Chapter 5 Soon to be stepmother!

Larissa

I gasped, the trays in my hands fell to the ground with a loud clatter.

There, in front of me, stood Rick, passionately kissing the lady I saw him with on Instagram.

The loud noise startled them as they shifted from each other. Rick glanced angrily at me and the Lady beside him glared unhappily at me for interrupting them.

"Can't you see where you're going, huh?" Rick asked, his face dark.

I instinctively wanted to apologize but I held myself back. I simply shook my head, bending down to clean up the mess on the floor.

"Don't mind her babe; Maids can be very clumsy and dim witted," the lady said mockingly.

I felt a rush of anger within me as I lowered my head, avoiding eye contact with them.

Gathering up the mess, I was just about leaving when Rick's voice called out;

"Aren't you not going to apologize?"

I paused, staring at him with a dark face. Rick was obviously trying to humiliate me in front of his new girlfriend.

"What? unwilling to apologize?" Rick pressed, his face in a sneer.

"Rick, let's just forget about her, she's insignificant."

"She will do well to apologize," Rick retorted adamantly and walked up to me. I steeled my heart, standing quietly with my head lowered.

I hated the way my heart throbbed, every step he took towards me seemed to hammer in the fact that it was me against him; a man I once loved, I hated now.

"I'm sorry," I blurted out.

"That's good to hear, now get lost!"

I lowered my head in shame rather than in fear. I curtsied, my cold eyes stared at Rick for a moment before I retracted my gaze, turned around and left.

As surely as I hated Rick, Madam Rosé gave me an earful about the shattered glasses and plates, she threatened to deduct the damages from my salary.

But I didn't care about her words as my eyes burned with a fervor. Hate! I absolutely hated Rick for messing with my feelings.

I thought silently about my options; I could stay, but I'd constantly be subject to Rick's humiliating acts and Patrick's threats. I could also leave and start over in another environment devoid of Rick.

After being banished from the kitchen by Madam Rosé for my mistake, I headed back to my room. I was just barely round the corner when a hand suddenly rounded my neck, pinning me to the wall.

I struggled as my eyes coldly stared at Rick.

His expression looked savage as warned, "You better do well to keep your mouth shut and not say anything about us to Chloe or else...."

He pushed me hard against the wall, making me wince in pain. He snorted and just walked away.

I groaned, my breaths erratic as I struggled to catch my breath. I was definitely leaving this place right now!

Going to the study to look for Mr. Michael, that was where he often stayed after coming back from work, I knocked softly at the door and waited, but didn't hear anything.

I cautiously opened the door, and there he was, fast asleep on the chair. I went inside and closed the door quietly, not wanting to disturb his sleep.

For a moment, I simply stood there staring at him. I just realized how handsome he was. I stood there lost in thought when suddenly I felt his eyes on me.

I glanced at him; he was awake! I blushed hard and looked down wondering if he'd caught me staring.

Regaining my composure, I took a deep breath and said, "I came to see you, Sir."

He nodded, "Please have a seat."

I shook my head,my mouth suddenly felt dry but I mustered courage and revealed,

"I came to say goodbye Sir; I'm leaving."

He stayed silent, his stare became so intense the more he stared at me. He was about to say something when his phone suddenly rang.

"Excuse me." He stood up and went to answer the call. I released the breath I never knew I was holding all this while and tried to wipe my sweaty palms on my dress.

Why was I feeling so anxious?

He came back after a few minutes, stopped in front of me and muttered, "What if I say you can't go?"

"Sir?"

"You heard me, Larissa."

"But you don't have a choice; I want to leave," I said adamantly.

"I don't?" He came close to me, his eyes staring intently at me.

Suddenly he leaned in, his lips brushing softly against mine. I felt a jolt of electricity go through me and suddenly we were kissing each other passionately.

I pushed him away, my chest heaved in deep breaths. What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I control myself around Rick's father?

"You can't go," he repeated.

"I can't continue working here either."

"That doesn't matter; you are not going anywhere and that's final."

I gritted my teeth and said stubbornly, "You can't stop me. I've already made up my mind"

We both turned at the sound of the door opening. Rick and his girlfriend suddenly walked in.

"Hey Dad, Chloe's here to meet you," Rick announced, visibly stunned to see me in his father's study.

Michael nodded, " It's so nice to meet you Chloe. Pardon my manners, I will soon join you both at the dining."

Meanwhile, Rick stared at me coldly, making me flinch a little under his stare.

Suddenly I felt a warm hand on my waist as Michael stood behind me. His hand felt strangely reassuring, and I felt a lot better.

"Chloe, this is Larissa, She'll be joining us for dinner later." Michael introduced.

If Chloe was surprised by the introduction, she didn't show it. Her eyes simply flashed with recognition while Rick's mouth hung agape.

"What's going on Dad, why are you introducing Larissa to my girlfriend? Isn't she our ma-"

But Michael was quick to cut him off, "From today henceforth, she no longer works for the Walton's household; she's my guest, and you'll do well to treat her as such."

Rick still couldn't believe his ears as he stared strangely at me.

"Its good to meet you, Miss Larissa," Chloe greeted, her attitude suddenly friendlier.

I nodded, "Likewise Miss Chloe."

To be honest, I had no idea what Michael was up to, but as long as it irked Rick; I decided to play along and enjoy the feeling while it lasted.

We all sat down to eat dinner. I sat at Michael's right; the chair on his left was oddly empty. Rick and Chloe sat across from me.

As I ate, I quietly listened to Chloe's animated description of college and her academic prowess.

Suddenly Rick turned to me, smiling, "You've been awfully quiet Miss Larissa, surely you too could tell us about your college days."

He was probing me; I knew he wanted me to make a fool of myself.

But Michael suddenly spoke, "What's there to talk about? College is mostly about books and graduating with good grades just to get a good job and live comfortably. There are other things we could talk about."

I smiled at Michael's attempt not to make me feel awkward. I've never attended college and Rick knew it.

I smiled in gratitude at Michael, and my action didn't escape the watchful eyes of Rick.

I politely smiled and said, " I didn't go to college; I dropped out when I couldn't afford the tuition, but I did attend an online business school where I graduated with distinction."

I saw the surprise on Rick's face; he clearly didn't know about that. This was one of the courses I had secretly enrolled for with my salary so as to be groomed in the business world because I had foolishly thought I would marry Rick and help him out in the company.

Michael's phone suddenly rang again and he excused himself. Immediately he left, Rick turned to me.

"Whatever you think you're doing; I can assure you that you will fail."

I glanced at Rick coldly and was about to reply him when I heard Michael say,

"Is that how you'll speak to your soon to be step mom? I'm disappointed in you, Son."

I saw Rick's face flinch as his face drained of color. Chloe had a thoughtful expression while I was also utterly shocked by Michael's words.

"How....how, how's that possible?" Rick stammered.

I was just about to ask the same thing; how the hell did I just become Rick's soon to be step mom?