Client Confidentiality

(51) Carlie

"I need two tubs of ice cream, a heap of blankets, all the chocolate you can get your hands on, and your Netflix password," I demand as soon as I step through the elevator doors. 

All three of my men stare at me with expressions ranging from blank to confused. I smirk and drop my designer bag on the marble table in their apartment foyer before strolling over to Callum. I stand on my tip toes as I kiss his cheek, smirking at his confused expression. 

Zach accepts me with open arms, wrapping me in his arms and meeting my lips for a quick peck. Elijah's hand brushes against mine and I turn my attention to him, running my hand through his hair as I bring his face down to meet mine. 

Once they have all been greeted, I rally them into individual tasks. Callum and Elijah run out to get the snacks I ordered, whilst Zach shows me to his little sister's room. He leaves me outside the door and walks off to get blankets and I lightly knock against the wooden door. 

"Who is it?" A soft, frail voice calls out and I smile slightly. I've been in her position before. Heartbreak as a teenage girl is one of the hardest things to deal with at that age. I've felt the trauma of having your heart ripped out of your chest whilst classmates  your so-called friends heckle you from the sidelines.

I push the door open slowly, noting the soft light coming from the TV. It illuminates the small girl who is lying in the middle of the king-sized bed, her back pressed against a mountain of pillows. If I didn't already know they were related, her facial features mirror her three brothers almost perfectly. The only difference is her wild, curly hair which spans out across the pillow she rests her head on. 

"Who are you?" She asks, sitting up nervously. Her legs peek from under the covers, but she quickly pulls them up as if afraid of my judgement. 

"I'm Carlie," I smile at her and step into the room. I move to sit on the edge of her bed. 

"Oh," she nods her head once, her face showing some hint of recognition. Her shoulders relax slightly but she keeps the covers up to her chest as though they are a shield, "My brothers told me about you."

I kick off my loboutin heels and sigh as my feet are released from the uncomfortable prison that we call 'style'. She watches my movements but says nothing. 

"Where are my brothers?" she asks, looking past me to the door, which is open slightly. 

"I sent them on missions so they wouldn't be hovering," I smile reassuringly and nod my head to the empty spot on the bed next to her, "Can I sit?" 

Her eyes move to the place I'm talking about before she hesitantly nods. Once I've taken my position, I ignore my sleek work outfit and nestle under the covers with her, my back against the headboard. My eyes settle on the low hum of the television and I smile at the movie playing. 

"I love Burlesque. It's what I watched when I broke up with my first boyfriend," I smile at the memories. 

"They told you?" she groans, side-eying me. I nod my head, keeping my gaze fixed on Christina Aguilera as she dances on stage. 

We sit in silence until the song ends. Neither of us try say anything, and I wait for her to make the first move. She needs to be comfortable with me. 

"Are boys always stupid?" She turns to me with vulnerability leaking out of her grey eyes. 

"Always," I chuckle, "But not in the way you're thinking. You'll find the right one when you're least expecting it."

As if on cue, the door to the bedroom slams open so harshly that I'm worried it will come off its hinges. Zach rushes through into the room, with Cal and Elijah hot on his heels. They're all out of breath and their arms are full of the supplies I asked for. They throw them onto the bed and I look at Lucia before we both burst out laughing. 

Elijah punches Cal in the gut as Zach berates them both, and I have to gasp for air through my laughter. It turns into a three-way squabbling match as the brothers descend on each other with vicious words. 

"See? Idiots," I point at her brothers as I whisper to Lucia. She gives me a look in amused agreement before slapping Zach's shoulder as he jumps onto the end of the bed. I move the ice cream off the bed before it can ruin the white sheets. 

"What we watching?" he asks, a devious grin on his face as he eyes both of us. 

"We're  not watching anything. This is girl-time, Zach," I roll my eyes at him and he throws a packet of sweets at me in retaliation. Cal and Elijah take a break from beating each other up to tease their sister, and I smile at them being big brothers. 

My phone buzzes on the bedside table and I frown. I'd told Hannah to hold all of my calls and only get in contact if it's urgent. Sighing, I let Zach take my spot on the bed and climb out, leaving the room as I answer the call. 

"Carlie?" Hannah's stressed voice infiltrates my ears as soon as I answer my phone. 

"What's wrong?" I ask, pressing my hand against my forehead. 

"We've just been running the numbers. If we don't win this case against Charles, we're going to go bankrupt before the firm can even make a name of itself."

The world stops for a second as her words hit home. My heart rate increases but everything becomes slow motion. 

"How soon after?" I ask, fighting to keep the shakiness out of my voice. 

"Three days, give or take. We lose the case and we have nothing," she replies, her own tone full of emotion. 

Fuck. 

"How many days left until the trial?" 

"Twenty one. Three weeks left to prepare."

"Then we need to pull all-nighters until we know the case is solid."

Cute wholesome chapter <33