Catherine's POV
The first thing I noticed when we pulled up to the Vaughn mansion was how quiet everything felt. It was so quiet that it made me feel like I didn't belong. The air had this expensive smell, like wet stone, fresh-cut grass, and something cold I couldn't name.
I sat still, watching the house from the car window, my stomach twisting as my mom smiled nervously in the front seat.
"We are finally here, Catty. Our new home," she whispered like she was trying to convince herself.
Home? That word didn't sound right in my mouth.
I stared at the tall iron gates closing behind us, then at the mansion that looked more like a museum than a place anyone could live in. There were no kids on bikes, no neighbors, no walking dogs in sight, just silence, and space too big to breathe in.
This wasn't the home I was used to. Home to me was the tiny apartment we'd left behind this morning.
Mom turned off the engine and looked back at me, with her perfect lipstick and hair. She'd tried too hard today, probably because we were finally moving into her husband's house. I could see the hope in her eyes, the kind that hurt to look at.
"Catherine, honey," she said softly. "Please be kind. He's a good man."
I didn't answer. Mom already knew I hated the idea of her remarrying.
"Catty?" She called my name again but this time it came out more soft and baby like.
I rolled my eyes and replied immediately.
"I'm not deaf, mom."
She rubbed my palm and got out of the car, while I followed suit. When we got out, a man in a gray suit opened the front doors before we even reached the steps, smiling like he was trained to.
"Welcome, Mrs. Vaughn. Miss Brown."
"Mrs. Vaughn"? Ugh! I hated how this sounded too.
The man took our bags, while I followed my mom inside.
The minutes we stepped into the house, the air-conditioning hit first, cold enough to make the strands of my back hair shiver. My sneakers squeaked on the floors, echoing in the huge hall.
If outside of this house looked like a museum, then trust me when I say the inside was much more.
"How rich is this man?" I thought in my head.
For a man this wealthy, he could have gone for a woman on his level, I mean in terms of finance. Men like him had nothing to do with single mothers who lived in a two bedroom apartment.
"There they are," an excited strong male voice rang out and I quickly looked up to see Richard Vaughn, the man who married my mother after knowing her for barely six months.
6 P.M and he was still dressed professionally, in suits and a tie. Not surprised though, what more was expected of a politician running for the position of Mayor?
"Oh honey, welcome home," he greeted as he descended the stairs. Once close to us, he kissed my mother lightly on the lips, and for a second, I wanted to loudly HATE.
"And this must be Catherine," he said, turning his smiley face to me.
I nodded and his eyes scanned me in that sharp, assessing way that made me want to hide my hands in my jacket pockets.
"Welcome to our home," he said, opening his arm for a hug. I forcefully pulled myself in for it and pulled back almost immediately.
"I've heard so much about you."
I smiled the polite kind of smile that showed I didn't believe a word of it.
He turned toward the stairs. "Julian, Gabriel! Come down, the full family is here now.."
My stomach dropped at the word family and within a minute, footsteps sounded from above, two sets, different in rhythm.
When they appeared at the top of the stairs, my breath caught before I could stop it.
The older one, Julian, I think that's his name moved first. Tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a black T-shirt and jeans that somehow looked like they cost more than my whole wardrobe. His hair was dark, a little messy, and his expression showed pure boredom. His cold gray eyes met mine for barely a second before he looked away.
Then there was Gabriel whose smile came easily, soft and warm, like sunshine in this frozen house. His hair was lighter and his brown eyes held a kindness that felt real.
"Julian, Gabriel," Richard said proudly. "You've met your stepmom already but I'm not sure you've met Catherine, your stepsister."
Gabriel was the first to move, walking down the stairs quickly and offering a hand. "Hey Catherine. Welcome to the family."
I took it, grateful for his warmth. "Thanks Gabriel."
Julian didn't say anything, he just leaned against the banister with crossed arms, watching us while his jaw moved slightly like he was chewing on something he didn't want to say.
Mom noticed and tried to create a conversation. "Julian, Gabriel, I'm so happy to finally move in. Your father mentioned a lot about the two of you, I hope we get along soon."
Julian's lips curved slightly, not in a smile but something close to it, mockery, I guess. "I don't hope for that."
Mom's expression faltered and I noticed Richard shot Julian a warning look.
To lessen the tension, Gabriel cleared his throat and tried to change the subject. "Your room's upstairs," he said to me. "Second on the right. Mind if I lead you?"
I nodded quickly. "Oh, not at all. Thanks."
I followed him up, trying not to notice Julian's eyes on me as I passed, even though they felt like a burn against my skin, cold and almost creepy like we were in a cheap rated mean girls movie.
We finally got to the room and Gabriel turned to me with a smile. "Here. If you need anything, just knock next door, that's my room."
I smiled back. "Thanks." Maybe Gabriel was going to be the best thing to happen to me here. With him around, I believe I won't have much problem settling in.
He gave me a small nod and left, leaving me alone in my new room, which by the way was the most beautiful room I'd ever seen.
I sat on the huge bed, which I doubted belonged to just me, before pulling out my phone, only to realize I had no signal.
"Just Perfect," I muttered with aggression.
I lay back, staring at the white ceiling, trying to convince myself I could fit into my new life.
My mind suddenly drifted to Julian, to the way he'd looked at mom and I, like he wasn't happy about our presence. Something inside my head told me he was going to be bad news.