Chapter 7: 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟔

BREE

When Jay and I were dating, he pointed out that I didn’t give our relationship time because I was always working.

I thought he was right and that I didn’t notice it because I loved doing my job. I love planning and arranging events. Even when I was young, I took it upon myself to arrange my brothers’ birthdays. Although Ryan hated celebrating his, he never told me to stop.

When Rose and I became friends, I threw her a birthday party with the help of my brothers and her dad. She loved it.

The thrill of being successful in making someone happy made me choose this as my career. I’ve had jerk clients along the way who just didn’t appreciate all the hard work but I made sure not to let it downgrade me.

When Jay pointed it out, I decided to take a break for a month. A month turned into two then four. I gave the relationship my time and ended up getting cheated on.

Weird.

“Bree! Everything looks amazing!” my client- Natalie Obron- says as soon as she reaches me. She’s dressed in an elegant beige silk dress which is long and stops at her feet. Her hair is down in wavy curls.

Unlike her, I’m wearing a white blazer with a white top underneath and white trousers. My hair is styled in a high bun with few baby strands left free in front and my feet are dressed in white pumps.

“I knew you would be perfect for this job,” she gives me a smile and the same thrill goes through my body with her satisfied expression.

“I’m glad to know you’re happy with the result,” I say, returning the smile.

Her smile widens then she returns to mingling with her guests and I go back to making sure everything is perfect.

“The banquet is incredible! Whoever suggested it must have great taste,”

An easy smile takes over my lips at the familiar voice coming from behind me. I turn around and face the owner of the voice.

Finn.

He’s dressed in a black coat and pants. A white button down underneath his coat a black tie wrapped around his collar and black shoes.

He’s standing wearing his beautiful charming smile with a drink in one hand and the other hand placed in his pocket.

I hum, “I supposed. But I am pretty sure I was the one who chose this place from the suggestions.”

“I see. Must be teamwork,”

“Definitely.”

Finn and I mirror each other’s smiles, our gaze locked with each others’

It was good to talk to Finn last week. It was good to know we were back to being friends because it was very weird and unsettling when he wasn’t talking to me and avoiding every place where I was present.

I have known Finn since my brothers started college. They all were roommates. Jack mentioned him when he and Ryan came home for holidays, Ryan never said anything.

But then, next holiday, they were accompanied by Finn. He used to spend his holidays alone because he doesn’t talk to his mother. And he has no other family.

When he joined, I assumed Jack asked him but later I found out that Ryan had asked him before Jack could.

Jack said that Finn was slowly making his way through Ryan’s cold exterior and that he actually made Ryan his friend and that Ryan didn’t mind having him around.

I was thrilled to know Ryan and Finn were friends.

Ryan isn’t socially awkward and can easily make friends but he doesn’t trust a lot of people. Especially after how dad changed, Ryan always keeps his guard up, especially when we are in public.

Faizan and Ryan get along because they have similar insights and like hearing each other’s views on certain topics. However, Farhan and Ryan aren’t that close but they are also not not friends.

Finn easily warmed his way through me and Rose as well. He cracked a lot of jokes that night. And with Jack joining him, Rose and I were on the ground dying because our stomachs hurt so bad.

It was a memorable night. One of my favorites.

“Hey, sis!”

My attention turns to my brother as he reaches us along with Farhan, both of them holding a drink in their hand.

Both of them are dressed in the same attire as Finn. The only difference is that Jack isn't wearing a tie.

Even though they have the same attire, they all look different.

“Nice work with everything,” Jack says, “I knew you’d do great. Of course, you’re my sister.”

I raise an eyebrow at him while Finn and Farhan frown.

“You can’t organize to save your life,” Farhan says.

“Do you think we haven’t seen your penthouse?” Finn asks.

Jack makes a face and mutters, “so called friends,”

I chuckle at his reaction and notice two people are missing.

“Where are Ryan and Faizan?”

“We were invited to two events in one night so Ryan is attending the other,” Jack says.

“And Faizan went home to spend time with bhabhi and Maham because he’s been going home late for the past few days,” Farhan explains.

“Oh, okay.”

“Rose didn’t come with you?” Finn asks.

I shake my head, “she has project to complete so she’s pulling an all-nighter,” Rose works as a freelance writer. She started her career as a journalist then focused on being a freelancer, doing ghost writing of short stories or books, writing articles and social media content.

Her favorite project is when a client asks her to write a story- romance in particular, or anything with romance. She puts her heart and soul into that project and they are always amazing. I know because I get to read them.

“I need another drink,” Jack says, looking down at his empty glass.

“No, you don’t-”

Farhan’s statement is ignored as my brother walks away from us to get another drink.

“He needs supervision,” Farhan and Finn say at the same time.

“You do it.” Finn says.

“Says who?”

“Me.”

“Rock, paper, scissors,”

“I’m not playing-”

“Shhhh!”

I blink and the men play rock, paper, scissors in order to decide who goes after my brother.

Finn wins.

He grins as Farhan suppresses his groan and stomps away from us. I don’t blame him. Handling a drunk Jack is hard.

“Is this how most of your decisions are made?” I ask.

“Not all.” He says, “Faizan and Ryan don’t support this method. Which is understandable considering they’re not fun.”

I chuckle, “I can’t believe you guys play rock, paper, scissors to decide,”

“It is fun and very effective. Also you get to rub your win in your opponents’ face.”

“Who wins the most?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“Me, of course.” He says, proudly.

“Why am I not surprised?”

“I told you, I am a man with tremendous qualities. Best of the best.” He says and winks. An easy laugh leaves my lips while I ignore the heat warming my cheeks.

The rest of the night, Finn and I stay together, talking and laughing while I also do my job.

He doesn’t mind when I have to pause our conversation to go help- it happens a lot during the night. When I try to apologize for cutting off our conversation, he says, “don’t worry about it. I’ll always wait for you, Bree.”

I try not to think about it too much.