A Bride for a Merger
Chapter 18

I had been thinking about what Bryan had said to me the last time we had lunch together. He had been encouraging me about giving Christopher a chance to redeem himself, and I had been considering about it for weeks. It had been plaguing my mind ever since. Especially since Christopher was home more often than usual. Not that it was any of my business, or that I should mind-- since it was his house anyway-- but because of him being home earlier from work and on weekends, I had to try to schedule my time well enough. I had to ensure that the time schedules would allow me to use the kitchen in my own time when he wasn't in there, then hide away in my room afterwards for as long as he was home. However, we happened to run into each other more than once since then. And as usual, Christopher tried striking up a conversation with me--that I would always try to avoid.

It was like something had changed in him since the night of his family dinner. Somehow Christopher had became more gentle towards me ever since, but that was not all. There was this strange tension circulating between us and it wasn't like the normal one we used to have because he was often being an asshole. This tension was different, it felt like something new.

That night after Laura had made me held her baby and Christopher saw me, he had came into the living room and stretched for the baby. I had given her to him and surprisingly just as Laura had said, I definitely noticed that Christopher was indeed good with kids. The girls then started gushing over how cute Christopher's and I kids were going to be and how we would be great parents. They kept talking about how we would make a wonderful family.

I have to admit that I did feel pretty uncomfortable about it, considering that Christopher and I were not that real type of couple. It was clear that he was also feeling awkward about the conversation that was being held. However, I couldn't blame any of the women though, it wasn't as if they were aware of Christopher and I's type of relationship. They were clueless to our situation that we weren't even a real married couple.

That night after we had said goodbye to his family, in the car going back home, Christopher attempted to ask me how I felt about kids but I just closed my eyes and ignored him as I pretended that I was asleep. And ever since, I have been continuing to avoid and ignore him. Well at least I tried most of the times.

I was sitting in my room on my bed with Pluto laying lazily across my lap. I was researching different housing design ideas for kitchens and bathrooms. I had found some really cool ones which were like tropical island or underwater designs, they were just amazing. I was so caught up when I heard my door being knocked. I got up and headed for the door.

"Hey," Christopher smiled as I opened my door.

"Uh, hi. Did you want something?" I asked looking at him confused.

"Oh yeah, there was something important that I wanted to discuss with you." Christopher replied. "Are you busy?"

"O-kay, no not really." I said as I walked back into my room leaving the door opened.

Christopher stood there at the door unsure of what to do.

"Well?" I asked. "Are you still planning on discussing whatever it is with me or are you going to just stand there like a statue?"

"Oh. Yeah, yeah I guess. "Christopher replied before coming in.

Pluto had came back to my feet rubbing his body on them much like a cat would, so I picked him up and started petting him.

"I almost forgot," Christopher smiled looking at Pluto. "How has the little guy been?"

"He has been good." I replied before speaking to Pluto. "Haven't you Pluto?"

"Pluto?" Christopher raised a brow with a hidden smile. "You named him Pluto, as in the dwarf planet?"

"Yeah, is there a problem with that?" I asked him offended.

"No, no not at all. It's just that... why on earth would you name the dog Pluto? Of all the names." Christopher chuckled.

"And why does everyone keep judging, first Tori and now you. What? Is there a rule against giving your dog whatever name you want?" I asked him.

"No, there's not. It's just that the name Pluto is a bit uhm... unique for a dog." Christopher replied.

"Well I liked it for him, and I'm sure he doesn't mind because he response to it well." I said to him with a shrug. "I think it's a great name."

"Wow, I wonder what you'd name our kids." Christopher mumbled more to himself.

"What?" I asked not sure if I had really just heard what I think I heard.

*Did he really just say 'our kids'?

*

"Uh nothing, it's nothing." Christopher replied quickly shaking his head.

I decided to just pretend that I didn't hear him say that he wondered what I would name 'our kids'.I wasn't quite sure, I probably didn't even heard right anyway-- although I doubt that was the case. "Whatever. Anyway what did you want to discuss?" I decided to deep the argument and asked him.

