Masked Feelings Read online

  “I'm coming! I have heels so I can't run,” I shouted back. I've noticed that my parents weren't here and even if they were, I wouldn't give a fuck. We finally walked into the living room. I took a deep breath and placed my hands on my hips. “Damn. My little boy is too heavy for me now,” I mumbled, staring at my sister.

  “Athena.” I heard Rose mumble. I turned to look at her. She looked pale. She seemed surprised and shocked.

  “Athena, meet my fiancé and his brother, Dean and Damian,” Alena said, motioning towards the couch which I have yet to turn to. I stood there frozen, not knowing what to do. I seriously didn't want to turn around.

  What on earth?

  “Well guys, I'll let you introduce yourself personally and I'm going to get us some snacks,” Alena said and without waiting for answers, she walked away with a maid following behind her.

  “Rose?!” Dean gasped.

  “Hello,” Rose greeted in amusement. I tensed and turned to look at Dean and Damian.

  “No fucking way,” Dean said, his voice breathy, when he starts processing what was happening. “You're vixen!” he exclaimed.

  “Shut up!” I whispered yell and turned to look at the door in case my sister came in. “Alena doesn't know shit about it so shut up.” I ordered, trying to avoid looking at Damian.

  “Can someone tell me what's happening?” We all turned to look at Jace. Poor guy. He seemed lost. Rose smiled and motioned him that she'll explain later. Dean stood there, wearing a grin on his face. His blond hair was messy and he was wearing black jeans and a white shirt. Dean was my future brother in law!

  I gave my brother-in-law a lap dance!

  “I can't believe that you're getting married to my sister,” I mumbled, looking at Dean. “I gave you a fucking lap dance!” I exclaimed.

  “You were only doing your job,” Dean said with raised eyebrows. I took a deep breath and turned to Damian. He was staring at me. He seemed lost, surprised, and shocked. Just as he opened his mouth to talk, Alena walked in the room with a plate of biscuits.

  “Snacks!” she said happily and put the plate in front of us. We smiled, trying to hide the shock that we all just had.

  “Where's Shrek and Fiona?” I asked, staring at the snacks. I wasn't really hungry so I simply sat there while staring at them. Damian was looking at me with a frown plastered on his face. Oh yeah. The little fight that we had.

  “They're out,” Alena said.

  “Who's Shrek and Fiona?” Dean asked confused. Rose chuckled while Alena grinned.

  “My parents,” my sister answered and surprisingly, Dean nodded in agreement.

  “Why do you call them that?”

  “Why do you ask so many questions?” I asked back. He raised his eyebrows at me, then shrugged.

  “Never met you before. Trying to know you better,” he said with a sly grin. That fucker. Damian and Rose chuckled but said nothing. I wasn't feeling at ease. I wasn't okay. Maybe it was the long drive here which was making me feel this way. Or maybe it's the fact that I gave my brother-in-law a lap dance. Or maybe because the guy I'm currently fucking is sitting in front of me. Or maybe because I didn't want to see my parents.

  “I'm going to rest. I-I'm not feeling well,” I stuttered and quickly stood up before Alena started questioning me. I walked up the stairs then stopped once I reached the corridor. I took a deep breath and leaned against the wall for support.

  Since when was my life so complicated?

  “So about what you said earlier.” I heard Damian's hard but still sexy voice from beside me. I pushed myself away from the wall, but only to be pushed back against it. I lifted my head to look at him. Why does he have to be so good looking? I mean, I can't even think straight with him looking at me with those sexy eyes. I sighed and looked away from him, to be able to talk properly without stuttering.

  “What about it?” I asked, sounding almost breathless as he pushed me even more against the wall.

  Yeah, keep pushing me. Maybe I'll go through it like a ghost!

  “Look at me while you say it.”

  “I said, you should stop fucking me,” I whispered as I stared at him right in the eye, wearing a smirk. He clenched his jaw, as if trying to calm himself.

  “Do not defy me, sweetheart,” he said as he buried his face in the crook of my neck.

  “I'm not defying you,” I told him, trying to keep a moan from escaping me. I pushed him away and let my eyes close so that I could take a deep breath. I mean I needed to get my thoughts straight right now. But with this sex god in front of me, I knew I wouldn't be able to do it.

