Chapter 20

**

I was now currently sitting with Mom in the kitchen along with Ashton– with whom I didn't want to– but a glare from Mom shut me up, as we watched my boys trying to cook food. And by my boys, I'm sure you're aware as to who I was talking about.

My 6 brothers and Dad. Dad found about what we did and told us not to worry about the Michael thing, as he will handle it himself. He even apologised for not listening to me when I first warned him. But him being my Dad, I waved it off. Mistake happens. That's what makes a person perfect. After that he went ballistic, he intended on making the best food Mom and I ever had along with Ashton, unfortunately. You see, I forgave him, so now he is barking orders at others to cook as he says. From the grumbling, it looks like they were having a hard time controlling themselves. Poor little brothers.

"I'm going upstairs. I have to use the bathroom."

I stood from the stool and made my way to my room. After finishing my business, I checked my phone and plugged it in the charger, before making my way down. Humming a Taylor Swift song, I was walking down, not noticing my nearby's. That was a mistake.

Suddenly, I was pulled to the opposite hallway of my room. I looked up to see a fuming Ashton standing there. I smirked. "Is there a problem, Ashton? Or wait. Should I say asshole?"

"I suggest you watch your mouth, Gwen." He said, taking a step forward. "I might not hit girls, but that doesn't mean I can't do anything else." 

"Yeah. Like what?" I challenged.

"Don't test me." He hissed.

"You'll go home crying like a baby and then everyone will realise what a cry-baby you are?" I teased. I know testing him is not something I should do, but I can't help it. He so infuriating that I can't help but irritate him as well.

He just clenched his jaws and fisted his hands which were turning white from how tight he was gripping.

"Cat caught you tongue?" I smirked, which wasn't the right thing from my part.

His eyes blazed with anger as he lifted his hands and grabbed both of my wrists in his hands and roughly pushed me back against the wall. My back hit the wall with a force as he held my hand above my head. Without a word, he crashed his lips on mine. He kissed me roughly as a punishment kissed. Punishing me for calling him an asshole. I didn't even have time to think as his kiss got more furious and passionate.

At one point, I tried to wiggle my hands free, but he held it tightly and pushed me further against the wall, his body pressed against mine while he still continues to kiss me. I tried to resist it, but he pushed open my mouth and deepens the kiss. He broke the kiss after a while as we continue breathing heavily. He trailed his lips down my neck, leaving open mouthed kissed everywhere.

"Ashton, stop..." I said, still breathless. He trailed his lips from my neck to my jaws, up to my ears.

"This is nothing, baby doll. Provoke me again and see what I do," he whispered. But I knew he would never do something I don't want, despite his anger. I have seen the respect he has for girls.

Pushing himself away from me, he took a step back. He stared at me once. "I told you I could kiss you if I want." Before turning and leaving.

I stood there, back against the wall, still dazed from what happened. I involuntary touched my now swollen lips and looked the way Ashton just left. He kissed me. He fucking kissed me!

I could still feels his soft, warm lips on my own. I licked my lips and shuddered. This was his way. He could either hit me or kiss me. From what I gathered, he doesn't hit girls. So instead he kissed me. My eyes wide as I gulped. That little... How dare he kiss me! I'm going to kill him. He doesn't have a right to do that. I clenched my hands in fist with anger.

Pushing myself off the wall, I stalked downstairs. As I was about to walk in the kitchen, I stopped at the entrance to look at the mess.

I saw Ashton sitting next to Mom, chattering away as if nothing happened while the others look constipated. That was a funny look!

Ashton looked up to see me enter, but didn't say anything. He just stared at me, blankly. Seeing him, my tongue darted to my lips. His eyes shifted to my lips and they darkened ever so lightly. I bit my lips, forgetting how angrily I was. I came to give him a shit of my mind, but when I saw him, my focus was shifted back to the kiss. Damn, him!

Looking away from him as he was still staring at my lips, I walked beside Mom and sat down next to her, forcing a smile.

