Chapter Three
2207 Words
Briana POV :
The next day I decide to go to the nearest cafe shop alone since Charlotte has a meeting with her doctor while Vincent is no where to be found. I know they have their own life so I won't be a spoil brat to make them keep me company, beside I always like to hang around by myself.
"Excuse me?"
I raise my eyebrow and smile when see who's the one dare to interrupt me with my book.
"Hey" He smile.
"What are you doing here, Rhys?" I said happily to see him.
"Having a lunch with my friend when I saw you sat here and so serious with the book" Was his reply and I notice several man staring at us in question from outside "You alone?"
I turn my gaze back to him and nod.
"Charlotte has a meeting with doctor and I want to finish this book" I explain while show him the book on my hand.
"Join us"
Chocked, I quickly shook my head.
Not that I don't want to but he's not alone and talking with his friend, who is a stranger for me freaked me out.
Rhys smile and touch my hand softly, I guess he know what am I thinking right now.
"I am here, Bree" He assure gently and tightened his hand on mine.
Sighed, I nod dejectedly.
He help me collects my belonging before we both start walking to where his friend wait in front of the cafe.
"Sorry for making you wait" Rhys talk to his friend at the same time he put his hand on my back for support, he know me enough and my freight of unknown people "When I saw this pretty girl, I know I can't just leave her" His last words make the four of his friends gave a question gaze on me.
"You're cheating, Rhys?" One of his friend speak and tease him who just roll his eyes.
"i***t" He murmur and shook his head before added "Guys, this is Brianna Gomez Brancaccio" I notice how Rhys friend eyes wide bigger when he mention 'Brancaccio' on my last name. Yes, Aiden and Eowyn insist that I put their last name after they know I want to go to the State to join Medical school.
Charlotte did mention about me keep use the Brancaccio name while I am here, for my safety, I guess.
Awkwardly, I just waves my hand and smile.
"She's...."
"Charlotte little cousin" Rhys explain and make all of them nod understand before we shakes hands.
"Alejandro, nice to meet you, Brianna"
"Hi"
"I'm Luke, good to meet you, Brianna"
"Likewise"
"Gilberd, nice to meet you"
"Hey"
"And I am Gerard, It' a pleasure to meet one of the Brancaccio family who doesn't have a scary face"
"You're from England?!!" I gasped and smile warmly to Gerard who has a weird accent and it's lovely to hear it.
"And she's fall to the British man" Luke murmur teasingly which make me blush while the other laugh out loud.
Rhys smile and nod, telling me that he was proud of my bravery before we all start walking to other place and eat.
He kept his hand on my back even when we sat which calm me. Rhys act like another brother who, like the other Brancaccio man, very protective of me but on the good way.
With all of the family thought about me being the little one, I guess there is no surprise for the protectiveness they do for me.
******
Ring.. Ring.. Ring..
"Sorry" I said before answer my phone and smile when saw it said 'Charlotte'
"Hey, sis" I said and notice Rhys turn his gaze on me 'who is it' He ask and I mouthed "Charlotte" which make him nod.
'Sorry, Bree. The meeting take my whole time, how are you?'
"It's fine" I said and waves my hand then realize that she can't see me right now "I am having a good time with my books until your man and his friends ambush me" Rhys and his friend chuckle when they hear my answer, I guess they all know who am I talking right now.
'My man? Rhys?'
"How many man do you have, Char?" I tease and lock my gaze when I said it to see Rhys reaction, and chuckle when he look tense for a second before Gilberd hit his shoulder playfully and laugh with the others.
"Funny, Bree" He chuckle and shook his head in disbelief.
'That's why he didn't text and annoy me today' I laugh and said 'yeah' after she said it which made Rhys, again, asked with his eyes about it. 'So, where are you right now?' She asked.
"Um.. We're..." I take a look around, trying to find some clue where exactly I am right now.
"La Piazza" With his sexy accent, Gerrard told me the place where we ate right now.
"La Piazza" Smile gratefully to Gerard, I said it to Charlotte "What's wrong?"
'Well, Mom wants to spent time with us. Can you come to the 'Torito' in 10 minutes?'
"Torito?" Where is that? "I think I can find a way, sure"
'are you sure?'
"Yup, no worries Char"
'Okay, see you there then. Give Rhys a kiss from me and tell him I'll call him personally'
"Will do, bye sis" When I hung the phone Rhys raise his eyebrow and watch the phone before back to me.
"She doesn't want to speak with me?" He sound shock when he speak.
I shrug "She say hi and give you a kiss..." I watch how he roll his eyes like it's not enough, so I quickly added "And she'll called you in private"
He grin in satisfaction and now make me roll my eyes which follow by his friends groan.
"Whipped"
"Gross"
"i***t"
"Yeah.. yeah, you all just jealous" He scoffs before turn his gaze to me "So, what's with the Torito?" He asked.
"Eowyn want to have a daughter bond in there, is it far?"
"s**t, I have a meeting in an hour, Bree. I can't take you there" Rhys apologize and I quickly shook my head.
"No need, I can take a cab or something" I wave my hand like it nothing but Rhys scoffs and look angry.
