~Brie~

“Okay, so far I'm not seeing the bad here,” Nicholas said as he adjusted the settings on my camera.

I sipped my coffee.

“He shredded my photos.”

He halted and looked away from the camera and at me.

“He what?”

I nodded and sipped the remaining coffee.

“Shredded all my photos. My entire day's work and results... literally down a drain” I said, angling myself to shoot the cup into the trashcan nearby.

“Wow,” he let out.

The cup landed far away from the trash can and I walked over to deposit it properly.

“And you're sure you wanna keep working for such a person?”

I shrugged.

“I think you should quit and become self-employed too.”

“Very tempting, Nick” I chuckled. “But my love for what I do is too great to quit because my boss is being such an ass.”

“Well, you'd get to do what you love. You'd just... work for yourself.”

I shook my head.

“I wanna stay.”

“Because it doesn't bother you that your boss is the way he is?”

I like the way he is... sometimes.

“Sometimes,” I said. “I've had more good than bad with him so it's fine. And besides my friends are there so it gets better. Silver lining.”

“Hm,” he hummed. “Here you go.”

Nicholas handed me back my camera and I flipped through the photos we'd taken.

“Thank you so much, Nick. I owe you” I smiled.

“How about you repay me right now?” he asked.

I arched a brow.

“Come meet my girlfriend.”

I chuckled.

“Nick...”

“Please, Brie? You'll love her.”

“I'm sure” I smiled. “But I gotta go. I need to call home and check on my son.”

“It won't be long. You'll just say hi and that's all. C'mon Breanna. You owe me.”

I laughed.

“Fine” I agreed. “Just hi.”

“Perfect. C'mon. My car's right here.”

The drive was short. We got outside the building and Nick parked in an empty spot. We stepped out just as his phone dinged.

“Oh that's her” he announced. “She must be inside. I'll go find her. Don't move.”

He didn't wait for my response and ran off. I chuckled after him.

Young love.

I sighed and wrapped my arms around myself. A familiar laugh reached my ears and I stopped leaning against the MINI Cooper. I turned and tried to make out where I'd heard the laughter. It sounded again and I squinted my eyes, trying to make out who the silhouettes belonged to.

I glanced toward the direction Nick had taken off in and seeing no sign of him, I moved towards the silhouettes. As I got closer, the laughter turned foreign. I carefully moved through the parking lot, wondering if this was a weird thing to do. I stopped.

What are you doing Breanna?

I groaned. The silhouettes moved from the bench and passed by me. It was a man and a woman... whom I didn't know. I shook my head.

“I need to go to bed” I muttered and turned away.

“Breanna?”

I looked over my shoulder.

“Cynthia?” I asked. “What are you doing out here?”

She heaved a box onto the hood of a car and sighed.

“Assistant stuff” she chuckled.

I glanced at the car and then at the building. Aiden was here.

“What are you doing here? I thought Mr. Corleone asked you to... you know.”

“Yes. I'm done with that. I got help from an old friend” I told her.

“Steven? He's here?”

“Err no. Someone I used to work with in New York. He brought me here. He's going to introduce me to his girlfriend.”

“Mm,” she hummed.

“Wait isn't Steven here?” I asked.

“No. After you left, we all split. Glenn said she'd treat Julio to dinner at the fancy restaurant and Steven tugged along. Meg and I came here. But Mr. Corleone and Mr. Martin showed up here and now I'm on duty... when I should be as drunk as Megan.”

I arched a brow.

“She's drunk?”

“Wasted” Cynthia chuckled.

“Oh, my goodness. Where is she?”

“Mr. Corleone asked Mr. Martin to help her get sober.”

I shook my head.

“And what are you doing in his car?”

“Getting his personal belongings out of the car. Mr. Herve threw up in his car so the car dealer is picking it up to get it cleaned.”

I made a face.

“And he couldn't do it himself because?”

“I'm his assistant.”

“Yeah, not his maid” I chipped in.

Cynthia chuckled.

