The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

Mason and Orla were both visibly flattered, greeting him with utmost respect, “Mr. Robins, you’re here!”

What was supposed to be a small gathering turned into headline news with a big name from the entertainment industry personally attending a newcomer’s birthday celebration.

Christopher nodded and pointed towards the stage, “You’ve worked hard recently. Happy birthday, go on.”

Annabel followed behind Mason and Alex when suddenly, Christopher called out to her, “Bella, do you remember me?”

“Yeah, the judge.”

Sebastian, smiling ingratiatingly, corrected her, “How can you speak like that? He’s Mr. Robins.”

Annabel couldn’t stand Sebastian’s sycophantic attitude, thinking to herself, “He’s just a singer, what’s the big deal?”

A sharply dressed woman standing nearby gave Annabel a piercing look, but Christopher laughed and waved his hand dismissively, “I’m a friend of your mother’s. You should call me uncle. Are you free the day after tomorrow, it’s the weekend?”

Annabel was about to refuse, but he added, “Could you accompany me to visit your mother?”

If not for the hint of weariness in Christopher’s eyes, Annabel might have thought he was under 30. It was hard for her to psychologically accept him as a senior.

Seeing her hesitate, Christopher sighed and spoke gently, “It’s been so many years. I’ve forgotten where she rests. She must be very lonely. Would you come with me to visit her?”

Logan noticed Annabel hadn’t followed and saw her still talking to Christopher. The public image of Christopher was that of a cold and aloof person, yet he was looking at Annabel with a fervent, almost undisguised, eagerness. Logan walked back and overheard Annabel saying, “You have my number, right? Call me when you’re free.”

A sense of unease washed over Logan. He inwardly cursed Annabel for her naivety, thinking she’d probably help someone count money even if they were selling her out. “Let’s go, Orla’s calling you,” he said, grabbing her wrist and leading her away. Annabel waved at Christopher before disappearing through the side door.

The elegantly dressed woman beside Christopher whispered, “That’s Brenna’s son, Logan, Annabel’s stepbrother.”

Christopher responded with a faint “hmm,” his eyes following the teenagers with a thoughtful expression.

Orla’s birthday party was lively, with dozens of fans in attendance, all wearing BO Band themed T-shirts. The staff rolled out a massive two-tier cake, and Christopher made a special appearance.

The fans, not expecting to see such a big star, were ecstatic, creating an electric atmosphere.

After taking some group photos and saying a few words, Christopher left the stage. Before leaving, he specifically approached Annabel, whispering, “Don’t forget our appointment.”

Annabel nodded.

As soon as Christopher left, everyone became even more uninhibited, turning the fan meet-and-greet into a late-night party.

Blasting music and wild crowds surrounded Annabel. She thought she could temporarily forget her worries, but the louder the chaos, the clearer David’s face became in her mind. She realized he probably wouldn’t like seeing her like this.

Orla, in the middle of the crowd, spontaneously started a hot dance, then pulled Logan, who was standing against the wall in a daze. She used him like a pole in a provocative pole dance, driving the fans wild with screams.

Any other man might have lost control, but Logan stood there with an unflinching expression. He tried to leave several times, but Orla kept pulling him back, and the fans intentionally pushed him towards her.

Annabel, sitting on a high stool not far away, saw Logan’s tense face and laughed so hard she almost fell over. Orla was bold and unrestrained in her pursuit of Logan, but what about her? The thought made Annabel feel disheartened.

She had planned to ask Orla for advice since Orla claimed to have countless experiences with men, but seeing her having so much fun now, Annabel knew she couldn’t count on her.

“Bella.”

Mason’s face appeared over the back of the sofa, looking equally disheartened. He had obviously seen the hot dance.

The table was littered with beer cans. Annabel sat beside him and slumped into the sofa, trying to comfort him.

“I’m just like you, unrequited love.”

“Over a year, and you still haven’t sorted it out?”

“Yeah, it’s driving me crazy.”

Annabel recounted the school gossip. Mason scoffed, “A little crush can cause such a commotion. No wonder, your school is full of hypocrites like Logan. I say, just do what you want. Loving someone is your business, it doesn’t affect others. Don’t care what they say.”

Annabel frowned, “I’m not care about others, but David does. If he cares, then I have to care.”

Mason thought for a moment, a sudden realization hitting him. He sat up straight, “Someone must be deliberately trying to harm you. Could it be Logan?”

Annabel shook her head, “Logan might not like me, but he wouldn’t do something like that.” She had a vague understanding that, despite his harsh words, Logan was actually quite protective of her. She just didn’t want to admit Logan’s goodness.

Mason pulled her into a playful chokehold, pretending to strangle her as he gritted his teeth, “You’re pretty nice to Logan lately.”

Annabel quickly explained, “What are you saying? What does he count for? We’re lifelong buddies.”

Mason, satisfied, released his grip, “If anyone bullies you, you tell me, I’ll sort them out.”

Mason used to have many friends in the underworld, and Annabel used to hang out with them too. But now she didn’t want to associate with those people anymore. “You’re in showbiz now, you shouldn’t mix with those people anymore.”

Mason snorted lightly, “You really have changed. You wouldn’t have said that before.”Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

He grabbed a beer from the table and took a sip. “But, I have to thank you for signing with Christopher’s company. He was only planning to sign champions, but he signed us because of you.”

“He said that?”

“No, he didn’t, but I know.”

Annabel thought to herself, I haven’t even called him ‘uncle’ yet, and he’s already putting me in his debt.

The birthday banquet didn’t quiet down until after eleven. After the fans left, Orla wanted to find Logan. She had planned to confess her feelings to him tonight, so she deliberately drank a bit.

“He should have left by now.”

Orla was very disappointed. When her assistant noticed she was tired, they escorted her to her room upstairs. “There’s no activity until tomorrow afternoon. Get some rest.”

Orla collapsed on the bed, waving her hand weakly and closing her eyes. Logan’s expressionless face lingered in her mind, filling her with frustration. She tried to console herself, thinking Logan was indifferent to everyone, not just for her.

Her phone rang, and the screen displayed ‘Dream boy’. Orla jumped up from the bed, instantly sober.

“Orla, did you see Annabel? Was she with you?”

A surge of disappointment flooded Orla’s heart, but then she had another plan. “She’s in room 1006, she drank too much and vomited a lot. Go to the front desk and get the room key, then take her back.”