Chapter 37: Chapter 37

: Hilda

Anna was staring at him, a cute smile playing on her lips,

"what? did I say something wrong?" Chris asked.

Anna shook her head, "That's the first time  I've seen you laugh all day, how does it feel?"

Chris smiled then shrugged, "okay..it feels good," he replied, nodding slowly.

"don't worry, I'll be your date to the album launch, that's what friends are for"

"thank you," he responded.

They soon arrived at CR where  they met Justin and Lucy comming out.

He was wearing a dark hoody so that the fans that were lingering outside for him wouldn't notice him.

"climb on in man!" Chris called out to them. They spotted his car and quickly made for it. But one of the fans had already spotted them.

"look! there! He's getting away!" She called out after Lucy and Justin. The mob of fans pelted towards them making Lucy and Justin run like there lives depended on it. They safely jumped into the car that Anna held open.

"drive drive drive!" Justin shouted to Tod.

He quickly stepped on it and in no time they were zooming past the fans and down the highway.

"What a way to end the day!" Chris said patting Justin's back.

Justin breathed out heavily, "I'm really getting tired of doing that everyday, " he muttered.

"so what have you two been up to?" Lucy asked both Chris and Anna slyly, as she wrapped her self around Justins arm.

Justin shifted uncomfortably but didn't say a word.

"uh uh..you two first," Anna defended.

"Go on baby, tell them" Lucy replied, tugging Justin's hoody.

Justin sighed, pulling his hoody down as he ran a hand through his dark curly lock, "today was hectic people, we were in and out of recording studios. Beats didn't show up till 11, said he had to sort out some issues. George was as annoying as ever and Humphrey...well y'all know Humphrey," Justin trailed off rolling his eyes as he cracked his neck,n "I'm just so glad all this is over and all that's left is the album launch, who knew releasing an album would be so hectic?" he asked them.

They both agreed to that.

"okay, so at the set, everything was fine," Chris finished

Justin looked at him, raising an eyebrow "that's it?"

"what else do you want to know?" Chris replied

Justin shrugged, "I'll get back to you,"

"so the launch party, where will it be held?" Lucy asked.

"Our house," Justin responded.

"really? that's nice, "

"yeah it's just friends, celebrities and there friends, I'm sure we will be a lot though," Chris added.

"is it alright if Anna comes with me?" Lucy asked Justin.

"oh it's okay, I'm Chris date to the launch, "

Justin glanced at Chris as she said this, his jaw dropping "what? You're his date?" he asked slowly.

Chris looked away from his penetrating gaze, "yes, " he began clearing his throat, "I asked Anna to come with me."

Justin had a lot to say,  and even more to protest but he was too polite to say it in front of the girls. He instead gave Chris the we will talk about this later look.

They decided to go have a couple of drinks and some pizza. Justin noticed that there was something wrong with Chris.

He was watching him closely and deep inside he could feel that though Chris looked better and alright, deep inside something was wrong.

Deadly wrong.

After that Chris and Justin took the girls home and it was only them in the car heading back to the villa.

"so...aren't you going to tell me?" justin asked folding his arms.

Chris was playing games on his phone, "tell you what?" he asked.

Justin grabbed the phone away from him in one fast movement.

"people gotta stop doing that!" Chris muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration as he folded his kegs.

"what the hell where you thinking inviting Anna as your date to the launch?" Justin fired first.

"I don't see anything wrong with it, I'm a single guy, " Chris replied.

"single because you want to be? or because you're too stupid?"

" I won't accept that from you," Chris said a little pissed off .

"Then what would you rather accept? I lie to you and say it's okay to take Anna out and leave the love of your life sulking at home, or do you want me to tell you the truth, "

"Justin, I am not having this conversation with you again, things between me and you know who are over! so let me be, let me move on! for Pete's sake!"

Justin looked at him and handed him back his phone, "alright man, do what you want."

He paused as Chris grabbed his phone back, " remember the time I failed to break up with Lucy the first time?" he asked looking at the window.

"yeah, what about it?" Chris asked trying to put the game back where he had left off.

"I still remember your words, you said I'd regret it, and now I realize why."

"That's great," Chris replied, half listening.

"well I have a bad feeling about you and Britney..."

Chris shot him a hard look.

"sorry, you know who, "

Chris rolled his eyes turning back to his game, "and Anna too. I pray to god you don't regret it. "

Chris paused his game just staring at the screen of the phone as Justin's words sunk in.

They arrived at the villa. Both there mom and dad weren't at home despite it being so late.

"well I guess dinner is a self make today," Justin said taking out some spaghetti.

Chris reached for a milkshake then walked away, and headed for the stairs.

