To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

I got ready to go to the library to pick up some books that had to do with the job interview I would be going to the following week.

Hurriedly, I picked out the books and turned to leave the library when I collided into someone and the books went clattering to the ground.

Bending to pick it up back, I tried to apologize when the person also crouched in front of me and I lifted my gaze to see Xander right in front of me.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking and…” he was still talking when I angrily picked up my books and left. My anger came rushing back and all the pain started becoming fresh.

“Please, Ava. Just wait.” He called and he won’t stop following me until he caught up with me.

“Were you stalking me?” I asked as I turned to look at him in anger, “you knew I was going to be here and you followed me, didn’t you?” I added and he only shook his head lightly.

“No, why would I do that? Why would you think I stalked you?” He responded.

“I came to pick up my stacks of books because I’m preparing to take a public service exam that I have to study for.” He explained as he lifted the book he picked up for me to see.

I was curious, I wanted to know what happened to him all those years and why he’d just left me hanging. I wanted to talk about this exam he has but none of it matters anymore.

Shrugging, I turned to leave but he stopped and asked me to wait as he took the books from me with a smile.

“At least let me help you to your car?” He said and it came out more like a question than just a statement. Agreeing, I handed it all to him and we both walked to my car with Xander holding the stacks of books.

“I know how mad at me you must be right now and I just want to take this chance to apologize and explain to you why I did what I did.” He sighed and I just couldn’t help but accept.

“I hope you wouldn’t mind having dinner with me later?” He asked and I told him I don’t mind and happy, he left after telling me that he’d call me later tonight.

Nature seemed to be in his favour because the day went by really quick and he’d already sent the time he would be coming to pick me up and I needed to get ready.

“You should take this chance to seduce that handsome young man.” Nicole said as she helped me apply my makeup and did my hair.

She was the one who’d picked out my dress and also made my hair that even I knew how sexy I looked when I stared at the mirror but her telling me to seduce Xander was something I didn’t think I’ll be able to do.

“Are you nuts?” I asked and she pushed me slightly, “really, if you were sane you wouldn’t suggest something like this. I literally asked Mason to wait for me.” I pointed out laughing and she shrugged.

“I don’t know why things always have to be in favor of men, he had sex with someone who now has his child while you were away so why can’t you do the same?” She asked.

“I got married,” I replied and she rolled her eyes, “besides, Xander might be hot and all of that but I can’t use him when every being of me is still in love with Mason.” I added and she sighed.

Xander came to pick me up at the time he promised and he’d even brought a single rose for me, we both went out that night, we took a walk before going to a local restaurant.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

The experience was like no other, it’s the most fun I’ve heard in the three weeks that I’ve been here and I loved every bit of it.

Xander wouldn’t stop making me laugh till my chin and stomach hurt because of how funny he was and I had a lot of fun.

“I’m sorry I left without a trace,” he started, “a fire somehow broke out in the orphanage and no one knew what caused the fire. We lost some of the kids but we were able to save most. It was horrible.” He explained and I gasped as I covered my mouth with my palm.

I never thought it was this bad, my heart sank and I just couldn’t imagine the amount of lives that were cut short in the fire. I also apologized to him for not being understanding and told him I was sorry for the loss but he only shrugged it off.

“It’s fine, it’s just. It was a bad day.” He said with a sour smile and I pitied him.

I had no idea when I started telling him about the things that happened between Mason and I and how I got married and then got a divorce. I told him about Mason’s child too and he did nothing but listened keenly.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you for years and I was also unable to get into another relationship.” He started as he picked my hand up.

“And now, I want you so fucking bad and I really want to be selfish and ask you out but I can’t do that because I know you still love him and it’ll be best if you could go to Mason.” He finished.

I wasn’t expecting him to say something like that, especially since Mason would never ask me to go to Xander or anyone else.

“He must be going through so much at the moment and having you by his side might be the only thing that was keeping him sane and now that you left he must be going mad.” He explained when I asked him why he asked me to go to Mason.

“So, put aside your feelings and just go to him.” He finished and I haven’t been more surprised.

I told him I would think about it and he smiled, the night ended and he drove me back home with a promise of having dinner with me some other time.