Hidden Life (on hold)

Chapter 32:

Yo guys so I'm back with another chapter for y'all. It's not very long but it is all I have had the chance to write in a little while so I thought I may as well give you something little to reward you all for your patience :)

ATTENTION - COMMENT IF I SHOULD HAVE MY RE-WRITTEN STORY IN A SEPARATE BOOK OR EDIT THE CHAPTERS IN THIS ONE! (it will follow this story but will be highly different in terms of writing ability due to this being started when I was about 13- hence why I'm rewriting the book)

"Ryan, over here" I nod my head towards my office at the back of the warehouse and start to walk in that direction when I see him nod his acknowledgment. As I open the door and enter the room, I look over my shoulder. I pause when I see him and Jimmy clasp hands the way only men can seem to pull off and I smile to myself, not believing that they were able to put aside their ego's and differences in order to get along.

While I wait in my chair for Ryan to join me in the room, I shuffle through papers that are strewn over the desk in an attempt to make sense of the mess. The rest of the room is clean enough, with minimal furniture other than a bookcase that spans across the far wall on the opposite side of the room from where I am seated, only being broken by the door that stands in its centre. The window to my left lets in enough natural light to the room to brighten even the darkest spaces, even on overcast days when the sun is covered in a veil of clouds.

My attention is drawn back towards the door when it is partially opened and a head pops through, revealing Kayden who announces to me that Ryan has finally made his way to the door. "Let him in". Kayden nods, opening the door fully and moving to the side so that Ryan is able to enter. He walks with purpose and confidence even though he does not know the reasoning behind his attendance, which once again brings the feeling of a welcome surprise.

"You kept me waiting" My tone is stern and I do not hesitate to let it reveal my impatience. He just shrugs.

"I was just talking to Jimmy".

"If you believe talking to Jimmy is more important than meeting with your leader then I may have to reconsider the purpose as to why I called you here".

"I apologize- hang on. Leader? Does that mean you want me to join your gang?"

I give a small smile at his excitement as I stand up and walk around the desk, stopping on its other side but still in front of Ryan. "You jump to conclusions quickly, but yes, if you would accept I would have you and select others from today's trial to become initiates in the gang."

"Initiates?"

"Yes," I nod. "You have yet to prove yourself in usefulness and loyalty to both myself and the other gang members. Once you have done that, there shall be a vote among the people on the matter of accepting you as a fully fledged member of my gang".

When I became the leader of the gang, I thought it wrong for one person to have the only say in the joining of a new member, believing that as a gang everyone should have equal say in a number of the decisions that hold lesser importance such as this one. So far it has proven to be a good idea.

"And you want me?" A smile breaks out on his face and he takes a step forward to close the gap between us, wrapping his arms around me. I am lifted and spun around in a circle surrounded by the sound of his joyful laughter. When he remembers himself, he quickly puts me down and apologises.

I remember to keep professional.

"I am glad I can share in your excitement. I did not realise it would bring you so much joy".

"You do not know how much this opportunity means to me. I have been working my ass off waiting for this day to come, longer than you know, and I cannot thank you enough".

"You can thank me by making sure you secure a proper position in my gang and not prove me a fool for choosing you as my initiate. I shall explain in the coming days what will further be required of you leading up to the time of your judgment. We will be in contact".

Knowing his cue to take leave, he smiles a large, happy showing of teeth and thanks me one last time before turning around and walking out of the room, leaving the presence of his contagious grin that causes my lips to slowly and almost unwillingly lift at the edges.