Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother
Chapter 23

23- Disrespect and dress codes

She seems nervous. I frown. Why do they keep assuming my automatic reaction is going to be hate.Seriously. They shift into cats, not horrifying monsters. I was so busy trying to figure this out that Iforget to answer Megan who is getting increasingly agitated. Bellamy nudges me to get my attention. Iwhip my head around, somewhat confused as I had been so distracted. A quiet voice from behindMegan draws my attention. Darrien, I hadn’t even noticed him standing there. He’s smiling and hisvoice is amused.

“She’s just fine, Miss Kane. Look at her shirt.” Megan’s eyes drop to my shirt and she starts laughing.Darrien joins in quietly, he can’t seem to help himself. I turn to Bellamy.

“I meant for it to be funny, but this is a little much. I am completely regretting this shirt right now.” Iwhine. This sets him off laughing too. I cross my arms and glare at him.

“Okay, it’s not that funny.” I complain. Darrien gets control of himself first.

“Oh it really is. I don’t know anyone else who would dare wear something like that around. our Alpha.But it makes a statement.” Wow, I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard him say. I think about what hesaid. Okay now that is hilarious. I roll my eyes.

“Dare? He’s not that scary.” Darrien glances sideways at Bellamy then back to me.

“He’s Alpha.” I shrug.

“That doesn’t stop Megan from making fun of him.” I point out..

“Yes, but I’m his sister. It’s different.” Megan chimes in.

“Usually, no one would dare. Bellamy would not tolerate the disrespect.” She looks

thoughtful.

“Why aren’t you mad at Ryann Bels? It’s pretty unusual for you to just laugh this kind of thing off. But asfar as I can see, Ryann has been getting away with pretty much anything.” Bellamy crosses his armsover his chest defensively.

“She’s not a Shifter.” He grumbles.

“That’s never made a difference before.” Megan argues in response. Bellamy seems to be growingincreasingly agitated under his sister’s inquisition.

“It’s different okay.” He practically growls out. Megan opens her mouth to argue but I interrupt.

“There is a difference between being disrespectful and just messing around. Bellamy knows when Imean to be disrespectful. Anyways, you promised to show me around a bit today, or are we going tojust stand here in the doorway all day?” I change the topic. Megan is easily sidetracked. Bellamy’s reliefis visible.

“Oh my gosh. I was so worried about you I barely even thought about it. Yes, I want to show youeverything. Also I thought I might introduce you to a few other Shifters. That is, if you don’t mind?”

“I’m cool with it.” I assure her. She grins at me, her golden eyes shining in the morning sun. Bellamyclears his throat to get my attention.

“Don’t leave the compound without saying something. Stay with Darrien. Call me if there’s at problem.Aaron will drive you to work this afternoon. Someone will come to collect you in the evening and toguard your door through the night.” He orders. I cross my arms over my chest. and raise an eyebrow athim. Bellamy sighs, rolls his eyes, but does give in a little.

“Will that be acceptable to you?” he asks. Obviously it’s less of a request and more of a demand. But Iappreciate the attempt and it soothes my temper before it really even flares up. I sigh dramatically.

“Fine, at least I’ll be safe at work. No one would dare cause trouble in Borderline.” Bellamy smiles atme, glad I’m cooperating I suppose.

“That won’t be an issue I’m sure.” He assures me. With that, he turns and heads inside the house.Megan leads me in the opposite direction.

“We’ll finish up the tour back here for lunch.” She declares happily.

23- Disrespect and dress codes

The morning was leisurely and rather educational. Megan chattered away, telling me different detailsabout Shifter’s lifestyles at the compound. Darrien trailed behind us as per usual and we finished thetour back at Megan and Bellamy’s home where Megan was excited to show me her bedroom. It looks alot more mature than mine. All matching and put together. I blush thinking about how Bellamy saw myrainbow mish–mash of comfort items. But I don’t have time to be embarrassed for long as Megancontinues with my tour. Megan and I are sitting in the kitchen eating sandwiches when Bellamy showsup again. Aaron is with him this time. He informs me that Aaron will drive me home and then to workonce I am ready. I agree, hug Megan goodbye and promise to text her later so we can properly makeour plans for getting ready for the engagement party Saturday. Megan returns to her room, excitedabout looking at wedding dresses online or something. Darrien follows after her. Bellamy walks me outto where a car is waiting. Aaron climbs into the driver’s seat while. Bellamy opens my door for

1. me.

