C5 You can't marry him

"That'll never happen, Not under my watch," I said immediately as I open the mail sent to me by the private agent I hired to monitor my younger brother's every move. Since after our last argument he made his intentions clear that nothing will stop him from marrying the girl he loved. Well, am not against his right to love, but am against him falling in love with the wrong person. And I'll never be allowed him to make the same mistake I made. I will make him see that all those girls are after his money. None of them surely love him. I stood on my feet. I told my secretary to get my private jet read. Am flying to Texas. In the next hour. I have to stop him from marrying the future hunter. The gold digger.

I know I have everything in me to stop them. My name is Brian Adams. I am high-powered, a corporate attorney from New York City. My family is well known in the business world, I owned chains of companies and hotels, my father thought me well in the world of wealth, focus on my goal, and never be distracted by women and their love stick. They are there to catch fun.

It's just an hour's drive to the destination address the agent send to me if most beat the weather news forecasts, but it wasn't as easy as I thought. I've been driving around for god-no-where, getting lost more than five times, and still find it very difficult to locate the damn place! I was more angrier and agitated when the heavy outpouring rain started. I got drenched by the time I finally made it to the house by midnight.

I banged the door. So hard to wake everyone in the house. But no answer, I continue because I strongly believe that my brother is in there, maybe, he's finding where to hide or to escape. But not a chance I'll never allow them to escape this time. I tripped my banging so hard enough to rattle the hinges of the house. I called out immediately to let them know that I will never give up. "I know you are in there. Will. Open up, blast you. I'm not leaving here until you open this door, do you hear me.....," " I'll stay out here all night if I have to...." I said becoming more angrier when everywhere is still quiet and calm. quietised my hands again this time to pull out the door if I most. And it swung open.

I met a carefully composed expression with a dark, searing stare. Here she's, the gold digger. I thought without giving her more of my time, I said. "You sure took your time answering the damn door, lady. Is this a taste of the Texas hospitality I've heard so much about.?"

"Speaking of time....do you have any idea of the hour, Mr....?"

"Don't you dare pretend you don't know who I am, Olivia Christopher, I cut in? If there's one thing that gets under my skin. Its pretense...... especially when it's dished out by a woman."

"I'm sure that any number of things get under your skin, Mr. Adams. She replied with a small smile.

"Am I'm sure my brother's told you all about me by now Ms. Christopher. "

"Only the low point," she said with a grin.

"Cute. I'll have to remember that. I said and fold my arms under my broad chest. I took a long, appraising look at her. She loving woman. No wonder brother falls madly for her to extend of disobeying my order. Now that am here, I have to make things in the right way.

"Well..... aren't you going to invite me in?" I asked her. She seems to be lost in her world.

'Ohhh.....of course, come in." She said in a shaky voice.

I stepped into the foyer, and look around the living room, it was quite simply decorated. And without giving it much thought I turned and face her squarely, as she stood in the arched entranceway to the room.

"All right, where is he ?" I demanded.

"I have no idea who you're speaking about," she claimed with a wide-eyed stare

"Of course you do, damn it! Don't give me those big eyes and fluttering lashes I'm immune to your charms, Ms. Christopher, plentiful as they may be." I promised me. I flew two thousand miles from New York, drove three hours from the airport to this godforsaken nowheresville, got lost five times on the road, and walked the last mile in the pouring rain.

My voice had started at a reasonable tone but rose with each breath so that my speech now crescendoed at shouting level, my face an angry scowl. "Now, you tell Will to get out here this instant! I'm tired of playing games."

She stared at him for a moment, speechless. Then She laughed, politely covering her mouth with her hand. Perhaps it was a nervous reaction to her fear or another of her game.

Whatever it's none of my business, am here for a purpose and not going without achieving it. "I don't appreciate your amusement at my expenses, Ms. Christopher," I said sternly.

"Please, call me Olivia," she suggested politely. We are on shouting terms and all."

"All right, Olivia," I agreed through gritted teeth. "Now you are either going to tell Will to come out and face the music, or I'll search this place from cellar to attic."

"Help yourself." She waved my arm airily. "But it won't do you any good. Will isn't here."

