Prologue

Brook's POV

"I'm so tired," I groaned as we walked into my house.

"Me too," Katherine sighed.

"Really you guys? We have only been out for five hours your acting like babies," Peyton said rolling her eyes.

"Five hours to long!" I dramatically sigh.

"When are you going to tell Daniel that you love him?" Peyton asked as we entered the house.

"I'm meeting him tonight then I will tell him," I smile at my friends.

Daniel Taylor and I have been best friends since we were little. I always had a crush on him but never told him about it but I think now that we are both older it's time to tell him how I feel about him and hopefully, he feels the same way.

As we entered the living room I noticed my mom and dad sitting there on the couch and from the looks on their faces I could tell something is wrong.

"What's wrong mom?" I asked concerned.

"We are sorry," dad said when mom broke into tears.

"Peyton, Katherine can you please excuse us? We would like to talk to Brooke alone for a minute." Dad asked them guilt written all over his face.

"Mom, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" I asked again walking closer to her?

"Brooke what we are about to tell you might upset you and before we tell you your mom and I want you to know that we love you so much and we did try to do it another way," Dad started to explain with tears in his eyes.

Uh oh, this sounds serious.

"Honey, you have to marry Martin to safe our company," Dad finally let it out.

My eyes widen at his words, "What do you mean marry Martin?"

"Years ago Martin and Daniel's grandfather helped your grandfather to build this company on one condition, that our first born and Mr. Taylor's first born should get married for us to keep the company," Dad said looking down.

"What! You knew about this all these years and kept quiet? Mom, you watched me fall in love with Daniel! Why didn't you tell me!" I screamed at my parents for the first time in my life.

"We didn't know Brooke we only found out this afternoon when Mr. Taylor came over with the documents," Mom explained holding my hands.

I listen to them explaining it to me, Marry Martin. Can't divorce until five years are over? That's all I heard as I stare at my parents.

Martin Taylor is a dangerous man, he hates me to the bone don't ask me why but whenever he sees me he treats me like dirt under his shoes.

"This is bullshit! You know he is a dangerous man!"

"Watch your language young lady! We are aware of how dangerous he is but we also know that he won't let any harm come to you!" Dad said getting frustrated.

"Isn't there another way?" I asked hoping that they say yes.

"I'm sorry baby but the agreement states that it has to be Martin and you," My mother explains.

"I have to see Daniel I can't talk to you right

now," I said before storming off.

I knocked on his penthouse door wishing he is there after a few more knocks I decided to go to his office when the door opens.

"Brooke?" I hear him ask behind me.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a moment please?" I asked him.

"Yeah, uh.. sure come in."

He stepped aside letting me go in that's when I noticed a girl wearing only panties and what looks like Daniel's shirt. I turn around to face Daniel.

"I'm sorry this is bad timing I will talk to you later," I said walking up to the door.

"Brook please stay and tell me what's wrong," Daniel stopped me.

I give him a tight smile, "It's not important I will talk to you later I guess."

"You sure?"

"Yes, see you later." I turn the door knob and disappear.

He doesn't love me like I should have known. I'm just glad I didn't tell him how I really felt about him.

I got into my car and drive around town to clear my head. I should consider marrying Martin what's the use to cry over a man who doesn't return my feelings?

"Mom! Dad!" I shouted out when arriving home.

"Oh, honey your back," Mom says hugging me.

"Yeah, sorry for leaving like that. Where is dad?"

"In his study like always," She replies letting me go.

"Can I talk to both of you?"

"Sure come let's go to your father."

We entered my father's study and I saw him working on his computer, "Honey, our daughter likes to speak to us." Mom said placing her hands on his shoulder.

"I... I will marry Martin," I finally say as I

watched my parents' shocked faces.

"Are you sure Kate? If I remember correctly you were mad this afternoon." Dad said looking at me skeptically.

"Yes, I'm sure dad." I give him a small smile.

"Alright I will call the Taylor's and let them know be ready for dinner tonight."

I nodded my head before going to my room.

Yes I still live with my parents it's just that I don't like being alone sounds stupid I know.

"Peyton, can you guys come over tomorrow morning, please? I want to tell you something." I asked as soon as she picked up her phone.