"no dinner?" Justin called out after him.

"no, I'm good," Chris replied raising his milk shake.

He went up to his bedroom and put the milkshake in a safe place. He took off his clothes and sat in the jacuzzi.

He usually showered but today he just wanted to relax as the warm water flowed in to him. He sat there thinking and thinking, taking his phone out and started looking at past photos of Britney, him alone,  Britney and him combined. he paused at one he loved especially.

Britney was giving him kiss on the cheek and he was smiling from ear to ear, genuine happiness, not the one he had been faking all day.

He flipped through some more pictures till he found a video. He had never noticed it before so he played it.

Britney was at their restaurant recording using his phone.

"so you've gone to get our orders, and I know you'll kill me for touching your phone..," Britney began, laughing

"but I just want you to always know that I love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love," she took a breath, "so many loves right? well here's the full sentence for my full confession," she said giving that incredible smile he had come to love and a cute little wink, "I love you Chris Ryder, and you're  the best thing that......oops! your comming back!" she said trying to cut the video very fast.

"have you seen my phone?" Chris heard his own voice.

"Uhm, I think you carried it when you went to order, just retrace your steps," she lied.

There was a short pause before her beautiful face was seen again on the screen.

"phew! that was close," she said, "yeah..I was saying your the best thing hat has ever happened to me so far, and I'm so lucky to have you, kisses! mtwa!" she said cutting the video.

Chris smiled and reminded the video over and over again till he felt the tears come down his cheek.

Who was he kidding? He clearly loved Britney, but he couldn't do anything.

She was the one who told him she wanted some distance between the two of them.

How could he disrespect her wishes? All he could do was treasure all they had and wonder how the hell they got to where they are right now.

****

.

Meanwhile Britney lay in bed. she couldn't sleep at all, wondering what Chris was doing.

If he was thinking about her at all. She sat up in bed in frustration "this is ridiculous!" she thought to herself.

Why was she thinking about him? The only reason she broke up with him is to have peace, but all she was doing was worrying, and worrying and worrying some more.

She got her phone, should she call him? she put it down again. What was wrong with her?

Mckayla walked in, "someone's failing to go to sleep," she announced.

"is it so easy to tell?" Britney muttered

"well you were sitting up in bed shaking your big head from side to side which is a big clue, "

Britney chuckled, smiling weakly.

Mckayla sat beside her underneath the covers, "what's wrong?" she asked.

Britney looked at her slowly, "I should be happy right? happy that I don't have to feel so bad about him not calling or answering my phone calls, or hating me, I should be happy."

Mckayla shrugged, "yeah, but your not,"

Britney shook her head slowly pulling her knees to her chest and hugging them slightly.

"do you think he is thinking about me?" she asked

"okay...too deep!" Mckayla said laughing , then she looked at her cousin, studying her depressed face "I think he is thinking about you," she said softly, nudging her.

"your just saying that to make me feel better, "

"I'm saying that because I know both of you and Chris isn't the guys to just move on two days after a break up, plus he loves you, "

"it doesn't feel like it, "

"of course not, you broke up with him remember?"

Britney nodded

"I don't want to lose him," she said sniffing.

Mckayla pulled her head so she leaned against her shoulder, "You won't, every couple has rough patches, you two will get through this, you just got to." She sighed shaking her head.

Love was nothing but a big mess. She was glad she didn't have anyone.

****

The next day the boys woke up, finding Bree in the kitchen preparing breakfast as usual,

"morning mom," the boys said at the same time as they entered the kitchen.

"hey boys, " Bree called back.

"should I dare ask where dad is?" Justin whispered to Chris.

"I heard that, he isn't here," Bree responded turning around and facing them

"where did he go?" Justin asked taking a seat

"where he always goes " Bree muttered" how's Lucy?"

"mmm, does this mean were having another talk about your lovers breakfast discussion?" Justin asked, not at all up for it.

"how about you don't ask about your father and I won't ask about Lucy or Britney.." She said turning to Chris.

"Okay," Justin responded.

"fair enough," Chris replied getting some toast.

Bree went to the kitchen sink.

Chris lifted up the piece of toast to show Justin, "something's wrong, really wrong, the toast is burnt..charcoal black, "

"and Mom never burns things," justin concluded.

Suddenly a glass shattered. The boys looked at Bree who had just dropped a glass cup and was muttering curses at it.

"that's the first time I've ever seen her break anything," Chris whispered to Justin who nodded.

"hey mom!" Justin called out.

"what?" Bree asked still picking up the glass pieces.

"may I go out today?"

"yeah whatever," Bree replied

Justin and Chris looked at each other. "maybe we should have had the talk about your love life breakfast discussion," Chris whispered to Justin who agreed.

