Before you all scream at me for basically ignoring fanfiction for the past 2 month I just want to say I'M SORRRRRRYYYYY! I KNOW! I KNOW! I'M A HORRIBLE PERSON! Guys, I'm really really really sorry for not updating anything in so long. You want a reason? I have 1 word for you buddy: finals. I'm dead serious after my last final I got up on the table and danced. On the bright side I'm officially in summer vacation mode so these super long waits will be no more!
Second order of business, yesterday I was thinking that since this story only has 2 more chapters planned after this one maybe I should finish it before I continue my other 2. What do you think? Is that a bad idea or a good idea? Tell me in the comments because I'll do whatever you guys prefer.
Chapter 20:
Well, as always, Brandon was right; Harry had a stress induced heart attack. What do you know, maybe Brandon should be a doctor.
When we got to the hospital the ambulance guys took Harry inside to get help. I'm not really sure of all the details because my Father wont tell me, but I'm pretty sure they did some operation on him. He wouldn't wake up for about 2 days, and now that he's up he doesn't look so great.
"I cant believe this is happening" I said as we all watched Harry sleep in his hospital bed. My Father was at work but would be returning later. Melanie, Sammy, Brandon and I sat in the chairs around the bed.
"Why not? It's all Brandon's fault anyways" Sammy said under his breath
Brandon sat emotionlessly, staring out the window, looking deep in thought.
"Sammy! Don't you ever say something like that again!" Melanie said angrily
"Why not? If Brandon would stop being so selfish we wouldn't be here"
"Your brother is not selfish!" Melanie screamed
I watched Brandon, waiting for him to react. He never did.
"Yes he is. He's never content with what he's got" Sammy said. Content? Oh boy, I see another Brandon in our future.
Brandon finally looked at him, blinking.
"You had your whole life planned out for you. I don't understand why you cant just join the company. Why do you always have to go that extra mile to show off even more?" Sammy asked
Brandon stood up out of his seat. Our eyes locked for a second, and I honestly didn't know what it meant. There were no words to even describe what it meant. His face was so blank.
"I'm sorry you feel that way" He finally said
Sammy blinked, then swallowed.
"You're really a terrible brother" He finally said, but it came out a whisper.
I looked at Sammy, suddenly feeling the need to give him a big hug. He'd probably never let me hug him in a million years but he just looked so sad!
"Sammy!" Melanie screamed, walking over to Sammy.
"Take that back right now! Apologize to your brother!" Melanie said. I'd never seen Melanie this angry before. Not even when Brandon and I fought at our graduation!
"No" Sammy said
I looked at Brandon, then back at Sammy. Brandon walked toward the door.
"Where are you going?" I asked, rising.
"For a walk" He said, then he turned around.
"And don't follow me" He said harshly
I narrowed my eyes, looking down. That boy is just so….arrrrrggghhhh! He just knows exactly how to push my buttons!
I sat down, clenching my fists.
"See what I mean" Sammy mumbled so only I could hear
I was so angry. Half because of how hurtful Brandon could be, and half because I probably would have followed him.
"What's going on?"
Our heads all turned to the bed where Harry now laid with his eyes open.
"Sweetheart, oh I'm sorry, did we wake you with all the yelling?" Melanie said running to his side. She took his hand lovingly, stroking his cheek.
"No…no.."
I looked at Sammy.
"I got 10 bucks, Doritos on me?" I whispered, trying to lighten up the mood
He looked at me like, seriously? Doritos?
"Why would I go anywhere with you?" He whispered
"Because, we may hate each other, but us Brandon haters gotta stick together" I said
"You realize this isnt a war right?" He asked
"Fine, I'll go on my own. You can stay here and watch your parents make out, totally up to you" I said walking toward the door.
"Alright, alright, I'm coming" Sammy said
I smiled, as he shut the door behind us.
The hallways in the hospitals weren't so busy. The occasional nurse or doctor walked by with a patient. There were a lot of people with flowers, probably visiting their loved ones.
