Seduced Fall ✔️

26. The dinner

Clara Carter

I glance beneath my lashes at Christopher's piercing stare. When he found out about today's dinner with Stefan, he is much calmer than I had expected.

He had no idea who the hell Stefan was at first, but after I clarified that he was the same person that drove me home when I was drunk, he has been mad ever since.

Christopher's scorching glares at me from my left, where he usually sits at the dining table, cause me to squirm in my seat awkwardly.

Stefan, on the other hand, is thoroughly enjoying the chat and my uneasy silence at the table.

I'm amazed at how invested Dad is in Stefan's story of a business deal in which he turned out to be the game-changer for his father's company. Stefan didn't reveal the inner workings of the business he was discussing, and Dad didn't delve too far into it because of a code of something that I missed.

Hearing Mom and Dad's joyful interactions and giggles with him fills me with joy.

I wasn't sure if Stefan would show up or not at first. He did, however.

"So Stefan," Christopher interrupts the conversation with a dangerously hard shove, drawing everyone's attention to him.

Today, my moronic of a brother is in full-on passive and unwavering mode. He focuses his gaze on Stefan.

"Why do I feel like I have seen you somewhere?"

What exactly is he on about? Stefan is the guy he met the other night, as I had reminded him.

I try to get my brother to stop talking, but he is too focused on Stefan.

I look over at Mom and Dad, who are sitting in front of me, and they appear to be just as puzzled as I am, if not more so.

My family hasn't met any of my friends except Tyler and Ray. As a result, boyfriends are not an option. When it comes to being my friend, Stefan is the only one.

I turn my attention to Stefan. He returns Christopher's furious stare. The meaning behind Stefan's intense stare can only be deduced by those who know him well.

Stefan cracks a wry grin. "I'm not sure what you're talking about."

His voice is anything but calm; he's only trying to be polite.

"I could be wrong," Christopher concedes as he sets his spoon on the table. He is now completely dedicated to speaking with Stefan, which may or may not be a good idea.

I squirm in my seat, apprehensive and anxious, while a few moments of quiet are thrown on the table. Mom and Dad continue to eat, occasionally gazing at the two silly males in my life staring at each other.

To calm my heartbeat, I quietly pick up my glass of water and take a sip.

"Are you my sister's boyfriend?"

I choke.

I hurriedly cover my mouth to prevent the water from spilling, coughing out the ridiculous timing to drink water. I ultimately gain control of myself by taking deep breaths.

Except for Stefan and my mother, no one cared that I choked on water and may have died.

Stefan's hand slides down my back in a calming motion as he sits next to me.

I thank him with a smile for sparing my life, which my brother's question had almost sucked out of me.

Stefan maintains his gaze fixed on me, his hand gently caressing over my back.