"Absolutely not" He replies quickly and I raise a brow.
"But, I'm using a cab to be here" I try to reasonable but he still shook his head and made me groan.
What's with the Brancaccio and their protectiveness?!!
Godness..
"I can take you, I don't have anything after this" We all turn our gaze to Gerard after he said it.
Gulped, I don't know should be happy or not for this, I just meet him.
Can I trust him?
"Bree?"
Jump a little, I am shock when Rhys hand touch me. He looks worry for a second so I give him a small smile.
"Yeah?"
"I know Gerard and I trust him, what do you think?" He said softly, I guess he want me to decide if I want to go with him or not.
He trusts him, right?.
So, Gerard must be a good guy, since Rhys already give his permission for me to leave with him.
Do I have the bravery to spend a time together with an unknown man alone in his car?
******
"We're here!" Gerard announced and I look up from the window and studying the place at the same time he added "Like Rhys said, you can trust me" He wink when I turn my gaze back to him and chuckle.
"I know now, Gerard. Thank you" I said and he nod proudly but before I can buckle the seat belt, he stops me and make me turn my gaze back to him.
"Um.. I don't know if this a good idea" He murmur and stroke his neck nervously which make me raise my brow.
"What is it?"
"Do you mind if we meet some other time?"
My eyes widened in shock with the question and I need a moment to realize that he's waiting for my answer.
He is serious?!!
"I know Rhys will kill me with this, but we can go as a friend and I promise I won't do something you don't want me to" He add and raise his hand in surrender way that made me chuckle.
Gerard is a funny man.
I don't know why this confidence that I had around him, but I found myself nod my head, telling him that I don't mind to see him again.
He smile and before I can speak anything, he grab my hand then kiss it and make me blushed.
Oh. My. God.
"See you later then, Briana" He said and I just nod before jump out from his car and waves my hand.
I am touch by his way treat me, this is the first that a man show his way to me with respect and I like it.
I don't know that I kept smiling after that until a cold voice startle me coming from behind.
"I don't know that you had a boyfriend, Brianna?"
Quickly I turn around and watch an angry Vincent lean on his car with his hand fold on his chest.
Oh no, another angry brother?
----------------------------------------------
Vincent POV :
"So you just left her alone?" I don't how to respond when I know that Charlotte went to her doctor and leave Briana alone who now take her time around by herself, without bodyguards.
God, this feeling kill me.
What if something happened?
What if some guy... No... I shouldn't have thought bad thing will happen.
"I thought she won't go anywhere, Vin and what's with you? You sound worse than when I am little'
"That's because of her past and I hate to know if she had another bad thing happen while she was here"I replied fast "You know that I am the man, beside father, who care to all woman in our family" I scoffs and try to reasonable with her.
'You sure that's the only reason?' She ask and sound strange which make me scoffs again.
What is it with her and mom?!!
They had this crazy thought of me and Briana? Stupid!
"Whatever, Char" I spat "You better found her unharmed and okay" I threaten her and hear her scoff from the other line, I guess she's roll her eyes right now.
God, she's always stubborn and hard to handle, poor Rhys.
'Hold you balls brother, me and mom will see her in Torito. You can come if you want to check if she's okay or not by yourself'
"What time?"
'I am here for 10 minutes and I guess just saw mom walking, just waiting for her'
"I'll be there in 5"
Sighed, I quickly grab my car key on the desk.
"You're going, Vin?" Benji ask when he saw me walking out with the keys.
Nod I shout "Meeting the Brancaccio woman in Torito"
I don't need a time to wait for him, know that he immediately will arrange 4 man to follow me behind with another car, so I quickly start the engine before speeding out to Torito.
The last time I see Brianna at 9 AM when she's having her breakfast while I'm there to meet the old man of my father since I'm not living in my parents mansion anymore. I know Charlotte has her own house too but I thought she will be there for Brianna since she's here, that's why I am surprise to know she's not with Briana who, from my mother, is leaving after breakfast to go outside. After that information I can't help but feel worry.
Knowing she's alone and afraid if something happen to her, I can't help but feel angry and if I ain't know myself, I could snap to everyone today until I can see her with my own eyes and know that she's okay.
I groan when arrive in Torito and watch from the door that there are only mother and Charlotte inside.
"Where are you, Brianna?" I murmur and decide to wait for her inside my car which park in front of the place.
It only 5 minutes when I notice a black BMW stop in the lobby and notice that it was Briana inside the car along with a.... man?
Anger hit me hard when I saw them and try to not jump out and hit the man repeatedly.
'what's wrong with me?' I scold myself and notice that he kiss her palm which make her blush beautifully.
No...!!
Who is he?!!!
When I saw her jump out from his car with a small smile on her mouth, I can't hold it anymore.
Quickly I follow her and stop her with anger still boiled inside me and it's not surprise when I heard my own voice speak with a cold tone to her.
"I don't know that you had a boyfriend, Brianna?"
Clear my throat I try to hold the protective way that I had for her.
This is only a brotherly way that I feel.
Yes, like I had to Charlotte.
*******************************************
On denial are we, Vincent?
- Writer
