My Stepmother's Boyfriend

“In terms of financial implications, we have prepared a detailed budget that outlines the necessary resources and investment required,” I explained.

I scanned the entire room with my eyes. I noticed the nods from all the board of directors, a sign that they understood what I said in front.

Good for them because if not, I would make them repeat everything. I set aside a week of my vacation just for this project. I want this to be a success because it's a big deal for the company.

"So, I guess everything is clear now? I want to know your suggestions and–"

"Excuse me, Ms. Megan."

I immediately turned my attention to my secretary. Fear was evident in her eyes because she knew I didn't want to be disturbed in the middle of a meeting. That's when I also noticed Marco by her side.

"Yes?"

My secretary glanced at Marco, as if seeking help. Marco just shook his head and approached me. I excused myself to everyone for a minute before turning to this man.

"Make sure it's important because if it's not..."

"It's about your father," he said and handed me his cell phone.

As I looked at it, I immediately saw an article about a wedding of the century. I read the information about it, and I couldn't help but curse.

"What the fuck is this?" I hissed, not caring whether my board of directors could hear my swearing.

I ignored that and quickly left the conference room after instructing Amanda to finish the meeting. My heels almost sank into the tiles due to my marching towards my office.

"What nonsense is this? Wedding of the fucking century? Really?" I exclaimed again to Marco.

My heart continued to rage as I read this article again, which had just been released today. As in 20 minutes ago. I was sure that my dad's publicist was behind this.

Ava Choi. A 26-year-old woman?

"This can't be real. What is he thinking? We're almost the same age, Marco!" I shouted at him.

I was about to throw the phone I was holding, but Marco quickly snatched it from me, making me curse even more.

"This is mine, Megan. Throw away your cell phone if you want," he said and sat down. "The said wedding is scheduled for next month. If you go home to the mansion now, you'll find Ms. Choi with your dad."

My ears seemed to ring even louder at that. I laughed, almost trembling with anger. That damn old man is insane. Is he serious about what he's doing? He's going to marry a woman almost my age and a commoner? I mean, her lifestyle is in that fucking article!

She's just a poor woman, and it's evident that she has long wanted to escape from where she is now. And she's probably using dad to get away from that kind of life.

"I can't leave early, Marco. Mr. Walton is arriving today. I can't ditch him this time," I said and cursed again. "But I will definitely talk to him. He's not thinking right."

Marco chuckled. "You know you can't oppose your father, Megan."

I gave Marco a sharp look. I almost cursed him for what he said. Of all people in this company, he's the only one with the audacity to speak to me like this. He's been using our friendship too much to disrespect me like this.

"Get out before I fire you," I declared firmly and turned my attention back to the papers on my table.

I heard Marco's grin again, so I looked at him again.

"Fine, fine. Call me if you're going home tonight. I'll go with you."

"And why would I do that? Are you ordering me?"

His jaw tightened, and he sighed again. "I know you can't face your father alone, Megan. Call me. I'll go ahead."

I was left there, feeling the weight of Marco's words. I couldn't deny it to him because he knows me inside out—an aspect I detest. Marco knows my weaknesses, and I can't hide any of my emotions from him anymore.

In this terrifying world, Dad is the only one I avoid becoming enemies with. I can't oppose his rules and regulations. I can't refuse or disobey any of his orders because I love him.

And that's how I was raised by my mother. She loves Dad so much that she also wants me to love that old man wholeheartedly. But what if I'm tired of loving him? Does that make me a bad daughter just because of that?

I quickly wrapped up my meeting with Mr. Walton that day because I decided to go home to the mansion tonight. It had been a long time since I last went there, and I didn't know what awaited me in that house.

Ever since Mom died, I hadn't stayed there. I hated how empty that house was right now. It was no longer the familiar home I used to know, especially now that it was possible Dad's new bride would live there.

While I was on my way, I received a call from Marco. I didn't follow his order to call him when I got home because maybe this was the right time for me to face him alone.

"What do you want?" I retorted.

I sped up my driving because I didn't want to get caught in traffic. I frowned when I noticed a silver sedan seemingly racing with me. What the fuck!

"Where are you? I'm in your office."

"Well, I'm not there anymore, Marco, so leave," I said and overtook this silver sedan.

My irritation began to build up because of what this driver was doing, especially when I saw in the side mirror that he was trying to overtake me. What the hell! Is he trying to get himself killed?

"Fucking dumbass!" I hissed as I momentarily opened the window next to me and cursed loudly at this sedan. "Are you stupid? Do you even know how to fucking drive?!"

"Megan? What's happening? Where are you?" Marco asked again, sounding concerned about what he heard.

