Chase and Company

Chapter Seven: Brothers and Baby Girls

                I knew Aiden was wealthy. You had to be at least well-off to attend Lakefield Academy; either that or a genius. I knew that his family owned the most successful business today, and held great shares of stock. When we were driven to the outskirts of the city, past mansions miles away from each other, I knew that he probably had a home that would surpass them all.

               I knew all this, yet that didn’t stop the shock I felt when the princess led me inside his marble palace, situated amongst the largest sea of green with no neighbors in sight.

               Every surface, from the floor to the grand staircase to the crystals of the large chandelier, was polished to the point of glowing, and I suddenly felt dirty amidst all the luxury.

               “Welcome to my humble abode,” Aiden announced, a smirk playing on his lips.

               I turned to scowl at his lameness, but couldn’t wipe the admiring grin off my face.

               “It’s beautiful,” I assured him, walking over to run my fingers along the ebony handrail of the staircase in the center of the foyer that was larger than my whole house.

               I turned around to face Aiden but when I didn’t see him behind me I began to panic. I looked around my foreign surroundings, not knowing what to do or where to go. Then, the miraculous happened.

               My stomach growled.

               Cursing Aiden under my breath, I began walking to the left of the staircase. After passing the sitting room, down through a hallway, past a library and a home theater, I finally found the kitchen. I hesitantly checked the empty room then headed straight to the stainless steel refrigerator and heaved the double doors open. I grabbed a water bottle and turned to the kitchen island to grab a banana from the fruit basket I saw when I entered. I stood at the counter of the island, chewing on the soft, sweet fruit. Polishing it off quickly, I twisted the top off the bottle and took a large swig.

               “Dang girl, can’t believe you’re still thirsty after that banana.”

               My eyes widened at the sound of not one laugh but two. I choked on my drink, spluttering as water gracefully dripped down my chin. I swirled to face the entrance of the kitchen. I didn’t think my eyes could get any wider but, once again, I was wrong.

               This really is a palace for the gods. And I thought Aiden was hot.

               Two perfect creatures slithered from their positions leaning against the frame of the entrance to walk smoothly towards me. As they came closer, I began to fidget under their looming figures. Even in my white pumps, I was like a dwarf to them.

               The taller of the two was half a foot taller than my elevated height, and leaned against the island, his arms behind him on the countertop, supporting his weight. His lazy smile matched his laidback demeanor. I became mesmerized by the stark contrast of white against his tanned skin.

               “I’m Landon. And this,” he said, jerking his head in the direction of the guy leaning against the closed fridge, “is my younger brother, Hudson.”

               “After the river,” Hudson clarified, a grin playing on his gorgeous features. Barely an inch shorter than Landon, even his forest green eyes seemed to be laughing as he tilted his head to the side, examining me.

               I smiled back at them pleasantly until I remembered that this wasn’t my home and I didn’t know who they were.

               “Who are you and what are you doing here?” I all but blurted at them. Instead of being taken aback, their smirks widened and I heard a chorus of angels as their laughter rolled from deep within their toned chests.