A Surprise That Changed Her Life

Chapter 23: Family Day Or?

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Violet's POV 

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For the rest of the lunch, I stayed silent and avoided eye contact with Brad. I felt his eyes on me multiple times, like he was trying to figure me out, but I successfully resisted the urge to turn and ask him not to. I felt quite awkward.

When the waitress, Rebecca, came back to pick up the dirty dishes and give the check, she gave Brad another napkin which he actually read after she went away and then pocketed it. He leaned in and whispered, "Walk with me when we are leaving."

I frowned, "Why?"

He smirked, "We couldn't let our parents know about this waitress."

Slightly hurt, I looked down for a split second and then looking at him again, I nodded, "Okay then."

When he leaned back after that, I noticed that everyone was ready to leave. He took my hand and stood up, thus pulling me up with him. We started walking leisurely a few paces behind others, our hands connected.

Brad stopped at the pillar a few feet before the reception and there she was, standing like a prostitute waiting for her client. He had his other hand in his jeans pocket while one was holding mine. By this time, our families were already out of the restaurant.

She glanced at my hand which was still in Brad's and her eyes flashed with annoyance, but then she smiled widely at Brad and said in a voice which she considered seductive, "You really came, baby."

He started coolly, "Of course, I had to. You forgot something of yours on my table." And with that he took his hand out of his pocket and handed her something. It took a few seconds for me to realize what it was; the napkins she gave him. 

She kept looking at the napkins in her hand in astonishment. I couldn't help the tiny smile that appeared on my face after the struggle to hide a grin. Brad continued after a few more seconds, "Be careful next time." Then he turned away from her and moved to walk out, "C'mon, baby. Let's go."

It was my turn to stare at him in astonishment and as soon as we got out of the restaurant, I couldn't help but blurt it out in disbelief, "What was that all about?"

"She didn't have to act like a slut. Someone will love her the way she is. I wasn't that person," he shrugged.

That's not what I asked but whatever.

"You did not just said that. That's not what everyone says about you," I said with disbelief.

He smirked, "What do they say?"

I flushed slightly and glanced at our still connected hands, "That you're a player, a gangster and a bad boy."

He laughed. Not just a chuckle or snort. No. An exaggerated laugh. He had even stopped walking and had let go of my hand in his antics. The people in the parking lot turned to look at us and it made me self conscious. I frowned, mock offended, "C'mon, Brad. You don't have to be mean to me."

He sobered up and then in a very serious voice, like he had not been laughing like a madman moments ago, he said, "I'm not a player. If I were, I wouldn't have stayed loyal to that bitch for eight months. Secondly, I'm not a gangster because I only transport stuff sometimes. Lastly, yes, I'm a bad boy. After all I smoke, I ride a bike and I have tattoos. Isn't that true?"

I was speechless and motionless at his answer. So he, surprise surprise, again dragged me to where our cars were parked. They were waiting. Mom was the one who asked the question I didn't want to answer, "Where were you two?"