"Where are you going stupid, the vending machines are that way" Sammy said pointing left, while I went right.
"I'm the one with the money" I said
"You have 10 bucks. My gum wrapper is worth more" He said
I glared, continuing to walk.
"Where are you going?" He asked again.
"Somewhere" I said looking around
"What are you looking for?" He asked
I shrugged
"You're up to something aren't you" Sammy said
"Is it just me or did Brandon seem a little suspicious when he left?" I asked looking around
"Oh for the love of shit" Sammy said smacking his face
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, hands on my hips.
"It means, I cant believe your still in love with my brother" Sammy said
"What? Where did you get that idea?! I just want to know where he is!" I scream
Sammy gave me a look
"Okay, that sounded a lot better in my head" I said
"Stella, like you said in the room, we may hate each other but we're both Brandon haters. Just give up because I can honestly tell you that even if he does give in to your constant nagging you still deserve more than his arrogant horrible attitude" Sammy said
I looked at him.
"Sammy, you think I deserve more than Brandon?" I asked
"Don't take it as a compliment, Brandon's not worth that much" Sammy said
I narrowed my eyes, but smiled.
"Don't hate your brother" I said
"I don't care what you or my mom or anyone says. I hate him" Sammy said
"Why do you hate him so much? You can understand why I would hate him but why do you hate him?" I asked
"Because I just cant grasp how he manages to pull everyone under his spell. Not only woman but men too. Everyone's so caught up on his charm that they don't even see what he truly is. He's a horrible person who I've always come into 2nd place to. Even when I do something great Brandon finds a way to one up me. It's taken me 13 years to finally realize what a jerk he is" Sammy said angrily
"I mean did anybody even consider that maybe I wanted to take over the family business? Nope because only Brandon's worthy of the sacred job" Sammy said shaking his head
My eyes widened.
"I never even knew you felt that way" I said softly
"Well I do….and if you ever tell anyone that I told you that I will personally tell my mother that you were the one who broke her favorite vase" He said glaring
"Okay, okay, my lips are sealed" I said
"Good. Now let's go back" He said
"But wait-"
"Don't tell me you still want to find him" He said
"Oh come on, you're not even the least bit curious?" I asked
"No" Sammy said
"Well I am" I said, then I began to walk
Sammy caught up with me.
"You're really a piece of work" He mumbled
"I heard that" I said
"You were supposed to" He said
We started walking toward the lobby.
"Where do you think he went?" I asked
"Who cares?" Sammy asked
"Are you gonna complain this whole time?" I asked
"Yes" Sammy said
I rolled my eyes, looking around the lobby. Suddenly, I spotted Brandon shaking a man's hand. Next to the man there were 2 other men who Brandon then shook hands with as well. They were all wearing suits and looked kind of familiar.
"There he is!" I screamed pointing
"Shhh! Get down!" Sammy whisper-screamed, pulling me down behind a couch.
"What is it?" I asked
"They were looking this way. God, I cant believe he's still at it" Sammy said
"Huh?" I asked
"Those 3 guys are the 3 leaders of the other 3 branches of President White's company"
"Why is Brandon meeting with them?" I asked
"That's what I'd like to know" Sammy said
"I think somebody owes somebody an apology for doubting her expert way of reading people" I said
"Well that somebody better shut her mouth before that somebody gets caught behind a couch" Sammy said
I nodded, shutting my mouth.
Sammy peaked his head out for a second.
"They're gone" He said
The 2 of us stood.
"Where do you think they're going?" I asked
"I don't know" Sammy said
"It looked like they got in that car" I said
We looked at each other.
"What now?" Sammy said
"We follow them of course. Duh" I said
"Sorry not all of us are trained professionals in the art of stalking" He said
I glared, smacking his arm.
"How do you expect us to follow them if we don't even know where they went?" Sammy asked
I thought for a few seconds then began walking outside.