"This fucking asshole—let's talk later! I'm on my way to the mansion, and you better not follow me there because if you do, you won't see me again!" I yelled, throwing away my earbuds and focusing on the driver of this sedan.

He continued to race with me! When I noticed that we were both going to turn at the intersection, I quickly overtook him and abruptly stopped my car. This forced him to stop too. I didn't even care if I got into an accident or if he did.

I nearly damaged my car door when I got out of it. I headed straight for the sedan and kicked its bumper with all my strength.

"Fucking moron! If you want to die, don't involve others! Get out of there, stupid fucker!" I shouted while attempting to peer inside, but the car had heavily tinted windows.

I was about to knock on the driver's seat when it suddenly opened. I was left gaping as a tall man emerged, headed straight to the front, and checked the bumper of his car that I just kicked.

I just stared at him, waiting for his next move. He was wearing black pants, a white shirt, and a jacket. After inspecting his car, he stood upright and took a deep breath before finally locking eyes with me.

"Are you going to pay for the damage you've done to my car or..." He trailed off, looking me up and down with judgment evident in his eyes. "Are you just going to stand there and create a scene?"

My jaw dropped once again. The irritation I felt intensified with his words.

"What the fuck did you say? Do you even know how stupid you are at driving?" I exclaimed, scanning him from head to toe.

He looked at me with even more disdain. He checked his phone, and for a moment, I saw a hint of concern. It seemed like he was in a hurry.

"Just say whether you'll pay for the damage to my car or not. I don't have much time for this, miss," he said, about to approach me, so I quickly stepped back.

"I'm not going to pay for that. You deserve it because you're a dumbass driver—"

"You talk too much. Just say you don't have money to pay, miss," he said in a cool tone, pushing me slightly away from his car and opening the driver's seat.

My anger deepened. Was I seriously hearing this from this man? It was as if I suddenly ran out of things to say to this guy.

"What the fuck are you saying? I can buy you another car, moron, just so you know. Fucking arrogant dumbass!" I shouted and was about to kick his car again, but he quickly grabbed my hand.

"Try to kick my car again, and I'll kiss you."

"Let go of me!" I shouted and pushed him away from me.

All I could see in his expression was coldness. He had this icy pair of eyes. No emotion. His face was blank, and he seemed serious about what he said.

"You're an idiot and a pervert! Fuck you!" I exclaimed.

He sighed and briefly took something from his wallet. He handed me a small piece of paper.

"I don't have a business card, so here's this. My details are there. Make sure to pay for the damage you've done to my car, or I will have you reported, miss. I already have your plate number," he said and turned away.

Before I could react, he looked back at me. "Or you can also call me if you want that kiss."

I was left speechless. I couldn't say anything until he left. I suddenly ran out of words. I'm not usually like this.

When I looked at the paper he gave me, I saw his full name, contact number, and address. It was a business card, but not from a company or anything. This was a self-made card. Did he make this himself? It said he was a freelancer.

"Javier Salvatorre? Handsome name, but a pervert and an idiot."

Ava Choi. My father crossed paths with her at a press meeting during his business trip last month. Perhaps that's where they hit it off or whatever. As much as I wanted to acquaint myself with her and find out what caught my dad's eye on her, my mind just wasn't on board.

Her life spilled onto those pages. She willingly shared the kind of life she leads. Living in a squatter area, dropping out of college, parents separated, and an older sibling struggling with drug addiction. Her life was a tragic symphony, a true embodiment of chaos.

Dad needs to be cautious about the company he keeps now. Last I checked, he wasn't like this—becoming a charitable person, willingly aiding those in need.

My emotions were still simmering from what happened to me on the street earlier. To add insult to injury, I didn't even find Ava Choi in the mansion, and only Dad welcomed me at the dining table.

"Are you really serious about that wedding? Maybe you're just caught off guard, Dad," I remarked, taking a seat reserved for me.

I glanced at him. Not even a response or a glance my way, fueling my frustration even more. The one thing I can't stand is being ignored.

"Tell me, Dad, did she do something to make you marry her? A deal between you two perhaps. What kind of deal is that?" I asked again, starting to eat.

Once more, he sat there silently consuming his meal. Firm expression, sharp eyes. His usual demeanor that I despised the most. I still recall how Mom used to complain about that expression of his.

And the day that expression softened never came, not until now.

"I'm sure money is involved in that deal. It's pretty obvious."

"Stop disrespecting the woman I'm going to marry in front of me, Megan. She's going to be your mother," he said, surprising me.

I shot him a quick glance. He didn't even look at me, keeping his attention on his food.

