Today was my first full day in this mansion.

I wanted to go out so bad but Jenny hadn't even replied to my texts.

Somehow I wanted her to be all around and busy with me, but still, I did not want to disturb her and be a burden also.

My mind filled with scary thoughts as I slowly made my way downstairs.

“Oh! She's here,” Mom announced and I smiled.

I looked just like her, I could see my physical attributes in her.

From our chubby and curvy build to our very white skin and dark brown hair, mine had a few golden strands— I had done that on a boring rainy evening with Chelsea, my sister.

Mom had a round face while mine was oval, with deep gray-blue eyes.

We had dimples both on our cheeks and chin and extremely long eyelashes that would make people ask me if I worked on them.

Her nose is slightly wider than mine, which was pointed like a Frenchman's. Her voice was soothing, soft, and smooth, and would make you believe her every word even if she was leading you astray.

She is my mother.

I know her so well.

My voice on the other hand is very tiny and soft and one would think I was singing even when I was speaking angrily.

My lips pressed together as I noticed that it was just her and Mr Blackwood seated around the dining table.

He smiled at me, “Good morning Skye.”

I flashed a blank smile back at him. I was nervous.

I wasn't prepared to have a new father so soon. A stepfather rather.

It was still very strange to me.

I was so engrossed in holding my nervous smile at them that I missed my step.

My eyes widened and I tried to hold onto the rail for support but it only brushed the tip of my fingers like we had a special beef.

I shut my eyes tightly, bracing myself for the impact with the ground, but instead, there was this warmth around me.

And then the strong masculine scent hit me.

“Are you alright?”

At the sound of Lynn's deep voice, my eyes shot open.

He held me close, my head on his shoulder and his hand around my waist, holding me tightly to himself.

His eyes.

This time they were so close to me.

He blinked and once again, that movement in his pupils. That gaze—Like splashing water.

His full pink lips parted again, and I froze because his breath was on my face.

“Skye…” he called again.

It was then that I realized I had held my breath all this time.

He knew my name!

I screamed inaudibly.

His forehead crinkled, “I'm sorry,” he whispered.

I couldn't even speak but my head flowed with words.

Sorry?

For what?

Why is he sorry?

I'm the happiest person on earth today. He held my waist.

I couldn't hide it, my cheeks turned bright pink. “Erh… I'm fine,” my tiny voice whispered as I managed to pronounce the words with my arm still around his neck.

He finally let go of me, helping me stand properly on my feet.

“Be careful Skye,” Mom smiled at me.

I nodded without a word.

Thanks to Lynn.

If he weren't here, who knows… maybe I'd have lost a few teeth by now.

“I'm glad y'all could join me to dine today. I'm honored” Mr Blackwood said again as he adjusted his napkin.

I didn't reply, taking my seat and just nodding.

Mr Blackwood sat at the breadth of the table, Mom was seated beside him, then I beside her, and across from Lynn.

There was one vacant seat which I didn't understand but I was too hungry to care and too nonchalant to ask.

With a full table of different intercontinental cuisines, I had a lot of choices to make.

Even if the aroma was inviting and very sweet, as a young lady with extra flesh already, I decided to cut the carbs and protein as I didn't want to add any more pounds.

So I stuck with the leafy greens and a little amount of seafood this morning.

The food looked quite appealing —like a meal prepared by a top chef I would commend. The Blackwoods enjoyed this luxury daily I guess.

Back at home I would cook with mom or just order food.

My eyes darted around the room to take in my grand surroundings.

Everything was royal.

From the lighting to the colour to the furniture, it was a palace painted in gold and white.

I really needed to tour this mansion.

I stole a glance at Mom as she ate, she looked so happy finally.

I was glad to see her smile also.

And then my gaze turned to Lynn.

I didn't want him to know I was looking, so I bowed my head a bit.

He was charming indeed.

His cheekbone highlighted his face so well that he looked like a runway model girls would drool at.

And I was one of them.

He paused, like he could sense my eyes on him.

His eyes shot up instantly and caught me staring at him as I ate.

Oh crap.

I had forgotten how to chew and I accidentally bit my tongue.

I tasted blood and I swallowed hard, still staring at him.

Our gaze locked and he didn't break it.

Instead, he smirked and chewed even slower.

What the fuck!

My voice screamed inside my head.

He looked so sexy that I wanted to run my fingers across his face.

I looked away before I would say or do something stupid.

His nightingale voice broke the silence, “The empty bowl,” he said to no one in particular.

My eyes darted to see what he was talking about and I found it immediately.

I reached for the bowl to pass to him, but he was also doing so.

We both reached for it at once and I froze at the coldness of his palm. “Oh,” I exclaimed as his hand brushed against mine softly.

My belly knotted and I could feel the food I just swallowed hatch into butterflies.

“Sorry…” I whispered almost inaudibly and my cheeks flushed bright pink.

I needed to learn how to breathe right now because the air was only passing through my mouth and no longer my nose.

Everyone continued with the food silently, I could see Mom stealing glances at Mr Blackwood. What's wrong with this woman? I rolled my eyes.

The food was so much that I was sure there would be a lot of leftovers.

Mom didn't care any longer about wasting food I guess.

We ate silently.

At least until…

“Arghhhh… this is…” Lynn complained with an upturned smile as he stared at the dish he had opened with disgust.

A maid hurried down to us already but even before she got to the table, Lynn ordered. “Extra ketchup and soy sauce, please,” he stated blankly. “You know this is for me but you just like me making the same request every time that you serve this,” he thundered.

‘KETCHUP AND SOY SAUCE’

His voice twisted and suddenly I could hear Dad saying the same words.

My chest tightened.

That was exactly how he always complained about his steak.

It was like I could see and hear Chelsea’s giggles also, she would laugh as he joked about it.

It was never enough.

I smiled sadly.

Even when mom would add just too much by the corner, and I would beg him to have mine, he would tease that it still wasn't enough.

My hands trembled and the fork felt like a rock to carry.

I could still hear the sound of the crash.

The one that took everything away—Our once happy table that had never been silent is just a sad memory now.

It pricked my heart so much.

We always ate with jokes and laughter and a lot of teasing.

My eyes watered and I blinked it away, the sight before me was the opposite of my memory and it stung so bad.

My throat knotted.

The food I had in my mouth turned tasteless and I just couldn't swallow.

I wanted to speak.

Or excuse myself.

Or even explain myself.

But I was already too slow for my reaction which was worsening by the second.

The hardest part was that I had no option but to feel what I was feeling and I couldn't back out or control it.

My eyes began to water again as the vivid memories kept playing in my head. The smiles on their faces and the sound of their laughter.

I turned to Mom who was smiling at Lynn and Mr Blackwood.

It looked so fake.

Back then with Dad, she would laugh wholeheartedly. She didn't care who was looking. We were free.

Why does she have to fake this now?

The lump in my throat thickened and I could only shut up and bask in my pain.

They seemed to all be getting along right now.

And the last thing I wanted to do was ruin it.

The least I could do was leave before I puke.

I pushed my chair backwards with my weight and rose to my feet.