Clara Carter

I glance beneath my lashes at Christopher's piercing stare. When he found out about today's dinner with Stefan, he is much calmer than I had expected.

He had no idea who the hell Stefan was at first, but after I clarified that he was the same person that drove me home when I was drunk, he has been mad ever since.

Christopher's scorching glares at me from my left, where he usually sits at the dining table, cause me to squirm in my seat awkwardly.

Stefan, on the other hand, is thoroughly enjoying the chat and my uneasy silence at the table.

I'm amazed at how invested Dad is in Stefan's story of a business deal in which he turned out to be the game-changer for his father's company. Stefan didn't reveal the inner workings of the business he was discussing, and Dad didn't delve too far into it because of a code of something that I missed.

Hearing Mom and Dad's joyful interactions and giggles with him fills me with joy.

I wasn't sure if Stefan would show up or not at first. He did, however.

"So Stefan," Christopher interrupts the conversation with a dangerously hard shove, drawing everyone's attention to him.

Today, my moronic of a brother is in full-on passive and unwavering mode. He focuses his gaze on Stefan.

"Why do I feel like I have seen you somewhere?"

What exactly is he on about? Stefan is the guy he met the other night, as I had reminded him.

I try to get my brother to stop talking, but he is too focused on Stefan.

I look over at Mom and Dad, who are sitting in front of me, and they appear to be just as puzzled as I am, if not more so.

My family hasn't met any of my friends except Tyler and Ray. As a result, boyfriends are not an option. When it comes to being my friend, Stefan is the only one.

I turn my attention to Stefan. He returns Christopher's furious stare. The meaning behind Stefan's intense stare can only be deduced by those who know him well.

Stefan cracks a wry grin. "I'm not sure what you're talking about."

His voice is anything but calm; he's only trying to be polite.

"I could be wrong," Christopher concedes as he sets his spoon on the table. He is now completely dedicated to speaking with Stefan, which may or may not be a good idea.

I squirm in my seat, apprehensive and anxious, while a few moments of quiet are thrown on the table. Mom and Dad continue to eat, occasionally gazing at the two silly males in my life staring at each other.

To calm my heartbeat, I quietly pick up my glass of water and take a sip.

"Are you my sister's boyfriend?"

I choke.

I hurriedly cover my mouth to prevent the water from spilling, coughing out the ridiculous timing to drink water. I ultimately gain control of myself by taking deep breaths.

Except for Stefan and my mother, no one cared that I choked on water and may have died.

Stefan's hand slides down my back in a calming motion as he sits next to me.

I thank him with a smile for sparing my life, which my brother's question had almost sucked out of me.

Stefan maintains his gaze fixed on me, his hand gently caressing over my back.

"Not yet,"

He said what?

I stare at him with squinted eyes. My jaw drops on the table.

He didn't say that in the heat of the moment, did he?

"What exactly do you mean?" Dad inquires, sounding both protective and grateful.

Stefan's godly face breaks into a lovely grin as he shifts his gaze away from me and toward Dad.

"I'm not sure," He stifles a little laugh.

Did he just blush?

By having a good laugh at Stefan's response, both of my parents lighten the mood. Even my recently icy and gruff brother cracks a smile.

"I can't believe I'm about to say this but." Dad confesses, "You'd be the only boy I'd tolerate to be near my Almond."

Hearing Dad's comment, I look down at my plate, a blush creeping across my face.

Stefan simply needed a detailed introduction of himself, a 'good boy' tone in his speech, and a few compliments for my mother to gain that kind of approval from my parents.

I smile. This is the first time in my life that I've felt like this. From the moment Stefan entered the house with a large bouquet of gorgeous roses, I was nervous and conscious.

I assumed the roses were meant for me. But when Mom saw us standing at the entrance, she greeted Stefan and complimented the lovely roses. And Stefan being the 'good boy' he was, gave the bouquet to Mom to avoid any potential embarrassment.

I honestly adore it when he gets awkward as he's the cutest human on the planet when he does.

Stefan is already staring at me as I slowly lift my head. He winks at me and offers me his cute face with a smile. His shoulders and biceps standing out in his black T-shirt. His hair falling smoothly on his eyebrow. Just like they were when I first saw him.

"Eyes on the dinner kids."

Of course, my brilliant brother had to interrupt our sweet staring game.

But today, for some reason, I'm going to let my brother be a third-wheeler. I'm not sure why, but I'm extremely happy today. Much more than I ever was.

