Chapter 103 103
“Thank you for the flowers.” Brooke said, after glancing at the flowers Ryan gave to her. They were laying on her father's office desk.
"They.... They are beautiful. And as for Nathan, I am sure you guys are going to patch things up eventually. You have been friends all your lives. What has happened cannot be the reason for it all to end completely." She assured him.
Ryan sighed deeply. "I hope so. Brooke for the flowers. Bee, I always bring flowers to you. I didn't do it now to make you uncomfortable. It has basically become a habit of mine." He tried to clear the air. Because he noticed how Brooke was trying to be careful on how she reacted to his gift. He had a feeling that maybe she was reminded by his confession of his feelings towards her.
Brooke's shoulder fell. "I am sorry, Ryan. I was just trying to be careful so that you don't think I am trying to lead you on-"
"I know. I know." Ryan interrupted her, knowing exactly where she was heading to. "I understand but you should also understand it has become a habit of mine to always present you with one. No need to feel awkward about it." He cleared. "And besides, I know my place now." He added with a small smile.
"So about the party, when should I pick you up on Saturday?" Ryan asked, changing the topic entirely while looking at his wrist watch.
"Thank you, Ryan." Brooke said. For his understanding. "About the party, you don't have to. I will meet you there. Besides, my guards are not going to let me out of sight. Not even for a second." She added.
"Oh about the guards." Ryan began. "I am sorry to hear what happened. I am also sorry I wasn't there to protect you. I was abroad taking care of business, while your life was in danger. I felt really bad to hear what had happened."
Ryan said that to cover the real truth why he couldn't face Brooke even after the incident. It was because he still felt awkward for getting rejected because Brooke for the second time. He didn't know how to face her again.
He was trying to forget by numbing himself for several days at the club. But then, he began spending time with Nicole. She was a good person to talk to and he enjoyed spending time with her.
"But I am glad Nathan was there. I am sure he would never let anything happen to you." Ryan added.
"You are sure he was?" Brooke asked.
Ryan was quiet for some time before nodding his head. "Yes." He said. "So, I will see you at the party this weekend?" He asked, changing the subject entirely. "And by the way, I don't think you will need a bodyguard that night. I will be with you at all times. Consider me your knight in shining armor through the whole party."
Brooke chuckled.
"Besides, I don't think the bodyguard would be let into the party, since it is strictly on invitation." He added.
Brooke thought of it.
"Oh come Bee. Don't you think I am capable of protecting you?" Ryan asked, flaunting his muscles in the air.
Brooke chuckled some more. She is glad Ryan is back to being the friend she wants with humor. "Fine... Then I will have one bodyguard to come with me then." She concluded.
Ryan's eyes grew rounder. "Wait... How many bodyguards do you have escorting you around?" He asked.
"Just four. But they take turns for their duty. Two at a time." Brooke explained.
"Oh. I get it." Ryan confirmed.
"One will be enough then. Besides, nothing has happened again since that first incident. Maybe we were overthinking. Maybe he was just a burglar and seeing me standing alone at first, he thought to try his luck." Brooke said with a raised shoulder.
They concluded on their discussion and Ryan left, while Brooke went back to her work.
Two days later
Brooke is seated in her office answering a call. "Oh.. but why?" She asked, a bit disappointed. Nathan just told her that he cannot make it to Silverbrook on Saturday, until Sunday. An important client just informed him that he will be arriving from abroad that day.
Even though it is a Thursday, he didn't think they will finish soon. So he had to postpone his flying into Emberwood.
"I hope that will be ok with Liam. He will understand." Nathan asked.
Brooke sighed. "Yeah. I will make him understand."
"Why do you sound like you are the one more worried about my postponement?" Nathan asked. "Are you disappointed about it? Were you looking forward to seeing me?" The grin on Nathan's face could be heard from his voice.
Brooke couldn't help but roll her eyes at how cocky Nathan is becoming. "No. It's not that. I was hoping Liam would spend Saturday night with you."
"It's fine. If I come, I can stay a bit longer than I planned." Nathan told.
"No, it's not that. It's just, I have a party to attend on Saturday night. I was looking forward to Liam staying with you that Saturday. But it's fine, he will stay with my mom -"
"Party? What party? Why are you attending a party? With whom are you going with? Is it the kind of party where you need to dress up? Are you going to be meeting a lot of people there?" Nathan threw all the questions at her at a time.
"It's a formal party organized by the mayor. The mayor is sponsoring the party. It is organized to meet with representatives from reputable hospitals of the city. My dad was supposed to attend, representing our hospital but he wants me to attend in his place." Brooke explained.
"Oh, I see. So, are you attending together with someone?" Nathan asked that part again.
"Oh, yes. Ryan was also invited. So he is taking me." Brooke plainly said. "Anyways, Thank you for telling me on time so that I can make necessary arrangements before then -"
"You know what? On second thought, I will be there." Nathan interrupted.
"Really?" Brooke asked. She is surprised at the sudden change of his decision.
"Definitely. I will know how to deal with the client and fly in early." Nathan confirmed. "I will be there. See you on Saturday." He added.