I quickly glanced around the room, as I expected my brother to step out from behind the couch or a curtain. Then I looked back at her, glaring at her, obviously considering my next move.

"Maybe that is true," I said finally, rubbing my jaw with my hand." I doubt that even my brother would stay in hiding this long while his fair damsel faced the dragon alone."

I paced around the room, peered out the Window at the wretched weather, and then dropped the curtain back in place "So, why isn't he here?" I persisted. "Are you two superstitious? No letting the groom view the bride before she walks down the aisle and all that?"

"I'm not the least bit superstitious," she said honestly. "But Will is. Funny thing for a scientist, isn't it?"

"Very amusing," I replied blandly. "Where is he? You might as well tell me now and save us both. a lot of trouble," I warned.

"I don't know," she answered simply. I stared at her in disbelief, she shrugged. "Honestly."

I started to say something, then pursed my lips and sighed as I gazed around the room as if seeing it for the first time. She gazed around as I did, seeing the place from my eyes.

The swayback couch, of 1990s vintage, was valuable if she ever had the extra money to refinish the wood trim and repair the tear in the burgundy satin upholstery that was now cleverly camouflaged by a hand-knit afghan. The rocker, with its careworn velvet cushions, needed repair as well. Knowing very well her source of income that she can't afford all this. She hooked up to my rich guy.

"You collect antiques, I see," I said finally.

"Some pieces are antiques. Some are just...old," she admitted. "I got most of the things through my business. I have a shop in town," she explained. "It's sort of a combination thrift store, antique and vintage clothes shop we sell all kinds of thing."

"Yes, I know all about it Olivia's Attic," I replied,

"Yes, that's right, she answered, lifting her chin.

I stalked around my living room like a disgruntled tiger, practically growling under my breath. I picked up a china dish off the end table and checked the imprint on the bottom. It was Limoges, a discontinued pattern. Despite the hairline crack in the finish, it was worth something, especially to a collector.

"Nice," I noted as I carefully set it down again."From your shop as well?"

"That's right."

"I imagine you don't make much profit if you take home all the best pieces for yourself."

"I do all right," she bristled.

I laughed and said. I've already told you once. Don't lie to me. I know very well what kind of trade Olivia's Attic does or doesn't do."

"Do you?" She challenged.

"Down to the last dollar I' ve did some research, you see. Your profit margin is not very...... impressive."

"You're the last person on earth I'm interested in impressing." Mr. Adams, she replied smoothly after some time "But just so your facts are straight, you can note that I have other sources of income."

"I'll bet," I said in a harsh, accusing tone. "Like my brother, for instance?" I added harshly, Well, as of tonight, you can strike Will Adams from your balance sheet. You'll have to find some other Wealthy boyfriend to set you up in the affluent style to which you aspire. Your tastes exceed your income, Ms. Christopher." She stared at me, too shocked to speak. "of course, with your looks, it shouldn't be too hard to find another rich sap," I added before she could reply "With that face.....and body to match..... I'm not surprised you had a guy like Will twisted around your little finger," I looked at her attractive figure though she dressed densely, she turned on me, and I saw her temper exploding.

"You have some unbelievable nerve! Waking me up in the middle of the night. Waving like a madman. Coming into my home and insulting me in this outrageous manner."

"Yes, play the part of the outraged maiden, why don't you? The sensitive, innocent flower, was trampled and slandered by a brute. An absolute beast," I added in a mocking tone. "Have I bruised your tender sensibilities so harshly, Ms. Christopher? Well, let me put it to you another way then. As far as I can see, you are as they'd say in the good old days......a fortune hunter, madam. Plain and simple, one who is after my brother's money. If you think you're going to marry him, think again," I shouted at him.

"I'm sure you're the one who needs to think again, Mr. Adams, she replied, echoing my cutting tone. "Your brother is an intelligent, responsible adult who can and will choose who he wishes to marry. And without your grandiose, overbearing interference or approval. I might add."

"You will not marry him," I warned her. I stared at her from across the room where I stood silhouetted against the long frame window. I know she despised me, but am not going to let her ruin my brother's bright future.