The tips of her fingers brush along the soft fabric of the hoodie sleeve covering my arm, the power from them surging through the material like lightning bolts. Goosebumps form on my skin as she withdraws her hand and leans back to look at me with her venomous smile.

She'd make the perfect fit for Nurse Ratched, except she's more beautiful and worse.

"It's very nice to meet you too, Mrs. Jung," I reply with a smile, ignoring the threat which still hangs in the air around me like perfume.

This is a complete disaster. How in the fucking world did I end up meeting the girl whose brother I had dated and whose mother I had– Shit, how can this be happening? Does the universe hate me or something? The panic surges in my heart, drowning me like a small boat in a hurricane. Waves after waves of that heavy sinking feeling makes it difficult for me to breathe, and the mother can tell, judging by the amusing glint in her eyes. Even if I manage to keep the panic down below the surface, you can't beat the years of acquired knowledge and experience of an older woman who can detect the slightest change in your emotions like a snake sensing its prey with the flick of its tongue.

She tilts her head before turning to Mira who is, of course, standing near the stupid couch completely oblivious to the interaction with her idiotic smile plastered on her face. "So, this is the woman who you think is a good choice for you, is it right?"

Mira nods, her braid bouncing a little. "She's actually pretty awesome!" Her smile widens.

"Oh?" The mother returns her attention toward me, baring her teeth like a shark. "Well, tell me, what makes you think you're qualified to move in with my daughter?"

I suppress the urge to let a frustrated exhale escape me. This woman always knew exactly how to get under my skin, and here she is, prepared to interrogate me and devour me like a helpless fish. Oh, I just know she's enjoying this.

"I'm the only decent roommate your daughter will ever find, especially in the short amount of time that you have provided her with. Plus–" I take a step toward her and lower my voice. "--I think we both know you wouldn't want to upset your daughter by taking away her freedom, now do you?"

The corners of her mouth twitch as a dangerous gleam appears in her eyes, the same one she had flashed at me all those years ago when she had found out about me and her son. I watch as the past covers her face like a dark shadow. Only she and I know the real reason why he had left for Korea, and apparently Mira doesn't know about my past with her family. She's just standing a few feet away with a hopeful kitten-like expression on her face as she eagerly awaits her mother's approval.

I know very well what would hurt Evelyn: if I slept with her daughter. It would be like driving a stake through her shriveled up dead heart. And as enticing as the idea is, I'd rather swim in an ocean full of sharks than sleep with that girl. I may love sex, but not that much as to use her to get back at her mother.

Because as much as I'm still mad at her for burning my hand, and now add on top of that she dragged me back into this family, it's not her fault. She's innocent in all of this. Or maybe she isn't. I don't know her, but I won't show any weakness either way.

"I suppose Mira here has informed you that the free boarding requires you to have a bodyguard skill set?" her honeyed voice spills through my thoughts.

"Oh, I didn't say it's a requirement," Mira says before I can reply

"Well, it is one now. Impress me, Natalie." The mother cocks an eyebrow with another one of her vicious smiles hanging on her lips.

Oh, you'll be very impressed alright, bitch.

"Let's see." I shift my stance so I'm partially sitting on the couch arm. The mother's cheekbones twitch as my weight makes it sink a little. "I learned how to shoot a gun when I was twelve, and I have a 3rd degree black belt. Not to mention, some forms of dance have some very, very useful attack moves." Her huffed response fuels my ego like gas to a fire.

"See, mother?" Mira beams. "She's perfect!"

Evelyn sharply inhales, flaring her nostrils as she glares at me. She looks like a dragon ready to blow fire at me from her perfect snout, but instead, an evil chuckle escapes her mouth before she waves her hand at her daughter. "Mira, I would love to speak with Natalie here in private. Go to your room."

Concern flutters over Mira's face as her eyes dart back and forth between us. "Why?"

"Do as I say," the mother barks. Mira flinches at the volume of her voice before quickly escaping behind the pastel pink door leading to her bedroom. Once the sound of the lock clicking appears, the mother whirls her head toward me. "What the hell do you think you're doing, you little whore?" she hisses, pure hatred distorting not only her face, but her voice as well.

I scoff, her anger failing to penetrate my steel of confidence."You think this is some sort of grand plan that I've cooked up to hurt you or something?"

"How else do you want to explain all of this?" She waves her veiny hand around, the shiny golden bracelet dangling against her wrist.

I shrug. "I don't know. One explanation though is that maybe the universe wants me to go through the entire  family." Amusement laces my voice, causing a dark frown to cloud her face.

"I will never allow a dirty slut to corrupt my daughter," she snarls.

With a grin,  I take another step until only inches remain between us. "I see my reputation precedes me." I love watching the emotions turmoil inside of her.

Do I mind being known as a slut? No. That's the thing about women compared to men. Men can fuck around and sleep with half the city and be known as winners, kings, alphas, and whatever stupid titles social media gives them, yet if a woman does the same, or even sleeps with just three people, she's called a slut.

