In Love With My Evil Stepbrother
Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Who can it be? Mom is thrilled that l’ou finally back. Upon seeing me, she pulled me into herarms for a biy. huc and didn’t let po for one minute. She asked me a lot of questions about my life inMiami and New York, and of course she didn’t miss out the chance to interrogate me about the reason Ileft Boston three years ago.

“I had always been thinking that after you graduate high school, you could continue studying here. Thereare lots of great college in Boston and you could pick the one you like…”

I sigh, “Mom, I’ve told you before. I can’t afford a fancy elite college.” Seeing she opens her mouth indisapproval, I quickly add to that, “– And don’t say that Mr. Ramirez is willing to help me! I’m not takingany more of his money.”

She pouts.

“Fine…but I still don’t understand why you needed to leave in such a hurry! You didn’t even tell me andjust got on a flight and left. Do you know what kind of damage it did to me? I kept thinking that I didn’tsomething wrong,”

“Just let it go mom. It was three years ago. And I already said that I’m sorry.”

“But wliy? At least you could give me a reason? Is it only me or are you really keeping a big secret thatI’m not aware of?”

She grabs my hands and looks at me beseechingly. This isn’t like when we were on the phone and Icould simply make up an excuse and hung up. Now I’m literally trapped. Just then, Mr. Ramirez emergesfrom the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hand. He makes his way to us and sits down beside mom,“What are we talking here?” 1 Mom complaints, “I was just asking Nat why she left without a goodbyethree years ago. She wouldn’t give me a good reason.”

Mr. Ramirez slightly raises his brows and I suddenly feel my stomach churn in nervousness.

He knows why I left. He even chased me down to Miami personally and made me promise that I wouldput an end to everything between me and Eason.

So is he mad now that I’m back into the picture?

Is he going to tell my mom?

I stare at him with a hint of pleading in my eyes. After a short eye contact with me, Mr. Ramirez turns tomom again and smiles, “Does she need a good reason to go back home? Because don’t forpet thatMiami is also her home.”

I quietly let out a breath that I’ve been holding and give him a grateful look. He winks at me briskly

Mom didn’t notice the briel exchange between us and is still frowning perplexed, “Sure but I

still don’t understand,”

“OK enough of the interrogation and questioning. This is Christmas for god’s sake,” Mr. Ramirez gives agentle pat on her shoulder and subtly changes the subject. “Ne you toll Natalia about the party yet?”

Mom’s face lights up at the mention of the party, which is probably her second favorite thing in the world,right behind slopping. “Shawn has a few business partners to entertain so we are throwing a party in afew days. But we don’t want to do it on Christmas because that day is for family only. So the party will behere on the day before Christmas Eve. You can invite all your friends over. How does that sound?”

It’s not a bad idea actually. Although I hate any occasion with a lot of people, I do iniss my friends.

“Sounds great. I’ll make some calls today,” I say.

Mom claps in excitement, “Fantastic! Nat you don’t have anything else to do today, right? Can you giveme a hand with all the party stuffs?” 1

I nod when Mr. Ramirez rises from the sola and says, “Well, I’ll leave you party experts to it. Let me knowif you need me again.”

He exits the living room. I stare at his back and quickly stands up as well, “Mom, I’ll replace you later…there’s something I need to do.”

I catch Mr. Ramirez below the staircase before he goes upstairs.

“Hmm Mr. Ramirez!” I call on to him. “I-I just want to thank you for…for everything you’ve done. And Ireally appreciate that you let me stay here for Christmas.”

He smiles looking at me. “This is your home, Natalia. The past is in the past now. So you are welcomedhere anytime.”

I return a sheepish smile. He’s always nice to me and I wonder if I’ll ever be able to repay the favor.

“Oh and there’s something else you should know about the party,” he says slowly while carefullywatching my face. “Eason’s fiancé is going to be there.”

My heart skips a leap. Yet I manage to keep my face under control.

“That’s nice. I heard that Eason is engaged now, and I’d love to meet my future sister-in law,” I saybreezily “And you will be fine with that?” he asks.

I pull up the corner of my lip and try to smile as sincere as possible. “Of course. I can’t wait tocongratulate them.”

I don’t know if he trusts me fully or not. But judging by the satisfied look on his face, at least he is notsuspecting anything just yel.

“Glad to hear that,” he pats me shoulder and goes up the staircase.

I sigh internally and return to the living room with a heavy lieart.

I guess I’ll have to meet his fiancé sooner or later. Better get it over with,

Mom spends the next few days decorating the townhouse and by the day before Christmas Eve theentire house has been successfully transformed.

