Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Birthday Gift

Brianna

“What the hell are you wearing?” Bryce asked and I scowled.

“What about it?” I looked down at myself.

“That top is.. is an underwear.” He shook his head.

“It is called a corset and that is in fashion right now. Don't even get on this subject with me.” I scoffed at him.

“How do you have a designer bag?” He muttered as he noticed my cute hand tote beside me and I got sheepish.

“I use this app where you can rent designer bags for the week. I used it a lot in Asaba.” He poked his bottom lip out and nodded.

“Interesting, well you can go buy your own.” He said and I laughed out loud.

“Do you know how much a bag like this costs?” He shrugged.

“Not in the slightest.” I rubbed my bag like it was my child.

“It cost three thousand.” He nodded and then shrugged again.

“It could be your birthday gift.” He said and I gasped.

“You have that kind of money? Seriously, Bryce what the hell do you do for work? That apartment building is really expensive and now you causally want to buy me a three thousand bag?” I mumbled, I had forgotten Callan was even present because I was so engrossed in this conversation with Bryce.

“You ask too many questions.” Callan's deep voice interrupted.

My head snapped over to him, I didn't know what to say and in my silence, he continued.

“Just accept the money, Harold Group of Company is successful, that is how he can afford it.”

I felt like this man stepped in to close the subject, like he didn't want me asking too many questions and getting to the root of things, the same way Bryce does. I am worried about what my brother had gotten himself into. The food came out quickly, so we were interrupted by the dishes being placed down in front of us. They brought our drinks as well and I just decided to drop the subject.

I ate my food quietly, Callan and Bryce got into business conversation, it was all very vague and they spoke in foreign language which wasn't always commonplace in my upbringing. Bryce speaks fluently even than I remember and I guess he has had a lot of practice over the years of knowing Callan. For the rest of our meal, Callan ignored me like he usually doesn't even though his presence brought tension into my muscles for how humiliated I felt for last night's incident. He was at ease as he always seems to be, we finished eating and our plates were cleared but my brother excused himself to use the restroom which left me alone with Callan again.

I pretended to sift through my bag so I wouldn't have to look at him. When he stood up, I saw him dig into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash and my eyes went wide. Does he always carry that much money around in his pocket? I assumed he was paying the bill but he counted a lot of hundreds and I wondered how expensive this food could be. I was shocked when he dropped the stack in front of me.

“Happy birthday,” he said, looking at me for only a second before turning and leaving the restaurant entirely.

Not another word and not even a chance for me to decline his gorgeous gift. I stared down in shock but quickly collected the money to put in my bag so other patrons wouldn't sew that amount of cash on me. I couldn't accept this, not from him. I don't even know how much there is but I can't accept it either way. I jolted when Bryce reappeared.

“Let's go.” He said and I nodded silently and followed him out.

Why would Callan do that? He doesn't owe me anything so why give me a birthday present? My stomach was flipping every time I thought of those sexy hands counting those cash before dropping them in front of me without a second glance. Like it meant nothing to him.

On my way back home, Bryce was talking about casual things around the city that he wanted to show me. I missed seeing my brother this often and I am glad he wants to do things with me. I want to resolve our bond like how we were as children growing up. I almost forgot for a second that we were going back to Callan's house, I hope he isn't at home. I am going to run to my room, I can't face that man again. I should return this money, I guess I will have to face him one more time. This weekend can't come soon enough, I need to move to our apartment where I don't have the threat of seeing him all this time, I will be able to breathe again.

I was lucky when we entered the apartment and it was dark inside meaning Callan wasn't home. I went up to my room and took off my heels before remembering that stack of cash in my bag. I pulled it out and counted it, only to realize it was five thousand that he dropped in front of me as a birthday gift. I have never received that much money from anyone and I gaped at it. A knock sounded on my door, it was my brother so I let him in.

“Your birthday present.” He handed me money again.

I have never been given money this way, I looked down and counted it, three thousand.

“For that bag or whatever other bag you like, you said three thousand, right?” My jaw dropped.

“Bryce, no, I can't.” I tried shoving it back in his direction. He shook his head no.

“Brianna,” he sighed at me.

“I don't know what to say.” I admitted, this overwhelmed me.

“Say thanks.” He smirked, I rolled my eyes but laughed and gave him a hug.

“Thank you so much, truly it was more than you needed to give.” I said.

“It was nothing,” he waved it off, clearly his best friend felt the same way. Was I supposed to tell Bryce that his friend gave me money. Maybe I shouldn't mention it, I intend on giving it back anyway and maybe he would find it weird.

Bryce didn't stay long and I decided to change into my pajamas. Would it be ridiculous to use that money to buy myself sweatpants? It was such a rebellious thought of me which was so stupid and I am totally aware of that. I was in a mauve colored silk short and button top pajama set. I guess we will see what I will spend my birthday money on tomorrow when I go shopping before work. The thought thrilled me.

I spent the rest of the night thinking about the cash in my bag that Callan gave me. I decided to try my luck at giving it back when I heard the elevator ping later on at night. I was still in my pajamas but I figured he wouldn't care, I walked downstairs quietly since my brother was already in her.

I met Callan at the bottom of the stairs like I seemed to do a lot.