"What do you mean you don't like the radio turned on?" I asked with a sigh as I pinched the bridge of my nose, remembering the time when I turned on the radio without Xavier complaining, at all.

It has been an hour since I left home to visit my step brothers with Xavier in tow. What I never expected was to go the next day which was today. My dad said that it would be better if I left early so I that could come home early but Anastasia had insisted I leave on the weekend so I didn't miss out on any school work. Aubree out ruled the both of them and persuaded them both that it was my decision but still stood on my dad's side, telling me to go really early. By the time I came downstairs already dressed, Xavier looking like a gorgeous devil in his usual attire which consisted of black jeans, a black t-shirt and a black leather jacket, was already standing beside my dad as they both watched me descend the staircase which was very awkward for me.

"Take care of her," was my dad's last words before he waved Xavier and I off.

Xavier kept a straight face on, his eyes trained on the road whilst I pouted, wanting to hear some music yet Xavier insisted that it wasn't good for my ears. His car was rather comfortable, maybe because he provided me a pillow pet which I could hug for the entire car ride.

"Wouldn't you rather hear the sound of the wind?" Xavier questioned with a smirk as I sighed even louder, rolling down the windows till I felt the cool breeze on my face. "There you go."

"Your window isn't even down," I snorted, unladylike.

It has only been an hour yet I was starting to be more comfortable and when I mean comfortable, I mean when my unladylike side comes out. I felt a blush crawl on my cheeks as I instantly moved my head to the side so I could have the clear view of the boring cars that were surrounding ours. After hearing no nasty comments from Xavier, I slowly turned my head towards him to only see his face scrunched up, his eyes meeting mine before I burst into laughter. His scrunched up face was priceless as if he was still a five-year-old, a memory so familiar yet so distant. I closed my eyes and tried remembering where I saw that face from but I had no clue whatsoever. I sighed and allowed my eyes to settle on the road ahead of us, my eyes falling heavily as soon as the dark consumed me.

~

~

~

I felt myself waking up to a beautiful sunset that painted the sky as I rubbed my eyes to make sure they weren't fooling me. I groaned in my seat and looked to my side to see Xavier squinting at a house that was right in front of us, my eyes suddenly widening at our surroundings. Pink crept towards my cheeks as I felt them flush of embarrassment at the sight in front of us. The house was not as nice as my dad's where I lived but it was better than my neighbour's houses for it was nicely cleaned and the plants weren't overgrown. I cleared my throat, in hope to draw Xavier's attention away from the displeasing sight of the house and towards me yet he did not move a single muscle. I understood why, it was because he wasn't used to seeing this sort of house since his was like a freaking mansion.

"We're here," was the only words that had escaped his mouth as if he only had the breath to say those words. I rolled my eyes and nodded, patting his shoulders before getting out of his car that looked so posh compared to the house. I cleared my throat and made my way towards the front door, praying that my step-dad won't be the one to answer it.

The wooden door opened, revealing a very familiar woman as her brown eyes slowly met mine and in an instant, tears were already welling up in her eyes. My prayers were answered. I let a smile settle onto my lips as she engulfed me in a tight hug as if welcoming home for the first time in ages. I let myself sink in for a few moments, breathing in my mom's scent that usually put me at ease before stepping back and out of her hold as I looked to my side to see Xavier with a blank facial expression.

I raised an eyebrow and nudged him hard as he squirmed before placing a smile on his gorgeous face and if it was fake, you wouldn't be able tell at all. My mom stood rooted in her spot, rigid with her eyes wide as if shocked that I had brought a boy home with me. My mom had always nagged me on never getting a boyfriend because they weren't trustworthy or anything like that but hey, Xavier isn't my boyfriend so this doesn't count, right?

"And you are?" my mom asked with a bit of hesitation in her voice.

"Xavier, ma'am," Xavier answered. "Nice to meet you, ma'am."

"Please, just call me Josephine."

Xavier nodded and never once in my life have I ever seen him so nervous. I wanted to laugh but I knew that this situation wasn't appropriate so I tried keeping it in. The struggles. My mom quickly ushered us inside as my eyes wandered around the place feeling a familiarity with the place as I bit my bottom lip nervously. Nervous to see my step dad.

"Where is he?" I asked, knowing my mom knew who I was talking about.

"He's not home at the moment," my mom answered with a slight smile before ushering the both of us again but this time, into the kitchen.

I arched an eyebrow at three tea cups placed on the wooden dining table as if it was waiting for someone to drink it. I looked to my mom who only shrugged and pulled her chair out before motioning for the both of us to sit. Xavier quickly rushed in front of me to pull out a seat for me right opposite of my mom as I nodded as if to say thank you whilst taking a seat. Xavier nodded as a response before taking a seat right next to me, eyeing the house cautiously as if something was going to jump out at us at any moment now.

"Why did you return?" my mom asked cautiously.

I gulped and let my eyes wander around again, not wanting to tell her that I didn't really come to see her but to only see how the twins were doing. I sighed and placed both of my elbows on the table with a small smile. "I just wanted to check on you and the twins."

My mom nodded, believing every single word before she kept her eyes on Xavier who was going to break a sweat. I managed to hold back my laugh as Xavier met my eyes, his eyes telling me to break the awkward silence yet I refused to do so and that made him even more nervous. I could see sweat forming on his forehead as if he just ran a mile, his lip was pursed whilst managing to keep a blank face.

"Are the twins here?" I asked anxiously, my eyes darting around, desperate to find my two brothers.

My mom only smiled and shook her head. "They're out with some friends but they will be home soon."

I only nodded my head and let the awkward silence fill the tense air once again before I heard the front door unlock. Hearing those heavy footsteps made my hair stand on end and my whole body go rigid, my fingers playing with each other on my lap as I let my eyes stare straight ahead, right through my mom. I bit my lip nervously, avoiding eye contact with Xavier who plastered a confused facial expression in the corner of my eye. My mom was already chewing her lips as she suddenly stood up and walked towards the kitchen sink, trying to busy herself with the unwashed dishes. The tension in the air grew as sweat was already forming in the palm of my hands as the heavy footsteps were getting closer and closer. I bit my lip harder, wanting to escape. I could feel my lungs close up as if a vacuum was shoved down my throat and was sucking the air out of me and my head, already feeling light.

The footsteps were certainly closer than I thought as the tall, tan figure was now in front of me. His bearded face was in eye sight as his dark brown eyes glimmered with hatred yet amusement. My step-dad relaxed at the sight of me and instantly took a seat right in front of me, taking my mom's spot as he folded his arms across his chest, his smirk appearing and stared right at me as if Xavier was invisible to him.

Right at that moment, I could feel myself relax right beside Xavier's warm body, realising that he had pressed me against his side as if he was protecting me. I looked up at Xavier and realised he was now glaring at my step-dad as if hoping a black hole would appear and suck my step-dad into the darkness, away from our sights yet I only knew it was my imagination.

My step-dad frowned as his smirk instantly vanished, Xavier catching his attention and meeting Xavier's eyes. His smirk reappeared again and the hint of amusement flashed in his eyes as if it was meant to be there.

"Well well well," the deep voice that belonged to my step dad chuckled. "And who are you supposed to be?"

"I know I'm supposed to respect you but already seeing you, I am disgusted," Xavier answered with his death glare as a cold shiver crawled up my spine.

My eyes widened at Xavier's words, my heart increasing its beat.

Xavier, don't get involved.

I beg you.