My Step-Brother Boss 18+

Chapter 3: Oh

MADISON

With a smile, I walked into the dining room, barely containing my excitement. I couldn't believe I had just landed a job at one of the most profitable companies in the USA. Out of more than a thousand applicants, only 225 even made it to the interview stage, and somehow, at just 21, I managed to get the job over people with decades more experience. It was fucking crazy.

"Good evening, Mother, Arthur," I greeted them as I took a seat at the dining table.

"Evening," they replied in unison, but my mind was still caught on the scene I'd interrupted earlier—the two of them looking like they were about to kiss.

Oh my god, ew, I did not just think about my mother kissing someone. That's fucking gross.

I need to stop being so immature about this.

"Mother, is there anything you'd like to tell me?" I asked, eyeing her suspiciously. I caught Arthur and her exchanging a nervous glance.

Okay, what the fuck is going on?

"No, Madison. Why?" she asked, immediately following it up with, "Also, you're 21. Don't show up to dinner in your pajamas." She just had to comment on my clothes again.

That's her thing—commenting on everything I do. It's super annoying, but at this point, I'm used to it.

"I'll be straightforward. Is there anything going on between you two?" I asked, ignoring her comment about my clothes.

Mother gasped, and Arthur immediately looked down at his plate, both of them blushing like teenagers.

"W-well," Arthur stammered, but I just raised an eyebrow and gave them both a bored look. "It's really obvious, guys. I'm not going to be mad; just tell me."

"We have been dating for two and a half years now," Mother finally confessed. I fucking knew it. All those times I heard a male voice on the phone—it was Arthur. I fucking knew it.

"Oh," was all I managed to say at first. "That's nice," I added, trying not to sound too dry.

I cut a piece of tofu from my plate and brought it to my mouth, ready to chew, when she dropped another bombshell. "We... we're engaged," she said, and I immediately choked on the tofu.

How many times has she made me choke on food with these sudden fucking revelations?

"W-what?" I coughed, and Arthur quickly poured me a glass of water.

"We're getting married this weekend," she added, and I stared at them wide-eyed as I took a sip of water.

"You didn't think you needed to tell me about this sooner?" I asked, feeling a bit hurt. Sure, I hadn't exactly moved on from Dad's death, but I'd never have stopped her from finding someone else. I just wish she'd told me a little earlier.

They're getting married, and I know fucking nothing about it.

"Sorry, Madison. I wanted to tell you in person, which is why I pushed you to move here. I knew you'd miss the wedding if I didn't," she sighed, and I looked down at my plate.

Yeah, I probably would've missed it. There's no denying that. But did she really have to drag me to Florida for it? I guess, thinking from her perspective, I can kind of get it.

"It's okay, I get it," I replied, trying to be understanding.

"So... Saturday or Sunday?" I asked, and they both looked at me confused. "The wedding," I clarified.

"Oh, Saturday," Arthur replied, and I nodded. "It's already Thursday today. Are you guys done with the preparations?" I asked, and they nodded. I gave them a small smile to show I wasn't mad or anything.

"Madison... I was hoping you'd come jewelry shopping with me. We have to find you a dress, too, since you'll be my bridesmaid. After work tomorrow, do you want to go shopping with me?" she asked, and I smiled.

"Yes, that'd be great," I responded.

"I know you guys met in high school, but how did you end up dating?" I asked, and they both blushed again.

"After your father died, Sophia and I lost touch for a while. I was too busy with work to really pay attention, but we reconnected at a reunion party. We talked, hit it off, and decided to meet up a few more times. Eventually, we started dating," Arthur explained, and I nodded, raising an eyebrow.

"T-That's interesting. I just wish you had told me about it earlier," I sighed. "But it's okay. It doesn't matter," I said, trying to brush it off.

This was chaos. They're getting married the day after tomorrow, and tomorrow's my first day at a new job. There are way too many things happening at once, and it's overwhelming as hell.

"Also, we'll be moving in with Arthur," Mom said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"We?" I asked, looking at her, confused.

"Madison, I wanted you to come back to Florida to spend more time with me. I'm fifty-eight; I don't know how much longer I have," she said, pulling her classic emotional blackmail card.

"Mother, I'm fine here. We can meet up anytime," I tried to reason with her, but she just brushed me off.

"Madison, please," she said, and Arthur just ate quietly, sensing the tension.

"Mother, this is my home. I can't just pack up and leave on a whim," I explained, hoping she'd understand my discomfort.

"Madison, if you don't try, how will you ever know?" she said, giving me a stern look.

"Fine, but if I don't like it, I get to move back here," I bargained. This is how we always reach a mutual understanding—by negotiating. It usually works out fine, but I'm the one who ends up losing most of the time.

"Also," Arthur said, glancing at my mother for confirmation before continuing, "you have a stepbrother."

"Oh? This is too much information for me, very overwhelming," I said, feeling completely overwhelmed.

I have a fucking stepbrother, too. What an amazing fucking day.

You know what? I'm too done with this to even ask who he is. I don't care at this point.**********

The end of this episode...

To be continued...