Chapter 3

Nathan's Pov

I made my way downstairs, all dressed for work. I have a board meeting by 8 Am with my staffs. I woke up a bit late today, I stayed up all night talking with Paisley and tried finishing some office work.

It's 7:20 am already, I need to have my breakfast quickly if I have to make it to the office on time for the meeting. Making my way to the dining area, dad and mom were already there.

Dad was reading his usual newspaper over his coffee. Mom's busy with her phone, while taking her tea.

"Good morning." I greeted, while taking my seat.

"How was your night, honey?" Mom asked, dropping down her phone.

"It went well." I said, taking a bite from my toast bread.

"But you look exhausted." Mom said, studying my face.

"Oh come on, Molly. Your son is an adult, not a child. Stop treating him like one." Dad said to mom, putting down his newspaper.

"Stop saying that. He is still like a child to me, and will always be." Mom said with a pout, making me chuckle on their little cute argument.

Speaking of which, Nolan isn't down for breakfast yet. Is he still asleep by this time?

"Good morning." Nolan's voice came, interrupting my thoughts.

He looks all sweaty in his top and joggers. I think he went out for some morning jog.

"There you are, I was about to ask after you." Mom said as he sat next to me.

"I went out for some morning jog." Nolan said with a small smile.

He doesn't look all that happy, I wonder why.

Must it be what he and father discussed about last night?

"Hope this jogging of yours finally helped you with the decision you are to make." Dad said, not sparing a glance towards Nolan's direction as he took a gulp of his coffee.

Nolan glared at dad.

What decision is dad talking about?

"What decision are you talking about, darling?" Mom asked, sounding curious and so am I.

"His marriage." Dad said, nonchalantly.

Marriage? Nolan never told me he’s now ready for that word, marriage. I spared a shocking glance at him, but he was just giving dad a death glare.

"Marriage? Nolan's getting married and i’m just getting to know about it?" Mom inquired, seriously.

"It has not been fully decided yet. The decision lies in Nolan's hand, and I do hope he makes the right decision." Dad said, finally sparing a daring glare at Nolan.

Why do I have a feeling that there is more to this marriage of a thing? Suddenly, Nolan stood up and left angrily.

"He doesn't seem happy about it." Mom said, concerned.

Father just shrugged, biting down on the red apple in his hand. There is really more to this conversation, and I must find out from Nolan.

****

Savannah's Pov

I feel so happy today!

Last night was one of the best days of my entire life! I can't believe I'll be getting married to my best friend! My crush! My first love!

I couldn't help but smile all through the night till this morning, while getting ready for work. I am currently doing my internship in dad's company, I have only a few months to do it.

Once I’m done, I'll finish up my project with high marks. Make mom and dad proud, and become a graduate with honors and best degrees.

I wonder how Nolan will react when he gets to find out about our marriage? I bet he’ll be so happy!

I couldn't help but blush on my thoughts.

I have to share this good news with Paisley, she will be so happy once she hears this news. I opened my laptop, then quickly called her through Skype. It rang for so long, but she didn't pick. I guess she must be busy, I'll just call her later on.

I’m so happy that I think I’ll burst due to this happiness bubbling inside of me.

"Someone seems very happy." I hear Megan say, dropping a cup of coffee on my desk.

Megan is also an intern from another college. We both started our internship on the same day, and I must say we kinda clicked as friends. She's jovial and so open minded, I like her for that.

"Nothing." I said with a shrug, taking a gulp from the coffee.

"You can't tell me it's nothing when you're blushing like that." She said, taking a seat behind her desk which is two inches away from mine.

"I’m not blushing." I said, rubbing my cheek as I felt them getting all hot.

Hell, I'm blushing!

"Yes you are."

"No, I’m not."

"Yes you are."

"No, I’m not."

"Yes you are, and I bet it's a boy's doing. So spill it now, Savannah Wesley." She said, trying to sound serious.

I chuckled.

"I'll tell you about everything once everything has been finalized." I said.

Mom also told me that things hasn't been finalized yet till both of us agree to it, and Nolan hasn't been told about it yet. Once they tell him and he accepts, it will be official.

"Promise?" Megan said, giving me a daring look.

"Promise." I said, giving her a big smile.

I know Nolan will be so happy that he’ll have to call me right away, I’m sure of that.

****

Nathan's Pov

"Is the Nolan Black getting married?" Paisley half yelled in surprise after I told her about what dad said over breakfast.

"I was surprised as you are, but according to dad. Everything has not been finalized, he said it all lies in Nolan's hands." I said, taking my seat at my desk.

"The Nolan I know isn't the marriage type, so how come of this marriage?" Paisley asked.