“He's meeting a potential investor inside.”

I rolled my eyes and Cynthia laughed. Her phone dinged continuously.

“Aren't you popular tonight” I teased.

She chuckled.

“It's the car dealer. He's almost here.”

Her phone rang and her face lit up.

“Err Brie? Could you please help me get the rest of his stuff out of the car and into the box? I gotta take this phone call real quick.”

“Yeah, sure.”

I glanced in the direction of Nick's car and he still wasn't back. I turned back and Cynthia had taken several steps away from the car. I smiled quietly to myself and got in the front seat of the car to pack up the rest of the things.

“Cynthia? Does he have anything in the trunk of the car?” I called out.

But she was too engrossed in her conversation to hear me. So I opened the trunk from the inside and walked to check out what was inside. My eyebrows creased at the number of things he had in the car.

First Aid kit, jumper cables, an ice scraper, flashlights, a spare tie...

“Are those... flares?” I asked with a chuckle.

I picked up the little box containing the flares and picked up to look at it.

“Breanna?”

I jumped and dropped the box. Cynthia chuckled.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Checking to see if he had anything in here I'd have to take out” I chuckled, leaning down to pick up the box.

“Oh don't bother, the trunk's good.”

I nodded and looked around in the trunk for where the box was.

“Oh there” I muttered and put it back.

But the box wouldn't stand. It kept tilting. So I lifted it and attempted to fix its base when I felt something at the bottom of the box. It was a file.

How's this stuck to the bottom of a box?

I managed to remove the file and I set it aside while I put the box back. It didn't tilt anymore and I smiled in satisfaction to myself. Then I picked up the file.

“How'd you get on here?” I asked, turning it around in my hand.

I sighed.

“Cynthia, you missed one” I called out.

She was giggling. I lowered the hood of the trunk a little so I could peep through the windshield and she was back on the phone. I shook my head and opened the file.

“Let's see if you're important or...” I trailed off as my eyes landed on the first sentence.

A cold and hard knot formed in my stomach and I felt instantly dizzy. Holding in my hand was Herve's presentation file I'd supposedly misplaced. If it was misplaced, what was it doing in the trunk of Aiden's car?

I certainly didn't put it there, so who did?

I frowned and moved around the car to where Cynthia was standing.

“Who else has access to this car?” I asked.

She turned to face me with a confused look on her face.

“Mr. Corleone.”

“No one else?” I questioned. “No one borrows his car to run errands or to just go for a ride?”

Cynthia gave me an odd look.

“This is a rental, Breanna. Mr. Corleone got it when we came here. And so did Mr. Martin and Mr. Herve. They each got rentals of their own. And since we got here, Mr. Corleone is the only one with access to the car because it's his. He always has the keys on him and... this is the first time he's ever given me his keys to clear his car for a wash, Berlin or not.”

Aiden? Aiden hid the file in the trunk of his car and...

I shook my head.

Why?

“Hey Breanna, are you... are you okay? Why do you look... mad?”

I shook my head again.

“I gotta go,” I said.

“Wait, Brie—”

“Close the trunk. I won't be long!” I called out and hurried towards the entrance.

“Breanna?” I heard Nick call out to me.

I waved past him.

“I'll be right back!” I quickly yelled.

Aiden? He could do something so despicable? I frowned and stepped into the hall. Did they leave the entrance unguarded like this? But I didn't care. All I wanted to do was find that man and demand an explanation. And it had better be good.

I groaned in frustration. Why were there so many people here? I stepped back out into the lobby ready to call him and demand to see him when a figure caught my eye. I turned and seated in a large armchair near a window, just watching the crowds going in and out of the different halls, was none other than Aiden Corleone.

The anger burnt inside me and I put my phone away and marched toward him.

How could he even have the appetite to drink wine when he'd caused me so much trouble?!

The sound of my heels clicked loudly and angrily against the tiled floor as I neared him. Aiden raised his head and quickly sat up straight. His eyes swept over me and in a flash, he was up on his feet. I came to a slow halt near him.

