DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN WINX CLUB.

AN: Hi, guys! So, I was so surprised by so many reviews for the last chapter. First of all, thank you so, so much. And second, I'm happy to read that many people actually liked this version of Brandon. On the other hand, some were also…scared? So, I just wanted to clear up the concerns. This is a heads-up that Brandon is not going to be the nice, sarcastic-but-sweet guy that I usually try to show him as. He's going to be a little…extreme. And even a little darker than normal. I've always written him as a mature, loving man, but I want to write in a different context this time. :) But don't worry, this is a Stella/Brandon story, so I can't exactly toss them together if one of them crosses a line that can't be uncrossed. :)

Moving on, I'm so happy I finally decided to sit and write it this weekend! It feels like I haven't written in a long, long time, so I'm happy to be back! I hope you enjoy this chapter because I certainly had fun writing it. :) Unfortunately, I haven't proofread that thoroughly because I kinda have an assignment due in two hours, but I will get to it later tonight! Thanks! :)

Stella swallowed at the familiarity of those cursed words. He didn't say that, did he? He did NOT just say that, did he? Stella stared at him, petrified. He's still the same as ever. Shameless, crude, and uncouth. Time clearly hasn't changed him. Not one bit. He still lived for the thrill of the chase, hunting his prey down to the ends of the earth if that's what it takes. She didn't know if she loved or hated it. His tenfold determination was what once attracted her to him. She only prayed that she'd be able to resist it this time.

He watched her chest rise and fall irregularly. Clearly, she's afraid of him, but he didn't mind. If anything, he wanted her to fear him. At least she'll know better than to ignore him the next time.

"A-Are you kidding me?!" she gasped. "N-No!" she exclaimed, shocked.

He chuckled at her response, almost as if he had anticipated her dramatic outrage. "Wanna bet?" he teased.

No, she didn't. Not really. She huffed. "What bet?" her curious, seventeen-year-old mind asked anyway.

"I bet…" he drawled lazily, "that you'll voluntarily come to my room in one minute," he smoothly finished.

"And just why would I do that?" she rolled her eyes at his apparent overconfidence. This guy is one narcissistic fella.

"Say if you do?" he trailed, telling her to finish it.

"Forget it!" she glared at him. Even if she's the first person to admit that he's *cough* hot *cough*, in no way is she THAT pathetic or desperate to sleep with a guy she has known for less than ten seconds. "I'm not coming. Period," she said with an equal amount of confidence.

"Come on, humor me," he pressed on with that smug grin of his. "What if you do come?"

"Then I'll walk right out," she stubbornly said, rolling her eyes.

He chuckled again, moving his lips closer to her ear. Her throat grew immediately parched. "Upstairs, first left, last room on the right," he whispered in the shell of her ear.

She glanced at him over her shoulder before throwing him a look of confusion. What is that supposed to—

And she wished she hadn't asked. She felt her phone being snatched from her back pocket before his presence from behind her instantly vanished with it. She gasped, turning around to see him throw an amused smirk at her before walking backwards and eventually disappearing into the crowd.

"Come to my room," he said out of nowhere. "Tonight," he added lowly.

Stella froze at his words. She hoped he was just joking, but the raw emotion that burned in his eyes told her otherwise. Either he really didn't know the definition of boundaries or he just didn't care. But then again, why did she think otherwise? "…I c-can't," she finally replied.

She froze when he reached up to touch her cheek with his thumb, stroking the trembling skin underneath. "It's adorable that you think I'm giving you a choice," he chuckled, leaning in.

She bit her lip in an attempt to stop her heart from racing. Why can't she get over this? Why can't she find the nerve to slap him and be on her merry way?

"Here's something to motivate you," he smirked. "I'll kiss you if you come," he said, his lips teeming with a frisky grin.

Her eyes widened to the point where she nearly fainted. She hated — no, she loathed how easily he could say something like that. Here she was trying her damnedest just to hide the fact that they know each other very well and what was he doing? Right, uttering words that are making her heart race and leap out of her chest. Words that were once so sweet, almost tender, were now a poison she was being forced to inhale. "Your choice," he flashed her a simple, innocent smile.

Her heart skipped yet another beat at that grin. She couldn't tell if it was real or not — was he mocking her by any chance? — but it certainly made her all wobbly.

