C9 Chapter 9

Stepping into that board room had not been easy for her, especially since she was dressed in a jean skirt, a baby blue shirt and white tennis shoes. She had also expected raise voices of distrust and questions directed at her loyalty and all of that but with the way Brandon introduced her, there had been none of such. Brandon had done just that, and then left her to carry out the presentation. She was more than a little startled and annoyed but she pulled through and by the end of the whole thing, she was receiving friendly smiles and hand shakes. As soon as they stepped out of the board room, it was straight to evaluating. Brandon had other prescheduled things to attend to and had proceeded to set Beth up with another woman and a man from his team, Mrs. Bradford and Mr. Elliott, to assist her. Beth had a whole office to herself and one by one, members of his production and innovation teams started trooping in. After hearing them speak, in no time, she was able to pin point common ideas and while setting them up wasn't easy, she was getting the job done. It made it easier that a lot of them were friendly towards her and at 4pm, Travis has brought her something to drink. At around 5pm, Brandon walked in and soon enough, he was just as immersed as she was. A lot of the workers were excited over the new idea and had volunteered to stay past work hours to talk more with their new team members and get started on something.

"After this, do we continue with our new teams?" One of the members of the production team, Willow, had asked her.

"To make this work, yes. At any other time, you go back to your original job. It's seen that some of you have ideas that would best come to life if you were teamed up with people with similar ideas. While you do this, some original members of your team will remain where they are."

"What if after this, some people want to switch?"

Taking over, Brandon said, "If that happens, we'll talk about it and make a decision."

Willow's eyes brightened, "As a team?"

Brandon nodded once, "Yes."

Sighing and slumping into her chair, Beth blinked tiredly and looked at the clock. It had been a while since she was in the working grind of a company. Glancing at the wall clock, she gasped and reached for her phone. After confirming the time, she sprung up and grabbing her bag and files, she ran to Brandon's office. Rushing in, she smiled apologetically at the four people sat around his table and went to him, dropping the files on his table.

"Here is what I did today. I have to get home, it's almost 9:30. Text me if you have to ask me anything-or call me-"

"I can drop you off."

"No, no, don't worry, you're busy. I'll take a cab. I'll see you later."

With that, she bent and pressed a kiss to his lips and headed towards the door. The room went quiet. She was almost at the door when she froze, realizing what she'd done. She gasped and turned around to look at him. The smug look she found in his eyes, caused her cheeks to colour. Everyone was looking between them. Some were stunned, some were smiling. Beth felt her cheeks colour.

"Shoot!" She ran out the door, feeling embarrassed. Why had she done that? And in front of his workers?! Heck, they would think that she was trying to sink her claws into him or worse, that he was being biased, bringing his... Whatever she looked like now, to work in his company-But she wasn't working there. Crisis averted.

She was standing, waiting for the elevator to open when to the side, Margret came strolling towards her.

Beth smiled a small smile at her and turned back to wait for the elevator.

"Your meeting was way past brief." Margret drawled.

Beth only nodded, feeling uncomfortable.

"Had a lot to talk about?"

Looking over at her, Beth nodded again, "Yes. You saw that."

The elevator door finally opened but before she could go in, Margret took a hold of her arm, stopping her. Meeting her eyes, she sneered.

"I saw you on his lap, in his office."

Fed up with it, Beth yakned her arm out of her grip and asked, "And what is your business with that?"

"You better back of. You come in here with your dusty ass clothes and think you can just jump at him? No way. Know your place. There is no room for poor charity cases here, that's why he employed me over you. Remember that." Holding eye contact, Margret gave Beth a demeaning once over, scoffed, and walked away. Feeling violated and angry and hit, Beth turned away and made for the stairs. All the way, she fought tears. She was so mad and so offended. How could she have spoken to her like that? For what, huh? What kind of a female said things like that to another woman, over a man? She had only let it happen because she didn't like confrontations and it was a company. She couldn't have risked fueling a scene. Harshly wiping her eyes, she marched to the gate.

The security refused to let her go, as per Brandon's request. Beth scoffed. No wonder he'd just let her run off like that.

She sat on a bench to wait. As soon as he arrived, he went straight to the gate, took her hand and began leading her to his car. Brandon noticed how she kept her head down and even when she rose her head, she looked everywhere but at him. Was she still feeling embarrassed? They got to his car.

He opened the door for her. She mumbled a quiet, "Thank you."

