Falling for my supposed cousin

5PM, NEW YORK CITY, SMITH'S MANSION

A black jeep entered the enormous compound and finally stopped in front of the mansion-like building.

"We're here Miss" the driver said and Amelia opened her ocean blue eyes, she got her eye colour from her dad but her facial features are definitely from her mom, she's a splitting image of her mom.

She stayed with her parents in Los Angeles, she just got an admission into Ravenhill college, one of the most prestigious college in New York city and since her dad won't let her stay at the dorm she was arranged to come stay with her Aunt's family since they are based in New York.

Amelia pressed her face lightly against the glass, her wide eyes drinking in the sight before her. The estate stretched further than she had imagined, sweeping lawns trimmed to perfection, a fountain glittering at the center, and the mansion itself rising like something pulled from a glossy magazine. Marble walls, wide glass windows, and the kind of grandeur that made her small suitcase feel embarrassingly out of place.

She stepped out, adjusting her simple cardigan against the warm afternoon breeze. The air here smelled different, it smelled rich with roses from the garden and faintly of polished wood drifting from the open doors.

As soon as she stepped down from the car she saw her aunt coming out of the house. The driver was already offloading her things from the car booth.

"Aunt Evelyn" she smiled and went ahead to hug her.

"Oh stop calling me that, you're making me feel old" Evelyn said. She always insists on being called by just her name, according to her, adding an aunt makes her feel old, typical Evelyn she's still the same even after many years.

"You've grown so much little Ammy, and you've become so much prettier" Evelyn said as she cupped her cheek and hugged her.

"Aunt stop it, I'm not a kid anymore, I'm nineteen and officially a college student " Amelia said and flipped her brown coloured hair back as if to show she's really a grown up now.

Evelyn couldn't help but laugh, "Yeah, I get it you're a grown up, no need for the attitude" She said with a smile.

"Let's go inside" Evelyn said

Inside, the house was breathtaking. High ceilings with chandeliers glittering like drops of frozen light. The floor was polished marble, smooth enough to see your reflection. Staff moved quietly in the background, carrying trays, arranging flowers, as if they were part of the walls themselves.

Amelia tried not to gawk, but it was impossible. This wasn't just a house. It was a palace.

When they got to the living room they heard footsteps approaching from the stairs. "Is Ammy here yet" Olivia said rubbing her eyes, it seemed she just woke.

Olivia is Evelyn's daughter, she's the same age as Amelia and she also just got into college, the same college as Amelia.

After rubbing the sleep off her eyes, she looked at her mom and Amelia sitting together on the couch and exclaimed her brown orbs widening, "Oh my gawd, did an angel fall from heaven, she's so pretty"

"Silly, this is Amelia" Evelyn said, she couldn't help but chuckle.

"This is Ammy?You've become even prettier, I almost couldn't recognize you" Olivia laughed, hugging her tightly. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for this? You and me, under the same roof. Finally!!!!" she squealed like a kid.

Amelia laughed, hugging her back. "I still can't believe my parents let me move here."

"They had no choice," Olivia teased.

"College without me? Impossible." Olivia said.

Amelia returned the hug and couldn't help the smile that came on her face. "Thank you, you look lovely as well, Olie" She said.

Even though it's been a long time since they last saw each other, the two girls have always kept in touch, having been practically like twins when they were younger.

"We have so much to catch up about, finally there's someone i can talk to in the house" Olivia said in a sing-song tone, making Amelia laugh harder.

She's liking it here in New York already.

"You guys can talk later let Amelia go freshen up, she must be exhausted after the whole journey " Evelyn said.

"Olivia go show Ammy to her room" She added.

"Come on. Let me show you to your room, it's right next to mine!" Olivia said.

"Come with me ma'am" she continued making a gesture of ladies first, and everyone laughed.

"Yes sire" Amelia said, bowing dramatically.

When they got upstairs Olivia pointed at the room on the far end of the corridor and said. "That's my brother's room, he's still not back yet, probably went out with his friends".

Then she opened the door opposite it and said. "This is your room, my room is the one next to yours ".

"Call me if you need anything, I'll leave you to freshen up" She added heading downstairs.

"Thanks Olie" Amelia said with a smile and entered the room.

Her luggage was already inside her room, she looked around loving the purple coloured walls, she loves purple so much, the bed sheet and duvet are a mixture of purple and white, it looked so good.

She jumped on the bed and groaned rubbing her eyes, she's sure feeling sleepy right now.

She got up from the bed and started unpacking her things, halfway through it she heard a male's voice call from downstairs.

"Mom, I'm home"

The voice sounded so soothing to the ear, that must be Liam. Olivia's older brother, he's two years older than the both of them and he's in his third year in college.

Not long after she heard the opening and closing of the door opposite her room, she shrugged and continued with her packing. After she's done with that she grabbed a towel and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

She changed into a short and a big tee, tied her hair into a ponytail and headed downstairs.

When she reached the dining hall, Evelyn and Olivia were seated plus a male figure, he was backing her.

She went closer and Olivia asked her to come sit beside her which was directly opposite Liam who was busy on his phone, he hasn't looked up yet.

