Genie-Us

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

I stood outside of the family house where I had spent my childhood years. It was the mansion of my dad's dreams, and similar to what he had wanted to buy me. Familiar emotions swelled around me. They were full of the same nostalgia I had experienced when I was with my mum. I gulped when my eyes filled with tears. Why was I having such an emotional overload?

When I pulled myself together, I took to staring at the imposing doorway. My nerves now crept over me. I was about to introduce a genie as my boyfriend. Nothing seemed more ridiculous now. He couldn't just be any genie, my stupid stepbrother had to have stolen his lamp.

What was going to happen once that door opened? I'd only just started getting to know Jene, and this could destroy the tenuous threads that held us together. Panic and nerves spread through me in a terrifying blaze. What if this turned into a disaster?

"I hope you're ready for this." My voice rose to a squeak, which revealed my anxiety.

"It may surprise you, but I already have an awareness of your family and how they engage together." Jene sounded amused.

"Of course you are, through the wishes, but you still haven't spent time with all of them in the one room. I'd like to say you're in for a treat, but that's a huge lie." I told him as my shaky hand reached for the doorbell.

"We shall survive this with ease, Little One." He tried to reassure me.

"Are you sure you're not going to suddenly turn into Harrison? I really couldn't cope with that." I gave him a troubled look as I heard footsteps approach the door.

"Do not worry so, Little One. When She-Gen took away that one wish, she gave me an incredible amount of power over your stepbrother. He has no inkling of what the deletion of a wish entails. Your mother in her Aunt Chloe form demanded his presence here today, and he obeyed, although with a great deal of reluctance." Jene informed me.

"Isn't that going to mess with me getting your lamp? Jene, it's important we don't mess around with retrieving your lamp, and that's what this is." I waved a frantic arm around as the door opened and I faced Bev.

"Did you forget your key, darling?" Bev asked in her sweet motherly way.

"Um, no, but I had someone to introduce, and he, um, okay, I've completely stuffed this up." With a groan, I put my head in my hands.

"Hello, my name is Jene, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance." Jene interrupted my embarrassing babble while I tried to draw in a breath.

"Aren't you a handsome devil? Hello, Jene, I'm Bev, Isla's stepmother," Bev shook Jene's hand while I stood there mute. "Where did you find him, Isla?" Bev's amusement made me groan louder.

"Mum, what's taking so long?" Candy, in all of her princess attitude swished up to us.

My stepsister was the epitome of rich, spoiled child. Everything about her from the styled and dyed blonde hair to her fake eyelashes were perfect. Nothing was ever out of place. It made me want to mess up her hair, so she'd look normal.

"Isla has found herself a boyfriend." Bev couldn't hide how pleased she sounded.

"Wow, hello gorgeous." Candy breathed the words as she stared Jene up and down.

"Candy, do you mind?" I snapped and my stepsister dropped her eyes.

"Sorry." She muttered sullenly.

"Let's not all stand in the doorway."

Bev ushered us inside, and I let Jene enter in front of me. I needed to dose myself in his perfection for a moment before I had to cope with dinner. He had worn jeans and a collared shirt, which made him appear surreal to me.