The Secrets of Scandal

Chapter 3

***Photo above is of Tristan

Logan's POV

I find Henry and Coral out on the balcony drinking wine. I storm out onto the side balcony in silence. On the inside, I am fuming.

"What did you want, Henry? I was kind of in the middle of something..."

Coral cuts me off, "Shut up. Don't you dare show such disrespect to your father."

"You know I would have... if I actually cared what you think," I spat back at the woman who seized all my father's attention. Ever since my dad remarried this b*tch, she has been trying to tell me what to do. She's only ten years older than me. She needs to calm the f*ck down.

"Enough," Henry interrupts, "Logan, treat your mother with respect."

I am repulsed that he called that witch my mother. She is not my mother. My mother died years ago. Coral may be Henry's replacement wife, she will never be my replacement mother.

"Why did you pull me away from the party?" I sigh, defeated, but my brows still remained furrowed.

"We know about your habit of sleeping around, Logan" Coral pipes in.

"What can I say?" I retort, "The ladies practically throw themselves at me. It's a chore to have to satisfy them all, but I do it because I'm a gentleman."

My father folds his arms and looks down at me, "Your mother and I have made a decision about your future."

I swear if you call that woman my mother one more time...

"We have decided that you will be getting engaged to Amanda Livingston in about a week and-"

"What?!" I cut her off, "This cannot be! I refuse to marry that toad!"

Coral is appalled by my harsh words, "Amanda is a fine young lady! Plus, she's Alfred's daughter, making her the heir of one of the most influential men in all of New York!"

Amanda Livingston is the most disgusting human being on this planet. She has been obsessed with me ever since I hooked up with her once in middle school.

"I f*cking hate Amanda! I will not stand by and let you guys ruin my future!"

"We are bettering your future! Marrying Amanda will open up many new doors to expand the business. Also, Amanda is in love with you already!"

"Dad! That's not fair! Why are you making me do this?"

"I'm making an important business deal with Alfred. We need to bind our trust through marriage."

Anger boils inside of me. "Why do I have to be involved? Why can't Tristan marry her?"

"Tristan is already married and plus we need to improve your image."

"My image is fine, dad!"

"Everyone only sees you as New York's most infamous womanizer! Nothing more! No one sees you as an esteemed businessman."

I cross my arms, turning away in disgust. "I don't f*cking care. I'm not going to marry her."

"Okay Logan, let me put it this way," Coral sighs, "You don't really have a choice. It's a rule. All Lockwood boys must be engaged by the age of 21. It's been a tradition in our family for generations."

In an attempt to comfort me, Coral puts one of her hands on my shoulder, "It will be good for you to be tied down to one woman. The story about how you went from a 'notorious womanizer' to a loving husband will consume the media, and allow possible business partners to give you a fresh start."

Henry's stern expression fades, "So tonight you will start your relationship with her. Pretend that you have been dating in secret for months."

"But why? There's no point."

"The press will eat this story up, thus distracting the media from Alfred and my plan to take down the Vanderbilts."

The Vanderbilts were another elite family that competed with us. They don't get along very well with our family. We are in competition with them and they like to play dirty. I assume that's why Henry is teaming up with Alfred.

"But can't you and Coral get involved in your own f*cking scandal to keep the press happy? Why do you have to involve me?"

"Your father knows what's best for you. You have to listen to him and get married to Amanda."

"I can't stand you two. I'm leaving this f*cking party," I clench my fists and slam the glass door behind me. I hope it shatters into a million pieces for dramatic effect.

I storm into the entertainment room and head straight to the bar. The only way I'll make it through the rest of tonight is with an immense amount of alcohol.

Tristan's POV

I see Coral heading inside from the balcony in a huff. Oh boy, what did Logan say this time? I catch up to her and ask what's wrong. She looks pissed.

"Logan is such a brat. He doesn't understand that he can't just go around New York disregarding everyone and everything in his path."

"I agree. He has gotten out of hand. He needs to be tied down."

"Exactly," Coral runs her hand through her bouncy red curls, "The problem is that he hates Amanda and she's the only person right now who can help him clean up his image."

I'll have to admit, while Amanda seems nice at first, she is a psychopath. Ever since Junior High she's been obsessed with Logan. It's really creepy. Albeit, she does have a clean reputation and marrying her would result in a better image of Logan.

"Can you go talk to him? Maybe you can knock some sense into him!" Coral pleads.

"I'll try," I shrug.

I head over to the entertainment room and of course, I find Logan already downing his fourth cocktail.

"Slow down bro, you'll pass out before the houvouras are even served."

He meets my gaze with hatred burning in his eyes, "F*ck off."

"Come on, snap out of it. I'm sure what mom and dad said wasn't that bad."

He finishes his cocktail in one gulp before shooting darts at me with his eyes, "They're forcing me to marry awful Amanda."

"Dude, she's not that bad."

"Leave me alone. I'm going to continue drowning myself in alcohol."

I grab his glass out of his hand before he can take another sip.

"Fine," he grunts, "I was just about to leave anyway." He turns around and gets lost in the massive crowd once again.

I call out to him, "Dude, get back here. I'm not finished talking to you!" I roll my eyes. It's no use. He's never going to change his ways. I can't help but pity Amanda or whoever the poor woman is who has to marry him in the end.