She smiled and went ahead to sit. That's when Liam lifted his head, her ocean blue eyes locked on his grey orbs, she could swear she heard her heart skip a beat.

Liam was literally checking her out openly 'This is Ammy? She's so fucking sexy' he thought inwardly.

"Look who we have here, the little kitten is all grown up" He said with a smirk.

Amelia almost squirmed in her seat 'Where the fûck did this Greek god originate from, the Liam she remembered doesn't look this good' she thought.

There's something with the way he calls the kitten that always got to her, he calls her that since childhood.

"Hey Liam," She said, rolling her eyes at him while secretly trying to avoid eye contact.

"Oh the kitten can talk now" He said with the smirk still plastered on his sexy as fûck lips.

"Stop teasing her Liam" Olivia said with a laugh.

"You'd better stop bothering her or I'll throw you out of the dining room" Evelyn said as she glared at Liam.

Liam raised his hand up in a surrender gesture, they began eating after that.

"Ammy lectures already started since a week ago, you're lucky you have me and we're in the same department" Olivia said.

Amelia looked up ready to reply but she choked on the food when her eyes met with Liam's and he winked eyeing her chest area.

"Ohh dear, have some water and Olivia wait till we're done with dinner before you talk to her" Evelyn reprimanded as she passed Amelia the cup of water closest to her.

"Thank you," Amelia said after taking the water.

"Sorry Ammy," Olivia pouted.

Amelia glared at Liam but he just smirked at her.

After dinner everyone retired to their room for the night's rest, Olivia still wanted to chat but she eventually left Amelia after seeing she was tired and needed to rest.

.....

6AM, NEXT MORNING, SMITH'S MANSION

Amelia woke up from the sound of the alarm, glaring hard at it all she wanted to do at that moment was to smash it to pieces, but sadly she has a 7am class today so she had to drag herself to the bathroom.

After washing up she changed into an ocean blue crop top and a high waist mini skirt then matched it with a knee length boot, she doesn't like wearing makeup cus well, she doesn't need it.

She put on her favorite lipstick, carried her bag. Opening the door she came face to face with Liam, her ocean blue eyes meeting his grey once.

'He's got such pretty eyes' she thought then scolded herself, immediately she remembered what happened last night her cheek heated up.

"Good morning kitten" Liam said with a smirk immediately he saw her.

"Morning Liam," Amelia said.

"And wipe that stupid smirk off your face, it's annoying" She scoffed.

"Fiesty are we, i like it" He said with the smirk still plastered on his face.

" And also whatever you were doing at dinner last night you'd better....."

"What was I doing last night, kitten" He cut her off, moving closer to her.

She backed away rolling her eyes, going downstairs, leaving him with a view of her perfect behind, and he must say she has a perfectly rounded ass.

Getting down Olivia was already at the dining table having breakfast. "Morning Ammy" she called excitedly.

"Morning Olie, Morning aunt" Amelia greeted sitting and grabbed a pancake to start eating as well.

"Morning mom" Liam greeted his mom with a peck on the cheek.

"Morning to you too dick" Olivia said with a fake smile.

Liam just rolled his eyes at her.

"Language," Evelyn said and hit her on the head.

"Mom!!!!" Olivia whined and pouted.

Amelia couldn't help but smile looking up, her eyes met with Liam's own watching her with an interesting smirk on his face, she looked away and pretended as though she didn't notice it.

'She has such a nice smile' He thought and his smirk widened when he saw her avoid eye contact.

.....

RAVENHILL COLLEGE

Liam found a place and packed his car when they arrived in college, they drove with him since Evelyn wouldn't let Olivia drive.

Amelia clutched the strap of her bag as she stepped out of the car. Students spilled across the wide courtyard, some rushing with coffee cups, others lounging in groups, their laughter carrying in the morning air. The university was bigger than she'd imagined, sprawling lawns, tall glass buildings, and a buzz of energy that made her stomach twist with nerves.

She had promised herself she'd blend in, keep her head down, and focus on her studies. Invisible that was safer.

But her plan is definitely bound to crumble the moment Olivia loops an arm through hers, having she's definitely the social type.

"Don't look so scared," Olivia teased, steering her through the crowd. "This is going to be amazing. You've got me, remember? And my brother..." She lowered her voice with a sly smile. "Well, he's impossible to avoid."

As if on cue the moment Liam stepped out of the car, she began hearing murmurs around.

"Is she new"

"Seems like, oh my gawd she's lucky, she actually came with Liam and Olivia"

"Who knows, maybe they related"

"Oh my gawd, Liam looks so hot"

Amelia looked shocked and turned to look at Olivia.

Olivia chuckled when she saw her expression, "Don't be surprised, they are crazy about Liam"

Amelia hasn't seen Liam after they came to school together, Olivia had helped her with the registration work and they had their first class already.

"Let's go to the cafeteria," Olivia said.

On their way there, they ran into Liam in a corridor kissing a girl.

Amelia stopped in her tracks, she couldn't help the dull pang she felt in her heart seeing that scene.

"Don't be surprised by that, he's a typical player" Olivia said as she rolled her eyes at Liam when broke away from the kiss and smirked at them.

