"What the hell, bro?" His brother declared his presence in his office by loudly banging his door. "What is this fucking bullshit, Lucas?"
His brother strode to the room, fuming like a raging bull. Then, he grabbed the first pile of papers he could hold onto before slamming it hard on his desk.
"It's nice to see that you're back, Tristan." He ignored his brother's childish tantrums. "As much as I would like to chitchat, as you can see, I am busy."
He believed it was not his brother's business what he did with his life. He did not answer to him or anyone else, not even his father.
"Maybe we can go out tonight." He offered instead. He was not ready for his brother's questions, especially when his work piled up on his desk.
However, his brother did not seem to get the hint, as he refused to leave. From the glint in his eyes, he was not dropping this subject that easily.
Stubbornness, no doubt, ran in his family.
"Seriously, Lucas. You won't talk to me." Tristan knocked on his desk as he tried to catch his attention. "Damnit! You are marrying Andy. Why?"
He dropped the pen on his hand, sighing in frustration, before leaning on his chair to face his brother. He guessed his brother would not leave until he had his answers.
"Truthfully, that is none of your business, brother." He did not know that his brother would react this way once he heard the news. But honestly, he had not thought of it much.
"Did you force her to marry you? Do you even love her?" Tristan demanded as he leaned on his table with his fist planted solidly on the hard surface.
He knew his brother had a crush on Andy since they were young. But he had witnessed how she kept him in the friend zone, never allowing him to express his true feelings for her.
Then, Jeremy came along, sweeping Andy off her feet. That was when he knew his brother would only get heartbroken if he pursued Andy.
Andy will never love Tristan. At least not the way Tristan deserves to be loved.
In his case, he did not mind if Andy did not love him back. After all, this was just a transaction. After two years, he could easily divorce her without any emotional attachment.
Then, she could go on with her life.
No foul.
No harm done.
He only wanted to protect her as he had promised his bestfriend, William. He hoped two years would be enough time for her to grow up, mature, and be ready for the real world.
"Again, my relationship with Andy is none of your business." He was not about to subject himself to his brother's inquisitions.
Hopefully, his brother would understand that he was only trying to protect him. His brother was still too naive to the cruelty of this harsh world.
He could only blame his parents and himself for giving him a sheltered life. His parents had spoiled him rotten, just like Andy.
"Again, I am busy, Tristan." He dismissed his brother, using his most authoritative voice and leaving him with no room for argument.
Many thought he was the family's golden boy, but that was far from the truth. He had to give up all his dreams, stop being a child, and accept responsibility at a young age.
He had no time for nonsense since he had to grow up fast. As the future heir of his father's empire, he never had time for himself or love.
—Unlike his younger brother.
However, contrary to everyone's belief, he had no desire to inherit his father's company. Once his brother was ready, Tristan would inherit everything his father worked hard to build.
He did not need it since he could build his empire with his two hands through perseverance and hard work. So far, he proved what he could do with LP Designs dominating the current market.
"We are not yet through talking." His brother threateningly said before walking out of his office.
He knew his brother well enough to know he would not stop. He would be back until he was satisfied with his answer. He might even be plotting on how to stop the wedding.
"Aah!" He could not help but expel an air of frustration. But he should have expected it once he had agreed with his father.
If only his father had not caught him in Andy's room that night. None of this would have happened. Suddenly, flashbacks of what occurred that night crossed his mind.
After driving Andy home from her party, he had to carry her into her bedroom since she could hardly walk straight. It was late. Therefore, everybody had already gone to bed.
"Hayz!" He hated acting like a chaperone to his brother and Andy. But tonight, he had no choice.
"Go to sleep, Andy." He ordered once he gently lay her on her bed.
It was not weird for him to be in her room, as he had done it before. But he guessed it had been a while, seeing the many changes she had made to the place.
"Don't go... Please..." She begged while grabbing him by the arm and pulling him back toward her.
Caught out of guard, he went out of balance, falling hard on the bed. What he also did not expect was what she did next.
She took that as her chance to crawl on top of him. Then, without warning, she kissed him. It was a sloppy kiss, probably because she was drunk or inexperienced.
Nevertheless, he would admit it had turned him on.
Damn! He was still a man. He was no damn saint.
Of course, instinct took over as he reciprocated her kiss. Then, the next thing he felt was her fingers working on his shirt. Feeling her skin on his chest was like being electrocuted.
Suddenly, he snapped back to consciousness as rationality returned.
Fuck! What was he doing?
Quickly, he stopped her before she could completely pull off his shirt. But it was too late to realize that she had already taken her top off, leaving her in just her underwear.
"What is the meaning of this?" His father's voice loomed all around him.
Then, everything else happened fast.
Damn! He had no explanation for it.
The next was history.