"Where are you going now?" Sammy asked
I looked around, noticing a man on a bench with his wife.
"Watch and learn rich boy. This is how we used to find out information back in the day" I said
I walked up to the couple with a smile on my face.
"Hi, I'm Stella, I was just wondering if you knew where those 4 guys just went of to" I said
"In the suits?" He asked me
"Those are the ones" I said
"I'm not really sure. I heard something about a lunch, I could be wrong though" He said
"Oh, well thanks anyways" I said with a smile. I waved, then walked back to Sammy.
"What did they say?" He asked
"Out to lunch. God, I was so sure we would catch them. There are at least 20 restaurants in the area, there's no way" I said
Sammy smiled.
"Yeah but keep in mind, those guys are millionaires" He said
"So?" I asked
"A millionaire isnt going to McDonalds for a business lunch. There's only 1 restaurant where my Dad goes on business lunches" He said
"Where is it?" I asked
"Only a few blocks away. It's practically walking distance" He said
"Yay! Good sleuthing Shaggy!" I said holding my hand up for a high five
He walked passed me ignoring my hand, giving me a weird look.
He turned around.
"Firstly, I'm not high fiving you. And Second, if anything I'm Freddy" He said
I smiled.
"Whatever, as long as I get to be Daphne" I said
"I don't know you seem more like a Scooby to me" He said
I opened my mouth as he laughed at his own joke.
"Oh shut up you brat"
Sammy directed me toward the restaurant which luckily wasn't too far away. I just hope he was right about the whole millionaires only eat here thing. One things for sure though, the place was really fancy.
I looked into the front window and sure enough Brandon and the 3 executives were sitting at a table looking at menus.
"That little jerk pretended to be upset but instead went out for a fancy lunch" I said more to myself than to anyone
"Come on, let's go in" Sammy said
"I only have 10 dollars, I cant afford a place like this" I said
"We don't have to buy anything big we'll just get drinks" He said
"Fine, but you better be planning to get a water" I said
We walked in and immediately I pulled Sammy down to the floor.
"We cant risk Brandon seeing us" I said
Sammy nodded.
The waiter gave us a weird look.
"What, never seen 2 kids on the floor before?" I asked
Sammy slapped his face.
"Table for 2 sir" He said, used to places like these.
"Uhhh…coming right up" He said weirdly
"Oh and can you make it beside that table over there" I said pointing to Brandon's table
"Uhhh…sure" He said
"We cant be that close, he'll see us for sure" Sammy said when the waiter left to set up our table
"We have to hear what they're saying. It'll be fine. Look at the way the restaurant is set up. Those 2 tables are directly behind each other, as long as both of us sit directly behind Brandon he wont even notice" I said
"For once you're actually right" Sammy said
I smiled with a nod.
The waiter walked up to us, then crouched down.
"Your table is ready" He said
I looked at him, put 2 fingers to my head, and saluted.
"Thank you sir" I said
"Why the salute?" Sammy asked
I shrugged.
Sammy and I crawled to the table, earning weird looks from people who saw us.
"Don't talk at all" I whispered to Sammy
He nodded as we sat down, directly behind Brandon. We could hear everything they were saying perfectly.
"In your Father's current state do you think there's any way he could return to work?" One of the men asked
"I doubt it. He cant take the stress of it anymore. He's older now, you can tell it in his face" Brandon said
"We definitely don't want to strain him" One of the men said
"The doctor said that if he continues the way he's going it could lead to an earlier death. A heart attack isnt something to be taken lightly" Brandon said
"Exactly. However, this creates a bit of a problem" One of the men said
"I am aware. I don't want you to have to replace my Father with another man but I understand that you need another executive. I'm not in work yet so my family still needs the money. I have a younger brother who's still in school and I'd like to start a family of my own soon" Brandon said
I looked down at my hands, biting on my lips. A family of his own?