  “I seriously want to fuck you right now,” he said, his voice breathy, making my eyes open. I clenched my thighs together as his words took their toll on me.

  “Athena!” I heard someone call. I turned my face towards the stairs. I seriously didn't want anyone to see us together. More precisely, I didn't want Alena to see us together.

  “Yes?” I answered, my voice quivering a little bit. Damian was staring at me with a smirk on his face.

  “Did you see Damian?” she shouted.

  “Who?” I asked, pretending to remember.

  “Dean's brother.”

  “I didn't see him!” I answered. Damian pulled me to him and I gasped when I felt him bite my ear.

  “Hello, I'm Damian,” he whispered huskily in my ear, making goosebumps rise on my skin. He pulled away to look at me, our lips were inches apart. “Athena,” he said, as if testing my name. I didn't want to get in any trouble while living here, so I tried to get control of all my raging hormones.

  “Damian, I was serious,” I said as I took a few steps away from him.

  “About?”

  “You not fucking me.” I deadpanned. He shrugged and gave me a swoon worthy wolfish smile.

  “We'll be living in the same house for a week,” he said.

  “You're staying here?” I asked with wide eyes. He nodded and walked to me. He wrapped one of his hands around my waist and pulled me to him. Seconds later, his lips crashed on mine and relief crashed onto me. His lips were like fucking drugs. My hands automatically gripped his hair and if it was even possible, I pulled him even closer. Unfortunately, he pulled away too soon.

  “Will you be able to stay away from me, vixen?” he asked teasingly and pulled away from me.

  “Probably not. I mean, I'll have to face my parents. You'll be of good use here,” I said and he raised his eyebrows in confusion.

  “You don't have a good relationship with your parents?” Damian asked and I shook my head.

  “I'm going to sleep a bit. I'm quite tired. Someone kept me awake all night,” I mumbled, sending him an accusing glance. He gave me a sheepish smile and smacked my ass as he walked past me.

  “You didn't seem to mind when you were screaming my name,” he whispered before walking down the stairs. I bit my lips and clenched my thighs again.

  Damn him and his words.

  * * *

  “Can we come in?” I heard someone ask after a knock. I turned to see Thomas sleeping. Yes, he was still sleeping and I didn't feel like waking him up yet. I walked to the door and opened it slowly before walking out. I didn't want them to wake Thomas up. Alena and Dean were standing in front of me, hand in hand.

  “Thomas is sleeping?” Alena inquired when she realized that I didn't let them in my room.

  “Thomas is your little brother, right?” Dean asked both of us. We nodded.

  “Mom and Dad are back, and we're having dinner in half an hour. So get ready and wake Thomas up,” Alena told me with a small smile. Damn me. Shrek and Fiona were back.

  “Can you go tell Rose and Jace as well? I'll have to get Thomas to dress up,” I explained, pointing to the door.

  “Will do,” Alena said as they started walking away. “Oh!” My sister suddenly stopped. “I forgot! Dean's parents are coming as well. So please, dress nice,” she said with a sheepish smile.

  “I always dress nice!” I exclaimed.

  �
��Don't wear jeans.” She ordered playfully.

  “If Your Highness doesn't want me to wear jeans, then I won't wear one,” I said sarcastically and did a little curtsey.

  “If only you were that obedient when you were ten and you were fighting me over a doll,” she said with a sigh as she shook her head in amusement. I scoffed and crossed my arms over my chest.

  “You were fifteen. You didn't need a doll!” I exclaimed. She only chuckled and walked away with Dean next to her. I walked back in my room and saw Thomas rubbing his eyes. Slowly, he opened his beautiful sparkling eyes and stared at me before smiling.

  “I'm cold,” he whispered before pulling the blanket off him. I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

  “Then why did you pull the blanket off you?” I asked, making my way to our suitcases. I looked for a pair of jeans and a shirt for Thomas.

  “Because we need to get ready for dinner!” he exclaimed cheerfully. If only he knew that he was going to see Shrek and Fiona. I motioned him to the bathroom and gave him his undergarment and a towel.

