Chapter 2 The house

Chapter 2

The days went by easily. I rarely saw Daddy Zero, but at night, we'd always have dinner with Mommy.

I eventually got used to calling him Daddy Zero. I forced myself to, even if it felt awkward at first. The house became more peaceful too - they no longer fought all the time. Sometimes, I even saw them talking, and honestly, that was enough to make me happy.

I could finally feel what it was like to have a complete family.

The only problem was that I barely saw them because they were always busy with other things.

"Should I put on makeup?"

I turned to see a flamboyant classmate stressing in front of the mirror, staring at a tiny pimple near his lip like it was the end of the world. His eyes were tearing up like he was carrying a huge burden.

We were in the school bathroom at the time.

I let out a small laugh, which made him snap his gaze at me.

"Hestia! There's nothing funny about this!" he said, rolling his eyes at me, making me laugh even harder.

He was being so dramatic! It was just a tiny pimple, but you'd think it was bigger than Earth by the way he was acting.

"Calen, it's just small," I said, trying to cheer him up. "Maybe your period's coming," I teased.

He rolled his eyes at me again.

Since I transferred here, Calen was the only one I'd gotten close to. Probably because we sat next to each other. He was loud, and he worried about the smallest things.

"What if Kuro sees this?"

I sighed. We both liked Kuro. Sometimes, he'd even pull my hair jokingly and say I was stealing his man. This weirdo - what a character.

"Kuro likes me, so he won't even notice you," I teased back.

He glared at me.

Kuro was famous on campus. It wasn't just us - practically every girl here liked him. Who wouldn't? He was a basketball player, singer, and dancer. Every school event, you'd see him performing. Maybe it was his talent that made people fall for him. He was smart, rich, and from what I'd heard, his sister was a model. Practically perfect. Which was probably why I fell for him too.

"As if!" Calen shouted.

We headed back to class as it was about to start again.

When lunch came, Calen was practically bouncing with excitement about seeing Kuro. Honestly, I was excited too.

"Girl, look at Kuro!" Calen whispered excitedly, lightly hitting my shoulder.

I glanced over at Kuro's table, where he was sitting with his friends. Watching him made me smile. His lips were a soft red, so much so that even from afar you could tell. His sharp nose added to his good looks. His long, chocolate-brown hair was tied in a ponytail, with a few loose strands that somehow made him look even better. But the most captivating thing about him was his eyes. They were a little narrow, and when he wasn't smiling, he looked so serious. It was no surprise everyone was crazy about him.

I froze when he suddenly looked in our direction. I quickly averted my gaze and pretended to eat. I'd probably stared for too long and he noticed.

"He looked at me!" Calen squealed.

"In your dreams. He was looking at me!"

We both rolled our eyes at each other.

After eating, we were about to leave the cafeteria when I heard a familiar, raspy voice.

"Hey."

Calen and I turned around at the same time and saw Kuro standing nearby with his four friends.

"A-ah... hey?"

Why was I stuttering???

I felt Calen's death grip on my arm. I think this crazy one was trying to hold back his excitement. Meanwhile, my hands were trembling.

Sh**! Was this really the kind of effect Kuro had on me?

He cleared his throat. "You must be Hestia Reign Destaun?" he asked with his raspy voice. I managed to nod. "So you're my sister's friend?" he added, raising his brows.

I was speechless. So handsome! Lord, please... make him mine!

"H-huh?" I blurted out, confused.

Who's his sister?

"I'm Natasha Vilior's brother," he said, reaching out his hand.

I quickly shook it. Lord, thank You for this blessing!

Calen and I returned to the classroom, both giddy. Calen couldn't stop jumping from excitement over seeing Kuro up close, while I kept staring at my hand. His hand was so soft!

Tomorrow, I swear - I'm going to pull Natasha's hair. How could she not tell me she was Kuro's sister?!

That afternoon, Calen and I waited by the school gate for our rides home. The crazy one was still gushing about Kuro's good looks. I couldn't even argue because it was true. I was so distracted smiling to myself every time she mentioned Kuro's name that I didn't even notice a familiar car stop in front of us. Good thing Calen nudged me.

