Chapter 20

I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. I didn't want to let her get to me.
I decided to just take a shower to calm my nerves. I let the water run down my body and carry my problems down the drain. If only life actually worked that way.
I sighed before I stepped out of the bath, dried my hair and did my normal routine, before getting dressed.

As I was pulling up the zipper on my shorts, my phone rang. I hesitated for a moment before checking the screen.
Ryan. My brother.
Warmth filled my body as I picked the call and placed the phone to my ear.

"Hey, cracker". His voice filtered through the speakers.
A smile crawled up my cheeks. He had been calling me that for as long as I could remember and even though I often after like it was annoying, u secretly loved it.

"Hey Ry. What's up?" I asked.

I flopped down on my bed, letting out a sigh as I waited for him to respond.

"What? I can't call my baby sister again?" he asked, teasingly but I rolled my eyes in response.

"Oh please, it's not like you even call me that often" I said and he sighed.

"You know it's not my fault, Andy. Work's killing my ass over here and you know I'm doing this for both of us" he said and I rubbed a hand across my face.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. I just, I really miss you" I said and he sighed.

"I miss you too cracker" he said and I smiled.

"So, how's everything there?" he asked and I groaned.

"I'm in Miami" I said.

"Miami? How the-" he started to talk but I cut him off because I knew he was going to freak out.

So j as quickly as I could explained everything to him.

"A freaking private jet?" he asked and I nodded, before I realized he couldn't see me.

"Yup!" I said and he whistled.

"Damn" he said. You can say that again alright.

I left out the part of Peter crushing my heart and almost being raped in that alley and my savior being Bree's father.

"I guess you've been having a fun time then" he said and I sighed.

"Uh oh. What's wrong?" he asked, his tone laced with worry.

I was obviously not going to tell him about the incident at the beach either but I could definitely tell him about the bitch in this mansion.

"Just dealing with some drama here. There's this bitch, Violet. She's Jaso- I mean, Mr Miller's personal assistant and she has been getting on my every nerve since I got here" I started before relaying everything to him, obviously skipping certain parts.

"It's good to see that you are not letting her beat you down. But you should consider telling Bree about it. Trying to frame you is a very serious thing" he said and I sighed. That was his parenting side showing.

"Yeah, I know. It's just, Bree's going through her fair share of problems with her father. I don't want to make anything about me." I explained and he hummed.

"Well then, continue to show that bitch who's boss" he said and I laughed. Yup, that was the real Ryan.

The more we talked, the more I felt my anger and frustration slowly dissipate. I was literally laughing my heart out with him. He was so easy to talk to. The absolute best person I knew.

After our parent's sudden death in a car accident, Ryan had to quit college and pick up menial jobs just to earn a living for both of us. I was really little back then and he literally played the role of a mother, a father and an elder brother at the same time.
It was really hard. There were times he would be crying in the middle of the night when he thought I was asleep.

Then one day, an old friend of our father reached out to us and offered Ryan a job but he had to move to Korea and at that point, I was just finishing up with high school. I was old enough to be alone.

Ryan hesitated but the pay was really good and we needed it. It didn't matter to me because I was willing to forsake college but Ryan wasn't going to have that. So, he took the job and we were separated.
I haven't seen him ever since.
And he barely had time to talk to me because he was always so busy, but he tried his best and I loved him for it.

I wanted to do really well too, so that I could make him proud and I know a small part of him wanted to finish college and I was going to make sure we made it work.

"Shit, I gotta get back to work" he said as someone in the background called him and I sighed.

"Thanks, Ry. I feel so much better now" I said.

"Well, I'm glad you do. I love you, cracker" he said and I smiled.

"I love you too" I said and the call ended.

I could only hope the next time wouldn't be too far away from now.

I felt so much better and I smiled as I got up and made my way downstairs to eat something. I was starving.

As I was about to go down the stairs, firm hands held mine and I froze to look at the culprit.

It was Jason. My heart skipped a beat at the skin contact. Almost as soon as I froze, I snapped out of it and yanked my hand away, quite aggressively, more than I had planned anyway.

"Whoa, relax. Did I do something?" He asked and I bit my lip to keep me from saying something completely unwarranted.
After all, we were just friends. Right?

"No. Sorry" I forced out and he sighed.

"I need your help, Andrea" he said.

"Okayyy… with what?" I asked and he sighed.

"I want to go through with the barbecue I spoke off but I really want Bree to be there. Is there any way you can possibly convince her to show up?" He asked and I studied him for a second.

I could tell he really wanted to make things right with her.

I hesitated for a second because I really didn't want to get involved in family drama but then, I eventually decided to help.

"Fine, I'll help" I said and he breathed sigh of relief.

"Thank-" he started to say but I cut him off.

"But, I'm not promising anything. I will try my best" I said and he nodded.

"I understand and I'm okay with that. Thank you. Let me know how it goes?" he asked and I nodded before leaving and going all the way down. Just before I got to the bottom of the stairs, the smell of food hit me.

Yes yes yes, Polina.
Polina's cooking was immaculate and I was basically salivating before I got to the kitchen.

Bree was already in a conversation with her as she wobbled down her food.

"Miss Andrea" Polina greeted as soon as she saw me, cutting Bree off.

"Hi Polina" I greeted back and she smiled.

"It's about time you showed up to eat" she said and I giggled as she turned to serve me a plate.

I moaned at how lovely it smelt.

"Ugh, smells amazing, Polina" I said and she smiled.

"I'm glad you think so" she said.

"Just don't cum all over" Bree piped up and I gaped at how blunt she was.

Polina gasped.
"Briana Miller!" She chided while Bree and I held back laughter.

I stuffed my mouth with food to make it easier to fight the urge to burst into laughter. Perfect distraction because it was yummy too.

I tried not to rush but I was just too hungry, so, I did as we made conversation.