  “Go take a bath,” I said. He walked to the bathroom with a bright smile on his face. I opened my suitcase and pulled out a tight mid-thigh red dress and took my black high heel shoes. After Thomas got out, I went in the bathroom.

  * * *

  “How do I look?” I asked Thomas as I stood in front of the mirror. Thomas stopped playing with his Nintendo and turned to look at me.

  “You are beautiful,” he said. I've put my hair in a high ponytail and had red matte lipstick. A small heart necklace adorned my neck and a simple bracelet was around my wrist. I smiled at my brother and ruffled his hair. I picked up his pullover and handed it to him.

  “You're wearing this,” I said. He pouted and shook his head.

  “Why?” he asked while making puppy eyes.

  Nope. Not going to work, buddy!

  “Because you said you were cold,” I told him and didn't wait for him to answer. I put it over his head and made him wear it.

  “That was earlier,” he whined and stared at the pullover in disgust. “And it's ugly!” he exclaimed.

  “It's not!” I exclaimed childishly. Tommy chuckled and made his way to me.

  “No, it's not.” He admitted as he wrapped his little arms around me. I hugged him back. He was silent. I knew that something was in his little head.

  “What's wrong, little boy?” I asked and we both sat on the bed. He turned and gave me a small smile, as if trying to reassure me.

  “We're going to see your daddy and he hates me,” he whispered. “Your mommy does too.” My breath hitched and I stared at the little boy, my heart broken into tiny pieces.

  “We'll, listen,” I said and pulled him to me. “He's not my daddy,” I said. “He doesn't hate you. His wife doesn't hate you either,” I lied. It was one of those lies which I never regretted telling. “Now, you're here to meet Alena and her boyfriend,” I said, putting enthusiast in my tone. “He's excited to meet you,” I told him and watched as his eyes sparkled in excitement.

  “He is?” he asked happily. I nodded with a bright smile.

  “Yeah, he is. I mean, who wouldn't be? You're amazing,” I said before kissing his forehead. I could feel how cold his skin was, so I quickly ran to the suitcase and pulled out a beanie. “You're wearing this too,” I said and put it on his head. He groaned but still wore it without saying a word.

  “Guys! Dinner is ready!” Alena's voice was heard till our room.

  “Wow. Her voice is loud,” Thomas whispered, making me laugh. I took his small hand in mine and we both walked down the stairs. We made our way to the dining room where I knew Shrek and Fiona were waiting.

  Chapter 9

  Under the Table

  “Athena.”

  I turned to see Dean and Damian walking towards Thomas and me. We waited for them to reach us. My little brother was holding onto my hand tighter as the brothers approached us. Rose and Jace decided to go on a date because they thought that they shouldn't be intruding in a family dinner.

  “Who are they?” Thomas whispered. I gave him a reassuring smile.

  “This is Alena's boyfriend, Dean.” I pointed towards Dean who waved. “And this is his brother, Damian.” Damian gave Thomas a grin before extending his hand.

  “And you are?” Damian asked as Thomas lifted his chin and shook his hand.

  “Thomas. Her brother,” he said, pointing towards me and trying to imitate Damian's hard voice. I laughed at the situation as Damian looked quite amused.

  “Well Thomas, will you come with me?” Dean asked as he motioned towards the dining room. I shook my head and I noticed Thomas doing the same.

  “I don't want him to be alone while facing Shrek And Fiona,” I explained. Dean nodded. Alena had probably explained the whole situation to her fiancé.

  “He won't be alone. I'll be with him,” Dean said.

  “I don't want to leave Athena alone,” Tommy whispered to Dean.

  “She won't be alone. Damian is with her,” Dean told him while pointing to his brother who was dressed in an Armani suit.

  “Okay,” Thomas said and turned to look at me to see if I was fine with it. I nodded while smiling at the little boy. He took Dean's hand and they started walking in front.

  “You look beautiful,” Damian commented from next to me, making my stomach flutter at the compliment.

  “Thank you,” I whispered, trying to hide the blush that was threatening to appear on my cheeks. The sexy chuckle next to me made me turn to look at Damian with raised eyebrows. He leaned into me, his mouth next to my ear.

