Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother
Chapter 144

144- Celebrate and catch–up

“Okay.” I answer simply.

“Okay?” He asks.

“As in you’ll quit your job and work here instead?” he clarifies. I nod firmly. My decision made. Bellamypicks me up by the waist and swings me around. I squeal in shock.

“Bellamy!” I laugh. He places me back on my feet and leans in to give me a quick k*ss.

“Thank you.” he says sincerely.

“You don’t need to thank me. You offered a fair compromise that we can both live with. All I

de was meet you halfway.” I remind him. He shakes his head stubbornly.

“No, you can argue all you like but we both know that realistically I am the one getting everything Iwant. I’m not giving up anything.” He points out. I shrug.

“I

Can’t promise this arrangement will last forever. Once the killer is caught I will in all likelihood want toget another job. I’m still not sure I feel right living off your income. But if I were to go to work, I suspectyou would send so many guards that paying them would cost several times more than my livingexpenses anyway.” I explain with a grin. Bellamy just winks

at me.

“Perhaps, I might. Okay, yes I definitely would.” he admits.

“I knew it!” I cross my arms over my chest and mock glare at him. He just grins at me, hist good moodapparently impossible to dent. Until it isn’t… his smile dulls slightly.

“I know this isn’t how you would have liked everything to go. Moving in here because some psycho isthreatening you, leaving your job and taking over parts of a role you never signed up for. I… I’m sorry.”He frowns. Oh, he must be feeling bad, he actually apologised. I shake my head with a sigh.

“Don’t think like that, things will always happen that we didn’t plan for or volunteer for, we

144- Celebrate and catch–up

just make the best of it, and sure, things happened differently that I might have anticipated, but it’s notlike I had no choice. This is as much the result of my own decisions as it is the situations that I’ve foundmyself in. Don’t apologise when I know you’re doing the best you can. It’s not like you’ve done thewrong thing.” I remind him. He stares.

“You are far too accepting. Okay, instead of apologising, I’ll just thank you again. No matter what yousay about getting a new job later, you have to know that I’m hoping you’ll enjoy your role here and wantto take on the rest of it.” He reminds me. I nod.

“Yes, I figured. I suppose that’s a possibility too. We will just have to see how things turn out. I don’tthink I’ll miss my job too much, but that doesn’t mean this one will be any better.” I point out. Bellamynods his acceptance.

“Soo… will you call and quit your job now? I can arrange for people to go fetch the rest of your things. Itmight be a little late today, but I’m sure they can get it all tomorrow.” He says.

confidently.

“Why the rush?” I ask. Bellamy shrugs.

“Less time for you to change your mind?” He suggests. I roll my eyes.

“I’ve made up my mind. I’m about as stubborn as you are, I doubt I’m going to change it. again soeasily.” I remind him and he smiles again.

“Fair enough. Will you call and quit now then?” He persists. I laugh and roll my eyes.

“Okay, okay. Relax.” I placate him.

Amber answers on the first ring when I call Borderline.

“Congratulations!” She says in way of greeting.

“Uh, thanks? Um… Amber… What are you congratulating me for exactly?” I ask, a little confused.Honestly, when she skips part of the conversation I sometimes replace myself asking the questions wherewith anyone else I would expect it to be the other way around.

“For escaping- I mean, moving on from this nightmare of a place.” She says cheerfully. I

144- Celebrate and catch–up

frown.

“I mean, thanks? But Amber, I didn’t know you disliked it there so much.” I observe. I can practicallyfeel her shrug through the phone.

“It’s not where I want to stay forever. I like the type of work, but I think I would rather manage my ownplace. Somewhere smaller and less prissy.” She informs me.

“Huh, that would suit you I think. Do you think you’ll do it one day?” I ask.

“I hope so. But it takes a lot of money to start something like that. I’m saving, but it’s not easy. I can’teven gamble for it. Oracles aren’t allowed to participate in games like that for money. No one would betagainst us anyway so it’s useless.” she sighs. I laugh. She’s right, I would never bet against her incards or any similar game.

“Well, I hope you manage it. Let me know if I can help you with it at all.” I offer.

“I will. I suspect I will end up taking you up on that offer someday. And good luck to you too with yournew job. Anyway I’m working tonight so I won’t be able to make it for dinner, but thanks for thinking ofme. Let me know how it all goes.” She says, clearly starting to wrap up

the call.

“Dinner? What… I didn’t invite you to- oh nevermind. Bye Amber, thanks for everything and

I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye Ry.” She hangs up with a click. Wait, did I actually quit? I don’t think I ever said it… oh well. Shegot the idea. I’m sure Amber will make sure everything works out. She’s good like that. Bellamy isrocking back on his heels, practically bouncing in place.

“I’m going to make some calls. Arrange for all your stuff to get picked up tomorrow. Do you particularlywant your furniture or should we leave it behind? I mean this place is obviously already furnished, but ifyou’re particularly attached to anything I’ll make sure we can replace a place for it.” He rambles, alreadyheading for the door.

“Uh, no I don’t need any of it. It’s all cheap stuff anyway. Maggie can keep it and rent the place outfurnished if she likes.” I push my damp hair out of my face and follow Bellamy downstairs. He heads to

his office and starts making calls and I settle into my recliner. My

phone vibrates with a message from Harry. I swear it’s like the guy knows whenever

something interesting happens and suddenly inserts himself into my life so he can catch up. on thegossip.

Harry- Hey Ry! I was just thinking that we should catch up. Like, in person. Do you have dinner plans?

Ryann- I don’t have plans, but give me a bit to chat with Bellamy. I don’t know if he has somethingplanned already. It’s been a long day.

“Hey Bels? Harry wants to hang out tonight.” I tell him casually. Bellamy scrunches up his face indistaste.

“Really? But Harry is so… he’s just so….” He trails off. Clearly not sure how to answer me withoutinsulting my friend. I raise an eyebrow and wait. Bellamy is saved from answering by

Megan walking in.

“Hey Ry, you’re looking better. Did I hear something about Harry? Is he coming over” I would love tomeet him properly in person. We talk so much, it would be nice to have a better picture of him.” Shesays cheerfully.

“That’s what we’re just trying to figure out. Harry wants to hang out tonight, what do you thinkBellamy?” I ask. He frowns.

“Does he have to come here?” He says with a half groan.

“Well you don’t want us going out anywhere.” Megan reminds him snarkily.

“We could all go, it would be safe if you and Darrien came along right? Please?” I ask, batting myeyelashes at him. Megan catches on and chimes in.

“Yeah Bellamy, come on. I’m sure it would be a nice distraction for us all.” She adds.

Oh! And it can be a celebration of my leaving my old job!” I throw out. Okay, that might be at

low blow, but I suspect it will work. I can see Bellamy is wavering. He gives in with a sigh.

“Oh fine. We can all go.” He says reluctantly. Megan squeals in excitement and I grin. I should.

144 Celebrate and catch–up

invite Amber too. Oh, wait, no. She already turned me down. Well, I guess she can come next

time. I text Harry back.

Ryann- Spoke to Bellamy and Megan. The winning suggestion right now is that the group of us go outfor dinner (Darrien too!) I quit my job today, it’s going to be a celebration dinner.

Harry- Excellent. I know just the place. Also CONGRATS!