Dedicated to kauigirl since it's her birthday!!! SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL, HOPE YOU HAD A AWESOME DAY!!!!

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Pulling on to the school campus that following Monday was not what I wanted to be doing. I had spent the last three days crying. I rejected all the calls and visits from my friends. I couldn't face them just yet even though they had nothing to do with what happened. I didn't talk to my parents either and barely even ate. I couldn't stomach them, let alone food. My eyes were red and puffy from all the crying I had done so I slipped on a pair of sun glasses on my way out of the house. My friends bombarded me when I got out of my car.

"What happened to you this weekend?" Elena asked as she pulled me into a hug.

I sniffed "You don't even want to know."

"OMG, sweetie are you crying?" Corrie asked 

"I really don't want to talk about it right now." I said

"Come on, sweetheart, you know you can tell us." Elena said

"I'm getting married!" I blurted out

Elena burst out laughing. "That's funny! Be real!"

"I'm serious, you guys!" I cried "My parents arranged it."

"Holy crap! You are for real." Elena said

"Why would they do that?" Corrie gasped

"According to my mother, our 'union' will ensure the merger of the two companies." I whispered

"Ugh, your mother is evil!" Elena hissed; yeah they can't stand her either. "Who are you arranged to marry?"

"Come guy name Xavier Chase." I shrugged walking toward the school building.

"WHAT?!" the both shrieked; I cringed away from them--they were loud!

"The Xavier Chase?" Corrie gasped

"Is there another one?" I questioned

"You don't know who that is?" Elena asked

"No clue, doesn't really matter if I know him or not." I shrugged 

"I can't believe you don't know who he is. He's like the youngest billionaire--at 24--in the world!" Elena

"Good for him." I said "Look, I'm going to head to class. See you guys later."

I waved at them and made my way to my first class. This day was going to be a drag. I didn't even want to get out of bed this morning to come. But, I had to do it. I walked through the crowded halls with my eyes on the ground; something I had never before done. I always walked around with my head held high. It didn't matter what was going on in my life at the time, I never let anyone see me at my lowest--all except my best friends. They were the only one's to ever see me cry; not even my parents witnessed that--until last Thursday.

I paid little attention in my classes all morning. This had to be the first time I sat there and zoned out. I had always liked school--I know, shocker--I always got good grade and never got into trouble. I was what everyone called a good girl through and through. I didn't even get into any confrontations with anyone. My friends said I was too nice for my own good so they nicknamed me sweetheart; since I was always so sweet. Don't ask, I have no idea. Yeah, I'm nice, but, I don't think I'm too nice for my own good. 

By lunch I literally felt exhausted. It felt like the whole day I was putting up and front and faking it. Which I guess I was. It's so hard to fake being okay when in reality you so aren't. As I walked toward the lunch room I received a text from my 'mother' saying that the Chase's were coming over for dinner tonight and that I should be on my best behavior. Cause that just going to be so hard to do.

"Not eating today?" Elena asked as a took a seat across from her.

"I'm not hungry." I replied

"You look like you haven't ate in days. How can you not be hungry?" Corrie exclaimed

I shrugged "I'm just not." I said "The Chase's are coming to mine for dinner tonight."

"Are you excited?" Corrie grinned 

I gave her an incredulous look. "Oh, I'm just beaming with happiness because tonight I'm finally going to meet the man I've been arranged to marry."

"Oh my gosh, Elena? Did you hear that? I think little Miss Sweetheart just used sarcasm." Corrie gasped in mock shock.

Elena laughed "I think you're right, aw our sweetheart is growing up!" 

"You two are insufferable!" I huffed crossing my arms over my chest

"We're just teasing." Elena said "Do you want us to come over, for back up?"

"Yeah, because my mother would be so fond of that." I said

"Ha, there it is again; sarcasm!" Corrie said sticking her finger out at me.

"Will you both just eat your lunch and leave me to wallow in peace?" I said 

"Fine, fine! But, no damn wallowing, it's depressing!" Elena said

"I'm depressed, so I am allowed to wallow all I want." I grumbled

The school day swiftly came to an end. If I thought I was dreading school this morning, that was nothing compared to how much I dreaded going home and the whole dinner we would be hosting tonight. Of all nights to host a dinner, they had to do it on a Monday? Who host's a dinner on a Monday? This was the work of my mother; I just knew it.

Once I arrived back at our 'estate' for a lack of a better term; I sighed in satisfaction that neither one of my parents were home yet. Thank goodness, I wouldn't have to deal with my mother till dinner. I hope that would be the case anyway. Hitching my bag on my shoulder I walked into the house. People were bustling around the house making sure that everything was spotless. I never understood why my mom made them work so hard when it came to dinners like the one we were going to be having. I mean, the house was spotless 24/7, how much more clean does she want the place? 

