Blackmailed Merger

by Kelly, Marie

  “No...This wedding has to be believable Sam. So we are having the whole thing, guests minister the whole shooting match”.

  “Why?” she had cried, her eyes staring in disbelief at him.

  “In two weeks?” Sam had groaned softly.

  “It can’t be done Dante”.

  He however, had given her a determined smile.

  “It can....and to make sure that it does I have hired one of the best wedding planners I know, and somebody I know you can work with”.

  She had given him a disbelieving look, angry at the need to put on such a show for the farce that was to be their marriage.

  “I have no intention of playing along with your and my father’s little show” she had bit out.

  “And I doubt that you could find anybody I am willing to work with” her eyes challenging him, frowning as he had pulled out a business card. Reading it she had groaned at seeing Bella’s name on it, her eyes flying to his full of accusation.

  “You hired Bella” she had cried, seeing as he had nodded, once more feeling the anger at his manipulation of her.

  “I understand that she is getting started...I am sure such a high profile event will set her on her way” he had said softly, Sam glaring at him.

  “Like you give a damn about her getting a start” she had said the anger evident in her voice.

  “I will make sure that she charges you triple what she normally would” she had bitten out between clenched teeth, seeing as he had smiled back.

  “I’m sure that I can afford it”.

  Standing she had moved towards the door, looking back at him.

  “Shall we?” her eyes daggers.

  “Let’s go and pick out the ‘perfect’ accessories for this farce shall we?” her voice dripping with sarcasm.

  Dante had watched her carefully, his features full of indecision before with a sigh he had placed his hand inside his coat pocket, drawing from it a small black velvet box.

  “We can go and choose another ring” he had said, his voice softer.

  “Or I have this. I wasn’t sure ....”.

  The anger had left Samantha as her eyes had fallen on the small box he was now opening. She had felt the tears rise once more within her, gulping them down, her eyes raised as she had fought to control the hurt coursing through her, once more seeing the ring she had worn for such a short period of time so many years ago. The emerald as bright now as it had been then.

  “Y...you kept it” she had finally managed. Dante nodding as he had lifted it from its secure cushion, his face full of a strange sadness, Samantha telling herself that he was once more trying to manipulate her.

  “I could not bear to throw it away” his voice low, his eyes looking intently at it.

  Moving slowly foreword, she had taken the exquisite piece of jewellery from his fingers, her expression full of such sadness.

  “When I first wore this ring...I was so happy. I really thought...” her voice had broken despite her best efforts as a tear had slid down her lovely face, her other hand moving to dash it angrily away, as with a sure movement she had stood taller, slipping the ring back onto her finger, the coldness once more returning to her green eyes, her voice calmer.

  “I suppose it is as good an accessory as any”, Dante sighing as she had fixed him with a hard look.

  “Don’t think that you can manipulate me Dante. When we met I was a kid, an idiotic love-sick kid. Well I’m not that stupid girl anymore. Do not make the mistake of thinking I am”.

  Her eyes had fallen to the ground, her voice quieter “You hurt me, and you will never do that again” her look once more rising to meet his, Dante nodding softly. “I think that we understand each other Sam” he had murmured, softly adding.

  “Although I liked that kid, I liked her a lot”.

  Frowning, fighting back the need to respond, Samantha had ignored the comment, once more looking at the ring.

  “Well I guess this saves us both the time of having to choose jewellery” she had thrown at him, once more taking a seat.

  “Guess you can go back to your work now”.

  She had looked over quickly at him, as he had chuckled.

  “If I didn’t know any better Samantha, I would think that you were trying to get rid of me”, Sam not correcting him as she had held his look. Rising he had again sighed.

  “Actually there was one other place we needed to visit...my lawyers. I sent over your ‘amendments’ and they have prepared the contract for you to sign. Unless of course you are happy to have this as a verbal agreement between us”

  Giving him a disbelieving look, she had once more stood.

  “I think you know the answer to that one” seeing as him mouth had twitched, Samantha adding in a more caustic tone.

  “Believe me this time I will be reading it VERY carefully”, the smile rising to Dante’s eyes as he had moved ahead of her, holding the door open for her. With a voice full of humour he had added.

  “I thought that I would leave your chastity clause out of the agreement though...unless of course you don’t trust me there either” laughing as she had thrown him a withering look.

  Chapter Five

  Sitting with Bella, Sam had felt happier. She had missed her old friend, with Bella getting the job in a wedding planners in Milan soon after she had returned from the Greek holiday, other than Kate’s wedding, they had only seen each other when she had managed a trip one summer two years ago, relying on regular phone calls and emails.

