Chapter Eleven

They was an awkward silence between them. Julia wanting to ease him out of his obvious distress but not knowing how to. Besides, she felt they weren't so close and he looked like someone who wouldn't appreciate the comfort.

They finally arrived. The house looked like something straight out of a magazine. It was at least twice as big as her house and the lawn was so big and green. It looked more like a 5-star resort than a house.

When they came out of the car, Nicholas was still looking tense. Julia put a hand on top of his and squeezed it lightly to calm him. She had not seen him like this before so she acted before she would rethink her action.

He looked at her and gave her a small smile. So maybe she was wrong, her way of showing concern was definitely appreciated.

A butler announced their entrance. As they entered the house, she saw a man who looks like he was in his late 50s. He was a handsome man and he didn't have protruding belly like most older men she knew. He looked pretty fit. She could see where Nicholas got his handsomeness from

But he didn't look like a happy go father. His eyes were cold even though he was smiling and his smile creeped her out. That was a Stark difference between him and his son. Nicholas looked cold at times but this man looked evil and screamed danger.

"You must be Julia. I have heard a lot about you. It is nice to finally meet you" He said lustfully staring at her cleavage instead of her face. She felt the urge to button up the first two shirt button she had left open. She also suddenly felt that her skirt was too short when he looked at her legs. He didn't even attempt to hide his stares.

"Nice to meet you too, sir" She said politely hoping he stopped his uncomfortable perusal.

He made to hug her but Nicholas stepped in blocking him. She had never been so grateful as she was now. She couldn't imagine how uncomfortable it would be if he had hugged her even if it was just for greeting.

"Can't I hug my own future daughter in-law" He said in a teasing voice but Julia still got the chilly feeling from him.

"Nicholas dear, you are back" Julia heard the most fake voice she had ever heard before.

The voice belonged to a middle age woman. She looked like she was in her late 30s but the wrinkles on her face showed that she was way older.

Nicholas didn't spare her a glance and walked into the living room dragging Julia with him.

They sat down on the two seated sofa while his father and stepmother came to sit opposite them.

"What do you do. you look pretty young" His stepmother asked scrutinizing her as if it was a crime to look young.

"That's none of your business" Nicholas answered her instead.

"Well, it is if you need my permission to this marriage" His stepmother said laying emphasis on ' this marriage ' as if it tasted bitter in her mouth.

"Its okay" Julia said to Nicholas. " I can just answer the question.

Although, she wasn't so enthused getting engaged at her age, she hated the way the woman referred to their marriage as if it disgusted her.

"I am still in college" Julia replied in the sweetest voice she could muster trying so hard to be polite despite the obvious hatred looming in her eyes.

"Hmm, So you are still a student" She said.

"Do you have a problem with that" Well, Julia didn't say that but she was really tempted to.

"What course are you studying in the university" She asked her.

"I am a third year fashion designing student" Julia answered her.

"A fashion designing student getting together with the great Nicholas Ferrero. Hell must have frozen" His stepmother said in a mocking voice.

"You are going over the line. Watch your mouth" Nicholas finally said, the last bit in a threatening voice.

His stepmother didn't say anything but just leaned closer to his father. At least, she wasn't a complete idiot and could take the hint.

Nicholas never wanted to be here but he had to because his grandfather told him that he had to bring her to his family because that was the right thing to do. Not that he cared about doing the right thing but he couldn't bear to disobey his grandfather, the only person he acknowledged as family and his mother's father.

"You are Grayson's daughter, right" His father broke through his train of thought.

"Yes, Sir" Nicholas knew his father had already done his research on her so he basically knew everything thing about her. He also knew that his father was already hatching plans in his head on how to use her to his advantage against him and in some other ways he wouldn't want to think about.

But Nicholas was ready for him. He would never let him touch even a strand of her hair. His father was a psychotic being who took pleasure in little girls.

When Nicholas was younger...

"I am back home" A young lady probably in her late 20s strolled in with shopping bags in her hands and some with the maids. She was very pretty looking like a model and also tall although the five inches heels also did some justice. Her heavy makeup accentuated her face and the clothes she wore looked like a second skin. All in all, she looked like a special edition of mean girls with the way she was eyeing Julia.

"Father,Mother" Julia already knew about her. She had read Nicholas family up after Kristen told her about his mother being dead.

This was Stella, his half sister who was 28 years old. She was a complete socialite who just spends money. She was voted as the most beautiful lady in the rich society. She had been divorced once and didn't get married again.

Nicholas stepmother just nodded her head with acknowledgement looking at her with something akin to jealousy. His father looked at her with more interest and Julia noticed she swayed her hips while passing him and he licked his lips.

Their movement was so obvious that even the densest man will notice something was off. Julia fought the discomfort in her stomach threatening the food she ate to come out at their little display. Weren't they supposed to be father and daughter.

"What do we have here" She said looking at Julia in a degrading manner.

Julia had never seen so much condescending attitude towards her before. Julia didn't bother to grace her with an answer. She could try to be polite to the elderly but she wouldn't put on with her crap

Stella went to the two seated couch they were sharing and sat at the handle next to Nicholas. They were up to three empty seats but she chose that particular one.

She tried putting her hands on Nicholas disregarding his fiancee was just there. Nicholas gave her a cold stare and she removed her hands but she still stayed there trying all possible way to show her cleavages.

Julia couldn't take it anymore and excused herself to the bathroom. What kind of messed up family was this.

She spent few minutes in the bathroom before she came out.

"Nicholas is mine. Stay clear of him, little slut" Stella said once she came out both startling and shocking her.

Julia couldn't even answer her because right now, she was just in awe of the obvious incest going on.

She walked out and told Nicholas sh wanted to go home. He agreed immediately and they left.

"She is not my father's daughter" Nicholas said once they were in the car.

"I didn't ask" She said partly relieved that they weren't blood related and she couldn't be his mother's daughter because she knew his mother died at child birth and he was already 31years old. She was also a little embarrassed because he must have known what was in her mind about his family.

"Are both of you close?" Julia asked him. After she finished processing everything in her head, a part of her felt slightly insecure and jealous although she would never admit to that.

The both of them have been together for long and anything could have happened. He was a male anyway and Stella was a very pretty lady who was obviously into him.

"Noy at all" He said with a trace of disgust on his face.

"Why? Even though you are not related by blood, both of you have been together since childhood so at least they should be some brotherly love" Julia said cringing at the word 'love'. She acted as if it was just a harmless question but it was actually a bait to check if they was anything between them.

"Whatever you are thinking is not correct so stop with your wild imagination" He said not taking the bait and exposing her intention with a knowing smirk.

"Just drive" She said looking out the window.