HEIRESS [JUSTICE #1]

15|| While You Were Away

Being a man is knowing where you are needed the most.

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"You finally came."

"I...how are you?" Brandon asked weakly.

Stella stared at Brandon for a while and Brandon shifted uncomfortable. "Where did you get injured?" she suddenly asked.

"You don't need to worry about that," Brandon dismissed easily. "I'm fine, it's nothing."

Stella responded with a hard stare that unnerved Brandon, so he hesitantly raised his top. Stella examined his skin and the bandages.

"The wound only opened a bit because I moved that day. I didn't get or anything, it was exaggerated," Brandon quickly said.

"It doesn't seem like you are lying so it's okay," Stella softened, smiling at him. Brandon breathed a sigh of relief. "Becca told me about Sky?"

"Oh."

"It's a mess honestly but there is only so much she could tell me," Stella said concerned. "there is so much I don't know. And my heart still feels like Sky saved me."

"Maybe your subconscious really just misses him Stella." Brandon said warmly, placing a hand on her cheek.

Stella leaned in to Brandon's hand, closing her eyes and she looked up. "I like it when you call me Stella," she smiled.

Brandon pressed his lips together, feeling his heart race with those simple words.

"Still, you should have told me you were attacked the night I was poisoned," Stella sighed disappointed. "I want you to trust me more."

Brandon lowered his eyes. "I didn't want to worry you. It wasn't a serious attack."

Stella pressed her lips together upset. "But it's not the first time you are hurt because of me, why do you do this? A detective doesn't do this for their...client."

Brandon's heart skipped at Stella's words as she stared at him. He looked at his hand she was now holding and stared at her.

"That's because...you are more than just a client to me Stella." He put his hands over hers. Stella blinked at his clear eyes as he moved closer, "you are-"

"Stella."

Stella and Brandon turned at the source of the name and Stella dropped Brandon's hand in surprise. "Deji?" she said in disbelief.

Deji, Stella's boyfriend stood at the door looking worried and relieved to see her while Stella couldn't believe her eyes.

Brandon looked at Deji and Stella and stepped back with a neutral expression. Funmi, Nora's mother, quietly stepped in as well.

"Stella, you are okay," Deji sighed in relief and marched across the room to envelop her in a hug. Stella stiffened in shock but slowly hugged him back.

Brandon's eyes dimmed. "I'll give you some privacy," he said quietly and Stella watched him leave the room with an unreadable look.

"Deji...how did you get here?" Stella asked pulling away. "what about your training program? You shouldn't..."

Deji gazed at her disappointed. "How can you say that Stella? You are my girlfriend, I should have known about this but I am the last to find out."

Stella was struck by those words, realising how familiar they were and softened. "I'm sorry," she softened, hugging him.