Amelia Wilson

After what happened at breakfast, I locked myself in my room for the rest of the day. I hated everyone here, but that guy Zaid, he's so freaking mean for no reason! It's not like I told my mom to marry his dad. It's not like I am happy with it.

I sat by the window for hours, watching as the sun slowly faded into the night. The city lights twinkled like distant stars, their light breaking through the darkness. My stomach growled loudly again.

I looked into my bag, I only had 20 dollars left. But that was enough. I stood up and got my coat. It was a bit cold outside.

I put it on, then shoved the 20 dollar bill into my pocket. Opening the door, the scent of flowers immediately hit me again. But as my eyes darted around, I noticed a completely dry and withered rose flowers, it was right next to that guy's room.

Mom and Andrew both left for a date earlier, so I didn't need to ask for permission to go out.

I made my way to the living room. But the blood froze in my veins when I saw him sitting right there, playing on his Xbox. I just stood there staring at him.

He glanced up, and then his eyes met mine. He smirked evilly. "Hey beggar girl, go get me a soda can from the fridge." He said sarcastically.

For some reason, my tongue was knotted. My throat was dry. And I could feel my heart beating rapidly.

He snapped his fingers. "Ay! Beggar girl, didn't you hear my command!?" His voice rose a bit.

I flinched and backed away. 'He's going to hurt you,' a voice in my head whispered. I clenched my fists tightly, I just wanted to run out of the house. Away from him.

He raised an eyebrow and then jumped up from the couch. At that moment, I felt really alerted. My hands were so cold and sweaty. 'You won't be able to fight back... he will take advantage of your weakness, your body... just like-'

"Stop!!" I snapped out of my panicking situation. "If you! If you want to hurt me, I... I won't let you! I w-will fight back!" My voice was really shaky, and tears were already forming in my eyes.

He looked at me with confusion. He stopped walking towards me and just crossed his arms behind his head. "What's up, Beggar girl? Why are you acting as if I would eat you or something?"

He then slowly walked towards me, and I could feel my heart beating so hard it was echoing in my head. My body trembled as he stood right in front of me, looking down at me with a smirk

"You're so scared," he said in a mocking tone. "I can see your pathetic body trembling. You're just a fragile little girl, aren't you? Afraid of her own shadow."

"No! No, I am not..." I backed away from him.

He stepped closer, his eyes filled with a mix of malice and satisfaction. "You are. You're just a coward pretending to be brave. Your words are empty." He said, a cold smile spreading across his face

"Stay away from me!" Unfortunately, my tears betrayed me. They started dropping one by one. 'He will take advantage of you.' The voices kept screaming in my mind.

He smirked at my tears, his eyes darkening even more. "There we go, now that's what I wanted to see," He stepped closer again, his tall figure casting a shadow over me. "Pathetic..." He muttered under his breath. "That's all you are."

My breath hitched. I saw a flashback, a horrible one. That man... the man who... I can't let this happen again! I promised not to let it happen ever again!

With a quick move, I lunged forward, I pushed him out of my way and rushed for the front door.

He stumbled back slightly, surprised by me suddenly pushing him out of my way. "What the fu-k?" He cursed under his breath, his eyes burning with anger.

I heard him follow me, but with my adrenaline fueling my legs, I made it to the front door in no time. But as I was about to open it, I felt a strong grip on my wrist, pulling me back forcefully.

"Please don't hurt me! Please don't hit me... Please, I am sorry! I swear I-" I literally felt the color draining from my face. I should've stayed in my room. I should've been smarter... he will hurt me, he will...

Suddenly, I heard him snap his fingers to get me back to reality. "Hey, hey! Calm down, I won't hurt you, okay!?"

"Let me go... please." I whispered.

"You can't go out. It's freaking raining outside, Beggar girl." He let go of my arm. "That's why I stopped you." He rolled his eyes.

I backed away from him again, feeling my heart still beating rapidly. He didn't seem like he was going to hurt me... He just stood there with his hands on his hips, looking at me with that same cold expression.

His words seemed to make sense, and as I looked outside, I was hit with a harsh gust of cold wind. The rain was pouring down relentlessly outside, the street lights barely visible in the sudden downpour.

"Why were you going out anyway?" He asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I... I just wanted to buy something..." I whispered, I was so scared, I just wanted  this to end... all of it.

He raised an eyebrow and rolled his eyes. "Buy something? Do you really think anyone will allow you to go out in this weather?" He scoffed and crossed his arms.

"Also, what exactly were you planning to buy? I bet you don't have any money, beggar. What do you think you will buy with empty pockets?"

I glared up at him. "Don't f-cking call me that. And I do have money. Leave me alone."

He smirked, a condescending laugh escaping his lips. "Oh really? I bet it's just a few bucks. That won't get you anything."

He stepped closer, "But I have an idea. You could beg in front of the store. I'm sure they'll be so touched by your pitiful story and give you some change."

His words sliced through me like a blade. The mockery and disdain in his voice were unbearable.

I wanted to punch him until he couldn't breathe anymore, but unfortunately, I was so much weaker than him. "You're a f-cking jerk. Are you usually that mean to everyone you know!?"

