Brooklyn's Break In #1 | ✔

ᵗʰᶤʳᵗʸ ᶰᶤᶰᵉ

''I want you to leave, never show your face here again. And take your cousin with you."

That was what Asher heard as he was walking down hallways after hallways, looking for Brooklyn because she disappeared earlier this morning without so much as a good morning. He should've known this was where she'll be.

His fiery girlfriend was glaring at the both of them with hatred and clear resentment, and it doesn't take a genius to guess what the expressions of the other two are.

"I'm taking your boy toy doesn't know about your little rendezvous to meet us," came Jessica's ever annoying voice, and he felt himself building with anger.

It seemed like he wasn't the only one as Brooklyn clenched her fist into tight balls. "I told you, do not bring Asher into this," she said forcefully and protectively, raising her hand like she was about to slap her.

Damn, I love that woman, he thought to himself, before resumed his position by the door, eavesdropping.

"What are you going to do, punch me?" sneered Jessica. What did Brooklyn ever see in her. "Please, I've known you long enough to know that you don't have it in you to hurt anyone. You change in a few years time but not that much."

Brooklyn's hand stayed mid-air, and she breathed through her nose to try to calm herself down. She didn't like it when anyone talked about Asher behind his back, but what she didn't like more was that Jessica was absolutely right in her statement.

Slowly, her hand dropped back to her sides although the urge was still there, and the satisfied smirk on Jessica's face was not helping matters.

"Listen, Jess," she said, hoping to God that her ex friend would shut up and just hear her out without interupting, "Asher is an powerful man and he has connections. If he is not pleased with you he can send you off without batting an eye, along with your 'amazing' cousin. I don't want that to happen, so what I'm saying is that it is in the best interest of you and I that the both of you got out unharmed."

"Why are you helping us," Hunter asked. It was one of the rare times that he spoke considering how much of a chatterbox he was when she first met him, "you can get rid of us - two people that wanted to ruin your life - but you're plotting our escape. Behind your boyfriend's back, no less."

"I'm hoping that by helping you, Jessica can bury the hatchet between us. I understand that I hurt you," Brooklyn said while looking at her, "I'm very sorry and I deeply regret my actions, but it's been so long."

There was only sincerity swimming in her eyes, which didn't fail to be noticed by Jessica. She saw how troubled Brooklyn was because of her selfish reasons and physically she doesn't show it, but mentally it was taking a toll on her too.

They were once close, but even though there was a hole too big to be mended now, there was still some connection between them that haven't been distinguished. That was the flame that showed forgiveness, where all the light beyond the darkness comes from.

Brooklyn pleaded. "Please, please understand."

Looking at her, Jessica didn't know what to think of herself. She was the one that caused the look of utter defeat on Brooklyn's face, she was the person pulling the strings behind every double intention and that made her the ultimate bitch in this. "I understand," she resigned, lowering her head in shame.

Eyes shining with hope, Brooklyn couldn't believe that it would be so easy. She glanced up to face Jessica only to see that she wasn't the strong willed woman she was when Brooklyn first came in this morning. It was like that person was shed off and now the other version of her took place.

"Thank you," she whispered, letting a small smile to grace her features. Maybe some day they can truly reconnect, but now isn't the right time for that. "I'll try to clear everyone from the entrance. At 12 sharp I will unlock the door for you and you can make your departure. After you leave, if I ever see you again it would be too soon, but Jess, if you can ever think of me in a different light, coffee wouldn't hurt."

She managed a weak smile to the both of them before exiting the room. Asher had taken a quick turn in the corner to prevent being seen, but he was already in quite a distance because he left once he sensed an ending.

Close call.

•••

"You sure that's what you want to do?" Asher asked Brooklyn as they were having breakfast that morning.

She still didn't know that Asher had indeed heard her in his office, so she was clueless as to what he was talking about. Looking at him innocently, she asked, "what do you mean?"

"I know you were talking to Jessica and Hunter this morning," she opened her mouth to deny it but he held up his hand, "don't deny it, I heard you loud and clear. And I'm not mad, I just wonder if that's the best course of action. Are you sure you want to do that?"

She pursed her lips, thinking. "Yeah," she answered after a while, "It's the right thing to do, if I ignore the fact that they broke into your house. I'm sorry if I interfered with your business but I don't want them to end up behind bars. I tried it for a few hours only and I didn't like it one bit. Besides, Jessica has her family, they'll be devastated when they know of what she did. I don't want to be the reason they have their fall out."

"You're too noble for your own good, you know that?" he asked, shaking his head but he was smiling.

"Are you okay with it?" she asked timidly, not particularly relaxed yet even though he didn't seem mad. Maybe it was just the calm before the storm. She wasn't taking chances.

"In a way, they were never my problem to begin with," he said after a while, "they only posed as a threat to me because they broke into my house, we all know that, but you were the reason behind why they did it. That's why, I won't interfere your decision in this, it's your call."

Brooklyn didn't deserve Asher, she really don't. How often do you see a man that would be so understanding and supportive of something that clearly he has the power over. No matter how many times he says it, if someone broke in, it's his business, even if it was regarding someone else.

A tear flowed down the side of her face and she didn't realize it until she felt his fingers gliding over her face. She looked up into his eyes, simultaneously leaning into his touch that always brought her comfort. "How are you so perfect," she mumbled.

"The irony of that statement is that I think you are the same, but so much more," he pulled her into his arms. "Although you occasionally need a shoulder to cry on, you are still the strongest woman I know. You are humble, you put other's needs before yours even though it's stupid, you never fail to amaze me with your way of thinking. I can't keep up with you and I like it."

"Careful there, buddy. My head might not fit through the door after you're done feeding me with compliments," she attempted a joke.

"I'll build you a bigger door, baby, because I'll be giving you compliments every day until we grow old and die. And after that, the angels will continue the honors."

___________________

One more chapter, most likely. Then the epilogue, maybe.

If I ever decide to write it, what would you like that epilogue to be?