I decided to walk by the beach for a short while to catch up with my supposed-to-be-older-brother slash someone I had a little past with. Oliver and Jason are following us from behind at a distance as we stroll by the shore.
“I didn’t want to leave. We had no other choice,” Chris explains.
“I heard. Your parents left you quite a fortune you didn’t know about until you Arianna reached the legal age.”
“It’s not that our dad’s lawyer hid it.” He shrugs. “He needed no complications. He waited for Arianna to turn eighteen. Of course, there’s no point in complaining. We thought it was for the best. You should have your future too.”
I chuckle. “Well, I did. At least.”
“You have your own restaurant now.”
“Yes, but it doesn’t mean it won’t happen if you don’t leave. Chris, you could’ve tried to contact me, but you cut off all communications,” I defend. “I got over it. I know what happened. Are you not a part of the gang?”
“Hell no.” His eyes slightly dilate. “I can never pull that off. I wasn’t in favor of Jason’s schemes at first, especially if Drake’s the one who influenced him. Eventually, I saw their vision, so…” He hurls a sharp exhale. “Let’s just say I don’t support it, but I support him as a family.”
“And Arianna.”
He smiles sweetly. “Yes, and Ari.”
“Where were you all this time?”
“My last stop was Glasgow before coming here. Inheriting the family business required a lot of my presence since Jason isn’t interested in running it. I’d have to do it all alone.”
I nod. “What do you do exactly?”
“I’m a CEO, Laynie.”
“Oh wow. I guess we didn’t talk about it before.” I never asked the two—realizing Chris probably didn’t want to see me since he didn’t show up in front of me until today. I thought he was still avoiding me.
“How about you? I heard about your new life here, but I’m missing a lot, am I not?” He grins again, and it’s so charming that if he stayed before, I had probably fallen for him. We had a thingI chuckle. “Jason and Arianna have probably told you everything.”
He pauses, and his blue eyes stare at mine intently. “They did, but are you doing okay? I mean, I know all those.” He pauses. “I just wanted to know if—”
“I have those urges again, yes. Drake made himself known to me.”
“He left you after he hurt you. What does he want now?”
Chris had saved me from myself before. I redeemed a tiny part of me that was lost when he tried to show me the light again and that I was still wanted, but looking at Drake’s face again turned on my triggers. I feel like living in the past again. I’m afraid of what he can do. Drake can literally ask me anything he wants after the psychological manipulation he did on me, and I am scared of falling for it even if it wasn’t who I am anymore.
I have officially lost my mind. Again“I’m not utterly sure of his agenda yet. He told me some things, but there’s more to it, I’m sure.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.” His brows knit together. “I should have come and seen you sooner. Do you need my help?”
In the past, whenever Chris wanted to make me feel better, he’d never leave my side—like my own personal therapist. He transferred to a nearby university just so he could come home for me.
Chris wasn’t aware that Drake forced me and that we had this odd relationship. He thought what happened to me resulted from Drake abandoning me—at least that’s what I made him believe.
“What can you possibly do, Chris? Talk to him? No.”
“I won’t if that’s what you want, but the only person who can resolve this is you. Just like what I always said before. You have to learn to overcome your fear and face it head-on.”
“I can’t face Drake. He disgusts me.”
“Then that’s much better. I remember you crying every single day, wishing he’d come back and that you couldn’t live without him. But look at you now.”
I grimaced then stared at the waters. “I did. But I was stupid then.” If Drake had appeared to me when the wounds he caused me were still fresh, I would have probably begged him to take me back because I felt empty. Both he and Dad left me at that exact moment. But not now that I’m already lucid…
“You saved me.” I smile at Chris.
“No. You saved yourself. I only helped you recognize your strength.”
“And you’re taking the credit now.” I laugh. “So, until when do you plan to stay?”
“I cleared my schedule for a week. Do you have a spare room?”
I chuckle. “You can use mine. I’ll stay with Mom. Although…” I haven’t mentioned Brandon to him until now. “I won’t be home tonight. I’m going back to the penthouse.”
“With your boyfriend, I know. I heard.” He glances at Oliver, who’s speaking to Jason.
“Oh, no. Oliver, not my boyfriend.”
“Ah. Yes, sure. It’s Brandon, right?” He nods. “And Ari’s there too?”
I grin. “Yes.”
His eyes narrow. “Let me guess. There’s another reason she’s there.” He crosses his arms. “A guy?”
“You can say that. But don’t tell Jason.”
“Uh-huh. I see.” He softly laughs again. “Laynie, we’ve got a lot to talk about. I hope you can spare time for this unexpected reunion.”
“Of course,” I promise. “I have to go back to the penthouse tonight. It would be rude to disappear on everyone. Brandon’s family… they’re my friends too.”
He brushes his thumb on my chin. “No problem. You can invite them over too if you like. I’d like to meet this boyfriend of yours.”
“Don’t you intimidate him, please? He’s a good man.”
