Chapter 7

• BRAELYN
• I didn't dare look up at Ryan. This humiliation was enough for a day .
• Wiping the tears that spilled out of my eyes, I walked to his desk and put the money down and turned to walk away.
• "Brae." Ryan's voice stopped me in my steps. I slowly turned towards him expecting to see him smirking at me while his face held a strange emotion.
• His next action took me by shock. He stalked forward and engulfed me in a hug. I was too shocked to react as I stood there with my arms by my side.
• " I missed you." My eyes immediately moistened at this. I didn't know how he could miss me after what I did but I couldn't care less. He used to be one of the closest people to me , my best friend and I would be a damn liar if I say I didn't miss him, the warmth in his hugs. Recovering from my shock I wrapped my hands around him.
• " I missed you too Ry." Being in his embrace reminded me of every single memory of the past. Tears made their way out as I held him closer.
• " Why didn't you answer my calls?" He asked with his face stuffed in my hair.
• " You know why." I mumbled. He immediately pulled back and held me by my shoulder.
• "No Brae, I don't. I really don't know why my best friend never really cared to call me , talk to me in three fucking years. Tell me Brae." He was breathing hard, his eyes reflected the pain. At that moment, I felt so guilty for abandoning him but what else could I have done!
• " I am sorry,but-but I couldn't . Not after what I did to Evan. I am sorry Ry." I whispered as the teardrops fell off my eyes.
• "What did you do to Evan , Brae?" I Was getting anxious under his intense stare. Fiddling with my hands, I quickly looked away.
• "Look at me Brae." His fingers went under my chin and lifted my face up to meet his eyes.
• " You can lie to everyone Brae, but not to me. I would never believe the bullshit you fed Evan with, on the day of your wedding. Never." His stare was one of confidence and determination. I gulped hard at his words. Why wouldn't he believe when everyone else did?
• He released his hold on me allowing me to walk out of the room , still hung up on the latest conversation.
• EVAN
• Somewhere, I felt a bit bad for treating her like that. I knew she felt humiliated as it was a blow to her self respect but I couldn't control my temper around her. Whenever she is in sight, I remember everything she did to me.
• "Does he consider you more important than himself? What does he have to give you that I don't?"
• " Money."
• " What ?"
• " Money, Evan. Your business is in a poor condition and as bad it may sound, it is going to go further down at this rate. Money is important for a secured life and I want to live a peaceful, secured life Evan, one that he would be able to provide. I can't spend my days in uncertainty."
• I fisted my hands and took deep breaths to control the anger rising in me.
• I will make you pay Braelyn Taylor.
• ……………
• I was about to enter her cabin when I heard her speaking over the phone.
• " I know, don't worry Bri." I instantly remembered Brielle, Brae's sister. According to my calculations she most probably was in her college.
• ".... yeah, I am looking for a job elsewhere." I raised my eyebrows at that. Poor soul , she thought she could resign and get a job somewhere else? Uh huh.
• " I am sure I will find something, Bri." I didn't wait for her to finish the conversation as I barged in without knocking.
• " Are you sure Ms. Taylor?" She looked startled by my sudden interruption. She kept her phone down before looking at me.
• " Mr. Lewis, you should have knocked on the door." I raised a brow at her to which she huffed and looked away.
• " So Ms. Taylor, as I was asking, are you sure you are going to get a job somewhere else?" Her forehead creased in confusion.
• " What do you mean ?"
• " You can't leave this job." She looked pissed at my statement.
• " You can't decide that, Mr. Lewis." She was trying hard to control her anger.
• " We'll go ahead and resign . Just know that one call from me and you won't get a job in any respectable firm. " She gasped at my words.
• " I am sure you have to support your expenses and not to forget your sister is dependent on you. Wonder how she will continue with her college if you don't have a job!" Her face hung open with shock.
• " You wouldn't." She spoke like she was reassuring herself.
• " Try me." I spoke with a challenging look on my face. She was seething, drawing in deep breaths.
• " Well, Ms. Taylor, here are some files. I want you to go through them and prepare a report ." I roughly placed them on her desk.
• " But I am already working on one project. I am yet to complete -" I cut her off.
• " You're no longer doing it. It has been transferred to someone else." Her eyes widened in shock.
• " I had worked so hard on that project. You can't do that." She tried sounding firm while I crossed my arms against my chest.
• " Are you challenging me, Ms. Taylor?" She seemed beyond frustrated. Shutting her eyes tightly, she looked away and sighed , exasperated.
• " Now , as I was saying. I want this report to be ready by today itself." I wondered how many times she was going to give me that shocked expression in a single day.
• " There is so much work. How can I-" I again cut her off for the third time in a day.
• " How does it concern me , Ms. Taylor? You can decide how you're going to finish it but it should be on my desk before you leave or you are fired." Saying that I walked out of her room.