As I yelled at him, a smirk spread across his face. "Oh, now she has some fight in her. But don't be so aggressive, beggar girl. You're not gonna last long with that attitude."

He took a step closer, his tall figure towering over me. "And yes, I am usually that mean to useless people... like you." He shrugged his shoulders with nonchalance.

My fists were clenched tightly, my eyes filled with rage. "You're a f-cking bully. You enjoy putting down others because you're insecure on the inside." I retorted, my voice low and icy.

He tilted his head back and laughed out loud. "A bully? Oh, that's rich. Coming from a low life like you." He paused, then leaned closer to my ear, his hot breath making me feel uneasy. "And just so you know, I'm not insecure. I'm just realistic."

I tensed up, I had to get out of here, away from this basterd. "Just shut up... I am going back to my room."

Before I could step away from him, he suddenly grabbed my arm again. His grip was firm and tight. "Wait, just a damn minute, we're not done here."

I tried to yank my arm away, but his hold didn’t loosen. I glared at him, feeling my blood boil.

"Since you will be living here, there are rules. Beggar girl. First, you will always bring me stuff if I ask for something. second, never.touch.my mother's stuff.
When dad and your mom are not around, consider yourself just a maid here. Your ass is going to the same school as me. Don't let anyone find out that you are my stepsister... understood!?"

My heart raced as he listed out the rules, each one more unbearable than the last. "Y-you're kidding... right? You're basically making me your slave!" I protested, my expression filled with disbelief.

A dark smile crept onto his face. "Oh, I am completely serious. And if you don't obey, I can make your life even more miserable than it already is." He grinned menacingly.

I yanked my arm away from his grip. "F-ck you okay! I don't give a sh-t, who do you think you are huh!?"

He seemed to grow amused by my outburst. "Ah, there we go. That's the spicy attitude again. Watch your language, though, beggar girl. You're not doing yourself any favors."

With a lazy wave, he dismissed me like a servant. "Go now, you're boring me."

My eyes were just wide open. Was he crazy or something? "What if I say no!?" For some reason, I had some courage to talk back.

A mocking smile spread across Zaid's face. "If you say no? Oh, that would be quite interesting." His eyes darkened, and his tone dropped to a menacing level. "Go ahead then, refuse. Let's see what happens when you defy me."

He took a step closer, his expression dark and dangerous. "I'd love to show you just how much power I have here." His voice was cold and sharp, sending a shiver down my spine.

Suddenly, all of that courage faded away completely. He was really intimidating, I tried to keep a strong face, but I was already trembling with fear. I just freaking hate men so much. "I...I am not afraid of you..." I whispered, but it was a lie. I was terrified.

His smile widened, and he stepped even closer. "Oh really? You're not afraid? Then let's test that, shall we?" His eyes glimmered with a sinister gleam.

Zaid's hands curled into fists, and he smiled darkly as he leaned forward a bit. But just before he could say anything, the sound of the front door opening caught both of our attention.

"We're back!" We heard Mr. Andrew's cheerful voice echo through the hallway, along with my mother's soft giggles.

In an instant, Zaid's expression shifted back to his usual cold demeanor, and he hastily moved away from me.

Devin and Dylan both ran out of their room, where they were playing on their PS5, they went to Andrew to greet him. Devin even greeted my mom, and smiled softly. I never saw her showing this expression before.

Mr. Andrew glanced at me a Zaid, we both looked really tensed up, and it was clear that something was off.

"Everything alright over here?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, his tone laced with curiosity and concern.

Ziad faked a smile, if I didn't see his dark eyes a minute ago, I would have been fooled by them. "Yeah yeah, actually, we're starting to get along. Right?"

He glanced at me, I gritted my teeth and just nodded.

Mr. Andrew glanced between us, skepticism evident on his face. But Mom, who was just amused by the flowers, Andrew bought her, seemed to buy Zaid's excuse. Her face lit up as she joined the conversation. "Oh, that's wonderful news!" She smiled blissfully.

Zaid put on the most charming smile he could manage, "Yeah, we're working on it. It's just a matter of time until we become really close siblings."

I stood there, feeling a mix of disbelief and frustration at his fake display.

Mr. Andrew's gaze softened at my mom's happy expression. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, his eyes filled with affection. "I'm glad to hear that, sweetheart."

I stared at the happy scene unfolding in front of me, feeling a mix of frustration and disgust. Seeing them together made my heart ache, a painful reminder of my broken family. And now, my mom was smiling genuinely only because of their newfound relationship. It felt like a betrayal.

Everyone walked towards the kitchen, we were supposed to follow them, but he placed a hand on my shoulder. He leaned a bit closer, and whispered darkly. "Play along... because if you don't, there will be consequences."

His words sent a chill down my spine, and my body tensed up at his threatening tone. But a defiant fire burned within me.

"Or what?" I retorted softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

His grip tightened around my shoulder, and his eyes darkened. "Oh, you have no idea how much worse I can make your life." He smirked coldly, his words laced with malice. "But if you comply, you might have a relatively less painful experience here."

He removed his hand from my shoulder and walked past me, making his way to the kitchen.

I felt so angry, I wanted to kill that guy!

Thoughts on Zaid?