"Everything still feels kinda off for me, but I'll find out more about this issue."

I really need to know what's really going on with this Nolan marriage stuff.

"Okay, I have to go now. I’m about to go on set, love you." She said, ending the call.

I really don't like the fact that the call didn't last long, though I do understand that she's a big movie star and always occupied. But I do wish for her full attention, even if it's for a whole day.

The door opening cast me out of my thoughts, I looked up to see it was Nolan. He doesn't look happy, it must be about what happened at breakfast.

This is the perfect time to talk about this marriage of his.

"You don't look so good." I said as he settled down on the couch close to my desk.

"If I had known this was the reason dad wanted me down here, I wouldn't have come." He blurted out in anger.

"What do you mean?" I asked, wanting him to spill more.

"Dad wanting me to get married out of the blue is what I mean."

"But I thought the whole marriage thing was your idea?" I asked with a shrug.

Nolan stared at me in disbelief, he stood up and came in front of my desk.

"I’m afraid my brother, you thought wrong! You know me, you know that marriage is the last thing that comes to a play boy's head." He said.

"So you admit that you’re a playboy?" I asked, teasing him.

"Seriously Nathan, this is no time for jokes!" He reprimanded me.

This marriage thing must really be settling down bad for him.

"So why does dad want you to get married?" I asked, wanting to know the real reason why dad brought up marriage for him.

"He said it will help me be responsible since I can't do anything right, can you imagine that?" He spat out in frustration.

Dad's reasons ain't so bad. I really do not like Nolan's irresponsible ways, so I think getting married might change that part of him. But aside that, I do not support arranged marriages.

I should probably advise him about considering getting married for his own betterment. But before I say anything, I need to know his own thoughts. Although I already know what it could be.

"What is your thought on this?"

"I do not know! Father says if I refuse, he will disown me." He said, giving me a shock.

"Father said that?"

"Yes, and I do not know what to think right now." He said, brushing his fingers through his hair.

Dad seems to be going a bit too far in this.

"Do you know the person dad wants you to get married to?" I asked.

If dad could go this far, it can't be because of some little disagreement between father and son. It could be more, maybe because dad believes that the bride will have a positive effect in Nolan's life.

"Yes." He said, making me raise an eyebrow at him.

Which means I’m right, this bride isn't a stranger.

"Who?" I asked, curious.

"Savannah." He said.

I couldn't help but blink my eyes at his answer.

"Savannah?"

"Yes."

"Like in, Savannah Wesley?"

"Yes."

"Like in, Paisley's younger sister?"

"Yes. Yes. Yes!" Nolan half yelled at me.

Now I get dad's point of view. Savannah is such a sweet girl, and well behaved too. I've always admired her character while we were growing up, plus Paisley said something about Savannah's long term crush on Nolan.

Father made the right choice. Not only is she perfect for Nolan, but she will be such a perfect effect on Nolan.

"I really don't know what to do at this point, that's why I've come to you to help me talk to father. He listens to you, you can tell him I’m not ready for marriage and I’ll get married when I’m ready. You can do that right?" Nolan asked, giving me those eyes of hope.

"Nolan. I really don't see anything bad in this alliance. Savannah has been our childhood friend for so long now and counting, you both will make a perfect couple. Trust me." I said, hoping he would understand.

Nolan just stared at me in disbelief. It shows that he didn't understand anything of what I've just said.

"Are you kidding me right now?" He blurted out.

"Nolan.."

"Nate you know me! I’m not that type of guy who dreams of a married life at this point in his life."

"So when do you think you’ll be ready?" I asked.

"I don't know." He said with a shrug.

"Listen Nolan. I know the way dad said it must be uncomfortable for you, but believe me. Savannah is perfect for you, you both look good together."

"But I do not like her in that way! I care about her a lot as a friend, not as a lover or anything of that sort." He said.

This is quite complicated.

How do I fix this?

Savannah will be so happy to get married to him because she's in love with him, according to Paisley. While on the other hand, Nolan doesn't see her that way and doesn't want to get married either.

If Nolan refuses this marriage, I'll lose my brother and our family won't be the same again. If I try to talk to dad, he’ll convince me otherwise.

What should I do in a situation like this?

"I got it!" Nolan said, snapping his fingers in front of me.

"Got what?" I asked, curious.

"I know how to prevent this marriage from happening." He said, excited.

"How?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows at him.

"By talking Savannah out of it. Trust me, this is a perfect idea!"

"But.."

"I have to go now, we'll chat once you get home. Bye!" He said, leaving the office in a blink.

He didn't even give me a chance to speak.

How does he plan on talking Savannah out of this when she must have been wishing for a day like this to come?