Taming The Mayor!

Little Games!

My head was still pondering hard with all these thoughts rushing inside my mind.

How could dad do this to me?

He brought me here only to trick me into this relationship. I still don't get, why Brandon wants this? He hated me. He made it quite clear to me. Yet he still forced me into this engagement.

The reason was quite extraneous. It seemed like an obligation. Neither dad nor Brandon would tell me exactly why were they doing this.

So far it was clear that Joseph and Monica Mayhew were a part of this entire game and so was Margaret.

Sarah had to rush back to London as Jake had an accident as he fell down the stairs.

Of course Sarah wanted to keep her daughters away from this mess.

Wherever I go, I always create a mess. The reason why I was isolated back six years ago was the same one. Because I always create a mess. I am a mess.

I sat down on the corner of the room, near the window, crawled up like a piece of paper, as I sat with my knees held against my chest. I kept my head down on my knee caps and let the tears stream down profusely.

I was so stupid to even trust dad at first place. I thought that I was getting back my family, little did I know that I came back to cry over being at square one.

My entire hard work of six years, my relationship with grandma, my restaurants, my cafés, my business, my office, everything was in hands of an asshole who wanted to ruin me and watch me cry over my miserable life.

The thought that disturbed me the most was the question.... Why are they doing this? And why aren't they telling me about this? My entire life is at stake for this and here they are playing with it.

The door to my room flung open revealing a Margaret who came in carrying a dress in her hands, followed in by a housekeeping staff who carried few boxes in her hands.

She paused as she noticed my condition.

I immediately turned my face away not having the courage to show her that I was weak.

She placed down the dress and the boxes on the bed.

I had my face turned away but I could still sense her activities at the corner of my eyes.

Soon I felt her shadow hover near me but I didn't move an inch.

"I'm sorry.", Her words made me look up at her with teary eyes.

She was my stepmother. To say I hated her in the beginning would be an understatement. I loathed the mere idea of seeing her in front of me as dad's wife. I even fought with dad and Sarah just so I would never accept her but with time I got to know her, like her, appreciate her and even love her for being there in our lives.

I stayed quiet wanting her to say more.

"I... I should've helped you but I failed.", She said through misty eyes and the heaviness in her voice was evident with her sorrow.

I didn't utter a single word, instead I got up matching her height, standing right in front of her.

"I... Wanted to tell you but I couldn't. Cole became so compulsive. He threatened to take Carol away from me and then I was so afraid of everything.... I couldn't dare to speak to you because of this guilt.", She finally broke down into tears as she leaped in to hug me.

I opened my arms for her and we both sobbed on each other's shoulders.

"I'm so so so sorry.", Margaret kept on repeating those words but I cried and let all my anxiety out on her shoulder.

Soon she broke our embrace and cupped my hand in her face.

"I'm sorry for all those years... I really wish I could do to let you have those years back. I could never be a mother to you.", She cried with guilt.

"No Margaret.... None of this was your fault.", I told her through sobs. "How can I blame you for fighting off to be my mother when my own father....", The words were left some what in air as tears rolled down my eyes.

My legs felt weak, as I wobbled down onto the ground but Margaret immediately lifted me by my shoulders and walked me towards the bed.

"Do you know why he's doing this?", I asked her once we were seated on the bed.

"I wish I did. I wish I knew why, so I could've helped you but Cole didn't tell me anything.", She said with a heavy voice.

Suddenly I felt something breaking inside me as a cry left my lips again.

"I don't want this... Please... I... I just I can't do this. He's threatening me and how.... How could dad do this?", I cried again hugging Margaret, enclosing myself in her arms.

She patted my head and rubbed my arm, to make me feel somewhat better but nothing was going to calm my disturbed mind.

"Amy.... Listen to me.", Marge said making me look up at her.

"We don't have any other option.", She spoke cupping my face in her hands.

"No.... Please... No.", I cried shaking my head like a little child, pleading to be freed of this torture.

"Amy.... You have to be strong here please....", She made it more of a request rather than an order.

"But Margaret.... I.... I can't do this anymore... I can't.... This.... Dad and this thing with Brandon.... It broke me off completely.... I can't be strong any....", I broke off into tears.

