Accidentally in Love [Brett Hand x OC]

77

That was until the next morning, and Reagan and Theodora arrived to work.

It was a complete mess at Cognito, the atrium had been drained but there was still rubble and debris everywhere. Everyone greeted Reagan cheerily, obviously happy that she was finally in charge for real this time.

Brett met them as they were walking to Reagan's new office. "Hey, about yesterday..." He still felt like he needed to apologise to Reagan.

"Brett, we're secretly running the world. We're not gonna get everything right." Reagan said, "And you are the only one who is honest with me, even without any truth serum."

"Hey, I would have been honest without truth serum, too." Theodora nudged her sister with her elbow.

"So we're good?" Brett asked Reagan.

"I remember what you did for me at homecoming." Reagan said with a sly smile, "We've been good for 18 years." She then went off to settle into her new office.

Theo walked with Brett as he made his way to his own office. "You know, I am so happy for Reagan." She mused as they walked through the corridors.

"Me too." Brett nodded. "She's worked so hard for this."

"She deserves it more than anyone."

•

The day went by quickly, and Theo didn't see Reagan the whole day. She assumed she was busy doing CEO stuff, but it was strange that no one had seen her or spoken to her that day.

"Reagan's car is gone." Theodora observed as she and Brett walked out into the parking lot.

"That's weird. Maybe she left early?" Brett dug around his pockets for his own car keys.

"Doubt it." Theo frowned, wondering whether something weird was going on. "D'you wanna stay at mine tonight?"

"Yeah. Maybe we can take Reagan out for dinner to celebrate her first day, if she's up for it." Brett suggested.

"Sounds good."

When they got home, they quickly found out that Reagan had left early. But upon entering the house, they found her sitting on the couch, her head in her hands.

She looked like a child, balled up in sadness and when she looked up at the newcomers, her eyes were tearing up and her cheeks were red.

"Reagan?" Theodora immediately rushed over to her sister, taking her in her arms. Brett sat the other side of Reagan, placing an arm around her as well.

Theo had rarely seen her sister cry so it was sort of an out-of-body experience to observe. "What happened?" Brett asked gently.

"The robes, they don't think I'm fit to run Cognito anymore." Reagan replied quietly, avoiding eye contact with both of them out of shame.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Theo frowned as Brett rubbed Reagan's back reassuringly.

"And that's not even the worst part." Reagan's voice sounded tired beyond belief. "Dad's CEO now."

"What?" The other two exclaimed in sync, looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Yep." Reagan let out a short, sarcastic laugh. "He suggested I take some time off... so I am."

"Reagan..." Brett frowned deeply, and she allowed him to hug her tightly before letting out a sigh.

"It is what it is." She shrugged, "Maybe I do need a break."

"But you literally saved the entire company." Theodora started, "How can the robes just ignore that? This is so unfair."

"The company won't last long without you, Reags." Brett added, "No doubt that your dad's going to run it to the ground. No offence."

"Yeah." Theo agreed with a light scoff.

"Nah, guys, I think I'm gonna take this time off." Reagan sounded defeated.

"Just like... a week or two though, right?" Brett asked tentatively.

"We'll see." Reagan leaned back into the couch, lifting her feet so they rested on the coffee table. As she reached for the remote, Brett and Theodora exchanged a concerned look.

•

The next morning, it was clear that Reagan was taking her time off seriously. She was still dead asleep by the time Brett and Theodora left for work, and when they got home she apparently still hadn't left her room.

"Alright, I'm actually concerned for her." Theo hissed as they stood outside Reagan's door, debating whether to go in there or not.

"Remember, she did just lose her dream job." Brett reminded her, "She's just... grieving."

"She's gotta take care of herself, though. Do you reckon she's even eaten today?" Theodora placed her hands on her hips. "I'm going in there." She grabbed the doorknob.

"Wait-" Brett hissed, "Shouldn't we knock first?"

"Right." Theo raised her fist to the door and rapped a couple of times softly, "Reagan? You... decent?"

"Yeah, and I heard your entire conversation." Came Reagan's tired reply.

"Oh." Brett whispered as Theo opened the door. Reagan was lying in her bed, empty packets of food and bottles littered across the floor.

"And I have eaten today, for your information." Reagan held up an empty packet of Takis.

"You ate my Takis?" Theo crossed her arms, "Did you eat any real food today? Or drink anything other than... Bud Light Lime-A-Ritas?" She picked up an empty can.

"Uh..." Reagan groaned, sitting up with struggle. "Look guys, I'm fine, stop being so dramatic."

"If you say so." Theodora began picking up empty packets to throw away. "But you can't start day drinking." She indicated to the can she picked up. "A wise woman once said to me that 'there's a good possibility you could be an alcoholic. It's in your genes, idiot'."

"I am not becoming an alcoholic. I just... need to be alone right now."

"Okay, we'll go." Brett placed a hand on Theo's shoulder, "Just let us know if you need anything."

Reagan didn't answer, but sunk back down into her bed and rolled over so she faced away from the pair. With a shrug, Brett led them out of the room.

"Maybe the best thing is to give her some time." Theodora chucked all the garbage she had collected from Reagan's room in the bin.

"Mm." Brett agreed, "But still... she can't stay in her room forever."

"It's only been a day. Who knows, she might feel better tomorrow."