"I'm kind of scared, you know. I don't want to land up in the hospital." Mom joked.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. You won't end up in the hospital. But I might have to call Benny," Dad chuckled, pecking Mom on her lips.

A chorus of Eww..was heard, including mine. My glance involuntary shifted to Ashton who was staring at me. I looked away immediately after catching his gaze.

The rest of the morning was spent with them trying to cook food. After a while, Ashton excused himself as he had to go home. He got a call from his sister, demanding where he was as he had promised to take her shopping.

My first thought was that promise and Ashton in a same sentence doesn't work. And probably, while his sister would be shopping, I'm sure Ashton will be with a girl somewhere doing anything, but shopping. The thought made me scrunched my nose. Why the hell did I let him kiss me? He is nothing, but a man-whore. He's just trying to get me in a game, just like every girl is a game for him.

This is probably wrong. Actually not probably, but this is wrong. I'm his best friend's sister. And according to the rule — stay away from your best friend's sister is the main bro code.

I just hope he follows though.

**

"Are you sure it's edible?" Mom asked, looking at the food in front of her. Her expression was careful, not giving anything away.

"Of course." Blake grinned.

I glanced at Mom, smiling wearily. "Should we try?"

"That's not even a question," Will deadpanned. "You have to!"

Nodding, I picked up my fork and took a bite of white and red sauce pasta. Apparently, they thought it would be better to cook enough food for everyone to eat. Pasta, noodles and pizza was what they cooked.

Can you imagine, so much food!

As I placed the fork in my mouth, my taste bud reacted almost instantly. I moaned. "Damn. This is really good!" I exclaimed. Even though the presentation wasn't that good, or non-existing; it did taste good. But something about it was too familiar.

"It tastes a bit familiar, though." Mom voiced.

I looked at them, as they shifted uncomfortably. "Ryan."

That was the moment. Just as Ryan looked at me, I knew that they received help from someone. And that someone has to be Mary-Ann. I hid a smile as I saw Ryan trying his best to hide his expression.

"Umm..." Ryan began.

"No, Mom. It doesn't. I think Ryan had cooked this before. That's why it tasted that way." I smiled. "Right?" I asked, looking at Ryan.

He grinned like cheshire cat. "Right."

"Okay." Mom said slowly, eyeing the both of us.

"Is it really that good?" Ethan asked.

"Of course, it is good," Dad replied. "All thanks to me." He bowed down for dramatic effect.

"You didn't even boil water." Max argued.

"Please. If it wasn't me, you wouldn't have been able to cook." Dad argued back.

"You make no sense, Dad." Nate pointed out.

"I don't have to," Dad said, smirking. No wonder my brothers got their arrogance from Dad. That's the common gene for everyone in this family.

"What matters is that," Will cut them off, walking towards me and Mom, standing in between us. "You both liked it?"

Mom looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, we did."

"That's it. Come on. It's our turn to eat, but before that," Blake interrupted. "Do you forgive us?"

The look they gave me was kind of hilarious. All of them pouting and blinking their eyes.

I laughed, nodding. "Of course, I do."

They cheered before we all were eating our lunch. Eating with family is always fun. You should have close friends, but what your family gives you, is something your friend can't.

Watching everyone sitting together, eating and laughing is the way I want my day to go.

"Kitchen duty?" I asked.

"Yeah. Since you guys cooked, I'm sure the kitchen is a mess." Mom said.

"So what do we do?" I asked Mom, hinting something.

"The guys clean." Mom shrugged.

"Yeah. Go clean." Dad ordered.

"That includes you too, Richard." Mom said sternly. Dad groaned, but nodded nevertheless. The boys went to the kitchen to clean while I helped Mom to clean the dining table.

"Who knew they had the potential to cook." Mom said.

"We should make them cook every once a while." I suggested. Mom laughed, but didn't say anything.

After everything was cleaned, we all decided to sit in the backyard, discussing the arrangements about our cousins that are coming in less than a month.

