To Hate My Stepbrother

Mason’s POV

“Thank you.” I remarked when she finally allowed me into her room and it looked pretty much the same just as I remembered it except there were little touches there and it doesn’t really look like much.

Sitting, we both got to talking and I asked her about how she got here and since when she’d been around since no one told me anything about her presence.

She seemed to have shut me out completely out of her life, she kept things from me and wouldn’t talk to me and it hurts but I wasn’t mad because I knew how much pain I’d caused her and expecting her to just run into my arms would be absurd.

“Well, I’ve been here for over six months now and things have been pretty great, better than it was in LA,” she answered and I smiled as I watched her talk.

Seeing her now was beautiful and it seemed as though all the colors my world had lost were now restored. Staring at her is enough therapy and I just want to do things… to her.

“And now I work in a small company but it’s great and everyone over there is friendly and welcoming.” Her sweet voice jolted me out of my thoughts and I blinked multiple times as I shook my head to stop myself from thinking.

“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry for the way I acted at our dinner months ago,” I started and I could see her lip curve into a small smile.

“It was so insensitive of me and I should’ve been more reasonable instead of suggesting something as stupid as that.” I finished and she shrugged.

Brushing me off, she asked me to stop apologizing and just leave the past in the past and a tiny part of me wished she was also referring to what had happened between us.

Could we also just leave that in the past and start all over again?

I wanted to start all over again, I wanted us to give it another chance and this time I know I’ll get it right, I know I wouldn’t act so stupid with her and lose her again.

We talked for a while and it was killing me to tell her about how I feel about her but I was too much of a coward to talk about it since she didn’t bring it up either.

Sighing, we finished talking and she walked me out of her room. I haven’t felt this relieved and at peace in years and I knew it was because of Ava.

“Goodnight, Mason.” She said, her lips called out to me and I just wanted to lean into her and kiss her before saying my own goodbye but I couldn’t do that either.

“Goodnight.” I replied softly before turning to leave for my room.

***

Finally settling into my penthouse, work started immediately and I got so engrossed that I barely even had enough time for myself.

I had no idea being a CEO came with a lot of pressure and responsibilities, I’d thought I could handle it until I got to know how many meetings I attended in a day.

The company also needs me to approve some projects and I also have to be there when each department is pitching their ideas.

It was exhausting but I enjoyed it because I’ve always felt like life wouldn’t be that much a burden if you stress yourself out by yourself and so that was what I did until my phone rang.

I picked it up to see that it was a call from my dad and he’d called to check on me. I checked on my stepmom too and she sounded happy to see me and that was when it hit me.

Ava! I haven’t called or talked to her in a while. Pinching the bridge of my nose I scrolled through my contact list and I finally found her number.

With each sound my phone made my heart would skip a beat and I couldn’t stop thinking about the kind of man she must think that I am.

“Hey Mason!” She answered her phone cheerily and I was taken aback a little bit. I liked the tone and it made me want her even more.

We talked on the phone for a while and I invited her out for a cup of coffee which she obliged to and I couldn’t be happier.

We hung out and it was the nicest coffee date I’ve ever been to. We spoke about our parents’ relationship and also about my new company and how running it as the CEO has been going.

“Well, you could get it to the right place and I wouldn’t mind working for you.” She joked and we both laughed.

It’s been a while since I heard the sound of her laughter and it sounded like pleasing music to my ears.

How could I have been a fool to let her go the first time?

I’m trying to get her back and this time no matter how bad it kills me, I will never ever let her go like I did the first time.

We finished talking and I walked her to her car as I watched her drive off.Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.

We continued talking for a while and even made it a habit to go out together for a cup of coffee or lunch once every week.

I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me that I was still madly in love with her, I wanted her with every ounce of me and I couldn’t deny it.

I’ve always been in love with her ever since but I’ve been too scared to admit it to myself or to anyone so I never really told her because I’d thought my actions would do the talking but not anymore.

Hanging out with her these past days has changed a lot about me, she brings out the best in me and for her I’ve always wanted to be a better person.

Maybe that’s the right thing to do, maybe I just have to change who I was and become the better version of myself so I can finally get to tell and also show her how much she means to me.

“It’s fine, you can do it.” I whispered to myself before closing my eyes to try and sleep.