ONE: CLAIRE

“Morning.”

My stepfather walked into the dining room carrying a leather jacket on his right arm. He looked very fresh and masculine in a pair of jeans and a white polo shirt. His copper hair was a little messy and damp, but somehow he managed to look that attractive even though he probably just ran his fingers through it.

My mother was very lucky to get a handsome and rich young man like Raviel Marshal. After failing twice in her marriage, and even being robbed by her second husband until my mother went bankrupt, this time my mother managed to get a husband who really spoiled her. Raviel not only fulfilled my mother’s material needs, but he also fulfilled my mother’s biological needs. And my mother had never complained about her bed life with Raviel. Very different from her previous husbands, my mother used to complain every morning because her husbands were rough in bed.

“Claire. Claire Osborn!”

I gasped in surprise. My mother and Raviel looked at me with two different types of gazes. My mother was obviously upset because she only called me by my full name when she was upset. As for Raviel, he threw me a flat, rather indifferent gaze.

“Sorry. Did I miss something?”

“How many times have I told you not to daydream at the dining table? What are you thinking about, huh?”

“Umm… I was thinking about how amazing our trip to Hawaii was today. I can’t wait to sunbathe on the beach,” I cringed awkwardly.

There was no way I was going to tell my mom that I was thinking about her bed life with Raviel, right?

Ughh… My mom would be furious if she knew what was on my mind and would immediately spank me hard, just like she used to do when I was naughty or when I accidentally broke her antique vase.

“Raviel asked you if all your stuff is ready?”

“Yup. Everything I need is in that pink suitcase.”

“Then Glen will put our suitcases in the car now. We’re leaving for the airport in half an hour.”

“Honey, have some breakfast first. I’ve prepared your favorite pancakes and black coffee.”

“I’ll just have some coffee since we have lounge facilities at the airport.”

“But I’ve prepared this many pancakes for you.”

“Let Glen take care of it.”

I put a piece of pancake in my mouth while watching Raviel kiss my mother’s lips so that she wouldn’t get mad at him. He was a great kisser. I wondered how his lips tasted that he could make my mother look like a wax statue that would melt in his arms at any moment. Raviel’s lips moved greedily on my mother’s, and he had just slipped his tongue into her mouth.

I gasped in surprise when Raviel suddenly turned his head towards me. He grinned between kisses, and I quickly looked down to pretend to eat the pancake. My heart was pounding so hard in my ribcage. It was fucking hot. My cheeks flushed, a mixture of embarrassment from being caught staring at them kissing and the sudden arousal that spread throughout my body. I was damned to want to taste my own stepfather’s kiss.

“I’ll wait in the car.”

I kept my head down, pretending to be cutting my pancakes. The corner of my eye watched Raviel's movements as he sipped his coffee and my mother, who always stood beside him like a lovely wife. I saw Raviel about to walk out of the kitchen, but I didn't expect Raviel to stop next to me and pat my shoulder gently.

“Finish your pancakes quickly, Claire. I don’t want us to be late.”

When I looked up, Raviel gave me a sexy wink. He left me gaping like an idiot. I guess I just made the wrong decision by going with them to Hawaii for their first anniversary. I should have stayed home and cleared my mind of the images of my hot stepfather.

-00-

Wow. I have no idea how much Raviel spent on this trip to Hawaii. He must have spent a lot of money on three first-class tickets to Hawaii.

I couldn’t help but gasp in awe as the airport staff escorted us to a very luxurious lounge. The interior was a classic gold, and it smelled so good. I don’t know what kind of air freshener they used, but the scent made me want to keep inhaling it. There were only a few people in the lounge, and they seemed indifferent to us.

My mom walked straight to a room with a door that said massage. She didn’t bother to bring me along because she thought my presence would interrupt her fun. I wouldn’t even be in this lounge if it weren’t for Raviel. He insisted on bringing me along to Hawaii, so we could celebrate their anniversary together as a family. Yeah, I know my mom would have preferred to just celebrate it with Raviel, but there was nothing she could do since Raviel was the one who sponsored our trip to Hawaii.

“You can take whatever you like from the buffet or you can order something from the waiter.”

“Yeah, but I’m full. I shouldn’t have had breakfast at home.”

“Is this your first time?”

I nodded slowly.

I know it’s sad, but I’ve never been out of LA in my twenty years of life. I always stayed home when my mom went on vacation with her husband.

“I hope this trip doesn’t disappoint you.”

“Disappoint me? You must be kidding. This trip is amazing. Even for me, a first-time flyer. Thank you so much, Rave. It means a lot to me, really.”

“That’s great to hear. If you don’t want to eat, you can try their wine or champagne. Feel free to order. It’s all free.”

I smiled widely. Raviel was very kind to me. He was the only husband of my mother who treated me like family, instead of a burden.

A week after marrying my mother, Raviel gave me a brand new, shiny Mini Cooper that left me speechless. He said he saw me get off a crowded bus, and he couldn’t bear to see me squeezed in there. Raviel also bought me a new cellphone and laptop for college. He paid off my tuition fees from the first semester, and he gave me more than enough money to buy my college books until I graduated. He was a generous stepfather. He was the best in my eyes.

“Do you want to go to the massage room too?”

“No. I don’t like massages.”

“Why?”

“I just don’t like it. But your mother really likes it. She always goes to the salon to get a massage twice a week.”

“Yeah, I know. Sometimes she looks exhausted in the morning.”

“Tired? Do you know what might make her tired?”

Did he just smirk at me? And what was the point of his question? It was as if he wanted to test my knowledge about his bed life with my mother. Tsk, I wasn't that innocent, even though people thought I was an innocent girl, because I had never dated anyone.

“Umm… My mother might be exhausted taking care of the house alone while I’m busy with my college projects.”

“Yeah, maybe she is. Let’s sit over there while we wait for boarding. You’ll love the view.”

“Okay. How long until boarding?”

“About an hour.”

This was the first time I had a conversation this close with Raviel. Usually we only had short chats at the dining table during breakfast or dinner. Our respective busy schedules made it impossible for us to talk. Raviel was even busier because sometimes he had to go abroad to take care of his businesses.

“How’s your college so far?”

My body stiffened. Raviel’s palm pressed against my lower spine as he guided me to a table for two near the large window that directly faced the runway. Again, this was the first time we had any physical contact other than a handshake and a brief hug after he officially married my mother a year ago. As a stepdaughter, I knew my limits in not getting close to him because my mother showed displeasure when I got too close to her handsome and rich young husband. My mother sometimes acted so silly, thinking I was her rival who would steal her husband.

“All good. Thank you for the support you have given me so far. I was able to attend several workshops and seminars because of your help.”

“Never mind. You are a smart girl. Shame, your mother wasted your intelligence by not giving you a proper education.”

“Yeah, I can understand our economic situation. Especially since her second husband ran off with our money. It was a real blow to us, especially my mother.”

“That bastard is in jail.”

I was shocked. I was about to ask him how it happened, but a waitress came to interrupt us.

“What can I get you something, sir?”

“A dirty martini for me and champagne for her.”

“Anything else? Maybe you’d like some breakfast or sweets before your flight?”

Raviel stared at me with his blue eyes that made me feel like I was going to melt in my seat right now. Dammit. Was he trying to give me a heart attack at a young age?