Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 35550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 178(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 178(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
She looked at her father, who shook his head. He wasn’t going to help, and she wanted to cry out at the unfairness of it.
“Take care of Brice, dear, I’ll take care of our unruly daughter.”
Their “unruly daughter” didn’t feel the need to constantly put on makeup and tug at her hair.
Her mother marched her into the bathroom and started to fill the tub.
“Mom, seriously, it’s not a big deal. Brice didn’t even point it out.”
“Honey, I don’t care. A man like him, he needs to be kept interested.”
“I’m not interested in him, Mom,” she said.
Her mother stood up, putting a hand to her heart. “Do you have any idea what this would do for our family? For your future?”
“It would be great for you, ruin mine.”
“When are you going to start taking life seriously? You’re not getting any younger, and men nowadays love younger women. You’re a beautiful woman, sweetheart, but one day your looks will fade and then what will you do?”
“Be miserable, alone, and still have my business.”
“Business doesn’t keep you warm at night.”
“Escorts do,” she said.
“I’m being serious right now. Your father and I are happy with this development.”
“I don’t think Dad cares.”
“Your father cares. He does. Having Brice Ivory as a son-in-law, the company will be left to a competent individual.”
“Why can’t it be left to me? Haven’t I proven to you all the time that I’ve got a head for business? I don’t care that it’s technology. I can handle whatever anyone throws out at me.”
“I know you’re doing well, but this is a family tradition. It has to go to the male within the family.”
“That is absurd and outdated. I don’t agree to it, and I’m not just going to get married for the company. I told you, I want to marry for love. When the time is right. Not when you think I have a biological clock ticking.”
“You and Brice looked really happy in the pictures, sweetie. I know you can make it work.”
“Mom, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but Brice and I, we’re friends. The night I met him, he was with another woman.”
“And now he’s seeing you. See, he knows the error of his ways.”
Danielle gritted her teeth. There was no use in trying to talk to her mother.
She stripped out of her clothes as her mother kept talking about the benefit of having an Ivory connection. No matter what her parents said, she wasn’t going to marry Brice.
Sure, he made her ache, and even though she tried to fight her attraction to him, there was no denying that it was there.
She liked him.
When he wasn’t being a pain in the ass, he was a lot of fun.
After washing her hair, face, body, she climbed out as her mother held out the towel. This had to be the most attentive she’d ever been in her life.
Who would have thought a prospective man would turn her mother into the caring kind?
“Mom, I can pick my own clothes.”
“I know, but we need a helping hand with your figure.” Dropping to the bed, she used a second towel to dry her hair. “I know curves are always in and your weight is fluctuating because of your job. You really need to consider a diet.”
It wasn’t the first time her mother had suggested it. It wouldn’t be the last time either.
Drying her hair, she watched as her mother pulled out a white dress that molded to her curves. It was one that showed way too much leg and cleavage.
“I’m not wearing that. I’m working today.”
“Do not argue with me otherwise I will stay with you for the rest of the week and guarantee that this marriage goes though.”
“By staying with me?”
“I mean living here with you as you work. I need to take care of my daughter, and clearly the only way to do that is with my presence here.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll wear the dress. Promise.”
She picked it up. There’s no way she was going to have her mother stay with her, not for the next couple of months.
Her mother smiled. “I will see you downstairs in ten minutes.” She kissed her head and turned to leave.
Breathing out a sigh of relief, Danielle collapsed back onto the bed. “I’m doomed.” She covered her face and took another deep breath.
Time was ticking, and if she didn’t go downstairs, her mother would come to her.
Quickly dressing, she dried her hair and decided against makeup. That would take too long. If she didn’t put any shoes on, her mother would tut in disapproval.
Another quick brush of her blonde locks, and that was it. She was done. Heading downstairs, she found her parents and Brice sitting in the living room.
Her father and Brice were talking about business.
“Now, shut up, you two. Talk about something more important than boring old business. You look beautiful,” her mother said.