MAXIMILIAN'S POVI was tired, and I just wanted to get this weekend over with and done. I strolled around the back where the pool was and saw mom and dad lounging. My dad noticed me first. He greeted me with a beaming smile as he stood up for a hug. "Look who's here," he said, squeezing my shoulders tightly."It's good to see you, dad." I returned his enthusiasm. I was truly happy to see him. "Oh Max! Max, my baby!" Mother got excited. She practically pushed dad aside so she could get her hug. "Oh I missed you so much," she sniffled, squeezing me so hard I thought my lungs would collapse. "Come now, woman. This is a reunion, not a funeral, so there will be no crying," dad chuckled. "Shut up, you old fart," Mom scolded him, pulling away from me so she could slap him with her sombrero. "Come here, and I'll show you who's an old fart," dad grinned, grabbing mom by her wrist and pulling her into his chest. He sniffed her hair before he began kissing her neck. It was too early for thi
MEREDITH'S POV"Wait, you're actually going to be sleeping in the same bed as him?" Brenda cried out over the phone. I was in such a rush to get dressed I didn't have time to dry my hair, so all I did was combed it out and put it up in a neat bun. I just couldn't face Max after he mentioned to me about our sleeping arrangements. I ran out of that bedroom faster than a cheetah on steroids before he got out of the shower."Yes, Bren. He said he asked the housemaid to put our things in the same room," I sighed. Then I wondered why someone else brought our things up and not the maid. Anyway, I shook that part out of my mind. "What am I gonna do? I can't sleep with him." I fretted, strolling away from the chaos of the mansion, trying to get to somewhere more quiet. My feet mindlessly led me off the main floor. "Too late for that," Brenda giggled. I rolled my eyes. "This is not funny," I scoffed, roaming the corridors of this gigantic mansion. "If you keep laughing, I won't show you this
MEREDITH'S POV"I didn't mean to. I got lost and was just trying to navigate my way back to the dining hall," I hissed, as his fingers pinched at my flesh. "What did you see? Better yet, what did you hear?" He demanded answers. I swallowed, blinking back the tears in my eyes. That scene from Twilight flashed inside my head when Laurent caught Bella alone walking in the woods and an apparition of Edward appeared before her eyes, warning her of danger. A voice in the back of my head whispered. 'Lie to him.'Trying to keep myself calm and not run off screaming bloody murder, I opened my mouth to speak. "I saw you talking with that maid, but I didn't hear much of what you were saying." My speech came out sounding fumbled. Even I didn't believe my own words. He stared at me through slits, clenching his jaws while his grip tightened around my arm. 'Lie better,' the voice barked in my head. I released a goofy laugh, acting as if his grip on me didn't bother me. "You don't know how hap
MAXIMILIAN'S POV"Meredith, I see you've met the family dog," I clenched my jaw as I spoke. Meredith gasped and I realized she could feel the tension between us, but I wasn't prepared to explain why I was so angry with my younger brother. "Ah, big brother, I was just talking about you with your — lady friend.""She's my girlfriend, and I'd appreciate it if you stayed away from both of us for the rest of our stay here," I told him. He always did this even as a child. He only wanted something only if he knew I had already possessed it. That sadistic smile of his was making me uneasy. I had no intention of talking to him this weekend. My plan was to ignore him like he was invisible, or he didn't exist. But seeing him engaging with Meredith, I had tell him to back off. I didn't care if he was blood. I would break his arm this time if he touched what was mine. "Why? We got along so well when we were alone in the East Wing. Didn't we, sweetheart?" Asher winked at Meredith and I tightened
MEREDITH'S POV"You seem nervous."I glanced over to see Blake giving me a weary look. "Is it that obvious?" I nibbled on my bottom lip. "You're sweating like a pig," she pointed out. "Don't worry, Max's parents will love you.""Do you really think so?" I asked. I really needed someone to tell me that this evening would go smoothly. "Absolutely. You're a very nice girl. What's not to love?" Blake cupped my chin. "They'll take one look at you and fall in love," she finished with a warm smile. "Thank you. I feel much better," I nodded. "You're a good friend."She dropped her hand from my face. "I guess you've officially friend zoned me, but I understand. Your heart belongs to him."My stomach fluttered, agreeing with Blake's statement. Maybe tonight I should just tell Max how I felt, once and for all. If he didn't feel the same way, then so be it. The way Blake was staring at me, I had to addressed the elephant in the room. Our kiss. "I'm sorry I kissed you that day. I was just cu
MAXIMILIAN'S POV I didn't realize that my feet were taking me to the door that led to the pool outside rather than the dining room. I suppose I could spend a few minutes calming down before enduring dinner with Asher and Kimmy. I rested my back against the bar counter, enjoying the refreshing night air. I couldn't get the images of Meredith in that peach silk dress out of my mind. She looked so delicious. She didn't know the extent of her effect on me; the fragrance of her bare skin, with no lotions or perfumes, was one of the finest, most intoxicating smells I've ever inhaled. I felt uncomfortable with Asher trying to bond with her so quickly. I figured he would try to hit on her simply to play games with me. I refused to let that happen. With a sigh, I ran my palms over my face. I quickly came to the conclusion that I wouldn't become any calmer than I was now. That was when I noticed the devil approaching me. Oh, God!! Why me? I would much rather be hit by a bolt of lightning
MAXIMILIAN'S POVI felt victorious knowing that Kimmy had no effect on me. I believe I finally found the closure I needed after I pushed her into the pool. I'd come to see that she was just an opportunist. That night, as I headed home to share the news of my sixty-billion-dollar deal with her, I never got to tell her because I found her in bed with my brother. Asher and I had became a bit close the short while he lived with me. We kinda opened up to each other, so after he confided to me that mom and dad cut off his expenses, he begged me not to say anything to Kimmy because he was too embarrassed. The puzzle pieces were finally coming together. Asher likely informed Kimmy that he would inherit our father's company, which Kimmy believed had a higher value than my business. That was the only reason I could come up with for her cheating on me with him. I found myself laughing as I understood that Kimmy never truly loved me. She loved my money. And now that she knew I gained more weal
MEREDITH'S POVI was bored out of my freaking mind sitting at this excessively large table with people who kept staring at me as if I were beneath them. "So Maribel what's your last name?" Mr. McTavish asked while he cut into his bloodied steak. His fork scraping over the crockery made a sound that reminded me of car drawing brakes. "Father, for the last time, her name is Meredith," Max emphasized to his dad while drinking his wine. I shot him the dirtiest look I could muster. I could fight my own battles. "I apologize for that son. I just want to get to know the woman who has stolen my firstborn's heart," Mr. McTavish snickered as he placed a piece of the meat in his mouth. He tossed his head up so he could look over at me. "So your family's name, Meredith." Specks of saliva flew as he spoke my name. Max's dad was smug for a little old man. Quite intimidating, too. He still displayed strong muscles along with a slight belly, but at over sixty years old, he looked really good. Now