Esme looked at the gifts that she received. It's so much. She never received such gifts at Christmas. She only started receiving bulks when she became part of the family. Now that they are back in their house, they have to stay and behave until they go back to New York. Although they are facing each other, Esme already missed hugging him. She missed kissing him. But somehow, she needs to stay away from Laurence and forget that they are together. 

"Hey, your room is a mess!" Laurence said as he looked around and gift wrappers were around too. 

​​

"I am trying to clean it," Esme said. 

"Your room, mess!" Rosie echoed Laurence. He and Rosie laughed as they jumped on her bed. 

"You are wrecking my bed, Laurence!" She scolded. Laurence stopped jumping and just sat down and let Rosie play on the bed. Laurence and Esme smiled at each other. He mouthed to her that he loves her and she grinned. She turned back from him so he wouldn't see the flush on her face. She started gathering the gift wraps and put them in a garbage bag.

 She arranged the gifts in her walk-in closet while Laurence and Rosie were playing on her bed. She listened to the siblings who were talking about a certain thing. It's adorable that Rosie spoke to Laurence like an adult. She wondered what would happen if she didn't meet Laurence. She wondered what would happen if they didn't become siblings. 

 They have a family dinner and then, Laurence said that they are going to the Club. But it'll be just an excuse so they could hold each other. Percy agreed to it and let them have bodyguards. Esme dressed up and wore the necklace that Laurence gave. She also wore a skirt and blouse with a long sleeve. She looked girly enough but not revealing. They went to the club. Kade, Levi, and others are partying there. There's always Zendaya and Timothy. They take their drinks and Laurence told her to go to the room that he owns in the club. Laurence left first and then, she finished one cocktail drink and followed him. 

 She knocked on the door and opened it. Laurence smiled while holding a candle. He lit up a few scented candles and it already smelled good inside the room. She locked the door and put her purse on the table. Laurence approached her and hugged her from behind. 

"I missed you." He said softly. 

"I missed you too." She turned to him and kissed his lips. "Let's do it right now." She pouted at him. 

"When we get back to New York, I promise you that you'll only have to study and I'll take care of everything like a housewife." He promised. "I already have money and after you graduate we can settle." 

"And tell mom and dad?" 

"And tell them about us." He said softly and kissed her lips. He lifted her from the floor and took her to the bed. The last thing that they both know is their clothes flying with passionate lovemaking. 

<><><><> 

 Percy knew well that something was going on. He didn't mention it to his wife but since whey visits Esme and Laurence in New York, something is indeed going on with the two. He caught Laurence sneaking out from Esme's room for three consecutive days back in Lawson Villa. He thought that he's just helping her but he stayed there for hours and left early in the morning. This time, he followed them in the club. He went undercover as he watched Laurence go to his suite in the club and Esme followed. 

 He knew well that Esme isn't their real daughter, but he is his daughter. He wanted them to get along as siblings but it seemed like Laurence did something that would make both of them look bad. After what seemed hours, the two came out of the room. Esme came out first and Laurence followed. Then, they kissed sneakily at each other. Percy's blood ran up to his head. But he needed to cool down. He left the club and he called the bodyguards to tell Esme and Laurence to go home. 

 When he reached home, he removed his disguise and waited in the living room. His wife approached him and creased her brows as she crossed her arms. 

"Where did you go?" She asked. 

"There is something I haven't told you about." 

"What is it?" 

"I will talk to you tomorrow." He stood from the sofa and kissed her forehead. "Go to bed. Okay?" 

 Ash knew well that something isn't right. She didn't want to leave but her husband insisted. She went upstairs to their bedroom. She sat down and felt uneasy. Something is wrong. She came out from their room once she heard Laurence's car. 

 Percy stood and stared at Laurence. 

"Esme, go to your room." 

 Esme glanced at Laurence and she nodded. She went upstairs and Percy pulled Laurence's collar and dragged him upstairs to his study room. 

"What did you do to your sister?" Percy asked as his voice became deep, almost growling and angry. 

"Dad," 

"I am asking what you did to your sister?!" He scowled as he pushed Laurence's chest. "Did you fuck your sister?" He asked as he pulled his collar. "Answer me!" 

 Laurence is speechless at that moment. 

"Why did you do it?" He screamed and punched Laurence's jaw. His son fell on the floor from the impact and he punched his stomach. "How long have you been doing it? Huh!" 

"Dad," Laurence mumbled as he struggled a little. "I love her…" 

"You love her as a sister! Not someone who you could fuck around!" He screamed. 

"Percy," Ashaya knocked on the door and tried to open it. "Percy!" While Percy is scolding Laurence, Ashaya immediately left to get the keys. 

 Percy ignored his wife and dragged Laurence's shirt. 

"Dad, I love Esme," Laurence said again but he received a punch on the stomach. "We do it and that's because I love her." 

"If you love her, you wouldn't do it!" Percy screamed and pushed him as he fell on the floor. "I trusted you to take care of your sister and treat her like your sister. Not like this!" 

"Percy!" Ashaya screamed outside. "Don't you hurt your son!" 

 Percy exhaled as he ran his fingers through his hair frustratingly. 

"She's not my blood, dad!" Laurence said as he sat up ignoring the pain. 

"No! She's a Pattinson!" 

"No, she's not!" Laurence shouted back. Percy pulled his collar and glared at him. 

"You knew well that you promised me that you won't fall in love with her like that!" 

"That's only words. I love her, dad." 

 The door burst open and Ashaya smacked Percy's back and pulled his fist away from Laurence's shirt. 

"Why did you hurt your son!" She scolded. 

"Ask your son what he did to your daughter," Percy said coldly. "You will never see each other again. You took her innocence!" 

"Dad, please. Don't…" Laurence begged. Percy lifted his fist again to punch him but Ashaya held him. 

"Dad!" Esme screamed and she ran and hugged Laurence blocking him. Tears start streaming down her cheeks. "It's my fault. It's not his fault." She said. 

"Esme," Laurence mumbled and pulled her away. She shook her head. 

"It's my fault! Please don't hurt him again." She begged. 

"It's not your fault! He's older than you and he should be responsible. Go to your room, now!" He demanded. Esme shook her head as she sobbed and shoved her face to Laurence's chest. 

"I'm sorry," She mumbled all over again. "It's my fault…" 

 Percy exhaled and looked at Laurence hugging her back and kissed her top head. 

"It's not your fault…" Laurence mumbled. 

 Ashaya covered her face. 

"You will stay in New York, Esme. Laurence, you'll stay away from her, do you understand me?" 

 Laurence froze from his father's words, but he hugged Esme tightly and possessively. 

"Release her," Percy commanded Laurence but he didn't release Esme. So, he dragged his arms away and pulled Esme away from her. "Ashaya, bring her to her room." 

 Ashaya never saw him this angry for a long time. She pulled Esme and took her outside to her room. Percy glared at Laurence and dragged him to sit on the chair. He took out his phone and disabled a few accounts. 

"I will only give you money for your allowances and nothing else. You'll still stay in New York until you graduate. But you will never see her again." 

"Dad, please…" Laurence begged. He knelt in front of him. "You can disown me but please don't take her away from me." 

"Laurence! You fuck girls you want and Esme is not a thing to own! You'll only see her once she graduates! You almost ruined her. What if she gets pregnant? She can still meet other boys and date them but being stuck with you is not good for her." 

"I'll marry her!" 

"She's so young!" Percy exhaled. "I made up my mind already. You'll be a barrier to her goals, Laurence. I will set up bodyguards for you and her and you can't see her until she graduates and have her career."