"Yeah. You've probably heard about the Annual business function for technological companies that is coming up?" Christopher began.

"Yeah, my Dad always attend it. What about it?" I asked him.

Christopher pulled a small envelope from his pocket before giving it to me.

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"What is this?" I asked looking at the envelope then him.

"Open it." Christopher said to me.

"Okay then." I said as I put down Pluto before pulling open the envelope.

"An invitation to the Annual Technological Business Dinner. " I read when I pulled out the card from the envelope.

"I was wondering if you would do me the honours by going with me?" Christopher asked as he tucked his hands into his pants pockets. "As my date?"

"Uh... Can't you just take someone else?" I asked him.

"You're kidding me right?" Christopher looked at me as if I was crazy or something.

"No, I'm not. It's two weeks from now, I'm pretty sure one of your girlfriends would love to go with you."

"What girlfriend are you talking about Allison?" Christopher asked me annoyed.

"Don't you have a girlfriend?"

"No! Of course not, I'm married to you for Christ sakes. Do you think I would have a girlfriend?" Christopher asked like it was obvious.

"That is the excuse you're sticking with? I mean, it never stopped you from being in the club and sticking your tongue and God knows what else down that woman's throat." I said to him.

"Look, Allison I'm not doing this with you again okay. I told you that only happened two times and it was months ago. It never happened again." Christopher explained.

"I know that I was wrong okay? And I'm sorry but I'm not seeing anyone. I've been trying Allison, I've been really trying to see if we could make things work out between us. And that has been for a while now, but it doesn't seem like you're ever going to allow that. You keep holding my stupid mistakes over my head but I am still trying here Allison. I'm not asking you to forgive me for being shitty to you all at once but I want to let you know that I am sorry for all my idiotic and rude behavior. And I'm asking you for a chance, a chance to make it up to you. I would like a chance to see if I can get a hang of this husband thing-- but only if you want. Please, go with me to this business dinner."

"Why? Why me?" I asked him curiously. "You've made it clear that I wasn't exactly your type and you've worked so hard to prove that to me as well. So what has changed now?"

"I was an idiot. I was being my idiotic, rebellious self. I was mad that Dad used the company as leverage to get me to marry when I wasn't ready. And apart of me blamed you for going ahead with it as well, so I took it out on you. But it wasn't your fault and I've realized that you're a great woman Allison. It just took me a while to finally see that." Christopher said taking a step closer to me but I took step back causing him to stop.

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"I thought you believed that I am stupid." I said to him, remembering the night I had asked him if it was okay for me to get a dog.

"You said so yourself Christopher."

"No, no you're not." Christopher replied quickly.

"I am the stupid one. Allison please, I'm just asking you for a chance, starting with this dinner. Plus Dad will be there and a lot more business associates that are looking forward to seeing me there with my wife. It would look so disgraceful for me to show up without you."

"Oh? So that is what this is about." I laughed humorlessly. "You're just worried about impressing Daddy and all those other rich businessmen. You know Christopher, I almost believed you. You're pathetic."

"What!? No! That's not it, I promise you. I meant everything I just said. How about we forget the whole business functionif you think that it's just for show. And let me take you on a real date?" Christopher asked.

"No. I don't think so." I said turning and going to sit on my bed.

"Please Allison, I am begging here. Please?" Christopher said looking at me with pleading eyes.

I remembered what Bryan had said to me-- about giving Christopher a chance to prove himself first before deciding to just end things. So I decided to give him one chance to prove to me that he wasn't really an asshole. "Okay." I sighed.

"Okay?" Christopher asked raising a brow.

"I'm probably going to regret this decision but okay. I'll go to the business dinner with you." I said to him.

"Thanks Allison. I promise you won't regret this." Christopher smiled at me relief.

"I hope not." I replied sighing.

I had it in my mind that he had better prove himself well starting with this one chance, or that was it.