A Bride for a Merger
Chapter 7

Bryan and I remained seated at the bar as we continued to chat and laugh. We talked about a whole variety of things, we talk about our childhood, past, high school memories, college years etc. Basically we spent our time getting to know each other. After a few hours of talking I happened to look around the club and I spotted someone looking like Christopher at one of the tables in a somewhat secluded corner in the club, with a female all over him. The top of her dress was strapless and she had a whole lot of cleavage almost popping out.

Due to the dim club lighting and the slight distance the dress was most likely blue. She was practically in his lap to how she was all over him but it was clear that the guy was Christopher. It was even obvious that he seemed to be clearly amused and enjoying his female companion's attention. I couldn't help feeling a bit hurt seeing this even though I knew our marriage wasn't the real deal, but I somehow thought he'd respect it somehow. Clearly I was wrong. I mean I wasn't his type and I couldn't expect him to throw away his life like that, this was probably why he hated me and this whole marriage thing. I also now realized why he came home so late at nights; this was probably what he spends all his evenings after work doing-hooking up with random girls maybe.

"Hey, Allison you okay?" I heard Bryan asked.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." I replied as I turned to look at him giving him a smile as I tried to pretend nothing was wrong.

"No, you're not. You have this look on your face." Bryan looked at me concerned.

"What?" I asked playfully. "I don't have a look."

"Yes you do, it was a mixture of all; hurt, disgust and shocked." Bryan insisted.

"That's just ridiculous Bryan." I snorted denying what I know was probably the truth. Maybe it was the drink. I felt sick briefly.

Those were exactly the feelings I had right now, so I wouldn't be surprised if they were their evident and clear as day on my face. After all, I have always been told that I was an open book. I was just surprised at how well Bryan could read me considering we've only known each other for less than 24hours.

"Allison I just met you today but I somehow believe that I know you enough to know that something just changed your entire mood." Bryan said eyeing me with concern.

"Really, it's nothing," I sighed. Im probably just exhausted you know.

"Okay nothing, if you say so." Bryan nodded and decided to let it go.

I couldn't help but glanced back around to where Christopher and the girl was. This time I was so fortunate to catch them making out now. Lucky me. Shaking my head, I sighed inaudible before turning back my head to face the bar. "Is that him?" Bryan asked as he leaned closer to me causing me to jump slightly.

"Him? Him who?" I asked feigning ignorant.

How the hell could Bryan notice things that fast? I bet he was a great lawyer considering his skills at reading people, being observant and picking up little details and things so fast.

"You know who I am referring to Allison. The guy you married. Is that him over there with the blonde?"

"Yeah." I answered just above a whisper while nodding.

"I could tell. The way you just seem to be in a bad mood suddenly." Bryan replied as he looked at them before focusing his attention back to me.

"I don't know why, but it just doesn't feel nice seeing something like this even though this whole marriage thing isn't real." I said to him.

I hated this feeling.

"I understand. Do you want me to take you home now? You probably don't need to see any more of that." Bryan said concerned. By the way, he looked like a total jerk.

"No, I'm not going to make because of him and his antics that my night is ruined."

"Alli, you don't need to play strong all the time, it's okay to feel hurt or betrayed. You are a human with feelings. In spite of everything, what you're feeling now is natural. So come on let's go." Bryan stood up and stretched his hand for me to take.

Looking at him I could see that he was serious about this and he's right, so with a sigh, I took his hand and allow him to help me down from the stool onto my feet.

"Let's get you home." Bryan said as he led me outside the club.

After we got to his car, Bryan opened the passenger door for me and closed it before heading around to the driver's side and starting the car. After telling him my address, we mostly drove in silence. Once in a while he'd say something and I'd respond but I was mostly silent. And Bryan seemed to understand it all. All throughout the drive, I kept thinking about everything. I couldn't help wondering why Christopher hated me so much. Why did he have to be so much of a jerk? Why couldn't he just give us a chance to talk, get to know each other and even become friends. I know I probably wasn't his type but why couldn't he try to get to know me? Who knows, maybe we could learn to like each other one day, maybe this marriage could even become a real thing. I was consumed by my thoughts I hadn't even noticed we had reach home and outside the gate until I heard Bryan spoke.

"Is this it Allison?"

"Yeah, yeah thanks a lot Bryan." I said with an appreciative smile as I was about to open the door.

"Aren't you going open the gate?" Bryan asked. "I promised I'd get you home safely but you're still not fully home, I'll drive you in."

"Oh, yeah." I replied as I reached into my bag for the little remote.

Christopher's gate was one of those electrical gate where you'd used the remote to open it or enter the code. Christopher had given me one of those when I had move here, along with the security code.

After opening the gate, Bryan drove in and parked in front the house. He got out and came around to my side opening my door before I could even finish putting my hand on the lock. I noticed that Bryan seemed like a true gentleman from all his actions tonight. He was a one of a kind guy.

"Thank you." I said as he helped me out. That was really kind of you.

Bryan walked me to the front door. Looking at this house, and knowing it belonged to Christopher, especially considering tonight and how he has been an ass to me, I couldn't help the tears that welled up in my eyes.

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"You know everything is going to be alright one day. You're going to wake up one day and realize that things are different. I know it probably hurts right now, but you're a beautiful and smart woman Allison. And just knowing you less than 24 hours you seem like a wonderful person. You're going to replace your happiness one day Alli." Bryan said sincerely before pulling me into a hug.

I gladly returned it and couldn't help the tears that fell down my cheeks. It felt so good to have someone hugged and comfort me, it had been a long time now since I've last been hugged or felt like I had a friend.

"Thanks, Bryan that really means a lot." I sniffled.

"It's okay Allison, I know you'll be fine soon." Bryan replied as he put his hand on my cheek and used his thumb to wipe away a few tear drop that had escaped on my cheek.

"Thank you for being a great friend tonight even though we just met. I really needed that." I smiled at him genuinely.

"Anytime Allison. You have my number, just call whenever you feel like you need someone to talk to. I am a good listener."

"Thanks, I will." I responded.

"Goodnight Alli, sleep well." Bryan smiled. "Ill see you Monday?"

"Yeah, see you Monday." I nodded. "Goodnight and drive safe okay?"

"I will, bye." Bryan replied before heading back to his car."Bye." I smiled giving him a wave as he went back into his car.

I stood outside watching until he had made it back through the gate before it closed. I smiled slightly as I opened the front door. Why couldnt Christopher be nice like Bryan? I went inside closing the door behind me and went up to my room. I quickly changed into my night gown before allowing sleep to take me over.