Unconditional Bonds

"Yeah, Mom, I'll be there on time for lunch," I said through the car's speakers. I was talking to my mom on the phone. "I'm on my way. Just going to pick up Bella." Despite being a billionaire playboy, Bella was my childhood friend, and I cared about her deeply. "No, she hasn't answered my calls all morning. Okay, let me drive and reach her quickly. Bye, Mom. See you later."

Bella was the daughter of my father's best friend. We had known each other since we were kids. She was a simple girl with an average appearance. Unlike other girls, she didn't show off her body or waste time dating silly high school boys.

She had earned a scholarship to attend NY University, and at eighteen years old, she worked part-time to earn her own pocket money. This set her apart from other students. She had no time for boys or fun; her focus was on her studies. She aimed to earn a scholarship for her further education, wanting to make her parents proud. Many boys tried to get her attention, but she didn't pay them any mind. The only boy who mattered to her was her best friend-me. I was rich, attractive, and considered one of the most desirable bachelors around (I knew it sounded conceited, but I couldn't help it). However, she knew that I saw her differently from other boys. I cherished her like my baby sister since she was ten years younger than me. I had practically watched her grow up before my eyes.

She understood me and never judged me for my playboy image. In fact, girls would approach Bella to get my number. They saw her as a way to introduce themselves to me. I knew Bella enjoyed having a special role in my life because everyone knew how much she meant to me, but only as a friend.

I groaned as I remembered it was Sunday. Bella wanted to sleep in for the entire day. She hadn't made any plans and had finished her assignments the night before. She had worked hard and attended classes throughout the whole week. Now she wanted some much-needed rest. She wasn't going to wake up even if the world turned upside down. She had planned for this peaceful Sunday, but luck wasn't on her side.

I called her number.

Bella's phone started ringing and continued to ring, but she didn't pick up. I kept calling her for 30 minutes until finally, she answered my call.

"What?" Bella groggily answered the phone without opening her eyes, immediately yelling at the caller on that Saturday morning, oblivious to the other person's response.

"Hey, baby girl! I knew it," I chuckled, enjoying her annoyance. "You forgot. Today you're supposed to come with me for my family lunch. Come on, get up quickly and get ready. I'll be there in 10 minutes," she said, conveying the urgency over the phone.

"Whatever," Bella replied lazily, then hung up. Knowing her routine well, I could easily picture what she would do next.

She would swiftly get out of bed and head straight to the bathroom, aware that she only had 10 minutes. In a hurry, she brushed her teeth and took a quick shower. Choosing her usual attire for outings, she put on her worn-out faded jeans, which had become quite old, and an old black t-shirt. Bella wasn't keen on dresses, and she felt content in her casual clothes, as she had no one to impress.

Exactly 10 minutes later, I found myself standing at Bella's door, impatiently pressing the doorbell repeatedly. After persistently ringing the bell for 15 minutes, Bella finally opened the door.

"Okay, I'm ready. Let's go..." Bella hurriedly pulled me along, closing the door behind us.

"You're always late, and now I'll be late for my family lunch," I complained, making a face as we hurried towards my truck.

"Oh yeah? Then why did you even come? Ask one of your girlfriends to accompany you to your family lunch. You know I just wanted to spend my weekend relaxing in my dorm room, sleeping all day. But you love to bother me," she said lazily.

"Oh no, you know they're all difficult. They never behave properly around my family and make things awkward. Plus, I don't want to ruin my family lunch..." I rolled my eyes and continued, "Actually, they'd be delighted to see you there. My family is really fond of you. Mom was asking for her favorite daughter, you know," I said, giving her a soft smile.

"Yeah, your family is really lovely, Ryder. I enjoy spending my weekends with them while I'm away from home. I miss my family so much," Bella said, sounding a bit sad as she longed for her own family.

She was her parents' only child, and they adored her. They didn't want to send her away for her studies, but Bella was ambitious, and they didn't want to hinder her pursuit of her dreams.

