Chapter 10

Life for Deirdre was perfect. Since she had Paul close to her, she had everything and her feelings grew even stronger during the following months. They had not spoken to anyone about the happiness they shared that summer. They wanted to keep it a secret, just for themselves. They were not ready to talk about it with anybody not even Andy, who had absolutely no idea what was going on between his brother and his best friend. Her parents also were completely oblivious about their daughter's life. At that time they had already planned out her life for her and they decided to let her know of it at dinner that evening.

''Deirdre, I think it is time we discussed your future'', her father started.

''I'm leaving for college in a few days, father. What are we suppose to discuss?''

''Daughter, college is something that should not interest you right now''.

''What are you talking about? I want to go to college''.

''Deirdre, for the time being, you have other obligations. Obligations to your family''.

''What do you mean? What kind of obligations?''

''Listen to me and try to understand, please'', Craig said with a sigh. ''Lately, business is not going well. In the last six months our profits have decreased by half. If this continues, we'll have to sell our shares'', he concluded looking truly disappointed.

''What does this have to do with college?'', Deirdre wondered not understanding why he was telling her all that.

''Deirdre...", her mother intervened, ''your father inherited this company from your grand-father, who built it up from nothing. It would be a tragedy, if we lost it''.

''I understand, mum. But I wonder what could I do to help father keep the company?''. Renée looked at her husband encouraging him to speak.

''We thought a lot about it and the conclusion is that the only way to save our fortune… Is if you marry Dean Mervan. This way the company will remain to our family''. Hearing those words, Deirdre's face got pale and she looked at her parents not believing in her ears, while Patrick, who was present at this discussion, sympathized with his sister.

''You have decided whom I should marry?'', she shouted throwing the fork in her plate. ''You make decisions about my life without asking me what I want? Marry Dean Mervan? Have you lost your minds? Absolutely not!''

''Deirdre!'', Craig yelled at his daughter who ran to her room but his wife stopped him with a lift of her hand.

''Leave her… Leave her alone. When she calms down, she'll think it over'', she said nonchalantly and continued her meal.

Deirdre fell on her bed, grabbed her pillow and started to cry. How could they make her change all her plans and marry someone she barely knew? She was so frustrated at first but when she brought Paul to her mind, the sadness took over. How could she leave him? How could she accept somebody else at her side, since her heart was given to him only? And finally, how would she explain everything to him? She couldn't even understand herself!

''Deirdre?'', she heard Patrick's silent voice. He opened the door and sat on the bed near her. He had never seen his sister so sad. Especially when recently she had been glowing with happiness, always with a smile on her lips. But now her eyes were red from crying. ''Come here''. She curled up in his embrace and he caressed her brown hair trying to comfort her.

''I don't want to marry him… I don't…'', she said between sobs. Then, he helped her sit up and looked deeply into her eyes with his turquoise ones.

''Then don't. It's your life and nobody not even our parents have the power to make you do something you don't want to. Just know that whatever you choose, I'll always be there for you. Never doubt it''.

''Thank you. You're the only one I have on my side'', she said with a kiss and her smile showed up again. ''Listen, there is something I must do now, okay?'', she told him wearing her shoes and left without saying where she was going. Patrick though, had something in mind.

''Is that so?'', Paul said holding his beloved's hand. They were sitting on a bench of the park near his house, where she narrated to him everything that had happened earlier at dinner.

''I don't want to be without you. I can't even think about it''.

''Neither can I, sweetheart''.

''What are we going to do?'', she asked desperately. ''My parents are stubborn, I know them well. They will never change their mind''.

''Darling, I don't want to see you sad. Don't worry. I'll take care of this''.

''What do you mean? How?'', she asked noticing a shine of determination in his eyes.

''I will ask for your hand in marriage''.