Hell Of A Marriage
Chapter 10

"Show me the person they sleep with and I will tell you their valuation of themselves. No matter what corruption they're taught about the virtue of selflessness, s*x is the most profoundly selfish of all acts, an act which they cannot perform for any motive but their own enjoyment - just try to think of performing it in a spirit of selfless charity!"

-Ayn Rand

Before I can understand what he said and get the appropriate reply, Keenan takes the phone away from my grasps.

"Did you do this Dad?" he asks through gritted teeth and I feel he's angry even though his expression shows anything but that.

"Calm down son and come open the door for me, I'm outside." the man on the other side of the phone says with a calm and relaxed voice. Not bothered to answer his son's question.

Keenan toss the phone and hastily walks to the door and when he opens it Patrick who is around his early mid-sixties with ginger and grey colour of hair walks in. His blue eyes which is a striking resemblance of Keenan's meets mine and he gives me a warm- hearted smile. It is a genuine smile, but I do not smile back because a part of me feels like he's the reason we are in this mess, to begin with. He must have read my thoughts because the smile on his face disappears and he walks further into the room. He's wearing a three pieces black suit, neatly and expertly ironed out and although he's no longer young. Well, he is pretty young for a sixty-year-old man he is working it. I can say there isn't much difference between the man I saw three years ago in Bethany's office and the man standing here now. I believe the much care and the money seems to still keep him in check and shape.

The old man also holds a striking resemblance to his son, not just with the same hair colour, and the same colour of his eyes, but also having the same body built, movement and gestures are almost identical to Keenan's and his jaw is also strong and his height just like Keenan.

"I asked you a question!" Keenan thunders and I jump because he's so close to where I'm standing at the door, but his father doesn't seem to mind his tone.

"Maybe." the man shrugs casually his eyes daring Keenan to do his worse and Keenan cusses under his breath.

Keenan's hand balls into a fist and Patrick just raises a 'seriously' brow at him. "I'd take the challenge any day cause it'll be fun beating you senselessly and bringing some sense into you," he states in a matter of fact tone as he states intensely at Keenan. Did this man just dare his son to a fistfight? I ask myself, shocked to my bone at the confidence the old man has before his son.

"But you can unclasp your fist 'cause that day isn't today son." He tells him dismissively.

Keenan's doesn't unclasp his fist at his words as he stew and stares at his father murderously and his teeth grind hardly trying to control his rage.

Looks like they might end up having a rumble in this room as if Keenan hasn't done enough harm to this house already. I am a bit terrified because I have never been a fan of violence because of the pain that follows but right now I am not even worried for myself, I am worried for the old man who seems to be pissing his son off more with every second and words he utter. Maybe he is as strong as he thinks he is and he and Keenan are the same height and built and maybe even stronger, but Keenan is angry and an angry and hurt man like Keenan carries the strength of many. I fear that this man that brought himself in on his own two legs may end up being rolled out on a stretcher if he continues to push and make matters worse.

"I'm not here for a fight Keenan put those fists away you're scaring the Lady." The man orders with a strick voice and Keenan turns to look at me and I don't know what he saw in my eyes, but grunting angrily, but to obey and unclenches his fist. "This was all your plan, why would my father do such a thing?" Keenan exclaims his voice hold many emotions but rage clouds them all up.

"Why?" The old man demands with a surprised looked. "Someone had to help you."

"Di che diavolo stai parlando?! (What the hell are you talking about?!)" He shouts at Patrick, "Getting me married is not helping me!"

I don't think I will say this again, but I do agree with Keenan and I don't think Patrick is helping him by what he's doing, he's only going to make things worse for Keenan and me.

Marriage doesn't fix anything that's broken I have my late mother and father to testify to that. And he picked the two worst matches and placed them together he should have known it was going to be a disaster, especially because it wasn't our choice. Patrick takes his sit comfortably on the side of the couch Keenan destruction didn't get to and places his suit case on his legs, then he opens it before pulling out a file with a laminated back from inside.

