My Stepbrother secret-possession

Happy Holidays: Twenty Seventh Of December

"Can you remind me once again why I'm baking you a birthday cake?" I asked, slightly exasperated.

"For the hundredth time, it's a surprise for someone special, and I truly appreciate your help with all of this." I waved my hand around.

"Surely," Sawyer nodded from behind me, observing my reflection in the mirror with a quizzical expression. "And am I acquainted with this person?"

Not only does she bake and design a cake for me, but she's also here for me as a sister, even though she can be quite persistent about trivial matters.

"Evie! Let's not discuss it any further, as I doubt I have the energy to handle your uncertainty and curiosity," I feigned a smile.

"I won't push it any further," she simply responded.

"Good. But don't you think the hairstyle is too much?"

"Would you prefer I put your hair in a bun or a ponytail?" She asked, sounding exasperated.

"Yes," I scoffed at her absurd question.

"So you'll look like an outcast among Las Vegas high school kids," she firmly stated, causing me to choke and sputter with laughter.

"You do know that 'cock' has a different meaning here, other than a man and an adult male chicken, right?" I reminded her as tears of laughter welled up in my eyes.

"Yes, yes, cousin, I know it also means penis," she rolled her eyes, trying to stifle her smile. "So, by 'cock,' I meant an adult male chicken," she added, giving in to laughter.

I managed to deceive Mom and Sawyer into believing that it was Evie's birthday party. In the process, I received a bonus of a beautiful cake that Sawyer helped me with, and she even gifted me a stunning oyster pink cocktail dress with appliques, which revealed a bit too much of my thighs.

Sawyer insisted that I let my hair fall around my shoulders and find a suitable pair of heels to match my appearance.

"What are you going to do about Xavier?" I asked after she finished doing my makeup and hairstyle.

"What can I do?" Her nonchalant attitude about leaving soon and still giving the poor boy false hopes for a forever happily ever after annoyed me.

Sceptical, I scanned her before blurting out, "Sawyer!"

"Fine," she sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. I really have to go back to London, and I think he understands," she frowned and flopped back onto our bed.

"But you two seem so close."

"We're hoping a long-distance relationship will work," she sadly replied.

"Or maybe you could just stay," I suggested with a small smile, hoping to comfort her in some way.

"You expect me to stay when you and Auntie Susan are planning on leaving the States? We're all getting out of here, my darling."

Those words haunted me throughout the ride to Eagle Hills Drive.

***

Alright, the plan is already in effect. I'm standing at Christian's doorstep, holding a cake for his son. Leigh successfully convinced me last night to spend this evening with his family on his seventeenth birthday, and I intend to make the most of it.

Besides, it's his first birthday with me. We should cherish today, even though it's a bittersweet one for both our parents. The 27th of December was supposed to be their wedding day.

I knocked twice on the door, which felt somewhat strange because only weeks ago, I could freely barge in as it had been my home for months.

The door swung open, interrupting my thoughts. "Ava," Christian uttered, standing in a formal black suit, looking dashing and quite stunned at my presence.