Strings of Fate

69- Family and facet “That doesn’t sound completely unreasonable. | mean it does, but if it makes you feel better | could probably do it. When do you wantto check in?” “How often are you willing to check in?” “How often do you wantto?” “As much as possible. Every hour.” He responds. Okay now he’s being unreasonable.

“Bellamy.” | respond, a clear rejection in my tone.

“Okay, okay. | know that’s a bit ridiculous. But you asked how often | WANT to hear from you, not how often | expect is reasonable. How about every three hours?” He tries again. | sigh.

“Counter offer. Four times a day. When | wake up, and then once every four hours. You'll know the tbased on what t| wake up. And Aaron can message on my behalf if I'm working.” | offer. It does sound a bit annoying, but messaging the guy I'm seeing a few times a day doesn’t seem that weird, besides if it makes him feel better | don’t mind. As long as he doesn’t try to limit my actions | can tolerate it. Besides, based on what Megan and Darrien. have told me, if | help him feel secure he should back off a little eventually.

“Done! And Thankyou. | know | can be a bit extreme, but please try and forgivein advance. You might not like the whole physical and public aspects of this relationship very much because it’s new to you. But I've never had a mate before either and it might take stto learn to settle my... protective instincts. But | swear | am trying.” he says earnestly.

“I know that. If you weren't trying so hard to makecomfortable believe| would not be nearly so cooperative. I'm not the one worried about my safety, I'm doing this for you.” | stop there and hope he catches my implication that I'm doing it because | care about his feelings. Bellamy laughs.

“I know. | do find it amusing that you cacross so passive and compliant when you're around strangers.

You've never had a problem stating your opinion and sticking to it when with your friends and family. I'm not surprised through, you're meant to be an Alpha with 1/5 69- Family and facetime.

me.” He comments. I'm stuck halfway through the sentence.

“Family...” | trail off.

“Hmm? What was that?” “You said family. I'm not sure what you mean by it,” | answer quietly.

“Ryann. Sweetheart isn’t that obvious? | meant Megan and myself obviously. Darrien too | suppose, but he still needs to earn the title.” He adds reluctantly. | choke, stuck somewhere between laughing and crying. I've wanted a real family my whole life and he just declared. that | have one without so much as pausing. | know I claimed Darrien as my brother but part ofjust considered that wishful thinking. | don’t think Bellamy realises what a big deal this is tobecause | can hear snaps of conversation he has having with someone on the other end of the line. He lets out a deep sigh.

“Apparently my next appointment just arrived at the front gate, | have to go.” He says. reluctantly. | find I'm more disappointed than | thought | would be. | think back over our conversation and realise there's something | really need to address before he goes.

“Right, Uhm, well... before you go..,” | stop and take a steadying breath.

“What is it” he asks curiously.

“Well... you said something aboutnot liking the... physical aspects of this... us... very much. That's... not right. It scaresa bit and makesuncomfortable but | don’t dislike...” | trail off, struggling for words. Why am | so pathetic. This shouldn't be so hard to talk about.

“It's okay Ry, | understand. Really.” His voice sounds funny and he groans.

“My appointment is here but | don’t want to hang up. | want to see you.” He complains, his voice almost a whine.

He perks up a little.

“I can’t believe | didn't think of this before, switch to FaceTso | can see you before my meeting. Please?” His tone is pleading and | can’t bring myself to refuse. Blushing furiously, | swap to FaceTime. | hold my phone out awkwardly not sure how close | am meant to be to the camera. Bellamy pops up on the screen. | think he’s sitting at his desk. His golden eyes 2/5 69- Family and facet look so bright over the phone camera | can’t help but stare at them. He grins at me.

“You are so beautiful, | miss you already.” | blush harder and drop my gaze. | can hear a knock on his office door but Bellamy doesn’t react.

“You need to go.” | remind him. He sighs.

“I know, | know. | just don’t want to go. When will | see you next?” “Uhm... tomorrow evening. If you're free?” | offer.

“I'll do whatever it takes to make sure | am. Goodnight, sweet dreams.” he says sweetly. | wave at him awkwardly.

“Night.” I quickly hang up before | can embarrass myself.

| spend the next couple minutes scrolling through my group chat with Megan and Harry. They kept coming up with increasingly weird drinks right up until Harry said he was heading into the bar. That was about half an hour ago.

COCK TALES Harry-Okay, heading in now. Wishluck.

Megan- Luck. Now GO and tell us how she reacts.

Ryann- I'm behind here. | was on the phone with Bellamy. Do we know who the bartender is yet? You said she...

Megan- Nah, | just assumed and he hasn't correctedsoo...

Harry. Of course the bartender is a woman. I'm not researching creative cocktails to get attention from a man! Ryann- Alright, alright. Just checking. Is she cute? 3/5 69- Family and facet Harry- IMG.1 He sends a selfie. He's winking at the camera and once again I'm struck with how easily he could be mistaken for an actor or something. He really is gorgeous. Dark hair, blue eyes. It occurs tothat | should really ask what he actually does for a living. | search the photo and | can see a woman in the background of the photo. It's blurry, all | can really make out is that she has wavy blonde hair and that she seems pretty short. At least | think she is based on how low she is behind the bar.

Megan- Oooh sneaky pic. She is cute. You should totally tell us what bar you're at. We could investigate.

Harry- Maybe sother time...

Ryann- So what drink did you order? Harry- | ordered a Blowjob.

Megan- XD and how did that turn out? Did she react? Harry- Not sure. Her polite bartender expression didn’t crack. But the drink | got wasn’t what I ordered.

Ryann- What did she give you? Harry- I'm not sure.

Harry describes the drink, colour, taste and what he saw her putting in it. Megan and | both start researching.

Megan- | think | found it! Ryann- Yeah? Harry-??? 4/5 69- Family and facetime.

Megan- | think the drink is called Blue Balls... LOL! Ryann- Wow okay that’s kind of amazing. | think | want to meet this bartender chick. She sounds fun! Where exactly are you Harry? Harry- Not telling. | am, however, going to go and order another drink. I'll talk to you girls later, | think this situation requires my full attention Ryann- That poor woman.

Megan- Yeah...

Ryann- Good luck Harry. | think you might need it! Megan