I try to look at the paper in his hand from where I am standing trying to see if it is the same marriage certificate Keenan had shown me earlier, but I can't make it out before Patrick turns it away.

"Sto dicendo la verità che sembra stia evitando (I'm saying the truth you seem to be avoiding)" the man says before speaking in English, "Face it, Keenan, this is much help than you deserve." He comments, probably still not seeing his fault in all of this. Keenan runs his hand through his hair, then tug on it hard, "I never asked for your help." He grounds out so slowly I can almost spell it, and I can feel his frustration.

Patrick ignores the heat in Keenan's voice which already makes me feel sweaty. "You're not getting any younger and neither am I, I need grandchildren!"

"You already have grandchildren Bethany has three last time I checked!" He answers, in a brittle tone and annoyance and walks away from his father and towards the side of the room where the bar is.

I watch Keenan as he goes in and picks a bottle of scotch and but takes no glass cup along and walks out. Yes back to drinking, the same thing that landed us in this whole mess. He takes the bottle to his mouth and drinks a little before taking it from his lips. Patrick shakes his head, and he hands Keenan the file with the laminated back, and Keenan yanks it roughly from him. "No, I want grandchildren from you and I was not going to get that from you in ten years from the way you were going." Patrick locks his suitcase and rises to his feet.

At this point I don't know who is more arrogant, Keenan or his father.

"What I don't understand is, what kind of a sick father drugs their own son into marriage??" Keenan blurts out in confusion looking up from the file in his hand.

"One that is desperate and wants the best for him." he points to the file already in Keenan's hand, "I advice you carefully read it before you make a decision."

"So what you just pick some random girl and peg her to me?" He demands and points his hand holding the file at me, to further clarify his point.

I feel my heart clenches in my chest and my inside turns into ice and my brow rises, I am not just any girl. I thought we were friends, obviously, it seems like I'm the only one with that mindset.

I know the answer now Keenan is the most arrogant of the two of them.

"I'm right here," I snap back, bringing their attention to me who is currently standing at the extreme side of the room, "and for your information, I didn't ask for any of this, I'm in as much mess as you are Mr Hilton." I don't know why he isn't seeing that aspect. Patrick rolls his eyes, "You don't have to be so formal, you can call him Keenan, he is your husband after all."

"That's the problem I have a boyfriend, one that I love and one that adores me, and you, old man took that away from me with what you did last night. I never asked to be part of any of this, neither do I want to now. I have a life a career, I'm not some toy that can be tossed and married off!" I rasp with my voice rising higher.

He makes a clicking sound with his tongue and he shrugs, "I guess that is a mess both of you have to clean up and if you want a divorce, file for it and for your information, that takes a lot of months. He walks to his son and stretches his hand to his son for a shake, but Keenan doesn't take it, "Happy married life son." He taps his son's shoulder instead.

He walks to me, he takes my hand and kisses them before looking me straight in the eyes with his blue ones, "You're right you don't serve this and I'm sorry for what you're going through, but I've seen you with him and I think you are what he needs and you both can make it work." His eyes are sincere and apologetic as they hold on to mine, "If he chooses divorce I've already made an arrangement with the divorce court in London and I have a good friend there Ayesha Vardag she owes me a favour and will be happy to help and make sure you file for nothing less than half of his wealth, it'll be yours. Consider that my way of saying sorry." he tells me with seriousness and my eyes widen.

Did he just tell me what to use against his son? 'What kind of a father does that?!'

"As I said before, one that is desperate and loves his son and besides I know you deserve it," he replies.

He pats my hand before dropping it and picking up his suitcase and he slides his free hand into his pocket before walking away.

Now I know where Keenan learnt how to be so straightforward and arrogant and Keenan is still learning compared to Patrick.

My mouth is still hanging wide from shock and I turn to Keenan who is sitting and getting himself drunk for the early morning.