"We don't have any other option Amy. We both know there's no way out. You can't give up now."

I started shaking my head again whilst crying idiotically.

"I know your father played you. He did you wrong but we don't have any other option. It's the Mayor who's involved in this. Trust me and by now you might have also got an idea that he's not the same Brandon that we knew off... He's dangerous and intimidating. We can't stand up against him not at this point. Trust me at this when he threatens someone, he's not blackmailing them, he's being truthful. He doesn't care about the consequence of his actions. This engagement is your only shot at saving your entire career. For now play along.... We'll surely find a way out of this before the wedding."

Her words gave me anxiety, instead of calming my disturbed soul.

"And when do they plan for the wedding?", I asked her with fear running down my spine.

"Two weeks from now."

Her words dropped my body a pang of fear, sorrow and anxiety all at once inside my heart. It felt like my heart was ripped out of my cage, crushed down into millions of pieces and brunt to ashes.

"No.... I.... I can't...."

But before I could complete my words Margaret hugged me down into a tight one and patted my head.

"We don't have any other option sweety.", She cried along feeling my sobs.

*************

I never imagined this day to be, the way it was.

I always associated my feelings to be happy, calm and cheery on the day of my engagement, when I'll finally say to spending the rest of my life with the one man I'll love with all my heart.

Of course years ago I did imagine this day to be with Brandon but never did I imagined it to be this way.

I never imagined my heart to be in this much pain, my soul not even inside my body anymore.

I imagined to be with the guy, who will love me, spoil me, feel me and bring the best out of me. Not the guy who clearly hates me, threatens me and orders me to be his puppet

"We're here.", Margaret announced once the car stopped.

I wiped the tears off my eyes and cheeks, that came down due to my thoughts.

I gave one final look to the ring that was placed down on my ring.

It's diamond was sparkling and huge, the beauty of the ring was indeed extreme. There were small embedded diamonds along the front rim of the ring that added to it's beauty.

We immediately made our ways outside the car.

As soon as I stepped in, cameras flashed down my face.

My eyes and head was still hurting due to crying profusely.

The makeup artists had to apply layers of makeup in order to hide the bags under my eyes due to excessive crying.

The dress I wore was a coral blue, glittery gown that had it's full sleeves off the shoulders and a slit down the leg, up till, the upper thigh.

As soon as I entered inside the hall everyone's head turned into my direction

As soon as I entered inside the hall everyone's head turned into my direction.

Soon the lights went off and a spot light hit my face. I shielded my face with my hand to avoid the light from blinding me.

"Ladies and Gentlemen.... Please welcome the first lady of Cherwood to be... Ms. Amy Cole O'Neil."

The announcement made me look sideways until my eyes met the sight of Brandon, standing under any spot.

He wore a blue creamy suit followed by a blue button down... His muscular tone was evident through the fit of his suit. He might have looked handsome but he was still the asshole who was forcing me into a marriage.

He walked towards my direction as I stayed put my ground.

His movements, his actions, his existence brought me back nostalgia.

It reminded me of the day when I went to his penthouse, where he called me after I came back from New York. It was the same way he walked towards me.

Everything hit me back, hard again. All the bitter memories tasting back in my mind. At that point I wanted to see if it effected Brandon as well but he was indeed emotionless towards me.

All his love, emotions for me, were now long gone and non existent due to the behaviour he exhibited towards me.

He finally stopped as he stood a foot away from me and extended his hand.

I wished to slap it away, and beat the crap out of him for doing this to me but now I also didn't had any other option and my life wasn't based on probability anymore.

I looked up to his face and even in the calmest of his tones, his eyes exhibited anger and hate for me.

Why was it so easy for me to read his eyes?

Or did he make them more expressive just for me?

Did he want me to read through his eyes and understand that he hates me?

Even he said that he doesn't have any other option. So he does want to make it clear that, even though he's stuck in this engagement with me, yet he hates me.

"Amy.", Margaret shock me out of my subconscious and I looked at Brandon who stood with his hand extended.

