HOPE'S POV

"Yes Father, I've gotten the money," the voice was indistinct, but I could easily recognize it as Tyler's. "Spring break is coming soon, I'll meet you then."

I stir in my sleep, suddenly shaken to reality. I blinked, adjusting my eyes to my surroundings before my eyes shot wide open in surprise.

"Yeah, I know I'm supposed to be at school in thirty minutes, I'll go get ready." Then I heard shuffling.

Furrowing my eyebrows, I sat up, realizing I slept on the couch. "Good morning, Angel," Tyler greeted, making his way beside me. "You fell asleep yesterday, and you looked so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you up."

I nodded slowly, looking around the room to spot my bag on the side of the room. I was suddenly engulfed with the feeling of panic, if he had looked through it and found the notebook my father gave me as a gift when I was younger, he could see all my nefarious plans to be used in the future.

I shut my eyes, convincing myself that I was simply worrying too much.

"What's in your mind?" he asked, sitting down beside me. He had a smile plastered on his face as he stared back at me. He seemed much more cheerful than the day before.

"And I've been meaning to ask you," he leaned in a little closer. "You replied to my question yesterday with a shrug, I need to know the actual answer because I will help you with something, I don't care what it is."

I shake my head, telling him that I could not be helped. Unless he was willing to hurt someone with bad intentions, helping was useless.

"I'm serious, I'll do your homework," he suggested, and I scoffed in response. If only it was as simple as homework. Then reality dawned on me and I remembered we had to report to school since it was a Friday.

"You want to get ready for the morning? You can use the bathroom in the guest room, two rooms down the hallway. There are towels in the black cupboards along with extra toothbrushes, there are clothes in that room which belongs to my sister," he said, which left me feeling rather curious. He lets me use his items knowing full well I could steal them.

I nodded, feeling to change out of my current dirty clothes from the day before. I glanced at the clock hanging on top of the television, there was not much time before we have to turn up in school.

Standing up, I followed the directions he voiced out a second ago but stopped abruptly in my tracks when a framed photograph caught my eye.

It was of a younger Tyler, who was pushing something away, which was offered by a girl. It was a blurry photograph, and I could barely make out any of them, but I could tell that a woman was standing behind the both of them.

"That's my mother, Violet. The girl beside me is my sister, Hailey. My dad took the photo, but since all he cares about is money now, we never had the time for another picture." Tyler appeared from behind me and explained.

I then realized money was a common problem we had, after all, it was the reason my mother chose my Stepfather over my biological father. I hung pictures on my apartment wall as well, but it was only of me and my father since I was an only child and I could not stand looking at my mother's face every day.

I nodded, fighting the urge to smile at Tyler's disgusted expression. I looked away from the picture, suddenly feeling weights holding me down on my shoulders. I wished I took more photographs with my father as a child.

I then made my way to the bathroom in the guest room - which looked modest, just like the rest of the house.

I knew I should not be here, I should be in school - alone. Not in the house of Tyler Rivera, there's no use being around him, he could not fill in the empty, hollow pit in my stomach.

I stepped into the shower after I have chosen some clothes from the wardrobe, which was mostly filled with crop tops, jeans, and shorts. I hated wearing those, especially to school, but it seemed to be all Tyler's sister kept in his house. I reluctantly picked an outfit and headed into the bathroom.

Spring break is coming up in a few weeks, and I dreaded it. At that time, I would be asked by my mother to visit my stepfather's mansion and have dinner with them. I avoid talking, instead, I just nod and shrug.

It has been ten years, and this was the year I would strike. My long plans of revenge will take place. I will be crossing the line, probably taking it too extreme. But I did not care anymore, the happy, bubbly young girl from a decade ago was gone because the light in her life was stolen. Now, all I want is my current parents to have a taste of their own medicine.

"Hey, Hope?" Tyler calls out when I was about to unlock the bathroom door. I let out a hum while I unlocked the door and push it open.

I ignore how his eyes trail downwards before making eye contact.

"I was wondering if we could just skip school for the day since we're already late and we didn't get to finish the assignments from yesterday. I have a place I want to bring you," he persuaded.

