The Boss in New York

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen:

"Meet me downstairs, okay?" I told Brendan.

He nodded and gave me a quick passionate kiss. Our foreheads are touching. "Don't take too long, okay?"

"What if I took over an hour?"

He playfully glared and cupped my ass. "Promise me you'll come to me sooner."

I squealed, nodded and smiled, caressing his cheek with my right hand. "I promise."

He gently grabbed my hand and placed it in his own, kissing the back of my hand. "I'll be in the lobby."

I nodded. He left my office and I sighed. Today was our date and it was a surprise. However, all I know is that he's taking me out for dinner. That's all.

I paced around the room and grabbed my bag. I locked the door shut and I started to strip off of my clothes and got into beige bodycon dress that I bought yesterday just for this event. I put on my diamond earrings and a black cashmere stiletto pump shoes.

I wrapped my cardigan around my arm and grabbed my black leather clutch bag and work bag. I dashed outside of my office.

I made it to the elevator and sighed, my heart pumping in my chest. I smiled. It was our night tonight. It will be perfect. I know it will be perfect.

The elevator door opened but sadly, it wasn't the lobby. Someone came in. I looked up to the person and scrunched up my whole face. Dammit, such bad luck!

"Kristine!" He gasped, his whole face showing surprise.

I gave him a weak smile.

Awkward silence.

"Listen - " He started.

"- I don't want to talk about it." I cut him off.

He sighed. "Will you stop being so goddamn stubborn?" He asked irritated.

I was taken back. "Excuse me?"

He gave himself a face palm. "Look, Kris, I - "

"You what, Josh? You're sorry? You're so sorry for lying to me? You're so sorry for never telling me the truth? You're what, huh?" I grumbled.

He slammed his fist onto the elevator wall, not hard enough to break it, but hard enough to frighten me. "Yes, all of those things! But you know what? You know what's bothering me the most? I'm sorry that I am attracted to you!"

I was speechless. Thank god the doors opened. What was I good at? Running. I ran away as fast as I could and never looked back.

"Kristine!" I heard him yell out for me. I heard him following me. His footsteps were close by.

Someone grabbed me and I jumped from the shock. "Kristine? Kristine, are you alright?"

I started shaking. I looked into his beautiful blue eyes. "Let's just go."

"Kristine I – Oh, so this is why you’ve been avoiding me."

"Please, go away," I said shakily, clinging onto Brendan.

"Kristine, why him?“ Josh asked defeatedly.

"Josh, please go," Brendan instructed dangerously calm.

"Brendan look, I need to speak to Kris - "

He inhaled deeply and exhaled. I hugged him even more, inhaling his masculine scent. "I will give you one more chance to walk away."

"And what, Bren? And what will you do? You are usually filled with empty threats," Josh spat.

I gasped. I have never seen this side of Josh, even though I know that I may have been avoiding him. I just never thought he would have it in him. Josh looked more of the type of person who was always cheerful and who was into bands and music. This was definitely quite a shock.

"At least I always stick to my word," He smirked.

'Stick to my word'. What does that mean?

This made Brendan fume. "Oh yeah? How about that time when you lied to mother. Would you like to explain yourself? Stick to my word, my ass."

This shut Josh up. I knew and I figured that Brendan wouldn't look so appealing right now. In fact, I'm too scared to look at him. He seemed so dangerous right now and it's all because of me. These brothers are fighting all because of me. Why is it that everything happens because of me? Is it because of my stubbornness?

I heard a masculine huff and footsteps fading away. I'm guessing Brendan won.

I started to sob. "Shh, it's okay now. He's gone." Brendan kissed my forehead.

"What did he mean?" I croaked.

I felt him tense up. "Shh, don't worry about it. That's another story for another time."

"I don't want to be hurt," I stated.

He brought my head to his chest and I just didn't have the strength right now to push him away. "I promise you I will do anything in my power to not get you hurt."

I sighed and breathed in and out deeply, relaxing myself. I trusted his words. I knew my consequences. I knew that eventually I would get hurt whether it was a major thing or a minor thing. I just had a slight feeling in my stomach telling me so. I was just desperate to know what he is hiding - what the brothers are trying to hide away from me.

"Are you okay?" He asked, examining my eyes. I'm glad that I don't wear makeup or else it would've been everywhere.

I nodded. I feel safe when I'm with you. "Yes, thank you."

Everything forgotten. His angry tone, his tensed body, an angry Josh. Everything forgotten.

He smiled. "You're most definitely welcome."

He kissed my lips and I weakly smiled against his lips. I hugged him after.

