Chapter 21 ~A ride with you~

"Having somewhere to go to is home, having someone to love is family, having both is a Blessing."

Aspen's POV

"Aspen! Zander!" I smiled involuntarily as I saw my seven years old sister approach me.

That's right... Jasmine Carter.

It's kind of funny when a few years ago when I was much younger and so naive, I always had that mindset that once you have riches, wealth, fame, and power, you have it all. But life being unfair as usual, mocks you when something doesn't go your way. Sometimes I would even blame my creator.

In the eyes of the public, The Carters have always been one of those families you tag as picture-perfect. You know, where the parents are so in love, kids who have the perfect grades and no criminal records. Well behind the scene, it's a different ball game.

In reality, my mom is hopelessly in love with a man, my dad to be precise, that can't even reciprocate her feelings and on the other hand, my little sister is suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).

It really is sad!

My mom would always tell me that love makes you do crazy things, I would always laugh at that statement until I saw it for myself. Despite their marriage being based on a business contract, anyone with eyes could see how much my mom cares for my dad, Jasmine, and I, but I can't say the same about my dad. She still has her hope on a very loose thread, ready to snap at any point in time.

Just a year ago, we found out about Jasmine's mental disorder. I guess we were just ignorant or oblivious about the things happening in her life. No one knew she was traumatically bullied, we took her withdrawal for shyness.

Is it psychotic that I wish, I am the one in her situation?

Even after hearing this news, I expected dad to be more attentive to his family matters but instead, he thought this would affect his business. He said and I quote ' No one should know about this, we wouldn't want to destroy the image that took me years to build and I don't want my business associates and rivals to think her unfortunate situation is hereditary.'

I am not even surprised anymore, his life is just business, he doesn't care about any other thing.

I was so nervous when Iris was in the same breathing space as Jasmine. Due to her condition, she would always cling to familiar people except for my dad. To say I was surprised was an understatement, she was so free with Iris. I don't know, but there is something about Iris that just screams 'safe'.

I guess that's why Zander can tolerate her.

Zander's POV

I turned slightly towards her and chuckled silently as I watched her sniff my car while buckling her seat belt. I swiftly drove out of Aspen's compound as she typed her address into the GPS.

The first few minutes of the ride were kind of awkward, the only sound that could be heard was that of the music playing and the melodious humming coming from Iris.

"You know you ain't that bad after all." She finally spoke.

"Huh?"

"I mean, you always act like the cliché bad boy, you know the one that's always cold, mysterious and every girl wants to be with, Jeez! I am rambling now." She laughed nervously while I turned and watch as her face turn crimson. I laughed silently and faced the road.

"Really?" I teased.

"Well, you are a big softie, your reaction today with Jasmine proves it." She stated confidently.

God!!! She's so naive.

"Oh, Iris! haven't you heard of that common idiom, that says 'don't judge a book by its cover', just because I acted so sweet with Jasmine, doesn't mean I would do the same to others." I said as I ran my left hand through my hair.

"I can barely tolerate you, so don't go ahead of yourself," I mumbled as I halted my car at a red traffic light. I expected her to be furious but her next statement caught me by surprise.

"Oh Zander, no need to be shy. It's just you and me in here. I know you can't resist me." She stared at me with a smirk plastered on her innocent face and turned away.

God! She's something else, one minute she acts all quiet and shy, the next minute, she's Confident and I tell you, that's definitely a turn-on, but she doesn't need to know that!

I stared at her side profile and my lips tugged up a little.

"I know I have a good side profile, but we have to go. The light is green." She snapped her fingers and I just shook my head and drove.

A few minutes later, we arrived at her house driveway. The house is relatively small compared to mine, but I can guess it doesn't lack that kind of family feeling like mine.

She sighed and unbuckled her seat belt and I noticed the slight change in her mood. I am really good at reading people, but I don't know why it's so hard for me to know what's she's feeling or thinking.

Dude! you ain't a werewolf that can read or have a mental link with her.

"Anyways, bye." She said with a little smile as she held her backpack and got out of the car.

"Bye cupcake, don't miss me too much," I smirked and mentally face palmed myself for making that statement.

Real smooth Zander... Real smooth!

Her eyes widen a little and she just shook her head, with a smile plastered on her face. She waved and went into her house.

At least she smiled. Not like I care or anything!.

I smiled involuntarily as I drove out of her driveway and off to mine. I sighed when I remembered I won't stay in the other house alone. I don't even know how my parents found out I have been staying at one of their other houses. As soon as they found out, they made sure I won't be able to access their other properties except for the ones they grant permission to.

A few minutes later, I drove swiftly into our property, I drove around the fountain before halting. I got out of the car with my backpack hanging on one of my shoulders and click a button on the remote car key.

I walked into the house and sighed happily when I realized my parents weren't around.

I am not ready for one of their boring lectures.

My face lighten as I spotted my nanny.

Wow! I can't believe I called her Nanny. Anyways...

She has been taking care of me since I was born, even when my parents were not there for me, she cared for me as her son.

"Perché sei cos felice?"(why are you so happy). She asked and eyed me skeptically.

I chuckled. "Sino Felice do vederti"(cause I'm happy to see you). I walked up to her and hugged her from the side. She glared at me and flicked my forehead.

"Answer my question." She ordered as she placed her hands on her hips.

"I just did." I smiled teasingly. She shook her head instead and flicked my head again before walking out. I laughed as I walked straight to my room.

The last thing I could remember that night before going to sleep was Iris's smile.

***

Hey, it's ibby again!

This chapter feels crappy but oh well.

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