Chapter ONE
"Caroline! Honey I need you down stairs!", I heard my mothers voice as it flowed into my room sweetly. I had to roll my eyes. It didnt matter that she'd been gone for a month and just got home. Her fake voice meeting my ears made my stomach churn. Someone was here and I had a very strong feeling it would be another one of her conquests.
That's the only reason she would act that way. Well, unless she was practicing for her next victim, which I highly doubt at this point. She has been single for a month now. So her eyes must be set on someone with a lot of money. Oh well.. I guess I'm about to meet my new temporary step daddy.
"Be down in a minute!", I said. My words filled with a tired but happy tone. I feigned my happiness just to amuse her. But also because if I ruined her illusion of a perfect, loving family in front of someone else, I would pay with bruises later as her way of warning me. I didnt know what she would do after the 'warning', but I didnt wanna find out.
My mother was setting her trap, casting her net to ruin the next man she sees as wealthy and naive. And I was just a pawn in her game.
I stood in the mirror, checking my outfit. I was always forced to look a certain way, even though, in 17 years, my mother has never shown me a dime of her money to buy the things she wanted me to wear. I tugged at the bottom of my dress. This one was a bit too short for my liking, but it looked great on me. It wasnt elegant or anything; just a short blue dress. It fit great on my hourglass figure though. I ran my fingers down the front, satisfied with the look.
I wore black flats with it and decided to let my hair down, allowing it to fall around my shoulders like a wavy, black curtain. It almost touched my butt, which is where I'm trying to let it grow out to be.
"Caroline dear?!", my mother called out a reminder. She was getting impatient now and I forced a 'genuine' smile.
When I reached the bottom of the stairs I still had that smile on my face as I scanned the room for my mother and whoever her new pet was.
"Hi sweetie, I'm so glad you came down. I'd like you to meet my husband chance", her fake smile grew wider when she said his name. She gestured towards someone walking towards me with his hand out. He had black hair with natural gray highlights. His honey brown eyes showed true kindness and I felt safe around him for some reason. I really hope she doesnt drain this one too much. But I knew she would.
"Hello chance, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Caroline", I said taking his hand. I expected him to shake my hand but instead he lifted it to his lips. I was taken off guard but I didnt dare show it thinking of the possibility of my mothers wrath later on.
"Its a pleasure to meet you as well Caroline", he smiled sweetly and I could see my mother getting jealous as she moved to his side almost possesively.
"Sweetheart, we would also like you to meet chances' son, stark", I blinked a few times, confused and wondering if I had just heard her right. I dont think shes ever brought home someone with a kid?
But then I saw him and he was definitely not just a kid. His emerald green eyes met mine and I swear time seemed to stop. He was like a dream. He had jet black hair that he brushed back out of his face with his fingers. He smirked and shook his head and I realized I had been gawking at him.
I cleared my throat and stuck my hand out for him to shake it "Hello stark", I said and my cheeks felt hot.
He scoffed and shrugged, his hands in the pockets of his black skinny jeans and turned away from me.
I dropped my hand and my eyes went to the floor.
"Stark, will you just shake the nice girls hand?", his fathers voice was still kind but also stern.
Stark sighed and reluctantly stuck out an arm, not making eye contact with me. We shook hands for only a second before he pulled his hand away.
'What an odd guy', I thought to myself. I studied Starks bored expression before Chance cleared his throat and put his arm around my cold-hearted mother. "What do you say we all go out for a nice dinner and get to know eachother?"