  “You were not blushing that much when I was inside of you,” he whispered huskily, making me clench my thighs in want. I bit my lips and took a deep breath, inhaling his perfume, then pushed him away slightly.

  “We need to go to the dining room,” I mumbled, trying to take control of the situation. No. In fact, I was trying not to jump on the sexy man standing in front of me. “Wipe that smirk off your face,” I said rolling my eyes. He knew the effect he had on me. He took a step in my direction, closing off the distance between us. He stared at me, without any emotion on his face.

  “What did I say about ordering me around?” he asked slowly and threateningly. I brought my face to his, so that our noses were touching. Then I grinned in a playful way.

  “Did you really think I'd listen to you?” I mimicked his tone and watched as he took a deep breath after he closed his eyes.

  “The things that you make me want to do to you,” he mumbled as he pulled back.

  “Athena!” I heard my sister call from the dining room. I took a deep breath now, reluctant to meet my parents. I mean, Hello! We're in their house now. The last time they came to mine, I told them to get out. We started walking to the door.

  “Athena,” Damian whispered. I turned to look at him, waiting for him to say something.

  “Damian,” I mimicked him when he didn't say anything.

  “You've got a beautiful name,” he said with a smile. A freaking smile! A freaking smile which would make angels fall from the sky! Get the metaphor? No? Forget it! Let's say it was one freaking gorgeous drool worthy smile.

  “You should smile more often,” I said, suddenly awestruck by his smile. His smile morphed into a grin and he leaned into me again.

  “You should wear this dress more often,” he whispered huskily.

  “Why?”

  “You'll see,” he simply answered, leaving me all confused. He started walking to the dining room and I followed behind. Before entering the room, I took a deep breath.

  Don't break anything. Don't snap. Don't take them into consideration. Ignore them.

  Once I reminded myself of the rules, I nodded to myself. The situation between me and my parents was never going to improve. I don't want to make an effort to improve it either. The day they decide to give Thomas a chance, will be the day I'll give them a chance.

  “Athena?” Damian called and I blinked several times to concentrate o
n the sexy man standing in front of me. He was staring at me with a frown on his face. “You're coming or not?” he asked and I quickly nodded. As he walked into the dining room, I walked behind him. I couldn't see anything so when he suddenly stopped walking, I crashed into his back. When he turned to glare at me, I gave him a sheepish smile.

  “I'm glad you've pleased us with your presence, Athena,” I heard my mother say, venom lacing her words. When I moved to look at her, I saw her glaring at Thomas who now had his head buried in Dean's chest as the latter was carrying him. I sat across Dean and Alena. Damian settled himself next to me.

  “I'm here for Dean and Alena,” I cleared and when I noticed two more people in the room, I turned to give them a smile. I realized that it was Damian's parents. The one thing which came to mind right away was that he didn't look like his parents at all. They were both blond while Damian had black hair.

  “It's a pleasure to meet you,” I said as I moved and greeted them properly. “I'm Alena's sister,” I said and they both nodded smiling.

  “I'm Celina Spears and this is my husband Jeff Spears,” Celina introduced themselves. She was the example of the perfect business woman wearing a pencil skirt and a long sleeve blouse. Her hair was tied in a neat bun and her face had a bit of makeup.

  “I've heard a lot about you,” Jeff said from beside her. I chuckled and turned to look at Alena who was looking at us with interest.

  “Good things, I hope,” I said grinning. Jeff nodded and sent Alena a caring smile.

  “Your sister is really fond of you,” he commented. I chuckled and Alena joined as well. “Who's that little boy?” he asked, putting an end to our laughter. I looked at my brother in adoration.

  “That's my little b-”

  “Just an orphan that Athena thought would be good to keep her company.” As soon as the words were out of my mother's mouth, I glared at her. My little brother lifted his head and stared at me. I stopped glaring and gave him a little reassuring smile. Fuck their reputation.

  “Excuse this woman,” I started as I turned to Jeff and Celina. “That's my little brother,” I said, sending a wicked grin in my parent's direction. “My father's own son, who he rejected because he was cheating on my mother,” I said in disgust. “Next time you talk about my brother like this, things will go really bad,” I said threateningly.