Chapter 13

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The next morning, Ivy had to wake up considerably early to make breakfast, meaning that Blade and I were both woken up too.

"Guys, I've got to go downstairs." she whispered, trying to climb over me to find her work clothes.

"It's too early!" Blade groaned from the floor.

"Do you want help?" I whispered to Ivy, rubbing my eyes awake.

"Sure, if you wouldn't mind. Blade, are you coming?"

"No way! It's only 7am, I need my sleep." he moaned.

"Okay sleeping beauty, whatever you say." I laughed, getting out of bed.

We soon got dressed and ready and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

I wasn't sure if I trusted Blade in my room alone but he was practically passed out so I didn't worry.

"Okay, let's start the pancakes." Ivy said.

Reed's POV

I'd barely slept the previous night over the guilt I felt. When I woke up, I felt overwhelming regret.

I slept with Evelyn.

I'd only done it to get Julia off my mind and I was drunk...not that that was an excuse.

The moment I woke up and saw her beside me, I got out of bed and left the room.

It was about 8am and I couldn't bare to be anywhere near that woman any longer. I'd seriously messed up.

When I left my bedroom, the door down the hall opened at the same time. I noticed that it was Julia's room and I felt sudden panic, I couldn't face her right now.

But what I saw shocked me. It was Blade leaving her room. He was in the process of putting his shirt on and I felt my blood begin to boil.

Blade had stayed in Julia's room last night, which meant...no.

Before he saw me, he'd hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen. This wasn't going to go down well.

I know I messed up with Evelyn but this was different. I can't believe they would do this.

I hurried down the stairs, without even getting changed. I needed to see what was happening for myself.

When I entered the kitchen, I was faced with Ivy, Julia and Blade all eating and laughing together.

I clenched my jaw and balled my hands into fists. They were sat beside each other at the kitchen island and I couldn't stand it.

I felt a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach that I'd never felt before. It was strange and I didn't like it.

"Good morning Reed." Ivy said, causing the other two to turn around and face me.

Julia ignored me and went back to eating her cereal. I guess I deserved that.

"Morning Bro." Blade said as he stood up to fist bump me.

I grabbed his fist and held it firmly in my hand without saying a word.

"Woah, what's up?" he asked, looking confused and tearing his hand away from me in slight pain.

"We need to talk on the patio, now." I said, walking outside and slamming the door behind me.

I saw him shrug towards Julia and Ivy as if he didn't know what was going on and I dragged my hands through my hair in annoyance.

"Dude, what's wrong?" he said as he followed me outside.

"What's wrong? You slept with Julia, that's what's wrong!" I shouted, pointing a finger against his chest.

"What are you talking about? I never slept with Julia, are you insane?" he yelled.

"Don't play dumb, I saw you coming out of her room this morning." I growled.

He began laughing suddenly, making me even angrier than before.

"Coming out of her room? You've got it all wrong." he chuckled.

"Well what other explanation is there?" I said, grabbing a hold of his collar.

"Ivy and I slept in her room to cheer her up, after you upset her. Get your facts straight before you accuse me of something like that again Reed." he said, pushing me away from him. "Why do you even care? You're engaged to Evelyn."

"I just do, okay?" I screamed.

"Reed, you have been my best friend since middle school and I can see right through this game you're trying to play. We all know you have feelings for Julia, you just won't admit it to yourself."

I hated the fact that he might be right.

"Well even if I did, it could never happen and now I've screwed it up even more than before."

"What are you talking about?"

"I slept with Evelyn last night." I sighed.

Just as those words escaped my lips, I heard the door open behind me and saw Julia walking out onto the patio. She heard every word.

Her mouth dropped open slightly and she walked back into the kitchen.

"What the hell is wrong with you Reed?" Blade said. "She is fucking perfect for you and yet you keep pushing her away. If you don't get your act together you're going to lose her all together, well done."

He seemed pissed at me and I wasn't surprised. I was pissed at me too.

Blade ran into the kitchen after Julia as I cursed under my breath.

What have I done?

Julia's POV

As I stepped outside to see what the big fuss was about, I heard the dreaded words.

Reed slept with Evelyn.

Of course he did. Why was I even surprised? The sooner I get it in my head that they're getting married, the sooner I can accept it.

Over the last 24 hours, I truly realised where I stand with Reed.

I wasn't important to him, so I needed to let go. We were never going to be friends, he was just my...boss? owner? I don't know.

I quickly left the kitchen and rushed into the downstairs bathroom. I locked it and stood in front of the mirror.

I splashed some cold water on my face to calm myself down and heard a knock at the door.

"Julia, open the door."

"I'm fine Blade." I shouted.

"I know that's a lie." he said.

I opened the door and walked out of the room to see him.

"No it's not Blade. Reed's getting married to her and them sleeping together is perfectly acceptable. I'm fine."

"I don't know why he's doing this." Blade sighed.

"Because he loves Evelyn?" I shrugged.