After a few minutes of driving, we arrived at my family's house. It was a grand mansion with a beautiful garden and modern interiors. My mom, Savannah Knight, and dad, Anthony Knight, were waiting in the living area. As we came into view, they stepped forward to welcome us.

Mom hugged Bella. "Hey sweetheart, it's been a while since we last saw you."

"Yeah, Mrs. Knight, I've been busy with my assignments. But I missed you all," Bella replied with a genuine smile. She truly missed them. My family treated her like their own daughter. My older brother and his wife were also kind to her. She felt at ease with them. After exchanging greetings, Bella took her seat, and everyone eagerly waited for both of us to join them so they could start the lunch.

"How's Jonathan?" my father asked about his best friend.

"He's doing well, Mr. Knight," Bella answered.

"When are they planning to come here and visit us? I feel like he's forgotten about me," my father pretended to complain.

Bella chuckled. "Oh no, he thinks about you every day, but he's busy with his job. Maybe he'll come to visit sooner," she replied, smiling.

At the dining table, we all enjoyed a delicious lunch while engaging in conversations about work and life, accompanied by laughter and smiles. Bella, in particular, relished the homemade food, as she rarely had the opportunity to indulge in it due to her reliance on takeout and cup noodles.

"My goodness, Bella, I really appreciate that you eat like a normal human being. Ryder's previous girlfriend seemed to survive on air," my mother remarked, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Bella glanced at me and replied, "Oh, Mrs. Knight, I love food. And luckily, I don't have a boyfriend who wants me to look like a model... right, Ryder?"

"I never asked any girl to starve themselves to death. It's their choice," I retorted, slightly annoyed. They enjoyed teasing me about my past relationships.

"Oh, how I wish you were his girlfriend instead of those model-like girls," my mother exclaimed, making Bella's breath catch in her throat.

"MOM..." I yelled in embarrassment. My mother had a talent for creating awkward situations.

"What? A mother can dream," my mom retorted, rolling her eyes in a dramatic fashion.

"Anyway, Bella, what are your plans for the vacation? Would you like to join us as an intern?" Damon, my brother, asked affectionately, treating Bella like a little sister.

"Well, I'm actually going to intern at a company during the vacation. It'll give me some valuable experience and a little bit of income," Bella replied with a smile. It wasn't that she needed the money, but she preferred to be independent.

"That's great! Ask Ryder to recommend some reputable companies. He'll guide you better since he cares about you the most," Damon suggested.

Bella smiled and nodded in agreement.

We enjoyed the rest of the family lunch, engaging in lively conversation and playful banter that made the delicious meal even more enjoyable. After lunch, my mom made Bella promise to visit them again soon. We said our goodbyes and left the house.

We arrived at my condo, where we had planned to watch a movie and order takeout for dinner. Both of us were in high spirits, enjoying each other's company. Bella changed into one of my oversized t-shirts that went down to her knees, and I changed into something more comfortable. Soon, we found ourselves sitting on the couch in front of a large TV.

I asked Bella to choose a movie while I made a few phone calls. We settled on a film and snuggled up together on the couch. I threw a blanket over us and wrapped my arms around Bella, ensuring she wouldn't fall asleep.

There was no awkwardness between us because Bella was like my little sister. I had never seen her in any other way, considering she was ten years younger than me. To me, she was just a teenager, completely out of my league.

We cuddled up and fell asleep together, as we often spent weekends at my place.

Our relationship was incredibly pure and innocent. Bella had a unique effect on me that no one else did. She had the ability to wrap me around her tiny finger effortlessly. She was the only person who truly understood me without any judgment.

Bella had been a part of my life since the day she was born. I loved her like a baby and would do anything for her. She held a special place in my heart that no one else could replace. I couldn't quite comprehend why I cared for her so deeply, but I knew that she was my childhood friend, and our bond was irreplaceable.