The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

Today, David was going to a high school reunion and decided to drive Paul and his girlfriend Stacy there as well.

As soon as Paul got in the car, he started complaining, “The invitation clearly said to bring a partner, David. You’re not following the rules.”

David glanced in the rearview mirror. “Mind your own business!”

Stacy, having heard some stories about them from Paul, was curious about Annabel. “I heard your girlfriend was your student. Why didn’t you bring her?”

David was already troubled by the fact that Annabel had been ignoring him for days, probably still upset about the Lola situation. He could only smile nonchalantly in front of Stacy. “She’s busy today.”

Stacy, full of gossip, continued, “Did you fall for her at first sight and then carefully cultivate her? That kind of love story is so romantic.”

David laughed it off. “No, no, don’t listen to Paul.”

Stacy kept asking questions, and David patiently responded until they drove into the underground parking lot. Finally, she quieted down. He always thought Annabel talked a lot, but compared to Stacy, Annabel seemed reserved.

As they got out of the car, Paul whispered to him, “Are you and Annabel doing okay? I saw her a couple of nights ago, racing with a group of people. They were going crazy, with several police cars chasing them.”

Stacy immediately chimed in, “So, it was them we saw that night! Which one was Annabel? The one drinking on the sunroof or the cool one driving?”

David’s face darkened instantly. Annabel’s friends were all into gaming and clubbing, and she was no different. She had toned it down a lot since they started dating, but whenever he was too busy to keep an eye on her, she’d still sneak out. Even the recently popular Mason had picked her up from school a few times. Now that she was on vacation, being around those unruly friends, she must be like a wild horse freed from its reins. He could tolerate many things, but street racing was something he couldn’t accept; she had solemnly promised him she wouldn’t do it.

Paul, annoyed by his girlfriend’s nosy nature, pulled Stacy back, signaling her to stop talking.

Stacy realized she might have said too much and stuck out her tongue in embarrassment.

David suppressed his anger and tried to stay calm. “She’s just playful. I’ll find a time to properly talk to her.”

Stacy was surprised. “You treat her like a daughter.”

Paul added meaningfully, “I noticed you’re not that attentive to her. If you don’t contact her for days, you better watch out. What if she finds someone else? Where else are you going to find a girl as loyal as her?”

David felt a bit stifled. “Not attentive? Over the years, I’ve worried about her so much that I’m almost growing gray hair.”

“That’s different. You used to care about her as her teacher. Now you’re her boyfriend; it’s a different role.”

Stacy chimed in, “A girlfriend is someone you pamper and care for. Have you ever given her flowers, created romantic surprises for anniversaries, or comforted and supported her? Have you done any of that?”

David was dumbfounded. He’d never done any of that stuff before. Annabel had even been the one to confess her feelings. She was a pampered young lady who would sit in the cold bathroom scrubbing his shoes, albeit not very cleanly. When he returned to the dorm late, she would soon bring him a hot meal. When they went shopping together, she never demanded anything extravagant. After doing this she’d latched onto him, demanding he repay her with hugs and kisses.

He had grown accustomed to these things.

Paul’s lament brought him back to reality. He stretched out an arm and pulled Stacy closer, teasing David. “I don’t know what to say about you. It’s a miracle you have a girlfriend when I had to work so hard to woo mine.”

Stacy turned her head, feigning a threat. “What do you mean by that?”

Paul quickly adopted a sycophantic tone. “I mean, you were hard to win over, which makes you great.”

“That’s more like it.”

As the couple snuggled up, David seriously wondered if he needed to reflect on his role as a boyfriend.

It was dinnertime, and they waited at the elevator for a while. From a distance, they saw a pink MINI COOPER pull in. The car stood out, and Paul couldn’t help but glance at it.

“That car is so girly. I bet a cute girl will step out.”

Just as he finished speaking, the driver’s door opened, revealing a tall young man with a casual, stylish outfit. He stood with his back to them.

Stacy chuckled, and Paul looked puzzled. “What? It’s a guy?”

But within seconds, Annabel jumped out of the passenger seat, slammed the door, and Paul glanced at David. “No way, speak of the devil.”

The young man turned around, revealing a striking face and a cold demeanor-it was Logan. He opened the car door, took out a coat from the back seat, and handed it to Annabel. She didn’t put it on, instead, she draped it over her arm. The underground garage was chilly, and her face was flushed red-who knows what they had been doing. Logan gestured towards her coat, saying something they couldn’t hear from afar. Annabel gave him an impatient look but still put on the coat.

Paul glanced at David with a gloating expression. “You may not care, but someone else does, and they live in the same house.”

David’s eyes were fixed on the scene. As the elevator arrived, David pointed towards it, expressionless. “You guys go up first. I’ll be there soon.”

Paul, noticing David’s foul mood, chuckled and pulled Stacy into the elevator, not forgetting to tease him. “Starting to feel a sense of crisis?”

David grumbled, “You talk too much.”

Annabel and Logan headed towards the opposite elevator. David pulled out his phone and dialed her number, watching as she looked at the screen and then shoved the phone back into her pocket. They both entered the elevator. Grinding his teeth, David took a step forward, intending to follow, but they were already out of sight. He called her again, but her phone was off, clearly determined to avoid him.

Feeling helpless, he went upstairs to look for her but couldn’t find her. His phone buzzed non-stop with calls from old classmates urging him to join the reunion. Reluctantly, he headed to the private room for the reunion.

Most attendees had brought their spouses or girlfriends, and as soon as he walked in, someone teased, “Where’s your little girlfriend? Why didn’t you bring her?”

David, distracted, brushed off the question with a few casual remarks.

The group exchanged drinks and reminisced about their school days and current lives. The evening passed quickly. After dinner, everyone decided to go to a karaoke bar. David, not in the mood, was about to excuse himself when a chorus of voices insisted he stay.

The karaoke bar was next door. They booked a large private room and continued drinking and singing. David, feeling a bit irritated, soon stepped out.

The elaborate crystal lights cast a kaleidoscope of colors on the glossy marble floor, creating a dazzling scene. From the other end of the hallway came the familiar sound of high heels clicking on the floor. David’s heart leaped with joy, and he walked toward the source.

Annabel was leaning against the railing. She was wearing a black knee-length skirt, matching stockings, and stood with her long legs crossed. She held a cigarette in her hand, her gaze wandering as she stared at the ceiling.

As he approached, she finally noticed him.

She didn’t snuff out the cigarette as usual, instead flicking the ash. She glanced at him coldly. “What?”

David didn’t say anything. He took the cigarette from her and tossed it into the trash can, then stepped closer to her. He put his arm around her waist, feeling her slender, soft frame, but her body reeked of smoke.All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

“Don’t smoke anymore, okay?”

“I’m upset.” She turned her head and asked him with a hint of sarcasm, “Do you know who you’re holding?”

He hesitated, a bit helpless. “Annabel.”

She pushed him away, her face cold. “Leave me alone. Let me be quiet for a couple of days.”

Annabel turned to leave. When he tried to follow, she suddenly snapped, “I’m telling you, I’m really mad right now. You better stay away. I don’t know what awful things I might say!”

She was truly angry this time, but David couldn’t just let her go. He caught up, pulled her into a hug, and pinned her against the wall. She struggled and fought back, but David firmly held her wrists against the wall, preventing her from moving. He leaned down to kiss her.

But this time, it didn’t work. She kicked him hard in the shin, making him grimace in pain. She knew karate and didn’t hold back at all. David’s face twisted in agony.