Deceiving My Bully Stepbrother
[BK 2] Chapter 5

(Ava)

I don't think I have ever been so happy to see someone in my life...even if that someone probably hated my guts..which honesty, I can't blame her.

All of that stuff that happened during our freshman year was such a train wreck that I'm embarrassed to even think about it.

What I told Johnnie was true.. She and I really weren't that much different in high school..well, from what Caspian said about her at least. I used to be labeled as the class nerd..considering my father was the principal at the school, I tried to just stick to my studies and do the best I could.

It's hard having a parent constantly breathing down your neck..and then when the kids around you hate your dad with a passion..it makes things much worse.

My dad was always strict and had certain rules I had to follow. Things like a dress code and curfew..I know lots of kids had those..but with my father, it went way beyond that.

He would monitor my every move, constantly correcting the way I spoke or walked..even the way I breathed.

My parents got divorced when I was ten years old, and since my mother had a lot of mental health issues at the time, I was put in my father's care.

After years of being suppressed and bullied at school..I honestly expected my college life to be the same.

So that summer I spent with my mom and her new husband.. it opened my eyes to a lot of things and even a new wardrobe.

And when I started my first week at school, I was shocked that so many people wanted to get to know me..the real me.. Then I met Caspian..I couldn't believe that someone like him was interested in someone like me.

He wasn't my first though..no..sadly that was taken by that a*****e Brett at a party. It all happened so fast and then he pretty much ghosted me afterwards.. Many paragraphs are missing. Read the complete book on J o-b n-l b. c (o) m. Once Caspian started showing me attention..then Brett began coming around again. I made a lot of mistakes that year..but one of my biggest was how I treated Johnnie.

I knew what it was like to get bullied and talked about behind my back..so the fact that I did that to another person. I felt weak and disgusting...like I didn't even know who I was anymore.

So after Johnnie and Caspian got married..I knew it was over with Cas and I had to let it go and wish them the best. Of course rumors went around that I was still hung up on him..but honestly, I was just trying to move on and replace myself again.

So the moment I saw Johnnie walk into the room, relief flooded through me. This was my chance to apologize and hopefully end that chapter. Even if she decided not to give me a second chance, I still would feel relieved just for getting to apologize to her. Then my stepdad Richard Hart offered me this internship. He is the CEO of River Records and a freaking millionaire.. I was shocked when Mom told me she was getting remarried..but when she also said the man had a son..I was hopeful at first. I never had a sibling growing up and always wished for it.

But then I met Theo..the most egotistical, arrogant, and cold-hearted guy I had ever met. Seriously..he is the freaking worst! The first time we met, Richard drove us to a really fancy restaurant and I wore something I thought was cute..it was a long-sleeved pink dress that went down to my knees..

Theo looked at me with a scowl on his face all night long. Then I heard him talking on the phone to one of his friends or something. Saying I seemed like an entitled brat who was always used to getting her way.

He didn't even know me..but maybe the fact that he was six years older than me made him feel that way.

Yeah..I didn't go around him much after that. Just the occasional dinner every couple of months. I know Theo's mom passed from cancer when he was a teenager..so I tried to be understanding of the situation. Thinking it might be hard to see his dad moving on after all of those years. But he is just way too much of a jerk.

So once I found out I would be working under him directly, I was shocked..and almost bailed on coming today..but I couldn't do that to Richard. He has been nothing but nice to me and my mom both. So I decided to s**k it up and do it. Luckily I hadn't run into Theo yet..and I hoped not to before the end of the day.

"Oh god..I'm falling asleep over here..let's go on a coffee run." Steven chirped before jumping to his feet and looking between Johnnie and I.

"Are we allowed to leave?" Johnnie asked softly, her eyes peeking around at the stacks of papers surrounding us.

We were in charge of stapling the brochures together for the upcoming charity event..and there were lots of brochures. "As long as we bring the Queen B something back, she won't mind." Steven added with a smirk.

I'm guessing the Queen B he was referring to had to be Caitlyn. Yeah..she didn't seem to like us very well..but maybe it wasn't personal, Steven said she doesn't really like anyone.

I looked over at Johnnie as she slowly stood and I walked up beside her.

"It will probably be good to take a break. You seemed deep in thought over there." I noted, not trying to pry or overstep my boundaries..this was all new and I didn't want to screw up my second chance.

"Yeah..I'm just missing my family. Sorry if I'm bringing the mood down." She apologized, making me shake my head no adamantly.

"No, not at all..I was just going to say..well, you can talk about it and stuff..if you want." Oh god..how much lamer could I get?

Johnnie gave me a soft smile and was about to speak when she suddenly bumped into someone, making me gasp.

We both peered up at the same time, our gaze landing on the tall man standing before Johnnie as he looked down at her with humor-filled eyes.

Great..Theo..

"I see you didn't take my advice from earlier.m" He said lowly, making Johnnie's cheeks redden as she quickly stepped back.

What advice was that? Had they met before? I glanced between the two curiously as Johnnie began to apologize..and that's when my stepbrother's gaze landed on me..making all the humor he once had completely disappear.

"And where do you think you are going?" He asked, making my jaw clench as his rude tone made me feel instant irritation. "To get coffee for everyone sir." Steven chimed in, trying to save our asses.

"And you need three people to do that? Two will be enough..Ava, get back to work." Theo ordered..making my blood boil.

I was no stranger to being ordered around..my dad did it my whole life and I would be obedient to all of it..but hearing Theo order me around..I didn't like it. In fact..I freaking hated it..which surprised me because I was never one to break the rules or push back. "No." The word slipped out before I could stop it..and when I saw that murderous look fill Theo's burning gaze...I knew I might've made a mistake..a very very big one.