Save Me

Two

You’re getting married to Johanna Tyler.

You’re getting married to Johanna Tyler.

You’re getting married to Johanna Tyler.

You’re getting married to Johanna Tyler.

You’re getting married to Johanna Tyler.

I felt my throat go dry as the color of my face turn white. My knuckles balled up, my jaw clenched. After Adrian’s death, I’ve done nothing but to please my father and save this company. I basically turned my life around, well, I was still a player, a heartbreaker, but that was only occasionally. I changed. I changed my whole life and tried my best to be Adrian, because I took away his life and along with it, our company’s imminent future and my father’s dreams for him and the company.

But that was one thing. But having to marry a girl I rarely met and barely know, that was different, “What?”

His smile broadens, he must’ve thought that I was thrilled with the idea of an arrange marriage, “Johanna Tyler. I’ve already asked Trevor to do a background check on her.”

I bit my lip, “Why?”

“What do you mean why?” he asked, his eyebrow furrowing, his forehead scrunching, “You are going to marry Johanna for this company, Seth. We will merge our companies after. Think about it, Seth, our marketing will skyrocket, more income, and no more huge competitors.”

Of course. It was all about the money, the company. John Andrews didn’t care about anything else. Just this. My throat was dry but still I managed a whisper, “No.”

“What do you mean no?”

“I’m not getting married,” I said marrying her, “You must be joking father.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

I looked at him, his gray eyes dark and there was no humor dancing in it. All I saw was seriousness, demand, and hunger for more power, “I’m not marrying her Dad.”

“Why?!” he shouted.

A year ago, I wouldn’t be scared of him shouting at me. Well, I was the black sheep then. I didn’t owe anything. But now, I killed Adrian, and I had to do something for him to make up for the loss I cause him and our company. But marriage wasn’t one of them.

“I don’t know her!”

“You go to bars and f**k girls you don’t know,” he said coldly.

Of course he knew that. I’m sure he has someone checking on my every move, even Louise’s and Collin’s. I shook my head, “That’s different Dad. I’m not gonna commit myself to them forever!”

“Seth,” he started, his eyes and voice ablaze with anger.

I shook my head, “I’m not marrying her, father.”

I then headed out. I wanted to go home, to go someplace to think. When I got to my office, Gerard handed me a file. I think it was Johanna Tyler’s file. Crap. I grabbed my things and then sprinted out of our company. I needed to go somewhere else.

I got in my car and drove quickly back home. I headed straight to my room, changed into some comfortable clothes and headed to the rooftop with Johanna Tyler’s files in hand. It was a good thing that our condo was located on the last floor, so the rooftop was always an easy access for Louise and I.

I sat on the lounge chair that could overlook the entire Boston. It was almost nighttime so the lights were all turned on. In all fairness, Boston was a beautiful sight at night too. Maybe not as striking as New York or as magical as Paris, but it was just as pretty too. I opened Johanna Tyler’s file.

There wasn’t exactly anything much indicated in it. Just her personal information, educational career, job, charity works, but it’s not like I could know a person with she does. Actually, I’ve heard about Johanna. She was this nice girl to the public but a spoiled brat when away from the media’s eye. A pretender.

“Alec?”

I turned around and saw Louise. She had already changed, wearing pajamas and my white shirt. She always loves wearing my shirts, or Collin’s, or sometimes Adrian’s when she misses him so much. Her brown hair was still wet from her shower and she was holding two glasses of orange juice.

She sat down on the lounge chair beside me as I sipped the juice, “You’re home early. That’s new.”

I gave her a small smile, “Something came up. I just needed to be faraway from work as possible.”

Her face then etched concern for me, “What’s wrong?”

I offered her a bitter smile and then turned to look at the city, “I’m getting married. To Johanna Tyler.”

“What?” she asked exasperated, “Seth?! Why? How? And when?”

“Why, because John wants to merge the companies to finally put an end to the rivalry.How, because he arranged our marriage. And when, I had no idea and have no plan to know.”

We were silent for a moment until Louise spoke, “Are you gonna do it?”

I looked at my sister’s pale green eyes, and sighed, “I’m gonna find a way to get out of this, Blair.”

