Unlikely Lovers

Chapter8

Caitlyn's POV

The meeting at the law office finalized how much I didn't know the man I'd been engaged to. Part of my soul was glad he'd died before I learned of his betrayal. The other half mourned that my child would never know their father. Somehow, I'd accepted that I'd be a single parent. Granted, being pregnant without a partner is not what I wanted, but this baby wouldn't know it. I vowed to make sure they never felt unloved or unwanted like I had. After my shower, I put on a light-flowing dress. The heat outside had turned muggy and pants would have made me feel suffocated. As I was putting on my flats, Brandon knocked on my door.

"I realized that we left the others in the hospital," Brandon explained as he handed me a small bouquet of pink roses.

"These are just as beautiful," I told him as I looked for something to put them in.

"Do you have a preference for dinner?"

"I'm craving Asian?" My taste preferences were usually more towards Greek or Mediterranean.

"There's a place here that makes the best egg rolls."

"I'm not a connoisseur of egg rolls so I'll have to take your word for it."

"You won't be disappointed. I'll take my bike and have you follow me."

"Sure you must be ready to head home."

"I promised to look after you remember?" Sounding a little irritated.

"I am feeling better," I argued back.

"We won't know that until you see an OB/GYN."

"I will as soon as I get back home."

"That's my little niece or nephew you're carrying. I plan to keep an eye on you until we're certain everything is okay."

"I'm able to take care of myself, thank you. Your brother was gone more than he was home." I brought up Jeremy to create a boundary between us.

"I don't doubt that. I just remember how you almost died at the wake."

"I was running on fumes and not taking care of myself. I can't do that anymore." I climbed in the car to hopefully end this conversation.

"I can tell you're the type who will do it again. Why can't you just accept my help?" Brandon asked as he pulled up next to her.

I didn't have an answer, so I just started the car. Shaking his head, Brandon led the way to the restaurant.

***

Brandon POV

The Lucky Dragon hasn't changed much in the last 20 years, I think, as I walk into a place that had been my haven growing up. The restaurant wasn't buffet-style. There was a turn table in the middle to allow guests to share. The smell of the homemade sweet and sour sauce had me salivating. Even with all my travels, the food here was at the top. The recipes I could remember from my youth never tasted as good as when Mr. Wong made them.

"What is that amazing smell?" Cait asked him.

"I told you the food here is out of this world. Do you know how to read Mandarin?"

"No, why don't you pick things for me?"

"Are you allergic to anything?"

"Not that I'm aware of."

"Wǒmen yào yāoguǒ jī, dàn juǎn, gūlū ròu, páigǔ hé yā ròu jiǎozi (We'll have the cashew chicken, egg rolls, sweet and sour pork, pork ribs and duck dumplings.)"

"Wow, that sounded like a lot."

"I just hope it's as good as I remember." We start talking about our likes and dislikes. Shortly after our food arrives, I see Mr. Wong heading our way.

"Brandon, so good to see you! I'm sorry to hear about your brother. Who is this beautiful cherry blossom?"

"This is Cait. Cait this is Mr. Wong, the owner and chef."

"Oh, I just supervise the kitchen these days. She will make a beautiful wife."

"No! She was Jeremy's fiance. I am just looking after her."

"Such an honorable man you've become. Chī wán fàn lái gēn wǒ liáo lino (Come talk to me after your meal)"

"What did he say to you?" Cait asked as Mr. Wong left their table.

"Just giving me his condolences." I figured since he said it in Mandarin he didn't want her to know.

Cait gave him a raised eyebrow. The amazing smell of the food was too much for her to resist, and she began eating. I enjoyed watching her face light up with each thing she tried. For someone who didn't usually like Asian food, she ate everything I'd ordered for us, even half of my egg roll. I caved when she pouted and said the baby wanted it. As she got up to use the bathroom, I headed to the kitchen to see what Mr. Wong wanted.

Hey, I think I'll head bk to the hotel. Thank you for dinner-Cait. Cait texted me as I was talking to Mr. Wong.

Be careful. I'll talk to you when I get back. I responded back.

"Brandon, I need your help with something..."

***

Caitlyn POV

The meal was amazing as promised. I learned that Brandon was a big softie when it came to the baby. I know I should feel guilty about using it to con him out of the second half of that amazing egg roll, but I just couldn't. He seemed attentive and shared stories about Jeremy that I hadn't heard before. Arriving back at the hotel, I was shocked to see my room door open. Scared, I parked away from the hotel and texted Brandon.

Don't let them see you. I'll be right there.

The person or people didn't seem too concerned about anyone stopping them in their search. I heard Brandon's motorcycle before I saw it. When they saw Brandon pulling up they rushed at him. Brandon took the first one and shoved it into the second. After some fancy moves that left Cait in awe of how a man his size could move like that. The two thieves answered his questions before he let them scurry off. Spotting my car, he walked up to me and let me know it was safe to come out. I was shaking as I got out.

"Are you okay?" We both asked at the same time.

"You're the one who went against two men at the same time. I just hid in my car." Looking him over, I gasp as I notice a nasty cut on his arm."One of them got you."

"Ah I've had worse, I'll patch it up once we get your things."

"Why'd you let them go?"

"The cops in this town are mostly on the take, so I just sent my own message."

"How macho of you," I said sarcastically. Tired of people thinking I'm some fragile flower.

"What?! I promised I'd make sure you were safe. This is me protecting you. You can relax and not worry if they will hurt you."

"News flash, they will still come after me, just take you out first. I know how this works, I grew up seeing it firsthand." She said pushing him.

"I'm not gonna lie, it's a predator that eats a predator kind of world, but honey, I'm a bigger predator."

"What do you have a security team or something?"

"Something like that." In reality, it was more like having created a network of connections who would put the word out she was off limits. As for coming after him, he had a reputation that most thought twice about coming after him.

"Why do you have to be so difficult?"He asked her.

"Hmm. I don't know, maybe the fact I gave my heart to someone who lied and manipulated me. Leaving me alone and pregnant to suffer the consequences of his actions. How would you feel about that?" Exhausted from the adrenaline and food, she collapsed on the bed crying.