With another teasing smirk, he finally let go of her. She almost felt as if a huge weight has been lifted off her shoulders, allowing her heart to breathe normally again. She watched him leave the cubicle and close the door behind him. Her knees buckled before she collapsed on the floor, shaken. She didn't know whether to cry, scream, get angry, or just…do nothing.

Her life from five years ago…the very one that had haunted her for the next couple of years…it seemed to be repeating. All over again. Knowing the outcome of the last one, she didn't know if she had the same strength to entertain this again.

Stella sighed before looking down at herself. The cover-up that had protected her from his prying eyes up until now…she didn't feel like taking it off anymore. The last thing she wanted was leading him on and letting him think that she still harbored feelings for him. She didn't. She wouldn't. Still shaken from their proximity from moments ago, the blonde relentlessly hoped that was true and that she wasn't just reducing herself into a victim all over again.

Fuming at the thief, Stella pushed her way past the people, groaning as they involuntarily tossed her around while dancing. She growled as she eyed the second floor of the house.

Upstairs…first left…last room on the right…

Reciting his instructions to his room, she grumbled her way up, ready to give this little jerk a piece of her mind. Reaching his room, she didn't bother knocking. Instead, she fumbled with the lock furiously only to realize that it was locked. "You've got to be kidding me," she scowled before raising her hand into a fist and banging on the door angrily.

The door opened moments later, leaving her face-to-face with the manipulative jerk. "May I help you?" he nonchalantly teased her, folding his arms.

"Give me my phone," she demanded, extending her hand out.

"…But I don't have it," he said innocently.

"You just took it!" she fumed. She was in no mood to play games with this guy.

"Ohhhhh, that." He tapped his chin in thought before his hand went to his pocket and pulled her phone out.

She gasped, trying to reach for it before he effortlessly threw it across the room.

"It's over there," he pointed with a smirk.

Stella froze in shock when she saw that her phone landed safely on his bed. Out of all places…She turned to him with a full-on glare mode. "Go and get it," she demanded angrily.

"Sorry, my hands are full," he smirked.

She blinked, seeing him shove his hands into his pockets. She scowled at him who gave her yet another teasing grin, unfazed at the death glares she's been giving him all night.

He leaned in, earning him a set of widened eyes from her. "But if you want it so badly, you can get it yourself," he cocked his head towards his bed.

Stella stood put outside the room. If she goes inside, she can consider herself doomed. Any place away from this guy is probably the safest one for her. She refused to go inside the closed quarters but then again, her phone isn't a toy that she can just forget about. "Fine," she sighed in defeat. "But step back," she told him.

"Hmm?"

"You," she poked his chest. "Take a huge step backwards."

He wondered what she was up to but obeyed her anyway with interest.

"This door remains open," she ordered.

His eyes flashed with understanding before he started to chuckle at her paranoia. He watched the attractive blonde give him another suspicious glower before finally entering the room, storming to his bed, and grabbing her phone. Cursing her breath, she wasted no time in heading towards the door before his arm suddenly lashed out and slammed the door abruptly shut, halting her in her tracks.

…Oh, she knew this would happen.

Standing in front of it, he barricaded her exit route before giving her another innocent smile. "Going somewhere?"

"Yes, actually," she glared, clutching her phone tightly, ready to chuck it in his face if he tried anything funny.

He chuckled at seeing her so adorably defensive. It was awfully amusing and dare he say…it's even refreshing to see a girl ready to slap him than one ready to go to bed with him. Not to mention way more exciting.

Flustered and shaken, she sunk her feet deep into the sand and clenched her toes together just to keep herself from falling. She raised her eyes to watch at Brandon only to watch him laugh with his friends and play face-to-face catch up on the years he had missed out on. She hated how normal he was. She hated how easily he could pretend that nothing happened between them. It was cruel. Why couldn't she do the same?

This proves it. This proves that he was toying with her yet again. It's like she thought. This man lived for the thrill of the chase and that's it. Seeing her so adamantly reject him must've turned him on to pursue her again. She was single before, but that wasn't the case anymore. She was married and not to just anyone but to his own brother. What greater thrill could be there than pursue something that is almost…forbidden?

She clenched her fists tightly, boring daggers into the back of his skull.

And what was it, what was it that he uttered? That he'll kiss her if she did his bidding? Did he really see her as that desperate? Was his ego so full that she thought she'd say yes just like that? What gave him the right to be so full of himself?! Her body burned with hurt and anger. She made up her mind. She won't show up to his room. And then maybe, just maybe, he'll know better than to accuse her of want. She'll show him just how desperate she is.

