"If you don't include saying you had a boyfriend to your parents when you didn't."
"Stop rubbing that one in." Cherrelle sighed. Thinking about her feelings for Brad had her emotions all over the place. She was confused. "But Brad only took my offer because he was desperate for the money. He's not interested in me like that."
A few days after she had transferred the money over, Brad had told Cherrelle that he had paid off all of his debts and got his business going again. Things were going well for him and he was grateful for her help. Cherrelle had been pleased to help. Then she had expected him to walk away now he had what he wanted. But he hadn't and they had carried on playing the charade of being man and wife.
It had been great. Brad was good fun to be with and was in tune with her. To say the least, they had clicked. Cherrelle felt like she didn't have to put on a mask for him, that she could be herself without any worries of being looked at differently. Brad accepted her, warts and all.
It wasn't good for her heart, but he was like an addiction; if she stayed away, she kept thinking about him, and when she was with him, all she could think about was breaking the no-sex rule. It was dangerous and she was getting conflicted.
"You two spend a lot of time together," Sarah said. "I'd say Brad has some feelings for you as well."
"He's just a good actor," Cherrelle said miserably.
"Cherrelle, I'd kill for a guy to look at me the way Brad looks at you. Trust me, he has feelings for you."
Cherrelle wished she could believe that. But things like that didn't happen to her; she wasn't that lucky that a man would see past her money and see the real person. She put her head in her hands.
"What am I going to do, Sarah? I can't tell him. If you're wrong, he's going to run the other way."
"Or maybe he won't. You won't know until you find out." Sarah sat back and crossed her legs under her. "And I don't think he's hanging about for the money. True, he had financial difficulties, but he doesn't borrow from people lightly."
"You're sure it's not the money?" Cherrelle asked hopefully.
"Since you gave him the $100 grand, has he asked for more money?"
"No." Cherrelle was definite about that. "I even offered to give him some more to help his business along again, but he turned me down flat. Said he could deal with it himself."
That had been one of their few arguments, but, in the end, Cherrelle had conceded that Brad was right. He could deal with it himself and he wasn't going to rely on Cherrelle's money, especially when they didn't know when the charade they were playing would end.
"There you are, then. He's doing this for you, not for the money."
Before Cherrelle could respond, the door opened and her young personal assistant popped her red head around the door.
"Yes, Cameron?"
"Mr. Colney's on the line." Cameron didn't look happy to be giving this news to her. "I know you said you didn't want to be disturbed, but this is the fifth time in the last hour that he's called."
Cherrelle sighed. The man had been insufferable since news that she was having a big wedding had got out. Her mother's friend in the magazine had run the article first and then it had spread like wildfire that Cherrelle was getting married. Jason had then started on visiting her, telling her that she was making a mistake. Cherrelle had ordered that he wasn't welcome in the building, but then he began to call her. There was only so much she could avoid before she went mad and answered his calls.
Better to deal with him and get rid of him quicker. She stood and went to her desk.
"Put him through and then put a block on his number as soon as I hang up."
"Yes, ma'am."
Cameron left and Cherrelle sat at her desk. A moment later, the phone rang and Cherrelle put him on loudspeaker. "What do you want, Jason?"
"So, you're really going through with this facade?" Jason's voice was scathing. "You're going to give your parents a wedding with Ben."
Cherrelle rolled her eyes. She was sure Jason deliberately said Brad's name wrong to annoy her. It worked. "His name is Brad. And yes. Ma and Pa wanted a white wedding, and we said we'd get married again to keep them happy."
"On the date when you were supposed to marry me."
Sarah raised an eyebrow at that, but Cherrelle shook her head. She would explain later. "Not my problem. And I've told you countless times we were never getting married. It's been a month of telling you that we will never become husband and wife. I would've thought it had sunk in by now."
"That's because I want you and I won't settle for anything less."
Cherrelle heard a snort and saw Sarah covering up a laugh. It was laughable, but Cherrelle was not in a laughing mood.