  For the first time since she and Dante had returned to New York she had felt herself relax. Both she and Dante had been at the airport to meet Bella, Sam surprised that he had taken the time out for this but relieved when he had pulled Bella into him, greeting her like a long lost sister, her friend so happy to see them both back together. Bella and Sam had been even more surprised to discover the lengths that he had gone to ensure that she was able to work effectively and comfortably, having booked her an office for her duration, ensuring that she had access to all the technical support she would need, even going as far as to ensure that she had an assistant.

  Having had dinner together, he had then left them alone the two now finding themselves in her office, Bella chuckling at her.

  “Now I could get used to this kind of treatment” she had laughed as the two had sat together, Bella adopting a more professional air she had opened her planning book.

  “OK Sam, two weeks........two weeks!”

  She had chuckled.

  “I like a challenge” her eyes suddenly growing so serious.

  “Why two weeks Sam?”

  Her voice had been soft, enquiring, her eyes holding Sam’s. For a second she had considered telling her the truth, but instead had forced a smile to her lips. She knew that Bella would never be any part to a wedding such as this, knowing that she would not plan such an event when she knew her friend to be an unwilling participant. Dante had been right about one thing, their wedding would be a prestigious affair, with over 300 people invited and it was a career-making one for the person organising it. If there was to be any good to come out of this farce of a wedding then she wanted it to go to Bella, leaning in and hugging her friend.

  “Well we know how we feel Bella, and we could wait 6 months a year....but at the end of the day it would just be time wasted”.

  Giving a soft smile, she had chosen to slip in one piece of the truth.

  “And...well we want a baby...and we don’t want to bring it into the world before we are married”.

  She had seen as Bella had visibly relaxed, giggling.

  “Oh Sam....I am so happy for you...truth is when you and Dante split up.....I didn’t understand it, you were both so in love”.

  Sam had given a small shrug, holding back the remark that at least one of them had been so in love.

  “I guess we were just too young then...but it is different now...so very different”.

  The tapping on the door had made Bella look over in surprise.

 
“Are you expecting anybody?” she had asked, seeing as Sam had shaken her head.

  “It’s your office” she had chuckled, Bella flashing her a grin.

  “Yeah......as of today”

  Rising she had moved to open the door, Sam seeing how her whole body had stiffened in surprise. As Philippe had moved into sight Sam had grinned broadly, rising to move over and give him a hug.

  “Philippe, oh my goodness...what brings you here?” she had cried, seeing as Bella had gone so quiet, her complexion pale. Philippe had given her a bear hug, before releasing her, smiling happily, his eyes moving quickly over to Bella, Sam so aware of the chemistry passing between the two.

  “Hello Bella” his voice had been soft, as she had moved back to the table her body tense, her voice polite.

  “It is nice to see you Philippe” her tone not giving credence to the sentiment. Giving Sam an unsure look he had seemed to hesitate before she had pulled him over to join them at the table, Philippe smiling his thanks at her.

  “Well, Dante asked if I would be his best man” he had said looking at Sam, grabbing her hands and gently covering it with his other, his eyes so serious.

  “I am so happy that the two of you found each other again. Don’t tell him I told you this, but when you broke up he was a mess, I told him at the time that he had to go after you...but you know Dante...stubborn as a mule”.

  Sam had looked surprised, not sure how to take this piece of news. She could not for one moment believe that it was from missing her, more that he had lost the ability to keep up his planned revenge on her father.

  Releasing her, he had once more turned to Bella, who was trying so hard to regain her composure, her hand running down her long blonde hair visibly shaking, his voice again so soft.

  “I thought that as best man I could offer my services...in any way...help with the plans, seeing as I know the groom so well”.

  Sam had frowned slightly seeing as her friend had pulled out her diary, pretending to concentrate on the dates.

  “Well I think that my assistant can talk with you maybe tomorrow” she had finally said Philippe giving Sam a quick look for help as she had tactfully looked away, the message that he was on his own so clear.

  “Actually I would rather deal with you”.

  He had replied, his tone sure, as Bella had finally looked up at him, her eyes hard.

  “I am sorry Philippe, as much as I appreciate your offer I hope that you understand that I have a very short time to organise this wedding and my diary is full”.

  His mouth had set before with a small smile he had reached over and lifted one of the business cards sitting on the table. Sam had seen the surprise on Bella’s face, her mouth opening to speak as he had finished.

  “Well I know how these things are Bella” he had grinned at the two girls.

  “And I know how appointments get cancelled......so I will keep this and phone you to find out if an opening presents itself”.