She squeezed my hand, “I’m gonna help you. Do you have any plans?”

I sighed, “No, but I won’t marry her. Over my dead body.”

Dead body. In some strange ways, maybe death could help me because that seemed to be the only option to get away from this. If I die, I didn’t have to pretend to be somebody I’m not, I’d be free from all the obligations and Adrian could have someone beside him. But if I die, what will happen to the rest of my family? I don’t really care much about Dad but what about the rest? Louise could barely keep herself together with Adrian’s death, Collin was unstable, and Mom? She grew distant to us at that time. And Adrian wasn’t even that close to them, not as close as I was.

“Alec?” Louise asked softly, “When you think of something, tell me. Okay?”

I nodded, “Okay.”

She bit her lip, “Dad called. He wants you to meet him and the Tyler’s at their restaurant. Are you going?”

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, “Maybe I can convince Johanna to cancel the wedding.”

I stood up and kissed Louise’s cheek before proceeding to my room. I took a quick shower, dressed in a clean pair of black slacks, red polo but I left it untuck and put on my black coat. I didn’t bother brushing my hair up, looking good was now the last thing on my mind but I still decided on spritzing some cologne. I told Louise I’d be back after dinner.

I drove to the Tyler’s restaurant. I went over to the receptionist and tried my best to hide my amusement when I saw her with her mouth open and eyes wide. I guess even with no effort, I can make girls swoon, “Good evening.”

“G-good e-evening, S-sir,” she stuttered.

“A table under the Tyler’s or Andrews?”

“At the VIP room sir,” she whispered and showed me the way. Upon entering, I already saw Dad talking with Mark. Mark Tyler was a short man and his blonde hair was already thinning. Dad grinned when he saw me and both of them stood up to acknowledge my presence. I shook hands with Mark and Dad patted my back.

“I knew you wouldn’t let me down,” he whispered to me. I didn’t say anything but just sat across from him.

A few minutes later, they stood up again and I did too. When I turned around, Johanna Tyler smiled at me shyly. She was actually pretty in personal. Long straight blonde hair, dark blue eyes, plump red lips and a very skinny body. But I wondered if she really was without the make-up and pretty dresses. She gave our fathers a kiss on the cheeks and then stood beside me.

“I’m Johanna,” she said shyly, tucking a stray strand of her blonde hair. I stared at her amused. I’ve known for experience that when a girl plays with her hair in front of a guy, it means she liked him.

“Seth,” I answered curtly.

I didn’t talk much in our dinner. I only answered questions that were directed at me but I was quiet throughout. When we finished deserts, Dad looked at me and said, “Why don’t you kids go outside at the garden and get to know each other more.”

I didn’t say anything but just stood up and offered my hand for Johanna to hold. Hey, I was still a gentleman though the world’s most known heartbreaker. Once we were outside, the cool air greeted me and I felt like I could breathe again.

Johanna sat down on the bench and looked at me, “So.”

“So?” I asked, prompting her to speak.

“We’re really getting married huh?” she said, playing with her hair again, “You’re my fiancé and you’ll soon be my husband.”

I licked my lips and looked at her, fixing her into an intense stare and she squirmed under my gaze, “Is that what you want? To marry a complete stranger?”

“What do you mean?” she asked confused, “I know you. You’re Seth Andrews. Born on the 16th of July and the heir to the Andrews Co. You came from a wealthy and big family. You’re not a complete stranger.”

“That’s just basic, Johanna,” I said, my voice suddenly turning cold, “So you’re just okay with all of this…nonsense?”

She looked lost, “Don’t tell me you don’t want to marry me.”

My gaze softened and my tone too, “No, Johanna. You’re amazing, I’ve heard lots of good stuff about you. But don’t you want to commit yourself fully to someone you actually love?”

“I will love you,” she said haughtily and her aura soon changed into a girl who gets everything she wants, “I already like you.”

“But I don’t want to do this.”

“Why?!” she demanded and I knew that my plan of convincing her to stop the wedding is now sucked by the drain, “You are marrying me, Seth Andrews. Am I clear?”

Okay this girl was scary and a loco, “Yes.”

She smiled at me wickedly, “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

I gulped, “Yea, you will.”