14 Chapter 14

I stand outside my apartment, totally ready, tapping my foot at the pavement as I wait for my ride to show up.

Suddenly a very fancy red sports car glides smoothly right in front of me, making me jump a little in surprise. It stopped just an inch away from my legs. I gasp, before looking up towards the car, my face obviously displaying my entire horrified look.

Ryder Harper, has his phone in his hand, the camera facing me. He was taping me for my reaction. I glare at my annoyance of a brother and scoff out loud.

"Were you trying to kill me?" I yell, angrily stomping towards the passenger seat of the car.

"No, but I was surely aiming to get that look on your face into a tape," he says, grinning down at his phone. He rewatches the whole video, every second of my reaction making me feel stupid and embarrassed.

"I'll have Dad and Ryles ground you for this prank," I say, buckling my seat belt as he puts down his phone and starts reversing the car out of the alleyway.

He brakes suddenly, making me almost crash in the dashboard.

I give him an incredulous look.

"What?!' we both yell at each other, at the same time.

"What what?! Are you trying to kill us?" I ask, my heart pumping loud in my chest.

"You would throw your own brother under the bus like that?!" he asks, with a look of disbelief painted all over his face. "Can't believe I am stuck with you right now. Allie or Jason would've been a better sport," he continues, rolling his eyes as he starts reversing the car again.

"Now you are just over-assuming," I say, chuckling. "You know that if Allie was here she would've kicked you where the sun doesn't shine if you had something like this to her. Jason would've blackmailed you till you gave that tape up or he would've made Ryles seize your phone and delete that tape himself. There is your invasion of privacy," I explain, shrugging.

"Ughh… I really wish you weren't right. All my siblings are born torturers," he whines.

"Hey!" I yell, getting defensive while playfully laughing a little as well. "Be grateful that Allie, Jason or I don't make Ryles cut off your monthly money!"

"You wouldn't dare!" He yells, his head whips towards me, his eyes as huge as saucepans.

I laugh.

"Eyes on the road, kid," I say, getting him to turn his attention back to the road.

"I can't believe you are using me as your personal chauffeur," he says, his voice taking on the disbelieving look again. "You know that I came to New York to get a break, right?"

"Yes, I know, Ryder. Just learn to help your sister a little. I can't afford to be late at work here. You know that I need to start taking responsibility for my own expenses. Allie and Silas can't help me forever," I say, getting a little serious.

I check my hand watch again. I have to reach the office in 15 minutes. I don't know how, but even time was on my side today. It seemed to slow down just for me. I smiled.

"So.. sis, tell me about this new job," Ryder says, as he takes a turn. A few more turns and we would be in front Dolohov Industries.

"Hmm, okay. It has a clean and disciplined workplace, so I guess that's good," I say, hesitantly stopping myself from saying the 'but'.

"But….?" He asks, turning his again for a second to show me that he is waiting for me to continue.

"Damon Dolohov is the CEO I am working for as a personal assistant," I say, closing my eyes as I release a breath.

To say that Ryder and I were close would be the understatement of the year, maybe even decade. He always comes to me wherever he has any sort of problems and although it might not seem so, he is a pretty good company. He is more mature than kids his age. And I am not saying he does't do stupid stuff, he does plenty, but he takes responsibility for it and unlike other teens, he is more engaged with his family.

When Dad married Ryles a year after Mom died, I was not so happy about his decision. I was an angry 10-year-old then. Ryles tried her best to get me used to her and be friends with her, but I was never very co-operative.

Until... Ryles got pregnant. I was so excited to have another sibling, especially one who would be younger than me, in the house that I finally let Ryles in. I roamed around after her, asking if the baby needed this or that and whatnot. It was because of Ryder's birth that I allowed Ryles to be a mother to me as well. She had never been happier than the day Ryder said my name.

"What does it mean that Damon Dolohov is your boss?!" Ryder yells, snapping me out of my trip in childhood memory lane.

"It is Dolohov Industries I am working for, 'ight? I didn't remember that Damon's last name was Dolohov since, for the last 6 years, all I have tried to do is erase his existence from my memory," I explain, sloppily leaning my back into my seat, groaning.

"You are stupid, Andy," he says, nodding at me as he clarifies what he always thought.

I laugh. It's not like it isn't true.

"I know right!" I say, combing a hand through my hair to pull it up into a bun.

"Okay okay. I am not going to react badly. You need some rational advice and questions right now," he says, talking to me and himself. "Are you going to tell him about Nick and Rory?" he asks, his face clearly displaying concern for his nephew and niece.

"I don't know yet, Ryder. I guess we will see. I just started working here yesterday. Seeing the guy I loved after 6 years can be traumatising, you know? Especially when he happens to be the father of your children," I say, sighing heavily.

"Mom and Da-" he starts saying, but I cut him off by repeating the word 'no' a few times before he can even finish saying the sentence.

"No one is telling Ryles or Dad anything. Jason and Allie are not allowed to know about this as well! This is confidential information between you and me that Damon Dolohov is my ex, the father of my children and also my current boss," I say, sitting upright.

"Ughh why though? You would be keeping such a big secret from Mom. You know she'll kill you when she gets to know, right? She would rather have you take money from her than working for him."

"I know. All the more reason not to tell her. Or any of them. Allie will insult him till he breaks down and crawls to a hope to die. Dad and Jason will come up here to beat the crap out of the guy, and I quote, 'who broke their sweet little girl's fragile heart'."

"Silas and I will happily join," Ryder mutters, looking straight ahead.

"Geez boy. I am trying to keep my family out of trouble here. And also, something happened between me and him last night. I don't really remember, 'cause i was drunk, but he had told me something crucial. So, until I remember what that was, you are going to keep your mouth shut about this," I instruct.

"Alright alright," he agrees while rolling his eyes.

I look out the window to see my stop as we near it. Ryder stops the car right in front of the building. I look down at my watch to see that I still have 4 minutes left till my arrival time.

"We're here," he says, grumpily unlocking my door.

"I know. Thanks, brother. For always being there when I need you," I say and lean over the seat to kiss his cheek.

"Always," he says, his face lifting up to smile at me.

"Tell Charles 'thanks' for letting you borrow his car, and go by my apartment again at 1-2, you can pick the kids up from Dorothea's. Spend the day with them and drop them off at 6-7. They miss you a lot," I say, as I straighten my clothes and get out of the car.

"I missed them more. I'll pick them up and go to Allie's. I told her I would visit Hazy today," he says, confirming his routine with me.

"Oh, if you're doing that then don't drop the kids at mine again. Allie asked me to come over today as well. I will take the kids home with me."

"Uh, sure. Don't be late, sis."

"Count on me on that. I would wanna get out of this hell hole as soon as possible."

Ryder laughs at my comment and nods in agreement.

I turn and start walking towards the building. Ryder stays in front of the building till I reach the door, making sure that I reach the building safely.

Just as he starts the car, I look back at him hurriedly.

"Delete that tape, Ry!" I yell, my eyes wide with a horrified look on my face. I had completely forgotten about that.

"Never!" he yells back, laughing as he drives away.

That kid. Ugh.