SASHA

"Sasha!" Ashley yells in anger when I drop her books by mistake. I wasn't looking at where I was going and bumped into someone thereby making all her books fall onto the floor.

I quickly rush to pick them up while praying that she does not get too mad at me and make me wash the school toilet as punishment or make me do something worse.

"How dare you drop my books? You wretched idiot. I will make sure I punish you for that." Ashley says with venom dripping out of her voice.

No one pays us any attention since it is not something that is happening for the first time. Ashley and the minors she calls her friends bully me every day, and I let it happen. No matter how hard I want to fight back and defend myself I just can't, it will cost me my dreams, all of my dreams.

Once she tells her parents to stop sponsoring my education and throw me back on the street, they will listen to her and I will have to say bye-bye to my education. That is something I can't afford to lose, I must endure till I graduate from Star Light High School.

I pick up the books and adjust her bag that is on my shoulder before rushing after her and her friends. She opens her locker and I place everything inside.

"Have you done my assignments?" She asks.

"Yes, it is inside your bag."

"You are dismissed." She tells me while walking away.

I sigh and release the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

***

At The Jefferson's Residence

I set the dining table quietly and call everyone to come out to have their dinner. As usual, Mr. Jefferson is not around, he is probably out of the country for business. So it's only Ashley and her mom at home.

"I'm so excited mom." Ashley gushes in excitement.

"Me too sweetheart, God knows I have missed him a lot." Madam Emily replies while dishing out her food.

I notice that they have both been somehow excited these days, I think they are expecting someone important to the family. I am about to take my leave so that I can eat in my room when Madam Emily calls me back.

"Yes ma'am?"

"That reminds me, I need you to prepare a room for my son who is coming back home tomorrow."

I gap at her in shock. A son! I never knew there was another child. God, please don't make him be as mean as Ashley, I don't think I can handle two Ashleys tormenting me in this house.

"Yes ma'am." I bow and take my leave hastily while Ashley rolls her eyes at me in irritation.

***

The Next Morning

I rush outside the moment I hear that Madam Emily is back with Ashley's so-called elder brother, I pray in my heart for him not to be as mean as Ashley and wait nervously for him to get out of the car.

"Oh my..." I gasp the moment he steps out of the car, his eyes roam everywhere and his eyes meet with mine. With my heart beating faster, I hold my breath and hold his gaze while I stare at him as if I am in a trance.

I have never seen a guy looking so handsome and manly, his blue eyes are piercing and entrancing as he stares at me from head to toes. God, how can one person be so handsome with a perfectly sculpted body? Don't let me get started on his lips that look so pink, his arms...

"What are you staring at idiot? Should I remind you to go and collect his bags?" Ashley breaks the spell I seem to have fallen into while scowling at me.

I quickly rush to collect his bags from him but he jerks back the moment my hand touches his.

"Don't you ever touch me or my things." He says coldly and walks away while I open my mouth in shock. It seems my prayers never got answered.

Ashley rushes to her brother and hugs him while he pecks her on the forehead and turns her around. He smiles happily and I notice the dimples on his cheeks, what a sight! I bite the inside of my cheeks, look away and go inside to set the dining table.

***

After breakfast, Madam Emily walks into the kitchen while I am doing the dishes.

"Sasha, have this.." she starts to say while stretching a piece of paper to me "...Jace wanted me to give you this and I will advise you to follow the instructions strictly to avoid a confrontation from him."

She takes her to leave while I stare at the neatly folded paper in confusion, I eventually open it and start reading.

It contains instructions on how he wants his things done.

***

Do not enter my room without knocking whenever the door is closed, you are only permitted to do that whenever the door is opened.

Do not serve me my food in the dining but instead bring it to my room.

Do not touch me or any of my things without my permission.

I'm allergic to shrimp and garlic do not put them in my food.

***

And that's all. I sigh in relief and go back to the dishes while pondering on the content of the letter.

***

It is a weekend so there is no school today, all I have to do is to finish my chores, do mine and Ashley's assignments, and read. Gosh! Today is going to be stressful, I sigh and walk out of my room. I stop abruptly at the dining room, Jace is already dressed in a black suit with a briefcase dropped on the chair beside him. He is the perfect image of a hot CEO.

I overheard Madam Emily saying that he is here to take over his father's company over here while his father will handle the branch he has been handling in France.

He stares at me intensely for a while before making his way over to me, I stay rooted in my spot and watch him walk up to where I am.