I furrow my eyebrows, about to turn down his plans for the day when I realized skipping school was never something done in my history. Taking classes honestly helps take my mind away from everything going on in my life.

"So?" His lips quirked as he waited for my answer - an uncertain, small nod. One I did not think before doing.

A warm and genuine smile spread across his face, unexpectedly holding my hand as we exited his house together. We hop onto his car, with me in the passenger's seat and Tyler in the driver's. Like always.

I then glanced sideways at my bag, and an eyebrow was raised instantly. It was unzipped. I could have sworn I zipped it, Tyler might have rummaged through it and possibly had gotten hold of that notebook. Fluttering my eyes close, I brushed the thought away. I was being paranoid.

I stared out the window of the car, realizing I did not go out often. I forgot the last time I had a glimpse of the morning sun and its ethereal glow as it ambitiously illuminate the land. It caused a stir of emotions within me, it was indeed beyond gorgeous. The car came to a stop outside what seemed to be a car rental shop. He shot me a mischievous look before unlocking the doors and leaving.

Wearing a confused look, I climb out of the car.

"My dear nephew, there you are!" The distinct voice belonged to an older guy, who seemed to be close to Tyler. "This is the young girl?"

"Yeah, she doesn't have a license, so you're the first person I thought of who would allow something illegal," he responded with a toothy smile. "I'm sure she's a fast learner."

I gave him a wary look, still unsure of what we were doing. From his conversation with, who I think is his uncle, we would be renting cars for a drive - though he knew I had no experience operating one.

"I'll trust you, but you'll have to pay for any scratches. I've heard from your dad you've won a competition and have gotten some money in hand," his uncle said, smiling. Tyler hands me a look from beside me, then led me to a large section of cars.

"Pick one, I'll teach you all the controls before we race," he said, still facing the different types of cars. My jaw hung open at his previous sentence. I had no experience in driving, though I have always ought to try. Racing on the very day I learn how to drive seemed impossible.

I stepped towards the vehicle, which was no doubt a sports car. Despite my lack of understanding of cars, I could make out that the car I chose was a roadster. It looked evidently expensive, I felt almost embarrassed sitting in it.

It was the only time I was in the driver's seat while Tyler was in the passenger's.

"I have the sensible key, you can simply push that button," he pointed to the button beside the steering wheel.

Holding my breath, I started up the car. He then started explaining, "that's to clutch." It was located between the engine and the gearbox. He went in detail about everything that concerns it, then directed my attention to the brake and the accelerator. He leaned closer to me as he explained the use of the levers. I was just inches away when he stared down at me. "Look at this," he said, a playful smile on his lips as he pressed a few buttons.

My eyes were instantly widened when the car roared with enthusiasm.

He chuckles at my expression, and I freeze at how incredibly close he was. I backed up against the leather wall, quickly looking back at the pedals.

It pleasantly surprised me when I realized he was extremely patient, once he notices a look of uncertainty, he would repeat. It took a while before he taught me how to operate the car and drive it. We fasten our seat belts, then I recalled the steps he taught. My lips stretched into a smile as it jerked for a moment before moving.

"Try going right," he said, and I did it with ease.

"I knew you can get the hang of it in no time," he hands me a proud smile. "You must've grown up with geniuses."

I returned the smile because I did grow up with a genius, my biological father was indeed wise. He was my hero. I followed his directions to a very empty track, where there were no buildings - just a lane for vehicles. I figured it would be where we would 'race' though I still have not tried driving at a high speed. Tyler had explained thoroughly how to change the gear and allow the car to race, but I had yet to try it.

This was wild, but I found myself enjoying every second.

"Wait for me right here," he ordered. "I'll go get a car for myself."

I nodded, watching silently as he jogs a short distance back to the rental shop.

We were becoming close - probably too close. He had no idea who I was inside, not a hint about what I have been through. The only reason I was drawing closer to him was because I was starting to get comfortable.

So much that I might soon just trust him with the secret I have kept since I was nine.

Maybe risking it would be wise.