The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

Annabel had arranged to have dinner with Mason that evening, and she left the house early. The weather was cold, but this was a commercial district and it was prime time. The area was bustling with bright lights and colorful scenes, filled with Valentine’s Day promotions and products. Women carried flowers, while the men beside them held bags and wrapped their arms around their girlfriends’ shoulders, chatting and laughing.

Annabel felt a bit down. Compared to others, her own relationship felt like child’s play. She had planned to make up with him if he came to find her on Valentine’s Day, but today was very quiet.

He’s probably going to see Lola today. The more she thought about it, the colder she felt.

At the corner was a hot pot restaurant, with a sign flashing among the shadows of the trees. Annabel wrapped her yellow coat tightly around herself and pushed open the glass door. The waiter led her to the reserved booth, a corner seat by the window. The lighting was dim, providing some privacy.

The two girls at the table in front had their phones propped up on the table, watching the latest hit idol drama. The lead actor was Mason, and Christopher had given him excellent resources. Annabel, feeling a bit bored, watched a segment with them. The scene showed the male lead finally finding the female lead after overcoming many difficulties, leading to a romantic kiss by the sea.

To be honest, the male lead’s acting was average, but he had good looks. “I heard the lead actor really got together with the female lead.”

“Really?”

“It’s true. Look at how close they are on the show. They seem like a real couple, not just acting.”

“I don’t care; I just like him. He’s handsome and has a rugged charm, so manly.”

Mason seemed rebellious on the outside, but he was sensitive and suspicious on the inside. Annabel had grown up without a mother, and Mason’s parents had fought for half their lives, always on the verge of divorce but never going through with it. So, these two love-starved people had clung together, considering each other their most important family.

Annabel ordered some dishes she and Mason liked. They had similar tastes. The waiter brought her a steaming cup of red bean milk tea. Annabel drank it and absentmindedly chewed on the straw, waiting for a while before Mason arrived.

He wore a baseball cap low over his eyes and a mask covering half his face, bundled up tightly. Annabel, feeling a bit low, raised an eyebrow lazily and asked, “Is it inconvenient for you to come out?”

Mason took off his mask and sank into the sofa opposite her. One look at her face, and he understood. “Not bad, in a bad mood?”

“I’ll tell you later. Are you really seeing that girl?”

He smiled. “You’ve been around Christopher long enough; don’t you know how things work in the entertainment industry?”

The waiter came to serve the dishes, a young girl who kept glancing at Mason. Mason pulled his cap down further. The girl hesitated a bit before mustering up the courage to ask, “Are you Mason?”

Mason shook his head, and Annabel smiled. “Miss, excuse me , please leave.”

The waiter, looking embarrassed, apologized and left. “Wow, you’re quite the national heartthrob now.”

Mason raised his chin proudly. “What do you expect? It’s me.”

“Where’s Orla? You two seem to be spending less time together lately.”

The three band members had all transitioned to acting. Mason had been lucky and became famous with his first role. Alexander was currently filming in the Northwest, playing a supporting role. As for Orla, there hadn’t been any news about her for a while, even in entertainment news.

Mason hummed dismissively, “She’s probably about to be sidelined.”

“What happened?”

Mason didn’t want to ruin the mood. “I’ll tell you later.”

The hot pot was covered with a layer of red chili oil, and the dishes ordered were all quite spicy. “Didn’t I ask you to order a mild broth?”

“That wouldn’t taste good. I haven’t had this in over six months. Even if it kills me, I want to indulge today.” She and Mason both loved spicy food, but since being with David, she hadn’t eaten anything spicy in over six months.

“Is your stomach healed? Can you eat this?”

“Yeah, I took the medicine David’s mom gave me, and it worked.”

Mason then placed the food into the pot. “What about David? You’ve been saying you’d introduce him to me, but I haven’t met him yet.”

Annabel was upset about that. She poured her heart out to Mason while eating.

Mason shook his head disapprovingly. “We don’t lack anything; there’s no need to compromise for a man.”

The hot pot began to boil, and the steam blurred Annabel’s face. “Just like you can’t let go of Orla.”

Mason was taken aback, then smiled bitterly. “We’re both hopeless, aren’t we?”

They teased each other and continued eating until the restaurant closed. Both had drunk a lot but were still sober due to their high tolerance. Unfortunately, Annabel’s stomach began to feel uncomfortable, and the symptoms gradually worsened.

After being with David, she had eaten a nutritious and bland diet, and her stomach had been fine for the past two years. But tonight, with all the spicy food and alcohol, her craving was satisfied, but her stomach couldn’t handle it.

Mason noticed her pale face. “Is your stomach acting up again?”

She clutched her stomach and nodded. “It hurts.”Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Mason scolded her, “We should go to the hospital; it’ll be a rough night otherwise.”

Just then, Mason’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen, looking annoyed, and hung up. Annabel noticed the name Orla on the screen.

Luckily, Mason had already called for a car. As they left the hot pot restaurant, a black business car was waiting outside. Mason helped her into the car, and to her surprise, Sebastian was also there. He smiled politely at Annabel, “Miss Green.”

Ever since he found out about her close relationship with Christopher, Sebastian had been incredibly polite to her.

Mason was surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“You were being followed by paparazzi. How could I not come? I told you not to be alone with female friends.”

Annabel looked up, and Sebastian gave her an overly enthusiastic smile. “Miss Green, don’t get me wrong; I don’t mean to blame you.”

Annabel closed her eyes and didn’t respond.

Mason ordered, “To the hospital.”

The driver started the car, and Annabel leaned back in the seat, looking unwell. Mason crouched in front of her, looking worried. “Does it hurt?”

He kept urging the driver, “Hurry up!”

“No hospital. I’ll be fine after a while.”

Mason ignored her. “To the hospital!”

Sebastian’s attention was on the two cars behind them. He decisively instructed the driver, “We’re being followed by paparazzi. Lose them!”

Mason was currently involved in a gossip, and if another rumor about a strange woman surfaced, it would ruin the publicity they had planned. Not only would it affect the drama’s ratings, but it would also hurt Mason’s popularity. However, Annabel wasn’t just anyone, and Sebastian couldn’t afford to offend her.

Mason got angry. “This isn’t the time for detours; just go straight to the hospital!”

Suddenly, Annabel grabbed his hand. “Take me to David.”

Mason hesitated. “It’s better to go to the hospital.”

Annabel suddenly snapped. “I said take me to David!”

“Do you think he can cure you? Are you crazy?”

“I just want to find him!”

Sebastian looked back at the two arguing, feeling a headache coming on. How would he handle the PR tomorrow?