Loving him, Love her

Cake and Wedding ring

The city...
Mercedes....
In New York it's better to walk, cab it, or take the train So we hop on the train and head into Manhattan. Heading to BBQs we order wings and sides and eat until we are ready to pop. Then we leave and head to the M&M factory and then head to Hershey. We hit H&M, Footlocker, and a few other places before hitting home round 2 in the morning.

Today is my birthday and I'm supper excited my friends and I are going to do the tourist stuff today. We hop a tour bus and hit all the local attractions. The Statue of Liberty, 911 memorial, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Time Square and of course canal street. It was the best day ever.

Once we return home my parents are there and the house is lit up. Opening the door I realized that it's not a party but a dinner and William and his family is here. We all file into the house it's a little after 6 we were coming home to freshen up and head back into Manhattan for the fireworks.

I look around I see my mom and dad, William, his parents and his sister Brooklyn and additional chairs for all of us. I sneak a look at Avery and he's fuming beside me, right now he's the only one who knows who William is. My parents ask me to make introductions.

"William, Brooklyn, these are my friends from school and everyone, they are friends of the family and these are the Lawrence's."

"Honey, I could have did that myself, Mercedes no need to be so secretive with your friends, I'm her fiancé, William."

"Excuse me, I need to make a phone call," Avery states as he walks away from the table.

Mel, Janell and even Tracy is looking at me as if I'm crazy. Maverick, Bishop, Flex, Donavan and Brain are all looking at the door that Avery just went through. Avery returns 5 minutes later after Maverick and Brian went out to get him.

" EveryoneI'm sorry we have to leave now we are heading into the city to see the fireworks. Thanks for coming to have dinner with me and my family and friends. Please have a safe trip back to Philadelphia."

"Well, honey I came to make our engagement official and when better then on your birthday." Getting on his knees William presents me a two carat princess cut flawless diamond ring. "Will you Mercedes Blackersmith marry me."

All eyes turn to me and I can feel Avery hand on top of mine under the table. He's squeezing it for dear life. I can feel the tears stinging my eyes. I turn and look at my friends faces, and not one is showing excitement. When I look at Avery I see anger and hurt. I look at my parents and they are getting impatient because there should be no hesitation in my response.

"I can't except this ring right now, I know what I have to do, but I won't do it until I have to, guys please let's go now."

Standing up I walk out onto the street, before I can hit the pavement Avery pull me into a hug and holds me tight.

"Excuse me can I speak to you Mercedes," Brooklyn ask.

I've only met her once, but Brooklyn seems so different then her family, she's really nice. William told me that she too is to be married in an arrangement similar to ours. Her marriage is to happen this year. Letting go of Avery I walk away from the group to speak to her.

"Mercedes, I'm so sorry for what William is putting you through right now. I think he's jealous of your friend over there. I'm not sure what's really going on, but I just wanted to say sorry and Happy Birthday."

Giving me a quick hug she turns and walk back inside.

Janell...
"Mercedes, what is going on?"

"Janell, guys, it's a long story but the short version, I'm to marry William a month after graduation, it's an arranged marriage, but I refuse to be pressure into this right now. So please let's just go so I can enjoy the rest of my birthday," Mercedes said.

Walking towards the Subway I grab Maverick hand, "baby, did you know about this?"

"Janell I'm clueless, but if you look at her and Avery something is definitely going on between the two."

Looking ahead of us I see Mercedes and Avery in a heated conversation, but they are talking in hush tones.

Once we get to Manhattan we head to the Rockefeller Center to watch the fireworks on the top floor. It was such a spectacular display of lights, we all were entranced no one moved until the show was over. Making our way back through the crowd and onto the trains we made it back to Mercedes house about 10:30.

Once we get in Sheryl ask us to follow her into the dinning room which has been set up with cake and ice cream and a bouquet of balloons and flowers. Her parents come in with William and his family and we all sing Happy Birthday! I can tell Mercedes is not happy.

"Mercedes can I speak to you," I ask as I walk into the living room. Within minutes Mel and Tracy come in as well.

"Honey, you look distraught and this is suppose to be your birthday! What can we do to make this better, "I ask?

"Janel, girls, theirs nothing that can be done. I have to play my roll in this family, it's a hard pill but I have to swallow it, anyways let's just have fun. I don't want to talk about it anymore. Let's have a pajama party in the basement!"

I look around and we are all wondering,' did she flip the script' or what. Bishop comes in and informs us that we are needed in the dinning room. We enter and we find the table stacked with gifts. After Mercedes opens her gifts from us she's presented with an envelop from her parents. It's a document that states that she is to receive the first million of her trust fund this year.

Looking around the room we are all shocked, as I look at William I see greed, this is not good.

Maverick...
Looking at Janell I follow her line of vision and I see her looking at William and he's looking pretty pleased right now. He walks right up to Mercedes and kisses her on the lips. I feel Avery move and I place my hand in front of him. Apparently Brian was watching to because he put his hand on Avery shoulder to hold him in place. I can see the shock on Mercedes face because she's looking at Avery the whole time.

Mercedes pushes William away and slaps him and run out of the room, the girls follow. Avery makes a move again towards William, but the guys and I form a semi circle around him so that he can't move.

"Excuse us all please we are going to head to the theater room," I say as I'm trying my best to defuse the situation.

William...
I can't believe she hit me, no matter, she'll be mine soon enough and when we are married she'll know who's in charge.

"William, I'm so sorry for my daughters actions, she's never behaved this way before please excuse her, I think the excitement of the engagement and everything was to overwhelming for her,"Mrs. Blackersmith states.

Turning around I smile at her, "it's okay mom, I can call you mom now can't I" I turn to my mother who gives me a smirk and then I turn back to Mrs. Blackersmith.

"Oh, of course we will be family soon enough,"she said.

I can see the disdain on my sisters face, she has a problem with us marring for money and not love, but I love money so I see no problem. No matter, she will be married off in a few months and the dowry to be paid to my family is 3.4 million for a 25 percent stake in our family company and the guy is to become the CFO of our company. Keep the money long and strong is our family motto.

Maverick...
Something is not right with that family I can feel it. Looking around the theater room we decided to watch Fast and Furious 6. Before long the girls are in the room with us. Janell comes and sit next to me. Bishop and Tracy are on the sectional beside us, Donavan and Mel are together on the other sectional and beside them are Avery and Mercedes. Brian and Flex are on the back seats.

Hearing voices behind me I turn and see Brooklyn come into the room and take a seat. She seems like a nice women, but I don't know her.

After the movie we go and change into our night clothes grabbing our pillows and blanket for the pajama party in the ballroom. We are informed that the Lawerances are stating the night which causes an awkward vibe. To be nice I ask William if he wanted to join us but he declined stating that he saw no reason for a man to ever sleep on a floor. He sister Brooklyn decided to join us.