We hit 4K guys!
Double updates are definitely in order.
Enjoy!

~Brie

It had been days since I quit my job at Jewel Interactive and shut myself off from everyone but my sister. She made sure my family wouldn't hover around and I'd been ignoring Aiden's calls this entire time. I didn't feel great about it but... I just wasn't ready. And do you know who wasn't having any of this?

Roman.

He had finally been cleared by Doctor Khan to go back to school and he wasn't going to move an inch if I didn't take him.

I sighed and leaned against my brand-new car door as I waited for Roman outside my parent's house. If I went in, they wouldn't let me back out. And I wasn't ready to explain the sudden attitude change to any of them. The front door opened and Roman ran out.

“Mommy!”

“Hello my love” I managed a grin as he wrapped his arms around me.

I hugged him back. Dash let out a bark from the door and Emmett let go of his leash so he could come to me.

“Can he ride with us, Mommy?” Roman asked.

I smiled.

“Of course, my darling. Come on, let's go” I said and opened the door.

The two of them got in and I closed the door.

“We're going to need Dash back” Emmett called out to me. “We're taking him to the vet this afternoon.”

I nodded, his plain expression matching mine.

“Okay.”

Without another word, he angrily walked back into the house and slammed the door behind him. I sighed and rounded the car and got behind the wheel.

As we weaved through the early morning traffic, Roman curiously eyed me from the back seat.

“Where's your bag, Mommy?”

“Huh?”

“Don't you have work today? And how come you're wearing slippers instead of heels like you usually do?”

I sighed, a heavy weight pressing on my shoulders.

“Well, the truth is... I quit my job.”

“What? Why? I thought you liked your job.”

“I thought so too, baby. But I... I don't think that's the right job for me” I rubbed my neck. “And I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, my darling. I didn't want to make you sad right before your birthday.”

“Are we going to be okay? Like with money. I don't even want you to have a birthday party for me anymore, Mommy. It might be too expensive.”

I made a face at him through the rearview mirror.

“Ro, I don't want you worrying about our money okay? That's my job. Your job is to have a fantastic day at school today. And we'll be fine. I bought a new car, didn't I? So we're good, hmm?”

He chewed on his lip.

“Are you sure?”

I smiled.

“Of course I'm sure. And I am throwing you a fantastic birthday party okay? It's not every day my little darling turns ten.”

Roman smiled.

“Don't worry about anything you hear me?” I said firmly.

He nodded.

“But does that mean I won't get to see Aiden anymore?” he whispered.

My heart clenched.

Had he grown that attached to Aiden?

“How about after school today, we give him and Iris a call and ask them to make some rugelach for your birthday?”

A grin formed on his face and he nodded at me.

“I'd like that very much, Mommy. Thank you.”

I smiled back at him and pulled up in the parking lot outside Pacific Vale. I glided to a stop and unbuckled my seat belt.

“Alright, baby. Have the best day” I said to him and leaned into the backseat to give him a big hug.

“You too Mommy. I love you.”

“And I love you even more” I whispered, kissing him.

I let him go and he gave Dash a quick hug.

“Bye, Dashy.”

He opened the door and climbed out of the car. Roman waved at me and shut the door. Then bolted into the school. Dash let out a small bark and I smiled and patted the passenger seat beside me.

“Come on.”

He barked happily and squeezed his way out of the backseat into the seat beside me and then stuck his head out the window.

“Let's get you home.”

The drive back to my parent's house didn't take long. And just as I expected, everyone was present, waiting for me to arrive. I closed the front door behind me a bent down to rid Dash off his leash.

“Here you go. I brought him back” I announced, hanging the lease on the wall.

Emmett nodded stiffly at me.

“I see you bought a car” Zachary folded his arms as he stood guard by the front door.

“Don't you have a job to do?” I asked.

“Funny thing to mention job” Emmett chuckled angrily.

He knew?

“We called your workplace, Breanna” Zach spoke up. “Or should I say your former workplace?”

They all knew.

I shrugged.

“Yeah, and?”

“And?” Emmett frowned. “Breanna you quit your job.”

“So? I'm not the first person to do it.”

Emmett scoffed again.

“Do you have any idea how many favors I called in to get you that job?” Zachary reminded me.

