Chapter 9 My heart thunders wildly as I stare at the back of the man in my room . I can't distinguish much of his features , save for the dark suit he's wearing and his dark brown hair . Nathan's dark brown hair . " Um ... " I glance down at June ; her confused look most likely mirrors mine . " Nathan ? " I call out again , thoroughly confused . The man's shoulders shake , and a low chuckle fills the room . Then he turns . I don't know if the sigh that escapes me is one of relief or exasperation . It's not Nathan . Peter Ashford is standing in the middle of my room , and I have no idea why . " Oh , I'm sorry . " Peter smirks . " Were you expecting someone else , April ? " My breath hitches . He remembers me ? When Nathan transferred to my school in sophomore year , Peter was just starting as a freshman . The two brothers were opposite in every way . Where Nathan was cool and friendly and earned his popularity through his talent and charisma , Peter was notorious for playing questionable pranks , bordering on bullying and being a whore , collecting girls like they were Pokémon cards . It was always a wonder to me that they were related . The few times I ever saw the brothers interact , it was stiff and borderline hostile . I didn't think they liked each other very much . What's worse , after Nathan's very public rejection and my becoming the laughingstock of the school , Peter made it a point to always throw snide jabs my way in the halls and made sure that neither I nor anyone else in the school forgot what his brother thought of me . That he remembers me all these years feels like extra punishment for some crime I have no recollection of committing . " Peter . " I swallow tightly . " Hi . " His icy blue eyes rake over me slowly in a way that makes me want to peel my skin off . His smirk widens . " April Farrah as I live and breathe . " I shift uncomfortably , very aware that my little sister is in the room . " Can - can I help you ? " Peter shrugs and casually sits on my bed like we're old friends . Like we're about to have a pleasant conversation . " I must say , I'm impressed , April . " He keeps saying my name like he's trying to make a point that he remembers mé . He glances at June , and his smirk turns wolfish . " Hi , little April , " he says to her . " What's your name ? " June looks up at me , sensing my unease . " Summer . " I turn to my sister . " Do you want to get started on a shower ? " I ask , keeping my voice steady . I point to the door that most likely leads to the en - suite bathroom . " I'll come join you shortly . " She looks confused and suspicious , but props to her , she doesn't question me . She shoots Peter a wary glance before reaching for our small toiletry bag and heading into the bathroom . With a sigh , I turn back to Nathan's brother . " Are you even allowed to be here ? " I ask when I hear the shower start to run . He shrugs . " It's my house , in case you forgot . You lot aren't allowed in the west wing , but I can go wherever the fuck I want . " I wince at his language , thankful that June is out of earshot . I fold my arms , hoping I come off as aloof instead of severely uncomfortable . 1/3 P Chapter 9 " What do you want , Peter ? " " I want to know what exactly you were thinking , April , " he replies . " Entering this competition , after what my brother did to you back in high school is crazy . " I bite my lip . " I didn't ... " I shrug , unable to explain Lou's interference . " It just happened . " " It just happened , " he repeats , his tone slightly mocking . " It seems like for you , a ' no ' just doesn't suffice , now does it ? You're still pining after all these years ? " I grit my teeth . " That is not what this is . " He leans forward , bracing his elbows on his thighs . " What is it then ? " he asks , looking genuinely intrigued . " What possessed you to enter a competition to marry the guy that broke your heart and humiliated you in high school ? " I close my eyes and sigh , willing my emotions to stay in check . I don't have an answer to Peter Ashford's question - it's the same question I've been asking myself since I got into the limo that picked us up this morning . Peter cocks his head to the side and watches me curiously . When I don't provide an answer to his question , he asks another . " Tell me , does it hurt ? " I frown . " What ? " " Nathan not remembering you . " Like hell . I shrug . " It's whatever ; I don't really care . " Peter snorts . " Yeah , okay . " " I don't care , " I repeat , willing him to believe me when I don't even believe myself . " Do you think he'll eventually remember ? " Peter continues like I didn't say anything . " Or do you think you were that insignificant ? " sigh , running my hands through my unbound hair . " What do you want from me , Peter ? " " Would you like me to jog his memory ? " 1 gape . " Wha - No ! " For a beat , we just stare at each other and I wish I knew what he was thinking behind the mischievous glint in his eyes . Then he starts to laugh . Not a full - bellied laugh , more like a gentle chuckle , like I lightly amuse him . - " Relax , April ; I'm just having some fun . " " I'm glad this is fun for you , " I snap . " Is that why we were allowed to stay , so you could have fun ? " He raises an eyebrow , then glances towards the bathroom door . " What is it ? " " What is what ? " " What does she have ? Nathan said she had ' needs ' . " I swallow , feeling my defenses rise . " I don't think that's your business . " Peter snorts . " You still don't get it , do you ? " " Get what ? " 2/3 12.39 Chapter 9 " Why you were allowed to stay , " he clarifies . " You think my family is just that generous and benevolent ? " " What are you saying ? " " You show up on the first day and constitute a nuisance , upsetting a fellow contestant and the peace . All that flies if this was ' Keeping Up with the Kardashians ' , but the Ashfords are a drama - free family . " I sigh , feeling uneasy . " So ? " " So , the only reason that you , a certified drama magnet is still here and not halfway back to wherever you were picked from , is because of that . " He points to the bathroom door , and I'm now sure I'm going to throw up . Peter smirks . " Your little dependent charity case of a sister is the only reason you're still in this competition . " Chapter Comments : 2 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!