Deceiving My Bully Stepbrother

(Johnnie)

The moment I stepped into the room, I froze. My eyes landing on a petite blonde as she seemed to have the same reaction as me. "Johnnie?"

Crap..it is her..Ava Wilson..Caspian's ex-girlfriend. Just great..I haven't seen her since changing schools. But why was she here? "Um hey." I said awkwardly before mustering up a smile and walking in.

"Are you interning here too?" She suddenly asked before stepping towards me and smiling.

"Yes, today is my first day." I explained, and that's when Ava said something I never expected.

"Oh thank god..at least I know someone here now." She rushed out, relief seeming to fill her as she glanced behind her shoulder.

"The people here aren't exactly welcoming..when my step-dad offered me the internship..I hadn't realized I would be working directly under my stepbrother.." She grumbled and I couldn't help but wonder when the hell Ava became so damn chatty, especially towards me.

Did she get amnesia or something and forget we didn't like one another? She pretty much bullied me most of the time at school and always talked s**t about Cas after we got married.

I mean..she never really said anything to my face..but I still heard the rumors.

Before I could respond, a woman with black hair tied up into a neat bun came walking over. She had on a black dress and wore red-framed glasses.

"You must be Johnnie King I presume?" She asked, making me nod as the woman introduced herself.

"I am Caitlyn Dean, the department supervisor." Many paragraphs are missing. Read the complete book on J o-b n-l b. c (o) m. She said while shaking my hand as my stomach filled with nerves.

"I see you have met your partner for the summer. You two will be working closely as a team, so I suggest you get to know one another."

Oh god..that's it..l quit..

Apparently Ava didn't have the same thoughts about our pairing as I did..because she was smiling like the damn Cheshire cat with excitement.

"Now, Steven your team manager will show you around. We have a huge charity event coming up in two weeks. This is what we depend on annually to help with a lot of our funding, so your job is to make mine easier..understood?" Caitlyn asked, making both Ava and I nod eagerly.

"Good..now go with Steven and he will show you around." She stated before a woman walked up to her, showing her something on a tablet before they both walked away.

"Why does it feel like we just got sent to the principal's office or something?" Ava grumbled, making me fight a smile as I tried to just ignore her.

"Well, look what we have here..no wonder Caitlyn is being more of a b***h than usual today..you two are freaking gorgeous." A guy said while walking up to us. He had short platinum blonde hair and wore a red silk blouse with black trousers. Okay..he was the gorgeous one..I swear Anna would be drooling right now just from his fashion sense alone.

"Thank god..two more blondes..my type of people. I'm Steven by the way." He smiled widely before coming between us and looping his arms through ours.

"So..you must be.." He began while looking down at Ava..

"Ava Wilson." She informed him, making his eyebrows raise before a smirk pulled at his lips.

"So, you are the pain in the a*s step-sister that hunk of a man is always complaining about." He teased Ava, making her eyes roll as she scoffed.

"Whatever, Theo Hart is the one who is a pain in the a*s." Ava grumbled, making Steven burst into loud laughter.

Theo Hart..why did that name sound familiar?

"Bold and Beautiful, I think I'm going to like you." Steven added, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealously from his words.

I hope this wasn't my freshman year of college all over again.

"So that means you are the talented Mrs. Johnnie King. You know you have been the talk of the entire office.." He whispered while leaning down closer to me.

"Me? I am?" I asked in surprise.

"Well..you and that fine ass husband of yours..is he going to be stopping around for lunch?" Steven asked, making me scoff as he squeezed my arm.

"Only kidding..unless he really is..I have always been interested in learning more about hockey..like..do they always shower together afterwards?" He asked making me gasp as Ava burst into laughter. Yeah..Anna would love Steven..

"But in all seriousness. Your video was circling around for weeks. That song you wrote was just beautiful. When Mr. Hart asked us to scout you personally, we all knew you would be a great addition." He added before smiling at me warmly and I swear my face must've been beet-red.

Then it clicked, that's where I had heard the name Theo Hart from. In the email I received after being offered the

internship. I just thought it was some random director or something..I hadn't realized he scouted me personally. I will have to thank him for the opportunity if I ever meet him.

"Okay, less chit chat.. let's show you two around." Steven finally stated before walking us through the office and telling us what our daily tasks would be.

I learned that Steven was a music major as well, he played the guitar and actually performed on weekends at a downtown club or something. He said after work we should all go..

It was weird..because I didn't directly talk with Ava too much..but it was like we were kind of having fun and getting along..I noticed she kept stealing glances at me too. I could see she wanted to say something, I just wasn't sure what it would be. That was until she cornered me in the bathroom..just like old times I guess.

"Hey..umm..oh god, I have never done this before." She muttered to herself, making me look at her in confusion.

"It's okay..you don't have to." I began, wanting to end this awkwardness. Honestly..I was done with all that petty stuff..after having Everett..I realized that type of drama was pointless.

"No please.." She rushed out, reaching for me.

"I just..I have wanted to do this for a while.." She began, making me sigh before nodding my head, and showing her I was listening.

"To be honest..I kind of guessed Caspian had a thing for you for a while..like, before he broke up with me and stuff. He would always talk about you.. nonstop...it was just little things you did that annoyed him. Stuff that shouldn't bother a guywho had a girlfriend.." She explained, making my eyes widen.. Even though I hated hearing about her referring to Caspian as her boyfriend..

"But I ignored it..I thought I could be the exception..and I realized after a while..I was a real bitch..like, not just to you..to everyone. I don't even think I really liked him..I just liked the idea of dating someone who was popular." Ava chuckled sadly, her eyes staring down at her feet in embarrassment.

"In high-school..you and I weren't that different..at my old school I mean. I seemed to blossom over the summer and then when I went off to college, all of these people wanted to be my friends. So I'm sorry..for treating you like that..and I'm really happy for you and Caspian..truly." She whispered and I couldn't help but feel bad for her..I was shocked to hear this..and I never would've guessed that was the case.

Before I knew it..I had stepped closer to Ava, my hand rising up as I placed it gently on her shoulder.

"Thank you..for saying all of that. Maybe I misjudged you a little too..and maybe..well..we could have a fresh start?" I asked, causing Ava's eyes to light up before she nodded her head up and down eagerly.

"I would love that!" She exclaimed and I couldn't help but smile.

Then it hit me..oh crap..what was Caspian going to think about this? Yeah..something tells me he might not like it..

Speak of the devil..right when I went to check my phone..I saw my husband's name on the screen. Guess I better tell him..