Composing her face to one of indifference, she decided to ignore him. There was no reason to fear him. It's because she feared him that he still thought he had a chance with her. As if! Throwing one last glare at him, Stella returned to her girls who all rested under the canopies of their umbrellas and sipped on cool drinks. The guys weren't there, obviously having gone to have their fun in the ocean instead.

"Where did you go?" Musa asked curiously. "You didn't even change."

Stella froze. She looked at them who were all in their bikinis. "Uh…the stalls were full," she lied simply. The blonde bit her lip before turning her head to watch Brandon in the water. And she wished that she hadn't turned. Her face instantly grew red at the view that greeted her. The seawater slithered down his skin, letting his natural tan glisten under the sun. His shoulder blades, biceps, torso, all sculptured to near perfection, let her imagination wander, making her blush furiously as she unwillingly looked away before he could catch her red-handed. Oh, the embarrassment if he did…

He not only knew the effect he had on women, but he also exploited it. If confronted, she can imagine him saying one thing and one thing only: it's not exploiting if you want to be exploited in the first place. Sadly…she had been one of the many on that list.

Well…if he can do it…then so can I, she thought to herself. And who the hell was he anyway to tell her to be conservative at a beach of all places? He didn't matter to her. He shouldn't matter to her. And neither should his unneeded opinion about her wardrobe choices.

Before she could change her mind, the blonde lifted the white, floral fabric off her, revealing the fiery ensemble underneath. "Girls, I need sunblock!" the blonde announced, seeking shelter under the umbrellas. Stella flashed a smile at Flora, who tossed her a bottle. Knowing her ugly tendency to burn easily, she lathered a generous amount over her body before relaxing in the lounge chairs, sitting in between Bloom and Musa. Putting her sunglasses on, she sighed in bliss. "This…this right here is life."

"A-men," Musa gave her a fist-bump.

"I didn't think Hayden was gonna be a no-show," Bloom commented.

I'm glad he was, Stella grumbled to herself. But then again, she'd take him over Brandon any day. "He's too busy," the blonde shrugged, not that she really cared. She never spoke with Hayden, her interactions with him only going as far as casually brushing past him in the hallways…until recently, of course.

"We're not gonna be sitting here all day, are we?" Layla frowned, placing her sunglasses on the crown of her head.

"Why not?" Stella frowned back.

"C'mon, girls. Can't we play volleyball or something?"

"Who wants volleyball when you have THAT?" Musa smirked, pointing to the six hunks surfing in the ocean.

The girls laughed, with the exception of one, as they agreed unanimously. Stella's face only bore a tight smile for the sake of her friends. She would've enjoyed this trip a whole lot more if Yours Truly wasn't here.

She softly sighed to herself, knowing that sooner or later, she'd have to face him again. He wasn't one to go away just because she told him to. And no matter how many pep-talks she'd give herself, she knew that a part of her will always be intimidated by him. Not the part she was proud of having but still.

"What are you doing?" she asked him, irritated. She blinked in surprise when he abruptly snatched the phone from her unsuspecting hands again. "Hey, give that back!" she pouted before reaching for the arm that's held way out of her reach.

He chuckled as she tried to jump around him much like how a child would for that attractive, colorful piece of candy.

She glared at him, miffed at his antics with her. "Can I have that back?" she asked "nicely" with her teeth clenched, purely out of exasperation.

"I won," he stated with a smirk.

"What?"

"The bet. I won."

"…" Stella stared at him. If looks could kill, this guy would've been the ash she wouldn't mind walking on. All of this to make a damn point?! Oh, that's SO immature. "Fine. You 'won.' Now hand me my phone," she snapped, reaching for it again before he held it away.

"Nope," he chuckled before brushing past her and escaping to the opposite side of the room.

"What the hell?" she mumbled. She tailed after him before he hopped on his bed, inciting her. It wasn't just a game of tag; it was a cat-and-mouse chase. "What is wrong with—" She jumped on the bed with him before he hopped off once again, going away from her reach. She gasped when her feet slipped on the soft linen sheets under her. She squealed as she toppled forwards, expecting her face to say one painful hello to the floor any moment now.

His teasing smile vanished as she fell on him. Their surroundings rushed by in a blur. It was a fast fall yet also one that was slow and suspended. And then…impact. He grunted with a deep groan as his back collided against the floor, the pain of the hit increasing with the force of the weight of her body on top of his. He opened his eyes with the discomfort of the dull ache on his back.

