Casey
I can't believe it. I still can't believe it.
Cesar. He's here, in my stepfather's house. And apparently, he's going to be my stepbrother. Apparently, we're going to be one big happy family.
How did I not know this? I should have known this. I should have put it together. But I didn't.
My mom told me I would come here and meet Leonard's son, but I never expected it to be Cesar. I didn't even ask for his name. I don't know why— but I should have. His name is Blackwood. I should have realized it and put it together. But I didn't.
And this feeling I have right now isn't the same feeling I had five years ago when I first met him. Back then, I was enamoured. I had a crush. I was in love with him. I cringe at my younger self.
But now?
When I look at him, all I see—all I feel—is anger and hate.
He got to go out there. He got to make himself. He got to become this big business mogul. He's going to be the CEO of Blackwood Company. The biggest company on this continent.
But what about me?
What about everything that happened to me?
When he moved forward, my future got fucked.
When we were talking earlier at the table, and he acted surprised that I hadn't graduated yet, I was so angry. Furious. I nearly screamed in his face.
I wanted to tell him that it was all his fault. That I had to drop out of university because of him. Because of what that night cost me, while he got to move on like nothing happened, I had to bear the consequences.
But I couldn't.
It took every ounce of strength in me not to say it. If I had, it would have destroyed more than just me and Cesar. A lot of people were involved, and I would hate for one outburst to ruin everything.
As we sat watching a holiday movie, I felt so tired. And so was Victor.
So, I pick him up and start heading upstairs. My mom notices us leaving.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm just going to give Victor a bath and put him to bed," I say.
She gives me a knowing look. "Do you still remember where your room is, or do you need Cesar to help you upstairs?"
"It's fine, I got it," I answer quickly before Cesar can even stand up.
But of course, he still has something to say.
"I'm an only child. So, as your new big brother, let me just say—I've been waiting all my life for this role."
I glare at him, refusing to acknowledge his words and start heading up the stairs.
I saw the look in his eyes. I know that look. He's up to something.
I don't know if he's waiting to taunt me about what happened that night or if he's planning to use it against me, to threaten me with our past.
Whatever it is, I want no part of it. In fact, I don't want to be anywhere near him.
My mom didn't even tell me they were going to ask Cesar to hire me as his personal secretary. That's like putting him in my face 24/7. I'd have to see him every single day.
I couldn't refuse the Idea at the dinner table, not with the whole family watching. But tomorrow morning, I'll talk to my mom.
I'll tell her I don't want the job. I'll do waitressing. I'll do anything.
I just do not want to be anywhere close to Cesar Blackwood.
"I'm sorry for the long walk upstairs. Do you want me to help you with him?" he asks.
When we reach the first floor, Cesar steps ahead of us, moving in front since Victor is in my arms.
"I'm fine," I say quickly, tightening my grip on Victor.
Cesar opens a door and steps aside. "This is Victor's bedroom."
"Thanks," I say curtly as I step inside.
He stands at the doorway, watching as I put Victor down. I wanted to give him a bath, but he was already asleep—tired from the long day. So I decided to just tuck him in and let him rest.
But as I turn toward the door, I realize Cesar is still standing there. And he's looking at me in a way I can't quite read—a way I do not like.
"What are you still doing here?" I ask.
"I wanted to show you to your bedroom," he says calmly, with a disarming smile.
I don't trust that smile for a second.
"No thanks," I reply. "I know it's a door down. I can get there. Do not worry about me."
"That's not going to work," he says with a smirk. "Like I said, I'm your big brother. I've been waiting for this role for a long time."
"And like I said," I finally muster the strength to meet his gaze, "I do not need your help. I can do it by myself, no thanks to you."
He doesn't move. He doesn't even get the meaning of my words.
"Well, you better learn how to start taking directions since you're going to be working under me," he adds.
Maybe it's in my head, but the way he says it—his tone, his expression—there's something there. Something suggestive.
No.
There can't be an innuendo in that sentence. Not after the way he treated me. Not after what happened five years ago. Not after our meeting today and finding out we're going to be a family.
But he still doesn't budge. He keeps standing there at the door, unmoving.
"It's fine if you keep standing there," I say, forcing calm into my voice. "But for tonight, I'm going to be sleeping in Victor's room."
His eyes narrow, and his expression hardens as if I've just thrown off whatever expectation he had.
I don't know what he was anticipating, but it definitely wasn't this.
"I'm sure Victor is old enough to sleep on his own. Come, let me show you to your room," Cesar insists.
"Thanks, Cesar, the great, but I'm sleeping with my little Victor."
His eyes narrow slightly, but I continue before he can say anything.
"It's his first time in this house, and he gets unsettled in new places. He'll probably wake up shouting during the night, asking for me, so I'm just going to sleep here until he gets used to it."
Cesar studies me. I meet his gaze head-on.
There's something between us—an unspoken challenge, though I don't even know what we're challenging each other about. I just want to forget him. Forget what happened.
What was up with him anyway? He is acting really Weird.