SURPRISE! Here's the second part to the last chapter. :) They're both short because it's split up.
You'll notice a lot of this is written with more subjectivity and perspective as far as the characters. So take notice of the little details.
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Previously…"You have a boy?"
"I'm going steady with this one b—man," Max reluctantly let out.
…
Annoyed, she pulled the handle and guided the large door open.
And brown met hazel.
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Berrisford Residence, Washington, 2019.
For a short few seconds, Max was taken back. And he seemed to be the same.
Then her enhanced brain kicked into gear. She mentally checked off all the qualities on Rachel's list. Yep, this was the Ben.
He was a tad taller than her and dressed in a black pinstriped suit, blonde hair slicked back.
"Hi."
"Hi," he returned. He smirked, but only softly, so that it was just a cheeky tug of one corner of his mouth. "You gonna let me in?"
Her body was thrumming with an indistinct emotion, so she only had enough composure to give him a nod and step out of the way. She felt self-conscious in her baggy, informal attire.
"I've, uh, heard a lot about you," she quipped, quirking an eyebrow.
He surveyed the manor, painted red and green in decorations with small splashes of gold, and then flicked his head back to her. "And I you."
Max closed the door, and was about to send him into the kitchen to her father, but when she faced him again, she was merely greeted by a glimpse of his back before he disappeared out of her sight. "Rude," she grumbled under her breath.
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"You should've seen his face, Sammy!" Robert boomed as he fought the howl of laughter bubbling in his throat. "Then I told him I was joking and he looked like someone had just told him he'd won lottery!"
Max watched as Ben dipped his head to murmur something in Rachel's ear, causing her to blush a deep scarlet that made her look even more radiant. The sweet gesture was the epitome of intimacy. Love.
Max wanted to barf.
Sickening, she commented to herself inwardly.
But she was happy for her sister. She was just protective, and very wary about this Ben guy. He was too…perfect for Rachel.
Robert missed the interaction as he was too busy wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. "Ah," he sighed. "He's a good boy."
Ben smiled at him, and gave a little nod of thanks.
The four of them were in the kitchen, all seated except for Max.
"Do your father a favour, Sammy, and get me some water."
Max would've smiled in the contentment she always filled with upon seeing her father so happy, but she was feeling too bitter…and O.C.'s shoes were pinching her toes painfully.
"So, Sam, Rachel told me you're in Seattle, what's it like?" Ben inquired politely, making Rachel beam up at him.
"Dingy," she replied, her manners being the complete opposite of his with her gaze averted, and her voice monotonous as she set a glass of water down before her father.
Rachel cleared her throat. "I think she means that the, uh, Pulse affected it a lot more than it did for us, here."
Max nodded noncommittally, which made Robert frown.
"Sam, don't be so impolite," he chastised.
Max forced a smile, letting its falsity drip obviously. "I'm sorry," she amended, discreetly mocking. "Excuse me." And with that, she left the room to go adjust her shoes.
Alec looked around awkwardly. He wanted to apologise for his role in the exchange, but felt like there would be too much irony in that. At that thought, he suppressed a chuckle.
Robert sighed and rose from his seat, following after Sam.
"Sorry about my sister," Rachel mumbled, gazing up at him. "Sometimes I just don't understand her. I know being here has changed her, but…there's still something in her from her past." She paused. "She doesn't talk about it much, but I know she came from an orphanage, and—Oh, I'm rambling about things that wouldn't interest you. Excuse me. I'm just worried about her."
Alec smiled softly. "I don't mind listening. Plus, you're adorable when you're worried."
Rachel did that beaming thing again, and lifted her head to his, holding it a safe distance away. He knew what she was doing and took the bait, descending his lips onto hers in a light kiss. As she sighed into it, he felt the unworthiness flood through his being.
"Come on, let's see if I can find some of that mistletoe," he suggested playfully, tugging on her hand.
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An hour later, the Berrisford Christmas party was in full swing. Christmas carols floated through the air, making easy listening to accompany the happy chitchat of the guests, all of them donned in at least one item of clothing that was red or green.