"why are you two whispering?" Bree asked standing up

"mm nothing," Justin blurted

"just enjoying this nice toast, " Chris replied.

Bree sighed, "it got burnt a little but it's still eatable right?"

Justin and Chris glanced at the pieces of burnt toast in disgust but lifted up there thumbs to show it was good.

Bree smiled and threw the broken pieces of glass in the bin.

"oh and I received a text from Anna and Lucy, apparently there shopping for a dress to wear tomorrow, "

"wow there serious!" Chris replied avoiding the toast as he reached out for some bacon.

"that mean we have the day to ourselves, "

"great, I just want to sleep in today!" chris replied.

"way ahead if you bro, downloaded transformers, Sonic and Black panther to watch today in the cinema on box office, where going to enjoy this, "

" yeah I'm in, operation bro time is ago, " Chris hooted.

***

Bree on the other hand had taken her break fast up to bed, just sulking all day.

however she did leave the house to visit her friend Hilda who lived a few blocks away.

"hey girl!" Bree said greeting her friend as Hilda opened the door. Hilda's was also quite rich, her husband was a retired NBA player turned coach and she was a successful business woman.

She returned the greeting beckoning Bree to come in. They were really close as friends and told each other everything.

Hilda  led her to her usual spot where they sat down and had a cup of coffee just discussing how there businesses where going, a little gossip here and there to spice up the conversation

"enough of all of this career talk, tell me how's Robin and the boys?" Hilda asked.

Bree groaned, "oh let's not talk about that girl, let's not go there, the boys are alright,”

"mmm, how about Robin?"

"Please," Bree said taking another sip of coffee.

"Uh oh, I sense trouble,” Hilda hummed out reaching out for a snack, "what's going on between you two?"

Bree didn't respond.

"Oh c'mon Bree I'm your best friend, we talk each other anything, just spit it out, maybe I can help,”

"I highly doubt it, it's complicated,” Bree huffed out, leaning back into her chair.

Hilda's gave her an’ isn't every marriage complicated?’ look.

Bree sighed putting down her coffee.

"It’s not like what I expected," she shrugged, "there is no time for us. He'll be back home late at night and before the sun comes up he's gone, sometimes I feel like I married a vampire whose only alive at night, "

Hilda's chuckled at the statement

"That’s an understatement," Bree continued, "he isn't even alive at night,"

Hilda's broke out in laughter at that comment

Bree looked at her, "is that all the support I'll get from you?" she asked watching as Hilda laughed her top off.

"Sorry...please go on,”

“I mean I do understand that he is busy with the Justin's career and Chris's acting career seems to be taking off too, then there's our other businesses. But I just want some time for me, for us, you know what I mean?"

"Preach"

"even if I just see him at night, he could make that moment count and not just turn over and say " Not tonight Bree, I'm tired" '  Bree imitated the last part like him

“I’m a woman, I also have feelings. Even if we don't do it, he could hold me and talk to me and not just send me gifts every time he knows he's failed as a husband, you get me?"

"I get you girl and there one easy, peasy solution to all that, " Hilda replied leaning in.

"What?” Bree asked surprised, not at all expecting that quick of a response.

"You think we also don't have problems like you do? My husband works like a workaholic and with my business we hardly have time for each other, you’re not the only one with those sorts of problems honey, "

"But you two look so happy, I can't even tell,” Bree blurted out.

"That’s because we love each other....and the sex is good,” Hilda added with a slight chuckle.

Bree shrugged, "yeah at least you have that,”

"I'll let you in on a secret, my husband usually comes back home tired, he can hardly work in bed but once I serve him nice bit tea, he is as alive as alive can be,”

"Just tea?" Bree asked confused.

"No silly, it's what I put in the tea, it's a drug. A stimulant,”

“A drug! I don't know about that Hilda,” Bree blurted,” Does Micheal even know about this?" She asked.

"Relax, it's been checked by medics, it's harmless, I mean for us. For younger people it could be too much. But if used as recommend and by the required age, it will make both of you happy, just like us,”

"Are you sure it doesn't have effects?"

“When taken by the right age group, yes. There's none that I've seen so far, unless being tired after it's over, but aren't all men tired when it's done even naturally?" she asked.

Bree laughed.

"I'll be back," Hilda said standing up.

Bree waited for a few minutes before Hilda came back with a black package.

"Two tablets in his drink or tea, that should do the trick but only twice a week, it's for the best, “she ordered.

Bree checked the package and smiled, "hope this works,"

"oh it will, just remember not around the boys. The kids are young and strong active they don't need any more hyper activity in them, it's meant for the older more aged out."

"Alright"