"You are an idiot," she snapped. "And I know you want my company, not me. I've seen the messages you've sent your friends." Having a best friend who was also a hacker had been useful in spying on anyone they wanted to look at. Invasive, but Cherrelle was past caring when it came to Jason. "I'm just a black bitch you can make bend to your will once I have your name and you have my company. No thanks, Jason. I'm not marrying a bigoted racist to be degraded like that. No one is getting my company, not even Brad."
"And you think he'll not clean you out?"
Cherrelle groaned. The man just didn't know when to stop. He had to have something wrong to believe he could win a married woman from her husband, even when the wife wanted nothing to do with him.
"Get it into your thick head that maybe I'm actually attractive without the billions to my name."
"He's all wrong for you," Jason insisted. "You'll see that soon. I'll see you soon, Cherrelle."
Then there was the definite click of the other end hanging up. Sarah scoffed rudely.
"I think that guy has a few screws loose. Who keeps going after a woman when they're clearly not available?"
"A spoiled rich kid who thinks the rules don't apply to him." Hanging up her end, Cherrelle stood up and went back to the couch. "Come on, take my mind off him. What's next on the list?"
*****
The rehearsal dinner went well with very few hitches. It was an enjoyable meal as well, and Brad found himself in high spirits. He and Cherrelle had laughed and joked throughout the evening, both of them completely comfortable with each other's company. Everyone around them had commented that they looked really happy.
Now he was watching Cherrelle from across the room as she spoke with Michael and his stepmother, Georgina. Both Georgina and his father, Rowan, had taken to Cherrelle immediately and had welcomed her as a member of the family already. Brad hated lying to them that it was a farce, but he liked seeing them happy that he was finally happy.
And he was. He was happy. Brad had come to the conclusion that he was in love with Cherrelle. There was no other explanation to his feelings towards her. While they scared him, Brad was under no illusions; the love was only one-sided. Cherrelle treated him with affection but only as one friend to another. He had thought he had seen her looking at him a few times in a way that had his body heating up, but then it was gone.
He was alone in his affections. But as he watched Cherrelle traverse the room and talk with everyone, her smile lighting up the room and her laughter like music to his ears, he didn't really care. He could just listen to her all day and never get bored.
"She scrubs up well, doesn't she?"
Brad looked around. Serena had moved to stand beside him. She was wearing a silver shimmery dress with spaghetti straps and a skirt that barely covered her backside. Her hair was loose about her shoulders, and while she looked lovely, she also looked young. Brad looked away and watched Cherrelle again.
"She's beautiful," he murmured.
"She's old," Serena snorted. "How can you be beautiful when you're old?"
"Cherrelle is thirty. So am I." Brad glanced at her while stepping away as Serena's breast brushed against his arm. "Does that class me as old?"
"No. Men are different." Serena gave him a saucy smile and trailed her hand down his arm. "Th
ey look better as they get older."
"Are you drunk?"
Serena's smile widened and she slid up against him, rubbing her hips against his. "Drunk on you, yes."
Suddenly feeling like a lecherous old man, Brad set Serena away from him and stepped back.
"I think you need to go and find your mother," he said sharply.
"Oh, she's busy being a hostess. It's what she does best." Serena moved towards him again. "How about we get busy? I know there are a few rooms free upstairs."
Brad backed up as Serena advanced. This wasn't good. They were at his rehearsal dinner and Serena was coming on to him. He glanced around the room, but no one seemed to have noticed what was happening.
It was his rehearsal dinner and no one was paying attention to the fact the groom was dealing with a teenager trying to climb all over him.
"Go away, Serena," he snapped. "You're far too young for me and I'm about to marry your sister."
His back hit the wall and he realized that he was trapped. Serena's smirk told him that she knew this. She was reveling in it.
"But you don't fancy a little fuck before the wedding?" She ran her hands over his chest. "A bit of freedom?"
"No." Brad pushed her hands away and glared at her. "I told you, I'm not interested. Get that into your head and leave me alone."
