A Bride for a Merger
Chapter 13

My head felt as if it was going to split in two at the moment. That was the first thing I noticed once I was wide awake. I still had that stupid alarm set on my phone which went off this morning and disturbing my well needed slumber. "Hmm," I groaned as I reached around blindly on my nightstand for it.

Fortunately, it stopped with the annoying beeping before I was able to retrieve it. I was probably going to smash it on the floor.

"Hey morning," I heard Tori whispered somewhere in the room.

I opened my eyes slowly and hesitantly due to the pounding headache I had. I searched and found Tori standing by my bedside smiling down at me with a sheepish expression.

"I hate you," I said to her as I let out a groan. "You are never getting me to drink ever again."

"I deserve that." she chuckled lowly. "I knew you'd probably be terribly hungover, so I brought you these. Just ensure you take them and drink this, in a few minutes you'll feel better. You'll be good as new."

Tori handed me two Tylenol painkillers and a glass of water. I sat up slowly taking them from her hands and swallowing them instantly. I had zero tolerance for pain.

"Thanks," I said groggily. "I hate you a little less right now."

"What do you want for breakfast? I'll make." Tori said to me still talking lowly which I was happy for.

She was being considerate of my pounding headache.

"I don't know, surprise me." I smiled at her."How are you not hungover?"

"I didn't drink as much as you and also, I can handle my liquor." Tori grinned teasing.

"That's it. Go now. "I pretended to be upset with her. "Go get me breakfast."

"Okay, breakfast coming up soon." Tori smiled before leaving my room.

I leaned against the headboard with my eyes closed for a couple minutes before feeling my headache slowly subsided. I then got up and head towards the bathroom to take care of my daily routine. After I showered, got out of the bathroom then head back to my room and got dressed for work. I then headed downstairs to the kitchen where the lovely aroma hit me.

"Smells good in here." I said to Tori as I entered the kitchen.

"I know right," Tori replied cockily before chuckling. "They always say greasy food helps to get over an hangover, so here you go."

Tori passed me a cup of coffee and a plate with eggs, sausages and pancakes.

"Thank you so much, I'm starving, and I really needed this." I said taking the cup of coffee and immediately start sipping. "This is awesome." "You're most welcome. Anyway I'm going to get ready now."

"Okay then." I nodded as Tori left the kitchen.

After I've finished eating I washed out the plate and put them in the dishwasher. I then heard a message came in on my phone, I took it up and opened it.

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*'Hey, if you're too hangover to come in today, that's okay. I totally understand. After all I was the one who forced you to go out last night. :) :) -Bryan

I laughed at his message as I started typing a reply.

*'Don't worry you're not getting rid of me that easy, I am coming in to finish my job :) -Allison*

"Hey, good morning," I heard Christopher say just as I finished sending the text.

I looked up at him just to make sure he was talking to me. I was surprised seeing him. All I could think is, what was he even doing here at this time. He was never really here much, even worst at this time in the mornings. "Morning." I mumbled back at him awkwardly once I realized he was in fact talking to me.

"You look really nice." Christopher said to me.

Really? Was I hallucinating right now? Was this a compliment I heard coming from Christopher? When did this started happening?

"Uh... Thanks?" I replied but it sounded more like a question.

"And your hair..." Christopher started before stopping. I decided to finish what I guess he was going to say.

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"It's blond." I shrugged. "I know. I'm naturally blonde."

"Oh wow, really? It is beautiful. I didn't know you were blonde." he said to me with surprise written all over his face as he continued admiring my hair.

"Thanks, but how would you know? You never care to know anything about me before" I said to him.

"You're right. I deserved that." Christopher nodded looking down sheepishly. "Look Allison, I'm sorry if I've been a complete jerk to you since we've met but you have to understand what it's like for me having to give up my life and freedom. Having to think about settling down, getting married and all."

"Yeah, yeah its okay. I do understand." I smiled at him with sarcasm bubbling within me.

"You do?" He asked surprised.

"Yeah I totally do," I nodded. "Because I didn't have a life or freedom that I had to give up as well. I didn't have to throw away my life as well or move away from my hometown, from my family and friends to marry you right?" Chris looked shocked at my outburst. I could tell that my bluntness was the last thing he was expecting.

"You don't get to use that as an excuse for being an asshole to me. At least because of this marriage you ended up managing a multi billion dollar company, which now make a larger profit because of the merger. So don't give me that excuse, I've been dealing with your hostility towards me since we've just met. I think I can handle it now okay. Have a good day Christopher." I snapped at him before walking off leaving him there in shock.

It felt so good to get that off my chest. I have been keeping that inside me for months and it was bubbling up. I felt so relief to get that out there. Maybe Tori was right, being my old self once more did felt great. I didn't know that hiding my true self for so long would have cost me so much pain, but that was the end of it. I was done hiding who I was. I was finally going to stand up for myself.