CHAPTER 8

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Daniel spent the remaining few hours drinking himself to numbness.

He never should have returned to Minnesota, it was a mistake coming back here. Now he has to see the girl of his dreams in the arms of his cousin.

He was still at the bar even as the Welcoming started. All the attempts of the young ladies present to get his attention had all been in vain.

He wouldn't stop drinking let alone speak to anyone. He was getting what he wished for at least -to be numb to the pain and everything inbetween- until she arrived.

Livy was dressed in a milk-colored pink flora strapless gown. She had a pink half-cut fur coat that hung few inches below her neck with matching strapped-heels.

She was looking exceptionally beautiful than she was in the morning, making it harder for Daniel to focus. She was all he could see as everything and everyone else become blurred.

He tried to stand up from the stool but his legs were numb and he knew he would fall and make a fool of himself, so he remained in his seat with his eyes glued on Livy.

He was such a person, he knew when to go after what he wants and when to give up. But, ever since Livy appeared in his life, all sense of reasoning eluded him.

Soon the music started and she was on the dance floor with Markian. He couldn't understand the sudden dislike he now felt towards his cousin.

Was it because Markian was with the woman of his dreams, or was it because he knew Markian doesn't really like her? Whatever the reason was, it was the first time he had felt such rage towards his cousin.

Markian and Daniel had been more than just cousins, they had been brothers and best friends until he left Minnesota 5years ago.

Castlehill had always been the Winfrey's family business until Grandpa Winfrey Castlehill died and left his will, making his first son, Matthew Winfrey the Chairman of Castlehill group of companies. And his second son, Tion Winfrey, he made the Manager of Shanghai group which Heather was now in charge of after Daniel went to Grenada.

As heir to the Shanghai group, his father wanted more from him and always compared him to Markian.

Tion Winfrey had always envied his brother's position as Chairman and had done some unethical things that could create enmity between siblings. So Daniel left for his peace of mind and for his cousin's sake.

But, could it be that an enmity between both of them is inevitable?

Right now, he really hates the fact that Livy was Markian's woman, and the fact that Markian doesn't want her makes him even more furious.

He soon blamed it on the alcohol, he was not thinking straight. Maybe a good night rest would bring his mind peace, so one last look at Livy before he headed upstairs, then he saw it.

Daniel's mind went on a personal rampage as his eyes fell on Markian's hands on Livy's butt, and Livy's struggle to be free of him.

He wanted to march down the dance floor, grab Markian by the neck and give him a good punch.

Luckily she broke free from his grip, giving him a little sense of satisfaction.

'Wait, what is wrong with me. They are both married now, so why am I still feeling the need to rescue her? She is his woman now, and I am nobody to her, but why do I feel this way? Livy, what did you do to me?' Daniel questioned himself.

His eyes fell on her again and this time, Markian's hand gripped her wrist forcefully and dragged her upstairs.

He quickly rushed on his feet, but the alcohol in his system protested against his obtrusion. His head felt heavy and his eyes were finding it hard to focus.

He was drunk, but wanted to rescue Livy from Markian since he knows his cousin's anger better than anyone else.

On his way, he shoved and pushed people out of the way sluggishly.

Before he got to the staircase, a hand touched his shoulder pulling him back. It was Heather.

"where do you think you are going? Stay here and don't create a scene" she told him firmly.

"Bu...ttt, he dragged Livy upstairsss without her consent. I...have to stop him before he... he does something stupid, he must still be upset with herrr" he forced the words out to sound clear and firm.

"Go back, I'll handle it. Trust me, Go!" Heather commanded her brother.

She had always been so authoritative and concerned about her little brother and the reputation of her family. But if Markian does anything crazy tonight, she would never forgive him, so she went after him.

Before she could get to Markian's room, he had already shut the door.
She banged the door for it to be opened, but Markian and Livy were not responding.

'What is Markian thinking right now? Does he intend on hurting her? No, he wouldn't do that.' she thought, but the look on Markian's eyes were very scary.

