Blue-Collar Daddy || Bang Chan

Chapter 14: Trick Or Treat

"I've got you now, don't I?"

      We both stand up with a start, covering up as best as we can.

      "Marjorie! What are you doing here?" I shout.

      Oh my God! She took a picture of us! What is she planning?

      "I came to inspect the property in advance of our big council meeting, where we'll vote on whether your lake property can be a business... When I stumbled on this crass display!"

      "Stumbled upon? You took a damn picture of us!" Bang Chan growls.

      "Marjorie, you can't take intimate photographs of us without consent!"

      "Well, I certainly didn't consent to sex books being in our library. I knew you were pushing pornographic material, but to think you were participating as well...and with a city council member, now less. I should have you both charged for public indecency."

      "Public? You're trespassing in my backyard!"

      "You really think you're going to be able to justify taking pictures of us?" Bang Chan asks.

      "If you don't delete that photograph, I will call the police."

      "Please do, I have many good friends on the force."

      When Marjorie storms off, Bang Chan and I stand in shock. Trying to calm ourselves down, we head up to my bedroom.

      "I can't believe Marjorie has a picture of us. It isn't just my B&B at risk...it's my entire life here."

      Before my thoughts spiral too far, Bang Chan's hands grab either side of me. I look into his eyes and center my breathing.

      "(Y/N), stay with me. We'll figure this out."

      "Everything I've worked for is going up in smoke."

      "We won't let it."

      The next day at the library, I try and distract my rising panic with work. Bang Chan rushes in and runs up to the desk, buzzing with excitement.

      "Hey, I was able to get an appointment with the Mayor this afternoon. Come with me. Make your case as to why that bill is counterproductive."

      At the Mayor's office, Bang Chan and I walk into our appointment. Mayor Klanderman looks up from his desk.

      "Mr. Bang, I thought this appointment was with you."

      "It's with the both of us."

      "Firm grip, (Y/N). There's nothing more important than that! All right, then. Let's hear the whole pitch."

      "I'm new to Blue Haven, but I have ties here. I'm here to change my legacy by running a killer B&B. I've poured my life savings and free time into this endeavor. I'm not jumping into this lightly. It would help Blue Haven's tourism to have multiple places for visitors to stay."

      "Interesting point, but what do you plan to do about your library duties?"

      I roll my shoulders, easing into the speech I rehearsed. My confidence clearly impresses the mayor.

      "During the daytime, it's important to stay involved in the community. The library is the perfect place to do so. As for romance novels, it's my duty as Library Director to protect everyone in this town's right to access literature of all kinds. As a librarian I'm able to safely manage such texts and ensure that they only go into the hands of age-appropriate readers."