Shaking my head, I return my attention to the special dinner my mother prepared, but why does it taste even better today?

We all hear a loud and harsh sound of the house's main door burst open just as I'm enjoying the feeling of being the happiest girl on the planet.

My hand lands unconsciously on my heart as I breathe deep. The clanking of the mental skips my heartbeat as everyone drops their spoons and forks.

We all take turns looking at each other to make sure everyone is okay.

"Wait," Christopher assures me as he pats my shoulder and nods at Dad as he walks towards the exit of the room. My mother's fingers grip tightly around my father's wrist.

I look at Stefan. He's standing, his sharp eyes concentrated at the dining room door frame, much to my surprise. His hazel eyes, which were once warm and welcoming, are now freezing frigid. His eyes fall on my drenched figure as he clenches his jaw. Like a caged panther who will rip anyone who is in his way, he fists his hand. 

Something flashes across his face, but it vanishes before I can figure out what it is.

He knows something I don't.

On his expressionless face, that's all I can see.

Stay with me. He communicates with me by his nod, and his hand squeezes my shoulder, slightly slowing my racing pulse.

Why is he so laid back over everything? It may be something as absurd as that. Then why are Christopher and Stefan so concerned about the situation?

Stefan chooses to go after Christopher as soon as he gets close to the exit, taking calculated measures.

Something isn't right. This tense and dense atmosphere gives me a dreadful gut feeling.

My nails dig into the armrest as I move in my seat. My dad comforts my mother by holding her hand. I switch my attention to the two men who are now standing next to each other. They take a careful look in the direction of the main door, their backs are to me.

There is no longer any nerve-wracking voice that vibrated my ears a few moments ago. 

Stefan and Christopher retreat and walk backward abruptly. The difference in their demeanor terrifies me to death.

They've raised their hands in surrender.

Two more men stride in, fully clothed in black with a harness-like on their chests and face hidden under black caps and masks. The pistols in their hands aimed directly at Stefan and Christopher are the most terrifying part of their sight.

The scene in front of me causes my heart to rush. Every cell in my body is possessed by fear.

When the two pistol-wielding men urge us to move back with just a simple gesture of the pistols, all three of us on the table get up and step away. My mother's sobs and gasps were the only noise that echoed through the thick air of the room.

My brain switches off all other thoughts and concentrates on what's going on.

Who are these people? Robbers? Gangsters? Murders?

Why are they here, whatever they are? What do they want from us?

Stefan returns and stands bravely in front of me, avoiding the mysterious, criminal-looking people's attention falling on me.

Christopher, to my surprise, is just as fearless as Stefan when it comes to shielding my Mom and Dad.

Stefan's raspy voice rings in my ear, "Don't worry." He envelops me in a strong grasp with his arms and drags me hard onto his back.

Stefan challenges, "Whatever you need, money or something else, you ain't getting it." I'm taken aback by the gruff, arrogant tone in his voice in a situation like this.

His quick reaction to the scenario shows that he either is well-versed in such situations or is brave enough. I've been around or seen a lot of poised and bold men who can easily fool you into thinking they're composed and confident when they aren't. That's not the case today with Stefan.

"Get out of here before you regret it," I tighten my grip on Stefan's shoulder as he continues to threaten.

When Stefan loses his cool, the guns are still pointing in our direction. "This is the last time I'm going to warn you."

He lets go of his stronghold on me. I'm working on a swallow while watching Stefan walk on like a lunatic near them. The weapons have now entirely turned their aim on him.

What the hell is going on here? I'm soon going to have a panic attack.

But most of all, I can't trust Stefan's attitude of himself. Why isn't he a tiny bit afraid about his life being one trigger away?

When I hear the most sinister and formidable laughter coming down the hallway, I jerk my head back, panic filling me. Anything else around me was deafening to my senses.

A tall, slim figure dressed in black from head to toe walks in before I can regain control over my movements. Only this time, whoever it radiates a sense of power and terror in its aura. With its dark shades, black mask, and complete sheer terror emitting from the royal stance, this person stands out the most.

"I'm not here to take your shit-ass warnings, mate," the strange person spits, taking dangerously slow strides forward like the world's owner.

I watch as Stefan's body stiffens and his balled fist at his side loosens, although I can't see his face.

Stefan and Christopher's next words, spoken in unison, startles me to my core.

"Mae?"