Her cousin had a quick temper that almost made him an outcast when they were younger. He wasn't very popular amongst the guys, but occasionally the girls would flock around him because he was very handsome and rich.

His only friend while growing up was Daniel, but it seems there has been a strain in their relationship ever since Daniel left Minnesota.

If he continues like this, she fears the worst as she loved him like a brother too and knew how he gets when he was upset.

If Markian creates a scene and one of their aunties gossip about it, only heaven knows what rumors might spread the next day.

''Markian, is everything OK?! Please, open the door let's talk about this. Everyone is worried downstairs, and wants to know what is going on. Markian? Livy! is everything OK?"

She was starting to get very worried when she didn't get any response from Livy, until Markian replied.

"Heather, go back downstairs and entertain the guests. We had a long day and just wanted to go to bed early. Tell them to have a good time, and leave when they are done".

OK, He is lying knowing fully that she knows him very well and this made her even more worried. Markian makes very rash decisions when he is angry.

"Markian, she is your wife, everyone downstairs knows that. Don't do anything stupid you would regret later. I'm leaving, have a goodnight" she replied, though still worried about what would happen as she prayed a silent prayer for Livy.

When she went downstairs, she met Daniel sitting at the end of it. He looked miserable and drunk.

Her brother only drinks when something was bothering him, but what could he possibly be worried about?

She sat with him and put her arms around his neck. He was startled at first but calmed down when he realized it was his sister.

"What's wrong? Why are you so drunk? Was it about what I said earlier? I didn't mean to hurt you you know, I just don't want you making stupid mistakes, that's why I scolded you. You can't follow Markian's every command, I don't think he has your best interest at heart. He..."

"I love Livy" Daniel confessed bluntly, sending Heather into a panic. "I'm in love with Livy and it's starting to drive me crazy. I don't even know who to tell or what to do. Please, sis what do I do?" Daniel asked while brushing his hair back with his fingers, showing his farrowed brows.

Daniel was quite handsome with a ruggedness he now acquired after few years on an island. His hair was always let down his forehead in a fringe, and is only parted and taken slightly backwards on special occasions like today. But he has been drinking and though he often tries to brush it backwards with his fingers, it still falls right back on his forehead.

He was very attractive either way and had no problem with the ladies, though he wasn't a playboy. Compared to Markian he was a worthy opponent.

"Please tell me it's another Livy you are referring to, because if it's not, then you better keep your mouth shut and don't say anything else if you don't want to find yourself in deep trouble tomorrow", Heather spoke firmly.

She knows how her brother can be when he likes a girl, he's been heartbroken a few times and she was the only one he could talk to because Markian was always the reason they left him.

The last time a girl left him for his cousin, he had vowed never to fall in love again until Markian was happily married.

Of course, Heather had tracked the girl down. She was an instagram model and only used Daniel to get close to Markian.

Heather threatened her made sure she left Markian alone and gave an honest apology to Daniel. Heather can be so intimidating when she wants to be, and since she cared for her brother so much, so she started keeping tabs on him as to who he dates or sees, just to make sure nobody plays him for a fool ever again.

But she didn't find him dating or seeing anyone for quite a while so she assumed he took his vow very serious.

If she had suspected or had any idea whatsoever that her brother was in love with Livy, she probably would never had let the marriage proceed.

"Heather, is she ok? Markian isn't mad at her, is he?" he questioned his sister intensely.

Heather could see a glimmer in his eyes, he was holding back his tears and it broke her heart.

"She is perfect, they were teasing each other publicly and she wasn't comfortable with it, so they retired to their room early. You don't need to be worried about her from here on out. She is now Markian's wife", she lied.

Better he gets hurt now, heals and gets over it in the morning, than to have his hopes up for any changes.

"Aaaa...i see. you are right, I must have been worried for no reason. I'll go up to my room now, I'm also very tired. Goodnight Sis", he spoke with an unreal smile plastered on his face as he staggered to walk up the stairs to locate his room, resisting his sister's help to steady him.
********************************

I pulled myself off the bed, I didn't want to wait to find out what was going to happen if I remained there.

