Bullied By My Alpha Stepbrother novel Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Jasmine's POV

The next day at breakfast, I was helping my mother set up the table when Hardin suddenly came down to the dining hall.

My mother looked like she had seen a ghost and perhaps she had because since we moved in to the house, Hardin had refused to eat with us, choosing to either eat in his room or go out to eat which I knew had made my mother very distressed and sad about how he had not still accepted her.

"Oh, Hardin, it is a pleasure to have you join us for breakfast. Please sit." She had said.

"Thanks." He replied, his voice deep in a way that made me shiver and I kept staring at him, unable to look away.

His ebony hair was damp, indicating that he had just showered and as the shirt he wore hugged his biceps paired with loose fitting pants, I could not deny that Hardin Morales was probably one of the most gorgeous male I had ever laid eyes on.

But then, that gorgeousness meant nothing when I remembered that behind that face and body was someone who hated me and my mother. Also, he bullied people and treated everyone like they were the dust beneath his feet.

Sitting across from him, I raised my eyebrow as Russo joined us on the table. His eyes widened in surprise and he looked delighted that Hardin was joining us for breakfast.

"Hardin, you're joining us today. What a surprise," Russo said and I fought the urge to roll my eyes when Hardin nodded innocently.

"Exactly," I muttered under my breath and watched as lips curled up in a smirk, clearly hearing what I had whispered and I frowned.

Why was he here? Surely, after dropping that dead rat which was his idea of a welcome, he hadn't slept and woken up to suddenly realize that he was ready to suddenly become one big happy family with us.

Russo and my mother might be easily deceived but I knew better. Hardin was here for no other reason than himself. I was sure that there was something he was hiding up his sleeve.

But I didn't know what and it made me very anxious. I remembered how I had barely gotten any sleep, afraid that he would enter the room and do something nasty again.

Speaking of, I needed to change the lock to my room.

"So, Hardin, tell me, how has school been?" Russo asked and he shrugged.

"Fine, I guess. You should ask Jasmine. We've been getting to know each other," he lied smoothly and I watched my mother's eyes become bright with delight.

I choked on my drink and my eyes widened as he pinned me with a look that dared me to disagree.

"Oh, really? Jazz, you didn't say anything about Hardin and you getting along when I asked." My mother who was sitting beside me rubbed my back affectionately and I just feigned a smile, unable to lie, unlike some people.

"Oh, she didn't? We are becoming good friends. I dropped off a gift for her last night as well. To formally invite her to the family."

I coughed and my mother's eyes widened as she looked at me and rubbed my back again.

"Christ, are you okay, sweetie?" She asked and I saw Russo's worried face. Hardin, however, was smiling so wide it made me understand what he had come down for.

I finally realized why he was here. He wanted to see my reaction to the little gift he had dropped last night. I should have known that he was up to no good.

Waving my mum off, I nodded and cleared my throat. "Yes, I'm fine and Hardin has been nothing but accommodating." I hoped the sarcasm in my answer was not too loud and from the way my mother smiled, she had believed my lie.

"That's wonderful," Russo answered "Jazz, Hardin, I and Camila will be going on a trip this weekend and will return on Sunday, will you be okay without us?"

My face paled and I looked at Hardin who didn't look like the news bothered him.

I could not stay in this big house alone with Hardin. The maids didn't count because they stayed in their quarters except they needed to work and couldn't be bothered about whatever was happening upstairs. Especially when it was just supposed to be siblings in the house. What was the worst that could happen?

But Hardin didn't see me as a sibling. I didn't even know what he saw me as. And I was not willing to find out.

"All weekend?" I asked shakily and my hand tightened on the fork I was holding when my mother nodded.