Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 120

Chapter 120: Glad You Are Home 

Brianna

After an unexpected big thunderstorm, my flight was delayed eight hours and then canceled altogether. Janet had flown ahead of us, so it was me, Lucy and the photographer, Amos, who I didn't know was coming to the fashion week with his company. We ended up all stuck in the terminal together, trying to entertain ourselves with games, talking, naps and snacks. When we did finally get a plane it was late at night here but we are going back eight hours in time, so it won't be as late there when we land. Traveling is always exhausting, something about waiting around an airport for ten plus hours is exhausting.

Lucy and I were seated together on the flight and we met back up with the photographer when we went to go find our missing luggage. It took off on one plane and we took off on another, so we needed to find the baggage claim number it went to. After all that chaotic nonsense, it was already late here in Port Harcourt and my body clock is so screwed up in confusion of what day and time it is supposed to be here. Since we are here in my city, I obviously didn't book a hotel with Janet's group, I was just going home and they are going their separate ways for now.

I chuckled when I saw David with a sign, it was like a flashback of months ago flying from Asaba to Port Harcourt for the first time. I had found this random man with hair slicked back and bulldog arms, I remember being so fascinated and curious about what was to come, where I would be living and of course my brother's mysterious best friend, Callan Harold.

“Hey, there.” I nudged the sign when I got to him, he was obviously kidding about that.

“Deja Vu?” He asked and I nodded yes but a lot is different about me and my life now.

First of all, I don't have a half broken clunky luggage bag that wouldn't roll properly, I am also actively going to avoid the man I had been so curious about when I first moved here. But me as a person is different, I have blossomed in London. Lining with a woman and no men really helped me cured myself of the habit my father instilled in me as my survival mechanism. I had to tiptoe around and I would hide a lot to be out of sight. With Ezekiel, it was the same thing. He was abusive and angry a lot when I had a dorm in college, and when I lived with a group of friends in a god awful apartment, it never cured me of that habit. I still tiptoed around a lot, never wanting to bother anyone or get in their way.

When I moved in with my brother, I would still hide out sometime for various reasons. To hide from Callan or when Bryce was mad at me. Living with Jane has been so refreshing for my psyche, I am comfortable in my living space and I don't dull my own shine to inflate the shine of someone else. I have been working my dream jobs and meeting interesting new people, I am gaining experience I thought I never would. And I am pretty good at being an intern because Janet has favored me and given me opportunities I normally wouldn't have gotten. Elizabeth has even admitted that we work well together too, I am in my element there.

“How was the flight? I assume it was rough since your brother told me you were delayed so many hours. I was meant to pick you up earlier, so he informed me of the changes.” He said as he shoved my bags into the trunk. I went to sit in the back but said fuck it, and went into the front seat. He hesitated a moment but then he just drove off.

David asked me a few questions about life in London, my job and what I was going to be up to there. I talked for a good majority of the ride, then we got close to the Rumuola villa and that skyscraper became visible again. Tinted glass in odd shapes to make up the building that looms over us now that we are close. I remember how surprised I was because of how luxurious it looked and shocked that my brother could suddenly afford all this. I was suspicious from day one but now I know the truth. He can afford it because he is in the mafia.

“Is Bryce home?” I asked since he didn't pick me up himself.

“Umm, I am not sure.” he shrugged. He still wears ill fitting suits, I should tailor one for him to see how he likes it.

“Ready to head up?” He asked and for some reason my stomach did a flip. 

Maybe because I knew somewhere in this building was Callan's, his presence intimidated me so much and I was both so intrigued by him and scared of him. I wanted to hide from him, yet be around him. He confused me then and now he is still confusing me. I never thought I would be carrying on some type of relationship with the king of this city but between the visits, the phone calls and thoughtful gifts, I just thought something more was there. But I was wrong.

****

I was so exhausted from my messy travels that I passed out before my brother get back home. I was up early this morning to head to work, when I say work, I mean I will be going to the pinned location Janet sent me. Our itinerary begins even before this fashion week technically launched. We have invited to several big name shows and we will also be behind the scene for the article the company is going to write. I know we are going to a Chanel show, I know we also going to the meet the editor and chief editor of vogue here in Port Harcourt. She is an icon to me, she is one of the most powerful figure in fashion. She is friend with Janet Alinco, so I know I will be in her vicinity. I doubt I will be getting a formal introduction or anything, I know one of the days we will be following behind the scenes with a specific model and I know we were invited to a Saint Laurent show.

Rumor is that Gianni will be hosting an after hours party for Versace and friends and he is literally my idol. I have been obsessed with him and all he has done for Versace over the years, not only as the creative designer but also as a skilled photographer and stylist. 

I got ready and was sure to look awesome, it is the fashion week and everyone will dress their best. The street becomes filled with couture and trendy street wear fashion as the city is buzzing with fashion and more fashion. Designers, models, celebrities, big brands and important figures will all be in the same space for a week as all this goes down and I am here. Before I left the house, Bryce surfaced from his room. I clicked my heels across the hardwood flooring of our living room to give him a big hug.

“Wow, look at you.” He complimented my outfit. This year a big color pop is the big thing, I am in pink. A lot of it.

“It is a very big week,” I said, releasing him from the hug and looking at him with a serious face and he chuckled.

“I know, it is. I am glad you are home for a bit, kiddo. Carve some time out for me this week, huh?” I smiled and nodded that I would.

It is only day one and the fashion week doesn't technically start until tomorrow. So I will see more about my free time once things get in motion. 

“I am sorry, I have to rush off but I didn't know my flight would be delayed and cancelled and back on. It was a nightmare, I know you made a reservation for dinner last night.” I frowned, knowing I missed it.

I thought it was nice that my brother wanted to hang out with me on my first night but I just didn't make it in time.

“It is cool, we will do something else. I am glad you got here alright in the end. Behave and be safe.” He pecked my forehead before walking back into his room.

He has been barefoot and shirtless, so I assume he just woke up from sleep when he heard me moving around. I could linger after that, I had to get going. On my way out the door, I was going to call a car when my phone buzzed. It was Amos, the photographer.

“Hey, they gave me a car to get to the shoot with the equipment. I am actually going to be with vogue today on this job, so do you need a ride?” He asked.

“Yes, perfect timing. I was about to call a car.” I replied. 

“Very good,” he said and I gave him the address of the building.

I walked a little further down the building just in case any dark alluring man were wandering around. I don't want to bump into him, I haven't talked to him since discovering the pictures. Jane told me they had a big fight about it and that he was threatening to come to London, so it forced her to tell him I would actually be here. I guess I am avoiding confronting him because I feel dumb, embarrassed and just upset and I don't want to face that. Especially not right now with this crazy schedule and important events.