Family Ties - Tom x Mattheo x Reader (Cassandra)

Chapter Two

Cassie
I wake up and it is the next morning. I must have passed out after a mini panic attack, I get dressed and head down for some breakfast. I can smell the bacon as I head towards the kitchen. My mother is there cooking up a storm. "Darling, you do not need to cook, that's what the elves are for." I have to admit seeing how the Dark Lord is with my mother is really quite sweet. The way he admires her is absolutely amazing. She deserves it. "I know, but I enjoy cooking it keep my mind busy, and it isn't like the elves aren't busy, they clean and tend to the gardens, so stop complaining." She has her confidence back. I love it.

She turns to put the food she has cooked onto the breakfast bar and she sees me. "Cassie my dear, you look like you had a bad night?" she comes over to hug me. "I had a panic attack last night and blacked out. I guess even unconscious I was restless" She hold me closer and kisses the top of my head. I place a small amount of food onto my plate and manage to finish it. As I sit there nursing my coffee, the boys make an appearance. Mattheo complimenting my mother on the food, he piles his plate and literally inhales the food. Tom eats like a gentleman. Scowling at his brother and his caveman like behaviour.

"You pair need to keep the bickering to a lower level, you share that side of the house now so I expect you to respect that, got it?" I know the Dark Lord has the abilities to get inside my head, so it didn't' shock me when he said that. He must have realised that them arguing triggered my attack. I make eye contact with him and mouth thank you. He nods in acknowledgement and carries on eating his second helping of food. Mattheo doesn't question his father but Tom..

"Just because she is now living here doesn't mean the whole dynamic has to change, she doesn't have to live here either" he looks to me. "either put up or shut up, don't go crying to your new daddy because me and my brother argue with each other. It kind of what siblings do" the way he speaks sends me spiralling again. I start visibly shaking. I try to get up and leave but my legs fail me and I fall to the floor and curl up into a ball and rock.

"THOMAS! What the fuck did I just say! If anyone is going to leave it will be you boy! You will treat her like family, she is not going anywhere, you will remember that." Tom storms off at his father's outbursts. I manage to gaze at Mattheo who looks genuinely concerned. "Cassandra, stay with me, no one is going to hurt you ok? Your father is dead, I personally took care of it. Ignore Tom he just isn't used to a new routine that is all, give him time and he will come around." Dark Lords words comfort me. He strokes me hand and for once I do not flinch. Probably because I know he did in fact destroy my father, Nagini slithers over and comforts me. Who would have thought I would have a massive snake as an emotional support animal.

Getting to my feet I hobble upstairs and shut my bedroom door, I start journaling again, recording last night's wobble and this morning. I need to record this. I get this is a massive change for all parties and guessing his sons have no clue the ins and outs of what my father actually done. That's a conversation when they earned the right to know. I have a feeling Mattheo will be the first so approach me, he seems more easy going than his brooding brother.

I sit on my window seat looking out towards the garden, it is summer now. The colours of the flowers are absolutely stunning. I decide to explore properly. On the patio there is a hot tub and built in BBQ, who would have thought. Some expensive looking garden furniture that screams my mother's taste. A few steps lead down to the manicured lawn. There's a summer house to the right hand side and a pool house to the left, guessing the pool Is the other side of that. Not being able to swim I do my best to avoid it. I find myself at the bottom of the garden, next to a massive oak tree. There is a bench at the base. It is picture perfect. Wishing I had a book to read I just continue walking around. I end up at the bloody pool. Why I do not know, but then I see Mattheo swimming laps. He gets out, and my jaw drops. I haven't seen any male look that fine. Washboard abs, very prominent V line, a line of hair leading to his very tight shorts. I catch myself looking at his bulge. It is massive and it isn't even hard. Not that I would know, I am still a stupid virgin. I suppose I should be thankful really.

I keep admiring him, he towel dries himself, his broad shoulder, muscular biceps. He a walking wet dream. He catches me looking and gives me that signature cheeky grin. I freeze as he starts to approach me. "Hey Cass, I wanted to apologise for my brother, he hates change and well this all happened quickly. If he gives you any bother let me know, I have wanted an excuse to lay him out for a while" I snigger. "Uhh thanks, but I am going to try to avoid him best I can. I am not one for company at the best of times any way, but I will keep that in mind for future reference" he smiles again. "He is alright once you get to know him, how are you finding this place so far?" he gestures me to sit in one of the lounge chairs just outside the pool house.

"Getting there, it's nice to have a room that feels like a room and to be able to decorate as I please." His brows furrow with confusion. "judging by that look you have no clue about me and my mother?" he smiles again. I could fucking melt right now. "My dad only said that he was helping out an old flame, needing to take out the trash, then a month later announced that he and her were getting married then boom here we are, a step mother and step sister. I personally am grateful, your mother is amazing in the kitchen, the elves don't even compare" I laugh.

"Well cooking and baking ground my mum, her escape from" I cut myself off. "Hey you don't need to say more if you aren't ready Cass" he goes to shower. "Oh by the way, we have a few friends coming over tonight, there will be some girls as well, if you want to join we will be in the summer house around 7pm." I smile and he walks off.

I sit by the pool for a little longer, my thoughts get the better of me.

"You worthless piece of shit, you are a disgrace to this family, weak. I should have sent you to an orphanage the moment you were born. I never wanted a daughter. You should have been a boy!" he smacks me about the room. Drags me by the hair and leads me to the pool outside and throws me in. I start drowning. Bobbing up and down trying to catch my breath. My mother saves me just in time. She wraps me in a towel and hold me while we both sob. "I have a plan my darling, just waiting for the right time." That was a month before he was killed.

I come around from my flashback and realise I am in the fucking pool. I am literally re living that flashback. Struggling in the water, I try and get to the edge of the pool. I clearly pass out.