"Your father-" I begin to say as I regain myself from the shock I've been in the last couple of minute.

"Is a big dick." He nods his bottle towards me, "I know." he replies before taking it to his mouth again.

I was going to say sick, but d**k rhyme perfectly. "What do we do then?"

"I don't know," he answers honestly glaring at the file in his hand. He drops the bottle in his hand on the floor and opening the file he's been holding for a while now. "I'll have to read this file and see what madness the old man has cooked up."

I clap my hands together awkwardly as I do not see what else I should be doing around. "I need to see Levi," I speak up and he looks up from the file at me not looking bothered or interested. "I need to talk to him, tell him what has happened." The last part of what I said must have gotten to him because he speaks up. "What?! You can't do that," he instructs like I'm a baby being told what to do and what not to do again.

I roll my eyes, "Do what?"

"Tell him we are married," he says it like we killed someone together.

Hope we didn't though.

"Are you okay?" How on earth does he not expect me to not tell Levi what happened, "I don't know how relationship works for you, but he's my boyfriend and I have to be honest with him."

"I don't trust him." he points out straightforwardly with a blank face, "besides the last thing I want is my private life in the hand of just anybody." he retorts.

"He is not just anybody you je-" I stop myself before I can finish saying the nasty word in anger. "He's my boyfriend and I trust him and I am involved in this private life of yours so he has to know!" I yell out loud with my hands balling into a hard fist. His eyes rise questionable, but he still nods, "Fine, tell him whatever you want." he says, sounding care-less and I fume and glare at him.

"I will," I reply and walk out of the nightmare called a house.

Once outside I turn on my phone before dialling Levi's number, and after ringing a couple of times, he answers to my great relief.

"Hello Vary?" comes his amazing voice and it cools my worry and perplexity. I do feel the worry in his tone and more than anything I want it gone. "Vary if this is you please answer me I'm begging you love." He says as I hesitated to speak.

I bite down on my lips in agony and sadness. I cannot imagine how I'm gonna start telling him everything on the phone cause it's inappropriate and now not to feel guilty for keeping quiet either.

"Please talk to me Vary," he begs, his voice desperate.

"Can I see you?" is all I can make comes out of my mouth.

"Where Hun?" Is his instant response.

"Are you home?" the question appears to be absurd because Levi is the 'never miss work' kind of guy, so I kinda knew my answer before I even asked.

"Yea, I am." he replies to my bafflement, but he continues, "I couldn't make it to the gym, because I knew I wouldn't be able to focus when I'm so worried about you."

A smile spreads across my face and never leaves and although my aching heart, I am still grateful Levi is in my life.

"I'm coming over," I tell him hurriedly before ending the call.

**

I arrive at the apartment where Levi lives and being greeted by the warm breeze, I make my way inside, I get into the elevator and gingerly press the button to the third floor.

I feel butterflies running around my stomach half in happiness and half in fear. I can't wait to see him, but at the same time I know I am not the woman I was yesterday. Our relationship might come to a terrible end today, but I'm counting on the love Levi has for me to make him want to walk with me through this mess.

Once the elevator door opens, I make my way to the third door on my left and when I get there, I knock lightly and I wait and after a few second the door opens and it reveals Levi in a pair of jean trousers and a white singlet and his hair is mildly rough, and his dull blue eyes catch a spark when they finally meet mine.

"Can I come in?" I ask, fidgeting with my fingers and trying to avoid his gaze as much as I can.

He nods and widens the door further so I can enter. I step in and the door closes and look around his clean kept apartment before turning to his questioning eyes. I know he has a lot of question, and I'm going to answer every last one of them as honestly as I can. But before I can open my mouth and say a word he wraps his arms around me and hug me tightly like I'm going to escape if he doesn't. I manage a surprised laugh and hug him back and we just stay like that for the next couple of minute.

I don't care if we remain like this forever, I'm home.