"Ree!" my sister Maria squealed running out of the 'family room'--my mothers words, not mine.

"Hey Ria!" I grinned scooping her up into my arms. All my problems seemed to disappear whenever she was in my arms. "Did you have fun in school today?"

"I don't go to school yet silly." she giggled

"Really?" I asked in mock surprise "I thought you were in high school by now!"

"Noooo! I only go to day care." she said 

"Ohhh, I'm sorry, my mistake." I said

"That's okay!" she grinned "Will you play with me?"

"How about I sit with you and while you play I can finish my homework. When I'm done than I'll play with you." I offered

"Okay!" she said wiggling out of my arms.

I placed her on the ground and she sprinted off in the family room. With a little laugh I followed after her. She was a little ball of energy. I have no idea how the day care handles her. I know for a fact she would wear me out in no time if I had to take care of her all day. She had a whole tea party going on around her little table. All her favorite stuffed animals were propped up on the chairs surrounding the table. I smiled at the sight and laid out my things on the coffee table. By the time I finished it was nearly five o'clock. The front door opened and closed followed by my mother and father walking into the family room.

"What are you doing? You should have been ready by now." my mother hissed

"I was doing my homework." I answered pointing to my books.

"You could have waited til after dinner. This dinner is more important than your school work." she said

"I beg to differ, my school work is more important than this dinner. The both of you arranged this marriage; I did not consent to it. Therefor, my school work will always come first and this arrangement last." I said placing my books back in my bags and walking out of the room.

My mothers hands gripped my forearm forcing me to stop. "You watch your tongue with me young lady and mind your manners." she hissed

I narrowed my eyes at her ripping my arm out of her grasp "If you had any manners you would not have put your hands on me in that way." I said "You say watch my tongue, why? Do you not like that it is the only thing I have ever gotten from you?" I didn't wait for an answer; I spun on my heels and stalked up to my room.

I don't know what has gotten into me today. I never talked that way to my mother no matter how much I couldn't stand her. I was raised to never talk back to my elders and I've always minded my manners. It must be this whole marriage things; got my mind going haywire. You know what? I don't care, I'm tired of being the sweet innocent little Mallory. I'm tired of being everybody's sweetheart! I would mind my manners with Mr. and Mrs. Chase tonight but Xavier Chase would not get the same treatment. He may or may not have agreed to this arrangement, but, he still wont be getting any special treatment from me.

A half hour later my mothers stylist Karlee came barging into my room holding a ton of garment bags. Karlee's partner in crime Casey walked in as well; she's a hairstylist/makeup artist. "Let's get started! You go take a shower and make it snappy!" Karlee said pushing me into my bathroom.

In seven minutes flat I was freshly showered and sitting in a chair wrapped in my robe. Casey started on my hair while Karlee showed me each dress one by one. After the fifth dress I begun to see a pattern--they were all blue. They varied in shades but they were still blue. 

"Xavier's favorite color is blue." Karlee said when she saw my face.

"Let me guess, my mother specifically told you to only bring dresses that were blue." I stated

"Yup." she nodded

"Unbelievable!" I sighed pinching the bridge of my nose "I already have to marry him, I don't see why I have to wear a blue dress just because it's his favorite color."

"You want to know what I find unbelievable?" Casey asked

"What?" I countered

"The fact that your parents are making you marry that man-whore." she said

"You know him?" I asked

"Everyone know's him. You don't?" Karlee asked shocked

"I have no clue who he is." I answered truthfully "My friends apparently know about him and so do you two."

"You must not read many magazine than. Cause he is every wear. Especially in the tabloids, he's known and the Billionaire Heart Breaker." Casey said 

"Isn't that just great." I said 

"Okay I've found the dress, let's get it on you before Case does your makeup." Karlee said holding out a garment bag for me.

I took and walked into the bathroom. Unzipping the bag my jaw nearly hit the floor. Was she really expecting me to wear this. I didn't even have a back! The color was a dark navy blue made of silk. It was a scoop neck with one inch wide straps covered in jewels that criss-crossed at the back. The back of the dress itself didn't start till right about my butt than flowed down to the floor. I really did not like Karlee right now. Sighing I shrugged out of my robe and slipped the dress over my body, being careful of my hair. Holding up the fabric so I wouldn't trip I walked back into the room. 

"How do I look?" I asked doing a little twirl.