He rounded the car, got in and turned to her. He reached over to fasten her seatbelt and that was when he caught her gaze and frowned deeply. Her eyes were glistening with tears. She quickly looked away. He touched her shoulder but she shrugged him off. Something was wrong. The drive was quiet, with Brandon stealing worried glances at her. They got to her house and he turned off the engine. Glancing at him, she once again mumbled her gratitude and got out of the car. Two steps later, she was pressed against the car with Brandon towering over her. Looking everywhere but at him, she tried to push him off but he wasn't budging.

"Brandon, stop. I have to go inside."

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me."

"Let me go."

"Tell me what happened-"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because nothing happened."

"Elizabeth," he called, cupping her face and turning her to look at him. The way he was looking at her caused her to sigh.

"Brandon-"

"Are you sad because you kissed me?"

"No."

"That's a relief. I thought my breath smelt horrible."

She grimaced smilingly, "Enough to make a girl cry?"

He shrugged, "With your gender, we never know."

She chuckled.

He smiled, stroking the side of her face, "Why were you crying?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because it's not necessary. It's stupid. You'll fire someone."

The frown on his face was enough answer for her. She made to walk away but he pulled her back, re-caging her.

"Who?"

She sighed, seeing as she had no way of escaping this.

"Promise not to fire anyone."

He kept staring at her. She crossed her arms. After a stare down, he exhaled, looked away and mumbled, "I promise."

"Margret." Then she groaned, "I sound like a tattle tail."

"I'll find out the rest." She heard the promise in his voice and sighed. "Beth... About your mom..." Brandon started. Beth frowned, staring up at him.

"I read on heart Sarcomas and..." As he droned on, Beth watched him, feeling very touched. Reaching up on her toes, she turned slightly, gently pushing the side of her face towards his. She couldn't say it, but at this point, his concern was so admirable, she wanted to give him something. A bit confused as to what she wanted, he slowly leaned in and kissed her cheek. A dazzling smile took over her face. One she couldn't prevent. Brandon might have just found out one of her sweet weak spots.

And she'd let him.

"Don't worry, Brandon. She had a surgery done almost two years ago. I only worry now because some symptoms have returned-"

"Why not take her for another check up?"

"I can't afford it yet but I will-"

"Beth-"

"I will, Brandon. I will."

"Please, let me help."

"B, I think the symptoms might have returned because she hasn't been feeding well. All I have, I put into buying food but it is not enough and I know it."

The look on his face showed that he was worried.

"But you barely eat enough." Before she could speak, he cut her off. "I have noticed that. If you think it's because she isn't eating well, then I believe you. We'll get her eating well."

"Not we. Me."

He groaned, "Beth-"

"I can-"

"Tell me this. When you were taking her to the hospital, how much were her sessions?"

"Eight thousand dollars," she answered, giving him that.

"And how frequent were those sessions?"

"It depends. Sometimes, five times a week."

"Okay. How much do you spend on her drugs?"

She rose her eyes heavenward, "Brandon-"

"Elizabeth West, you have refused me at every turn. Give me this."

Shooting him a look of reluctance, she said, "Ten thousand dollars."

"Elizabeth, that is a lot. You are sacrificing so much at the expense of yourself, Elizabeth. I can see that and I adore you for it. Please, Beth. Grant me the privilege of helping."

She was stunned, more so at the sincerity in his eyes. He adored her? Did he know the meaning of what he had just said? Adore was a very strong word.

"How so?"

He smiled, "Food."

She immediately began shaking her head, "No way. That's a basic need, let me do that."

He shot her a tough look, annoyed at her stubbornness and for the life of her, she burst into laughter.

"Beth, I'm not kidding." He said, even though his lips were beginning to curl.

She managed to stop and nod,

"Neither am I."

"Food on me? We'll go food shopping. Whatever yo-she needs, we'll get."

"I-"

"E, this isn't about you. It's about your mom."

She reeled back, staring at him like he'd struck her. When she had gone so quiet, he had to squash the urge to groan, fearing he'd said something offensive. She looked away in thought and just when he was about to say something, she nodded,

"You're right."

He blinked in surprise, "What?"

She looked up at him, "You are right. My mom and I have been through a lot. It's just been so... So much on us. That has made me very protective. I just don't want anyone to try to take advantage of us in any way."

"I understand that."

She looked away, looked back at him and sighed, "Okay."

