Seduced Fall ✔️

39. Love her

Stefan Peirce

"You don't want me to study?" I ask, my voice low and conciliatory. Dad is aware that the other businessmen's son or daughter are taking over the family business with no theoretical knowledge. But what Dad wanted was, and I think it still is, different.

"You don't have to. Stefan, you've been keeping tabs on me and assisting me with stats for years. You'll be fine in a few months if you take my guidance."

That takes a second to sink in. As nervous as I am to look him in the eyes, I can't help but think of the man he is. Austin Peirce is a proud person. I've seen him work till late at night and battle with personal and professional issues when Mae and I weren't much help. He loves leading the company and giving it his all.

I search his face for any hesitancy. But he is firmly looking back at me, his words devoid of regret.

I always wanted to sit in that black leatherette high back chair in his cabin that screams power and authority. When I was a kid, my dad let me sit on it. 'You'll have to own up to the position to sit in this chair.' he had said.

"No, dad. I don't want to take over your company."

"My company, Stefan?" he asks in surprise.

I hold his gaze, bold and brave, proving to him that I am, after all, his son.

"I don't want to leave this city, my studies," I repeat myself. "I don't want to leave her."

"That girl will ruin your life!" he shouts, eyes bloodshot from anger and disappointment in me. "It's young love, the result of attraction. You'll be over her before you know it."

Mae pulls on my wrist as I'm ready to do something I'll end up regretting later. The raging wrath within me waits for the proper opportunity to erupt.

"I think I have made myself clear when I say, 'I don't want to leave her.'"

"I think I have made myself clear, too." He states. "I'm not asking you, Stefan; I'm telling you that you'll come with me."

As we all fall silent, a faint bark and whimpering sound echo across the room. A wiggling fury being runs up to me and tries to climb up my feet a split second later. Ocean looks up at me with those innocent eyes. His paws gently brush the bottom of my pants. For a brief moment, I allow that sight to grow on me.

"What if I still say no?" It hurts my throat to say these words. Dad knows me better than anyone else, as he always has. He and I both know how much it pains me to say 'no' to something I've been dreaming about and working tirelessly to achieve.

He gives me a pitiful scowl, his expressions taking on an icy glare.

"Are you seriously denying something like that?" he yells. Ocean grips my leg even tighter and barks weakly at Dad.

He approaches me after failing to evoke a satisfactory answer from me. His breathing is quick, and his eyes filled with a challenging threat. I maintain my position and return his gaze. I could sense his impending rage, but before he could say anything,

"Let me talk to him, Dad." Mae stutters. My fierce, strong sister stutters in front of my father, and I have the guts to talk disrespectfully to him. She blocks Dad from glaring at me with daggers. Much to my relief, she drags me away from the suffocating room.

My mind is empty of any thoughts. I've been fighting the urge to hit something, to break something. My knuckles have turned white from the pressure I've been exerting on them by fisting my hand for more than ten minutes.

Mae's eyes are fixed on me. She's been silent since the moment we stepped out of the living room and sat on the porch bench in the backyard.

Ocean's attempt to play with a ball twice his size has piqued my interest. As much as I would have appreciated that view, I can't help but wonder how happy Clara would be to see Ocean having a good time.

"Run away."

I blink twice, then thrice to return from my thoughts to reality. Although Mae's advice appears to be somewhat serious, she couldn't be more at ease.

"It's not that easy, Mae." I say matter-of-factly.

"Why not?" She insists.

"Because dad will find me even if I hide in hell."

As I run my fingers through my hair and face, my hands shake, reminding me of the possibility that dad might be true. Dad can do that. He can do anything in his power to do that.

Mae rises from her seat. For a while, she paces back and forth in front of me. I observe her-her cold expressions, her unsettling pace, her restlessness. I take in her presence. It's rare to see the danger-screaming Mae I barely know.

Her eyes fall on me. She mumbles something to herself before kneeling in front of me and holding my hands in hers.

"We will find a way, Stef, you don't have to leave Aerilon."

I sag back onto my bench seat. "You don't want me to stay, Mae," I murmur, my heart racing from the fear of making a decision I know I will regret.

She closes her eyes. A single tear falls down her cheek. She knows I can't stay here any longer. I shouldn't stay here any longer. Asher's people have a tap on my interactions with Clara. He knows everything there is to know about her. About us. It's only a matter of time before he uses her to blackmail me. Or even worse.

I will never endanger Clara's life for my stubbornness to be with her.

My blood turns cold. Just the thought of separating from her gives me chills all over my body. I hate everyone who is directly or indirectly responsible for this mess. The water welling up in my eyes causes my vision to blur. My voice on the verge of breaking into sobs.

"What should I do, Mae?"

She opens her eyes and stares deep into mine. "Love her."