Ruined By My Brother's Best Friend (by Silverwriter) novel Chapter 12

Panic

ARABELLA’S POV

My heart rate picked up as he strode confidently toward us, his presence as intimidating as ever.

Christian was muttering something along the lines of, “You’re so pretty when you blush,” when Alvise walked right past pur table, ignored my existence entirely, and exited the restaurant.

I let out a breath of relief, suddenly able to breathe again, and pressed a hand to my chest. I couldn’t believe I’d actually thought he was coming over to me. To do what? He couldn’t care less about me, and I knew it. That didn’t stop a part of me from hoping, though.

My gaze drifted toward the table he’d just left. A man and a woman were seated there. Both wore oversized dark–sunglasses, making it difficult to tell who they were. My pulse quickened again. The whole situation suddenly seemed absurd.

From his perspective, it must have looked ridiculous. One minute, he’d left me standing on the roadside in tears, and the next, I was sitting across from another man, blushing like an idiot.

I forced myself to focus on what Christian was saying. He was halfway through telling me something about work.

“Sorry, could you repeat that?” I asked. “I didn’t quite catch it.” Guilt tugged at me. I’d been zoning out all evening.

He nodded politely. “I asked if you were coming to the work party tomorrow.”

“Work party?” I frowned. “I didn’t even know there was one. What’s it for?”

He leaned back and finished the last of his wine. “You weren’t informed,” he said, sounding more like he’d come to a realization than asked a question.

I shrugged apologetically. “I’m sorry. I probably missed a meeting or something.”

“It’s not your fault,” he assured me. His jaw ticked slightly as he signaled for the waiter. “I specifically instructed someone to inform all the staff.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but the waiter arrived, so I waited quietly while he settled the bill and left a generous tip.

“Thank you,” I said once she walked away.

Christian waved a dismissive hand. “Now don’t insult me.” He said, then a teasing smile touched his lips. “If I’d known I was taking you on our first date today, I would’ve prepared something much better.”

I let out a nervous giggle, unsure how to respond. A first date? So that was how he saw this. I didn’t know what to think about that.

Desperate to change the subject, and get answers to my own question, I asked, “Who did you ask to inform everyone about the work party?”

I already had a strong suspicion, but I needed confirmation. It had to be Leah. She’d always gone out of her way to make things difficult for Sierra and me. If I hadn’t heard about the party, then Sierra probably hadn’t either. Otherwise, she would’ve told me immediately. There was no way that was a coincidence.

Christian smiled softly. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure it was just an oversight.”

The fact that he didn’t want to name the person told me everything I needed to know. It was definitely Leah.

I nodded, irritation bubbling inside me. “Right. An oversight.”

He studied my face. “So… you’re coming, right?”

He coughed apologetically. “I don’t think I can make it.”

His expression fell slightly. “Why not?”

“Because I’m only hearing about it now. It’s a little late.”

“Arabella, I’d really like you to come.”

I shrugged. “The thing is, Sierra doesn’t know about it either.”

Christian knew exactly what I was implying. And honestly, I didn’t care. I was annoyed More with Leah than anyone else.. What I didn’t understand was why he seemed determined to protect her.

I’d never been the type to force my way into places where I wasn’t wanted. Showing up to a party nobody had bothered. inviting me to felt exactly like that.

He might be inviting me now, but I wasn’t eager to jump at the opportunity.

“It’s getting late,” I said as I rose from my seat. The wine had given me more courage than usual. Tomorrow I’d probably regret half the things I’d said.

He stood as well and escorted me outside. The drive to my apartment was mostly silent. After giving him directions, we eventually pulled up in front of my building.

“Come to the work party tomorrow, Arabella,” he said. “You and Sierra. I’ll make sure you’re properly invited this time.”

I nodded. “We’ll see.”

I overslept and had to rush through my entire morning routine. I was quite literally the last person to arrive at work.

She hummed suspiciously. When I looked up, she’d already abandoned her desk and was standing beside me.

Leaning down, she whispered dramatically. “Was the sex with Alvise so good that you forgot you had work today?”

I barked out a sarcastic laugh. “You idiot! He didn’t even take me home.”

Over the next ten minutes, I told her everything that had happened. Well… almost everything. I conveniently skipped over some details involving Alvise and me, then filled her in on everything regarding Christian.

“That bitch, Leah,” Sierra snapped. “I’d bet a million dollars it was her.”

“Trust me, I know.”

She crossed her arms. “So, are we going?”

I considered it for a moment. “Maybe. But only if the invitation actually shows up. He said he’d send one, and I’m not attending without it.”

“Agreed,” she said, then her eyes sparkled mischievously. “But putting that aside…” She wiggled her brows. “Didn’t I tell you Christian likes you?”

I immediately shook my head, ready to argue, but the sharp clacking of heels against the floor cut me off.

Both of us looked toward the door just as Leah stormed in carrying two heavy boxes. Without a word, she dumped them onto my desk with a loud thud.

Then she forced a painfully fake smile. “You’re invited to the work party.”

The words sounded more like a threat than an invitation. Before either of us could respond, she spun on her heel and marched right back out.

Sierra watched her leave before dissolving into satisfied laughter, then she patted my shoulder and grinned.

“Game on, bitches.”