He wasn't prepared when Serena launched herself at him, locking her arms around his neck and planting a kiss on his mouth. She ran her tongue along his mouth and tried to pry his mouth open, but Brad kept it firmly closed. He shoved her away, nearly taking his head off as Serena locked her hands behind his head and kept her close. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Getting a kiss." Serena pressed against him, rubbing her pelvis against his. "I've wanted one since I saw you. Cherrelle doesn't deserve you." She nipped at his bottom lip with her sharp teeth. "I'm better than she is."
Brad was glad his body wasn't responding to her advances. If anything, it was trying to run away. He struggled in her hold, which had become like a death-grip. "Let me go!"
"Come on, gorgeous." Serena hooked a leg round his hip. "Fuck me."
"No!"
"What the hell are you doing?"
Serena jumped away and Brad found himself staring into the furious face of Logan Mason. He leaned against the wall and he tried not to sag to the floor.
"I'm not doing anything except trying to get your younger daughter to leave me alone," he said curtly.
"You won't get out of it that easily." Logan's furious expression changed into a triumphant smirk. "You were cheating on Cherrelle. In front of everyone!"
"No! How many more times?"
Logan looked at Serena, who was staring at the floor blushing. He looked back at Brad and shook his head.
"I knew it. You couldn't keep your hands to yourself. The wedding's off."
"You're crazy."
Then Logan moved so fast Brad nearly missed him. He moved his head, but the punch Logan threw at him still glanced off his jaw and knocked him sideways. Regaining his balance, he launched himself at Logan, getting a satisfying punch in before they were on the floor and Logan was on top, hitting Brad in the face.
People began turning at the fighting. A couple of guests actually got out their phones and began filming the fight. Serena started screaming but didn't move to help. Brad was more focused on getting out from under Logan, who seemed to be on a mission to beat his face to a pulp.
"Okay, that's enough!"
Suddenly Logan's weight was off him, and Brad gasped in some air. He looked up to see Jim, Michael, and Ken wrestling Logan away. Sarah knelt beside him, concern behind her eyes. "You okay?"
"I think so." Brad sat up and rubbed at his chest. "I'm amazed he didn't break any ribs."
Sarah grunted and helped him to stand.
"We need to get Logan Mason calmed down," she said quietly. "Go out and talk a walk until he's calmer. It would be best if you two weren't in the same room." Her expression softened. "And see if you can get some ice for you face."
Brad decided not to argue. So, he kept his head down as he hurried out, knowing that everyone was watching him leave.
*****
Cherrelle had no idea what had just happened. She had just left the room to go to the restroom. Now she was standing in the doorway staring at the scene. People were standing in groups whispering excitedly. A table had been knocked over, and her father was sitting on a chair across the room with a bloodied handkerchief held to his nose.
And Brad was nowhere to be seen.
She went to where Sarah was standing over Logan, who was glowering at her.
"Mr. Mason, just sit down and calm down." Sarah looked up and glared at Serena, who was standing beside Emily seated next to her husband. "And you, madam. You go near Brad again and I'll forcibly remove you from here myself."
Serena gave her a look of disdain only teenagers could give. "How are you going to do that, Dumpy?"
"With us."
Jim, Ken and Michael were standing behind Sarah, all of them wearing scowls. Serena took one look at Jim and licked her lips hungrily. Cherrelle recognized the signs.
She was saved from warding her sister off when Paige stepped between them, leveling a glare at the girl.
"Hey, sweetie," she said sharply. "Touch my fiancé and I'll be joining her in removing you."
Serena's smirk snapped off her face and she scowled moodily.
"Bitch," she muttered.
"Right back at you."
Cherrelle decided to step in before Paige decided to have an all-out fight. She hurried over to Sarah. "What's going on?"
Sarah took Cherrelle's arm and drew her away, Paige and Jim going with them. Ken and Michael stayed to watch over Logan. Sarah spoke in a low voice. "Your dad punched Brad and they got into a fight."
"What? Why?"
She knew Logan didn't like Brad but he had never done something like this before.
Paige looked troubled.