"He's a player?" Amelia asked, trying to avoid looking his way, she could feel his eyes on her.

"Yes, I wonder what they all see in him" Olivia said, making a gesture of someone who wants to vomit.

Amelia couldn't help but chuckle.

....

CAFETERIA

When they got to the cafeteria Olivia around and waved at two girls and one boy already sitting at a table.

"Common Ammy," Olivia said, pulling Amelia with her.

When they got to the table a girl with blonde hair spoke, "Is this your cousin, she's so pretty, she looks like a doll" she gushed and the rest chuckled.

"This is Lizzy," Olivia said, pointing to the blonde.

"Hi baby doll" Lizzy waved at Amelia.

"Hi" Amelia replied with a smile, she liked her already.

"That's Isabel and that's James" she said pointing to the brunette, then the only boy.

"And guys this is Ammy," She concluded.

"Hi Ammy nice to meet you"

"Nice to meet you guys as well," Amelia replied.

They all sat together and started chatting while eating, Amelia got to know that James was in his third year, while Lizzy and Isabel were in their second year.

James has been checking her out since they sat down but Amelia doesn't even notice.

They started hearing noise in the cafeteria and looked around to see what was causing the noise.

Turns out it was Liam and his friends, three of them came in and the cafeteria became noisy with people murmuring.

"Ohh my gosh they look so good"

"Especially Liam, I'd die in peace if I can just be with him once"

Amelia almost choked on her food when she heard that, "What the...." She said,

Everyone at the table chuckled when they saw her reaction. "You haven't heard anything baby doll" Lizzy said.

"Hey kitten, how's your first day in school going" Liam suddenly called out from their table.

The cafeteria was in an uproar after that, Amelia looked around confused, "Why are they all over reacting?" She said.

"Well my brother doesn't take the initiative to speak to any other girl except me" Olivia said.

Amelia looked over at their table and saw a blonde sitting on Liam's laps, she's not the same girl as the one they saw him kissing, Isabel saw her looking over and said, "That's Bianca, she and her minions call themselves the queen B's, they are crazy thrust me" She said.

"Don't you dare lay your hands on my baby" Lizzy whispered dramatically, Amelia looked over and saw a brunette girl try to touch one of Liam's friends.

"That's Oliver, her crush, he's too innocent to be friends with my brother if you ask me" Olivia chuckled and explained to the confused Amelia.

"Of course my baby is too innocent, he's such a cutie," Lizzy said with a dreamy expression.

"And their third friend is Noah, he's a dick" Olivia said then rolled her eyes when Noah looked over and winked at her.

"Guys I'll see you later, I've got class" James said standing up.

"Bye James" they waved at him.

"We've got class as well", Isabel said dragging Lizzy who still wanted to keep staring at Oliver with her.

Amelia couldn't help but chuckle.

.....

6PM, SMITH'S MANSION

In the living room, Liam lounged on the leather sofa with his phone in hand, sneakers propped on the glass table. Amelia walked in, clutching her books, and frowned.

"You know, for someone living in a mansion, you have terrible manners."

He looked up, amused. "And for someone staying here for free, you complain a lot."

She huffed, heading toward the library room at the end of the hall. "I'm not complaining. Just making observations."

"Observations?" He rose smoothly, trailing after her with that irritating grin. "So you're observing me now?"

She stopped short, glaring at him, heart hammering faster than she wanted to admit. "Don't flatter yourself."

For a moment, their eyes locked, his teasing gaze against her stubborn one and the air between them tightened. Then her Olivia popped into the hallway, holding up her phone.

"Mom texted she wouldn't be home until next week" She said.

"Great, I'm hosting a party tomorrow night" Liam said with a grin.

"No you're not, you remember what happened the last time you did?" Olivia almost yelled, her eyes widening.

"Yes I am, and stop exaggerating" Liam scoffed.

"I don't think a party is a good idea," Amelia said, rolling a strand of her hair around her finger nervously. She does that whenever she's nervous.

Liam looked at her action and chuckled "Why are you nervous, it's just a party, relax" He said.

"I'm gonna go make the preparations, And relax lil sis" He said clasping his hand on Olivia's shoulder.

"We are not hosting a party Liam..." She yelled after him.

Amelia looked at their departing back and shook her head, 'tomorrow is going to be a long day' She thought. Not that she doesn't attend parties but she's just not a fan of it.

....

In the middle of the night, Amelia woke up tasty and headed to the kitchen to get some water. She walked down the stairs rubbing her sleepy eyes and made it to the kitchen.

She didn't bother turning on the lights and used the moonlight filtering through the window as a guide to make her way to the refrigerator. After taking a bottle of water to drink she turned around to head back upstairs but bumped into a wall, wait it's not a wall she's in someone's arms.

"Careful kitten" Liam whispered beside her ear.

She suddenly felt hot all over. She hurriedly took a step back and almost tripped.

Liam looked at her red face and chuckled, 'is she blushing' He thought.

"Cute" He muttered to himself.

"Don't sneak up on me like that" Amelia said and glared at him in an attempt to cover up her blush. That's when she noticed he was shirtless.