Love by Contract

"Find him and bring him here at once!!!". Roni thundered to the men in black standing around him, and they scurried away like little squirrels. I too, flinched at the sound of his voice and raised my head up a little; and stole a glance at him and my blood ran cold suddenly; I couldn't recognize him anymore. Roni, my father-in-law, just didn't look like the helpless handsome old man I saw a day ago; I had never seen this version of him. I looked around, and wasn't obvious of the numerous pairs of eyes on me. Yes I could see the invisible question marks on their heads, but I too didn't have answers to what is happening. "Oh my, was she so horrible that she had to be stood up on her wedding day?!". I heard someone say. It was a whisper, but it sounded as loud as a gong; only to my ears I guessed. I turned my head in the direction of that whisper. It was an old woman talking to her friend. To be honest, I never dreamed of having to be dressed in the most beautiful wedding gown I have ever seen, only to be stood up by my groom. It was not part of my plans, but life has a way of overturning our plans. "Mr Wilcox, if your son doesn't come any moment from now, I'm afraid; I will have to call off the wedding". The priest said to Roni. Roni walked up to the priest smiling but the look on the priest's face was that of horror. Something was wrong! It was not until I looked down at Roni's trousers, and spotted a gun hanging down, that I frozen. He wouldn't! Roni shouldn't even try it!! It wouldn't be right if he does!! I thought in my mind, in shock. But, what has been right since I came into this church?! I thought at the same time. If the priest was threatened with a gun, what would be my case if I made a wrong move?! He probably would blow my brains off! I shuddered at that thought, remembering when I had agreed to get married to Reg's son. I looked from left to right, maybe there was a secret door or something; any route of escape, and deep down, I prayed that Brendan doesn't show up. Maybe I don't need to marry him because he doesn't want to marry me too. I thought. But, one look at Roni told me otherwise. Roni is the one who called the shots here, and from our earlier conversations, I dare not go back on our agreement. "Keisha?". I turned, to find Roni staring at me with a soft expression on his face. "Do you want to sit? Do you need anything to eat?", He asked me as he examined me. "No; I am okay. Thank you".i replied politely. I didn't want to sober up for him because I didn't know what he had up his sleeves for me. He nodded and beckoned to one of his men to come closer to him. I stared at his suit as he whispered an instruction to the man. His suit was screaming affluence, and I remembered what the internet said about him when I checked him up. RONI WILCOX: BILLIONAIRE.OWNER OF THE BIGGEST CONGLOMERATE IN THE COUNTRY. RUMOURED TO BE THE LEADER OF THE POWERFUL WILCOX MAFIA GANG. It's been said that the Wilcox was a mafia family lineage, known to be the most powerful mafia gang. The government couldn't arrest them because they were part of the government too. Hence their prolonged existence. My thought was suddenly interrupted when I heard commotions. "Brendan". I heard Roni say, as he smiled, and clapped his hands like a little child. I whipped my head around, and my jaw came crashing down to the floor. Standing in front of me ,though been supported by two men each holding him in one arm, was the most handsome man I had ever seen. God!! Were people still allowed to be this good looking?! I said in my mind. He had a coal black hair and a pair of dark brown eyes, 6ft tall and leanly muscled. He must have gotten his looks from Roni, his father. Suddenly, a strong smell of alcohol hit my nose. He reeked of a strong smell of Brandy or whiskey, I couldn't place my hands on which it was. Wow, he also love his bottles! Now I was getting married into a family of guns and alcohols. Brendan refused to stand. No matter how the men that was holding him tried, he fell to the floor and everyone gasped. We waited for him to stand but he didn't move a muscle. "Mr Wilcox, we can't perform this ceremony if your son is not conscious". The priest said, and I saw the fear in his eyes. "Just a moment". Roni said to the priest and walked up to where Brendan was seated. "Brendan stand up!". He said in a little raised voice, and with a gritted teeth. But Brendan didn't move. "Brendan?!!". This time, his voice was louder as he stooped to Brendan's level on the floor. "I want to get married to Charlotte". Brendan growled. Roni stood up calmly, and beckoned on the men to force him up. They stood Brendan up with each of his arms on their shoulders. "AARRRR". Brendan groaned in pains, as he fell to the floor again. Everyone gasped again in shock. I too was not an exception; I couldn't just believe it. Roni had just punched his son in the face. "Stand up Brendan!!!". But Brendan stood his ground. Then the men carried him up again and Roni made it rain punches on Brendan's face. There was blood all over Brendan's white shirt, and he was smirking at his father with a blood stained teeth. I was visibly shaken and had to hold my hands together to prevent it from shaking. How worst can this get?! I wondered. Suddenly I saw Brendan glare at me and my heart skipped a beat. He looked at me like a hungry animal would look at his meal. "Who the f**k are you?!!!". He growled.