Dating My Stepsister

Chapter 7: Interrogation

-Macey's POV-

"Macey, do you know anything about Zed's changes in behavior? It was so sudden. I can't see any reason for him to be like that.", Auntie asked.

Oh no! What should I say?? What?!

"U-uhm.. I- yeah.. I-it was so sudden. Uhm.. I think.. ...it would be best if you asked him.", stuttering me. Aishh!! *Damn you, Zed!!*

"Macey, are you alright? Look, if you know something, don't hesitate to tell us. We need to know what's happening with Zed. Celia has been telling me about Zed, I thought she was just overthinking. But considering what he just did?", Papa said worriedly.

"Macey, please.. Everytime I try to talk to Zed about his problem, he tries his best to get out of the topic. As his mother, I'm worried.", Aunt said.

I just bowed my head.. I thought I would be safe from this complications. I thought wrong.

"Okay okay. Let's deal with that later. Let me talk to Zed. For now, let's focus on you, Macey. I've heard you've been dating..", Papa said. What a relief..

"Yeah.. I had been dating but none of them were serious. And as of now, I'm not seeing anyone.", I replied. That's true.

I never went serious with all the guys I dated. Not even to the extent of what I had with Zed. It seems like I've lost interest with any guys when I lost him. I don't know why..

"But why?", Papa asked again.

"Uhm.. Let's say.. I am not rushing things?", I just said.

"Well..sounds good with me. But most girls your age are like running out of men.. They seem to be collecting.", he said that made my brow arched.

"Geez, Papa.. You have time to observe that?", I teased.

"Hey, I just noticed.", defensive him.

"Don't tell me you're hanging out with girls of Macey's age?", Auntie asked teasingly.

"Hey!! Of course I'm not.. Why would I do that when I know I have a pretty wife back at home who'll probably be jealous?", now it's Papa who teased. Auntie just rolled her eyes in response.

"Ugh.. You two are like teen agers..", I commented.

They both laughed. Grown-ups....

How I wish Zed and I were just like them...

Wait?.... What?? Is it possible that........ I'm still in love with Zed?

*****

-Zed's POV-

Someone just knocked on my door. I paused the game I'm playing on my laptop, went to the door and opened it. It's Uncle Dan.

"Zed, can we talk?", he sounded so serious.

I opened the door wider and let him in. Then I closed it again.

"What is it, Uncle?", I asked.

"Look.. Your Mom and I are bothered by your behavioral changes. Is there any problem? You can tell me. Maybe I can help?", he said.

Now how can I tell him my problem?

Yes, I do want to consult him. Because he's a guy too and he would probably understand. Plus.....he's more mature than my friends who kept on pushing me to just find a replacement for Macey rather than keeping my feelings for her deep inside me.

Well..yeah. I still love her. And I don't hate her. I can't hate her. I hate what she did. I hate that she can't accept us anymore. I hate that she ditched me... Just because of that one date I had?? Aarrgh!!

That's why I'm being all so rude all this time...hoping that she'll miss what we had.. Hoping that she'll miss me.

Wait.. Did she even love me? We never told I love you's to each other.

"Uhm... I don't know how to say it. It's kinda embarrassing.", I said.

"Just blurt it out, I'll listen.", he said back.

"Okay... Uhm, a girl ditched me for a very petty reason. And I hate it...but I can't hate her. I want to have her back but I don't know how. It's frustrating..that I'm acting rude.", I said, careful not to give hints that it's Macey I'm talking about.

"I see....heart problems. Well, who is the lucky girl?", he asked wiggling his brows.

"Uhm.. I'll keep it a secret for now.", I just said.

"Okay.. Then how long has it been since she ditched you?", he asked again.

"Oh.. Almost three years..", me.

"Wow! Loyal dude eh?".. I just smiled sheepishly upon his remark. "Have you talked to her about the matter?"

I shook my head.

"Then stop being rude and try talking to her about how you feel.. Then court her again.. Who knows? You might win her back still..", he said confidently.

"Well.. I don't know if she'll be open about it. And what if she's already seeing someone else?".. Yes, I have doubts.

"You wouldn't know unless you try. It's better to be defeated giving your best rather than doing nothing at all."

Uh? Uncle Dan's actually right! All I need to do is find a way to talk to Macey about it without her being hot headed. Because I can't win against her when she's mad.

"You're right! Thanks, big dude!", and I gave him a chestbump.

"Now you sounded more like the Zed I know. Anyway, are you sure you don't want to marry my Macey anymore?", he teased.

"Uhm....haha.. Geez.. That was like- I mean.. I was a kid then.", I said rubbing my nape.

"Relax.. I was just kidding.. Even a while ago.", he said.

"Yeah.. Sorry bout that.".. He just gave me a pat on my shoulder.

"Goodluck with your girl..", he said before leaving my room.

Whew! That was close!

-Dan's POV-

Does he really think that I wouldn't notice? With the way he acted, and the way Macey acted, a while ago? How my daughter stuttered, plus that significant gaze of her for Zed?

I don't know how they managed to hide it from Celia..

I should be mad with Zed....but I can't. Not with what I saw in his eyes a while ago. Not with the stories that Celia told me...of how he kept his promise of looking after Macey while I'm away. Not with what Macey told me about how he protected her from bullies and how he saved her from being hit by a motorcycle, and such..

All those little acts, plus the sincerity in his voice, and the hurt in his eyes....tells a lot. Macey's lucky to have found a guy like him. I hope they can work things out.

But no.. I wouldn't give him the pleasure of telling him what I know and what my stand is. As Macey's father, I still want him to confess it to me. I want him to show such courage before I grant them they're happiness.

As for now, I'll act like I know nothing.

And oh! I need to talk to Celia about this. I need to know her stand.