Daddy’s billionaire step-brother
Chapter 18: 18+

At Adrian's bedroom, Clara stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her school uniform. She scrutinized her reflection, wondering if she looked any different-more mature, perhaps. She was trying to muster confidence, but a knot of fear tightened in her stomach at the thought of facing her father after what she had done. Adrian entered the bedroom quietly, sensing her apprehension. Without a word, he stepped behind her and gently helped close the buttons of her uniform. His touch was reassuring, grounding her in the moment. "Let's go," he said softly, giving her a soft kiss on the neck, his voice a steady anchor in the storm of her emotions.

They headed down to the garage, where Adrian had chosen a more discreet vehicle for the day-a sleek, black Land Rover. He opened the door for her, and she climbed in, her nerves still buzzing but slightly calmed by his presence. The drive to school was quiet, the hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of leaves the only sounds filling the space between them. Adrian glanced at her occasionally, his expression a mix of concern and support. "You don't need to worry, Clara," he said, breaking the silence. "Your father won't know."

Clara nodded, taking a deep breath. She could feel the weight of his words settling over her like a protective shield. As they approached the school, she straightened in her seat, ready to face whatever awaited her. Adrian pulled up to the curb and turned to her. "We don't have to keep doing this," he said, his eyes locking onto hers with unwavering intensity. "We can pretend it never happened if you want to." Clara smiled weakly. "It happened, Adrian. And I liked it."

As Clara was about to step out of the car, Adrian leaned over and gently caught her arm, his expression serious. "Clara, I have to tell you something."

She turned to him, her curiosity piqued. "I'm listening."

Adrian took a deep breath, his eyes searching hers. "This... Whatever is happening between us, whatever did happen, it's simply going nowhere. I'm warning you not to get too attached. I'm not a good man." Clara's eyes gleamed with defiance. "And I'm not a good girl either."

Adrian's gaze hardened. "This is a dangerous game, Clara. You could get hurt."

A small, determined smile tugged at her lips. "I don't care."

Adrian was looking at her pretty eyes and looked down to take a quick look at her thighs, barely covered by her plaid skirt and navy blue stockings. She was temptation incarnated. A charged silence filled the car, the weight of their words hanging between them. Finally, Clara broke the tension. "Can I have a kiss?"

Adrian's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise and he chuckled in disbelief for her amusement with the situation. He grabbed her face with his hand, his grip firm and steady. Their eyes locked, and for a brief moment, the world outside the car faded away. He kissed her as if he was about to fuck her again, he liked the idea of her going to school with her mouth slightly swollen and her mind filled with dirty thoughts.

"Take care, Clara," Adrian said, parting the kiss, his voice softening.

"You too, Adrian," she replied, giving him a soft kiss on his cheek.

Adrian nodded, and she stepped out of the car, her heart pounding from the intensity of his kiss.

After a grueling day at school, Clara's driver navigated through traffic, finally delivering her home. As she entered, she spotted her father waiting sternly at the dining table, his expression a mix of concern and disappointment. Clara's heart sank; she knew a difficult conversation awaited. "Where were you?" her father asked sharply, skipping any pleasantries.

Clara hesitated, knowing her father's disapproval could intensify. "I... I was upset with you," she admitted cautiously. "I didn't want to come home, so I ended up crashing at Adrian's. He said it was okay."

Her father's disappointment was palpable. "Clara, you used to be so responsible," he said with a sigh. "Now you're behaving recklessly. What's gotten into you?"

Clara swallowed hard, her eyes avoiding his gaze. "Nothing's changed, Dad," she replied softly. "I was just upset today."

Her father's expression softened slightly, but the disappointment lingered. "I expect better from you, Clara," he said firmly. "You can't keep acting like this."

Clara felt anger surge within her. "Why?" she retorted, her tone defiant and tinged with sarcasm. "Because the rich idiot you chose wouldn't want me?"

Her father's face hardened. "Exactly!" he snapped back. "You're risking everything I've worked for."

"I'm not risking anything!" Clara shot back, her voice rising. "It's my life, and I can do whatever I want with it."

Her father's eyes narrowed. "No, you cannot," he countered firmly. "You have obligations to your family."

Clara's frustration boiled over. "What about you?" she challenged. "Did you have obligations to your family when you drank all our money and left us broke?"

Her father stared at her in disbelief, hurt flickering across his face. Clara immediately regretted her words, though she knew they held lots of truth.

"I... I'm sorry, daddy," Clara began, attempting to apologize.

Her father cut her off abruptly. "Enough!" he said sharply. "Tomorrow. You're meeting him, your future fiancé, tomorrow. I've arranged a lunch at the country club for both families. You're going to shut up, look pretty and be pleasant to him. I don't want to hear another word about this."

Before she could say anything else, Richard got up and left, leaving Clara alone with her thoughts and fears.