"Funny you should say that actually because, we 3 have come up with a plan that can keep your family wealthy and happy" One of the men said
Brandon raised his eyes in an intrigued way.
"You know that we all adore your Father, everyone at the company does" The man said
I looked at Sammy and smiled.
"So we would do anything to make sure that he's not just left in the dust" The man continued
"So we came up with a plan that you may or may not be comfortable with" The man said
"At this point I'm open to just about anything. I cant have my family suffer from my selfishness" Brandon said
I looked at Sammy and we shared the same knowing look. Selfish. That word seems to be coming up quite often today.
"We noticed that at the company dinner Ms. White took quite a liking to you" The man said nervously
My eyebrows rose as I had a feeling I knew where this was going.
"Yes, she and I are colleges" Brandon said
"What would you say if we asked you to maybe make it so that you're more than just colleges" The man said
My eyes widened.
"What are you suggesting? I date her?" Brandon asked
"Date her….marry her"
My breath caught in my throat. Marriage? Dating was enough for me but marriage? MARRIAGE?!
"You said it yourself, you'd like to start a family of your own. Who better to do it with than Mackenzie White, the bosses daughter. If you marry her you will forever be in a good place because her father will always help your family" The man said
My teeth chattered and I clenched my fists. Don't do it, say no, say no.
Brandon was silent.
"Mackenzie is a fine woman, a perfect match for you even. You can continue in the profession you choose in as much time as you need" The man said
"What does Mackenzie have to say about this?" Brandon asked
"She doesn't know, and she wont know. This will be strictly between the 4 of us" The man said
Brandon was silent again.
"Look, Brandon. You don't have to marry her right away. All you have to do is date her for as long as you need. You can ask her to marry her whenever you want. It doesn't have to be right now" The man said
Brandon remained silent, which meant he was deep in thought.
"I'll tell you what Brandon. Why don't you take this," I heard a click," And think about what this means for you and for your family"
I turned to Sammy.
"What is it?" I mouthed
He shrugged.
Suddenly I had a genius idea. I dug into my purse pulling out my little mirror I use for make-up. I held it up at an angle to see what he was giving Brandon.
"It's a ring!" I mouthed to Sammy, getting really nervous. Sammy's eyes grew wide as he looked in to make sure I was serious.
"At least let me buy a ring" Brandon said
The 3 men looked at each other.
"Does that mean you'll do it?" One man asked.
Brandon took a breath.
"Yes. I'll do it" He finally said
I practically threw up. Is he serious?! Is he serious?! He cant be serious! He cant be!
Sammy just shook his head.
"Brandon, you've made the right decision" The man said, rising.
"It's too bad you wont be working with us. You would have been a great asset to the company" The man said
Sammy clenched his fists.
"Thank you but I think I've got my heart set on medicine" Brandon said
The man smiled, shaking Brandon's hand.
"Your Father did well with you" He said
Brandon stood, shaking all of their hands.
"I wish you good luck Mr. Sheilds" One man said
"Thank you Mr. Ringer" Brandon said
"I just hope there wasn't another girl you had your eyes on" The man said
"Uhhh…no sir, it's always been Mackenzie. Like you said, she's truly the perfect woman" Brandon said
I looked down holding my bag a bit tighter.
"Glad to hear that" The man said
The 3 men left the restaurant, leaving Brandon at the table. Brandon took in a big breath, running his hand through his hair. He stood up then began walking toward the door.
"I can't believe that jerk" I whispered
The waiter came up to our table with a notepad.
"Hello, have you decided what you would like?" He asked
I looked up.
"Have I decided what I would like? I've decided that I would like to go murder Brandon Shields!" I screamed, getting up from my spot. I ran to the door, leaving Sammy with a confused and frightened waiter.
"I am so sorry sir. You know how it is, she's not exactly all there if you know what I mean" Sammy said. He got up and began running after me.
"Stella!" He screamed
I ran as fast as I could back to the hospital. Just as I reached the entrance Brandon had just been dropped off and was not entering the building.
