A Bride for a Merger

The week had ended quicker than I would've like or wanted it to. And with the end of the week, my easy going fun mood faded too as Tori had to go back to Chicago. However, all I could hope was that she would be back soon. For the couple days that she visited, I had the most fun ever in months. So naturally, I was a bit sad once again but I believed that she will be visiting soon again. After all she and Bryan definitely had a thing for each other. I think they would want to see each other again.

As for Bryan's office decorating, we had finished it. As a result, I haven't gotten to see Bryan since then. Especially, me taking on a new client. I was now assigned to help re-design the home of a married couple. I really missed Tori at this point. She really knew how to keep me entertained and in a happy mood. And now she was gone once again. I was even thinking of flying back to Chicago for a week as well. Not just to hang out with Tori but since I haven't seen my dad, other family member and friends since the wedding day. We talked over the phone and video chat all the time but it just wasn't the same.

Ever since I've told off Christopher, I haven't really seen him much either. We ran into each other only twice after that and Christopher tried making small conversations with me both times but I only answered with mostly monosyllables. I gave him simple responses before giving him an excuse as to why I couldn't continue any conversation with him and why I had to run. It was obvious that Christopher was trying to change things between us because he has been trying his best to act civil towards me but I wasn't quite ready. It was hard to just forget about how he had been towards me since we've met and since I've moved here.

I was still mad at him for calling me stupid and even more seeing him getting all intimate with that woman at the club. I hate judging, but I could be sure that the reason why Christopher was never around here-- his own home--was because he was busy with his mistresses. I was more than aware that Christopher wasn't into me or saw our marriage as a legitimate one but it still hurt. More so because technically, I was being cheated on.

I was never the type of girl that runs around much. I have never even had a real boyfriend before because I was so reserved. I have always believed in the commitment to the married vows, therefore even though my wedding wasn't one that was considered real, I just didn't have it in me to go ahead and be unfaithful. I know many people would probably say that I was too naive or too morally upright, but being brought up a certain way and seeing how my parents had lived before mom died, I was just not the type of person to go ahead and have casual flings, or form a relationship with someone else while wearing the ring of another man--whether it was just for show or business.

I made a mental promise to myself that I was just going to be patient and wait until one year of marriage, then I'd tell Christopher that I want a divorce. I'm sure he would be glad to get me out of his hair. After one year of marriage, the merger will be official and permanent. That way he could still run the company and keep the name and my family still get benefits from the Diamond's side of the company. That way I'm sure everyone wins.

**

I got home from work some minutes after 5 in the evening. I had an early lunch today so I decided I would just heat up some frozen mini pizzas that I had in the fridge. I wasn't feeling up to cooking this evening and even more, I was starving so there was no way I wouldbe able to put something on to cook then sit down and wait until the food is cooked before getting something to eat.

I took out a couple slices out of the plastic container before placing them in a plate and sticking it in the microwave. I set the microwave for the three minutes and while I waited for the pizza to be heated up, I went to the refrigerator to get a drink. As I took out the orange juice and closed the refrigerator door, I almost died of fright. Christopher was standing there infront of me.

"Oh my God!" I jumped with fright, putting my hands over my chest to calm my racing heart.

My heart felt as if it was going to pop out of my chest. Due to how frightened I was, I had dropped the bottle of juice I had just taken from the fridge. I had no idea he was home or even heard in come into the kitchen. What the hell was he trying to do? Kill me by giving me an heart attack? I didn't hear him come in nor was I even expecting him to be here right now.

"What the hell!? Are you trying to frighten me to death!?" I shrieked at him breathing hard from fright.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Christopher said to me with an apologetic expression. "I was just going to call your name and you shut that door."

"You almost gave me a freaking heart attack." I said to him.

"Sorry, that wasn't my intention." Christopher replied as he bent down retrieving the bottle of orange juice that I had dropped.

It was such a good thing that the juice bottle was made of plastic or else we would have had such a huge mess right now in this kitchen.

"Here you go," Christopher said passing me the bottle of juice.

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"Thanks," I sighed taking it from him as I tried to calm myself and my raging heart beats.

"I didn't even expect that you'd be home this early either".

"I know and I'm sorry again for scaring you but something came up and I had to talk to you." Christopher said to me as she sat on a stool.

"About what?" I asked him curiously giving him my full attention.

"My family is having this dinner that I've been dreading for a while now. Usually when they have these things I wouldn't go or I'd be out of town on business. However, this time I haven't got much of a choice. I didn't get a chance to mention this to you earlier and truthfully it had even slipped my mind, but they want us there-both of us." Christopher looked at me expectantly.

"Do we have to go?" I asked hoping that I really could escape this.

The first and the last time I had to meet and spend time with Christopher's family was on the day of our wedding. They really seemed like lovely people, so it wasn't like I didn't want to spend time with his family because they were horrible. The thing was, apart from Christopher's Dad and his mom, I presumed everyone else in his family thought we were a real and loving couple. I remembered at the wedding how we had to put on this whole front just for them not to notice that our marriage was only a business deal. in addition, I hated the idea of deceiving these people.

"Yeah, a lot of my family members are going to be there and so I'm expected to show up--with my wife. Especially since it is the first time that you'd be there as part of the family." Christopher informed me nervously.

"Oh no." I groaned silently shutting my eyes tightly to help me process this information right now. "When is this dinner?" I asked looking at him directly.

"Tonight." Christopher replied biting his lip.

"What!?" I asked incredulously. My eyes widened at hearing that.

"It is last minute, I know and I am sorry." Christopher replied looking just as grim as I felt.

"Oh God," I groaned closing my eyes and hanging my head in defeat. Letting out a defeated sigh I decided to give him an answer. "Okay, fine. "

I didn't have much of a choice in this matter now. we were expected toshow up, hence, I was going to have to go spend the entire evening with Christopher's whole family. This wasn't something I was planning on experiencing or dealing with again anytime soon.

Another night of pretense? I was screwed.