The blonde lifted her head to see herself protected by the fall. "…" she blinked. She raised her head and stared at him.

The dullness on his face vanished and the smug grin returned to his face as his body fought off the shock. "Careful…your phone isn't worth breaking your neck."

She just continued staring at him.

"…Thank you," he coached her to say with that sinful smirk yet again.

Well, she was going to say sorry for knocking him down to the floor, but seeing the little self-righteous, happy look he's got going on, she decided against it. "For the record, this is YOUR fault," she berated him, sharply poking her index deep into his shoulder. Her eyes traveled towards his hand, where his fingers were curled around her beloved phone. She snatched it away from him. "I'll be taking that, thank you," she huffed before rolling off him. She smoothed out her outfit before stomping over to the door and get the hell out. Her mood had rotted, thanks to him. What a flirt.

Of all the times he could come back, why did it have to be on the day after her wedding? It's barely been, what, like three or four hours since he got here? And she already wanted him to go back to where he came from.

A while later…

More than an hour later, the guys got off their surfboards before heading back to the shore.

"It's good to see you back, man," Sky patted Brandon's back.

Brandon nodded. "It's good to be back," he agreed with a small smile. Indeed.

Carrying his black baron surfboard with one hand, the brunet slicked his wet hair back with the other, though strands tumbled forward anyway with each of his strides. His body started to cool off as the water evaporated off his chest.

He found himself searching for that familiar shade of honey blonde when a red-haired woman caught his eye. Not necessarily because she was cute but because of that earnest desire visible clearly in her eyes as she ogled him with googly eyes. Brandon ran his gaze over her figure, earning a grin of delight from her. He smirked, chuckling to himself. She was hot, he'll give her that. And maybe, he once wouldn't have minded going to bed with a woman like that, but right now…he had a very specific one in mind. "Sorry," he mouthed, giving her a wink. He didn't bother watching her grin deflate into disappointment.

"There they are," Helia pointed to the group of six playing volleyball not too far away from the lounge chairs.

Brandon followed the line of direction, catching sight of the familiar blonde in a flaming orange bikini. It was akin to a sports bikini with a top that cupped her chest firmly and shorts that revealed her long legs. His eyes instantly turned cold, standing frozen for a few moments as he let his eyes wander down her body and lust over every curve and shape of hers. Since the last time that he saw her, she definitely grew. If he thought she was beautiful before, she's stunning now. That top and those shorts did nothing to cease his erotic imagination. Which was all the more reason for him to be pissed. He clenched his hands as he glared at the object of his interest, who was obliviously playing volleyball, half-naked. Did she not hear him? Or did she just not care? He didn't think she was that stupid, but either way, he wasn't going to stand around and let this pass.

As the guys neared the girls, they could make out the girls' conversations.

Stella, Musa, and Bloom played on one side while Flora, Tecna, and Layla played on the other.

"You're not supposed to catch the ball, you're supposed to hit it!" Bloom facepalmed at her hopeless friend.

"Flora, why are you so bad at this?" Tecna reprimanded her struggling teammate, obviously not wanting to lose.

"Yeah, girl, no need to make it so easy for us!" Musa smirked as she jumped to hit the ball towards Flora again.

"Isn't participation more important?!" Flora shouted in vain as she tried to hit the ball before Tecna took over and hit it back.

"Bullshit!" Stella laughed, hitting the ball back with ease.

"Yeah, that's what losers say when they can't get a hit!" Bloom laughed along, agreeing.

"Hey, give our girl a break," Layla stubbornly defended. "You three were way more pathetic when you started out," she smirked.

The girls giggled, agreeing, before noting the presence of the boys.

"Hello, ladies," Nabu smoothly cut in before going over to his girlfriend and giving her a little peck on the lips.

"Mind if we join in?" Sky asked, catching the ball mid-air.

"Yeah, actually," Stella rolled her eyes, pointing a finger at the narrow length of the court's net. "Six is company, but twelve is totally a crowd."

"Noted," Helia laughed before he and Riven moved to extend the net, expanding the play area.

The guys split up and volunteered to join their girlfriends' sides, wiping Stella's smile off her face in a flash. Whichever side they chose…it left her with Brandon. Biting her lip, she froze when she felt his presence behind her.