“Mr. Corleone,” I plastered a fake smile on my face, “Fancy meeting you here.”

“Brea—”

I dropped the smile and knocked the wine glass out of his hand. He stared at me in surprise.

“Why are you outside, huh?” I asked. “You don't like the music? Is it too... guilt-tripping for you?”

“Breanna, please,” he began, “Hear me out.”

I raised the file and glared at him.

“This better be some damn good explanation, Aiden” I angrily said. “What was this doing in your car?”

“Breanna—”

“Let me make this easier for you” I cut him off. “Did you put this in your car?”

“Listen to me—”

“Yes or no, Aiden? I don't have the patience for this right now” I glared.

He glanced at the file and then at me, before slowly nodding. My heart sank.

“But I can explain, okay?” he quickly let out.

My shoulders slumped and I lowered the file.

“You can explain Aiden?” I asked, pained. “You can explain?”

He let out an exasperated breath.

“Breanna—”

“You watched Herve blame Cynthia then disrespect and falsely accuse me of losing this file. Then you watched him put me to work the entire day to reproduce this file. When all along you had it because you hid it?”

“Brie...”

“Why Aiden?” I muttered.

He reached out to take my hand but I jumped back, disgusted by his actions.

“Then you shred my photos because I'm slacking and they're not good enough for you?!” I exclaimed.

“Hey no, I can explain that too,” he said softly and desperately.

I tilted my head.

“Your photos are the best... they always are. I just...” he trailed off.

You just what?

He didn't continue.

“Aiden...”

“Mr. Corleone? Is everything alright?” a voice called from behind him.

He turned and I looked away, still angry. Why would he do such a thing? I groaned.

“You know what, I can't stand the sight of a jerk like you so I'm going to go,” I told him.

“Breanna?” a feminine voice called out to me.

I sidestepped Aiden and blinked at the couple standing there.

“Ian? Xenia?” I asked.

Aiden looked between us, stunned.

“Breanna!” Xenia shrieked and threw herself at me.

I chuckled, still angry, and hugged her back. Ian smiled at me.

“What are you two doing here?” I asked.

Then it hit me. The potential investor Aiden was meeting was Ian Forbes. I flashed Aiden a wicked smile.

~Aiden~

The smile Breanna flashed me sent a chill down my spine. She knew them... not professionally but personally. Ian's wife, Xenia, stepped back from her and smiled.

“You look... amazing Brie.”

Breanna chuckled.

“Thank you, Xenia.”

Ian opened his arms and she hugged him.

“It's so good to see you again Breanna. How have you been?”

I flexed my jaw in annoyance. Was it necessary to hug her?

“Fine, Ian. Thank you” she replied and he let her go. “What are you doing here by the way?”

“Oh is Roman with you? I miss that little stinker” Xenia chuckled.

Breanna shook her head.

“No. He's back in Virginia.”

Ian and his wife exchanged looks.

“We heard about Beck and your sister,” Ian said.

“And the baby” Xenia added. “We're so sorry we didn't call or send you a gift basket or anything.”

“No, no guys. It's okay” Breanna smiled.

“No, it's not” Ian sighed. “That's no way to treat the godmother of our daughter.”

Godmother?!

That was when I knew I was going to be screwed and not the kind I wanted.

“No don't worry” Breanna chuckled. “Is she here by the way?”

“Yes. But she's with a sitter. We can't leave our little girl alone for that long. No parent should have to” Xenia smiled.

Breanna glanced at me. What was she thinking? It frustrated me that she saw me as some kind of monster now. I wanted to tell her that I didn't mean to hide the file.

I just didn't want her going anywhere with anyone else.

“I'm sorry, do you two know each other, Mr. Corleone?” Ian suddenly asked.

I blinked away from Breanna.

“Err yes. She's em... she's...” I stammered.

“His employee” Breanna finished for me. “I work for Jewel Interactive... as one of their photographers.”

