Amy spent the rest of the week at Bryan’s house, as planned. As promised, Bryan didn’t go to the office. He stayed at home to keep Amy company, only working in his study for two hours, when she takes her nap. After their conversation the other day, Bryan did all he could to make Amy feel more comfortable, even though he was hurting inside with the fact that she wanted to let the scoundrel who hurt her get away with it. He decided not to show it, and never mention of it, for the sake of Amy.
She had suggested that she wanted to see some of the things he liked besides work, so he bought them VIP tickets to go watch the NFL games. Just to make her happy. He hired a private jet that flew them to New York, for the New York Fashion Week, and just like he guessed, Amy was very excited. This made him a bit relaxed.
Henry will be back tomorrow, which is a Sunday, and he was a bit nervous because, although Amy seemed like she was recovering fast, he wasn’t entirely sure she was being honest. He was worried that her nightmare could return if she goes back home with Henry, since he wasn’t aware of the rape incident. He wouldn’t know that she now needs someone by her side everynight to fall asleep. This is going to be a lot more complicated than he thought.
“Bryan?” Amy’s soft voice brought Bryan out of his trance.
He was currently in his study, trying to get some work done, but he was failing miserably, as his worry for Amy couldn’t let him concentrate.
“I thought you were taking a nap?” He asked, when he regained his composure.
“I couldn’t fall asleep” Amy replied, taking a seat on one of the chairs across his desk.
“I, um. I finally switched on my phone and I received endless texts from Mandy. She’s on her way here, so, I, um. I just wanted to know if you’re okay with it” she quietly asked while playing with her fingers.
Mandy has never been to Bryan’s house. She has only seen him on several occasions at her house when she comes to visit, so Amy wanted to make sure Bryan was fine with her inviting Mandy over, since she wasn’t yet comfortable with meeting anyone in public.
“Does she know anything about that night?” Bryan carefully chose his words.
He wanted to know if Amy was ready to meet anyone that could remind her of that ugly incident.
“Not really… She guessed something was wrong when she couldn’t find me after the party. She also said a friend of ours who saw me leaving the party told her that I looked like a mess, so she got extremely worried and has been trying to reach me ever since” Amy quietly explained, feeling bad for keeping her best friend in the dark.
“If you’re comfortable having her over, then I’m okay with it” he replied, earning a bright smile from Amy.
“You’re the best, Bryan. I love you!” Amy exclaimed in excitement, standing up from her seat to give him a big hug.
“I know, princess. I love you too” he replied, returning the hug.
“I better go get changed” she said after pulling away from the hug, running out of his study in excitement.
Bryan chuckled at her childlike behavior and mentally agreed that having her best friend over wasn’t a bad idea because, she needed someone her age around her, to help her return to her old self.
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“Oh my God! Amy, I missed you so much!” Mandy, Amy’s best friend exclaimed the moment she got out of her car, not waiting for the chauffeur to open the car door.
She ran towards her best friend, who was waiting for her in front of the mansion, and engulfed her in a bear hug.
“I’ve been worried sick about you” she said into the hug
“I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I should’ve called to tell you I was okay” Amy apologized, hugging her best friend tighter, as they both didn’t feel like pulling away from the hug.
“Let’s go inside” Amy finally said after what felt like eternity.
“Give me a moment” Mandy replied, and pulled away from the hug, walking towards her car.
Amy watched as her best friend opened the back door of the grey Cadillac Escalade SUV she came in, and took out her handbag, phone and another bag Amy was guessing contained two bowls of ice cream. Mandy then said something to the chauffeur, who immediately started the car and drove out of the compound.
“Why did you ask him to leave?” Amy asked her best friend, as she was a bit surprised by Mandy’s decision.
“He wasn’t supposed to drop me off in the first place. It was supposed to be Kyle, but he ditched me for some lunch meeting with a business partner, blah, blah. So, he’s going to pick me up later… At least, that was our agreement” Mandy explained, not entirely sure of her own reply.
“I’m sure he won’t forget” Amy said, to make her best friend feel relaxed, as she noticed Mandy was beginning to question her decision of sending her ride home.
“Are those ice cream?” She then asked to change the subject, and also to clear her suspicion.
“Look at you, you’re already so impatient”
Mandy smiled at her best friend’s eagerness to have a taste of the ice cream she bought. She knew ice cream was one of Amy’s weaknesses, especially chocolate chip cookie dough, that’s why she got them two large bowls of chocolate chip cookie dough.
“I can’t wait to get my hands on them” Amy replied with excitement.
“Nope. You’re not getting even a pinch from mine” Mandy teased, as they made their way into the mansion.