She glanced at him only to see that he wasn't even looking at her. Instead, he was firmly focused forward with no room in his vision to focus on the sides. Uh oh. She knew what that meant. That was his trademark I'm-not-looking-at-you-because-I'm-too-pissed-to look, one she was all too familiar with.

She bit her lip, turning back around to face the front. Such a jerk. Ugh. Trust him to make things uncomfortable for her at any point of time and day for her. Why was he back so early anyway? Couldn't he have played in that water till the rest of this trip? And who was he to get pissed at her anyway? She silently wondered if it was because she's exposing herself.

As the game began, Stella somehow managed to ignore him. Even if he's pissed, she didn't have to smother herself with his attitude problems. And besides, there wasn't a single thing he could do to her in public. In private though…she flinched before shaking her head, not even wanting to go there.

"What are you doing?! Let me go!" she yelped in total panic as he grabbed her wrist, preventing her from leaving yet again.

Keeping his fingers firmly in place, he studied her quietly. "You scream a lot," he observed before chuckling. "You know, you should learn to loosen up," he winked. "You're only out of high school, not college."

"By loosen up, you mean sleep around, don't you?" she asked knowingly. "No, thanks," she rolled her eyes.

"One more thing…" he drawled lazily. "Don't roll your eyes at me," he warned in a teasing tone.

Yeah, right. She rolled her eyes at him again on purpose. He only responded by tightening his grip on her wrist, pulling her inches closer to him.

"…I swear I'll scream rape if you don't let go," she threatened him. At this point, she didn't even care to be nice anymore. She had only tolerated him out of consideration for her best friend, but man, there IS such a thing as 'too far.'

He raised an eyebrow, a little impressed at her guts to threaten him. "Filing false charges is illegal," he answered, amused.

"So is sexual harassment," she retorted right on cue, glaring harder. "So, I'll only say this once. Let. Me—" Her hand suddenly sprang loose from his grip, stunning her with his obvious cooperation. She appeared momentarily off-guard before a victorious smirk spread on her pretty face. Well, that's more like it.

She smirked, gloating her little win in his face, something that made him chuckle. Surely, she didn't think he let her go because of her silly threat now, did she? Because that would be just too cute, even for her.

Her palms began to sweat, which she soon dismissed it as the result caused by the blazing afternoon sun.

As the game continued, Brandon could barely contain his anger underneath. He felt as his very gut was being twisted, poked and prodded. His knuckles turned pale from clenching his fists too hard. He could care less if anyone happened to notice, though a little surprised that no one did. He kept his eyes on the blonde in front of him. Acting as if nothing has happened. Happy. It irked him to no end that she chose to ignore him. Instead of being the goody-goody, obedient two shoes that she should've been, she ignored him. He tried not to be bothered by the men around him, who were all busy eyeing the oblivious, dumb blonde. Even if their eyes weren't necessary sexual, the interest in them angered the bothered brunet.

He counted at least ten guys — no, eleven, he recounted, flashing yet another glare at the passerby — staring at her with obvious attraction. He could only imagine how many guys she must've managed to wrap around her little finger when he wasn't here all these years. It ticked him off. She could've been a little — no, a lot helpful if she had just covered herself like he told her to!

Clenching his fist, his eyes fell on the white ball flying his way.

Stella froze for a moment when she felt a shoulder brush barely against hers. She felt a whoosh of air hit her skin as Brandon passed her. Packing a tight punch, the brunet leapt high in the air and hit the poor ball with enough force for it to fly past the other side and nearly hit a young couple many feet away.

Stella stared at him in shock.

"Dude!" Riven stifled a laugh, leaving Musa to glare at him with disapproval and hit him upside the head. Someone nearly getting hurt isn't and shouldn't be funny.

"What's with you?" Helia frowned while Timmy and Nabu ran off to get their ball back and apologize to the couple, who brushed it off and walked away with understanding.

"Sorry, guys," Brandon raised his hands in surrender, adding a little laugh. "Guess I was really caught up in the moment," he said with a hidden edge to his tone that only one of them seemed to pick up on.

"…" Stella glanced at him with a frown and even concern. When he didn't even bother to glance at her despite her obvious gaze on him, that's when she really knew what "moment" he was caught up in. She looked away, grimacing quietly to herself. She felt even a little…guilty, though she shouldn't have any reason to.

Trust him always to make things difficult for her one way or another…

Stella sighed, slowly losing interest in the game.