Xenia arched a brow.

“So he's your boss?” she asked.

“Yes.”

Ian's wife looked at me.

“And you called him a jerk” she stated.

Ian looked at me too.

“Well see...”

“No, no” Ian stopped Breanna. “If she called her boss that there must be a reason... and a good one I presume.”

I looked at Breanna as Xenia and her husband turned to her.

“So tell us, Brie. What did he do?” Ian asked.

Breanna frowned at me and my heart sank. She was going to throw me under the bus.

“Mr. Forbes... if I may” I started.

They turned to me.

“This is just a little misunderstanding. Ms. Nolan here is—”

“Not going to talk” Xenia chuckled.

I looked at her.

“She's not going to talk” Xenia repeated and stepped beside her husband.

“Xenia...”.

“We gotta go” She cut Breanna off and slipped her arm around her husband's. “Honey?”

I looked at Ian.

“I think I'll hold off on the investment proposal for now, Mr. Corleone.”

My stomach sank.

“No, no, Mr. Forbes” I protested. “This is just a misunderstanding. We don't have to get ahead of—”

He raised a hand, stopping me, and looked at Breanna.

“Do you need us to give you a ride to where you're staying?” he asked. “I can't trust you to be with someone you find a jerk... and I most certainly can't invest in his company... no matter how impressive his work and achievements are.”

My shoulders slumped. Breanna looked at me. Her angry expression had worn off.

“I'm okay Ian don't worry. I can get myself home” she replied, almost inaudible.

Ian nodded and his wife smiled at Breanna.

“We'll call you okay, Breanna?” she told her.

Breanna smiled back uncomfortably and Ian nodded stiffly at me.

“Mr. Corleone,” he said and gently led his wife away, but not before she gave me a dirty look.

I balled my fists.

I lost the deal before it began?!

“Aiden...” Breanna muttered and reached out to touch my arm. “I didn't mean to—”

My eyes snapped angrily at her and she stopped talking.

“Look what you did?!” I yelled at her.

Her frown returned.

“Excuse you! You sabotaged me. And here I was about to apologize for Ian leaving and you're ready to blame me!” she yelled back. “I'm not sorry I called you a jerk because that is exactly what you are... if not worse!”

I grabbed her arm.

“Now you listen to me, Breanna” I ordered. “I am not proud of myself for what I did okay? I had my reasons... you wouldn't understand. And I was going to find you and apologize. But I just lost a big deal with Ian Forbes so if you could put a hold on your disappointment, I would appreciate it because I am not in the mood to be scolded. Do. you. understand?”

Her eyes were wide like saucers.

“Aiden...”

I let her go and turned my back to her.

“Aiden,” she said firmly.

I closed my eyes. I'd kill to hear her say my name in another tone. I sighed.

“Bre...”

“Breanna!” someone beat me to it.

I turned with a frown and a man was running towards us.

“Who the fuck is this guy?” I let out with a groan.

Breanna furrowed her brows at me for a second and turned to the man.

“Nick what's wrong?” she asked.

“Who's he?” I asked angrily putting my hands into my pockets.

Breanna ignored me as the man spoke.

“It's my girlfriend, Brie” he let out frantically. “She's passed out in the parking lot and I... I've been trying to wake her up but Cynthia won't budge.”

I made a face.

“Cynthia?” Breanna questioned and looked at me.

“We have to take her to the hospital please, Breanna. I'm begging you. Please come with me” he pleaded.

“Y-Yes of course Nick. C'mon...”

I grabbed her arms, stopping her as the man ran ahead.

“Aiden what are you doing? Let me go” she frowned.

“You can't just leave with a stranger.”

“A stranger? Did you not hear what he just said? My friend is unconscious... at least I think it's the same person” she muttered in the last part.

Breanna shook her head.

“The Cynthia we know or not, I'm helping Nick. So you either come with us, or you stay out of the way.”

And with that, she snatched her arm back and hurried after the Nick guy.

Thank you for reading! ✨