Although I guess, when it comes to me,  I'm no different than a manwhore. And I don't care.

"I'm only letting you be my daughter's roommate, because I know how much she wants to live alone. And she must be really desperate to have settled with the likes of you. I'm guessing she doesn't know anything about what you did to this family."

"And I know that you will never tell her, otherwise that will ruin your relationship with your daughter the same way as with your son, now won't it?" I click my tongue. "Sounds like you're in a pretty tough situation."

A dangerous fire flashes in her eyes. "Listen here, you little whore. Don't make me slap that fucking smirk off your lips."

My smirk increases. "Oh? These same lips that were between your–"

The sound of a door flinging open cuts off my next words as Mira bounds out of her room, her cute face scrunched up in unease.

"Is everything okay? I heard an argument here. Eumma, please let Natalie move in with me." She hops from one foot to the other as she juts out her bottom lip toward her mother with a begging espression.

A loud sigh escapes Evelyn's mouth as she casts another glare in my direction before softening her expression just a little and smiles at Mira.

"Don't worry about anything, darling. Natalie and I were having a little... chat about her qualifications."

"And–?" Mira's hopeful eyes dart between us like a kitten focused on a treat.

Another disappointed sigh floats out of Evelyn. "She may stay–"

"Yay!" Mira excitedly exclaims, throwing her arms around her mother's pilate body frame.

"--for now," Evelyn finishes, frowning at the interruption.

"Thank you, Mrs. Jung. And you have absolutely nothing to worry about," I add, making sure to let a hint of taunting coat my voice.

The top of her nose flinches at me in anger before she kisses the top of Mira's head. "I'll be leaving now then. I have a date with your father at one of those so-called hot spots. I swear he tries too hard to fit in with this new generation. I do hope you can join us sometime next week for dinner. Perhaps you will meet a nice, rich young man."

"Eumma, please." Mira's adorable face suddenly scrunches up in disgust, much to my enjoyment.

"Alright, alright. I know you don't like talking about it. But you're not getting any younger."

Mira stares at her in horror. "Mother!"

"I'm going, I'm going." Evelyn gathers up her purse from where she had thrown it on the couch earlier.

"I'll show you out,"I say, winking at Mira as I follow Evelyn down the entranceway.

"Getting a little too comfortable, aren't you?" she grumbles. With a smirk, I open the door and wait until she steps out into the ridiculously luxurious hallway.

"Don't worry, Evelyn," I lick my lips, stressing her name. "I'll take very good care of your daughter."

She whirls around and opens her mouth to say something, but I don't let her when I close the door right in her face. That old hag will now be fuming the entire way to her car, and if I managed to ruin the rest of her day, especially the date with her stupid fucking husband, then all the better.

"Well, that was close." Mira says as I re-enter the living room.

"I told you, I can handle your mother." If she only knew the ways she hand handled me all those years ago. That would be such sweet, sweet revenge. But revenge for what? For being her plaything? Aren't I doing the same thing? But that would be entirely her fault, wouldn't it?

I groan, rubbing my temples to remove those thoughts.

"Everything okay?" Mira asks, concern etched in her soft voice.

"Yeah, everything is great." Walking into the kitchen, I grab the bottle of scotch from one of the bottom cabinets, the cherry-colored wood smooth against my skin.

"So..." Nervousness accompanies her voice. "About the second bedroom..."

I set the bottle onto the counter. "What about it?"

"It's not ready. The mattress and everything haven't arrived yet." Mira taps her fingers against the granite surface.

"Okay..." I open the Scotch, the welcoming strong smell appeasing my senses. "Do you have anything else here, or maybe a hidden pull-out couch?"

"No... but I have an idea!"

If the last forty-eight hours have taught me anything, it's that no idea that has come out of this girl's mouth was good.

"You can stay in my bed."

I simply raise an eyebrow at her as I take a sip and refrain very hard from commenting on that. "And what about you?"

She shrugs. "I can sleep on the floor."

"Oh, come on princess, there's no way your small ass is sleeping on these hard floors."

She rolls back her shoulders with a bratty huff. "I'll have you know, I used to be a girl scout, so I'll be fine."

"Oh really? What did you do, fight bears?" With a chuckle, I take a swig of the Scotch.

"No! We love animals! We even saved a tiny cute bunny from being someone's dinner!" Her high-pitched voice prompts me to glance at her standing beside the coffee table with her arms crossed. I'll admit... She looks passionately adorable, with her face scrunched up in judgment as her worried eyes dart from the glass in my hand to me. And that only further strengthens my resolve to not let her sleep on the floor like a dog while I hog her bed for the night.

"Whatever," I mumble, finishing the remnants of the forty-old Scotch. The older the alcohol, the better. Just like women. "I don't care what you say, I'll sleep on the floor."

"Or–"

I set the empty glass onto the counter with a clink. "Or?" Tilting my head to the side, I wait for her answer as her mouth opens with hesitation.

"Or..." Her face reddens slightly. "We can sleep together in my bed for tonight."