Song:Â All night by The Vamps, Matoma
I'm never gonna find my way
If I don't learn to let go
The past is the past, today is today
And there's things I can't control
The circles underneath my eyes
Tell the truth that I've been trying to hide
I've been waiting for you way too long
Won't you come and take me home
Oh I, I'm praying dis ain't all a dream
Can you, you, wake me up before you leave
I've been up all night, no sleep
'Cause I feel like I'm always dreaming
All night, no sleep
'Cause I feel like I'm always dreaming
Wide awake, that's okay, as long as I'm with you
HANNAH'S POV
The night before the wedding...
My wedding.
It's been a week since that dreadful day, and nothing has been the same ever since. The atmosphere is like that of a death house, mournful, heavy, and sad. No one is happy about this marriage or merger. Everyone has so many questions that dad refused to answer. Aunt Claudia and uncle Brad tried to make dad see sense but he shut them up. He said and I quote, "she is my daughter and no one has any right to question my decisions regarding her life, I don't want any third person to lecture me on parenting."
Dad has always adored his sister and their bond had always been very special. In fact, after mom's death, she's the one to look after me and dad that to this day we rely on her. Dad always admitted that if it wasn't for her then he doesn't know what he would've done. She's the only one who can keep him in his place and doesn't take any kind of shit from him, even mom used to go to her for help when dad acted stubbornly and she would set him right.
But it didn't happen this time, he not only refused to listen to her but hurt her with his harsh words. In my whole life, I've never seen them fighting seriously but what dad said would've affected anyone, so this whole thing converted into another huge argument. Not only did she oppose this whole idea but when she heard who he was marrying me to, she protested with all her might that she refused to take any part or attend the wedding. And dad made no effort to apologize or amend things with her. It's been a week since they haven't said a word to each other.
It's like he's become an entirely different person, not caring about anyone's feelings, as if he's making everyone hate him on purpose. But why would he do that... why would anyone do that?
Nick on the other hand is a completely different story.
*Flashback*
After I stormed out of dad's office, I was still unsure of what was happening, it's like my mind stopped working, so, I went straight to the person who is responsible for this after dad.
No, it's not who you think it is... it's Nick.
While calling Mila to meet me at Nicks's place ASAP, I literally ran towards his house which is just 2 streets away from mine, and ring the bell, like a madwoman.
"Who has gone mad to assault the doorbell like that." I can hear aunt Claudia shouting from inside as she comes near the door but that didn't stop me.
"Stop ringing th..." she stopped midways, "... Hannah?" confusion was evident on her face as to why I was going gaga over her poor bell but I don't have time for her right now.
"Not now, Clauds," I said and ran past her like a tornado. I can hear her shouting at me for calling her that and asking me what's wrong but I still didn't stop.
'Where's he?" I asked her looking for Nick all around.
"Where's who?' Oh God, why does she keep asking questions instead of answering mine?
"Your bloo..." I stopped when I saw her giving me a death glare "Your son, Nick," I said instead.
"He's in his room, sleeping," oh, this will be the last sleep of his life, I'll make sure of it 'what has he done this time, are you two fighting again?' she asked with a bored expression, she's seen all this all her life, it's nothing new for her.
"Oh no, the fight has yet to begin, he's ruined someone's life," I said and heard her gasp in return with her eyes bulging out.
"HE'S GOT SOMEONE PREGNANT?"Â it was more of an announcement than a question 'I knew it would happen one day' she said seething with anger and marching upstairs towards his room.
"Really, I mean, do you really need to be that dramatic?' I rolled my eyes.
Look who's talking? Said my inner voice.
Beating her to it, I opened the door to his room and saw him sleeping peacefully. Looking at him there's only one thought in my mind.
You're dead.
With murder on my mind, I jumped on his sleeping form and sat on his stomach with a bounce which impacted him to jolt his eyes open, his shocked eyes were evidence that his dumb mind can't comprehend what's happening. But I'm not done yet, actually, far from it. When I said murder, I meant it.
"YOU BASTARD, IT'S ALL HAPPENING BECAUSE, OF YOU, I WILL KILL YOU!!!" I picked a pillow and tried to asphyxiate him. After groaning, muffled pleading, and trying to get rid of me for some time, I guess he finally woke up because he succeeded to push me away from the top of him.
"ARE YOU CRAZY, HAVE YOU FINALLY LOST YOUR MIND?"Â he screamed at the top of his lungs in anger, his eye caught his mother standing at the door looking at everything.
"Seriously!" he said disbelievingly "are you even my mother??"
"It's between you and her' she paused then continued, "and it must've been you who's done something," oh I love her.
"She was trying to kill me, woman, KILL ME!"Â in return she just shrugged to his disbelief. if it wasn't for the situation right now, I would've been filming it all while dying with laughter.
"Reason for this unsuccessful murder attempt?' Aunt Claudia asked with a raised eyebrow and a mischievous smile, which diminished the second she saw my face.
"I'm getting married," I think the look on their faces is enough justification to her previous question.
..................
Right now, we all are sitting in Nick's bedroom except for aunt Claudia, who along with uncle Brad went to dad after I told them all that dad did, probably to repeat what I did to her son some minutes ago.
Man, this woman is a badass.
