To Hate My Stepbrother

Mason’s POV

It’s been a crazy week and I’d thought of taking Khalid to the beach for some fun since Ava said she wasn’t feeling too good so she couldn’t come with us.

Ava’s call got me worried and I knew that she was at the point of breaking down with the way her voice broke as she spoke.

“It’s too much, Mason and I don’t know how long I’ll be able to handle it for,” she continued as she sniffled and I knew that she was already crying.

My heart broke and the fact that I was far from home didn’t make matters any better as I listened to all she had to say.

“I can’t go out without the reporters in my face or people looking at me and judging me.” She finished.

“I’m sorry, I’ll do something about it.” I assured her before hanging up and I immediately called my security team head.

“Get some competent men, make sure to interview them and be sure that they’ll be able to do the job,” I started as soon as he picked up the call.

“What job sir?” He asked.

“Being around Ava. The pressure is getting too much for her and I need them to be able to keep the reporters away from her and to also be sure that she doesn’t get harmed.” I explained.

After a while of talking with the head of my security team. I hung up the call and decided to give Khalid the attention he’s been wanting.

While Khalid and I were building a sand castle my phone rang and when I checked the caller ID, it was my publicist.

The fact that he’s calling at a time like this is bound to be bad news. Reluctantly, I picked up the call and without letting me talk first he immediately told me what was going on.

“Pictures of you and Ava are about to go live and alongside your address too.” He started and my mouth dropped open as I sprung up, ruining the sandcastle we were building.

“What do you mean about going live?” I asked him, confused and still wondering who would want to do something like that since Aisha was still in jail.

“Stop them, do not allow it,” I continued, “Ava is in so much pressure already and I’m not home at the moment to help her through this. Whatever you have to do, do it and make sure it doesn’t go live.” I finished before hanging up abruptly.

Worried, I called Ava but she wasn’t picking up and all efforts to try and reach her proved futile.

AVA’S POV

Relaxing at home, I tried to watch a movie since I couldn’t concentrate on my work. I got so engrossed in the movie that I didn’t want to look away until I heard a knock on the door.

I’d thought it was Mason and Khalid and the fact that they were knocking sounded funny to me. Groaning, I paused the movie as I stood to answer the door.

“You know you don’t have to kn…” I was saying when I opened the door and a white light flashed across my eyes. The lights were persistent and they didn’t stop and as if that wasn’t enough, there were a lot of people at the front.

My heart beat thrummed and I could hear it beating as if it was about to jump out of my chest. My breathing was slow and soon the air began to seem choking to me as I garnered all of my strength to lock the door.

Leaning against the door, I closed my eyes to try and get myself to breathe properly while also praying that the reporters leave soon.

I knew that they were from different TV and radio stations but I had no idea how they were able to get our address since Mason made sure that no one knew where we lived.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Choking, I didn’t stop the tears from coming out as the loud bang on the door and the yelling of mine and Mason’s name.

Everything was making me go crazy and my head started to feel light as the house looked like it was turning upside down.

The banging and yells became louder each time and I just couldn’t stop it, “make it stop, please.” I pleaded to no one in particular until I heard footsteps.

The noise downstairs had interrupted Nicole’s sleep and I knew just how precious her sleep was to her. She looked really mad and without thinking she opened the door swiftly and stepped out.

“What the hell is wrong with you people?!” She yelled angrily at the reporters, “you have 20 seconds to leave or I’m suing the channels you work for!” She threatened before coming back into the house.

Even her threat wasn’t enough to keep the reporters from yelling, they were adamant on staying and getting their full story.

Fidgeting, I tried to call Mason and that was when I knew that he’d called me already and I missed his call twice.

‘Come home soon, the reporters are here and I’m getting scared.’

I dropped the text for him and although it sounded like I was a child, I knew Mason would take it seriously.

Not long after, I heard the revving sound of his car and I looked out the window to see him coming out of the car with Khalid and lots of other men.

The men were able to get the reporters out of the way and away from the building and I couldn’t be any more grateful.

When Mason got inside, he rushed to hug me and I was glad that he’s home, “I’ll sue them. I promise.” He whispered into my hair as he kissed it.

I feel better now knowing that he’s home and there were other security men around the house to stop the reporters from coming back.

My phone rang and it was an unknown number, for a moment I’d thought that it would be one of the reporters so I reluctantly picked it, promising to hang up if it’s one of them.

“Hi. It’s Chad.” The familiar voice came and I let out a sigh of relief. It was the man who helped me at the store.

“I was just checking on you and I also wanted to ask if you’ll be free to meet up some time?” He asked.

“Sure, just let me know.” I agreed with a smile.