Obey me, Stepmom (VERSION 2)

Chapter 8

Y/N'S POV

I cried until dawn in my apartment, his words cutting deep.

It's been two days since then. Mr. Haitani is coming home today, I think.

"Dad wants you home," Rindou said, standing at the door of our apartment. I guess he's here on his father's orders.

Saki scolded me when she found out I went home. I told her I needed a break. She was mad at first but eventually said she understood and hoped I hadn't quit. I haven't. I'm still determined to see Ran's downfall.

"My brother told me everything that happened that night. You were almost in big trouble, you know?" Rindou chuckled. "You used a stolen vehicle and left the owner's body there. The police got involved, but don't worry, my brother took care of everything."

I was honestly surprised to even hear that. Ran helped me? That sounded ridiculous.

"Why are you being nice to me?" I couldn't help but ask. His brother is the complete opposite.

Rindou paused, thinking about my question. "I don't know, you seem okay," he shrugged.

That made me smile. "Wait for me here, I'll just get ready," I said, smiling at him. He nodded and smiled back.

"Take your time, girl," he giggled.

°

"Here," Rindou handed me a bag of snacks. I told him I was hungry, so we stopped at a convenience store, and he got everything I asked for.

"Thanks!"

"No probs."

I immediately opened my favorite snack. I was starving, and we still had a long way to their house.

"What else did Ran say?"

"Hmm... He told me about your argument. He said you're messing with his head."

"Wow! So it's my fault now?"

"I met him at home that night. He was stressed and angry, his hair a mess, his tie all crooked. I asked where you were, and he said you drive him insane and he's sick of protecting you," Rindou chuckled as he drove.

"Protecting me from who?"

"My brother takes orders well. My dad told him to protect you because you attract the wrong kind of attention from men because of your fashion."

Oh, so this is all because of his dad?

"Did your father also tell him to slut-shame me?" I raised an eyebrow.

"If his intentions were to protect me, was it really necessary to say those words? To throw money at me?"

"I think that's just him," Rindou giggled, making me laugh too. "He calls everyone a slut, even me sometimes."

Rindou and I spent a few minutes chatting. I was waiting for the right moment to ask something important...

"Are you friends with those two?" I asked, referring to Sanzu and Kokonoi.

"Yup."

"You guys look more like business partners. I'm curious though," I hoped I didn't sound too suspicious.

"We're just friends, the four of us."

He was cautious, and a good liar if I didn't know them personally. Rindou kept calm as he lied, he was really good at it.