TINE'

and immediately d

ing slightly as I

the moment she pi

now about this new

I can become CEO, a

y next b

le

heavy

e rising.She tries to speak stam

e words f

with any of t

h for me. I feel co

w long had they be

y just assume I'd fa

ke it's as easy a

dro

obably worried abou

too. I'd specific

yone to come in. An

s. Rea

ffice and down the

glances. My heels t

p. I head straight t

s ridiculousness m

real to

, he's mid-conve

n.Of

They seem deep in d

ad sees me. With a b

ves h

ht nod and walks ou

stic jab. Just tha

res

me today, nothing

ng to feel

oesn't do "quiet."

e

aside and focus o

questions."Why, Dad? How did th

w come you and Mo

ver in

m?" he asks, visib

point. I just want

ou forced? Is th

pen

then motions for

gently. "I didn't wan

the decision, and

rsta

ng around the tr

en he

back with Brian. He

y you two ended th

about it, so I think

I blink,

le. "Wait... are yo

this was some ploy

i

ad. "No, Brian do

se. If he did, I do

his issue was how

pany over the relat

lly married

he wasn

rgy, my everything

mSpace. Late night

I gave it all. And

king this hard, I mi

d everything for bec

age c

.. I realize something.Maybe I never sa

of comfort, out of h

, but if I'm being

iev

ngs just felt off.

on. He wanted qu

ghts. I wanted boar

around each other l

eakup wasn't sudde

I didn't s

lly,

. it was fo

hange what I'm fee

A deep, gnawi

ard work did t

ice the months I

unexpectedly? Orthe sleepless nights p

of that

al life for this co

And now they want

arriage as a cond

lready

surd. A

ners of my eyes, bu

will n

jaw set. "Is there

ight? Because I am

can tell from my rea

ques

sigh. The kind tha

ing suddenly older.

honestly believed

ould ever become an issue."Th

ways been there. I

hat for you to bec

25th birthday. He

g

o s

lungs like a pun

even a ne

er me this whole tim

at my

one t

n... he

f his mouth leave me

hock than when the orig

marrying Adr

re at

NOT MARRY HIM

hy Adrian

my

in all this? Was t

itated

e was in th

was quiet t

e's been ac

ng to calm me down.

ood boy. I know youhad a crush on hi

ake a grea

li

utely never marry A

ipped w

d, I storm out of D

, hurt, an

know this is on