My Step-Dad Is My Mate
Chapter 22

One Week Later

I stared at my gown with a Cheshire cat grin. I tried on my cap andsmiled in the mirror.

Graduation is tomorrow. I can't believe it.

After tomorrow I'll officially be done with high school

And tonight...well I'll be talking to my mom after something reallyimportant. Everything has changed since Richard accepted the rejectionbut that doesn't stop my original plans.

My neck began to burn again, indicating to me that the Naproxen waswearing off. I dug around in my bag for the pill bottle and popped one.Let me explain. Naproxen is a pain killer I now have to take 3 times aday to avoid the full on pain of my mark. Since the rejection it'shurt..bad.

When I asked Mama Odie about it yesterday, she told me it hurtbecause of the rejection and the only way to stop it is either to takeback the rejection- which is never going to happen- or get someone tomark over it- which I'm not sure when that is going to happen so theybetter have a lot of Naproxen in storage.

Unfortunately it doesn't hold for the entire day, I take one in themorning two in the afternoon then I take the pain at night.

My phone rang and I picked up.

"Hey Aiden."

"Hey Dani. What's up?" He said in an unusually cheerful voice whichmade me raise a brow.

"What's got you so happy?" I asked suspiciously.

"What? I can't be happy my best friend is graduating tomorrow?” Heasked and I chuckled

"Since when were we best friends?"

"Besides the point" Aiden quickly said,” I'm just really proud of you. Youworked hard for this and came out successful despite all you had goingon."

"Yeah I know right. But what did you call for exactly?"

"Well" Aiden cleared his throat,” I wondered if you wanted to go todinner tonight. Not a date or anything just a little congratulationsdinner. Maybe a movie after?”

"Uh..." I said, clueless if I should go or not. It's not a date so I guess itwould be okay.

"Okay Aid, that sounds good. Pick me up at around 9?"

"Why so late?" He asked.

"I have something I got to talk to my mom about first." I replied.

"Oh alright. I'll see tonight Dani." He said and I nodded, even thoughthe couldn't see me.

We said our good byes then I hung up.

Now I need to replace something to wear for tonight. This is going to befun.

Not.

Aiden’'s POV

I got off the call with Danica and turned to face him.

"I've found somewhere else for you to live. New life, new everything.You're welcome and you may go."

"If we weren't on your land right now I swear..."

"You swear what? There isn't anything you could do to me. I'm doingthis for Danica. You and her will never be together" I said to Richardwith a smirk.”

"Neither will you and her. I did what you wanted. I accepted herrejection. But was that really necessary?" He said, gesturing to myphone.

"I'm taking her our for a congratulatory dinner. No biggie." I said with ashrug.

“I might have may wrong decisions by her but that doesn't mean itdoesn't bother me any less.”

"You have no say-infact you never had a say. She isn't your mateanymore Richard."

He squinted his eyes at me and growled.

"I'll leave after her graduation.”

I shrugged.

"I can accept that. Have a good one Richy.”

Richard stood up and mumbled to himself before leaving my officewith a loud slam of the door.

All I'm trying to do is keep Danica safe. She won't want to see Richardeveryday after a rejection

Although she seems like she is doing okay, I know better. I know arejection is nothing easy plus the pain she goes through with that markis enough.

My phone vibrated in my hand.

Unknown number.

I sighed and picked up.

"Is it done? Is he going to leave?" I heard her voice on the other side ofthe phone and I rolled my eyes.

"Yes Roseanna. It's done."

Danica's POV

That night...

I straightened up my top, gently fluffing out it's black frills then appliedmy light pink lip gloss.

"Someone's getting dolled up.”

I smiled and twirled around.

"It's nothing much. Aiden is taking me to dinner tonight.”

Mom clicked her tongue.

"I figured. You and him have been talking a lot the past week.”

I glanced at my mom through the mirror.

"Yeah...I guess so." I added a shrug.

By the smug look on mom's face, she obviously thought something."No mom. No, no. We aren't dating. We're just friends." I said andstepped away from my mirror

to my vanity to get my purse.

"If you say so..." Mom mumbled and I rolled my eyes.

"There is something I've wanted to talk to you about though.”

Mom looked at me with wide eyes then moved to sit on my bed."That doesn't sound good."

"Well it is. I mean maybe to me rather than you...Mom I'm m-"

Beep beep!

What the h

"Get your ass down here little Missy!" Aiden's voice rang out in myhead and I silently cursed him.

Talk about bad timing.

"Aiden?" Mom asked and I nodded.

"Get going sweetie. We'll talk later.”

I gave my mom a hug and grabbed my flats near door and quickly putthem on.

"See you mom!"

I jigged downstairs then out the door, shutting it behind me.

Aiden was leaning against his car, watching me with a smile.

"You look gorgeous." He said and I rolled my eyes

"Thank you but I told you 9. It's barely 8:30."

Aiden shrugged. "I was excited to see you. Besides now we'll have moretime to hang out. Come on, get in."

He opened the passenger's side door for me and I thanked him beforegetting in.

He soon got in and started up the car.

"Ready to go?"

"Ready." I looked at him and smiled. Returning my smile, Aiden backedout onto the road then drove up onto the street.

Even though this isn't a date, it kinda feels like one and I just hope weget no interruptions this time.