He exhaled in relief and smiled, "Thank you. How about tomorrow?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, "What time?"

"Noon?"

She instantly shook her head, "No. You can't be absent the day after you pitched in a killer idea."

"You pitched it in."

"Guess what bucko, I don't work in your company. You do."

"Beth-"

"I won't let you do it."

Sighing, he said "You have to be the most stubborn female I have ever met."

"Only the best." she said, sending him a sly wink.

"I will go to work in the morning-"

"I have to go to work too."

"I'll talk to Jackie. I want us to go somewhere first."

It was very discreet but he caught how her eyes gleamed brighter.

"Where?"

He smirked, "It's a surprise. Afterwards, we'll go food shopping."

She frowned slightly, tilting her head to the side. "What kind of surprise?"

He smiled victoriously. She hadn't even complained about using her rich 'friend' and all that.

"A good kind. I'll pick you up from work tomorrow by noon. Okay?"

Still deep in speculation, she bit her lower lip, nodding absently. So cute. He tilted her head up slightly and lowered to press his lips to hers in a kiss that had her stomach fluttering. As he pulled back, the cold air immediately greeted her.

They had been standing so close and.... And she hadn't even been bothered. He watched he go inside before driving away. That night, after praying with her mom, Beth had a long conversation with Sherlie who had cooed everytime Beth had said something Brandon had done.

"Let him help, babe."

"I'm trying."

The next day, at exactly noon, Brandon had arrived at jackie's to pick Beth up and as Jackie and Evan happily waved her off, Betty sneered at her and huffed away. Getting to the car, Beth noticed that it was a different one. For one, it could take up to six people. Metallic grey and manly. As he opened the door for her, she asked,

"What is the name of this one?"

"Range rover velar." He said absently.

"Nice." She whispered, getting in. He rounded the car, got in and leaned in to kiss her cheek. That smile blossomed on her face like she had no chance stopping it. He shot her a smug glance and after she secured her seatbelt, they took off.

As she enjoyed the steadiness of a car that's wasn't a cab, he asked, "Want to go home to change first?"

She nodded, "Yes. But I don't know what to wear. Help me?"

His brows rose and his chest tightened. Thoughts of her walking around without clothes infiltrated his mind faster than he could push them out. Tightening his grip on the steering wheel, he asked,

"How?"

"Tell me where we are going." She pouted, turning to look at him. Fighting the embarrassed blush he felt coming on due to the direction his thoughts had taken, he said, "You can wear whatever you want."

She immediately scowled, "That's like slapping eyeballs on a pineapple and calling it Brad."

His face contorted, "Huh?"

"Exactly! What you said makes no sense. What should I wear?"

Women.

"Maybe... Clothes?"

She grimaced, shooting him a look.

"For the first time since I met you, I doubt you being the ladies' man."

He rolled his eyes, "Go for comfort. Say, comfortable jeans."

She pursed her lips in thought, scanning through her wardrobe in her head. Settling on something, she nodded, "Okay. How was work today?"

As she listened to him talk, he stopped by a restaurant, collected a package and soon enough, they were at her place. While Brandon and Sarah conversed like highschool buddies, Beth went upstairs to change. Ten minutes later, she descended in a pair of maroon coloured work out tights, a white camisole with an oversized flannel shirt over it and a pair of white and blue fluffy flip flops on her feet, holding a small white purse in her hand. Brandon was completely taken by how simple and innocent she looked. His eyes went down the ladder of her legs and suddenly, it was hard to swallow.

Beth found her mom eating out of one of the packs that Brandon had picked up and turned to him.

"You got that for her?"

Clearing his throat, he croaked out a response.

"Uh, yes."

She pressed a hand to her chest and sent him a smile of gratitude. After having a shirt conversation with her mom in italian, she kissed her cheek and left with Brandon. Unable to stop himself, as soon as they got to the car, Brandon cupped the back of her neck, directing her lips to his.

"You look amazing." He whispered, kissing her forehead.

"In flip flops and a flannel?" She sqeaked out.

"In flip flops and a flannel." He responded and forced himself to sit back and start up the engine.

After a while of driving, Beth saw them approaching the beach and gasped in pure delight.

"The beach?" She asked, bouncing in her seat.

He nodded, amused at her reaction.

"Due volte in un mese? Devo fare qualcosa di giusto!" Two times in one month? I must be doing something right!