The front door and staircasc are framed with beautiful garlands and light strings, perfect for both daytimeand nighttime display. A giant swag is situated on the top of the mantel, and beside the mantel is agrouping of four poinsettias. The red flower really goes with the overall color palette.

And of course, the most eye-catching stull in the living room is the giant Christmas tree, with hundreds ofgolden and glittering ornaments hanging on it. There’s a huge pile of beautifully wrapped gifts under thetree. Mon has decided to do a gift swap at the end of the party.

The party officially starts at 7. So guests start to arrive around 7:30. I stand by my mom’s side givingpolite smiles to strangers I don’t know, until I finally see some familiar faces. “Alex! Katherine!”

I exclaim in delight and rusli forward to greet my friends, giving a big hug to each of them. Alex hasn’tchanged at all. And Katherine…well she looks fantastic She was already the center of attention back inhigh school and now she is even prettier.

“Oh my god! I miss you so much!! Eddie couldn’t come but he sends his regards,” katherine hugs meback and cheers excitedly. “T’ll forgive you for leaving us in such a rush only if you give me full details ofyour life since then!”

I take them to the living room and offer them eggnogs. Then we start to talk

Alex is studying at Cornel and is currently dating someone. I’m really glad that he has moved on from hislittle crush on me. And Katherine went to Harvard, same as Eason. I’m not surprised that both of them

are in Ivy Leagues schools. With their GPAs and family backgrounds, they can easily get into any schoolthey want.

“So you and Eason are in the same school?” I ask Katherine.

“Yes. But in different departments. I rarely get to see him.” she quickly changes the subject,” Nowenough about us. What about you?”

I thien begin to tell them about my life, but I get distracted a lot and keep checking the front door. I’mwaiting for Eason’s fiance to show up. Yet up till now, I see no sign of that mysterious guest. Alex finallynotices my absent-mindedness, “Nat are you expecting someone?”

“N-no. I was just looking for my mom. Umm do you guys need a refill?

Before they say yes, I quickly take over their empty cups and go into the kitchen to calm myself down.

I peed to compose mysell. I can’t let anyone notice that something is wrong with me.

On the way back, I bunp into Eason, who is dressed in a neat suit and looks especially handsome today.

“Mary Christmas,” he smiles warmly at me,

“Mary Christmas,” I reply dryly. After abriel pause, I can’t help but ask, “I heard that your fiancé is coming.When are you going to introduce her to us?”

He shrugs nonchalantly. “No idea. I haven’t mellier myself. Dad will introduccher before dinner, Isuppose.”

“As the future groom, aren’t you at least a little bit curious?”

“Let’s just say that I fully trust my mom’s taste in selecting a marriage partner.”

He lets out a cold and sarcastic sneer and then walks away.

The next hour is like hell. I keep telling myself that I should take my mind off Eason’s fiancé. but I justcan’t stop myself from searching for my target in the crowd. So far I’ve noticed two possible candidates:one is the daughter of Mr. Ramirez’s business partner, the other comes with his family friend.

“Natalia are you OK?” Katherine whispers beside my ear while I’m secretly checking one of the girls.“You’ve been staring at that poor girl like a hawk. Is something wrong?” 1 panic and quickly makesomething up, “I was just looking at her diamond necklace. It’s pretty.”

Katherine doesn’t seem to suspect a thing and says, “Good eye. It’s a sapphire high jewelry by HarryWinston. That girl’s got money.”

I take a sip from my eggnog and taste nothing but bitterness in my mouth.

“Yeah I bet she does…” I murmur dryly.

A little while later, Mr. Ramirez raises from his seat and clinks his glass. The crowd quiets down andlooks over to him. “Family and friends, welcome.” He looks around the room smiling, “I’m very happy tohave every one of you here on this happy occasion…”

I spot Eason leaning against the piano drinking his wine. He seems bored.

“… Today, not only my son Eason and daughter Natalia are back home, but we are also about towelcome one more person into our little family. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce her toeveryone here.”

This is it!

I involuntarily straighten my back and hold my breath. Who can it be? Candidate number one with hersapphire necklace or candidate number two carrying the Hermes handbag?

Mr. Ramirez makes a dramatic little pause before continuing. And then, surprisingly, he looks at mydirection. My mouth parts slightly in shock. Why is he looking at me? And finally, he calls upon the nameof Eason’s fiancé.

“Katherine.”

Mr. Ramirez smiles pleasantly at our direction, “Are you willing to introduce yourself to everyone?”

What?