"You can always share a room, you know." Ethan said to Will.

"Yeah and I don't want to." Will snapped.
 
"But you don't have a problem when Gwen jumps up and down your bed, while planning a sleepover with you," Nate teased.

"Yeah, that's because she is my baby sister." Will defended. I rolled eyes when the word 'baby' was said.

"I'm not a baby," I muttered.

"You sure act like one," Max smirked, ruffling my hair.

"Hey!" I jerked back to make sure he doesn't ruin it.

"Well, the gang coming is your cousin, so what's the problem in sharing?" Ethan asked.

"We have enough rooms. Why the hell are you so persistent for me to share a room?" Will gritted in irritation.

"No. I'm just asking a normal question," Ethan said. "Besides, I don't think you'll have a problem in sharing a room with Sophia. Should we call her too?"

The next second happened so fast that I didn't even have time to interpret. Will's fist connected with Ethan's jaws. I let out a surprise squeak.

"Shit!" Nate cursed, standing and going next to Ethan who was sitting down on the grass, clenching the area where Will punched him. An ugly bruise was already forming. We looked at Will in surprise. I understand Will gets angry most of the time, but choosing violence is not acceptable.

Will was breathing hard as anger radiated from his body in full force. Glancing one last time at Ethan, Will stomped back inside.

I sat next to Ethan to check the bruise. "Are you alright?"

"I think I took it too far." Ethan sighed. I touched his jaws to inspect it. He winced from pain.

"Sorry," I muttered. Blake came to inspect if it's broken or not. "I'll go talk to Will."

"I don't think it's the right time." Dad suggested.

"No. Let me go. I'll make sure he's fine." Dad nodded as I made my way upstairs towards Will's room. I knocked on his door twice.

"Go away," came the reply.

"Open the door, Will." I demanded.

"I don't want to talk, Gwen."

"But I want to. Come on. Open up, already." I knocked once again. I heard a sigh, before the door swings open. I looked at his appearance and let me tell you, it wasn't good at all.

"What the hell?" I said, taking his hands. His knuckle was covered in blood. I don't think it was because of the hit he blew at Ethan.

"It's nothing," he dismissed it and yanked his hands back, going into the room. I entered the room behind him, not believing him.

"You punched the wall." I stated.

"I didn't."

"Yeah, sure. I can see that." I replied, crossing my arms, looking at the wall that he punched, which now had a dent.

"I shouldn't have punched him." He sulked.

"You shouldn't have," I said, walking into the washroom and bring the first aid.

"I made a mistake." He said.

"You did." I replied, cleaning his wounds.

"You're making me feel bad."

"I am." I said, after tying the bandaid.

"But you aren't suppose to," he said, furrowing his eyebrows.

I sighed and sat down next to him. "You shouldn't have punched him, yes. But he shouldn't have provoked you. I don't know what's going on with you and Sophia. Heck! I know you like her. But why aren't you ready to accept it?"

"She is my assistant. I can't like her," he said, annoyed.

"So what? It's obvious that she likes you. And for all I know, you like her too and just because she is your assistant doesn't mean you can't like her."

"You don't understand, Gwen. It's...it's complicated." He frowned.

"Okay. Take your time. Think about it. It's something you have to do." I said, looking at him. "Just make sure to apologise to Ethan. Though he doesn't seem angry. He says it's his fault. He took it too far."

"I did take it too far." We heard a voice from the doorway. I turned to look at Ethan standing near the door.

"I'll let you guys talk." I smiled. Nodding, I walked out of Will's room and went upstairs on the fourth floor to my room.

Humming, I climbed the stairs and pushed the door open to the room where I'm painting us. Suddenly, my phone vibrated. I pulled it out of my back pocket to see that I received a text.

You have to do what I tell you to do. Meet me at the back stairs of the school.

– Ashton.

Ah! Shit!

**

Okay, so you guys are probably angry. Too late update. Apologies apologies. But I hope it was worth it! Until then.

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