  Sam had held back the laugh, seeing the comical look on Bella’s face, the confusion as she had opened and closed her mouth no sound coming from it as he had stood up smiling.

  “I will see you later ladies”.

  Before turning and leaving the office.

  As the door had closed Bella had given a small frustrated scream deep in her throat.

  “Who the hell does he think he is!!”

  She had exclaimed angrily, looking at Sam for support. She however, had chuckled back, shaking her head and lifting her hands.

  “Hey...leave me out of this. Sounds nice of him to me” she had teased, seeing the way Bella had glared at her before bursting into laughter, playfully smacking out at her, moving to pull a catalogue of colour schemes in front of the two.

  “OK bridzilla”.

  She had chuckled; let’s get down to it, as she had opened the large book.

  Sam had found herself enjoying looking at the many different designs and colours, Bella so helpful with her slant on what would work best in the church and hall. Sam had been astonished when she had learnt that he had been able to secure a date in one of the best churches in the city, but angry when she had found out that he had booked it 3 months ago, so sure that his plan would work.

  Bella’s ringing phone had pulled her back to the present, as her friend had answered, her soft voice friendly before becoming irritated.

  “Yes Philippe this is the correct number”.

  Sam looking at her in surprise

  “No...There has not been any cancellation in the last 15 minutes since you were here; now please do not call again... I said I would phone if there were any”

  Bella calling off, looking at Sam with a disbelieving look

  “The cheek of the man”

  Sam had stopped herself from saying anything, instead feigning interest in the book.

  As her phone had rang again Bella had mumbled angrily seeing the same number ending the call and putting her phone on mute. However, less than a minute later it had once more beeped this time heralding a text. Bella reading it her lips pursed.

  “What did he say” Sam had chuckled softly, Bella throwing her a do not laugh look.

  “He said he forgot to give me his number so how can I call him?”

  Sam had nodded holding back the laugh.

  “Well he does have a point” losing the fight as her friend had thrown her a caustic look.

  For the next two hours the two friends had made plans, Bella meticulous in her attention to detail as she had written down instructions and notes on what required to be followed up the next day. Every half hour she had received a text from Philippe checking if she had any cancellations, the last one making her scream loudly with frustration.

  “Why will he not give up?” she had cried, Sam smiling at her before cautiously suggesting.

  “Perhaps you should meet him, he is the best man after all.....and if you get it over and done with.....he will have nothing to chase you for”.

  Bella had given her a thoughtful look, before picking up her phone and texting a message to him.

  “Fine...I told him that I will meet him at 12.30 tomorrow before lunch. He gets 30 mins “she had said with finality, Sam saying nothing as she had smiled.

  At that Sam’s phone had rang, laughing at hearing Philippe’s voice.

  “Hi Sam, I think that there is a problem with Bella’s phone, could I talk to her please”.

  Sam has passed the phone over to a speechless Bella, who had listened to the man on the other side, her eyes opening wider and wider with incredulity; unable to get a word in sideways as she had blustered “no” several times before the call had ended. Bella had wordlessly handed the phone back a stupefied look on her face.

  “He is unbelievable” was all she could finally blurt out.

  “He agreed, but thought it better that we just have a longer lunch, so eat while we talk”.

  Looking over at Sam her eyes so wide

  “He says he will book the table. I...I never said I was having lunch with HIM”.

  At this Sam had broken down into hysterical laughter, tears streaming down her face.

  “Oh my god Bella, you wanted him to try harder.......well you just got your wish”.

  Bella had scowled.

  “No...No second chances”.

  But Sam had noticed as she had turned away a small smile had touched her lovely lips.

  The next ten days had been a blur to Sam. Between meetings with Bella to discuss the wedding plans, meetings with designers to purchase the right kind of clothes for the many events they had to attend and the galas and fund-raising events that Dante had scheduled them for so that they would be visibly seen as a couple together, she had no time of her own to even draw breath. He had been attentive at all the events, ensuring that they remained together, introducing her to his friends and protecting her from the many paparazzi who had just learnt of the merger of the Trey and Durant corporations.

  Sam had not cared about her wedding dress, having li
ttle enthusiasm for picking the perfect accessory for his wedding show. However, Bella had vetoed her first choice, declaring it to be ugly and frumpy, and spending a day with her moving from bridal boutique to boutique. When she had tried on the ivory satin dress in one of the final shops, Sam had seen as her friends eyes had filled up, her hands flying to her mouth.

  “Oh Sam...” she had cried.

  “You look so beautiful”.