It wasn't long before the trip started to end. The group packed up their gear and carried it back. Rinsing the sand off their feet, they returned to the parking lot before stuffing the gear inside the trunks of the SUVs.

The girls threw on their sarongs and coverup dresses while the guys put their shirts/tanks back on.

Stella and Musa assumed the wheels again. Stella climbed into the driver's seat of one of the cars while Musa over another.

To Stella's dismay, the group decided to ride in couples. Bloom, Sky, Flora, Helia, and…Brandon got in while the rest of the entourage packed into another. Stella tried not to squirm as Brandon sat shotgun and the two couples crammed in the back. Great.

The ride wasn't too scary or uncomfortable…until Stella slowly began dropping each of them one by one…

"Thanks, guys!" Bloom waved as she got down last.

Stella stared longingly after her, hoping the redhead will return for a forgotten item or something. No such thing happened as Bloom disappeared inside of her home. Stella shakily sighed as she merged into the street traffic.

Oh, now she was regretting. Fearing her palms sweat, she gripped the steering wheel tighter. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him staring out at the window. She felt as if she did something wrong. No, shut up, you did nothing wrong, she tried to painfully reassure herself.

The car ride was so incredibly silent that she felt suffocated. Someone kill me now. She wished Musa was somewhere nearby so she could just toss this guy to the other car. Say something, you doofus! She stole yet another glance at him. She wondered what it is about the passing roads and buildings that he found so interesting that he could barely keep his eyes off the damn window.

She bit her lip, nervously driving. In this nightmarish traffic, they were still over thirty minutes away from home. He could easily say something. He could corner her…just like he did at the beach. But he didn't. Not that she wanted him to! She didn't know if she should be relieved or…scared. Should she initiate the talk? NO. Absolutely not. Bad idea. When she felt both her mind and heart warn against it, she knew it's gotta be.

Stella could barely the happiness on her face when she saw the house come in view forty minutes later. Finally! She thought she'd never see this place again! She shot a glare at the jerk sitting beside her. She immediately pulled into the garage and noticed that Musa wasn't here yet. Odd. She's usually a fast driver.

The second she stopped the car and turned off the ignition, Brandon finally moved from the rock posture he has assumed for the last hour and half. He unlocked the door and got out without a second delay.

Okay, she took a deep breath, keeping an eye on that door. If he gently closes it, he's fine. If he slams it, he's still pissed, she deduced quietly in her mind. She waited for him to do either…except it didn't happen. Stella blinked. Instead of what she had hoped, he left it open.

Stella scowled. Why, that jerk! She hopped out of the car before stomping to his side and slamming the door shut in anger. Oh, the irony. "You're welcome," she hissed under her breath, glaring at his retreating back.

Wait a sec. The trunk was still full. Stella narrowed her glare at his indifference with her. Oh, c'mon, being a man, can't he carry the luggage inside?

"Excuse me!" she called after him. She half-expected him to pretend that he didn't hear her and just keep going. Except he didn't.

He paused before turning his head over his shoulder, giving her the most neutral, normal look possible.

"Do you mind helping?" she demanded, putting a hand on her hip while using another to unlock and open the trunk.

He turned his body to face her fully. He folded his arms, giving her a long, thoughtful glance, one that made her increasingly uncomfortable. Heh, what else is new?

A moment later, he shrugged his shoulders before approaching the trunk with one hand tucked in a pocket. She stepped aside to give him space to carry the larger, much heavier items—

He ruffled through the equipment as if searching for something. Stella blankly watched as he pulled out two towels…the lightest items in there. He held them each in his hands before giving her another neutral glance and turning around on his heel, leaving a dumbfounded blonde in the garage.

"Gahhh, that jerk!" Stella screamed, overcoming her shock. She clumped a fistful of her hair in frustration before turning to the trunk. It was obvious that that was all he was gonna "help" her with. She almost wished she hadn't asked.

She scoffed, raking another hand through her hair. For someone who wanted her to like him back, he sure is doing a fantastic, opposite job!

She groaned at the things inside. There was a reason that girls appreciated chivalry. Someone else would do the hard work for them. Cursing under her breath, she unloaded the trunk one by one, shoving the chairs in the corner of the garage.

The rest…towels, backpacks, makeup, clothes, feminine products, umbrellas, and extras…

She groaned before hauling all of them herself. She huffed and puffed all the way inside before abruptly dumping the load in the living room.

Heather glanced up to see a completely miserable Stella entering the living room, looking very much irritated. "Why're you carrying everything by yourself? Didn't you ask Brandon for help?"