I placed my hand down in his and he slipped me towards him walking me down towards the center of the hall.

Soon the lights turned on and everybody started clapping and rejoicing the moment where their beloved Mayor finally chose his wife.

Little did they know, that he forced her.

As we stood in the middle of the room with entire attention towards us, Brandon grabbed me by my waist, pulling me towards his side.

Even at this point, my entire body shook with his touch.

"Smile.", He whispered, as his lips touched my ear.

I simply nodded faking out a smile, that couldn't reach my eyes or my heart.

People started walking towards us, congratulating one after the other one.

Brandon introduced me to some of them and I simply hugged and thanked them, not caring about anyone.

But one face caught my attention.

Lex!

He appeared out of the crowd with his eyes fixated at Brandon.

He stood mid heightened, with his handsome features. Only he wasn't lean, instead he was quite built up as the suit fitted him pretty good.

I clearly remember Connor telling me that Lex was Brandon's lawyer, how come he didn't know about my engagement with Brandon? And even if he did why didn't he seem to contact me?

"Congratulations Mr. Mayor!", He barged in, offering a hand to Brandon.

I was just noticing his actions of ignoring me.

After Brandon thanked him, he finally turned his attention towards me.

My anxiety rose by a fold and I wondered what could possibly happen between us.

"Congratulations Ms. Cole.", He smiled offering me a hand.

Oh... So this is how things were going to be played now!

Perhaps he knew about Brandon's feelings for me and he was just choosing a safe side.

I took in his hand thanking him with a smile.

"Oh my God! This is like a complete reunion!", Came in a familiar voice that caught my attention making me smile.

I turned to look at Laura.

Who now stood taller than ever, her beauty seeing to have no boundaries and her blonde hair having a trade mark of their own. Her facial features were more defined and extensive then ever, making her look incredibly beautiful.

"But first off...", She announced as she made her way towards me, smiling out ear to ear.

I was smiling whole heartedly and opening my arms to brace her as came near me and lifted her hand....

At that moment, exact moment, I knew what was coming and I was screwed.

Her hand met my breast as she punched me viciously in my boobs.

I whimpered lowly as I felt another figure shadowing me.

"This is for leaving me alone.... All this time.", She complained as she stood with her hands across her chest.

"Laura.... At least not today! It's her engagement.", Kevin's voice hit my ears.

I looked up to him and saw him standing tall, hovering above me right next to Brandon. He smiled as my eyes met his.

He was more handsome then ever. His jawline sharp and straight. With his features more prominent and attractive.

Before I could've moved or said anything Laura immediately leaped me into a hug.

As soon as I felt her brace my eyes got misty.

"I've missed you.", She said breaking our embrace and standing right in front of me and Brandon.

"I mean... Can you believe it? You and Brandon ending up together? I mean that so out of nowhere. How did it even happened?", She said looking at Kevin and back at me and Brandon.

So she didn't know the truth.

I felt Brandon's hand wrap around my waist as a warning sign to not to open my mouth.

"I mean it's just like those highschool days where we would go on double dates. I just want to relive those days right before I get married. Oh yeah.... I'm getting married next month.", She said waving off her finger in air and ranting non stop.

"Congratulations.", I told her through a fake smile.

The thought of marriage hit me with anxiety about my own.

"We're getting married on 21st.", Brandon spoke making me look up at him.

He was smiling towards Kevin and Laura and looked at me still smiling. His face was only and inch away from mine and before my gaze could go anywhere I immediately looked away.

Why was I still feeling things that is shouldn't?

"Oh my God! I'm so going to be team bride.", Laura announced excited with the news.

I stood with a poker face, not knowing how to react to this news. It was only 10 days to 21, which meant I was left with less than 2 weeks to get out of this mess.

I felt a Brandon's hand squeeze my waist, to bring me out of my thoughts. I looked up at him and he was smiling looking at me.

That smile! There was a point when I longed to see his smile. When I wanted to come back to Cherwood only to see him and now that smile was threatening me to follow his commands. Indeed he wasn't my Brandon anymore.

"If you'll excuse us.", Brandon said excusing Laura and Kevin and walking me out towards a direction.