"No I don't." he boomed from behind me.

"Reed I-"

I turned around to face him. He looked upset and full of regret and I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eye.

"I'll give you two a minute." Blade said, walking back into the kitchen

"You need to know. The only reason I'm marrying Evelyn is because it was arranged by my parents years ago. As the leader of the mafia I need to be with someone I don't love, so that I have no weaknesses. That's just the way it is, okay?" he explained.

"Nobody forced you to sleep with her or take her side over mine, but I suppose that's none of my business. Just forget it." I said, attempting to move past him.

As I moved past him, he grabbed onto my arm to pull me back.

"Reed, stop." I mumbled, trying to escape his grip as he pulled me closer to look him in the eye.

"I regret everything that happened last night and I'm sorry. I just need to keep you safe Jules." he whispered, staring down at me with his lips just inches away.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm the most wanted man in the world. I won't let you put yourself in danger by getting involved with me. It's better if you stay away."

"Reed, that's not your decision to make. I decide if something's too dangerous for me, not you." I snapped.

"Yes but it's my responsibility to keep you safe and the minute I get too distracted, it's game over. I can't do it." he said this with a stern look in his eyes.

I then decided to ask him the dreaded question that had been on my mind since we'd met.

"Reed...what are we doing? I never know where I stand with you. One minute you hate me and the next you're like...this." I whispered.

"I don't know...what I do know, is that nothing can happen between us. As soon as it does, then I'll be weak and people will use you against me. It's best if you stay away."

I knew that we both felt something, but admitting it makes everything so much more complicated.

"Hey, nobody's using me against you. I'm right here, but you have to stop pushing me away." I whispered, holding my hand against his cheek. "I'm hurt, but I forgive you for what you did last night. We just can't keep going in circles Reed. You need to decide what you want and when you do...come and find me."

With that, I walked away from him with a sigh.

If he ended up deciding that he did want something with me, then things needed to change...starting with Evelyn.

But unfortunately, I don't think that can happen.

He's right. It's dangerous for both of us and I'm not sure that I could handle being with a mafia leader.

The constant stress of him never coming home or being killed. I couldn't deal with that.

But then again, I suppose I already worry about those things on a daily basis.

Shit.

I do have feelings for Reed.

After everything, the threats and the lies...I still wanted to be with him.

But I couldn't be. He's engaged and he just said that we couldn't be together. I just needed to accept that and try and move on I guess.

No matter how hard that'll be.

~

I headed back in the kitchen and sat down to finish my breakfast.

Both Ivy and Blade looked curious as to what had just happened, but before they could ask any questions, Reed walked back into the room and went directly to the fridge.

The room was silent apart from the awkward small talk being made by my friends. Ivy was never her usual self when Reed was in the room anyway, but even less so after that awkward encounter.

To make things even worse, Evelyn suddenly appeared in the doorway. She was wearing a red, lacy pair of underwear for everyone to see, loosely covered by a satin dressing gown.

Ivy and I shared disgusted glances and she was obviously just as unimpressed as I was.

"Good morning everyone, how did y'all sleep because I know that I was up all night." she said, winking towards Reed as she walked up to hug him from behind.

I clenched my fists under the table and looked away, trying to control myself. I may have forgiven him but it didn't mean that I was happy about what happened.

He quickly removed her hands from around his waist and moved across the room. Causing her to gape in disbelief.

"Oh we all slept great." Ivy replied awkwardly, taking a sip from her coffee mug.

"How nice. Now, I want some scrambled eggs on toast with some freshly squeezed orange juice and a croissant. Thanks." Evelyn sneered, leaning against the kitchen island towards Ivy.

Blade and I looked at each other with shock. Did she seriously expect Ivy to just cook her whatever she wants? And where are her manners?

Ivy just stood there innocently and wasn't sure what to say. She was too sweet to stand up to Evelyn, especially with Reed present in the room. Eventually she just nodded and turned to grab a pan. I was outraged.

Just as I was about to call her out, Reed began to speak.

"No Ivy, you don't have to do that. Evelyn, Ivy works here as my maid and cooks voluntarily in Jocelyn's absence. She's already set up a perfectly good breakfast out of the goodness of her heart, so if you want anything in particular then you're to make it yourself."

I cupped my mouth to stop myself from laughing as Reed walked out of the room with his breakfast.

Evelyn just stood in the centre of the room with her mouth dropped open.

"You better get cooking." Blade sneered as he threw a pair of oven gloves at her.

Ivy and I couldn't contain our laughter and soon followed Blade out of the kitchen.

"Did you see her face?" I laughed.

"I can't believe the nerve of that woman!" Ivy sneered, crossing her arms.

"Well, it was nice seeing you girls but I've gotta get to work otherwise boss will kill me." Blade said as he leaned over to hug me.

He followed by hugging Ivy. He lingered for a little longer before they exchanged stares and he left the house.

"So, you and Blade huh?" I giggled, shoving Ivy playfully.

"Shut up!"

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