At the mere mention of his name, Stella shot a dirty look upstairs.

"Get inside. I'll get Luke or Hayden," she reassured.

"It's fine, Heather," Stella smiled, masking the scowl underneath. "There's not much left anyway," she reassured before going back out. Ugh, what an annoying spoiled brat. Clearly, no one ever taught him a thing called respect.

Or boundaries, she added, sulking.

"So…do you have a boyfriend?" he asked out of the blue, pausing her in her tracks. "You look like you might."

"Actually, that's none of your—" she narrowed her eyes,"—wait." Her face assumed to one of disgust, "You'd actually hit on someone who's not single?" Okay, she's all for casual dating and flings, but there's a fine line between hooking up and wrecking another person's relationship.

He couldn't help but find her innocent question…innocent. Too innocent for her own good. Casually shoving his hands into his pockets, he inched closer to her. "Unless you tell me you're not single, I'll assume you are," he smirked. Finding her silent, he knew he made a point. "I'm not the one forcing you to be a backstabbing whore now, am I?" he finished smoothly.

She shifted a little uncomfortably at his crude word of choice.

A second later, his playful eyes returned again as he shrugged his shoulders. "So, do you have any boyfriends that I should know about?" he asked again casually.

"Why should you of all people know anything?" she narrowed her eyes at him, not appreciating his apparent invasiveness.

"Well, it would've been a waste of time to bring you here and let you leave without having you answer at least this," he shrugged.

Huh? She looked around his room in confusion before realization hit her eyes. So, that was it? He wanted to know if she was single? "THAT'S the reason you brought me here?" she asked with her eyes widening, wondered that he'd actually go to such dramatic lengths just to…flirt?

"Then what was on your mind?" he teased.

The obvious. Duh.

Her face instantly flamed a bright red at his knowing smirk, leaving him to chuckle at her mercy. She hid her face behind her hair out of complete embarrassment. She honestly never met someone so…forward. And ignorant. Clearly. He laughed at her expense and didn't honestly seem to care what she thought. Typical rich boy attitude.

Chuckling, he gave her an innocent smile — again, too innocent — before it uplifted into a sly smirk. "Plus, it's no fun to test you in front of so many people," he playfully frowned.

"…Test…?" she repeated in confusion.

She gasped when he inched close enough to hold her chin between his index and thumb. She immediately grew flustered under his presence, realizing how intimidating he could really be up so close. And from the constant smug smirks he's been casting her way…she wondered if he knew it too.

"And what do ya know? It turns out…you're just my type," he smirked, leaning closer.

Everything just has to go according to his, his, his plan, doesn't it?! She growled to herself, stomping back to the car to get the rest of the things. No thanks to him!

~ Stella's Room – 11:35 PM ~

Stella lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. She drummed her fingers on her waist, her thoughts swimming around Brandon quietly. At lunch, he nearly punctured her soul with that intense, penetrating stare of his. At dinner, he didn't even look her way.

She bit her lip, trying to understand. Surely, he can't be angry for that long. 'Cause that would be a little dramatic even for him, especially for him.

But then again…he was never one to compromise. He went for what he wanted. His wins, he celebrated, but any defeats remained unforgiven. There was something about that determination of his, that drive of his that made him that much more irresistible to women…except for her. Because only she knew how dangerous he truly was. He didn't just chase; he lured everything and anything he wanted into a trap.

He appeared harmless on the outside with maybe even a mischievous side slapped to that seemingly innocent face. But underneath all that playful personality…there was a cold, bitter heart that cared for no one but himself. He enjoyed making people cry and leaving them to pick up the pieces his mistakes caused. Cruel jerk.

Her eyes narrowed bitterly as she watched the clock tick by. She scoffed to herself, remembering his words or, rather, orders. He wanted her in his room tonight. Yeah, right.

She sat up straight. Why should she go anyway? Didn't he know that the rock on her finger morally prohibited her to have unsolicited affairs? She knew the answer. He knew; he just chose not to care. No materialistic testimony or legally binding paper could stop him from going after what he wanted. And he clearly never learned that the word 'no' never meant yes. Douchebag.

So, she didn't go to his room. Maybe that'll teach that presumptuous bastard that no matter how many strings he chose to use against her, she'll always have something called class. If anything, after all the harassment he had put her through, he should be the one to come in here and apologize to her!

