Resisting Temptation

Chapter 2 (Zac's POV)

I thought it was crazy for dad to remarry another woman. Mom had only been gone for about five years, how was that fair to her? But dad was lonely, I could see that, and it wasn't the same with it just being the two of us in the apartment. Still, I couldn't be too sure of this woman, and she had a daughter too! What would be the chance that I actually got along with her? Given my attitude, close to none.

The sliding doors opened and dozens of people flooded in, all arriving from Ontario. Dad was quick to shuffle through the mess until he found Trinity, then he grabbed her and kissed her. I wanted to groan in disgust, then I noticed the girl next to her. She was kind of short, definetely shorter than I was, and long brown hair tied back. If this was Trinity's daughter, I would be extremely pleased.

"Howard, you remember my daughter Daniella?" the two pulled back and Trinity grabbed Daniella's arm to pull her forward. Dad smiled and shook her hand.

"Lovely to see you again Daniella." he said.

"Likewise sir." Likewise? She may look like a pretty girl, but she's damn more polite than anybody I know.

"Please, call me Howard. And this is my son Zachary." it was my turn to shine. I shook Dani's hand, telling her to call me Zac. Zachary was just way too formal for my liking.

"Well then, shall we go?" Trinity asked.

"We shall. Let's go home kids." dad replied, taking Trinity's suitcase and pulling it behind him. I figured I should do the same for Dani, but she grabbed hers before I could even flinch.

We loaded the bags in the trunk and headed into town, Manhattan to be more exact. The adults conversed in the front while we were shoved in the back. Dani put in her earphones and just stared out the window. I snuck glances at her every now and then, and just studied her. She was the average looking type of girl, dark hair, brown eyes, she was short...not like elf short but...short for an eighteen year old girl. She turned her head to look at me, I turned away at the last second and pretended to look at the city. And when she turned away, I went back to looking at her. I couldn't believe that I was getting a new family, I wasn't really sure if I was ready for that.

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By the time we got back to the apartment building, it was obvious that the Laveks didn't travel too often. Trinity had a look on her face that said she stepped into a dream, and Dani looked like she was waiting for somebody to wake her up.

The elevator door opened right into our living room, but dad stopped us from going in. He lifted Trinity like a bride and took her in. Dani and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes. Parents.

"Dad, while it's incredibly moving to watch you and your fiancé be in love and all, we should really get the Laveks settled in." I said. Dad put down Trinity and cleared his throat.

"Couldn't agree more son, let me show you to your room madamé." he said, taking her suitcase in his hand. Trinity thanked him and they disappeared down the corridor. I had a feeling I wouldn't get much sleep that night.

"If there's one thing more discomforting than talking to your parents about love, it's watching them be in love." Dani said, it was the first thing I'd heard her say all day.

"I second that. Come on, I'll show you to your room." I told her, grabbing her bag and headed down the other hall. She slung her little duffel over her shoulder and followed closely behind. We came to my own room, Dani looked like she walked into a ratty diner that smelled like urine. Did she think she was staying here?

"It's uh...nice." she said. I had to fight the urge to laugh at her expression.

"Yeah, it's also mine." I replied. "This is your room," I pulled on a thin rope chord and pulled down the wooden staircase that was built for the attic. It used to be an attic of course.

"My bedroom is in an attic?" she asked.

"Yes, my multi-billionaire father would let his fiancé's daughter sleep in an attic. You're room is up there." I replied. Dani crawled up the ladder, a glint of curiousity in her eye. I followed up seconds later, she was looking around like she was in Wonderland.

"How's it suit you?" I asked her.

"This has to be twice the size of my old bedroom. Your dad didn't have to do this." she said.

"He wanted to make a good first impression on his future step-daughter." I replied.

"Impression made. I guess my mom told him my favorite color was purple." she said, shoving her hands in her back pockets and looking around.

"I see it is. I uh...I hope you enjoy your stay at the Trenway Hotel." I joked. She looked at me and cracked a smile.

"I hope I will. Thanks Zac." she said.

"Anytime. By the way, I have to warn you." I said. 

"About what?" she asked.

"Our parents' room is down the hall, and there may be a noise issue tonight." I told her.

"Well, you may get an unexpected visitor while you sleep tonight." would she really sneak in my room tonight? Nah, she was just joking...I think...

"Noted, welcome home Dani." I said, the first time her name came from my mouth.

"Thanks." that was my cue to turn away and give her the space; I didn't know know much about new experiences, but I knew that from what I heard of Dani's past, she was going to take a long time to adjust to all of this.