Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother novel Chapter 6

KASMINE.

“Mum… I don’t want to be here anymore. Please?” I said to my mum for the hundredth time since the day I arrived.

I thought I could work things out with my brother and be freer around him, but I was wrong. He’s been worse than he used to be with his overprotectiveness.

“Come on, honey. You’ll be fine. Besides, you’ll be coming home tomorrow, won’t you? I know you miss me, your friends…” Mum said, trailing off again, probably talking to someone else in the background. It’s been a habit of hers that I detested. She always wanted to handle too many things at the same time.

“See you tomorrow, mum,” I hung up the call even before she could respond.

My mum was never available. How would she know what I was going through? We couldn’t even as much as connect through a simple conversation, how much more build a connection where she’d know how I truly felt on the inside about certain things I was going through?

I had no one to talk to except…

Speak of the devil, and she appears!

What the hell was Claire doing here at Zamford Tech? Was I dreaming?

“Baby girl!!!” She squealed, running into the office, which made me feel more like a prisoner than an intern.

“Claire! What are you…?” I was beyond shocked, but she took the words out of my mouth.

“I’ve been reposted to Zamford Technologies! Can you believe that?” She pulled me in for a hug.

“How did you do that? Don’t tell me you manipulated your way here,” I folded my arms across my chest, giving her a playful glare.

“I wouldn’t call it manipulation,” she said with an eye roll, “Where is he?” She asked, looking around for my brother in anticipation.

I felt pity for her. She was almost obsessed with Kester, but he would never love her back. He already had a fiance, and I believe he loved her. Moreover, Claire wasn’t his kind of woman.

Just before I opened my mouth to speak, the door to my office opened, and the face of the man who made me uncomfortable with just his stare walked in on us. His face was set in its usual frown.

The moment my eyes met Kester’s, I felt the familiar knot tighten in my stomach. His forest green eyes bore into mine for a brief second before I instinctively looked away, my heart racing.

He stepped into the office holding a sleek shopping bag, the door softly clicking shut behind him.

Claire’s excited chatter died mid-sentence as her gaze locked onto him. She froze for a moment, then straightened her posture as though trying to appear more poised. I could practically hear her heartbeat accelerating in the sudden silence.

“Kester,” she breathed in a soft voice as if his mere presence was a divine blessing.

He didn’t even glance her way.

Instead, he strode over to my desk with that same cold energy that made everyone in his presence feel like they were two steps behind him. The bag landed on my desk with a muted thud, and I looked up at him questioningly.

“This is for you. Open it when you’re alone.” He said casually.

“What’s in it?” I asked curiously, despite myself.

“Do as you’re told for once in your life, Kasmine,” He replied calmly.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. I felt embarrassed. But before I could open my mouth to speak, Claire interrupted me.

“Alpha?” She called.

He paused and turned his head, his eyes finally landing on her, “Yes?”

“I’m Claire,” she said, stepping forward, her hand extending toward him. “The new intern. It’s such an honor to intern in your company. I’ve heard so much about Zamford Tech, and I am glad to be a part of it.”

His gaze drifted to her outstretched hand, but he didn’t take it. Instead, he raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a faint, mocking smirk.

“Claire? The one who fought her way into my company?” he asked, his voice carrying a sardonic edge.

I saw the shift in Claire’s countenance as her outstretched hand dropped beside her.

“I…” She swallowed nervously. This wasn’t the reception she hoped for.

He let out a scoff, shaking his head slightly as he glanced at me briefly. “Get busy, Claire. This isn’t a place for idle chatter.”

***

Claire hadn’t come into my office since she left. She felt terrible at how Kester had spoken to her. He knew her too well, but every time he came across her, he acted like he’d never met her before.

She was my friend, for fuck’s sake!