You've Got To Be Kidding Me! ((Drake))

[Brianna Bowman R7]

White!? You want me to wear white?! I hate that color, it looks absolutely horrific on me! Brianna thought in annoyance as her mother held up the long white cocktail dress. "It's beautiful Mum. I love it," Brianna replied with a bright, fake smile. Her mother smiled joyously and handed Brianna the dress, walking out of the room with a quick, "Two hours Bri and then you'll meet your future husband." Brianna waited for the door to close before she crumpled up the dress and threw it hard against the wall. Her actions recently had been horrific, especially after she turned 17 and was able to perform magic, but she was on her best behavior today. After her attempt to run away had been foiled by her own damn conscious she had managed to get out of that by telling her mother she had needed a quick walk in the early morning hours. Fact was she couldn't get up enough courage to disobey them. There was no way in hell she was going to be the one to ruin the Bowman name. No...never. But right now...right now she was ready to just run away and never return. Give up magic all together if that meant she didn't have to get married to someone she'd never met. A sigh escaped her lips as she sunk onto her four-poster bed, a small delicate hand coming up to run through her short dark hair. Why...Why did they do this to me? Why can't I be a normal person? No one does arranged marriages anymore. the thoughts just kept coming as she sat there. And before she knew it she heard a soft knock at the door, the house elf on the other side proclaiming just an hour and thirty minutes left before the arrival of her future husband.

Brianna took in a deep breath. "Just keep breathing Bri...there's nothing to worry about. Somehow you'll get through it. You're not the only one suffering in this," Brianna coached herself as she moved from the bed at a slow pace, grabbing up the dress she had thrown. She didn't understand why she had to dress up for this. So what? She was 17 years old, big whoop-de-doo-da. What did that have to do with anything? And what did dressing up have to do with anything? The guy would eventually see all of her anyway. The thought made Brianna shiver as she realized that being the wife to a complete stranger would mean more than just the conventional stuff. It would mean having to get close to someone...someone that she had never met. Brianna glared suddenly as she began pulling off her other outfit, sliding the smooth, almost silky dress over her head. It clung to her sides as it slid down, exposing cleavage and the woman shape of her body as it tightened around her. She stared at herself in the mirror. The dress looked ravishing on her, but she still hated it. Hated what it implied about her. Hated how it said plain and clear how innocent she was and reminded her that she was to be married the following summer, pending her graduation from Hogwarts. A wedding she never wanted, but was forced into. How could this happen? How could her mother make this arrangement with another family? Her hand clenched into a fist as she tried hard to take several deep breaths. Wishing that she could just calm down and deal with this like she always did. She could do this, she knew she could. It was her way. Shut up and deal with things. Accept the future, face it head on, or just give up anyway. Right now...right now she was giving up, accepting her fate and knowing that what her parents wanted for her was the best, even if it didn't seem like it at the time.

Another knock sounded at the door and Brianna looked toward it as the door began to swing open. Her mother's petite figure could be seen moving into the room. "Oh, you look beautiful, honey. Let's see if we can do something with your hair. I wish you hadn't cut it so short," her mum said. Brianna only nodded. It had been the one thing she had done to go against her parents wishes. It was more of a change for her. After turning 16 and realizing she only had a year left to her old life she had needed a change, mostly for herself, therefore she decided an immediate change was in order, which left her with only one option, short hair. So she had it chopped off by the hairdresser in Diagon Alley. Ever since then she had kept it short, not wanting to let it grow out, especially because she knew her mother hated it short. She didn't like going against her wishes, but this she felt was the one thing that mattered to her. The one thing she could change without too much complaint or without a plain no from her mother. So there she was, with her short, dark brown hair, the same color as her mothers and her mother before that. She wasn't a plain girl, none of the women in her family were. They all had their gifts.