"Yeah, sure girl, what's wrong? You just left this afternoon without a word to any of us."

"I promise I will tell you everything tomorrow and I'm sorry about this afternoon," I told her before hanging up.

I got dressed in a little black dress leaving my hair down before putting on some black pumps. I decided to wear light make-up and spray some perfume on before going down.

"Here she is, Brooke do you want anything to drink?" My dad asked as soon as he sees me.

"Hey everyone, Yes glass of red wine please dad."

I looked around and saw Daniel with the same girl I saw at his penthouse standing next to each other, my mother and his mother were busy placing cutlery on the table and Mr. Taylor was talking to Martin but his back was turned away from me.

"Hey Brooke, I would like to introduce you to Kerin, Kerin this is my best friend Brooke," Daniel said smiling at Kerin.

"Nice to meet you," I said sticking my hands out but she just stares at it like I have some disease.

"Alright everyone dinner is ready please come and take a seat." Mother announced smiling at dad.

My dad and Mr. Taylor each sit on the head with their wives next to them, Daniel and his girlfriend sitting next to each other, Martin and I yeah we sit next to each other and my little brother Jason sits next to me. He is six years old and I love him to bits.

Dinner went quietly except for our fathers who talked about business.

Daniel and Kerin were whispering to each other.

Martin was quiet the entire time only giving me death stares. Yeah buddy I'm not happy about this either but hey I'm doing this for my family.

"Alright guys let's move to the lounge where we can celebrate the good news", My father announced before standing up.

" Please raise your glasses to the future Mr. and Mrs. Taylor may both of your life a long and happy life together."

Daniel looked at me with a frown before mouthing "WTF?" I just roll my shoulders before looking at my father again.

Daniel came over to me, "Can we talk for a second?" he asked looking at Martin.

"Daniel we will talk later I'm not in the mood to talk now," I explained not wanting to explain to him why I'm doing this.

"Brooke, why are you marrying my brother? Is he threatening you?" Daniel ignored me.

"No, no Daniel he's not I'm marrying him because I love him, I have always been in love with him I didn't know how to tell you." I lied hoping he will drop the subject before I cry my heart out towards him.

"You know you could have told me Brooke we are best friends I would not have stood in your way."

"I know and I'm sorry," I smile at him.

"When is the wedding taking place?" Kerin

asked loud looking from me to Martin.

"Next Saturday," Was all he said before getting him another drink.

Wait did he just say next Saturday?

I look at my mother for answers but she just smiles like she won the lottery. We are definitely going to talk after everyone leaves.

"Will you walk with me?" Martin asked standing in front of me. I looked at our mothers smiling at us.

"Yes, come on."

We walked to the backyard, "I have some rules you have to obey when we get married. You don't tell me what to do, you're not going to be a nagging wife seeing this is just a business contract. You won't say anything if I sleep with other women and most importantly don't fall in love with me!" He said all of this in one breath.

I looked at him with raised eyebrows, "Look here Mr. Scary! Don't flatter yourself I won't fall for a jerk like you and secondly, I don't care how many women you sleep with but just so you know you won't be getting anything from me I don't want any of your fuck hoes deceases on me!" I whisper yell at him.

This fucking idiot makes me angry!

"That makes two of us!"

Oh fuck I just said it out loud.

"Oh, one more thing please wear decent makeup to our wedding you look like some barbie doll with that makeup of yours!"

He said before storming into the house.

"Mother fucking asshole!" We aren't married yet and I want to kill him!

I went back in side after I cooled off, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor thank you for a wonderful evening but I have to get up early tomorrow morning," I fake smile at them. The sooner I get out of here the beter.

"Please call us Jasmine and Dean we are going to be family after all," Mrs. Taylor politely smiles at me.

"Yeah, um... Thank you for the lovely evening," I say a bit unsure hoping they will let me go.

"It's alright dear we understand you have a lot going on with your business," Dean says hugging me.

I quickly say goodnight to everyone and as I hit my mother I told her, "I want to have a word after they are gone."

She just nods letting me go. I walk up the stairs to my bedroom. God why didn't they tell me I'm getting married to that dick next Saturday?