouble finding it. Of course, Ethan and Margaux's relationship was a secret, so he had never been to our house before.

My heart pounded when I noticed that the luxurious car wasn't moving even though there were no cars in front of it. I looked around and I was the only one standing where I was. I just hugged my shoulder bag out of fear. There are so many bad people these days. The car's windows were tinted, so I couldn't see who was inside.

Maybe it's a kidnapper and they think I'm rich. Or maybe it's the modus operandi of other bad people I've heard about, where they'll take me and sell my kidney? I got even more nervous because of what I was thinking. But it's impossible, maybe the owner of the car would be the one kidnapped because of how expensive the car is. My imagination went wild, making it hard for me to move because my knees went weak.

I was even more frozen in my tracks when the car door opened.

"E-Ethan?" I could only hear my own voice as my mouth opened and my eyes widened. I felt a little relieved that the person inside the car wasn't a bad person.

Where did he get that car? Did he borrow it? I knew that based on Ethan's appearance, he was well-off. But to have a car this luxurious, only a billionaire could afford it.

"Max!" Ethan greeted me cheerfully. But his eyes were sad. "Have you been waiting long?" he asked.

"Huh? Uhh. N-not... N-not really," I said stammering. I briefly looked into his eyes and focused my attention on his car. "Your car?" I asked.

"Uhm... Yes, Max. Come on, let's go so I can take you home," he said.

I nodded unconsciously at Ethan. He took the things I was carrying that were on the ground. It was a suitcase and two backpacks. My clothes and some important documents were inside.

After Mom and Margaux's funeral, I was surprised by Ethan's offer. It was an offer I couldn't refuse because it was so convenient for me. Ethan offered to make me his assistant. He said I could live in his house because there's a room I can sleep in. It was also close to the university I attend.

At first, I refused Ethan's offer. I didn't really know him well enough to just go with him. It felt weird to just go with him like that.

What would my relatives say? Although, whatever anyone else said wouldn't matter. I need to support myself, and my relatives weren't able to help me. I don't want to be a burden either.

I agreed to Ethan's offer after some convincing. He told me that he wanted to help because I was Margaux's sister. And that was the only thing he could do for his late girlfriend. He also told me not to worry because there would be compensation for his help... that he would make me his assistant for his work.

He said I would just be at home and handle some reports, and he'd give me tasks. I could also help with the housework if I wanted. In exchange, he would pay my tuition and, of course, provide accommodation, food, and allowance. I agreed because I would be working. At least it would come from my own effort. I don't want to just ask for help without anything in return. I think Ethan has a high position in the company he works for. He might be a manager and earn a good salary.

I didn't have a chance to ask Ethan for more details because he received a call and had to leave. We didn't talk on the phone anymore, and yesterday I was surprised when he texted me that he would pick me up. Thankfully, I had already packed a few things to bring. I've been busy catching up on lectures at school.

My only problem is the set-up once I live at Ethan's house. I don't know if Ethan is living on his own or if there's someone else with him. I don't want to be mistaken for his girlfriend. I get chills just thinking about it. I don't think I can even imagine dating Margaux's boyfriend.

I also said goodbye to the owner of the place I'm renting, and I'll use my rental deposit so I don't have to pay rent anymore. One of my aunts offered to store my leftover things in their warehouse. We don't have a lot of appliances. I'm selling the TV and fridge to get some money. I can also sell other things and furniture like the sofa.

I thought that once I graduate and get out of Ethan's clutches, I'll just get a room to live in while I'm actually working. For now, I'll just endure a year of being Ethan's part-time assistant. Just one year.

"Have you eaten, Max?" Ethan asked.

We were now inside the car, and Ethan was driving. I suddenly felt small sitting in this kind of car. I didn't even know how to put on a seatbelt, and Ethan had to do it for me. I wanted to ask him how he got such a luxurious car, but I suddenly felt shy, and I thought my question might be offensive.

"Yes, Ethan. What about you?" I turned to Ethan, who was driving seriously.

"Yeah," he glanced at me. "I ate breakfast with my siblings," he replied.