My jaw dropped when I realized it was my stepfather's car. Wait - he's picking me up?

I swallowed hard as he got out, his serious gaze immediately landing on me. He approached, and since he was tall, we had to crane our necks to look up at him. His gaze flicked to my hand still clutching Calen's arm. Seeing his serious expression, I quickly let go.

Wouldn't want him getting the wrong idea - Calen's gay, after all.

"Get in the car," he ordered, his voice cold and serious. Calen instinctively stepped back.

I glanced at Calen before getting into the car. Once inside, I looked back out the window. I could clearly see Daddy Zero glaring expressionlessly at Calen. After a few tense moments, he finally got in the car too.

He drove in silence. I was used to calling him Daddy, but I would never get used to his intimidating presence. Every time he was home, the maids would immediately quiet down and scramble to work because if not, they'd be in big trouble with my mom's husband.

His presence was terrifying. Even I was scared of him. I could tell Mommy talked to him, but I could also see the fear in her eyes.

I took a deep breath and sat up straight when I noticed we were nearing the house. He parked inside, and just as I was about to open the door, it wouldn't budge.

I turned to find him staring at me seriously.

"What did I tell you, Hestia?" His voice was firm. "Didn't I say you're not allowed to have a boyfriend?" he snapped.

I swallowed hard.

"H-he's not my b-boyfriend, Daddy–"

"Stop f**king calling me Daddy," he growled, clearly trying to hold back his anger. "Just call me uncle or anything else - it would be better." He took a deep breath.

I, on the other hand, was holding mine. He was terrifying. One wrong move, and it felt like it could be the end of my life.

I didn't get him. Wasn't he the one who told me to call him Daddy before? I looked at him again as he spoke.

"I never wanted you to be my daughter, Hestia," he said coldly.

I woke up the next day with a smile on my face. The memory of holding Kuro's hand yesterday instantly brightened my morning. But that smile quickly disappeared when I remembered what happened yesterday afternoon. I could still feel Zero's angry, serious, and intimidating presence.

I call him Zero because that's what he told me to call him yesterday. When I got out of his car, he told me to just call him by his name. I couldn't do anything but nod because what else could I do? His aura is terrifying - especially when he's serious. Then again, his face always seems serious.

The first and only time I saw him laugh was when Grandpa introduced him to us. He laughed along with everyone, but it never happened again. Sometimes I wonder... does he even want to marry my mom?

I fixed my bed and then took a shower. After getting dressed, I headed out. I wanted to go to school early today because I wanted to talk to Natasha. Ever since she helped me find my classroom, we've gotten along well. She's three years older than me - she's already in senior high while Calen and I are still in high school. That's why we rarely see each other.

When I arrived at school, the first face I saw was Calen's. I told him I was going to Natasha's building because I wanted to gossip about her brother, Kuro.

I honestly had no idea Kuro was her brother. I was completely clueless. They don't even look alike, and Natasha is older. Since Kuro and I are in the same grade, I never expected him to have an older sister. I always assumed he was the eldest.

I instantly smiled when I saw Natasha in their room. She was quietly staring out the window. When her eyes met mine and she noticed the flamboyant Calen behind me, a smile finally appeared on her face.

"What are you two doing here?" she asked as we approached. She glanced back at her classroom before eyeing us again.

"Kuro's your brother, Asha? You didn't even say anything!" Calen exclaimed.

Sometimes this guy can be really weird.

"Hehe," Natasha scratched her head. "You guys never asked. And when I found out you both liked him, I told him to talk to you."

I smiled at that.

"Can you tell him to court me too?" I teased.

They both burst out laughing, making me pout.

"Our cousin on our mother's side scolded him yesterday. Turns out my cousin knows you. How are you related to Hanzero Lior?" Natasha asked, puzzled. "He almost punched Kuro yesterday. He forbade Kuro from going near you." She scratched her head again.

My smile faded.

Cousin? Hanzero Lior?

The man my mom married... is their cousin?

I looked at Natasha again as she spoke.

To Be Continued...