Max was grateful to realise Rachel's mistletoe was mainly being used by her. But then again, ungrateful, because it was gross seeing her little sister macking on some guy, and because, that guy was who he was. She had unwittingly decided she didn't like him.
"Where's Sam?" Max picked up on Susan Derrick's voice from the other side of the room. Thankful for the tall people surrounding her, she ducked into the nearby piano room, eager to avoid the old woman seeking her.
She carefully shut the door behind her and debated whether or not to lock it. No, she wouldn't stay long. She just needed time out. Plus, she wouldn't want anyone to get suspicious if they did come looking for her in here.
She squeezed her eyes shut and spun around to press her back against the door. She wanted to sink to the ground, but her dress restricted most movements. Her feet were killing her.
"Sam…" His murmur dragged her name out. It was almost a purr.
Her eyes flicked open. "Ben."
She sauntered over to him, eyes narrowing as she made her way to stand in front of him. "You don't like me much, do you?" he drawled, lips tracing a smirk across his face.
Max shrugged nonchalantly. "Haven't seen much to lead me anywhere else." She wore a fake smile. A guttural sound of irritation escaped her, shrieking in annoyance. "Where's Rachel?"
"Your dad called her out to help with something. Left me here." He glanced upwards.
She followed his gaze. "Oh, kill me now. No."
"Christmas rules, Max." He winked.
"As if, you sleaze, I wouldn't do that to my s—"
His arm snaked around to rest his hand on her back. In the shortest millisecond. And she could barely register the push he gave her towards him before his lips were on hers. All in one second so that she couldn't finish her words.
She couldn't move even if she pulled out her transgenic strength. He'd trapped her. The jackass.
Because she was a low, weak – oh, so very weak – human being, she gave in for a short moment.
He was a hella good kisser, that's for sure.
But then Max's composure returned, and she pulled back, happy to realise that he let her do so, though his hand remained on her back, as if it were its normal position.
"What the hell did you call me?" she spluttered.
He blinked, then his eyes glazed into a faraway look, like he was retracing his steps, before recognition lit his face. "Oh," he said as a grin played over his lips.
Bewilderment washed over her face as she panicked. She stumbled back a couple of steps, her usual grace now missing, and the removal of his body warmth left her colder.
Her eyebrows were pushed together so hard it almost hurt. Her mouth hung open. "Ah—di—ye—hu—wha—"
The blonde pursed his lips and stared carefully at her.
Her eyes closed for a brief moment as she blew out a heavy breath then looked back up at him. "You…"
His lips tensed to smile, eager for her happy exclamation.
"SON OF A—"
Spoke too soon, he reprimanded himself mentally.
"Alec? You're dating my sister? You're here! You—you—UGH! Too much. Too much."
Max met his gaze again, before she stalked over to him and wrapped her arms around his body.
"I missed you."
"Now, there's the Maxie I was waiting for."
She retreated slightly. "How long have you…?"
Alec grinned. "From the moment I laid eyes on you, Max."
"Oh, it's so good to see you again. To hear you saying my name."
"Good, 'cause you had me scared that you're extreme hatred of me would steal my chance to get you alone to talk about this."
"As if I could hate you, Alec," she drawled.
He nodded in understanding. "Just my alter ego."
She chortled as she wormed her way out of his arms. Then, the cheerful ambience disappeared as all the amusement drained from her face. "You're dating my sister." She inhaled sharply. "Could you be any stupider? She's just an innocent girl!" she shouted.
Alec put his hands out in a calm, diplomatic manner. "Max…it's not like—"
"How could you? You're going to ruin her life! What if she gets hurt?"
"You can't accuse me of something like that! I would never intentionally hurt her. And it's not like I've done anything worse than you have!" he howled back.
"No! I've protected her!"
"You involved her long before I did. If anyone's endangering her, it's you!"
A creak of the door was lost in the rumble of their verbal battle.
"You have to stay away from her! I can't let you hurt her!"
"What the hell is your pro—"
"Guys?" Rachel cut in.
Their gazes flicked to the confused girl.
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Cookies and hugs to anyone who reviews both chapters!
