Leanna

[Zoe]

[Fate]

That night.

"How's school?" Emma Collin, my stepmother, asked in all smiles.

"Fine."

I remained expressionless as I sipped my wine. I then tapped a napkin on my lips, signaling that I finished eating and wanted to go back to the dorms.

I was not oblivious to the fact that she hated me.

Emma called me a while ago, asking me to have dinner with her on the pretense to celebrate my first day of college, which was a little late since school already started days ago.

Emma sighed and leaned forward, looking all apologetic and sorry.

"Zoe, I know we started out all wrong, and I know you must think of me as your enemy. But I'm here now in front of you to start a new. Can you give me a chance to be a mother to you?"

I paused.

I looked at her, discerning what she was planning, yet all I could see were sincerity and eagerness in her eyes.

Can I? Can I trust her?

All my life, since my mother died, Emma always stared at me with contempt and loathing. But now, gone was the hatred. It was replaced by motherly emotions that were ready to start a new chapter with me.

Maybe because I was longing for a family's love or a mother's affection, but whatever it was, I wanted to feel that affection. Especially from a mother.

I nodded.

Emma breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at me. I forced a smile in return. I was not use to the feeling, but I was pleased.

Even if Sophia and I didn't get along, at least from now on, Emma would treat me like a daughter. Maybe, just maybe, not before long, my father would also treat me like a daughter.

And we could all become one big happy family.

That's all I ever wanted.

A family.

"Zoe, I've reserved a room for you here so you can enjoy yourself. I know it is late, but consider it as a commemoration gift for your first day at the university."

Emma handed out a card to me, which I gladly accepted.

"I made sure all expenses are paid. The spa here is to die for," Emma said, which made me laughed a bit.

"Why don't you and I go together then?" I asked, trying to bridge the gap from those long years of not knowing each other.

The corner of Emma's lips curved down. "Believe me, I love to . . . but you know we've been very busy with Sophia's birthday."

"Oh," was all I could say, didn't hide my disappointment.

Emma quickly grabbed my hand. "I promise. After Sophia's birthday, we will have a mother-daughter date. Just the two of us."

My face lit up. I couldn't believe my long wish was coming true. Bonding with a family!

I nodded.

I was so happy.

agh!

A slight jolt in my brain caused me to see burnt spots.

"Zoe? What's wrong? Are you alright?"

I heard Emma's frantic voice, which made me feel comforted.

"Y-yeah, it must be . . . all the paints . . . I inhaled . . . a while ago . . . ," I said despite the painful pounding of my head.

This is no joke!

It was like my brain was gritting and thumping, and I was becoming dizzy and fast!

I stood to my feet.

"I'm sorry . . . I-I think . . . I need to go . . . r-rest up a bit . . ."

"Zoe, don't worry about me. You go and sleep. Do you want me to accompany you upstairs?"

I still heard Emma's panic-stricken voice, which was a good sign that my brain hadn't entirely exploded yet.

I smiled and shook my head.

"N-no need . . . T-thank you . . ." Was all I could say amidst the dizziness.

I quickly walked out of the restaurant, staggering while trying hard to maintain my balance. I was on my way to the elevator when it opened and came out a kid. I was half running, and my focus was on my pounding head rather than in my surroundings, and I bumped into him, and the card Emma gave me flew out of my hand.

"Shit!"

I hissed.

I regained my bearing and searched for the card, not minding the kid on the floor. When I found it, I grabbed it and strode towards the closing elevator.

"Hey, Lady, wait!"

Yelled a crisp voice coming from the kid, I just bumped into, and before I could even see his face, the elevator door closed.

----

[Zoe]

[Boy]

I blinked when I inserted the card, and the uppermost floor lit up.

The suites?

I never thought Emma would get me a room on the uppermost floor reserved for VIP's.

She really must be sincere.

When the elevator dinged, I got off and quickly strode to my room. I didn't even get the chance to admire the grandiose and luxury before me as I made my way into the bedroom and slumped my body on the soft, cozy bed, without a care in the world.

Not long after, I fell into a deep sleep.

----

I woke up from the aching and burning of my body. My breathing was ragged, and all of my senses went up to the highest point of sensitivity at the slightest touch. It was excruciating, and at the same time, pleasurable that I almost moaned in delight.

"Are you alright?"

Asked a crisp, bright voice, evidently of a boy still in his puberty.

The voice was familiar.

It was the boy I bumped into earlier!

I wanted to say something, but my body was aching too much –– much more now that I heard that boyish voice. Instead of answering, I gave a loud moan to release some of the tension in my body.

The room went blindingly bright that I was forced to close my eyes.

"You're scaring me, lady. Should I call a doctor?"

My body naturally responded to that clear voice as if I was waiting for him all my life. I forced open my eyes and saw a pair of deep brown eyes.

Where have I seen it before?

I shivered when his cold hand touched my forehead. The feeling was intense as cold and heat collided, and my spine arched.

"You're burning! Wait here, I'll call––!"

He didn't finish his sentence when I grabbed his shoulders and pushed him onto the bed. I rose and straddled him. My brain already melted long ago from the heat as I didn't know what I was doing. All I knew, I must submit to my body's cravings, or I'd go crazy.

I wanted this boy! Wanted him –– now!

"I . . . want . . . you . . . ," I moaned.

I wanted to rip off our clothes, but I had no strength left in me as I slumped on his chest.

He got up and gaped at me, surprised. I mustered all my strength and touched his beautiful, innocent face.

His eyes turned a shade deeper when I caressed his thin, cherry, kissable lips. His hand grabbed my fingers, halting my exploration.

Funny, he was, at most, a fourteen-year-old kid, yet his hands were much bigger than mine.

"Lady . . . I think you shouldn't tease kids like that. Even though I'm young, I'm still a man after all."

He grinned, and his beautiful face looked mischievously cute.

Young, yet already quite handsome.

Let's have sex already! Can't you see I'm going crazy here?!