CHANTEL

CHAPTER 4

Andre and Max are stepbrothers. Max is just a year older, but since Andre's father was so strict

about seniority, he made Andre call Max "brother." Max's mother is a very wealthy woman who lost

her husband due to political problems. She enjoyed all the inheritance transferred to her son with

her newly wedded husband, whom she claims to love dearly. However, the sad news is that Andre's

father was just after the money and never knew Max was the rightful heir. Max is her scion.

***

"Finally! We are home!" Jade said, walking straight to her bedroom to sleep while Jane followed.

Chantel was still deep in thought about Max. She was dying to see him; he said he lived next door.

The wind was so cold that night, Chantel was freezing.

"Ouch, so parky," she complained. She stood up to ask Steven for a duvet.

"Steven, can you please lend me a blanket?"

"Come over here," he said, tapping the other side of the bed.

"No, I can't sleep with you, dearie."

"Why not?"

"It's not right."

"I see, Jane has poisoned your mind."

"No, it's not that, just..."

Steven pulled her to the bed by grabbing her waist.

"Steven--- stop---," she said calmly, trying not to be rude.

"I want to taste you, Channy."

"We can't!"

"Didn't we make a deal?"

"Yes! I know! But not now!"

"When?"

"Maybe in"Hmmm, you are good at business. Anyway, the duvet is in the closet," he said, freeing Chantel.

She hurriedly took the blanket and ran out as fast as possible. When she got to the living room, she

saw two white blurs. She got scared and nearly screamed before she heard the voices.

"He tried to do it, didn't he?"

It was Jane and Jade. They really cared about her. Their gowns made the white blur.

"Oh dear, please go to bed; it is late!" Chantel said. She kissed their foreheads and saw them off to

their bedroom.

"Sleep with us," Jade said.

"Oh pl-----"

"Please," Jane interrupted her.

Chantel took a bedsheet, spread it on the floor, and slept on it, using the blanket to cover up from

the harsh weather.

***

When Chantel woke up, it was already past 8. Jane and Jade were downstairs washing their clothes

while Steven was getting dressed for work. He pecked her goodbye and left without having

breakfast. Chantel felt relieved when he left. She took a deep breath and decided to make breakfast.

She walked into the kitchen and fried eggs and toast bread. She prepared it before the twins came

jubilantly from the stairs. She wondered what made them this happy.

"Where did you guys spread the clothes?" she asked, still at the dining table.

"A gentleman offered us his rope," Jane said with a mouth full of bread.

Memories flashed through Chantel's mind.

"MAX!" her body screamed.

She immediately stood up and went to the balcony to search for him.

"Oh, I am so stupid, what am I doing?" she said to herself.

"Why are you stupid?" Jade asked. She had followed her to the balcony.

"I----- okay, let me tell you. Jane, please come over here," Chantel shouted, and Jane hurriedly came.

"Yesterday---" Chantel paused when she looked down and saw MAX.

"Ah!!!," she screamed loudly.

Max heard her and thought she was hurt, so he hurried upstairs.

"Why are you shouting?" Jane asked.

"I----- I-----," Chantel stammered, then the doorbell rang.

"Oh God!" Chantel exclaimed.