5~ My stepson

My mind fills with thoughts as my hair and makeup get done.

My body is here, but my mind isn’t, it’s trapped back in that suffocating room where I signed away my freedom and my future, just to protect Andrew.

Now i will never be able to escape, because if I try, Andrew’s life will be taken.

Kill my dad for all I care, but not Andrew, he’s the one I will do anything to protect.

Mr. Zephyr has won.

When they finish with my hair, makeup and get me dressed. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, not even recognizing myself. I have never seen myself this beautiful.

My tousled light brown hair is styled in elegant French curls, and my makeup is light, enhancing my features. My lashes are darker, longer  and thicker, framing my light brown eyes perfectly, nails are perfectly polished. All these are things I never had the luxury to care about.

My entire life, I’ve never had enough time or money to care about myself.

I was always doing chores in my house, studying, crocheting, or searching for ways to make money. I have no idea that I can look this beautiful, like someone else entirely.

The only thing I hate is the goddamn wedding dress that clings tightly to my body. Switch it with a club gown—a place I’ve never even been to—and I’d feel more confident.

Adora walks into the dressing room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. “It’s time.” she announces.

~

As I walk down the aisle, my eyes sweep over the small gathering of guests, search for my family, but they’re nowhere to be seen. 

I hoped, to see Andrew, to make sure he’s okay. But he isn’t here. None of them are.

I turn my attention to the rest of the guests. There aren’t more than twenty people present, and most of them are men in black suits, standing rigidly in various places as if they’re not there to celebrate but to protect. 

Miss Adora is there, along with a few new faces.

In the front row, the very first one I spot a familiar face. It’s the exceptionally mysterious, attractive man from yesterday—the one who warned me about this place, about Lennox Zephyr’s cruelty,  the one I can’t stop thinking about, the one whose voice has been ringing in my head over and over. 

But today… he looks different, more handsome than yesterday. He’s dressed differently, in a striking red suit with a black shirt underneath, far more stylish and expensive-looking than the other men, who are all in black suits.

I can’t still tell who he is… A slight resemblance to Zephyr flickers in my eye. 

Wait…. Is he…. My…. brother inlaw? 

Mr. Zephyr’s younger brother? 

That explains his confidence and his overly expensive suit.

My eyes shifts to the little girl next to him, about five to seven years old.

Now that I think of it, I haven’t been introduced to any of the children Zephyr claimed to have. He said he had a son but never mentioned a daughter. So if that is really his daughter, where is his son?

I finally reach the altar, and I give my vows. When it’s time for Mr. Zephyr to kiss me, I allow a quick peck before pulling away.

Everyone stands and claps with smiles, celebrating the start of my misery.

I look around the crowd, irritated and disgusted by the smiles, until my eyes land on him.

Him again. He’s the only one not smiling or clapping, Our eyes lock, and he stares back at me. For a brief moment, I think... is he my only ally in this nightmare?

Mr. Zephyr wraps his hands around my waist drawing my attention back to him. His touch makes my skin crawl, but I force myself to stay calm. “Very good, darling. You’re doing well so far—keep it up, and your life will be heaven.” He honeys, taking me down.

I hate how he talks with a smile and a sweet voice when he’s truly a devil inside.

“Please, nothing should happen to Andrew.” I plead in a whisper.

His smile falters as he turns his face to mine “Oh, they had to show you the picture” he cocks a brow, “So you weren’t being good after all?”

“I am. I will be,” I quickly argue, “Just, please—nothing should happen to him.”

His grip tightens around my waist as he leans in, his breath hot against my ear. “Forget about them. They abandoned you. Let’s meet your new family.”

I nod and He pulls me toward the front row, guiding me like a puppet on strings. My eyes catch the little girl innocently taking a bite on a cupcake. “The girl?” I ask.

Mr. Zephyr scoffs. “Nothing but an illegitimate child. A child of an unclean and stained woman— A prostitute who was not a virgin. A woman I had not married,” he spits out his words with disgust and my heart ache for the little girl, no matter what it’s his child! How would she feel hearing her dad talk about her like that?

“You don’t have to worry about her; she has her own mother,” he sneers. “Let me show you my son, the child you will mother.”

Mr. Zephyr leads me, my eyes are out for a little boy or at least a teenager but turning to zephyr his eyes are fixed on  him, the man in a red striking suit. Him again? Why him. That same guy that caught my eye, that has been in my mind for too long. The one i have come to conclusion that he is zephyr younger brother, 

I think we are going to pass him but we don’t we walk and stop right in front of him. 

Oh perhaps Mr. Zephyr wants to introduce his brother to me first. 

“This is him—your son,” Zephyr declares.

My eyes widen in disbelief. “My what!?” I choke out. My eyes blinks repeatedly as it shifts back and forth between them.

Mr. Zephyr jabs him on his softly built arm and he flinches a bit. “Go on boy, be polite and introduce yourself.”

He glares at Mr. Zephyr for what feels like a second before he turns to me his brownish hazel eyes locking with my wide ones.

“Hey….” He starts extending his hands for a handshake. I reach for it and our palms meet.  “I’m Ryan… Ryan Zephyr,” He says.

What?  I can’t help but scoff a bit.

This man, who is way taller, bigger, larger, and most likely older than me, is my stepson??!!

“Haha, he’s a very well-mannered young man, which might be a weakness.” Zephyr says, attempting to jab him again but, Ryan leans to the side dogjing the contact.

His grip around my hands becomes slightly firm. “I hope we can get along well,” he says softly as his eyes travel from my head to toe then back to my eyes in the most sultry way ever.

I tremble a bit and before I can respond, he lets go of my hand and walks away, his tall form retreating into the crowd. 

I stand there frozen still stunned, all this time he was the one, My stepson.