Falling For My Father's Son

Annabel's POV

 The ringing of my alarm jolted me from sleep. I quickly reached to turn it off, only to notice I was not in my house.

The room was totally different from mine, the expensive sofa, the white-painted walls, and the soft mattress.

 I jumped up from the bed, finding myself half-naked and covered with a duvet.

 What did I do?

 Did I actually sleep with him? The last thing I

remembered was us drinking and laughing, then our eyes meeting, refusing to part, and Daniel calming my mouth as we went into a passionate kiss.

 But how did I get to his room? How I barely had clothes on was what I couldn't place my head around.

 "Did something really happen between us?" I muttered, a question only Daniel could possibly have answers to.

 But wait... Daniel. Where is he?

 I quickly dressed up and went downstairs, but I didn't see him. He must have left me.

 How could he? Who on earth brings a girl over for dinner and just leaves her like that, with no words?

I must be too foolish to think Daniel would ever want anything to do with me.

I'm not even in his class. There must be millions of classy ladies lining up for him to choose from.

So why did I even think something could make him want me? Besides, he already told me he doesn't fling with his employees, putting me completely out of the league.

 But why on earth am I this pained?

I had convinced myself I was only doing this to get back at James and Stephanie.

 With anger, I picked up my bag and left for home.

 *********

 The long-awaited day was here. I had messaged my dad that I would be coming over, after months of being apart because of school and work.

 It was a good thing I would be visiting, at least I would finally see my new mom, the woman who stole my father's heart.

 When I got home, everything had changed. The same house, but with a different interior. The furniture had been replaced with something more expensive.

The garden, the cars, everything screamed luxury. And that was when it dawned on me that my father had not just married any woman. It was obvious he had married a billionaire.

 I was still bringing out my luggage from the cab when my dad's voice called out, "My sweet," just like he always called me.

He looked ten years younger and happier. I could tell his new wife was really doing a good job.

 My jaw dropped when I saw him, and I ran up to him. "Dad!" I embraced him so tightly that anyone could tell how much we had missed each other.

 Just when I was still in his grip, a voice from the background called out, "Annie."

 I turned and met a lady I presumed was my father's new wife.

She wore a sky-blue silky dress that revealed enough skin on her chest.

Her short grey hair curled perfectly, her skin glowed, and her dark-brown eyes sparkled. Her grin grew wider when our eyes met.

 "Over here, my baby," she waved at me.

 A flash of disappointment wailed through me. Not that I hated her, but I was surprised my dad had settled for an older woman after years of being single.

 This woman could possibly have birthed a child at least twice my age.

 I gently moved to where she was and returned the smile, not fake, but definitely not the energy I thought I would give when I finally met my stepmom.

 I met her gaze. "You are welcome. My father has already told me much about you."

 She nudged my dad playfully. "Wow... really?" she asked, smiling brightly as she took my hand.

We entered and took our seats, chatting as we settled in. "So tell me, what did your father tell you about me?" she asked, still smiling brightly.

 I tilted my head, still keeping up my smile. "Everything nice. He said you make him happy."

She placed her hands on her chest. "Awwwww," she grinned like a teenager who had just met her first lover, her eyes fixed on my dad.

 Dad returned the smile, brushing his thumb across her face. "You are the best thing that has happened to me in years."

He leaned closer, gently took her hand, and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it. I felt uncomfortable.

 I cleared my throat gently, just to remind them I was still there.

 They both laughed softly, tapping each other playfully.

 Then the lady turned to me. "Ohh... Annie, forgive my manners. My name is Fiona. I'm sure your dad told you, but it is only right that I give you a proper introduction."

 "You know what?" Her face was still beaming with joy. "I have a son too, you'll be meeting him soon. I'm sure he'll be glad to have you as a sister."

 Sister?

 Well, this was my father's choice, and I would have to respect it.

 At least, I would be benefiting from the union.

Ever since I turned an adult, my dad had been excessively protective. I believed having a woman in his life as a distraction would be for the best.

 Meanwhile, Fiona pulled out her phone, waking the screen with a tap, and showed it to me. "This is my son," she said, still smiling ear-to-ear. "His name is Daniel."

 My body froze.

 How was this even possible? I recognized the face.

The same man whose bed I had just left a few hours ago. It was clear as sunlight through glass.

 In the picture, he stood tall, the navy-blue suit clinging to his frame like a second skin, sleek, tailored, whispering wealth without a word.

 Just like that first night at the club. The same dark eyes. His tie knotted with effortless precision. His charisma radiated even from the image.

 I was not hallucinating. It was actually Daniel. And to make it worse, he had never appeared as my brother all this while. I guessed he was also clueless about this.

 We kissed last night. It was something intense, something I could not make meaning of until now.

 Fuck.

 Now it was becoming clearer. We did not just kiss, his body was all over me. He was the one who stripped me naked.

 "What if we..."

 No.

We could not possibly have made out.

 Gosh. My head was on the verge of exploding when Fiona squeezed my hand softly. "Annie... Annabel." Her voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

 I jerked up. "I'm sorry," I whimpered.

 My dad's eyes met mine. "Baby, are you okay?" he asked, cupping my face with concern.

 My chair scraped against the floor as I leaned forward. "I... I'm alright," I stammered.

 At this point, the only thing I needed was answers to my numerous questions.

 Because not only had my dad brought home an older lady as his wife, now this? The man I had made out with was my father's son.

 Fiona stood up from where she was seated and came to me. Her hands softly brushed mine. "Annie... I was thinking, maybe you can go see my son. He's always busy, and I think you meeting him will help you bond as siblings."

 I swallowed hard. "Do you think so?"

 She gave me a playful tap. "Don't be silly."

Then her shoulder dropped as she took my hand. "I'll send you his address. I've already informed him. He'll be waiting for you tonight."

 "Tonight?"