04

« No. Katie, you are with David ! I can’t let you marry someone else ! » My voice started to rise as I grip her shoulders and made her look at me.

« But-« 

« I promised you I will walk you to the aisle and hand you over to the one you love, and that is David. I intend to keep that promise. » I cut her off as I felt her cry even more.

« This is the only way Alex. » She said as I shake my head.

« There will always be another way. Trust me. I’ll take care of this. »

« Promise me we’ll get over this safely. » She says.

I nod at her even though I was still quite unsure of what to do.

« Promise. Now forget you ever seen this letter and go have a date with David. » I took the letter from her hands and we stood properly.

Katie soon left and I stared at the letter with anger.

How dare he use our company’s problem to marry my sister ! Yes, it’s a he.

I know who the leader of Garrison Inc is. I mean, who doesn’t ?

GEORGE FUCKING GARRISON

He’s the only son of Dad’s close friend. I met his father though but I never met the son himself. I seen him in some business magazines and well, he’s handsome. But I’m sure that behind those pretty face lies a demon.

How dare he try to badger us with his propositions.

I dialed Adam’s number and as soon he picked up I started talking right away.

« Adam, prepare the car. We’re going somewhere. »

« Right away sir. But may I ask where we will be going ? »Adam asks me and I grit my teeth as I answered him.

« Garrison Inc. » I said and hung up.

Time to let this Mr. Garrison see my bitch side.

-

This is not happening.

I will not stoop down for that bastard.

My beloved sister, Katie, will not marry that greedy monster. Period.

These thoughts ran through my head when I barged in the unknown office with Adam by my side, completely ignoring the stares of the staffs around me. Clearly, nobody was inclined to stop me. And just as well, I wasn’t really in the mood to be stopped.

How dare he take advantage of my little sister mere weeks after the funeral with his wild propositions ?

I took a deep breath and straightened down the front lapels my suit, hoping it would make me look good instead of nervous.

Maybe I did have some emotion left in me after all.

« Excuse me, sir. » a female voice appeared.

I quickly ignored it and continued to walk towards the door. His door.

« Sir ! » I heard her even more louder and I could sense that she was starting to run towards me. Adam watched her, and as if he read my mind, he turned to her to block her from approaching me.

« Sir ! You can’t go in-«  I pushed the door open and immediately found myself being stared at by four men in dark suits. My eyes eventually locked unto the face of George Garrison. The man who’s typically about to ruin my whole life.

Mr. Garrison, after a quick moment of silence, stood from his chair and started to walk towards me. Hell, if he wasn’t pissing me off, I would go on a limb and admit that he looked just like he did on every business magazine—drop dead gorgeous.

Shut up, gay conscience ! Shut up !

« I’m so sorry Mr. Garrison ! » I heard the woman from before talking behind me. « I tried-« 

« It’s not your fault Claire. » Fuck, even the mere sound of his voice sounded gorgeous. Deep, smooth, and crisp baritone voice that somehow sent a weird feeling to my groin. Holy shit, what is happening to me ? « Can I help you with something ? »

He looked at me and I could sense that he was holding back a smile as he stared at me with mockery. He looked amused.

« I’m Alexan-« 

« I know who you are. » He cut me off before I could even proceed to introducing myself.

Rude.

« Well, I’m here to talk about my sister. » I say with full confidence and to my surprise, he turned towards the men he was with few moments ago.

« If you’ll excuse us gentlemen, I think I need to speak a few words with Mr. McKinley here. » I felt the same feeling on my groin again as he said my last name. Somehow he made it sound so…sexy. Fuck, I can’t believe I’m getting turned on by a random man’s voice.

The men quickly left the room along with his secretary and Adam whom I told to wait outside. As soon as everyone left, he went toward his desk and sat on his chair. He motioned me to sit down on the chair in front of him but I shook my head.

« I’ll stop beating around the bush. So tell me, why do you even want McKinley Inns ? » I asked him and he chuckled with amusement.

« Like anyone, I want to expand, And you’re an opportunity. » He says casually making me slightly angry.

« And you don’t care who gets trampled in the process ? » I sneered at him as he crossed his arms over his chest and releases a snort.

« I don’t think I made the situation clear. I’m the one doing you a favor. »

« By marrying my sister and taking over our company ? » I asked him, my anger becoming even more evident.

« By saving your company from bankruptcy. The way I see it, It’s a win-win. »

« The way, I see it, It’s a lose-lose ! » I was almost shouting at the man infront of me and he was just grinning at me like a sick bastard.

« You’re being impractical. »

« Well, atleast I have a soul ! » This man had a very thick skull.

« Last time I checked, a soul wasn’t a requirement for a business license in New York. » He said, still smirking at me.

« You’re not marrying my sister. » The just tilted his face at the statement.

« And why is that ? »

« My sister already has a boyfriend. » It was basically personal information and I really don’t why I ended up blurting it out. «  And what kind of brother would be if I just let her marry someone just to save my company. »

« You’re the kind of brother who puts the family business first before your sister’s relationship. »

I rolled my eyes at his reply. Clearly, he was the kind of man who would do such a thing. The money-first-before-anything-else kind of guy.

« What about…you ? » Mr. Garrison asked from the silence. I immediately looked at him in the eye and raised an eyebrow.

« I’m pretty upset. » I replied sarcastically.

« Your emotional state is irrelevant. Do you have a steady boyfriend ? Word on the street is you’re gay. »

I gulped. Well,there’s no point about hiding my sexuality. But still, how the fuck did he know I was gay ? Well, who knows. It might scare him and not marry my sister.