A Bride for a Merger

***One Month Later***

It had been a few weeks since I had visited Christopher's family's home for dinner. Ever since, Christopher had been a bit more civilised towards me, for which I was grateful. However, I was still a bit sceptical towards him and mindful of how mean he had been to me before. Bryan and I had been in contact and decided that it had been a while since we last saw each other and hung out. We literally haven't spend much time together since Tori went back home, so we decided to meet up for lunch.

Bryan was literally the only friend that I had made ever since I left Chicago and came to New York. I was just not as sociable towards others enough to make friends. I usually kept to myself and wallow in being a loner. I believed that a part of that had to do with the fact that the less friends I had, the less people would know how sad my life was, especially my marriage. However, it was hard not to be friends with Bryan. The minute we had met in his office, there was this friendly aura surrounding him. It took me less than twenty four hours to feel as if we were friends for ages. And in addition, he helped to make my time in New York feel less lonely and pathetic.

"So Allison, when is Tori planning on visiting again?" Bryan asked as we sat having lunch in a really nice restaurant.

We were having sushi for lunch. Bryan had suggested it.

"Why don't you tell me?" I chuckled teasingly. "I am sure that you guys communicate more than she and I do."

"Who says that we communicate at all?" Bryan chuckled.

"Please, it's either you think that I'm blind or I'm stupid or something. "I rolled my eyes at him. "You seriously expect me to believe that after you guys were so into each other when she was here, you're not contacting each other at all?" "Well, I never said that, I'm just saying that you would probably know. Besides, I know that you guys tell each other everything." Bryan replied.

"Not exactly everything." I said to him. "We still have to leave some things a mystery and a secret right?"

"You guys tell each other almost everything then. I mean you're not only family, you're also bestfriends. So did she tell you when she planned on visiting again?" Bryan asked curiously. "I know that she has been a bit busy, and I didn't want to seem weird or pushy, so I never asked her if she's planning on visiting New York anytime soon."

"Bryan, I have a little suggestion. Why don't you use one of those day off or week off of yours--that you told me about--and fly out to Chicago. Go surprise her. You guys connected so much when she was here, I think she would like the thought of you visiting." I tried encouraging him.

Bryan obviously liked Tori a lot, and Tori really liked him too. However, Bryan seemed surprisingly shy when it came on to her. He also needed a little push.

"I don't think that would be such a good idea at all Alli." Bryan said to me shaking his head. "Going to Chicago?"

"Why not? You like her, she likes you. You obviously missed her, so what is the problem there?" I asked him curiously. "If she is too busy to visit, maybe you can."

"I would probably look like an obsessed stalker. I mean, I have only spent one week around her and only knewher briefly. What she think of me when I would be going all the way to Chicago to see her? She would probably be creeped out by that." Bryan replied with a frown. "I couldn't scare her off like that. I think it would be creepy Allison."

"What? Seriously Bryan? Who gave you that idea? I know that she would think that you're really sweet and that you really like her. You must like her that much that you just had to fly to her hometown to see her again. She definitely doesn't think you're a weird stalker and she wouldn't. " I said pushing his shoulder playfully.

"How would you be so sure?" Bryan asked me cautiously. "Wouldn't you find it weird for a guy who you have met briefly to do something like that?"

"Nope not really because I'm pretty sure that if a guy took the time out to fly over to my hometown just to see me, I would be all over him. Trust me I would love him for it." I said before taking a bite of my food. "That would be special." "Oh really? I thought Christopher went all the way to Chicago just for you. Why aren't you in love with him and all over him then?" Bryan asked smugly.

I hated the fact that he did have a little point there by bringing that up.

"Oh shut up Bryan." I scowled at him causing him to laugh at my reaction."That is a totally different situation, so can you please leave Christopher out of this? That is definitely not a good example or comparable. Christopher and I don't have chemistry like you and Tori. "

"Come on Allison, I think that it is basically the same thing. The guy got on a plane to Chicago more than once, all for you." Bryan said a bit jokingly.

"No, no it is not the same thing. He didn't come to Chicago to see me for me, he came because he was forced to because of a business arrangement and because he didn't have a choice. It was either he flew over to meet me or he say bye bye to such a huge deal and disappointed his father." I said to him. "Our situation is not the same, we did not meet and she the same connection that you and Tori have."

