SORRY

Chapter 81. Fit or Not

Briana

I had a fretful sleep.

Britney’s interview kept popping up in my head, as well as my brother’s verdict. But more than that, my kids and Noah’s faces alternated in my reverie.

My children are too young to understand the complexities of adults.

I woke up early. I got out of bed carefully so as not to wake the kids up.

Riley was sleeping on his stomach. His arms were flung on the side of his brother, Brixx. They were hugging each other.

Mason, on the other hand, has his arms around me. I carefully took his hand off me, placed a pillow on the space I vacated, and tiptoed to the bathroom.

I did my morning thing and took a shower. I got ready for the breakfast meeting Marcus set up with Luke Bennett. It has been prearranged, he told me. And while I rebelled at the idea, I can’t let my brother down.

Marcus meant well. He only wanted to steer me off Britney’s accusations.

While I was preparing, I took my phone and surfed the net. And to my surprise, Britney’s allegations had been torn down.

I searched and searched but could not find it.

My brows furrowed. Could it be that one of my brother’s did that?

I smiled, knowing I could rely on the four of them to get me out of a tight spot.

After that, I checked myself in the mirror,

I wore a simple office dress to make the meeting appear businesslike and wore simple make–up. Just a cheek and lip tint because my eyes had natural thick eyelashes, and my brows are perfectly arched – thank goodness for my

genes.

Then I brushed my hair and wound it to a hair tie.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and sighed.

Chapter #1. Fif or Mot

العلم

“Time to get rolling,” I mumbled to myself before going out of the closet to enter the children’s room.

A grin wreathed my face when I saw them still asleep.

“My precious babies,” I mumbled again as warmth suffused my being at the sight of them.

I lament that I cannot give them the family life they deserve, but still glad that now, Noah is making an effort to be the father they need.

Still, I looked at my kids wistfully and sighed.

When I got down, Marcus, as expected, was already waiting in the living room.

“You are up early,” I told him.

“Same as you. I wanted to make sure that you won’t ditch Luke.”

I snorted.

“When did I ever?” I shot back.

Marcus left the couch to approach me. He buzzed my cheek and waved. This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

“Enjoy.”

“As if.” I scoffed, but he only laughed at my forced expression.

The driver opened the door for me when I arrived outside. I settled in the back passenger seat, and while on the trip, I decided to g****e the man I was supposed to meet today.

He looked handsome in the pictures – drop–dead gorgeous. But this could be his file photo, so I can’t tell whether he’s what his photo says – or not.

There was also an article about him a few years back. Luke Bennett seemed like the quiet type and preferred his privacy, so I didn’t read anything about his past relationships.

“We’re here, Ms. Ford.” The driver announced.

looked out the window and nodded in approval when I noticed our meeting place – a café, except it was not the go–to place preferred by most people.

*

It seemed like Luke Bennett wanted to meet me on neutral and safe ground. That cleared some of the misgivings in my heart.

The driver opened the door for me, and I go ut. While doing so, I took a deep breath to fill my lungs with air.

When I got inside the café, I was impressed by its meticulous design. The owner had a good taste.

I was so busy looking around that I did not notice a tall man approaching me. He parked his feet in front of me, thereby startling me.

When I looked at his face, I could not breathe. His pictures did not do him justice!

“Luke Bennett?” I asked in confirmation, though unnecessary because he was already smiling his toothpaste smile at me.

I laid out a hand for a handshake.

Luke Bennett took it.

“A pleasure to meet you, Briana Ford.” My name rolled off his lips suavely.

He guided me to a table, and we sat down. We ordered coffee and breakfast to go with it.

We dug into our food while casually talking about mundane stuff – the weather, basic information about ourselves, the latest on our business, etc.

When we finished, the waiter cleared our table, and when he finished, Luke placed his hands on the table to pierce me with a probing look.

“We’re too old for mushy things, and I was hoping your brother had already told you about it.” He began.

My pulse quickened while I waited for him to continue.

“Will you be willing to date me, Briana? See whether we are a fit or not?”