Chapter 5 "Obsessive Brother"

• Ethan’s POV (Harriet’s Stepbrother)
• Because our family's business was struggling, I had been working extra hours and hardly ever went home. So, when I finally got the opportunity to step back inside the house, I was really looking forward to spending some time with my stepsister, Harriet.
• However, Mom asked us to welcome an important guest who turned out to be nothing more than a rogue with no Pack. Nevertheless, he was a potential investor, so I decided to stay put, hoping that I would get a chance to talk to Harriet afterwards.
• "Hello, Mr. Lucas. I'm Amelia, Connor's wife," Mom introduced. She pointed towards me and added, "And this is my son, Ethan."
• Lucas's intense red eyes locked onto me. I raised an eyebrow and greeted, "Good evening."
• "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Wonder and Ethan," Lucas replied before shifting his gaze to my sister.
• And damn. The way he looked at Harriet didn't sit right with me. I was so used to seeing men staring at my stepsister with intense gazes, but his was different. There was something in his eyes that I couldn't quite put my finger on, but it annoyed me nonetheless.
• "So, who might this beautiful lady be?" Lucas asked, gesturing towards Harriet. "Is she your daughter?" he inquired, looking at Dad.
• Dad nodded and replied, "Yes, she's my youngest child, Harriet."
• Harriet took a deep breath before stepping forward and politely introducing herself, "Hello, I'm Harriet." She remained calm and composed, extending her hand for a handshake.
• "It's a pleasure to meet you, Harriet," Lucas said, taking her hand. But it didn't stop at just a handshake.
• That bastard bowed his head and kissed the back of her hand!
• What the…!
• Couldn’t take it anymore, I walked in between them and pulled Harriet’s hand away from his grip. “WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING?” I bellowed with a growl.
• "Ethan," Mom interjected, trying to calm me down.
• “I THINK IT’S INAPPRORPIATE FOR YOU TO SUDDENLY KISS MY SISTER’S HAND OUT OF NOWHERE,” I warned.
• “I am sorry,” that bastard apologized. “In the place where I came from, its customary to greet a lady in this way.”
• “Is there a place for a rogue,” I went on, mocking his origin.
• “Ethan. THAT’S ENOUGH!” When Father warned me, I had no choice but to shut my lips. He looked at the irritating guest and said, "Mr. Lucas. Please try to understand. My son tends to be overly protective of his sister."
• Overly protective? Huh! Bullsh*t. How can I not react when he slyly kissed Harriet as much as he wanted! I cannot even hold my sister’s hand in front of everyone!
• “No worries. I get it,” Lucas said.
• Father then suggested, "You must be hungry. Let's have a meal together."
• "Absolutely."
• They made their way to the dining room, with my mother shooting me a stern look before following my father. Meanwhile, I couldn't help but observe our guest closely.
• Something inside me just didn't sit right about this rogue being in our house. And that feeling only grew stronger when I caught a glimpse of Harriet's expression.
• Her cheeks were flushed as she stared at the rogue's back with a longing gaze.
• Did she really fall for him just because of his looks?!
• Damn it!
• I have to teach her a lesson so she learns to behave!
• ** **
• Harriet’s POV
• When I was standing in front of Lucas Hayes, I could feel the ground giving way beneath me. It was a crazy coincidence that the person who took my virginity turned out to be our guest!
• But what if it wasn't a coincidence at all?
• If Lucas had known who I was all along, it changed everything. Using him as a pawn backfired, and now my whole plan is at risk.
• The anxiety was overwhelming, a sharp pain in my chest as my mind raced to find a solution.
• Luckily, I was excused from dinner and went back to my room, locking myself in.
• "He's going to be here for months. How long is this going to last? He wouldn't spill everything to Dad, right?"
• I paced around my room, looking for any answer.
• “Maybe, I should just ask him to keep it a secret and pay him for keeping his mouth sh…” I stopped murmuring as I realized how stupid I was.
• Did I really have to pay him with money?
• I mean, he's loaded, so my money probably means nothing to him!
• "Ugh! I can't believe I actually gave him money after we slept together."
• I bet he's just enjoying messing with me, isn't he?
• I plopped down on the bed and gazed out the window of my room. The only option I have now is to confront him and plead.
• With that in mind, I stepped out of my room, hoping to run into him. But to my disappointment, there was no sign of him anywhere.
• If anyone catches me wandering around the guest's room, they'll definitely find it suspicious.
• “Maybe, I can just see him tomorrow,” I said to myself.
• Feeling suffocated, I opted to take a stroll in the garden. The night air was refreshing, helping to clear my mind.
• As I walked on, the smell of tobacco drifted towards me. I turned my head and spotted a man's silhouette under the tree where the smoke was coming from. He was leisurely smoking, his profile visible as he turned his head.
• "Could it be...?" I whispered in shock as I realized it was Lucas.
• My heart raced as I watched him, his dark hair swaying in the breeze and his intense red eyes gazing up at the starlit sky.
• ‘He’s captivating, really.’
• I had been hoping to catch a glimpse of him earlier, but now that I finally did, I was completely at a loss for what to do. When he suddenly turned around and spotted me, my immediate instinct was to make a quick getaway.
• So, I swiftly turned on my heels, ready to make my escape. However, the nimble man swiftly grabbed hold of my wrist, preventing me from fleeing.
• "Where do you think you're going?" he asked, his breath coming out in heavy gasps. I glanced back at him, meeting his gaze.
• "You walk so fast, despite having such short legs," he playfully teased. "I know you saw me. Why are you trying to run away, Miss Harriet? Or should I address you as 'master'?"