The blonde paced around the room, deep in thought, fidgeting with her fingers and occasionally darting her eyes over to the door. After a few minutes of anxious pacing, Stella mewled with frustration, wondering why she'd ever bother waiting for an apology. Maybe she should just go demand one since her day did get ruined.

Biting her lip with anticipation, Stella eyed the clock. Just seconds after midnight. Most likely, the older folks are asleep. Musa would be too; she isn't a nighthawk. Hayden, the workaholic jackass, well…he just might be awake, but…his sleeping habits kinda didn't matter to her.

Before she could change her mind, Stella snuck out of her room and stormed to Brandon's before sneaking inside. She locked the door behind her and barged straight in. And sure enough, the lights are on, indicating that he was awake. C'mon, no true millennials would be truly asleep at this time of night.

He looked up at the unexpected guest in his room and that too — he read the time — at such an…intimate time of night.

She had to pause for a few moments, biting her lip at the heinous familiarity of this very bedroom. This was where she first realized what an asshole he was. Ahh. Memories.

Stella turned her attention to the 6'2'' brown-haired male in front of her. She scowled at his posture and how relaxed he appeared in his bed with a laptop in his lap. Seeing the laptop produce flashes of light on his face, she guessed he must be watching a video. A movie, she guessed. Is he kidding me?! She had to resist the urge to go over there and just…slap him with all her might. She's been restless all day because of him, and here he had the gall to relax?! As if nothing happened between them. As if they didn't know each other from years and instead through…the marriage.

Whatever bullshit game he's insistent on playing, she only had one thing and one thing to say. She needed to hear from him that whatever happened today will not repeat now or in the future. If they're going to live in this house with four other pairs of watchful eyes, they — no, he needs to behave. There's a reason people tell to leave the past in the past. And she had no intention to revive old memories again, something he's been unconsciously forcing her to do ever since he got here. It's cruel and completely unfair to both of them.

"What do you honestly think of yourself?" she finally spoke in a firm, unwavering tone, quite contraire to the squeaky rat noises she's been making all day. She made sure to keep her voice low enough to not attract any unneeded spectators or eavesdroppers. "Seriously, who do you think you are?" she demanded, taking steps closer to the bed.

He glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. Well, isn't someone full of confidence today? Taking out his earphones, he slowly closed the lid of the laptop, giving her the attention she apparently barged in here for. He set the computer aside and raised himself from the bed, calmly watching her as she fired away questions.

"This is the last time, the last time," she emphasized, throwing a glare at him, "you'll ever pull a stunt like the one you did today, do you hear me?!"

He raised an eyebrow at her domineering tone and the stern discipline in her eyes. He wanted to laugh. Just because he was generous to let her think that she was in charge instead of the other way around, she seemed to believe it was true. Ha! It was almost as if she expected him to be an obedient little puppy. He let out a small 'tsk' of disappointment. He really thought she knew him better than that.

She continued ordering him around, clearly forgetting her place with him. This wasn't the beach or the family dinner where she was safe and secure with his ever so loving family. No, this was his room, his territory, which means she won't get away with being a gutsy little brat to him.

She stood there panting, impatiently waiting for him to say the obvious yes to her reasonable demand. Hell, she'll even be gracious enough to not ask for an apology either, if he chose to relent quietly without any further argument.

A moment of pause ensued as he gave her a long, neutral glance. He finally opened his mouth, speaking to her and holding a ceasefire on ignoring her…for now. "…Remember when I told you that if you came into my room…" he drawled lazily, slowly inching towards her, something she didn't quite notice nor the hidden motive in his eyes. A sharp, squeaky gasp left her lips when his arm abruptly lashed out and grabbed her wrist in a vice grip before shoving her body hard against the wall beside them and pinning her there with his own. "…I'd kiss you?" he finished in a firm whisper before his lips stretched into a wide, devious smirk at the pair of vibrant, round, golden-amber orbs that greeted him back.

AN: Thank you for reading! :) This chapter was longer than the previous ones because I wanted to kind of show both Stella's and Brandon's personalities a little more, along with how they met. I had to delete so many snippets of the flashbacks because I feared the chapter growing really long. So, I shifted more than half of them to the next chapter. I just wanted to also say that the flashbacks won't be this lengthy from the next chapter onwards. They'll be way shorter, unless you'd like me to write extra.

There were so many requests to update this story on this and other stories as well, so I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I loved writing it. Thank you again! And see you in the next one :)!