Prologue
ANGELUS
In front of me, the dancing neon lights and a hint of fog blended seamlessly. There is a strong scent of cigarettes and whiskey. I watched different women swaying their hips on the dance floor while inebriated.
It's been an hour. And until now, I couldn't help but think about the day my father informed me he was getting married again after so many years. I had not accepted it. But I couldn't do anything about it.
He adores that woman. Really? He's too old for romance, but he's still got the energy of a man in his twenties. I sipped my final glass of whiskey for the evening.
"Are you going home? Are you ready?" Abel laughed out loud.
I shot him a sharp glare. I called them here to drink with me, not to add to the weight on my burdens. His grin stretched wide, deep dimples appearing on his cheeks.
"They've been married for almost two years now. This is the first time you'll be meeting your mom's daughter, right?" said Gunther, serious and staring at me without blinking.
"She's not my mom," I said with emphasis.
Abel laughed again, a contrast to Gunther's unreadable face in front of me. "But you call her 'mama', man."
"As if I have a choice, asshole?" I snapped, shooting him a glare.
He shook his head, still grinning like my life was one big joke. Am I even surprised? He finds everything funny, even the stupidest things.
"Your world is slowly getting smaller, Angelus. You might get tired of playing the gentleman image soon. Especially since... you mentioned your stepsister has a mental issue. The likes of her are usually aggressive."
I gritted my teeth. I haven't even fully accepted that my dad has a new wife. And just earlier, he told me that her daughter would be released from the mental institution tomorrow.
Of course, as a good son, I showed him how excited I was to meet my stepsister. If only he knew how much I hated the woman he's with now. And now he's adding another one? And she's mentally unstable, too?
They said the girl had bipolar disorder. I believe it's just extreme mood swings. Because she was aggressive and always snapping at people, she was locked up and medicated. How am I supposed to deal with a lunatic?
"Hmm... based on Angelus, his sister is in rehab because of her aggressiveness—"
"She's not my sister," I almost snapped at Gunther.
He shrugged. "Your father is married to that girl's mother. You're basically siblings," he said flatly.
I lifted the shot glass to drink but almost tossed it when I realized it was already empty. I slammed it down and just lit a cigarette instead.
"I can't wait to see the mighty Angelus babysit a lunatic. That's a good sight to see," Abel teased.
I bit my lip and ran my fingers through my hair, my forehead furrowed. I need to chill.
"Babysitting her is too much. I don't have time for that crap. I am not her fucking nurse," I hissed.
"Let's see, Angelus. Your hell is tickling my bones." Abel grinned.
I stood up while dragging on my cigarette, eyes now fixed on a tall and pale woman. She was staring at me while moving her hips. I put out my cigarette and licked my lips before walking the distance between us.
I need this relaxation before facing that sick child. She's the daughter of my father's second wife. I have no choice but to welcome her and be good to her, even if I don't want to.
A smirk played on my lips when I grabbed the waist of the woman who'd been staring at me. She bit her lip and placed her hands on my chest. I leaned down to reach her ear.
"How does it feel to be eye-fucking me for almost an hour?" I whispered and bit the top of her ear.
My grin widened when her heavy-lidded eyes looked up at me. I let my hand travel to her thigh and slid it under her skirt. I felt the garter of her undies.
"Can we go to a private place?" Her voice sounds so sexy; it sounds like she just woke up from a deep sleep.
My gaze flickered at her.
"Of course, my demoiselle..." I muttered before leaving that place with her.
I was high, and the fuck was so good that I woke up almost late. The girl was still asleep when I got dressed. The bed sheet was covered in her blonde hair. Although she's attractive, I don't do replays. Before leaving her, I put my silver watch on and placed some cash on the side table.
I didn't know what time my father's wife's daughter would arrive. All I knew was that they were going to pick her up. I was done taking a bath and dressed in a black button-down shirt and denim pants when I found the maids busy in the kitchen.
There was a lot of food, and the huge dining table was nearly full. The chefs cooked a lot for lunch. Then I remembered—it's that girl's birthday today. She just turned eighteen. What a shame. It's her debut.
"Oh, Sir Angelus! You're already here. Don Simon and Doña Yelena's car just pulled up. It would be best if you greeted them now," said Lita, the housekeeper.
What for?
"Yeah, I should." I grinned and left the dining room with a clenched jaw.
It's just the arrival of a young girl with a mental condition. What's so special? Adding to my irritation were the maids running around trying to clean everything.
