Chapter 1: STEP-SIBLINGS

Ivy's POV

“Your step-mom is going to be here today from Paris and I need you to be on your best behavior because she...” I heard my dad say it for the hundredth time today.

“I’m not a kid, dad!” I exclaimed. “I am twenty for fuck’s sake. I can take care of this and I will.”

“I know you will, Ivy, but you know, I am feeling nervous all of a sudden,” Dad replied. “You’ve never met her before and you might not really like.”

“I will accept her, dad,” I reassured him. “She is the woman you are in love with, isn’t she? That’s all that matters.”

My dad, Caleb Connor, is a rich businessman. He had several investments, yielding returns and making him a billionaire. Even at fifty-one, I was all he had. My mother died right after I was born and I was raised by my dad. I had nannies growing up but it was nothing compared to having a mother. My dad refused to remarry as he didn’t want me to be maltreated by a step-mom. I supported the move during my teenage days but the moment I became emotionally mature, I got to find out how difficult it had been for my dad, having to be alone most of the time. A year after I realized, he had a woman he was dating.

Cool kid, huh. I motivated him to find love yet I had never been in a relationship at twenty. Again, it was cool stuff.

But then, I have been in a relationship. It lasted three weeks though. I will tell you about it later.

Anyway, my dad had to drive all the way to the airport to pick up my step-mom. I had to follow him.

“You don’t look so excited!” my dad told me.

“I don’t even know what she looks like or what her name is, dad. You have been so secretive that I don’t know what to expect,” I replied hastily.

“She has a son who is a little older than you,” he replied carefully.

“Oh! That’s cool…” I muttered.

“Well…” he winked at me. “I didn’t tell you before but her son will be staying with us.”

“That is nice…” I said spontaneously. Afterwards, I realized its implication. “What do you mean? I don’t want male company.”

“Oh, you will, my dear,” he replied carefully. “You need siblings as well.”

I was going to argue on the subject but we had already arrived at the airport. I had to get out of the car and walk with my dad. I was literally sulking but he didn’t care to look at me. For some reason, I became jealous. My step-mom will steal my dad away from me. I regretted pressuring him to remarry at once.

“Flight AF015 from Paris has landed and is taxiing to the gate. Passengers will…” I could hear the airport’s public address system shouting into my ears. My dad stood up now. His new wife would be here in no time and he looked really nervous. I was tempted to ask if he hadn’t seen her before too. However, I let it slide.

The passengers started making their way out with their luggage and when my dad smiled, I knew he had found his missing rib. I looked forward and I could see a well-known face approaching us. It felt like a dream to me..

Olivia Laurent, hotshot fashion model.

My dad ran towards her as they hugged tightly. I remained stiff and I could not move. I loved fashion so much and I had been greatly influenced by Olivia. She was my idol. My room had her pictures everywhere. I was more like her online stalker. It was unbelievable to think she would be my step-mom.

“Hi!” Olivia moved closer. “My name is…”

“I know you,” I interrupted. “This is a dream, dad. I am sure it is!”

“Come here, darling,” she muttered. I hugged her there and I was leaping with joy in my heart. This was a win-win situation for dad and I. “Your dad told me a lot about you. I think we should have your favorite for dinner tonight.”

“My favorite,” I repeated.

“Yeah, you love macaroni and cheese, don’t you?” Olivia asked. I could see the glint in her eyes.

“My dad has done a lot of gossiping!” I laughed. It was contagious as both Olivia and my dad laughed as well. My laughter ceased when someone else joined us. Seeing him made my brain half-dead for a moment. I struggled to recover and not shout his name.

“He is your stepbrother,” my dad introduced. “His name is Alexander. He is two years older than you so don’t forget to treat him as your big brother.”

I didn’t hear whatever they chatted about after. The whole world was floating around me and all of them appeared in trios to me. Eventually, I felt a strong tap on my shoulder.

I snapped out of it.

“Are you okay?” Alex was asking me.

“I am fine,” I replied.

The drive back home was so long for me. I said nothing while Olivia and my dad chatted endlessly. Alex was thrown a few questions and he only answered when they asked him.

I was not myself when we got home but my dad told me to show Alex around. Apparently, he had some inner room business to do with Olivia. I understood adult stuff perfectly and I allowed it. However, I did not feel free around Alex at all.

“Ivy!” he called at last.

“Yes,” I turned back.

“You remember me, don’t you?” he asked carefully.

“Have we met before?” I decided to play dumb.

Both of us were on the stairs. Alex took two steps further and tried to move closer. Anxiously, I slipped. However, I was fortunate enough as Alex caught me.

My heart was beating faster than before. He raised me a little higher until my lips were a few inches from his. I could feel a bead of sweat rolling down.

“I remember you, Ivy,” he told me. “I know you do too.”

His eyes were screaming ‘kiss me!”