You're Not Danielle!!

CHAPTER FOUR: FAMILY LEGACY

Antoine winced at the sound of his father's angry voice. "Yes, father," he said, feeling like a child again. "I'm on my way home."

"Good," his father replied. "And when you get here, we need to talk."

Antoine's heart sank. "Yes, father," he said, trying to keep the dread out of his voice. "I'll see you soon."

He hung up the phone and looked at Danielle. "I have to go," he said, feeling a mix of emotions. "Thank you for listening to me." He wanted to stop himself from leaving as those men's eyes never left her but his father comes first. He didn't want to get into more trouble because of her.

Antoine arrived home to find his father waiting for him in the living room. His face was stern, and Antoine could tell he was not happy.

"You left the party early," his father said, his voice cold. "You know how important tonight was for the family."

Antoine knew there was no point in arguing. "I know, father," he said, trying to keep his voice calm.

"I'm not sure you do," his father said, his voice raising slightly. "The Devereaux family has a reputation to uphold, and your actions tonight put that reputation at risk. You cannot just run off whenever you feel like it."

"I'm sorry, father," Antoine said, bowing his head slightly. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

"I don't want your apologies," his father said. "I want your commitment to this family and to the business."

Antoine felt a knot in his stomach.

"But father??"

"What? You want to run away again like you did many years ago? Or you want to change your mind about marrying The Devereaux daughter?"

Antoine hesitated, not sure how to respond. He knew his father would not be happy with either answer, but he had to be honest.

"I...I don't know what I want, father," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "I never wanted this life, but I know it's my duty. I just don't know if I can do it."

His father stared at him, his expression unreadable. "You have a duty to this family, and to the business. You can't just walk away from that. And you made a commitment to Chanelle and her family."

"Must it be about Chanelle every single time? Can't I do the family business without her family? They want the marriage next month."

"So? Can't you see that we are not moving forward in business! We need our stocks to rise! The Devereaux family is the only miracle we've got. We need you to do this!! Can't I hope and wish on my own son!!!"

Antoine flinched, his father's words hitting him like a slap. "I...I know, father. I'm sorry. I just...I'm not sure I can do this. I don't know if I can marry Chanelle. I don't love her."

"Love is not the most important thing in a marriage," his father said, his voice cold and hard. "It's about duty, about responsibility. You can learn to love her over time.

And this is one thing Antoine is tired of hearing, that he's going to love her overtime. How? When? When his whole world still revolves around Danielle?

He nodded his head at his father even with all the frustrations he felt, he left the room and halfway down the hall, he heard his mother's voice.

"Antoine," she called out, her voice soft and kind. "Can we talk?"

Antoine turned and saw his mother standing in the doorway, her eyes full of concern. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Of course, mother," he said, following her into the study.

"What happened between you and Chanelle, you left her all alone tonight. She called complaining."

"All she ever do is complain." He mumbled under his breath feeling really cornered at the moment.

"Antoine!" his mother said, her voice shocked. "That's not a nice thing to say. Chanelle is a lovely young woman, and she's been very kind to you. She deserves better than that."

Antoine felt his anger rising, but he tried to keep it under control. "Mother, I know she is lovely, but I just don't love her. I never have."

"That doesn't mean you can't learn to love her, or at least respect her," his mother said, her voice pleading.

"Mother why are you all making this seem like a big deal?"

"Antoine, this is a big deal," his mother said, her voice growing stern. "You made a promise to Chanelle and her family. You can't just go back on your word. It's not just about you, it's about the family honor, and our business. Do you understand?"

Antoine stared at his mother, feeling trapped. He knew that she was right, but he couldn't bring himself to feel the same way. "I know, mother," he said, his voice tight.

"And I will do as you and father wants!!" Suddenly reminded by the past, "Did you ever care to find out why I left home? Why I never came back after I left!!"

"It's not necessary since you're here now and I need you stop disappointing your father and do the right thing!! Stop making Chanelle worry about you."

Antoine felt his anger flare up again, but he tried to push it down. "Mother, I understand what you're saying. But please, can we just talk about this? I know I've disappointed you and father, but I can't just marry Chanelle because of that. I'm not sure I could ever make her happy."

His mother looked at him, her eyes full of sadness. "You don't have to marry her for her sake, Antoine. You can marry her for the family's sake. We need this alliance, we need the business to thrive."

Same thing they always say, we need the business to thrive, we need the alliance, we need the Devereaux family! What about him? Why don't he matter? For ten years! His opinions never mattered to the family. He just woke up one morning to the announcement of his engagement to Chanelle and that's it. His fate was sealed with her. For ten whole years!!

He stormed out of the house, got into his car and drove home to where Chanelle was sitting down at the foot of the stairs and waiting for him to come back to her.

Chanelle looked up when she heard the door open, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "Antoine," she said, her voice shaking. "Where have you been? I've been so worried."

Antoine stood in the doorway, not sure what to say. He felt bad for making her cry, but he couldn't lie to her. "I'm sorry, Chanelle."

She stood up and fell into his arms. Antoine held her close, feeling her trembling against him.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," he said, his voice soft. Even when he wasn't feeling any remorse for hurting her. "I just...I don't know how to explain it."

Chanelle pulled back, looking up at him, her eyes searching his face. "You don't love me, do you?" she said, her voice quiet.

And he knew saying YES would be a big lie, he doesn't love her and that's the bitter truth about it all, he haven't gotten over Danielle yet, he haven't for one day stopped thinking about her. The last conversation he heard with her before she ceased existing in the world was still fresh in his memory, he could still recall her face in his memory, her warm smiles and her soft laughs, he could still remember it.

Dying, leaving him all alone in this cruel world left a huge hole in his heart. If only she had lived, he wished. He would not have come back to Philadelphia, he would not have come back to his parents. If only Jake can say to him one day that Danielle is alive... He can't stop wishing for that miracle to happen.

Still looking at Chanelle, he touched the back of her head and fluffed her hair forcing out a smile, "Let's try loving you now, okay?" And she nodded hopefully as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

***************************************

Danielle eyes opened and she rubbed it vigorously trying to figure out where she is. She felt very cold under the sheets and she peeped through to see that she was naked. Her heart clogged immediately as she tried to figure out where all her clothes went but she couldn't remember anything that happened the previous night, just then, she felt someone's body lying a bit far off away from her on the bed. She rolled over in the bed, careful not to wake the person next to her. But as she looked on, she caught a glimpse of a bare shoulder, the ruffled hair, the brows, the face and she froze. It was her boss!!! Mr. Roderigo Leonardo was in bed with her!!

She gave out a loud scream before she covered her lips but her boss have already woken and sat up on the bed. They both turned to each other locking eyes, the surprised expression written on their faces.

Frowning and covering his lower body with the sheets, "What are you doing in my bed Danielle?!" He yelled.