"A woman who's the same age as me is going to be my mother? No way. Stop this nonsense, Dad, please. If you're just punishing me for what I did at the company, you can find another way! Not like this!" I hissed.

I couldn't contain my anger. I knew he was doing this because of that, and I didn't regret it. If I hadn't done it, Mom's company, which she worked so hard for, would be in even greater danger!

Finally, his sharp gaze focused on me. His jaw tensed, and if I were closer, I was sure he would hurt me.

"I was just protecting the estate—!"

"At the cost of losing a billion worth of investors?!" he roared. I flinched at the yell, filled with anger and threat.

"Your mother would react the same way as I did if she were here because until now, her child is not thinking and still acting immature! And no, I am not doing this to punish you. I love Ava!" His voice echoed throughout the entire room.

My heartbeat slowed. Of all the things he said, that last statement grabbed my full attention. I couldn't believe it. Less than a year since Mom died. How could he do this?

Wait, did he and Ava know each other while Mom was still alive? Were they the reason Mom chose not to continue her chemotherapy?

My lips trembled. The courage I had built before coming here completely melted away.

"Y-you love her? That woman?" I uttered in disbelief.

He averted his gaze from me. "I don't need to repeat that to you."

"But what about Mom then?" I bravely asked him.

He chuckled and shook his head. "What about your mom? She's dead, Megan. I can't continue loving a dead person. Now, if you don't want to accept Ava in my life, in our life, leave this mansion."

My jaw dropped. Before I could even catch my breath, he was gone. It's as if he stopped me from feeling that pain. What did I just hear?

I couldn't eat anymore. I hastily packed some of my clothes and immediately left that cursed house. I dialed Marco's number while on the road, and he answered promptly.

"Megan—"

"Do you know something about that woman Ava Choi? They've known each other for a long time, right?" I asked him directly before he could speak.

A few minutes of silence enveloped us, and I nodded with a bitter smile.

"I knew it. I fucking knew it. They were the reason why Mom died that way."

"Megan, stop concluding things first. Where are you? I'll come to you," he said with a concerned tone.

I cursed and shook my head. I sped up my driving. I could feel my hands trembling. It felt like I was drowning in the anger I was feeling.

"Send me the files, Marco."

"What files? Where are you? Are you driving right now?"

"Just send me the damn files! I know you have files on that woman, so send them all to me. I want to know everything! I want to know if they really are the reason why Mom took her own life!" I shouted and abruptly ended the call.

I was almost in tears as I drove that night. I didn't care about the danger that could happen to me because I knew deep down that this was what I was chasing. I am chasing my death, and I don't fucking care. Once I find out everything, I won't hesitate to ruin their lives.

I quickly arrived at the resort owned by Mom. This is where she died, and I know she spends time here. I want to be with her in case I do something regrettable. At least, I can be with her if I decide to end everything here.

My phone beeped as I gazed at the stars above. When I checked, there was a text from Marco and an email from him as well.

Marco: I sent it to your mail, Megan. I know what you’re thinking right now. Just call me if you need anything. I’ll come and get you tomorrow morning.

I rolled my eyes and didn't bother replying. I immediately opened the file Marco sent to my email and started reading.

As soon as I read the date and the place where they first met and grew close, my world crumbled. This Ava Choi is my father’s mistress. Throughout Mom's year-long battle with her illness, she was also fighting to keep Dad from kicking her out of the mansion.

Unfortunately, Dad did kick her out the day Mom died. No wonder she suddenly came here. No wonder she abruptly left me. How could he do this to me?

***

I was numb as I left the resort. It was already past 4 pm, and I had no idea where to go. I'm fucking empty. It feels like I suddenly lost interest in everything. After reading those disgusting files, I don't think I can face him with the same respect I had before I left that damn mansion.

I stared into nothingness. This deep abyss suddenly seemed interesting to me. I suddenly wanted to feel weightless as I fell into it.

I couldn't accept what he was doing to me now. It was as if he was trying to take my life away from me. He was trying his best to erase me from his life. My own father is trying to undo me.

That thought seemed like a signal to me. I took another step towards the abyss, tightly gripping the necklace Mom gave me. The wind blew strongly, and my tears poured down.

I gasped and reached my limit. I closed my eyes and was ready to let myself fall when someone suddenly embraced me, causing me to stumble. I opened my eyes quickly, only to see a man trying to save me from my misery.

Unfortunately, I let go of the necklace, and it fell among the rocks in the abyss.

"Fuck! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!" he yelled in frustration, but I couldn't hear it.

"M-mommy!" I cried. "Mommy!"

"What the hell?"

"M-mommy!" I screamed again, trying to reach for the necklace.

But to my surprise, the man suddenly jumped.