“I wasn’t thinking of that.” His eyes gleam, and a smirk is playing on one side of his lips. “But now that you said it…”
I pat his arm. “Stop. Don’t,” I warn.
“Does he know?”
“Know what?”
“About us,” he says casually. “Not that it matters.” He grins.
“Yes, not that it matters.” I chortle. “He knows a little. I did not elaborate, but he also understands that you are someone I grew up with.”
Chris was more than a family to me, of course, and we both knew that. He was my boyfriend once, and Mom never found out. It was utterly wrong of us, but how could we tell her? He was my brother in the adoption papers, not by blood. However, I didn’t feel that much spark with him. He was someone I could depend on, yes. We were only intimate a few times; I could count it on my fingers until he too disappeared.
“Then it’s good that it’s clear. I don’t want to cause any misunderstanding.” He smiles faintly, although his eyes say differently. There’s no way he’s still into me. It’s been a long time.
“How about you?”
“Do I have a girlfriend? Is that your question?”
I nod.
“I’m not sure if I still have.” He diverts his eyes.
“Why?”
“Francine’s mother passed away last week, and I wasn’t able to see her. I apparently couldn’t fly to Brooklyn that day. Then she stopped talking to me.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“Because her mom passed away, or because she didn’t talk to me?”
“Both?” I flash a faint smile. “Beautiful name, though.”
“I owe her a lot of my time, honestly. We barely see each other.” Chris looks at me again. “For three years.”
“That’s already a long time. I’m sure you can figure that out.”
“I’m not sure. Only time can tell. If I can give it to her, I guess.”
“You seem very busy,” I remark.
“I am.” He cocks his head then smiles. “I had to see you, though. I owed you that much.”
I smile back, face the ocean once more, and stretch out my arms above my head. “This night isn’t that bad after all,” I say, talking to myself.
“Nothing has changed, right? We’re still family?” he says.
“As if I have a choice.”
We laugh.
We stay a few minutes more before I finally ask Oliver to take me back to the penthouse. Brandon might have asked me to leave, but he’s probably worrying now. I guess I know that part of him.
I part ways with Chris and Jason and go back with Oliver. Oliver asks a few more things about Chris during the drive, although I’m sure he already knows about him through Jason. I tell Oliver I’m going home to meet with them again tomorrow and that everyone’s invited for a small gathering.
The penthouse is quiet when we arrive. It’s already past two. I expected it anyway. There’s also no way Brandon would wait for me after he asked me to leave. I say my good night to Oliver, then head to Brandon’s bedroom upstairs anyway—ourBrandon is lying on his chest when I come into the dim-lighted room. I turn around to check on him, but he’s already in a deep sleep. He was so furious at me earlier, but his expression now is already serene. I feel like I can stare at his beautiful face all night, and I won’t tire of it. I then kiss his forehead and decide to just lay next to him.
***
The sunlight coming from the windows hits my face, and it wakes me up. I softly groan in discomfort, then glide my hand to my side, only to find out it is empty. I am used to getting up in the morning without Brandon next to me, but this time feels different.
I feel hollow inside.
I force myself up since I still have to go to work for a living. My body is used to waking up at the same time without an alarm every day. It’s only fifteen minutes until my 6 AM alarm goes on.
I call for Brandon in case he’s only in the bathroom, but there’s no answer. Did he leave again? Or am I simply being paranoid again?
I step out of bed and walk to the bathroom anyway. I still have breakfast to prepare since I’m sure everyone’s still in the penthouse, regardless of whether Brandon is still on the ground or not. I notice the shower is still wet and full of moisture, so I safely assume he’s still around somewhere, and my chest eases.
Of course, he wouldn’t leave me like that, right? I should stop being silly.
I grab my toothbrush then wash my face with some cleanser after brushing. Pulling a towel from the vanity, I step out of the bathroom, suddenly bumping into something solid. Staggering back, I lift my eyes to find Brandon fully dressed in a navy blue designer three-piece suit.
“Brandon!” I say breathlessly. Where is he going at this time of the day?He stares at me impassively. “Get dressed. We’re going somewhere.”
“What? Where? I have work today.”
“Then call the restaurant. Tell them you aren’t going to make it in today,” he says coldly. His eyes are still emotionless.
I sigh. “Can you at least tell me what this is about?”
“The last time I told you, you resisted. So no,” he says firmly. “Get back there and get dressed,” he orders, pointing to the bathroom.
I guess he’s still mad at me then.
“Or we can talk about this,” I suggest.
“I said. Get. Dressed. Alayna.” He crosses his arms. “I’m not going to tell you again.”
“Brandon, I know that you’re still angry at me, but…” I step forward to reach out to him—to at least touch him, but he grabs my wrist.
“Don’t,” he warns in a low but dangerous voice, then steps back to avoid me. His expression turns colder than it already is. Shivers travel down my spine, alarming me. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.” He drops my hand then marches out of the room.
I blink. What just happened?