CONFLICTING FLAMES

CHAPTER 4

David felt elated.

He meets her again.

When he had walked into the house, he had seen her and then had to pretend he didn't know her, seeing she was trying so hard to ignore him. He had stared at her all through the dinner and had wanted to talk to her so badly.

The night they had shared was the best he had. He never knew she was Brian's fiancé but now that he was aware, he still wanted her.

He wanted her so badly.

It was only a one-night stand but it meant so much to him. When she had left that morning, he couldn't stop thinking about her. He knew he loved her but he didn't want to stop her from getting married but then she was getting married to his brother.

How could he bear it?

A woman he loved was getting married to his brother. That was the most painful part of meeting Amanda again.

There was no way he would betray his brother, not for anything. They had gone through a lot together in the past and Brian was such a nice person and he wouldn't want to hurt his elder brother.

His parents had told him the story of his birth. They had waited so long for a child that they had to go adopt one. It was 4 years later, that David was born. They became one happy family and Brian has remained grateful ever since.

David had never had a reason to be jealous of Brian and he wouldn't start now. Brian was his elder brother. Once in school, Brian had stood up for him when some students wanted to bully him. In school, David was the nerd, and Brian was the cool guy who always saved him.

********

"I called Becky, already. Everything is ready baby. I'm so happy I will be getting married to you, finally." Brian said, washing his hands.

"Baby?" He called turning to face Amanda who was in so much deep thought. He cleaned his hands quickly and with a face filled with concern, he went to meet her on the bed.

"Sweetheart? What's wrong? Why are you sitting here in thought? Is there a problem?" Brian asked, bringing her closer to him. "Come to me."

"Nothing is wrong," Amanda answered with a smile. "I'm just so lucky I have a caring, handsome husband. You're simply everything. "

"Is that it?" Brian wasn't satisfied.

Amanda nodded. "Yes, baby. I think I'm just nervous, that's all but I'll get over it."

"I love you." Brian decided to let the issue die.

"I love you too," Amanda responded, her hands caressing his beard.

"Let me call Dad." He said and jumped out of bed.

Amanda went back to her thoughts, she was getting confused as the days went by. She would be getting married to Brian the next day but she wasn't excited or happy but scared and nervous.

David had refused to stay away from her and Brian. How would David agree to stay away from his brother's wedding? He had insisted on helping plan the wedding but Amanda knew his true intentions.

Amanda had always avoided him or avoided being in the same room with him. She knew David wanted to have a conversation with her but she refused to give life to that request of his.

She had already made the mistake of sleeping with her fiancé's brother, she was not going to complicate matters anymore.

She was worried about the conversation she had with him yesterday.

She had gone into the storage room to get a plate when she met him there.

"Oh.. sorry. I'll just come back." She said, turning to leave.

"You're avoiding me," David said stopping her.

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are but why? Did I do something wrong?" David asked.

"We did something wrong," Amanda responded.

"It's not wrong if you feel something for me." David ignited the feelings Amanda thought had died off that night they were together.

"It's just s*x, don't flatter yourself. "

"I'm not. It's true. You feel something for me, just like I do for you."

"Can we stop this whole rubbish? I'm getting married to your brother in less than three days, so whatever I feel for you, whatever it is, it's nothing."

"So you agree that you love me." David blushed.

"Love?" Amanda laughed. "Love is such a strong word. I love Brian, not you."

"What then do you feel for me?"

"Nothing." Amanda turned to leave but stopped. "Listen, Whatever happened between us was a mistake. A very big one. You were drunk and I was drunk and stupid. I would really want to get through with this wedding and leave my life without having to remember sleeping with my fiancé's brother, so please stay away from me."

"I can't do that. I tried, Amanda. Believe me, I did." David pleaded. He stood there like a helpless little boy. He didn't have to do anything else to ignite the desire Amanda felt.

Amanda was dumbfounded. It was getting bad already and she was in a room with the man who made her heart beat fast. They were so close that they could hear each other breathe.

"I know you want this too so let's not pretend," David said, reaching out to her. He took hold of her hand and kissed them.

"I can't do this, David. I can't." Amanda complained, totally uncomfortable.

"Tell me if you love me. Tell me."

" I don't know. I can't explain what I feel for you."

"Let's run away."

"What?" Amanda took her hands away and gazed at him. How could he make that suggestion in the first place?

"Amanda, I know you think I'm heartless and don't have human sympathy, I know you think this is going too fast but I can assure you that I would take care of.."

"How can you think of this? What of Brian, what will happen to him?"

"Brian is a big man. He'll sort himself out."

"I can't believe you're saying this.

"I'm sorry but I just can't let go of you. I can't do that."

"I'm sorry, David but I'm getting married to Brian and there's nothing that can be done."

"Don't make a mistake."

"I won't." Amanda walked out, slamming the storage door behind her.

"If I don't get to have you, I won't let anyone have you, not even my brother," David smirked as she left.