Chapter 3 3

AUTHOR'S POV

Logan paced by the backyard pool, frustrated by the situation. Rory, holding their sleeping son Luke, tried to calm him.

"Logan, chill. Think about it. Dad just wants what's best for Paige," Rory said, attempting to ease his anger.

But Logan, stubborn and hot-headed, wasn't having it. "No one gets it! Charles is trouble. I don't want my sister suffering because of him."

Rory sighed, "Come on, Logan. What the media says isn't always true. Remember what you were like before we met? You were a player, just like him. I gave you a chance, and look at us now."

"Don't compare me to him. I'm not like that. I admit I was a playboy, but I'm nothing like Charles," Logan protested.

"Okay. I am not comparing you with anyone. But I am sure your dad must have something in his mind. Otherwise Rory ran her hand through Luke's back and said, "He wouldn't have even considered a deal with the Walkers."

Logan sighed, rubbing his face, "That's what I'm thinking." He regretted snapping at Paige after she agreed to the deal.

"I can't stand this," Logan fumed.

"You know, you shouldn't have said those awful things to her," Rory interrupted his thoughts.

Sitting beside her, Logan looked at his peacefully sleeping son. He kissed Luke's forehead and wrapped his arm around Rory. "I know, and I regret it," he admitted.

"You should apologize," Rory suggested, and Logan nodded. "It's just that I can't see her suffer. When she was a kid, she had trouble reading. Everyone thought she was rebellious. I helped her with homework, and I was the one who realized she had dyslexia. I always had her back, got detention for beating up bullies. Our parents didn't know. I even asked them to homeschool Paige," he smiled, reminiscing about their childhood.

Logan and Rory break apart when they heard a large sob from behind. Logan looked behind and saw Paige with tears falling down her eyes. Rory stood up and with Luke in her arms.

"I will just put Luke in his crib and come." Rory said to them and motioned Logan to go Paige. She walked past Paige not before patting her shoulder and giving her a small smile.

After Logan had marched out of the dining hall Paige had started to cry. Maybe her decision will may her lose her brother, but she was doing it for her father who was always there supporting her, she was in a deep dilemma. She had to choose between her father and her brother. She stood up from her place and moved around to come behind Paige and put both of her hands on her shoulder.

"He will come around. Don't worry. And I am sure he didn't mean anything he said. He is just disappointed." Her mother tried to reassure her. But she shaked her head.

"No mom. I can't loss my brother. I said yes only because for dad's happiness. Because I am not a perfect daughter. I can't help him in the family business. Look at Logan, he is a successful CEO, dad's descendant. While I am only an artist. You guys should be ashamed of me." Paige cried harder. Her mother enveloped in her arms.

"Don't ever think like at baby. You and Logan are equal in front our eyes. No one is more or less. Understood?" Celine asked.

Paige nodded. Her father was silent throughout her breakdown. He didn't know that Paige always felt inferior in comparison to her brother. Of course, he loved her more than Logan. But little did he know, Paige considered herself as a bad luck. Due to her dyslexia, he made sure that she didn't faced any media trial. It will only affect her badly.

"Pumpkin, I am sorry I didn't know that you felt like that. We are not at all ashamed of you. In fact we are proud, how you are independent and a known artist. I am sorry for compelling you for an arranged marriage. " Her father apologised.

"No dad, you don't have to say sorry. I just wanted to do something for our family and our company. It's my decision to get married. And I assure I will never let you go down." She tried to convince her father.

"Thank you pumpkin. It means a lot to me." Leonardo patted her daughter's hand. "Now go and make up with Logan."

Paige nodded and stood up. She went in search for her brother. She was determined to change Logan's mind. Later she found herself eavesdropping Logan and Rory's conversation.

She always thought that her parent's were just ashamed of her that she was dyslexic. That's why she was home schooled. She always envied Logan got the opportunity to go to school while painting and music was her only outside world. It was one of the reason she distant herself from media. But after hearing Logan's confession she felt bad for herself. Actually her dyslexia had changed into her biggest insecurities.

She couldn't control herself. She lounged herself in her brother's arm and started to cry harder.

"I am sorry Logan, I am so sorry." She apologized through her cries.

"Why are you apologizing Paige? It's me who should apologize. Not you. I am sorry my baby sis." Logan said to his sister while caressing her hair.

" No, Logan. I always thought I am a bad luck to you and that's why you guys didn't send me to a proper school. I didn't know that you loved me that much. I am sorry."

Logan made her sit on the pool chair and sat beside her. He wiped her tears and kissed her forehead.

"Paige, I'm sorry I snapped earlier. I was just disappointed. If marrying him is what you want for Dad's sake, I'm all in. Just promise me something, okay?" Logan apologized.

Paige nodded, "Sure, what is it?"

"Promise you'll tell me everything, good or bad. And if you ever feel unsafe, just call me. Deal?" Logan insisted.

Smiling, Paige agreed, "Deal, Logan."

"Great. You have my blessings then," Logan said.

Meanwhile, Leonardo and Celine observed their children from the balcony, expressing concern about the arranged marriage.

"Do you think this is a good idea?" Celine asked.

Leonardo sighed, "I don't have a choice. I promised to protect Charles at any cost."

"But marrying him could endanger Paige's life," Celine worried.

"Paige is smart. She'll handle Charles. He's the right choice for our princess," Leonardo reassured.

Celine remained anxious, "What if Charles doesn't agree?"

"Miles knows how to make him agree to this arranged marriage," Leonardo assured her."I hope so."