Chapter 8

Brianna's point of view.

As I walked into the living room, I found my father, George Conners, sitting on the couch with a glass of whiskey. I had been completely preoccupied thinking about the wedding, and now it was time to talk to Dad.

"Dad, can I talk to you about something?" I asked, trying to sound really calm.

My father's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked up at me. "What's up, Brianna?"

Taking a deep breath, I launched a barrage of concerns about the wedding. "I don't think they are a good match, Brenda and Logan," I told him. "I don't think they have any sort of connection between the two of them; that they seem to have gone through it as a necessity for the family business."

His expression was absolutely impassive, but I could sense those muscles in his body tense up. "What are you talking about? The wedding is going to happen, and that's final," he said.

Argh! Such frustration! He just wouldn't listen to me. "But Dad, I'm telling you, Brenda and Logan are not meant to be," I said. "Can't we just, I don't know, call off the wedding and-"

Without speaking, he turned crimson with rage and raised his arm to smack the coffee table. "No! We cannot call off the wedding," he thundered. "The Kings and the Conners have been business partners for years, and this wedding is going to cement our futures. You will not ruin this for me, Brianna."

Then I turned to look at my father, and I felt a kind of chill creep into my bones. I had never seen him so angry before, and that's exactly why I had to tread carefully.

"But Dad, I'm telling you, Brenda and Logan aren't in love. They're just acting out the motions," I continued to try my reasoning with him.

The same expression was aligned on his face, but I could feel cold calculation in his eyes. "I don't care about their feelings, Brianna," he said.. "This has to do with business; nothing else matters. You will not have a say in this wedding. Got it?"

Aha! My gaze met my father. My heart surged into my throat, for I knew that I had to be careful around him, that I had to tread carefully so that I might not trigger his anger.

"Yes, Dad," I said, trying to sound meek. "I understand."

My father's expression softened slightly, and he nodded. "Good," he said. "I'm glad we understand each other, Brianna."

As I walked out, my mind was immediately wrought with disquiet. What was in his mind for bringing about this wedding? Why was he so bent on going through with it no matter what?

I know I was at a loss for answers, but I had taught myself caution. My father was a powerful man, and I didn't want to cross him. 0

As I walked out of the living room abode, I could not help but feel a sense of fearful anticipation clutch at my being. A nagging thought kept running through my mind, what would happen if I continued opposing this wedding? Would that anger then turn towards me?

I did not know, but I knew it would not matter. Be careful; I tread lumber again.

I was sitting in my room, alone with my whiskey, feeling restless as I had felt all day - and my thoughts turned to the wedding and the discussion with my father.

Brenda barged in.

"Brianna, what did you do?" she demanded, her voice vibrating with strong emotions.

Her voice left me stunned. "What's that about?" I asked, attempting calmness.

Brenda narrowed her eyes and said, "You went to dad and told him to cancel my marriage with logan, didn't you?" she accused.

A moment's hesitation ensued before I knew what to respond with. Then I remembered why I even went to our father in the first place. "Brenda, I was trying to protect you," I said. " You and Logan aren't meant to be."

Brenda's demeanor became defensive. "And how do you know that?" she asked.

I sighed. "About the way you both acted with each other, isn't real. And there doesn't seem to be chemistry, and you looked like you'd just gone through with it for Dad."

Brenda gazed away. I noticed that her tension was very clear present in her body. "Then you love Logan?", I asked to get straight to the matter.

After a while, she shook her head. "No," she admitted.

I was shocked as never before. "So why then is it that I am being accused of going to Daddy?", I asked. "If that's not it for you with Logan, then why are you marrying him?".

Brenda's expression was now one of fear. "I don't want to make him mad," she said. "He's already so invested in this wedding, and I don't want to disappoint him."

I felt an understanding pang. I knew from experience that our father could be scary. Brenda is terrified of him, but fear should never be allowed to become a guiding principle for one's decisions.

"Brenda, you cannot marry someone just to make Dad happy," I said. "You have to think about what you want for yourself, what will make you happy."

Brenda looked toward me through searching, uncertain eyes. "I don't know what to do," she admitted.

I took a deep breath, my head spinning with the need to get my sister out of this mess. "We'll figure it out together," I vowed. "But first, we have to be honest with ourselves. Do you really want to marry Logan?"

“ No” Brenda said disgustingly  “ how many times do I have to tell you no”

“ Well,you aren't making any move to stop this wedding, so I guess you want it” I said

“ I only accept to marry Logan because father chose him , what else would I do “ Brenda lamented

“ Have you even tried having a conversation with Logan himself “ I asked

“ No , why do you ask”

“ Maybe you both can figure something out” I said,

“maybe I should do that” Brenda accepted.

I suddenly became scared that Logan would tell Brenda about what we had.