Hearing her speak italian did something to him. Faster than he could blink, she was out of the car and waving at him to get out. As soon as he put on his sun glasses, face cap and slammed his door shut, she called out a loud, "I'll be right back," and ran off. He watched her run to a distance and stop. Seconds later, he watched her return, but with something in her mouth. She approached, grinning from ear to ear and as her smile caught his eyes, her actions caught his heart. She handed over two corn dogs to him. When all he did was stand there, staring at her, she turned around and walked away, leaving him to follow. He quickly retrieved a basket from the boot of his car and followed after her.

As they sat, Beth happily rambled about the last time she had eaten a corn dog and the situation surrounding it. Brandon watched her, genuinely excited at all the emotions her face displayed. As she spoke animatedly sometimes switching to italian, she laughed with abandon and looked at him with eyes that spoke of careless happiness. Her laughter made him laugh and her happiness made him stiffen in anticipation. Beth like this was heavenly. Refreshing and carefree. She spotted a popcorn stand and looked to him,

"Want some popcorn?"

Before he could respond, she stood up, pulling him up with her. As they walked, she suddenly looked up at him and said,

"For most of today, there has been only one thing in my head."

Knowing Beth, he wouldn't get his hopes up.

"What?"

"An anteater."

He frowned, "Why?"

"You know how they have long tongues to stick in holes to get ants?"

He nodded, "Mm-hmm."

"I imagined having one."

"Why?"

"So it could stick it's tongue up my nose."

His face contorted in incomprehension.

"To get all the boogers out. Don't you just want to experience that?" She asked, obviously excited.

He shook his head, still staring at her in wonder, "No."

She frowned up at him, giving him a once over. "Weirdo."

Good lord!

She bought two bags of popcorn for both of them and handed him one.

That touched him.

He watched her eat and talk and felt very satisfied. She'd even managed to make him laugh till all he could do was wheeze and grab his stomach. After they finished off their popcorn, she looked up at him and asked,

"So, what do you want to do?"

Taking her hand and intertwining their fingers, he began leading her towards the water. As they walked, she looked up at him in question. They got to the waterline and stood. The sea looked absolutely lovely and if he had brought them to enjoy that luxury, then she was all in for it. She was already so happy. As they stood, she watched a speedboat zap through the water and chuckled in excited wonder.

"Wow." She whispered to herself.

"Cool huh?" He leaned down to whispered.

Without taking her eyes off the boat, she nodded. Two more speed boats zoomed past and hollers of laughter greeted her ears from far away. She watched as the the drivers circled each other before allowing their machines drink up the water, laughing and calling at each other goadindly.

She laughed.

Out of nowhere, a bigger red and white striped speed boat tore through the water, calling out it's own tune. Her eyes widened. Dang, the boat was hot! Sleek! She watched it zip past the water at eyebrow raising speed, before heading towards shore. Great! A chance to admire it up close. Oh lookie here... The boat was headed in their direction. As a brown haired man turned off it's engine and got off, Beth allowed her eyes peruse every inch of the boat. It looked created for glory. It reminded her of a hot bodied body builder basking in the sunlight. Her attention wavered as she saw someone approach them.

It was the man on the boat. He nodded at Brandon, handing him something. Before walking off, he directed a small smile at Beth and she was only too happy to return it. As he walked off, she looked up at Brandon.

"Your friend left his boat."

Looking down at her, he bent and kissed her nose, watching her blink cutely.

"That, he did. You like it?"

"It's a beautiful boat," she appraised, turning back to look at it.

"Wanna go for a ride?"

She turned to him and saw a ring of double keys on display in his other hand. Her eyes widened, "Really!?"

He nodded, smiling.

She looked from him, to the disappearing back to his friend and whispered, "Should we be doing that?"

"We definitely should if you want to."

Tamping down her excitement, she pressed her free hand to her cheek, "But it's not ours."

He liked the way she said ours.

"Won't he get mad? Maybe we should go ask him first." She said, already walking away. With their interwoven hands, he pulled her back.

"Beth?"

"Hmm?" She hummed up at him, feeling his finger trail down her face as he tucked a lose strand of hair behind her ear.

"You want to go for a ride on the speedboat?"

Biting her lower lip, she nodded.

Tracing her jaw with his thumb, he said,

"Then let's go."

He led her into the water and she didn't even try to fold up her pant legs. She was too enthralled by the boat.