The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

As the end-of-term exams approached, David finally returned. When his figure appeared at the lectern, the class erupted in cheers.

After school, George stood up, ready to leave. He noticed Annabel still sitting there with her workbook open. “Aren’t you leaving?”

“You go ahead. ” she replied.

Once the classroom emptied, she quietly made her way to the teacher’s office. Only David remained, seated with his back to her, absentmindedly playing with the pot of succulents on his desk, chin propped on his hand, staring at the computer screen.

Annabel tiptoed behind him, planning to give him a little scare. Suddenly, David turned around, smiling at her.

David knew Annabel would come. In fact, he had been waiting for her. After a month, he admitted to himself that he did miss this girl a little. But he reminded himself that it was just a teacher’s fondness for his student.

Annabel took out her test paper from her backpack and placed it on the desk. “Take a look.”

David glanced at the score on top. She had done remarkably well. He had heard as soon as he returned that Annabel had passed all her subjects, and her overall grades were now average in the class, something unimaginable before.

Naturally, David was pleased. His efforts over the past period had paid off. “You did well, but no room for complacency!”

David looked at her proud little face, silently asking for praise, and found it adorable. Out of habit, he wanted to ruffle her hair, but he stopped himself midway.

“You promised me. If I pass every subject, you’ll grant me a wish.”

“We agreed it was for the final exams!”

She patted her chest earnestly. “Don’t worry, I’ll do even better next time. You promised!”

She asked him quietly, “So, does this mean you can stay now?”

David nodded. “Shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Great!” She was so excited she almost hugged him, but David quickly dodged. “Alright, hurry home. I have things to do too.”

Annabel’s voice carried a tinge of disappointment as she uttered an “Oh.”

At the end of the semester exams, Annabel finally escaped from the bottom ranks of the grade, advancing more than seventy places. Logan still held the top spot, leaving the second-place far behind.

Thomas, upon seeing Annabel’s report card, jokingly remarked to Liam in private, “Choosing David was the right decision.”

On the day before the holidays, to everyone’s surprise, David, without any connections or background, received a notice to stay on as a teacher at the school. In a couple of days, he could go to the education bureau to complete the formalities for his appointment.

Paul, with connections at the Department of Education, staying on as a teacher was already a done deal. Annabel overheard Paul making phone calls in the hallway, mentioning treating someone, so she waited for him at the school gate and brazenly said, “Sir, take me along.”

Paul glanced at her helplessly. “It’s an adult gathering. What business does a kid like you have there?”

But there was no way Annabel would be easily dismissed.

Though it was evening, the daytime heat still lingered, and the riverside stalls were bustling with activity.

Paul and Annabel arrived first. After a short wait, David arrived with two other guys, all dressed in basketball jerseys, indicating they had just finished playing.

Seeing Annabel sitting there, David furrowed his brow. One of the other guys spoke up, “We’re having a guys’ night out, and you brought a little girl along?”

Annabel smiled sweetly, “I’ll be sixteen in a month. Besides, I bet your tolerance for alcohol isn’t any better than mine.” Annabel had attended various gatherings since she was young, so her alcohol tolerance was quite good.

Paul sneered, “Right, almost sixteen, almost an adult.”

Since David’s return from the school trip, Annabel had sensed a change in his attitude towards her. He still cared for her, but there was a slight difference in their previous easy-going intimacy. Once like friends and brothers, he now treated her more like a real teacher. Annabel thought to herself, “He’s already assuming the role of a teacher just because he got his diploma!”

Annabel didn’t mind, “How old are you guys anyway? Just a few years older than me.” As she spoke, she deliberately moved her chair closer to David and leaned in, “Mr. Curry, may I ask how old you are this year?”

David didn’t answer her question. Instead, he disdainfully extended his finger to poke her forehead, pushing her away slightly. “Sit properly!”

A guy beside them answered, “Your teacher is twenty-one.”

Annabel looked disdainful. “Just five years older than me. What’s so special about that? ”

Paul took a sip of his drink, chuckling with a knowing look.

On a summer evening, with barbecue and beer, the cool breeze occasionally blew over the water, creating a pleasant atmosphere. They had known each other since high school, and the stories from the past seemed endless. They talked about girls, shared anecdotes, and although Annabel was usually talkative, this time she listened quietly. So quiet that Paul and the others forgot she was there, except when the conversation veered into inappropriate topics, prompting David to cough softly to silence them.

It wasn’t that Annabel didn’t want to participate, but when it came to matters concerning David, whether present or past, she was interested. Well, she admitted it-she liked David.

The weather was too hot, and Annabel also wanted to have some beer, but David refused and ordered her a glass of yogurt instead. However, halfway through, he received a phone call, and by the time he returned, Annabel had already joined them in drinking.

David was somewhat annoyed. “Are you guys crazy? Why are you drinking with her?”

Paul chuckled. “What’s wrong with occasionally having a beer? Moreover, Annabel is far from being a docile civilian.”

Annabel tapped him with chopsticks. “Who’s not a docile civilian? But you’re right, what’s the big deal with beer? It’s practically water.”

David was speechless, his expression darkening. “Who promised me to quit smoking and drinking? How long has it been? You’ve already forgotten?”

Annabel tried to appease him again, leaning in with a playful smile and raising her hand. “I promise not to touch a drop of alcohol. You guys chat, don’t mind me, pretend I’m not here.”

Around nine in the evening, David felt it was time for Annabel to go home, so he bid everyone farewell early.

David stood at the intersection, hailing a taxi, while Annabel leaned against the lamppost behind him, quietly watching him.

A taxi pulled up in front of them. “Annabel, get in.”

There was no movement behind him, so David turned around to look. Annabel was still standing there, unmoving, muttering, “I don’t want to go home right now. Will you accompany me for a walk?”

David felt she was being deliberate. He was about to scold her when she said unhappily, “I just don’t want to go home. Thomas and his family went to Brenna’s mother’s house. I’ll be alone when I go back. It’s the holidays, so what’s wrong with me staying out a bit longer?”

David softened again, feeling sorry for her since even her own family seemed to neglect her. He gently advised, “It’s already past nine. You can’t just not go home, can you?”

Annabel pointed to a shady path by the river. The lights were dim, and there weren’t many people around. Couples in love often liked to walk there.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Let’s take a stroll there before heading home.”