“And I'm grateful for that Zach, but I can't work there anymore. So I quit.”

“Why?” Emmett asked.

“Cause I'm bored” I shrugged and took a seat on the arm of the one of living room couches.

“You're bored?” my Dad asked.

“Yes, Daddy. I'm bored.”

“Well, I'm not buying that” Zach frowned.

I exhaled deeply.

“I got bored with my job. So I quit, bought an Audi and I'm very fine with that.”

“Very fine with being unemployed?” Zach asked.

I groaned.

“I wouldn't be the first. And besides, it's not like I need a job. I'm not going to starve.”

“Oh really?” Emmett asked.

“Yes, Emmett. I'm yet to claim my share of Grandpa Drew's inheritance right? I have a share in Daddy's inheritance too, don't I? And if I began to charge you and Zach for all the babysitting I've done for you two, I won't ever need to work for half a century.”

My father frowned.

“Bruce, if I may” Leslie spoke up before my Dad could.

I looked at him.

“Suppose all you just said is true...”

“It is true” I folded my arms in annoyance.

“Okay... but you're going to have to come up with another scenario because this one you just painted, no one's buying it, Brie” he shook his head.

“Yeah,” Emmett agreed. “Do you think we're stupid? You're not the kind of person who's comfortable with the thought of even living off of others. You've always wanted to build your own life and achieve your goals through your hard work. You've never wanted to take shortcuts and as much as I've thought it's very stupid of you, it's something I've always admired about you. And that's what makes you different from Aubs and I.”

He was getting irritated.

“You've always known about Grandpa Drew's inheritance. And you've never even thought once about claiming your share. Now suddenly you quit your job because you're bored and you've devised this ridiculous plan to not work for half a century? Are you insane?!”

I frowned back at him.

“And where the hell is Aubree when you need her?!” he exclaimed, looking at Leslie.

Leslie shrugged.

“Look Em, I know you're my family and it's natural for you guys to worry about me but I'm old enough to make certain important decisions in my life without you all ganging up against me and trying to control me.”

“That's how you feel, Brie?” Nia asked, speaking up for the first time. “We're trying to control you... that's how you feel?”

No.

I sighed.

“No I mean it like that... I'm just saying—”

My eyes met my mom's and I lowered my head a bit.

“Look, I know what I'm doing okay? And I'd very much like it if you guys didn't make a big deal about this. Just trust me on this one and please don't make this harder for me than it already is” I sighed.

“It's that guy you're dating isn't it?” Emmett asked.

“What?”

“That guy you're seeing. He's the one who's filled your head with nonsense right?”

I frowned.

“No.”

“Really? Because this person standing here right now isn't my sister” Emmett shook his head.

“This has nothing to do with—”

My phone cut through my sentence and I angrily yanked it out of my pocket.

'Aiden' the caller ID read.

Oh God.

“Answer it. It's him isn't it?” Zachary asked.

I rolled my eyes and ignored Aiden's call.

“I refuse to stand here and have you all gang up on someone you don't even know.”

“Because you won't let us” Zachary shook his head.

“And that's my decision, not yours!” I exclaimed.

My outburst made my mother jump and I cussed in my head.

Get out of here before you say something you'll regret.

“I gotta go” I quickly said and hurried out the door and to my car.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

I sulked to my front door with a throbbing headache and pushed myself inside the house.

“Aubs? Please tell me there's some more of the elderberry lavender lemonade spritzer from last night left” I called out as I made my way to the kitchen.

I pulled the fridge door open and smiled with relief at the spritzer in the jar.

“Aubree?” I called out as I brought the jar out. “Aubree are you in here—”

I caught sight of a sticky note on the corkboard and plucked it.

'Something came up with Oliver. Had to run. I won't be long though. Do not finish the spritzer without me or there will be blood.'

I chuckled and stuck the note back. I was pouring myself a glass when my phone rang. I slid a finger across the screen and put it to my ear.

“I got your note” I smiled.

“Good. Failure to comply and there will be blood.”

I chuckled.

“Emmett just called. He did not sound happy.”

I groaned.

“They ambushed me, Aubree. And I said some meanish things.”

“They'll get over it” her reply came immediately. “How are you holding up? Has he called?”

I sighed and walked back into the living room to settle on the couch.

“You ask like you don't know, Aubree.”

