The Gentleman's Club

chapter thirteen: Surprises

"Good morning, cleo." My brother spoke into the phone, he sounded tired. 

"Morning, how was work this week? you sound tired." I said, while scanning the nearly empty fridge. I need to go grocery shopping, I sighed as I grabbed a yogurt cup. 

"It was a busy week, " I heard him sit down, and I could imagine him looking tired, and suddenly a pang of worry hit me. I missed him so much. 

"Try to sleep in tomorrow, okay?" I said as I grabbed a spoon from a drawer and then proceeded to open the yogurt. 

"I'll try. How have you been? It feels like forever since you've called. You have a boyfriend?" He joked, and I found myself reeling. 

"I've been good, and no! I'm too busy for that!" I blushed trying to hide the panic in my voice, I quickly changed the conversation, "So are you going to ask out Candace or what? I know you like each other."

I couldn't help but grin. 

A pause, "I don't know what your talking about. I'll call you later, I have some things to do." He rushed out quickly, and then before I could say anything he quickly added, "She likes me?" it sounded rushed out to the point I had a hard time understanding. 

"What was that?" I asked innocently 

"Nothing, I'll talk to you later."

I smiled, and added in a cryptic tone "She does." 

I hung up, with a knowing smile on my face. I mentally shrugged, I mean someone had to play cupid once in awhile.. especially when they were both too stubborn and shy around each other. 

I quickly finished the yogurt and then got ready in record time. It was nice outside so I wore my favorite boyfriend jeans and a band shirt and I paired it all with my converses. I tied my hair up in a ponytail and I was out the door, making sure to grab the reusable grocery bags. Candace was snoring in her bedroom so I chose not to wake her up. 

I plugged my headphones in and got lost in a different world, as I walked down the early morning street. The city in the morning was nice and the air was still cool. I walked towards the local grocery store and walked inside. 

I couldn't help but wonder what Leo did after I drew that on his face? was he angry? I rolled my eyes at myself, of course he was angry. 

I grabbed eggs, milk, cereal, and a few other items that I knew we needed and walked over to the register. I placed everything on the counter and my eyes wandered over to the gossip magazine. I scanned over the attention-grabbing titles, and then my eyes automatically trained towards a very familiar face. A VERY familiar face. 

what.

the. 

fuck.

"Excuse me miss? paper or plastic?" The cashier smiled at me, instantly bringing me out of that trance. 

I smiled, "I actually brought these." I politely handed her the cloth shopping bags, and she took it and began to bag up the food. 

I looked back down at the magazine, and I made eye contact with a handsome looking River staring back at me. He was dressed in a tuxedo, with a woman hanging unto his arm. She had blonde hair and she looked completely passive. I picked up the magazine with a surprised expression. 

No shit. 

I put the magazine on top of the eggs with a unsettling feeling in my stomach. 

River is in a relationship. 

I thought back to the necklace that he gifted me, and I was overcome by pure rage. I payed for the groceries and headed back to the apartment. My walk was brisk and I played a more... angry playlist, which I named 'angry playlist 2'. 

*four-five minutes later* 

I made my way back into the apartment, and set down the groceries. I leaned against the counter and tried to get oxygen back into my lungs. I quickly fished out the magazine and set it on the counter. Then I put the rest of the groceries into the fridge. I grabbed the magazine, and opened it up to page 15. 

'Business Mogul River Harrison joined by Fiancee Sarah Kennedy, for annual charity event.'

I continued to read the text. 

'River Harrison has been off the eligible bachelor list for sometime; four months to be exact! but it doesn't stop us from drooling over him. He was joined by Fiancee and socialite, Sarah Kennedy. The couple looked dazzling.'

I went into my bedroom and retrieved the necklace. 

I was going to return it to its owner. 

I found a piece of paper and a pen, and scribbled 'I can't and I will not accept this gift.'. 

I slipped the letter and the necklace into an envelope then  I grabbed my purse and I was out the door. I quickly googled the address of Rivers workplace and I was on my way. 

I stopped to get a bagel. It was plain with strawberry cream cheese, and it was delicious. It made me slightly less agitated. 

When I finally arrived to the workplace, I couldn't help but feel astonished. It was huge. On the front it had a huge plaque that read 'Harrison and Co.'. 

I walked up the the entrance, and right to the main desk. 

"Can I help you?" A lady smiled at me kindly. 

I paused feeling slightly stupid for waking this entire way, but I squared my shoulders and handed her the envelope, "I was wondering if you could give this to Mr.River Harrison." I mentally crossed my fingers, hoping that she would just take it without question. 

She gave me a puzzled look, "I'm sorry miss, but I can't really do that, its kinda against protocol."

I sighed, "Well, I'm his cousin... He just left this last night... after our family dinner." I tried my best to look convincing. 

Just then the receptionist paled, I gave her a questioning look, surely I wasn't asking that much of her. 

"His cousin?" 

I nearly jumped out of my skin, I turned around and suddenly I was eye to eye with curious green eyes. 

oh. 

AUTHORS NOTE:

I'm sorry I left you all hanging for so long. I've recently had a very scary health scare which I have been dealing with lately and I'm hoping that things will be looking up from now. 

... I apologize a thousand times for the wait. 

Please leave a comment and don't forget to vote! it would mean the world to me right now. 

I haven't edited this chapter yet.

Also, Sarah Kennedy is going to be played by a real life socialite named Julia Loomis, and she is so gorgeous tbh.