A Kingpin Love Affair: The Complete series(17)

“Isabella…” I heard my name being called and found myself scrambling from the bedroom. I wasn’t ready to meet anyone else. Friends weren’t a luxury I had in the trades. Getting close to the other girls was a grave mistake. For when the time came for them to be taken away, you were left feeling more alone than you had been before.

“Here.” My voice was meek. I looked down at myself, running my palms over the material of my shirt before entering the living room knowing that I wasn’t really dressed for company.

“Goodness.” A woman with dark hair gasped, her reaction making me even more uneasy.

Standing beside her was a little girl who had wrapped her little arms around the woman’s leg as soon as they stopped. She smiled up at me with excitement in her eyes, and I couldn’t help but smile at her. She was so innocent and a part of me longed to be that young and carefree again.

“Tegan, you need to get in here stat,” the woman yelled out the front door that had been left wide open. I wondered what was going on when the girl she had referred to as Tegan walked through the door with a baby stuck to her hip and carrying a bunch of bags, with logos I didn’t recognize on them, in her free hand. Her hair was bright red like fire and when she smiled, it reached her eyes, telling me that she was sincere, happy.

“Isabella.” The dark haired woman finally greeted me. “This is Tegan, my best friend and our two daughters, Gia and Taylor. Oh, I’m Bree, Jared’s sister. He sent us over to hang out with you for a little bit while he does some work.” Her face was heartfelt, and as she looked at me, I could see she felt empathy for me but not pity. More so as if she was sorry I had been through what I had. I wanted to tell her she had no reason to feel that way but kept my lips sealed, knowing that maybe she had her own reasons for feeling the way she did.

“It’s nice to meet you both,” I spoke softly, showing my manners as Bree bent down and whispered something in her daughter’s ear. I watched as Gia nodded her head and then sat on the carpet in the center of the living room while Bree handed her a cup. She took small sips as Bree turned around and grabbed the bags out of Tegan’s hand. I hadn’t asked for anything since I was delivered here, so I stayed rooted in the same spot, hesitant as to what they had brought with them.

“Jared said you needed some clothes and girl stuff, so we brought you different things,” Bree stated as she talked with her hands, seeming far too happy to be helping me. Tegan closed the front door and then placed her daughter on the floor next to Bree’s daughter. My gaze drifted to the girls and then finally to the bags that were in Bree’s hand.

“We got you some clothes, the common stuff like jeans and different style tops. I even snuck a couple of summer dresses and shorts in there for you,” she stated as she pulled items out of the bags, placing them on the couch before me. They were an array of vibrant colors, all the material appearing to be soft. Tears were forming behind my eyes as I stared at them in awe. They looked so beautiful that I wondered if I was even good enough to wear them.

“Oh, and I got you some decent sandals plus some socks and undies.” Bree smiled at me as she continued on with her sentence. I returned the smile knowing I should be more than grateful for what they had done. It was apparent she hadn’t just done it for Jared but because she wanted to.

“Thank you.” I choked out the words, emotions overwhelming me. They had no idea what they had done for me.

“No, no. Thank you,” Bree said softly, and I almost didn’t catch it. I didn’t know what she was thanking me for, but whatever it was must have been important to her.

“We also brought chocolate… because it’s every girl’s best friend. And we got you female stuff for when that time comes, so you don’t have to ask Jared to get those personal things.” Tegan reached forward, slowly grabbing my hand as she placed a bar wrapped in gold colored wrapping in my palm. Chocolate. I had heard the word many times, but only ever tasted the stuff once or twice when I was younger.

“Let’s not forget the wine. We know you haven’t had the best time since being found, and we figured we could give you a couple of things that always make us feel better,” Tegan confessed causing a small giggle to leave my throat. The way these two cared for others was amazing. They didn’t even know me, had never even met me before this moment yet they were standing here showing me compassion. It was no wonder why Jared had asked them to come and care for me while he was gone.

“Thank you so much for bringing me this stuff. I’m not used to having others to talk to, so please excuse my quietness. I’m truly thankful for you both.”

They both turned to one another, giving each other a look, and then back to me, bright smiles marring their faces.

“Truthfully, it’s an honor,” Bree said sincerely, crossing the room as she wrapped me in a warm embrace. I stood there very still for a moment and then lifted my own arms, unsure if I should hug her back or not. She pulled away before I could make the decision and guilt hit me. I should’ve hugged her back.

“If you need anything, let me know…” she whispered, and then walked away leaving me with my own swarming thoughts. I watched them both as they made themselves at home. I didn’t know what to do, so I thanked them both again and took the bags they had brought me back to my bedroom. Once there, curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to take a peek inside one of the bags that Bree hadn’t opened in front of all of us. Pulling the bag open, I caught sight of a pair of red lace undies. My heartbeat spiked, and my mind went into overdrive trying to figure out why she would’ve gotten these.