My Step-Dad Is My Mate
Chapter 22

One Week Later

I stared at my gown with a Cheshire cat grin. I tried on my cap and smiled in the mirror.

Graduation is tomorrow. I can't believe it.

After tomorrow I'll officially be done with high school

And tonight...well I'll be talking to my mom after something really important. Everything has changed since Richard accepted the rejection but that doesn't stop my original plans.

My neck began to burn again, indicating to me that the Naproxen was wearing off. I dug around in my bag for the pill bottle and popped one. Let me explain. Naproxen is a pain killer I now have to take 3 times a day to avoid the full on pain of my mark. Since the rejection it's hurt..bad.

When I asked Mama Odie about it yesterday, she told me it hurt because of the rejection and the only way to stop it is either to take back the rejection- which is never going to happen- or get someone to mark over it- which I'm not sure when that is going to happen so they better have a lot of Naproxen in storage.

Unfortunately it doesn't hold for the entire day, I take one in the morning two in the afternoon then I take the pain at night.

My phone rang and I picked up.

"Hey Aiden."

"Hey Dani. What's up?" He said in an unusually cheerful voice which made me raise a brow.

"What's got you so happy?" I asked suspiciously.

"What? I can't be happy my best friend is graduating tomorrow?” He asked and I chuckled

"Since when were we best friends?"

"Besides the point" Aiden quickly said,” I'm just really proud of you. You worked hard for this and came out successful despite all you had going on."

"Yeah I know right. But what did you call for exactly?"

"Well" Aiden cleared his throat,” I wondered if you wanted to go to dinner tonight. Not a date or anything just a little congratulations dinner. Maybe a movie after?”

"Uh..." I said, clueless if I should go or not. It's not a date so I guess it would be okay.

"Okay Aid, that sounds good. Pick me up at around 9?"

"Why so late?" He asked.

"I have something I got to talk to my mom about first." I replied.

"Oh alright. I'll see tonight Dani." He said and I nodded, even thought he couldn't see me.

We said our good byes then I hung up.

Now I need to find something to wear for tonight. This is going to be fun.

Not.

Aiden’'s POV

I got off the call with Danica and turned to face him.

"I've found somewhere else for you to live. New life, new everything. You're welcome and you may go."

"If we weren't on your land right now I swear..."

"You swear what? There isn't anything you could do to me. I'm doing this for Danica. You and her will never be together" I said to Richard with a smirk.”

"Neither will you and her. I did what you wanted. I accepted her rejection. But was that really necessary?" He said, gesturing to my phone.

"I'm taking her our for a congratulatory dinner. No biggie." I said with a shrug.

“I might have may wrong decisions by her but that doesn't mean it doesn't bother me any less.”

"You have no say-infact you never had a say. She isn't your mate anymore Richard."

He squinted his eyes at me and growled.

"I'll leave after her graduation.”

I shrugged.

"I can accept that. Have a good one Richy.”

Richard stood up and mumbled to himself before leaving my office with a loud slam of the door.

All I'm trying to do is keep Danica safe. She won't want to see Richard everyday after a rejection

Although she seems like she is doing okay, I know better. I know a rejection is nothing easy plus the pain she goes through with that mark is enough.

My phone vibrated in my hand.

Unknown number.

I sighed and picked up.

"Is it done? Is he going to leave?" I heard her voice on the other side of the phone and I rolled my eyes.

"Yes Roseanna. It's done."

Danica's POV

That night...

I straightened up my top, gently fluffing out it's black frills then applied my light pink lip gloss.

"Someone's getting dolled up.”

I smiled and twirled around.

"It's nothing much. Aiden is taking me to dinner tonight.”

Mom clicked her tongue.

"I figured. You and him have been talking a lot the past week.”

I glanced at my mom through the mirror.

"Yeah...I guess so." I added a shrug.

By the smug look on mom's face, she obviously thought something. "No mom. No, no. We aren't dating. We're just friends." I said and stepped away from my mirror

to my vanity to get my purse.

"If you say so..." Mom mumbled and I rolled my eyes.

"There is something I've wanted to talk to you about though.”

Mom looked at me with wide eyes then moved to sit on my bed. "That doesn't sound good."

"Well it is. I mean maybe to me rather than you...Mom I'm m-"

Beep beep!

What the h

"Get your ass down here little Missy!" Aiden's voice rang out in my head and I silently cursed him.

Talk about bad timing.

"Aiden?" Mom asked and I nodded.

"Get going sweetie. We'll talk later.”

I gave my mom a hug and grabbed my flats near door and quickly put them on.

"See you mom!"

I jigged downstairs then out the door, shutting it behind me.

Aiden was leaning against his car, watching me with a smile.

"You look gorgeous." He said and I rolled my eyes

"Thank you but I told you 9. It's barely 8:30."

Aiden shrugged. "I was excited to see you. Besides now we'll have more time to hang out. Come on, get in."

He opened the passenger's side door for me and I thanked him before getting in.

He soon got in and started up the car.

"Ready to go?"

"Ready." I looked at him and smiled. Returning my smile, Aiden backed out onto the road then drove up onto the street.

Even though this isn't a date, it kinda feels like one and I just hope we get no interruptions this time.

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