“Make sure you call if there’s a problem.” He reminds me. I nod my acceptance. I am already thinkingabout work. I need to get home and change into my uniform, and those dreaded heels. Although atleast I won’t be walking to work in them for once. I’m halfway home when I realise that Bellamy knew Ihad work this afternoon. I don’t remember mentioning my work schedule to him, so how did he know? Ipretty much always work Thursday afternoons so I guess it wouldn’t be hard to replace out. But who did heask?” I get home, Aaron gives me his arm and escorts me up to my home where I quickly change andget ready for work. I had barely realised the time. It was probably a good thing that Bellamy came to tellme it was time to leave. But how did he KNOW? I’m still mulling on the topic when Aaron and I arrive atmy work. I drop his arm as we enter the door and he steps back to stand slightly behind me. I repress agroan as I see Anthony approaching. He must be my shift manager today ast well. He’s the mostirritating of the managers as he is the only human. Now, I have no problem with humans, but he mustbe a little insecure or something because he loves to lord. his power over any of the employees,particularly ones that are Magics. Still, I paste on a smile and greet him politely.

“Good afternoon Ryann.” He answers, his tone perfectly civil. Now that’s unusual. Usually he would justgrunt and tell me to get to work already. Or ask if I’m running late. He must want something from me.

Can I help you Anthony?” I question. He shakes his head.

“I’ve been asked to inform you that your request for leave on Saturday has been approved.” He starts. Ifrown a little. I was planning to request Saturday off, but I hadn’t done it yet. I

23–Disrespect and dress codes

was going to ask today. If they refused I planned to use some of my sick leave and fake an illness orsomething. I just nod. No reason to argue when I’m getting what I want.

“I have also been asked to inform you about some modifications to our uniform policy. Apparentlysomeone influential spoke directly to the owner.” He grumbles. I raise an eyebrow.

“Modifications?” I question Anthony nods.

“Today is the last day where high heels will be compulsory footwear for the female servers. From nowon you will be permitted to wear any kind of black, closed toe shoes.” I gape at him as he turns andstalks off. He seems annoyed. This might be the best news I’ve heard in months. I’m totally floored as Irealise there is only one person who could have arranged this. Bellamy did mention that he knows theowner. He also mentioned that he would contact my work to ensure I wasn’t in trouble for missing myshift. Apparently he also arranged for Saturday off for me and got the rules about high heels changed.Did he really pay that much attention to my complaints about my shoes? It seems almost impossiblethat he didn’t just listen, he actually fixed the problem. Someone taps me on the shoulder and I whirlaround to face Aaron. He wordlessly passes me a folded piece of paper before giving me a deep nodand then leaving, his job apparently completed. I still haven’t heard a single word from him. I’m startingto wonder if he can actually talk at all. I unfold the paper and replace another handwritten note fromBellamy.

“Ryann,

I hope you are not upset with me for interfering at your workplace. Please be assured that I did so in anattempt to help you rather than in some attempt to manipulate you. I like to consider myself a generallywell rounded person. I am aware however, that one of my biggest faults is my pride. I have alwaysfound it difficult to apologise to people and this time is no different. I am writing you this note in thehopes that you will accept my gesture as an apology for the stress and fear that associating andassisting me has caused you. Specifically, the trouble I brought upon you last night when I got youcaught up in the most recent attempt on my life. I am aware that apologies are best given face to face,but I replace that I am not quite capable of doing so at this moment. I hope that you won’t hold my indirectmethods

against me. Maybe one day I will be able to apologise face to face for whatever offence I havecommitted against you at that time. But for now, I hope that this is enough and that you are willing toaccept it.

Sincerely,