AUTHOR’S POV.

Syke dragged her bare feet across the clean marble floor, its surface gleaming like there was a layer of still water on it under the rows of big chandeliers lined in the corridor.

She reached Lynn's room finally after her lazy stroll.

With a bathrobe around her, she reluctantly knocked on the door but it pushed half open already as it was slightly ajar.

She didn't step in still, she respected his privacy.

“Hi, Lynn, can I talk to you for a second?” She traced invisible circles on the floor with her toes as she spoke.

No reply.

“Lynn?”

Still no reply.

She sighed and turned around to leave, but then He spoke, “You slut, you are so obsessed with me you wouldn't even let me have some peace!”

Huh?

Skye froze, she couldn't believe what she had just heard. “Lynn!” she thundered.

“Whore!” he replied.

Her face turned red as her blood boiled.

With fury, she pushed open the door and barged in.

“Get the fuck out of this game,” he giggled.

For a second, Skye paused trying to process all and connect the dots as it was all happening too fast.

He wasn't talking to her.

Lynn was shirtless with his headphones over his head and pushing back the too strands of his short blond hair. He was so engrossed in that he probably didn't hear her knocking or even calling.

But still, who was he calling such names? Sky asked herself with disgust plastered on her face.

Lynn noticed a presence and turned to Skye, “Argh…” he gasped, taking off his headphones immediately.

His lips pressed into a straight line and his clear green eyes squinted, “Pathetic. There's something called a ‘knock’ atmosphere.”

“Huh? What's with calling me that?” Skye murmured.

He turned back to his laptop and unplugged some cords.

Lynn was slightly masculine, with perfectly aligned shoulders and a slender physique that made him look even taller as he stood at 6’1.

He was quite charming with a face that was confused between oval, round, and then square in his cheek area.

His outlined cheekbones, pointed nose, and short straight hair added grace to his appearance while his full blond eyebrows made him look like he was hatched out of a golden egg.

Skye’s mouth opened to speak but her chest was so tight she could only exhale through it.

She hadn't seen him in this less clothing—shirtless and a luxury denim jeans with no belts on. His torso was exposed, gleaming like they were oiled to seduce.

The air inside Lynn’s grey and black themed room was thick with the smell of paper, a natural oud scent similar to the one that hit Skye when he had caught her from falling earlier.

And also faintly of turpentine and old wood.

There was a canvas with just one stroke of blue that transitioned into lighter shades as it crept down the canvas. It looked shapeless and meaningless—at least to Skye, not the artist.

Paintbrushes were scattered across a well-polished mahogany table, tiny spills of oil paint, and a cup of blue water positioned at the corner of it— supposedly he had used it to clean some of the brushes as some were as clean as new and some others had their tips stiff with dried color.

A guitar rested against a black armchair—The one that had played Skye to sleep on her first night in this Blackwood Mansion.

“What the fuck are you on Lynn!” another voice echoed from the system.

“Shut up you cunt! I'm trying to set this fucking thing up. You sound like an ogre with this speaker echoing,” he chuckled.

“At least an ogre…we fuck as beasts, you are human and your energy is unmatched with mine,” a female voice answered this time.

“What the hell?” Skye yelled with an embarrassed frown. She had no business here but couldn't help the brain glitch in trying to process the weird conversation they were having.

Lynn chuckled and turned back to Skye, raising a brow, “Nice outfit though, some good curve you got there,” he smirked and plugged in another wire. “You'll cause trouble I just know.”

Skye blushed hard. “I… I, I'm…” she stammered.

“Ou… Who’s that?" The male voice asked.

“My new wife,” Lynn replied, his voice was cold and nonchalant, like the game he was playing mattered more than the conversation with his friends and more than his stepsister waiting for him to attend to her bathrobe.

Or maybe it was important in this case.

Skye’s forehead crinkled as she listened keenly.

“Oh, the atmosphere…” They cracked up in a loud laugh.

“What the hell,” Skye cursed as her heart sank.

The guts they had to make fun of her right before her.

“It's Skye! I don't know how hard it is for you to process,” Sky grumbled rolling her eyes. Her fist was clenched and her deep grey-blue eyes squinted as she stared at him with anger.

Just a few hours ago she held him as the most perfect person on earth, but right now? She despised him like a plague.

This isn't what she had signed up for and it's beginning to get on her nerves.

“Say hi, she'll be coming with us tonight,” Lynn added, sliding his headphones back on.

“Huh?

She?

Us?” Skye asked again. Without waiting for a reply, she continued, “I'm not going anywhere. And certainly not with you.”

The conversation with Lynn’s friends at the other end was inaudible to her now. And she could only depend on Lynn for answers.

He chuckled with a slight grin,” Nah… Catherine has been with me ever since to take Skye with me. She says therapy advises it.”

Skye stood akimbo with her lips pressed together watching him ignore her totally.

“She needs new friends and for sure it's the one frizz-filled, good-looking celebrity charming big brother that can do that for her,” he turned to Skye again and winked.

“I' 'm sorry for…I don't know all this.” Skye whispered. She didn't even know if Lynn was listening but she spoke nevertheless. Her voice lowered even more. “I just needed help with the water heater for my bath,” she bowed her head sadly.

She looked so helpless and frustrated, with her head hanging in unfulfillment.

Lynn didn't say a word.

He swiftly took off his headphones and stood up finally, “ok, I forgot to handle that before you came. I'll call in the technician now.

Skye’s lips upturned with disgust as she looked up at him standing a few inches away from her.

His tall figure blocked the light and cast a shadow on her. Still, she wasn't intimidated. At least not yet.

“You don't have to act all big brother and caring when we both know it's fake,” she started bluntly.

Lynn’s brows creased as he squinted his eyes in confusion.

Skye continued, “I wouldn't be here if I had another alternative. So cut your crap and be good,” She rolled her eyes and turned to leave.

Lynn caught her by the wrist as she turned.

She froze.

Her heart slammed rapidly and her breath could be heard inside her mind.

“Use mine, I'm leaving the mansion already,” Lynn smiled at her.

He could smile and be this friendly? Even after stressing her so much? What's with this new act now?

Skye wasn't buying it.

He didn't care how what he was doing made her feel. So why should she let it get to her?

“I don't want it anymore. I'm good,” she mumbled, dragging her wrist free from him and storming out.

Lynn chuckled, licking his lips, “At least you'll need my help tonight. You can't avoid me when we live under the same roof, can you?”