Chapter 2 A Desperate Decision

Chapter 2

Brent's POV

"Good morning Sir." A worker greeted me, but I didn't reply.

Ever since I heard about the arrangements of my marriage, I haven't been himself.

It was as if I had become burdened with unknown duties, I tossed about my bed last night, unable to sleep, as the thought of sharing my bed with someone else clouded me.

It wasn't the fact that a woman couldn't share my bed, but she had to be someone I could trust, who was loyal and faithful; what If it was some kind of person who could easily be trapped by one of his rivals to end my life while asleep?

I scowled, scaring whoever would dare to utter a word, and continued down the hallway until I stopped at my private elevator; without waiting for my secretary, as usual, to meet in there, I boarded the elevator to the last floor of the skyscraper where my office is located.

On getting to my office, I am expecting Tony to be waiting for me at the office opposite mine but there is no sign of him there. I just hissed and entered my office.

My chair is turned backward facing the city, and a figure rested on the chair, crossing his legs with a glass of wine in his hand.

"Snap out of it, man, and get out of my chair." I snapped immediately, my mind giving away who would dare enter my office and sit on my chair.

It can be only one person, Geoffrey; my childhood and best friend.

"Now!" I growled, storming towards the chairs.

Geoffrey bolted out of the chair before my hands could clasp his shoulder, he raised his hands and stepped backward.

"Calm down, Brent, it's me, Geoffrey, your friend. I mean no harm." Geoffrey's eyes flashed in fear and confusion.

I stared long at him as if trying to process who he was; I blinked after a while, followed by a deep sigh.

I walked to the sofa set in my office and settled on it, I patted the space beside me and looked at Geoffrey.

"How am I sure you won't kill me?" Geoffrey trembled and took a measured step. "Don't worry Brent, I'll sit here."

I sighed again, his hands raked his hair and down his face, covering it.

"I'm sorry for earlier. It wasn't intentional. I don't know what came over me; I was angry and just thought of venting it on someone, and you happen to be the victim." I slowly unpalmed my face and looked at him.

"Are you okay? What's wrong with you? You've never behaved this rashly to me, what's bothering you, Brent? Is it your father and his supposed marriage arrangements or is there something else?" He paused and seemed to be thoughtful for a few seconds before continuing.

"Is it your rival at it again or......"

"It's my father Geoffrey, and you know it. So spare the sermon." I slowly cut him off.

"I'm getting married in two days." I frowned at the words, I seemed displeased and unsure of the words.

"And the funniest part, I'm confused about what to do." I scratched my head.

"Confused about what to do? What have you been doing? Refuse it of course." Geoffrey almost chuckled at Brent's denial.

"Father said if I cancel it or disobey him, I'm going to face dire consequences, and you, of all people, know what I passed through the last time I displeased Father," I said sadly.

"Ohh my!" Geoffrey stared on in surprise.

"This is fucked up, man; what are you going to do now?" He pressed further.

I stood up and threw my arms in the air; I hit the wall close to him, breaking the vase, and then, after a second thought, pocketed my arms.

"I'm helpless and powerless in this matter. My mind has been jagged and I can't think straight. I can't even feel myself." I muttered, my tone weak and flat.

"What do you suggest I do, Geoffrey?" He asked looking in his direction.

Geoffrey shook his head sadly and when he looked up, he was on the verge of tears.

"Brent your father got you this time. You can't afford to disobey his orders; you just have to marry her to make peace reign," He replied thoughtfully.

"Just like that? Is there nothing we can do? Probably rebel against him or something worth ignoring the marriage for now?" I pressed desperately.

"Brent you know Sterling won't pass anything for you not to get married. He has been pressing the issues for two years and all you've been doing is to refuse and cancel all arrangements." Geoffrey said sitting up.

"Think about the shame he has been going through fixing marriage only for you to cancel, the laughter and mockery his friends would have made to him, the rumors that spread about you being Gay." He sighed deeply at the last word, recalling what we both went through in the hands of the media about the issue that occurred a year ago; I had wasted millions of dollars clearing his name.

"Brent I would advise it's time to prove the rumors wrong and clear all assumptions about your state." He concluded.

"But you know I can't do it after what happened the last time, I can't bring myself to do it. I can't uphold any woman like that again." I cried and slowly sat on the floor as memories washed through him.

Geoffrey stood up and went to him, he wrapped his arms around him and patted him. "You've to, if not for anything but for your fame, all the handwork you've put into this company, your time and energy, and most importantly for the family legacy. Just think about doing this to maintain your dignity and not for love." He smiled.

"Your father wants you to get married right, then give him what he wants and not what you want." He grinned.

I looked up smiling slowly, and then hugged him deeply. "I don't know what I would have done without you, Geoffrey, I love you so much." He smiled and hugged him again.

"Well, I love you too, but I don't do gay." He smirked.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Tony walked in, holding a large pad in his arms.

"Good morning Sir." Tony smiled walking in fully.

"Where have you been, Tony? I've been in the office for an hour without your presence." I fumed.

"I'm sorry, Mr sterling needed my help in arranging his office and sorting out some document issues," Tony replied.

"And what of his secretary?" I asked.

Tony shrugged. "I don't know."

"Ehm! Brent your father said to inform you about your dinner with Miss Vanessa, and he also advised you to take that opportunity to shop for your wedding outfits." Tony nodded and dipped his hands in his pocket to bring out a little card.

"Here, he made a reservation for you at WEALTH'S STAR, and he has also booked you a space at DREAM BOUTIQUE." he handed me the card and left the office immediately.

I and Geoffrey exchanged glances.