Soon we entered inside one of the leisure rooms as he pushed me away and I stumbled hard, trying to maintain my balance.

"Here.", He shoved a phone to my face.

I looked at him and then at the phone inside his hand.

"Take it! And call your grandmother!", He ordered throwing the phone at one of the couches.

I looked at the phone and back at him again.

My blood shrunk at the mere mention of calling Grandma.

"Pick up! And call your grandmother.", He ordered again and I stood my ground. Not moving or saying anything.

"The news about this engagement is going online on media everywhere in fifteen minutes. Call your Grandma and tell her and that your engaged and it's with your own consent.", He said making me close my eyes with nervousness gushing over me.

"I can't lie to her.", I said through small murmur.

"You have fourteen minutes to save her from been thrown out of that house before my men throw her back in an old rusty dumpster.", He threatened again and this time I knew his threat was viable.

I close my eyes shut letting the tears wash away my cheek.

I went towards the phone and picked it up, dialling in Grandma's number.

I held it against my ear, trying to maintain my hysterically beating and bleeding heart.

I wished she didn't pick up but she picked at the third ring.

"Yes?", She spoke through the other side of the phone.

"Grandma?", I spoke lowly, trying to hide my stumbling voice.

"Amy?", She said with a hint of excitement.

"Is it Amy?", Hazel's voice spoke, "Put her on speaker."

I heard Grandma clicking a button and putting me on speaker.

"Grandma... I... I wanted to tell you something.", I said as I looked up at Brandon who pointed towards his watch.

"Sure... What is it? Did anything happen? Is everything okay?", She asked with concern.

"I... I'm engaged.", I said through a heavy heart, looking up at Brandon who stood looking inside his phone but I knew his ears were stuck at me.

"What?", I heard Hazel and Grandma yell simultaneously all at once.

"Yeah... I'm engaged.", I said again looking, still with my gaze fixated at Brandon with annoyance and anger.

I wished I could have as much hate for him as he had for me.

"What? Who? When? And why? What.... What are you talking about?", I heard Hazel speak and at the same time Brandon snatched the phone out my hand putting it on speaker and gesturing me to speak.

"Amy? I'm asking you something.", Hazel spoke again with concern. "What the f**k is going on? Is this some sort of joke?", She complained with anger.

"No! I am engaged. To Brandon. Brandon Mayhew! He's the mayor of Cherwood.", I looked at him and he looked down on his watch.

"Brandon Mayhew? Isn't he the guy? Amy what the f**k is going on?", Hazel spoke with annoyance.

"What's going on dear?", Grandma's concerned voice spoke with concern. "Is her father forcing her? Ask her if it's Cole!", Grandma spoke and so did Hazel asked me.

"Amy? Is someone forcing you? Something doesn't seem to add up here. What's going on?", Hazel asked and Brandon now looked at me with sharp gaze.

"No! No one's forcing me.", I spoke after a pause, considering all my options. "I'm getting engaged with my own consent.", I said through a heavy heart.

I couldn't continue lying to these two anymore, "I have to go now. I'll talk to you guys later.", I pressed the end button.

I closed my eyes shut, preventing the tears to flow down.

I sprung on my heels to leave but before I could move any further I felt Brandon grab my arm harshly.

I hissed at his touch.

"I didn't ask you to leave.", He said making me look up at him in bewilderment.

How could he be so heartless?

"Now.... Go out and behave. Don't try to act smart. There are guards everywhere. Make one stupid move and your Grandma suffers.", He hissed at me tightening his grip around my arm.

I already felt my skin blistering due to his harsh grip.

He then let go off me pushing me away as I stumbled a little but maintained myself from falling.

He left the room, leaving me behind to ponder at my condition.

I was stuck pretty bad and I had no escape.

But all I could do now is stay and play.

If he's torturing me, it's time to play back his little games and make him pay.

I set my mind up and made my way out.

I immediately went towards the bar, sat up at one corner of the room.

I knew where to hit what as I sat down and offered myself a tequila shot.

The last time I drank was in highschool perhaps and it was about time to bring out the bad girl inside me that knew how to play.