"Brandon!" I screamed.
He looked in my direction, just before I hit right into him, knocking us both down to the ground.
"Stella, what the hell!?" He screamed as I began punching the daylights out of him.
"You, are the single most horrible person I've ever met!" I screamed
"What is your problem?!" He asked trying to hold me off. Usually he could, but today I was freaking angry.
"Stella! Get off of him!" Sammy screamed trying to pull me off
We began to draw a crowd, people wondering what they should do.
"I always knew you were a jerk but now, you've taken it too far!" I screamed
Brandon turned us over, pinning me beneath him.
"What the hell are you talking about?" He asked
"Oh don't play dumb you little gold digger. I know what you're up to!" I screamed kicking him in the area a guy doesn't want to be kicked.
He huffed in pain, falling to the ground. I went back on top of him, hitting him on the chest.
"I know exactly what you're up to! I hate Mackenzie but no girl deserves to be treated like that!" I screamed punching him in the arm
"Ow! Ow! Stella, how do you know about that!" Brandon screamed
I stopped punching him, instead I just sat on his chest.
"Because Sammy and I followed you" I said
"WHAT? You little stalker!"
"That's exactly what I said" Sammy, who gave up on pulling me off, said from the bench.
"How much did you hear?" He asked
"Enough to know that you're only pretending to like Mackenzie to save your precious money" I said
"How do you know that? Maybe I really do like Mackenzie"
"Please, you little gold digger. You're in it for the money" I said
"No. There is nothing wrong with Mackenzie, in fact she's the perfect woman. She's exactly my type of girl which, just for your information, has nothing to do with you" He said
"The perfect woman huh? She's been crushing on you forever, why now then?" I asked
"Because…just because! Maybe you're so angry because you're still in love with me" Brandon said
I glared, lifting him by his shirt and banging him on the street.
"Ow!" He screamed
"I am not in love with you. I just want to know why all of a sudden Mackenzie is the perfect woman" I said
"Maybe because she's beautiful, smart, and classy, all of which you are not"
I scrunched up my face to keep from crying. I hope he knows how much that one hurt. I hope he knows how much pain and suffering he's put me through since I met him.
"Oh, and she doesn't ambush me and attack me like a man!" He screamed at me
"That's it! That's it! I cant take you anymore!" I cried, tears falling down my cheeks. No! Stop crying Stella! You're killing the scene!
"What? Are you just going to cry and think it'll make me apologize? I meant every word of what I just said" He said harshly
I cried, balling my fists.
"I hate you just like everyone else in this family!" I cried, then I punched him square in the nose. All of my feelings, all of my tears went straight into that punch.
"Ahhhuuughhh!" Brandon screamed, his hands shooting to his nose.
Buckets and buckets of blood began oozing out of it, going into his mouth. The funny thing is, I didn't even care.
Sammy stood, suddenly concerned.
"Dude, you okay?" He asked, despite the hate for his brother
"No, man I think she broke my nose" He said holding it in pain
"Shit….can someone get a doctor out here!" Sammy called, pulling me off of him.
As I watched a doctor bring Brandon up to help him I felt nothing but pride in my well executed punch.
As Melanie dealt with Brandon and his poor precious nose, I sat in Harry's room. Sammy was taken home to finish his homework so it was just me and Harry. We talked for about an hour together. He asked what happened so I explained to him that I was just angry, but I didn't say why. Harry's been like a 2nd Father to me so it was great having this one on one time with him. I shared my feelings with him, no matter how embarrassing they were.
"Well, his nose is definitely broken" Melanie said entering the hospital room. Brandon followed after her with a newly bandaged nose and an ice pack.
"I'm sorry Melanie, I really am" I said. Notice I didn't direct the apology at Brandon
"I know you didn't mean to break it but come on sweety, I heard what happened outside. What would possess you to attack him?" Melanie asked
"I…"
"Forget it, just drop it" Brandon said. He didn't even look me in the eyes, not that I wanted him to.