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"What if it wasn't like that though? What if you guys had met under a different situation or circumstances? And he did that? Would you have been all over him then?" Bryan asked seriously this time.

"Uhm, yeah I guess I would. Things would have probably be different." I replied with a nod.

"Allison, can I ask you something? Forgive me if I overstep, but it is a little bit personal." Bryan asked me cautiously.

"Yeah sure." I nodded. "You can ask me whatever it is."

"Do you think that maybe you have feelings for your husband?" Bryan asked, putting me on the spot right then.

"I... well, I uh... I don't know." I stuttered out to him. "I dont... I really don't know."

I honestly wasn't sure whether or not I did have feelings for Chrisopher or not. I mean, sure I think that he was really attractive-- I wasn't going to lie. Iwould be blind not to see that he was a hot male specimen. He was indeed gorgeous with a very attractive body and I felt some type of way when I saw him with that female at the club. However, his rotten attitude towards me since we had met, that was enough to have me doubting whether or not I could ever allow myself to develop and serious feelings for him. I believe that I would be setting up myself to get hurt and for a huge heartbreak.

"So you are not attracted to him then?" Bryan asked. "It would not be a crime if you do have feelings for him you know. We are humans after all Allison. It is in our nature to feel, even when we don't want to."

"Well maybe I am a little bit... just a tad bit attracted to him, but his asshole attitude towards me is enough to cover my original attraction for him." I answered truthfully. "It would be a small attraction, with some resentment in it." "Have you ou ever ...you know talk to him? Tell him about how you feel?" Bryan asked me.

"What? Bryan, are you crazy? No. Of course not. Christopher has hated me the minute he laid eyes on me and he has made it clear that he does. And I already know that I am not his type. You were there at the club that night, you saw. Christopher is quite contented with sticking his tongue down other females' throats. So do you expect me to talk to him after knowing all that?" I chuckled humorlessly. "What would I say to him? 'I know you're good looking and I like that but I also hate the way you're mean to me?"

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"Here is what I want to know, are you just going settle for being stuck in a marriage where you don't even know each other? Are you ust going to give up even trying? I knowit probablydon'tseem to make any sense and I know you are still young and have alot of time to find happiness, but don't you want to find that guy that is right for you? Or, are you just going to stay unhappy and lonely in a loveless marriage for the rest of your life?"

"Who says that I am staying in it for the rest of my life?" I asked him with my eyebrows raised. "I really don't think even I have that much will power Bryan."

"Wait, what do you mean?" Bryan looked at me confusedly. "Do you mean that you are going to leave?"

"What is meant by my statement is that after one full year of marriage, I think that I am going to seek a divorce. So I hope you will be available to be my lawyer at that time or atleast know of an excellent divorce lawyer that you could recommend to me." I said to him.

"Wait, are you serious?" Bryan asked surprised. "Wow, you are serious."

"Yeah, I am. When I agreed to this deal, it was just for my Dad and the benefit for the company. I honestly did not sign up for a lifetime deal or being stuck on a loveless marriage. I am sure that every deal has an expiry date to them right?" I said to him. "Every contract has an expiry date."

"But the real question that I have for you is, is that what you really want? Do you really want to just give up being married before you guys even tried seeing if it could work? Wouldn't you want to see if it could be real?" Bryan asked. "I guess I would really want an out of I could get one. I know that Christopher isn't interested in a real marriage, and even worst with me. I am not even sure that I would be interested either. So in about seven months or so we will both be free." I shrugged.

"Allison, I don't want you thinking that I'm a bad friend or trying to tell you how to live your life pr anything, but how would you know all that if you haven't given the guy a chance?" Bryan said to me. "I know he may seems like a jerk but maybe he has the ability to change."

"After everything that he has done and said to me? Christopher made me feel like crap most times Bryan. You still think I should give him a chance?" I asked incredulously. "I doubt that."

"Allison, I think that everyone deserves a chance or even a second chance. You said he has been making an effort? Maybe you could just give the guy a chance to make it up to you. You could see how things turn out and of there is any chance of you two being good together, before just ending things way before even starting. I know that you're not really one that is all about divorce, so maybe you could just try things first before fully making up your mind okay?" Bryan encouraged. "However, if you are certain that you don't want to see if things could work, then it is up to you to make your final decision. I just think you should try first before finally giving up."

"Yeah, I guess that I will have to think about it." I replied taking a sip from my wine." For a really long time and really hard."