“Just answer the phone, Breanna. Put the poor man's mind to rest.”

“I'm not ready.”

“You won't be when he comes kicking your door down.”

“You're not helping” I pouted.

“Well, what else am I supposed to do?”

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. A speaker in the background made me frown.

“Where are you?”

“The hospital.”

I immediately sat up.

“What?!”

“Relax. It's Oliver.”

“How is that supposed to make me relax?”

“Patty took him to the park without Rick's permission and he fell off the swing and now his arm's broken.”

I groaned.

“Please tell me you put her in her place.”

“It hurts that you doubt me, Brie. And right from the hospital, I'm taking my son back.”

I nodded. My doorbell rang and I jumped a bit.

“Oh Brie, I gotta go. They're wheeling him in” Aubree said.

“Yeah, yeah okay. See you later.”

The doorbell came again and then was followed closely by a knock. I was about to get up when I heard his voice.

“Breanna? Open the door. I know you're in there.”

Shit.

“Aiden?” I muttered.

I sank back into the couch.

“Breanna? Open the door, please. I know you're in there. I just heard you talking on the phone.”

I stayed still.

“Breanna please.”

I pushed my face into the couch. It took a while before the knocking stopped. When I heard the sound of a car's engine, my heart sank.

I spent the rest of the day cuddled up to the pillow on the couch, looking at a program on the TV. I'd been staring at the TV  hours, with no clue as to what I was looking at. My mind was elsewhere, so the program was only on to increase my electricity bill.

It didn't look like Aubree was coming back anytime soon and when I tried to come up with different things I could do, I always ended up an emotional wreck.

My arms tightened around the pillow I was holding. My phone buzzed beside me, signaling a text coming through. I ignored it, fearing that it could be Miles about to blackmail me again. I hadn't heard anything from him since I quit my job and it was unnerving. Who knew what he was planning? I was losing sleep and it wasn't helping.

My phone began to ring, leaving me with no choice but to check it. It was Aiden again.

He just doesn't know when to quit.

I sighed deeply and reached for it.

“Hello?” I answered softly.

“Why are you ignoring me, Breanna?”

My heart clenched.

“I'm not... I'm just... I just wanna be alone for a while. That's all.”

“And answering my call to let me know that was too much for you?” he asked. “Do you have any idea how miserable I've been?”

“Aiden...” I sighed.

He was silent for a while before speaking up again.

“Go and look outside the door.”

I glanced at the front door and my current position on the couch.

“I can't,” I said.

I felt too lazy right now.

“Just look when you get the chance. I have to go now,” he said.

“Okay.”

“I'll see you tonight.”

“Aiden...”

“I'm not asking, Breanna. And if I have to kick down your door, I will.”

I didn't say anything for a minute. Then I nodded.

“Okay.”

I flipped through the channels for a while and then stood from the couch and headed for the door. I opened it, looking for whatever Aiden was talking about, but there was nothing there.

I stepped out the door but stopped when my foot encountered a crunching sound. I looked down, eyes widening at what I saw. It was a wrapped bouquet of roses with chocolate hearts leaning against it.

A familiar stir in her stomach reminded me of how Aiden deserved me telling me what was going on. I leaned down and picked up the bouquet and the heart-shaped box of chocolates. I smiled as I brought them into the house, closing the door behind me. I locked it and then headed back to the living room.

She sat down and took the envelope that was strapped down by the red ribbons and tore through it to take out the card.

'I know you're probably thinking this is so cliché, but I don't care. I just wanted to do something that could make you feel a little better. I'm not sure what I did to upset you so but I hope that you can consider forgiving me for whatever stupid thing I did. I'm trying to do better... if not for me, then for you. Hopefully, I can see you tonight when I get off, and I promise that I'll make up for my stupid behavior. I love you. ~Aiden.'

My eyes scrolled through the letter again and again and I held on to it tightly, a big smile tugging at my lips.

I picked up my phone and pressed his chat box.

Me: Thanks for the chocolate. We can talk when you get here.

Once the message was delivered, I laid back on the couch, grabbing the box of chocolate. I opened it and took one of the chocolates out to eat. When I swallowed it, I noticed my taste buds were not working.

I sighed and closed my eyes.

Thank you so much for reading! ✨