"You have siblings? D-do you live with them?" I asked while looking at the road.

"Yes, I'll introduce you later," he answered.

I suddenly fell silent. I felt nervous thinking about his siblings. They might think I ran away with him.

"Don't worry," Ethan said. I turned to him. "They know I'm bringing someone home. They've met Margaux, and I told them that you're her sister. I just didn't tell my dad because he's busy and we haven't seen each other much this week," Ethan explained, as if he knew what I was thinking.

I wanted to ask more questions, but I decided to wait until we got to his house.

After a while, we were entering a well-known village. My brows furrowed. I know this place. It's where the rich live. I suddenly doubted how wealthy Ethan really was. It seems like he's not just well-off if he lives here. But I didn't say anything until we stopped in front of a mansion. No! It's not a mansion. It's a palace. It feels like I'm in a palace. We were just at the gate, and you could already see the extravagant nature of the place where we stopped. I could see it clearly because the gate was an iron fence, and you could see inside.

Ethan honked the horn. Only then did I realize I was holding my breath in awe of his palatial home.

"We're finally here," he announced.

I just turned to Ethan, who was looking at me.

"I-is this your house?" I asked.

"My dad's house," Ethan replied, giving me a small smile. "I haven't moved out yet."

So Ethan wasn't just well-off. He's rich. No, not rich. Super rich. I never expected him to be this wealthy.

After a while, the gate opened and the car drove inside.

Ethan helped me get out of the car.

"I'll just have someone get your luggage and send it to your room," Ethan said after letting go of my hand. I was only carrying my shoulder bag.

My attention was not on what he was saying because my eyes were busy looking around. Until Ethan grabbed my arm.

"Come on, Max. I'll introduce you to my dad and siblings," he said.

Ethan brought me to the mansion's vast garden, not inside. There was a fountain in the middle, which I was amazed by. I just followed Ethan until we saw a group of people sitting at a round table. It seemed like a meeting. Ethan seemed to have other young visitors.

"That's my siblings," Ethan stopped walking for a moment. "There are a lot of us."

I gaped. They were all his siblings? There were so many of them. I couldn't even count them from where we were standing.

"A-are they all?" I smiled awkwardly. "You have so many siblings. Are there twins or triplets there?" I asked.

"None. Mommy gave birth to each one of us. There are nine of us siblings." Ethan suddenly grinned.

"Oww." I nodded in surprise.

Ethan's dad must be really hardworking. Hardworking at making babies. And based on what Ethan said, it seems like he doesn't have any children out of wedlock. Well, it's not a problem. They're rich and even if he had a hundred siblings, they wouldn't be struggling. Unlike us who are just barely making ends meet. It's hard for our parents to raise us even with just two siblings.

Until we got closer and the siblings noticed us. They were playing a board game.

"Brother." A man stood up immediately. He seemed to be Ethan's age.

I briefly scanned the group, smiling at the young women and men at the table. Some of them smiled back at me, some just looked serious. There were also younger children. Aww. It seemed like their age gaps were small. It seemed like Ethan was the eldest of all. But Ethan's family was beautiful. Everyone I saw was handsome and beautiful. The children were so cute.

"Elijah, where's Dad?" Ethan immediately asked his brother, who glanced at me.

"He's with—"

"He's with the witch!" a girl suddenly interrupted

Elijah's response.

"Lindsey, stop calling Aunt Glaiza a witch. Dad will be unhappy if he finds out you're treating his girlfriend like that," Ethan said sternly.

Oww... I sensed a little bit of tension between the siblings. Girlfriend? So, meaning, based on my analysis... their dad is separated from their mom and has a new girlfriend?

I swallowed. Did Ethan's dad impregnate their mom a bunch of times before separating from her? Then he has a new girlfriend that the children don't like? Or maybe their mom passed away?

I just froze where I was. I wasn't supposed to be hearing this kind of sibling talk.

"Because she really is, Bro. She's a golddigger!" Lindsey retorted angrily. "No one will replace our late mother. No one!"