My limbs were trembling and i could barely breath. I looked for a safe place to hide away from his deadly stare, but couldn't find any in the little time I had.

He was coming closer with each step but, I could only manage to take small steps backward involuntarily, until I got caught between him and a wall.

'Oh no, I'm stuck. What do I do? I need to leave this room, please someone help me!.'

It was a strange room, but it was beautifully decorated with flowers and few candlelights lit up the room, making it more difficult to find a way out.

In a quick stride he was face to face with me, one of his hands gripping my left wrist, while the other was on my waist, and using his weight he pinned me to the wall unable to move. I could only manage to wiggle, making my current position even worse.

I was in pain as his grips got tighter and tighter, and I whimpered.

When I opened my eyes, they met with his icy cold eyes. He had a smirk on his lips, he was enjoying what he was doing at the moment, the pain he was inflicting, the fear that constantly grew in me and the soft whimper I let out involuntarily. He was enjoying every part of his handiwork.

"I'm I hurting you? Do you want me to let you go? Beg me! I might listen if you ask nicely" he spoke softly and teasingly.

I knew he was testing me, but I needed this to stop. I knew I was wrong, I spoke out of anger, I never should have spoken to him in such a manner especially after everything that had happened to him because of me.

"Please, I....beg of you. Please...let go of me," I pleaded shamelessly.

"scoffs...I. Don't. Want. To... You seemed to have a lot to say to me downstairs, even everyone wanted to know. So, here I am, I'm all ears, tell me." he requested calmly still while holding and pinning me to the wall.

I was so terrified, I was about to cry. 'Please, let me go... I didn't mean to be rude, I just...my irritation level ticks off when someone I care about is intoxicated by alcohol.'

I can't even say that because I'm the reason he was drinking. He is suffering because I forcefully got married to him.

I'm so pathetic, even right now I'm making excuses for the man whose fingers are boring a hole in my arm and waist. He hates me so much but I still fantasize of a happy life with him.

I must be mad, crazy with emotions I can't fully understand.

"Why so quiet 'honey'? Go ahead, say what's on your mind. I really want to hear what you have to say" he request with gritted teeth.

He looks so furious, and if I'm not careful, tonight which is meant to be our first night together might turn into a horrific night.

My eyes were already teary and ready to spill, my cheeks felt so hot like I've been slapped, my legs were giving up on me. Somebody please help, I don't know what to say or do, I might just make things even worse.

"If you ever refer to me as your husband in 'public', I'll make you regret it in public. If you ever for a moment think you can stand with me as an equal, I'll push you down with my own hands. And if you think that I'll ever regard you as my wife, then be prepared to get disappointed, over and over again. I will make everyday you spend with me unlivable. I'll make you regret your actions, because every decision you took today were yours to make and you made the choose the ones that suit you and your mother best. So now I would make my own decisions that suit me and that would cause you great pain, more than you have caused me. From this moment, my time, I would sacrifice to making you regret ever choosing to get married to 'your sister's husband'. You disgust me, get lost!" Markian yelled while pushing me aside.

I got a little strength at the force of his release and went through a door beside the book shelf, not knowing if it was a walk-in closet or the bathroom.

All I knew was that my entire systems needed me to be far away from Markian, so I ran and shut the door.

My heart was still racing as tears streamed down my face and my eyes squeezed shut.

I was still trembling with fear and my entire body hurts, not from his grip but from his harsh words.

What have I gotten myself into all in the name of love? Was I wrong to marry Markian? I'm I really the bad guy? Everything I knew and felt right now was on question, with no answers in site.

The floor was cold and the room was pitch black. My heart beat rate intensified as blood ran through my brain and flooded my ears, I was in a state of panic as I fumbled to open the door but failed.

In few seconds everything went dead as I laid on the cold ground unconscious.

Thank you all for your patience and time, Thanks to you all, I keep wanting to write. It was a wonderful year last year with all of my readers, so let's make this year even more wonderful. . Happy New Year guys and ladies... 🎆 🎆

You all are the best ♥ ♥ ♥

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