When I arrive, they never act like this. But I get it. Dad probably wants the whole house spotless for that woman's daughter. Is he really that desperate to impress her?
She's just a girl. A mentally ill one. I don't think she'll even understand. Or if her feelings about this new family even matter. She's been locked up for almost three years.
I had just reached the huge living room when I heard footsteps from the receiving hall. The maids who were rushing earlier now stood formally.
I put my hands inside the pockets of my jeans when Papa, his wife, and a girl in a wheelchair emerged from the receiving area. The girl's hands were clasped tightly and her head bowed low.
"Angelus!" Papa called out with a smile when his eyes met mine.
I smiled. "You're earlier than expected," I said.
They stopped in front of me. His wife, Yelena, was smiling at me. I had no choice but to smile back. My gaze dropped to the girl with wavy chocolate brown hair. Her skin was flawless, highlighted by the modest white dress she wore.
She kept her head bowed. I wasn't sure if she was scared to look up or just asleep. I only realized she was awake when Yelena touched her shoulder. She flinched.
"Farida, sweetie, the guy in front of you is Angelus Griego; he’s your Papa's son," Yelena said gently, like she was talking to a child.
I wanted to wince and laugh out loud. Really? Her Papa? I almost laughed. However, dark blue eyes shot like a fucking arrow into my core before I could even lift the side of my lips. Bullseye.
She glanced at me with aloofness and annoyance as her deep blue eyes and long, lush lashes fluttered. I shut my mouth. Her lips were plump and flawlessly moisturized, and she had a small, slim nose.
Was she the sick child they were talking about?
"Angelus," Papa caught my attention.
I cleared my throat and looked up at him. "'Pa?"
He smiled. "This lady right here is Farida Albrecht. She's your mother's only daughter."
My eyes dropped to the girl staring up at me. So she was the girl they were talking about. She doesn't look sick. I was expecting someone with a messed-up appearance. A face worn down from medication.
Not a fucking hottie like her. She's looking at me like I stole something from her. She doesn't look innocent. Her eyes are fierce, and it seems like she's not afraid of eye contact.
"Hi, Farida. I was anticipating meeting you today. I am Angelus." I gave her a friendly smile and extended my hand for a handshake.
Her lethargic eyes dropped to my hand. My smile loosened when her lips pursed like she was annoyed. She turned her eyes back to me, showing a scowl.
"I hate it here. I want to go back to my chamber," she said instead of returning my friendliness.
I stopped my lips from parting. I dropped my hand, staring at her in disbelief. She didn't even look fazed by my reaction.
What the hell is wrong with her?
"Farida, dear… this is your new home. You have me here, your Papa, and also..." Yelena glanced at me. "Your brother."
"I don't have a father. He's dead. And this guy in front of me reeks of cigarettes. It's disgusting. Can you please go away?" she snapped at me.
My eyes widened. I pressed my tongue to the side of my cheek to stop the grin from forming. My eyes practically sparkled as I stared her down.
She's feisty!
"Farida! That's not a nice—"
"Yelena, she just returned. Give her time," Papa said calmly.
Yelena sighed and looked at me. "Angelus, I'm sorry. She's a good kid. She's just adjusting..."
I smiled, not taking my eyes off Farida. Her glare was sharp, like it could pierce through my bones. I saw her eyes widen when I ruffled her hair.
"It's okay, Mama. I've been wanting to have a sister..." I muttered slowly, staring at the flustered girl now. I licked my lips and smiled even more. "I understand... since she's still adjusting, maybe I can help her around here?" I looked up at Yelena.
She exchanged looks with Papa. Papa gave her a reassuring nod before she turned back to me with a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Angelus. She has a nurse with her, but it'll be a big help if you guide her around. Especially since she's not used to other people and your father and I are busy with work..."
My grin widened as I turned back to Farida, whose brows were now furrowed and those deep, stormy eyes glaring even harder. I slowly dropped my hand, eyes locked on her.
"I wanted a sister so bad..." I said absentmindedly, still staring at her.
"It's a good thing Angelus also yearns for a sister. He can help us, Yelena. Don't worry, Angelus is a gentleman; Farida is in good hands," Papa said.
I lifted my hand to touch her pale cheek but stopped halfway. She turned her head away, looking detached. I bit my lip and looked at Papa and Yelena.
"I'll take good care of her, Mama... Papa." I smiled and clenched my restless hand to stop myself from reaching out to the girl in front of me.
