Sweet Suduction

The beginning of the end

And there I sat, watching my life burn around me. My childhood died in the fire along with my parents. A match struck by the one man I thought I could trust, He was the closest thing I had to a brother, to family. How could I have been so stupid, so blind to the greed that him and everyone around me shared. I will never stop until I light his world on fire like he did mine, I will laugh while he turns to ash. This is my promise to myself. 

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I had first met Hunter the summer of my 16th birthday, my family did not believe in birthdays. My father in particular thought it was ridicules to celebrate something as insignificant as the passing of age. I expected nothing more than a happy birthday wish from my parents, it was the least they could do. I walked the path to the garden as my mother had arranged brunch outside, as I approached I saw my father reading the newspaper coffee cup in hand. My mother sat across from her with downturned eyes sipping tea. She refused to touch a pot of coffee let alone drink it. She believed that coffee had aging affects on the skin, the reason for my fathers worry lines and crows feet. Mother was a vain women to say the least. What struck me as a surprise was the presence of two strangers sitting at the end of the table. A man close in age to my father and a young man seemingly older than me.

The young man, wore what seemed like a permanent scowl on his face. As he looked up to meet my gaze, his eyes made contact with mine. His eyes grew dark as he assessed me up and down as though I was an opponent in his chess game. I studied his face as he studies mine. Sharp cheekbones and a set jaw made his appearance angry. His black hair looked tousled as though he combed his hands through it too much. He was beautiful, in a way that made you fear him. His white shirt stuck to his body like a glove. I could tell from his muscular arms his body matched. Realizing I had been staring for far too long I sat down at next to my mother as usual and quietly poured myself orange juice. Knowing it would get a rise out of my mother being how she hated when I served myself. She would always note how we "have people for that" nodding to the maids that quietly observed out meals waiting for a chance to be of use. I tried to calm myself hoping my face didn't look to red as I spoke. 

"I didn't realize we had guests." breaking the silence. My mother shot a nasty look at me in return. I was only to speak if spoken too. 

"Yes dear, this is Mr. Devaldi and his son. They will be staying with us." Spoke my father his eyes never leaving his paper. 

"For how long?" I asked 

"Don't be rude." my mother gritted out kicking me beneath the table.

"For as long as they need." My father spoke in return, ending any further questions. 

I stayed quit during the rest of the meal, I tried to make myself as small as possible as I observed my father speak with the strange man sitting across from him. This matter was business related it was obvious in the way father was speaking, a restless aura emanated from him which I knew could only mean something bad. I excused myself as soon as I was able, my parents ignored me as though I wasn't there. I watched as the son's eyes followed me as I stood, he seemed to be the only one who had heard me. The walk back to my room I couldn't help but feel someone staring at my turned back. Chill rose through me, an unrecognizable anxiousness urged me to walk faster as though I was in danger. 

I shut the door behind me, and I felt as though I could finally take a breath. My room has always been a safe space for me as it is most, I found myself needing something like this for a while now. Feeling stupid for hoping for birthday wishes I sat at my desk finishing the remainder of my homework assigned to me by my private tutor. I have been homeschooled my whole life, my father tells me I would be too easy of a target if I were to go to school. I felt my eyes slowly begin to drop as an overwhelming need to sleep flooded my body. 

I awoke suddenly my mind in a daze. I looked around my room trying to recenter myself in my surroundings. Across the room my door was open a crack, when I swear I had closed it. Checking the time on my alarm clock it read 10:24, I had been asleep for at least an hour.     

"Happy Birthday" I heard a voice say, drawing my attention to the bookshelf. The strange man's child was sitting in my reading nook with a book in hand.  

"What are you doing in my room, and how did you know it was my birthday?" An angry voice rising through me. How dare he be into my private rooms, did he not understand how inappropriate it is of him.                                         

"My apologize, it would seem I got lost." he spoke with a smirk, ignoring my questions 

"Also that..." He pointed at the calendar above my head. 

I looked back with shock written on my face. "What is your name?" I asked, my mother hadn't introduced him at breakfast. 

"Hunter" he spoke "What is your name?"

"Lily" 

"Nice to meet you Lily." 

I didn't like the way he said my name as though it was something with a secret. 

I searched his eyes trying to figure out what he wanted, but all I could see was the smug indifference that must come natural to him. Realizing I was staring I cleared my throat... 

"Please leave." 

"Of course my lady" He bowed with a smirk. 

"Close the door behind you." I said turning back to the papers in front of me.

He said nothing as I heard the door shut behind me.

What a strange person I thought to myself. 

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I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

It"s shorter than I thought it be but, oh well. 

1080 words