"Hey, on the up side you couldn't have picked a better place to break his nose" Harry said humorously
I crossed my arms looking out the window. Brandon did the same.
"Tough crowd" Harry said
Melanie smiled.
"I think it's just been a long day for the 2 of them, right?" Melanie said putting a hand on my shoulder.
I nodded.
"You wouldn't even believe it" I said
She smiled.
"I think you two better head home, and please, try not to kill each other on the way there" Melanie said.
Brandon stood, keys in hand.
"Tell that to Stella" He said, then he walked out.
I watched him leave.
"I think I'd rather take a taxi" I said through gritted teeth.
"Good, I'd rather not have you in my car" Brandon said once we were both out of Melanie's hearing distance.
"Be sure to tell me when you explain to your friends how a girl gave you that broken nose" I said
"Sure, but I can barely call you a girl" Brandon said
"It's funny because I oddly remember this same thing happening back in high school" I said as we went out into the parking lot.
Brandon was silent, unlocking his car. I stood in front of him.
"You know, only then you weren't a gold digger" I said as he was about to get in.
Brandon turned around, suddenly pinning me to the car.
My eyes shot open.
"If I hear you call me that one more time I swear to god I will put you through a lot more pain then just a broken nose" He said
"That's a lot of talk coming from you" I said
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked
"I never really took you for a hypocrite. A jerk, yes, but never a hypocrite" I said
He looked at me.
"You say you don't think you're a gold digger when that's exactly what you're doing being with Mackenzie" I said
"I like Mackenzie. Get it through your small little brain" He said
"Like, but do you love her?" I asked
"Love doesn't just happen" He said
"Yes, it does. Love isnt something that's forced. It's something that comes from your heart. If you marry a girl insincerely then all you'll have is a life worth of nothing. Even your kids- they wont have parents who truly love each other" I said
"Not everybody is as naive as you are Stella" He said
"Being naïve has nothing to do with it. Maybe you're the one who's naïve" I said
"Do you even know what naive means?" He asked
"Yes! I'm not as stupid as you think I am. Honestly, I'm smarter than you right now" I said
He huffed.
"Stella, just don't interfere. Mackenzie is the one that I want. She's going to be a great wife and you cant even deny it. The money is just a plus. Besides, you and I both know that if my Dad quits his job, sure we'll have money, but not enough to send Sammy to the schools he deserves to be in" Brandon said
"I don't know what you want me to say" I said
"Just say that you'll stop being angry and just accept it" He said
"Are you asking for my blessing or something?" I asked
"No. I'm asking for you not to screw this up for me. Don't make my parents say no to this" He said
"Why shouldn't I? After all the things you've done to me and said to me why shouldn't I be allowed to just return those favors" I asked
"Because this involves the family. Think about the family. Don't you love them?"
"Of course I do" I said
"Then don't screw this up for me" He said
I looked down. This was a lot to take in.
"What do I have to do?" I asked
"When I bring her over don't make my mother think that you're anything but happy" He said
I looked into his eyes.
"No matter how much of a mistake this is….I…I'll do it" I said finally
Brandon released me, entering his car.
"But not because I like you, or forgive you for anything. I still hate you no matter what. It's for your Father, and your Mother, and even Sammy, who I happen to love very much" I said
Brandon nodded.
"I know" He said
I began walking away, but suddenly I turned around.
"And I'm sorry that I broke your nose….again" I said
He shook his head.
"Get in the car" He said not looking at me.
"Huh?" I asked
"Don't call a taxi. It's a waste of money. Just get in the car" He said
I narrowed my eyes, but got in. I got in the backseat because there was no way I was sitting next to him.
Well, tell me what you think. The next 2 chapters are going to be sad, happy, maybe shocking. You'll just have to see. And please do tell me if I should just post the next 2 chapters before continuing my other stories.