"Your sister went over to Brad and started pawing him. Brad pushed her away several times, but she kept coming back." She raised an eyebrow. "Is your sister on something?"
"You don't need drugs to be a sociopathic bitch," Cherrelle said grimly. Something was going on and she didn't like where it was going.
She stormed over to her father and stood over him. "What the hell, Pa? What did you hit Brad for?"
Logan lowered the bloodied handkerchief and scowled at her.
"He seduced your sister," he said gruffly. "He was kissing her in front of the whole room."
"It's true," Serena piped up. "He's been all over me all evening."
Cherrelle laughed with mirth and swung around on her sister. "You think I'm going to believe you after all the times you've tried to touch him up and drape yourself all over him?" she demanded.
"I said it's true." Serena squared her shoulders haughtily. "Are you calling me a liar?"
"Yes."
Logan shook his head incredulously. "This is incredible. He's brainwashed you. You'll believe anything he says."
"I believe independent witnesses and my friends," Cherrelle snapped back. She glared at Serena. "I don't believe her."
"He cheated on you blatantly and you're denying it." Logan's jaw set, the way it did when he had made up his mind. "The wedding's off."
Cherrelle couldn't believe it. She hadn't asked Logan for any money for this, and he was trying to claim control.
"No," she said firmly. "I paid for this wedding so you can't claim you're withdrawing the finances."
Logan looked at her like she was a little child with difficulty grasping a situation. He lowered his head and shook it with a frustrated sigh. "If you were marrying Jason then this would never happen," he said.
"If I were marrying Jason, he would be all over the bridesmaids before we'd left the church. Brad is honorable and that little witch I sadly call my sister has made him uncomfortable the whole time he's been in her presence." Cherrelle scowled at Serena. "I'm amazed he hasn't s
napped and given her a slap already."
Serena flushed. "I resent that," she whined.
"And I resent the pair of you trying to sabotage my wedding." Cherrelle looked from her sister to her father. "I know you're not happy I'm not marrying the man you want as a son-in-law but this is stooping to new lows, even for you, Pa."
Logan glared at her. "Brad Jarrett is a lowlife car dealer who is a sleaze and a cheat," he bellowed.
That had the whole room quiet, and Cherrelle could feel everyone's eyes focused on them. Emily seemed to sense it, too; she coughed politely and shifted in her chair.
"And I bet Jason Colney's a saint," Cherrelle sneered. She groaned. "Get it into your head: I am not marrying Jason. I am going to marry Brad."
"I'm not walking you up the aisle to that little creep," Logan snapped angrily. "I'll walk you up the aisle to Jason, but that's it."
Cherrelle raised an eyebrow.
"I think we've established I'm not marrying Jason. So, there will be no chance..."
Her voice tailed off when she saw Logan's expression. She knew that look. And now she knew what was going on. Anger raged up fast and Cherrelle could barely contain it. "You've been sabotaging my wedding so Jason can step in when I kick Brad to the curb?"
Logan's silence said everything.
"How dare you?"
"You need to know your place, Cherrelle," Logan growled, pinning her with a glare that would have withered Cherrelle in the past. "You shouldn't be marrying men like Jarrett."
Cherrelle felt sick. Her father was so desperate for her to marry Jason. She couldn't understand why and she didn't want to understand. Nor did she want to be anywhere near him.
Her mind made up, she turned to Michael.
"Michael, would you mind giving me away, please?" she asked sweetly. "The original person who was going to do that has been uninvited and banned from the wedding."
Michael gave her a slight nod of the head. "I would be delighted."
Cherrelle turned back to Logan and jabbed a finger at him. She had had enough, and she was going to make sure the insufferable man knew it. "You're not coming anywhere near my wedding, Pa. I've had it with you. And don't threaten me with cutting me off seeing as I have my own money and I haven't had an allowance since I left college. You are not welcome." She swung around on Serena, who was smirking. "And neither are you. You're an evil little cow who is determined to make me miserable."
Being Harrison Bloom's Girl (That Forbidden Love Book 2) Page 20
