My Bargain With The BadBoy

•• Chapter Five ••

Chapter five: The News 😮

   When I got home and pulled into the driveway, James wasn't outside. I didn't think much of it really, he was only little and obviously needs sleep. Maybe he was even sick?

   I opened the door quietly and put my keys down in the side cabinet. The house wasn't quiet, I could hear James giggling from the living room and the distant voices of my parents.

   "Guys?" I said softly, walking into the room and plopping myself down on the sofa. James waved at me and smiled, which I returned.

   Daisy smiled at me but it didn't reach her eyes, that much was obvious. She wasn't happy. I grew concerned, "Mom is something wrong?" I asked.

   "Listen sweetie," Ian began, "we have been called by my manager to attend a board meeting in our suppliers headquarters." Ian and Daisy both worked for a import / export business which had suppliers all over the globe. They have always been able to put off going abroad for a meeting considering they have a young child. Guess they were given an ultimatum or something...

  "We have a friend... old college actually, she offered to take you in. " Daisy said softly. So? I'm going away... but where is James going to go?

   "What about James?" I asked, "Is he coming with me?" I was protective of James, he was my brother, regardless of what genes we do or do not share.

   Daisy looked heartbroken for a moment, "They said we can bring biological children only... I tried Alex, I did try." She began to shake, I didn't want her getting hurt over it. It's the truth. I simply raised my hand and shook my head smiling.

   "It's fine. No biggie, as long as your friend isn't a glorified serial killer." I joked. Daisy let out a laugh but it wasn't genuine.

   "When am I leaving?" I smiled, rubbing my shins.

   "That's the problem...tonight." She mumbled. I was shocked, TONIGHT!? I only had a few more hours with my family before they are gone for... I don't even know how long?

   I didn't let it show. I simply walked upstairs and started packing.

   (A few hours later)

   The car journey was silent aside from James cooing and making noises in the back. Ian drove whilst Daisy decided to stay at home. I didn't blame her, she felt rotten about it. So did I.

  We pulled up at a fairly large house. It was very beautiful home, made of stone bricks. The windows were all lit up and there were three large "Moroccan" style doors across the exterior.

   I smiled at Ian, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and did the same for James. He wrapped his tiny arms around my neck and pulled me towards him. My eyes stung but I quickly blinked the pain away as I sat up, "Bye guys, love you." I said softly, and took myself and my luggage from the car.

   I walked up to the house and stood in the doorway. Turning to watch the car pull out of the driveway...goodbye.

  The door swung open before I could ring the doorbell and a middle aged woman was grinning at me, "You must be Alex... my gosh, you are stunning!" She squealed, "Come in, Come in. We were just sitting down to dinner."

   I entered the house and I was instantly struck by the overwhelming smell of fresh linen. It was so refreshing, "Just leave your bags here." She said, motioning to a built in shelf under the stairs. I nodded and dumped my bags down there.

   When I walked into the kitchen I noticed a small family, mainly young children.

   "This is Logan," she said, motioning to a young boy sitting in a booster chair, he had soft golden hair, "That's Harriett," she pointed to a girl just a few years under my age, "I'm Bethany, you can call me Beth." I nodded and took a seat.

   "Oh and of course, my eldest son,"

   I nodded along, dazed by the beauty of the house. All the kids clearly took after Beth, they all had her golden hair, soft hazel eyes and her skin tone - a light olive.

   "Ryder." She said.

   Suddenly... the house became considerably less interesting.

   WTF!!