I LOVE YOU

Chapter 7

STEFI'S P.O.V

I've been spending this whole week at the McDonough's.  Riley didn't let me to stay alone in my house.  So he has that schedule to walk me home, accompanied me to do this and that for a while in my own house, checking up everything, then got back to their house.  Joan was being a great Mom to me, and I'm glad that I have Mark too.  They're like my parents now.

I was still mourning.  Yesterday I went to the graves.  Oh, Dad's body was finally being recognized 2 days after the accident.  And the airline helped us to arrange everything so Dad's now there beside Mom's grave.  At least they're both safe now.

Then it goes right to me.  I have no particular life.  Ever since I graduated from my high school in Canada, I barely did anything.  And now, it gets worse.  The McDonough family supported my financial needs, beside the ones I received from Dad's company and the insurance.  They never let me go to work.  And that's...not the best decision either.  I have too many spare times when I could never stop thinking of my parents...

"Ri, wake up.  Breakfast's ready.  And Connor said that you're leaving for a meeting today."  I tried to wake Riley up in this beautiful 10 am morning.

"Later, baby..."  He mumbled.

"Now, Ri-guy..."  I pulled his hands.  It's hard even just to wake him up.

"Lateeeerrr..."  He groaned.

"Your groan will work nothing for me.  Wake up!"  I tickled him so there was a 10 minutes fight until he seriously woke up.  "Oh finally..."   I lied down again as he went to the bathroom.

I unintendedly shut my eyes for a while, fell asleep.  And I realized it when Riley woke me up - that's a new funny thing after my struggling morning - to have a breakfast together.  So we went downstairs.  Connor has been ready to go, eating his breakfast.  And we know where Toby was; arguiing with Tank.  So let him.

"Tank, sit!  I say, sit!"  Toby shouted, Tank barked.  Or the vice versa?  Let's just raise your eyebrows.

"Tobs, Tank, stop it!'  Connor washed his dishes.  I sit by Riley's side, having my sandwiches,but barely ate it.

"Stef, stop spacing out."  Riley kissed my forehead.  "You're tired?"

"Hmm?  No, not at all."  I mumbled.

"Want to go with us to the meeting?"

"Is that even allowed?  No I'm gonna mess it up."  I shook my head.  "I'm staying with Tank."

"No, I want you to come with us, with me.  Okay?  Let's go dress up after breakfast."  Riley helped me to wash my dish even without I was asking him, then we went upstairs.

"Wear this."  Riley suddenly picked up a dress for me from his dresser.  Yeah we shared the dresser.  Sorry.

"Why that?"

"Because I love seeing you wearing it."  He winked.

It's a black striped dress with a cardigan and belt.  He said it'd match his outfit too.  Yeah I understand, it's all about the performance right.  They're Before You Exit so that's the rule number one.  I nodded at his request, wearing that cute dress.  I waved my hair naturally because I made it into the messy bun since morning so it turned out naturally wave.  Oh, you should try.  Ha.

We left for the venue by lunch time.  It's an office actually.  Riley held my waist all the time because I wasn't even in my best condition.  Connor and Toby were absolutely okay with that.  They were likely my own brothers.

"Hello guys!"  This one guy cheered welcoming us to his office.

"Hey Richard!  Oh, meet Stefi.  Stef, this is Richard, our current road manager."  Riley pulled me closer to him as well as introducing me to Richard.

"Hey I'm Stefi, nice meeting you."  I shook his hand.

"So...can we go straight to the meeting?"  Richard looked at me.  Oh.

"You can go in private meeting if you guys want to.  I can wait."  I spoke to Riley.

"But I guess we need to wait for Thomas and Ryan too, right?"  Connor caught the awkward situation between us.

"Yeah, but well we can wait outside."  Richard noted the line.

"Hey guys, told you, I can wait."  I ignored Richard because hey he's nothing to do with me.  I just spoke to these three brothers.

"Are you sure?"  Riley kissed my forehead.  "Alright, I'll give you my phone and jacket.  You're good?  Feeling cold or something?"  Riley wrapped my body with his jacket even though I got a cardigan already, then squeezed me.

"I'm good.  Warm enough.  Thanks."  I kissed his cheek.

"Alright.  It won't take too long babe, I promise."  Riley kissed me once again and walked to another room in this office. 

"Will be right back, Stef."  Connor kissed the top of my head.

"Yeah, sure."  I smiled.

"Tell us if you need something."  Toby kissed my forehead to before following his brothers.

"Okay Tobs thank you."

The meeting was being held for 2 hours.  It's a pretty long time, since I did nothing but playing the Angry Bird on Riley's phone, or sometimes took some selfies with this pale face.  But after all, they were working.  So I need to support them.  But I am telling you, that I don't like that Richard boy.