Saving Brownie | ✔

Chapter 46 : An Innocent Prank

All hell broke loose would be an understatement to what I just witnessed. There was absolute pandemonium and in the middle of the madness was a frozen Clark, a guilty George and a perplexed Ian. It was like a swarm of buzzing bees had attacked us and stung, particularly Clark, hard.

Honestly, that was an inadvertent prank. I didn't expect this kind of mayhem from such a simple statement. It was beyond me how people could go bonkers over three words.

Clark grabbed my arm roughly, the tip of his fingers painfully digging in my soft skin. I clamped a hand over my mouth to not hurl curses or abuses at him. He dragged me, his vice grip didn't falter as I flashed a tight smile to the screeching people.

Once we were out of sight, I tried to jerk my arm away from his hold. My face twisted in a painful expression when I noticed my red arm and slowly, Clark released me. His anger dissipated for a second.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that," Clark muttered apologetically and gently rubbed his thumb in circles over my arm. "But I was shocked. Why the hell did you do that?"

"That was just a prank---"

"A prank?!" Clark's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why? How could you?"

"I just wanted to," I said nonchalantly and shrugged. "Besides, I felt like a star."

Clark stared at me for a few seconds like I suddenly grew a third nipple. My lips curled into a wide grin and that broke his stare. He shook his head almost in self-pity, grabbed me by my waist while I trashed in his arms, shoved me inside the car like a ruthless kidnapper and slammed the door shut.

* * *

I quietly licked the raspberry popsicle and gaped at Clark who was towering over me. I shifted on the couch to make myself more comfortable and he paced in front of me, all the while lecturing me about how daft I was earlier to pull such a 'hazardous' prank. His words, not mine.

"Relax, Brownie," I croaked when he gave me a death glare, his cold gaze shooting daggers at me. I gulped in trepidation and offered generously, "You can take this popsicle and have one bite. It'll cool your temper."

"My temper?" Clark snatched the popsicle and threw it. My jaw hung wide open in pure shock as he slowly closed my jaw with his pointed, index finger and leaned towards me. "Do you have any idea about the consequences of what you did? The paparazzi will follow you everywhere and there won't be any privacy. They'll watch you closely like a hawk, noting your every move. They'll start these spiteful little rumors and you'll fall prey to malicious gossips and---"

"Chill, I'll return back to our small town soon where they don't give a damn about some billionaire and his 'girlfriend' in England. Besides, a little attention on me now won't make a difference. I'm actually quite liking it."

"What?" Clark's eyebrows furrowed. "Why can't you understand?"

"No! Why can't you understand?" I retorted and averted my eyes at Ian who had just entered the living room. "Ian, say something to your best friend! He's getting worried for no reason at all."

"I'm sorry George, but he actually got a point," Ian said dubiously and I glowered at him.

"See, you just don't seem to understand. I'm trying to protect you here," Clark said in a low, tired voice and sighed wearily.

"Well, I don't need any protection," I said staunchly and crossed my arms against my chest. I knew that I was being a stubborn bitch. "And how did the paparazzi find you in your disguise?"

"I don't know, they have their sources---"

"Wait, I got an idea!" I interjected, my eyes twinkling and Clark and Ian looked at me expectantly. "Some people think that I'm Ian's girlfriend since I didn't mention any name. So what if I confirm that news? Do you mind Ian?"

"Yeah, I don't mind. In fact, It'll be great---"

"No!"

"What?" Ian and I asked Clark in unison who ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

"No," Clark muttered again and I tried to suppress my grin.

"Why 'no' Brownie? Ian doesn't mind and you can continue living in peace."

"No, you're my girlfriend," Clark said flippantly and Ian and my head whipped towards him. Realizing what he had just said, he quickly added, "I-I mean is that w-we shouldn't drag Ian into this mess. We should leave him out of this, you know? Already there's so much going on . . . The less, the merrier."

"Right," Robert said as he coolly entered the room. "Let's confirm that you both are in a relationship, this will also justify your sudden disappearance, Clark."

"What do you mean?" I asked and darted my attention between Robert and Clark.

"Clark was in your town before coming here and the paparazzi were all over the place trying to find him. Now, we can give the excuse that Clark was on a vacation with you, George."

"Oh." I nodded and suddenly, I realized something. "Why did you come to my town in the first place, Brownie?"

I knew that Ian was living in my town because of his mum who was raised in our town, although his mum then later married a rich British dude and went to settle in London with him. His mum used to come often in our town bringing Ian with her. I think Ian's parents have separated now since Ian and his mum live in our town while Ian still made frequent trips from his mum's home to London. I wondered why Ian didn't move out from his parents' home yet.

However, I didn't know why Clark was living in our small, isolated town.

Before I could hear out Clark's reply, my phone rang loudly. I cursed under my breath when I saw that the call was from my dear brother, Zach.

"What now?" I spat out and could somehow feel that Zach was pissed at me like always.

"You're that bastard's girlfriend!" Zach yelled through the phone and I sighed.

"I'm aware of that Zach," I mumbled and yawned, bored.

"And what all did you do with him, huh? Wha ---"

"Don't pull the 'over protective brother' card on me. I don't need any alpha male to go nuts over me, I can very well take care of myself. Besides, you never were the overprotective​ brother kind of shit, so why play that role now?"

"It's because of what all you have started doing lately---"

"George," Ian called out and I glanced at him. Clark, Robert and Ian were starting at Ian's phone in pure shock. My eyebrows knotted in confusion as I hurriedly cut Zach's call, ran towards them and snatched the phone.

BREAKING NEWS : BILLIONAIRE'S YOUNG GIRLFRIEND PREGNANT!

"George, are you alright?" Ian asked, his voice laced with concern and worry as Robert gently squeezed my hand.

"I knew that this was going to happen," Clark cursed under his breath. "I'm going to sue this news agency for typing shit like this! How dare they confirm such rumours?"

I quietly turned around and Clark grabbed my waist, pulling me towards him. He cupped my cheeks and said in a reassuring voice, "Don't worry, Georgia. I'll make sure they don't spread such rumours about you. It'll be fine, I promise."

"Brownie," I whispered and he stroked my cheeks tenderly.

"Yeah?"

"Congratulations on becoming a father!" I grinned and everybody stared at me like I grew a fourth nipple.

"What? This is not a joke!" Clark held my shoulders and shook me repeatedly.

"Careful," I said, "You're hurting the baby."

"Damn it," Clark huffed and stormed out of the room as I grinned at an amused Ian and Robert.

"You're just like your grandma," Robert commented, ruffled my hair and sat on the couch with the daily newspaper.

"That old bitch," I mumbled and Robert peeked at me from above the newspaper while quirking an eyebrow in question. I smiled innocently and shrugged. "Nothing."