My Boss

Chapter Forty Nine

Chapter Forty Nine: Brooke

"My parents are a bit... strange." Sam says whilst leading me to the double boots. "So just go along with it. And don't freak out."

I nod my head, smiling to myself. Sam lifts his hand, going to knock when the door was widened quickly.
In yanked into a hug straight away, and I'm caught off guard.
"Oh!"

"I'm so glad you came! I've heard so much about you! Sam never brings anyone to meet me. Are you ashamed of me, boy? Then again, Tom doesn't either. Am I that bad? Am I too much to cope with? Jacob doesn't think so. But I'm pretty sure he's just saying that to make me feel better. Is it because I talk too much?" I'm guessing, Belle, rambles on, while I watch smiling widely.

I miss this.

"Mum, this is Brooke." Sam says, chuckling nervously.

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs Radcliffe." I say, she finally releases me.

"Oh, call me, Belle, dear. Mrs Radcliffe makes me feel so old. I mean, I'm only 51, in still young. Do I look it? I think i look good for a 51 year old. Don't you? I recommend YungSun. That's what I'm currently using dear. Not that you need it! No! I was saying for future reference. When you're my age, you still want to be attracting attention. Jacob, my husband, hates it!"

"Belle!" A masculine voice says, emerging from one of the rooms. "Belle, are you rambling again?" I'm guessing Sam's dad, Jacob, says.

Jesus Christ!
They're so alike. Sam definitely got his dad's looks...
I hope he looks that good when we're old.

Hang on! We won't even be together that long. It's just a fling.

"You must be brooke." Jacob says, pulling me into a hug.

What is it with these people and hugging?

"You're just as beautiful as Sam said." Jacob says, staring at me and smiling.

"Thanks."

All three of them stare at me, smiling to themselves.
Creeeeeeeeeeeepy.

Sam seems to be the first to snap out of it. "Mum, dad. Are we going inside or are we gonna continue to freak Brooke out by staring at her for no apparent reason?"

"Oh, com in, dear. Tom said he won't be jointing is straight away, so we can get to know each other for a while." Belle says, hooking her arm through mine and leading me somewhere.

* * *
Me and Belle were talking about anything, waiting for the arrival of Tom.
"So, how did you and Sam meet?"

"I work for him as his secretary." I inform.

Belle's eyebrows furrow, "don't you think that's a bit... dangerous."

"What do you mean?"

"Being a couple in the workplace... isn't it dangerous if you get caught?"

"Oh no! We're not 'together together'. we're just friends." I explain, smiling.
"Oh..." a speechless Belle says. I may not know her that well. But I can sense that moments like these don't come often.

After that, everything got a bit awkward. Neither of us knew what to say. That was until I though of something.
"How long have you and Jacob been together anyway?" I asked, but I already knew the answer. It was just something to set her off.

"Ah! Me and Jacob have been together 29 years so far. It's 30 in a few days. 27 to be exact. Every year we celebrate with an anniversary party. And seeing as it's the big 3-0, everyone we know is coming. Oh! You must come! In sure Sam would have invited you himself. Guess I beat him to it. Here, give me your phone real quick." Belle doesn't give me time to pass it, but it's whipped out my hand quicker than chocolate around kids.

"There. Now you have my number. Oh! And before I forget, I set a reminder to go off in 27 days time, just so you don't forget. It's gonna be such a blast! I cannot even describe how excited I am! Not only am I celebrating my love with Jacob, I get to see you and Sam together! We have to get plenty of pictures. They are going to be hung everywhere. Y'know, Sam hardly comes round anymore. Apart from the dinners. I have no recent photos of either of my boys. It's so upsetting."

Now I feel bad. What do I say?!
"Then we must take some today" I enthuse, "whens a better time than now?"

"We could start a photo album!" Belle says excitedly. "I see you as one of us now, Brooke. I may have only known you for a few hours, but I can tell me and you are going to get on like a house on fire." *flinch*

God, I hate that expression.

"I consider you my family." She tells me, smiling like she had known me years.
I hold back the tears that are threatening to spill.

She sees me as family...
I've not had a family in years.

I smile sadly at her and launch myself into her arms. "Thank you." I whisper as normally as I can, trying not to let her see me weak.

"Oh sweetie, why are you so upset?" Belle sympathises, pulling back.

DONT CRY!

"I'm n-not upset. Just, erm, happy." I lie

She gives me the look. Clearly my little stutter game me away.
"You can tell me." Belle encourages softly, rubbing my arm.

God, how I want to tell her...
But I can't!! I just can't !

"There's nothing, really." I lie again. But this time more confidently and believable.
Belle looks slightly convinced, but still in doubt.
"You can tell me anything sweetheart. Whenever you're ready."

"Thanks." I say, putting my guard back up. Never have I ever cried so much in a short space of time.

*ding ding*

"That must be Tom. Come meet my boy." Belle says, grabbing my hand and dragging me to the door, that was still ringing.

Belle opened the door, but she's blocking my view.

I wonder if he looks like his dad and Sam...

"My baby boy!" Belle shouts, "what have you done to your beautiful face this time?!"

"Oh it was nothing mam. I got into a fight with this guy at work. But I'm not here to talk about that, I'm here to see you. How yo-"

"-you..." I interrupt. Belle had widened the door, giving me a clear view.

"You..."