Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 142

Chapter 142: Goodbye Speeches 

Brianna

I had four goodbye dinners and I had only two days to have them, I wasn't sure how that was going to work out. The girls, Joy and them wanted to have a big going away thing so that would be its own thing. Janet and Lucy wanted to host a dinner for me which sounded like an event of its own. Amos wanted to take me out for a kind of goodbye, we had become friends since working together that first month I was here in London.

The last person who wanted to take me out was Andrew but he wasn't saying goodbye because he too is flying to Port Harcourt. When I called him out, he said he wanted to help me wish London a fashionable goodbye which made me laugh. We were going to dress up and he will take me to his secret spot that has a magnificent view of the city tower. It will be lit up nicely for the evening. I had to make a compromise if all this was going to work out within my few days left. This is how I managed my time, I figured the girls wouldn't mind having a big lunch instead of dinner. I explained my situation and they don't do shit with their time anyway, they don't work, they are like Jane. They wanted to do the fabulous champagne and all that. I agreed so long as I am out of there by seven in the evening to make it to dinner at eight with my boss and the intern.

On my second and final night, I will have dinner with Amos and drinks with Andrew later in the night. Of course, I had two separate outfits for the occasion, different people, different vibes. And also, just an excuse to dress up more than I need to. I can't help myself even though everything is packed except for these outfits and my travel clothes. I have it waiting for me on the chair outside my room. It is like some wired haunting reminder of this strange countdown I have been subconsciously doing.

***

With the girls and me, it makes us five. I think it was Joy that made a reservation at this trendy place they frequent. We wanted champagne, so the reservation was mostly to guarantee that we would get everything we wanted. I can't have a heavy meal if I am going to make it to dinner tonight. We were all dressed fashionable and feeling sentimental. We were in a perfect circle at the round table reserved for us at the restaurant. The blonde girl who's father is a politician was wearing her silver slip dress. All of us were wearing a beautiful outfit. And that is the group, girls with similar and large personalities. Self assured rich girls, flirty and funny girls.

“You know, Brianna. When we first met you, you were a little more reserved than you are now and I think it looks good on you.” The one with Monroe beauty said.

“Oh, let us make speeches!” Joy exclaimed and I told them it was necessary but when do they ever listen to me? 

The one whose father is a politician started, saying a few words to me. Miss blonde number two, Jane number one even if she wasn't here held up her flute. She stood even though I was mortified in the middle of a restaurant.

“As I was saying, you came to us as a shy girl and you will be leaving us a sluty woman.” She teased me. We all laughed and I covered my face in embarrassment. It only made them laugh more.

She did the informal version of cheers with us, we all tapped glasses. Joy stood up next since it was her idea to do this in the first place.

“I think I speak for all of us when I say you will be missed, my friend. You and Jane must return to us sometime for a reunion but I also want to say that you will be signing my napkin tonight so that when you become famous, I can hang it on my wall.” She teased me like the others love to. It made me smile, sometimes they act so sure that I will be famous.

“I will sign your napkin, I promise her.” 

Because I am not used to goodbyes, I was actually feeling this weight in my chest I wasn't expecting. My eyes blinked more, so I wouldn't tear up. They were silly toasts but still it sums up our relationship as friends. The last to speak was the most quiet one in the group and I knew she would speak more thoughtfully. Standing up, she already wiped a tear which got us girls to tear up too. We laughed at ourselves.

“I have never met a more fashionable and fun duo since meeting these girls right here until we met you and Jane. You taught us to cook proper food even when this one here was poison in the kitchen.” She pointed at the Monroe beauty girl and she scoffed.

“I never viewed London as a tourist before because I have always lived here but through the eyes of you and of Jane, I saw London in a way I never did before. Things we take for granted here, we have made some beautiful memories and taken even more pictures of those memories to last a lifetime. It is not goodbye, my sweet Brianna. It is only good health and good luck until we meet again.” She held her glass up. We all tapped glasses together.

“Okay, my turn.” I said, for some reason they didn't seem to consider that I would want to speak.

“Everything you had to say here was beautiful and a little slutty.” I winked at Joy who laughed, I continued.

“And Kelly, I really like your words, seeing London through a different light, I feel the same in the opposite way. I think if I hadn't met you girls so early on my move here, I wouldn't have experienced London the way I have since knowing you all. I have a lot to be thankful for here, so I will keep it short and sweet. Thank you for teaching me, eating too many baguettes with Jane and I and overall just being fun and funny girls who made my time here a little less lonely. Until we meet again.” I said and helped up my glass.

“Cheers,” they all said.

We wiped some tears and gave a lot of hugs but once the sad part was over, we parted ways the only way they knew how. With a bang, they popped a third cork of champagne and celebrated with me until it was seven when I had to leave them. After more hugs, kisses and promises to visit, I ran off like Cinderella and her magic carriage that was about to switch into a useless pumpkin.

I didn't plan on showing up to Janet's dinner a little tipsy but after all the champagne and laughter, I felt the warmth below my flesh and a smile played softly on my lips. I changed into an outfit and wore yet another fabulous dress, less colored and more chic because I knew the restaurant. I knew it was more fancy rather than trendy and fun like my lunch had been. I have booked reservations for Janet and guests several times before, so I am familiar with the place. I have never actually eaten there myself.

I ended up drinking more champagne than I did eat an actual meal, so I was hungry and ready for this. It was meant to be me, Janet, Lucy and my other intern friend, Jude. He always had me laughing even in our most tedious of tasks. He is tall and wears bold suits, he is a good guy. Two other workers would also be here. Writers who I accompanied on their visit to runaway. I was the last to arrive which surprised me, this crowd likes to be fashionably late. When I made that comment out loud, they all chuckled.

“We told you a later time so we could be sure all of us showed up before you did.” Lucy explained.

“Nobody wants to walk up to an empty table at their goodbye meal.” Jude teased me.

I was greeted by all and sat beside Janet, the sweetheart who has made my time here well worth it. Even when we were exhausted, raining on fumes to get things done around the Vogue office and through her personal tasks. Lucy got me through it.

“I am a little tipsy.” I whispered to Lucy. She whipped her head in my direction and covered her lips to hide her laugh.

“Where were you?” She asked and when explained, she wasn't surprised.

I actually brought Lucy out with that group of girls before. 

“What are we talking about?” 

Our group is nosy, but in the funny way that news just won't stay quiet for long.