And except for Mike, too, who's nowhere to be found since our graduation dinner. He's not answering our calls, nor messages, we went to his place here but wasn't even there. We would've reported him missing if it wasn't for a single call he cared to drop for Nick. He just said that he has to go back urgently to Italy and that he'll contact us soon by himself which he hasn't done since then. Btw, did I ever mention that the guy is half Italian?
"What are you gonna do now, Hannah?" Jason asked with concern.
"Yeah, it's too early, I haven't even designed her wedding dress yet," let's just say Mila has different priorities. She realized what she said when she felt three pairs of eyes looking at her.
"Miles, out of everything I just told you this is the only thing that you're worried about?" does she even realize what the situation is?
"Hans, after everything you just told me, I don't think you have any option other than to worry about that you're getting married in a week and we haven't prepared anything," she said as a matter of fact like it's no big deal.
"Oh, shut up, Mila," I stated with irritation, "If you can't help me with anything, it's better that you stay quiet" she still has the audacity to roll her eyes
"I think Mila is right, Hans. I mean if you think about the consequences, I'm afraid you really do not have any choice." Jay said in all seriousness.
"Over my dead body," we all looked at Nick who hasn't said anything until now. Our eyes met and I can see that he means it.
"I won't let him do this, he can't do that to you, Hannah."
"Thank you for stating the obvious but don't you think, I know this already."
"We have to think of something, there must be a way out," he said it more to himself.
"There isn't, Nick. if there was, I won't be sitting here with you."
"How can you be so normal about it, or is this what you want too, huh? Got yourself a billionaire, so why not," he did not just say that.
"Really Nick, how can you accuse me of it, does this seem normal to you, do you not know me or do you not realize that my life is on the brink of falling apart?"
"Then why are you not doing anything about it, why are you not fighting back, you already look like you've lost your battle. And how dumb can you be to sign your life away without reading it?" he tugged on his hair in frustration.
"You mean, how dumb I can be to trust my own father, how dumb I can be to believe that he was finally believing in me, or how dumb I can be to not see this coming because all he's ever done is betray me. Yeah, you're right, I'm extremely dumb," I only realized I've started crying when Nick hugged me.
"We can hire a lawyer, we'll go to court," he said in a soft voice, patting my head for comfort.
"Her father can go to jail, Nick, they can lose their business." The first time it's Jay who's acting mature "think about it, Hans, are you willing to do this?" if only I had the answer to this.
All of us went silent, deep in our thoughts to find a way out. Although, I said I hate him but do I really hate him, am I willing to do this to him? No, I can't... I can't do this. No matter what, he's still my dad, our whole business, his reputation is at stake here.
What about your life, Hannah, isn't that on a stake, too?
"I still don't understand?" Nick stated again, confusion written all over him "why did you assault me like that?"
"Oh, so now you're gonna act innocent, as if you did nothing, you know nothing?"
"What have I got to do with this?"
"Because of you, I never had a boyfriend, if I had one then this wouldn't have happened."
"What, this is why you did all this? Unbelievable! And by the way, I never did this, you yourself never wanted to have a relationship, now don't blame me for it."
"Really! Now, you'll lie on my face, after depriving me of all the guys, after threatening every guy on earth to stay away from me, you have the guts to stand here and say all this."
"It's not my fault that you never landed yourself a decent guy."
"You are the one to give certificates to other characters, now? And in my 22 years of life, I've only kissed two guys, Nick, two guys! Does that even make sense?"Â dammit, I'm gonna regret saying this.
"Two guys! Who the hell were those, and when did that happen behind my back?"
"Oh God, see! This is exactly what I'm talking about, maybe I never wanted a relationship because I never got to have any in the first place, because you were always stuck with me like an annoying overprotective shadow."
"Well, then congratulations, little sister, you're about to have one. And what an incredible guy you've chosen," the slow clapped with sarcasm. "Is that what you guys were talking about the previous night in the club, planning your fairy tale wedding?"
"How many times do I have to explain myself to you, you know what? I don't wanna talk to you anymore.'
And with that started our endless bickering. I know it's wrong of me to accuse him but I don't know what to do. Would any of this have happened if Nick was not this overprotective if I wasn't against this whole concept of relationship?
"IDEAAAAA!!!!!!" all of a sudden Mila screamed and we all looked at her with hope.
"What happens if you were already married?" she was smiling so much like she's discovered a billion-dollar treasure.
"Umm, this is your idea Miles? I thought I told you to stay quiet."
"Oh, you shut up, and listen to me. What if you were already married, then all these signatures won't matter. Your dad can't let you get married then." I can't believe I'm actually considering this stupid idea.
'But I'm not married, Miles."
"No shit, Sherlock!" I just showed her my middle finger.
"We'll just have to find someone to pretend that you're married."
"And who will that be?" Nick asked as if mocking this whole idea.
"Jay will marry you."
"WHATTTTTT??????" all three of us said together.
"Babe, if you wanna break up, just tell me. But don't marry me to a guy. I can find myself another girl, you know," I hit him with a cushion in my hand. Asshole!
"Aww, you wish, sweetheart." Mila said with extra sugar, "as if I'll let that happen. You'll just need to pretend that you're married"
'And how exactly can we prove that, Miles?' Nick asked
"Oh, that's simple..." she said with excitement "...that you guys have to figure out," she said sheepishly and we all looked at her in disbelieve.
"What, I can't be the only one to do all the thinking, you guys have some responsibility, too."
Urghhh, someone will die with my bare hand today, I'm sure...