His Ruthless Revenge (A Dark Bully Romance)

Chapter Thirty

Four years later...

"So when do we get to meet him?" I ask Miranda, refusing to let her wriggle out of it and avoid answering my question.
"I don't know." She replies evasively, trying to conceal her embarrassment from me. "Soon."
"That's all you ever say!" I exclaim loudly, frustrated and bewildered by her response.
"He's pretty shy and he's nervous to meet my brother and his girlfriend. Surely you can understand that?"
"Of course I do but you've been dating him for a while now." I remind her. "We just want to meet him!"
"Be patient." Miranda chuckles lightly. "You'll meet him soon."
"Finn wants to interrogate him as well." I add, shaking my head. "He wants to make sure he's good enough for his little sister."
"The last thing I want is my big brother putting him off!"
"He's just protective over you." I point out, trying to reassure her.
"Over protective." She sighs, reaching for her jacket.
"We're both just a little curious as to why it's taking so long to introduce us." I explain kindly, placing my hand on her arm.
"I'm just scared because I really like this guy and don't want to jeopardise things with him." She admits, smiling weakly.
"Why would it jeopardise anything?" I ask her gently. "It would be a good thing."
"He's just cautious about including anyone else in our relationship. He said it only causes problems when people start interfering."
"He sounds controlling." I blurt out, instantly chastising myself for being too blunt.
"He isn't." She replies defensively. "Gray is just a little different and hesitant about these kind of things."
"I still can't get over his name." I laugh, eager to lighten the mood a little. "I've never heard of anyone called Gray before."
"It's unique so quit teasing." She reprimands me playfully.
"Alright, I'll stop." I concede, holding my hands up in surrender.
"So what are your plans tonight?"
"Well, Finn is working late again so we'll probably just have a quiet night in together." I tell her, switching the main light off in reception before reaching for my coat.
"That's all I want." She groans, sounding deflated.
"A cosy night in?" I joke, grabbing my keys from the desk so I can lock up for the night.
"Companionship." She clarifies, rolling her eyes at me. "I want to fall in love with my best friend like you did."
"It wasn't easy for us at first. It took us some time to figure things out but we got there in the end."
"I get that but I can't help feeling that it's going to be difficult with Gray. He's just so complex and it can be really challenging at times."
"It's far too early for you to be having these kind of issues." I emphasise strongly. "The start of a relationship is supposed to be the fun part."
"I guess so." She murmurs quietly, a worried expression on her face.
"You know I'm always here for you." I tell her, squeezing her arm.
"I'll be fine." She says decidedly, her voice resolute and determined. "Gray is fine, we're fine. Everything is fine!"
"Look, I really have to get going. Finn will be home by now so I need to be heading back."
"Sorry for keeping you so long." She apologises. "You're such a great friend."
"Don't be silly. That's what I'm here for."

I say goodbye to Miranda and turn the corner, folding my arms across my chest to protect myself from the cold wind blowing in my direction. We're in the middle of autumn now and the weather is getting more wintry each day. I don't mind it too much though as it gives me an excuse to stay home with Finn.
I've been working at the massage parlour for six months now. I was the one who actually put a good word in with my boss and managed to get Miranda an interview. I was a bit reluctant to work with my boyfriend's sister at first but we actually get on really well. I've had more responsibility placed on my shoulders these last couple of months which have included working longer hours, organising the rota and locking up most evenings. Miranda's offered to help me as she needs the extra money and we've really bonded these last few months working together. She's quickly become one of my closest friends which is why I'm so protective over her and curious about this new guy she's started seeing. He just seems so mysterious and I can't help feeling that there's something off about him. Alarm bells are ringing and I know Finn feels the exact same way as I do about it.
The trouble is Miranda is stubborn and the fact that this is her first serious relationship has made her even more defensive over it. She doesn't want to risk messing things up with him which I completely understand.