Chapter 4 The Rude Son-In-Law

"We are buying the Bennetts' company." Audrey had said.

Tobias's smile slowly dissipated as he took the words in. He dipped a finger inside his ear dramatically, making it obvious he was faking trouble-hearing, as if he couldn't believe the woman in front of him.

"Excuse my actions, my dearest in-laws, my ears must have malfunctioned for a moment. Can you repeat that?" Tobias goaded, his taunt earning an unpleasant look from Vivienne's mother.

"Honey, I think you should speak to him instead. He might listen to you," Audrey said to Daniel Donovan, who nodded and faced Tobias with a not-so-confident attitude. Tobias couldn't help at that moment but think the secret his mother shared with him about Daniel was true, due to how calm he behaved around him. Thanks to his mother.

"My wife and I made a great decision that would be of great benefit to us all. It's been five years since you started running your father's company, and it's quite obvious that you aren't doing so well with-"

"That you are not competent enough to head it. It's no longer a secret how your involvement has attracted multiple scandals and near-liquidation, so we want to buy it to save our late friends' business." Audrey, who was losing patience with her husband's hesitation, interrupted, her tone assertive.

Tobias turned cold, looking at the couple with disdain. Any inch of respect left that he had for them vanished at that moment.

"Tell me you're greedy without saying it. Oh sorry, you just did," Tobias retorted with a sneer. Audrey looked speechless, feeling highly disrespected by Tobias's unexpected response, while Daniel placed a hand on her lap to curb her from speaking.

"You don't seem to understand this, Tobias. We're buying it for your benefit as well. We won't keep you from being the CEO but that's after you and Vivienne get married. But the company's ownership would be ours. And you get the money when you sell it to us," Daniel explained, hoping he agrees this time around.

Tobias cackled mockingly, then raised a finger to play with one of his curls, displaying an arrogant attitude. "You're getting old, Daniel Donovan. You should be asking me to manage your company together with mine, not buy mine."

While Daniel looked shocked, Audrey stood up and stamp her feet on the cold marble floor. "That's it, Daniel! This little skunk can't marry our daughter, and I'm done talking to him for today," Audrey stormed out, while Tobias showed no remorse. He was simply unapologetic.

"I should get going." Tobias straightened his suit, preparing to head out.

"You can't marry Vivienne if you keep up with this kind of attitude," Daniel was getting riled up. Tobias, who was just preparing to turn around, turned back and took a few steps toward Daniel, his expression cold. "You can't be serious."

"I am serious," Daniel said as a matter of fact.

"Try me, and I'll let everyone know about that criminal you dealt with when your company-"

"Shut up, Tobias!" Daniel harshly interrupted.

"Your wife doesn't know, right?" Tobias' eyes narrowed at Daniel Donovan, eyes studying his expressions which confirmed his suspicion. "I thought so." A smug smile tugged at his lips before he walked out on his father-in-law to be.

--

"You can always choose to divorce him after you have your first child with him. Remember this has to be done. The Donovan and the Bennetts has to be related by blood."

Audrey's words kept occurring in Vivienne's head. Now that she and Tobias were getting married today, her mother's words were all she was thinking about to keep her grounded in this.

She would make sure she get pregnant fast, bear his kid and tear him a divorce paper.

"You look so beautiful in your wedding gown, Viv," Zoe smittened but Vivienne, who was staring into emptiness, had a contrasting thought.

"I... I can't believe I'm marrying Tobias today," Vivienne expressed, her face sour as she stared at her prettily made-up face in the long mirror in the dressing room. The only time she had imagined herself like this, prettily made up in a wedding gown was with Tristan Bennett. She never saw herself with any other man even after eight years. Her hand darted up to the chain on her neck and she held it tightly. It was how she was able to feel Tristan even in his death.

Zoe huffed and rolled her eyes. "Vivi, it's high time you accepted your fate and ease your shoulders off these worries that won't change a thing. It's been eight years. You said it, your parents won't allow you to marry someone else except he's a Bennett and I thought you were honoring Tristan's request and... I'm sorry. But you're getting married to him today, for God's sake," Vivienne looked up at her best friend, who had just finished lecturing her.

"Zoe, you..." Vivienne's phone vibrated in her hand, displaying Tobias's name on the screen. "I'll be back in a minute," she said as she stood up, walking briskly towards the door. She lifted her thousand of dollars wedding gown slightly to avoid tripping,

She paced through the quiet hallway to the suite where Tobias was waiting for her. Taking a deep breath, she knocked.

"Come in," Tobias' calm and commanding voice penetrated the door.

Vivienne pushed the door open and stepped inside the spacious and luxurious room. Tobias was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window that offered an intelligent view of the sprawling estate grounds. He was dressed in a pair of black charcoal suits.

"I'm here," she announced after clearing her throat. Tobias turned to face her, his piercing eyes scanning her from head to toe.

"You look beautiful," he complimented, taking a step forward. She didn't respond but managed a smile, waiting for what he had to say.

"I called you here because we need to talk."

"And that's why I'm here."

"We haven't kissed properly before, Vivi. We need to rehearse it so we can look convincing to our guests."

Vivienne frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "You called me here to practice kissing? Are you serious?" She snickered, just when she thought she had seen it finish, Tobias was full of silly surprises. Or so she thought.

"Yes, I am," he replied firmly. "We're getting married today, Vivienne. The least we can do is try to make it believable. There are already rumors, and that's your fault."

Vivienne's lips formed an "Oh," looking incredulous.

"It's my fault? I don't think it's my fault that you brainwashed my parents into thinking you're the right man for me, to the extent that they didn't want to see me with another man at all. It's your fault because I never really wanted us," Vivienne spat.

"Your parents promised mine to give their daughter's hand in marriage to their son," Tobias argued.

"It was Tristan, not you."

"A Bennett. It never had to be Tristan. We all know Tristan cheated on you and did all sorts of things. Even Tristan wrote to you that you're better off in my hands than his! Everything signals that you're for me, but it seems you're the only one who doesn't see it!" Tobias lamented.

Vivienne shook her head in agitation. "It's how you still talk badly about Tristan even after his death for me. All Tristan ever wanted for you while he was alive was good, but you're just so mean to him!"

Tobias sighed, waving her words off. "Can we kiss now?"

Vivienne glared at him in disbelief through slits, then shook her head. "You disgust me." She started to back away. Without warning, Tobias grabbed her arm, and pulled her towards him. Before she could react, his lips were on hers, forceful and demanding. Vivienne struggled, pushing against his chest, but he held her firmly in place. She finally managed to break free, her breath coming in short, angry bursts.

"Don't ever do that again," she hissed, her eyes blazing with anger.

Tobias looked taken aback, but he quickly masked his surprise with a cold, detached expression. Vivienne turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, her heart pounding. She needed to get away, to clear her head.

She opened the door to another empty room, entered and closed the door then pressed her back against it as she breathed heavily.

She hadn't even taken a proper moment to herself when her eyes popped wide open at the haunting sight before her.

Her father, Daniel Donovan, was locked in a passionate kiss with Tobias's mother, Audrey Lawson. The sight was surreal, like something out of a nightmare. Daniel pulled away abruptly, his face paling as he saw his daughter standing in the doorway.