"Damn! That dress looks amazing on you." Karlee cooed "Now all you need is shoes." she said rushing into my closet. She came out with a pair of 5.7" sparkling silver Jimmy Choo platform heels. I know I'm short but sheesh! "These'll look perfect with the dress."

Shaking my head I slipped them on. "You're lucky I know how to walk in these, otherwise I'd break my neck." I said

"Shush! No sit so Case can do your makeup. We've got to hurry, your mother said to have you ready by 6:30 and no later." she said 

"That give you ten minutes to do my makeup." I pointed out

"Don't worry, I'm going to do a natural look." Casey said and got to work.

Ten minutes later I was all set. I had put a pair of diamonds studs in my ears and a simpled diamond bracelet. I took a look at myself in the mirror after Casey and Karlee left. I looked beautiful. If only my eyes were shining with happiness it would've completed the look. My greenish/hazel eyes looked dull and empty; just like I felt. Tonight would be the first step in giving up all my hopes and dreams for my parents. I blinked back the tears and lifted my chin. I am Mallory Blake and I am not weak.

I walked over to my open bedroom door. I could hear my parents conversing with who I assumed to be the Chase's down stairs. Closing my eyes I let out a slow even breath. Upon opening my eyes I stepped out of my room to meet my fate. Careful of my dress I descended the stairs slowly gripping the fabric of my dress in one hand and using the other hand to hang on to the rail. I may be able to wear sky scrapping heels, but, walking down stairs in them I had a problem. 

At the bottom I followed the voices to the den. My parents were standing there talking with the Chase's while my Maria sat on a chair looking utterly bored--poor kid; I knew exactly how she felt. She looked up when she saw me and a big smile spread across her face. Leaping off the couch the ran to me.

"Ree!" she said launching herself at me. I knelt down to catch her. "You look really pretty." she whispered shyly.

"Why, thank you." I smiled "You're looking rather beautiful yourself." 

"Thank you." she said looking at me through her lashes.

"Mallory, it's so nice of you to finally grace you with you presence." my mother said looking me up and down. "Couldn't Karlee had chosen a better dress?"

"The dress looks stunning on you, sweetheart." my father whispered in my ear as he came to hug me.

"Thank you, daddy." I smiled up at him

"Come, let me introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Chase." he said leading toward the couple who looked to be a few years older than my parents. "Garrett, Sharon, this is my daughter Mallory."

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Chase. It's a pleasure to meet you." I smiled at them

"Oh, please call us Garrett and Sharon. After all we are practically family." Sharon cooed "My dear, you are absolutely breath taking."

"Thank you." I smiled 

"My wife is right, you are a very beautiful young lady." Garrett said

"Thank you, sir." 

"I think it's about that time you meet your fiance." Sharon said taking my hand 

"I guess it is." I whispered letting her whisk me away to meet her son.

We walked into a small alcove that looked out onto back yard. He was standing in the shadows holding what  looked like a glass of scotch in his hand.

"Xavier, dear, this is Mallory." she said nudging me forward.

"It's nice to meet you, Xavier." I said with my eye cast down; trying to keep my tears at bay.

"Did your parents ever tell you it's rude to not look a person in the eye when you meet them?" he said in tone suggesting he was bored out of his mind.

I closed my eyes for a brief second then opened them. I looked up and my breath caught in my throat. He was one beautiful man. Although his face was masked in shadows his piercing blue eye's glistened in the moonlight. I barely got a chance to get a good look at him before he turned back around and looked out the window again. I narrowed my eyes at him and fisted my hands behind my back; resisting the urge to knock him one. I was not by any means a violent person, but, his attitude had me reconsidering that.

"Xavier!" his mother gasped "Do not be so rude, she is after all your fiance."

"Not by choice!" he grumbled taking a long sip of scotch.

"Sharon, would you excuse us for a moment, please?" I asked sweetly

"Of course dear, Xavier you best behave!" she said before walking back to where my parents and his father were.

"If you think you're the only one who had no say in this 'arrangement' than you are dead wrong." I said "So, put your big boy boxers--or whatever you use--on and suck it up. I don't like this situation anymore than you, if not more." I could not believe my parents were making me marry him! "So if your done acting like a stuck up jerk, I suggest we head back in, dinner should be ready by now."

I spun on my heels and walked back toward my parents. I schooled my features and stood next to my father. "He's a nice young man, don't you think sweetheart?" he asked as Xavier stalked into the room.

"If that's what you want to call it." I nodded 

He may be very handsome, but, he was a grade A jerk. Did he really only think about himself? Thinking he's the only one who had a problem with this. Self centered idiot! This was sure to be the marriage from hell. I didn't think these next few months would be any better.