"Why am I so lucky to have you?" I asked him.

He shrugged and kissed my forehead. "Because I'm the luckiest man in the world."

I scrunched up my nose. "That doesn't make any sense at all, you know?"

He chuckled. "I know."

We started walking out of the building and patiently waited for the valet man to bring out Brendan's sports car in view. We just stood there silently, his arms wrapped around my waist and my head resting on his chest, in silence.

"I can live with this," He says out of the blue.

I smiled and blushed. "Me too," I whispered.

He kissed my forehead once again and caressed my cheek. His car came. "Do you still want to go to the restaurant?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I do."

~

"What is your favorite color?" Brendan asked, taking a sip on his wine.

"Light blue - no doubt," I answered quickly.

He raised his eyebrow. "And why is that?"

It has been over an hour now and we are just sitting down on a table in the most fanciest Italian restaurant I have ever been to in my life. This restaurant was filled with many wealthy people, making me feel lower in status.

I don't remember the earlier events and I chose not to remember it. My plan was to have a good time with Brendan and so far, it's going great. I knew it would be perfect.

I leaned forward on the table. "It's because it's the color of my favorite pair of eyes."

I think I just saw him blush. I smiled in accomplishment. "Did I just see you blush?" I teased.

He playfully glared at me. "No."

"Stop being so in denial!" I grinned.

"I am nowhere near in denial!"

I scoffed. "Oh please. Whatever you say!"

He grinned devilishly and quickly pecked me on the lips, leaving a sad tingling sensation.

I frowned. "You're horrible."

"No, you're horrible."

I stuck out my tongue. "No," I held the word for a while, acting childish, "You're horrible!"

"No, stop, you're an - "

I looked at him confusedly. He just looked behind me. I turned around and felt my stomach drop a bit. Now where have I seen this person before?

"Hello, how are you?" Brendan asked nicely.

"Kristine," The elderly woman whispered in shock.

I was shocked to know that she knew me. "I'm sorry, not to be rude but, who are you?"

Anger filled her eyes for a split second and then she frowned. "They never told you, did they?"

I shook my head in disbelief. "I'm sorry, I would like to know what in the world you are on about but right now I am not catching up with you."

She looked between Brendan and I. "I'm sorry if I'm ruining your date, Brendan," She apologized sincerely.

Wait, they know each other? I quickly looked at Brendan who looked as confused as I am and then back to the woman. I am certain she is high of class, especially with her pearls and diamonds. And also, she knew Brendan. What is going on?

"Is it okay if I sit down? This may take a while to explain but I hope everything will be worth it in the end."

I nodded. "Please, take a seat."

I hastily looked at Brendan who just stared at me. I gave him a small frown. "I am so confused," I thought out loud silently.

He took my hand in his and held hands. The woman looked at our entwined fingers on top of the table. She looked shocked.

"Let me start off so our curiosity can die down. First of all, my name is Wendy."

Her name... Where have I heard it from?

"How do you know me?" I blurted out by accident.

She smiled. "Ah, patience my dear."

I blushed and mumbled a sorry. Brendan chuckled. I shot him a glare. That made him shut up.

Wendy cleared her throat, catching both of our attention. "Your parents are very close to me. In fact, I don't know how else to say this without sounding like a complete maniac but, Kristine, I am your grandmother."

My eyes widened and I choked on my own saliva. I quickly grabbed the glass of water and downed it in a few seconds. I still couldn't believe this was happening. My parents...they lied to me! How could they ever lie to me?

"How do I know you're not lying?" I asked, trying to find a loophole through this.

She smiled sadly. "You don't believe me, do you?"

I slowly shook my head sadly. I didn't know what to believe - my heart or my brain. My brain was telling me that this woman is just an ordinary stranger trying to creep out a girl. My heart gives me warm signals towards the lady. Which one should I believe l?

"Your mother was 19 when she conceived you. I remember that day very well," She smiled. "You were a pre-matured baby by 4 weeks. Your birthday is in a week from now - August 3," I quickly looked at Brendan who seemed more interested than ever, "And you have a birth mark on your lower back."

My parents have lied to me all along. They said that my grandmother never wanted me, or they told me that she had passed away. Why haven't I seen this happening before? Why didn't I think about it?

No one - and I do mean no one - knows about my birth mark. I never liked showing it. When I go to swimming parties or such, I would always try and find a way to cover that birth mark with a concealer or something. Or I would always wear a one piece that was in style.

I shook my head. "I want a test done."

"I would be honored. Your parents haven't told you about the will, have they?"

"The will?"