The voice of Brianna's mother brought her out of her drifting thoughts and she slowly let her mind comprehend exactly what was said, "Sit down and let me fix you up." With that Brianna simply nodded turning back to her chair and sitting down softly in the seat, letting her eyes stray to the mirror as her mother found the soft comb of hers and began to brush softly through her hair. She was being pampered, but she couldn't complain. She wouldn't for fear of upsetting her mother. She wasn't sure how long she sat and her mum stood in silence as she brushed through her hair and applied just a dab of make-up brightening up Brianna's natural features. All the while Brianna sat there, watching her mother's happy face, watching how careful she was to apply make-up or brush through her hair. She forgot how much she had missed this as a child, when she would sit with her mother for hours just letting her brush her hair and fix her up like she was an adult. It had always been something that Brianna had craved. She wanted to be a young woman when she was only 3, but now...now she would give anything to be young again and not have to worry about an arranged marriage that was steadily sneaking up on her. Of course she could never get that time back. She could never be a normal girl and fall in love and get married. No...that would never happen for her. Instead she could only hope that the man she was going to marry would be kind to her and allow her the space she needed to be her own person. After all, she had to believe that this person didn't want to get married to her anymore than she wanted to get married to them.

"You look beautiful," Brianna's mother said with a soft smile. "You're father would be proud." Brown eyes softly found moisture in both her own eyes and her mother's. The mention of her father...the one man in her life that she wished was still there, wasn't. She would be walking down the aisle, not on the arm of her father, but on the arm of another man, her uncle to be exact. How she hated the idea. How she would give anything and everything to have her father there with her right then, but she didn't. She felt her mother lay a hand on her shoulder. "He is so proud of you Bri. He always was. And I know, if he was still here, he'd be the happiest father in the world, knowing his daughter had grown into a strong, beautiful young woman." Brianna felt her face scrunch up a little as she fought off the onslaught of tears that had been threatening to roll down her face. She wasn't going to break. Not right here and not right now. She was saved from any more conversation about her father as a house elf arrived at the door.
"Mistress, your guests have arrived."

Brianna's mother smiled and thanked the house elf before turning her eyes back to Brianna. "Time to meet your future husband my dear. I'll meet you downstairs. Just remember what I told you. Hold your head up high and believe in all that you are. You are a Bowman and you are a true witch," she said softly before hugging Brianna gently and then pulling away, wiping away a stray tear as she moved toward the door. "Don't forget to breathe." Brianna nodded as she watched her mother exit the room. Her eyes slowly turned back to the mirror and she sighed at her appearance. It was time to face her destiny. With that she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her arms going to her side and pulling a little on the dress at her sides. She slowly began to move toward her own door, eyes still closed, until she reached the handle. Another deep breath and cool, fresh air pushed itself into her lungs, her eyes opening and then she was out the door, the safety of her bedroom. The soft click of heels sounded down the hall before she reached the banister of the staircase and began her slow decent. Her eyes strained as she began to see feet come into view, then more as her eyes traveled up the body of a rather attractive man, and then...Brianna tripped down a few steps as the face of her future husband came into view. A look of pure anger falling across her face. "You've got to be kidding me!" Brianna exclaimed as she looked straight at Drake Manning, the one guy in the whole wide world she had wanted nothing more than to strangle.

[Drake Manning]

Drake did everything he could to remind his parents how much he hated them for having done this. First, he refused to get ready. Laying on his bed, Drake simply starred at the formal outfit that he hadn't worn since his grandfather's funeral almost a year ago. If his parents thought that they were going to come and control his life after so many years of seeming to care less about him, Drake was going to make this difficult for them. In the end, Drake knew he would go, but only because he was curious to see what type of girl his parents had secured for a marriage to him. This was almost like a game to Drake, and in the end he had no clue how it would end up. Still, that meant that complete cooperation was out of the question. If he was cooperative, he lost control. He needed the control.

"Drake, darling, we are leaving in less than ten minutes. You might want to get dressed now," his mother's sing-song voice trailed sweetly into his room as she passed on her way down the hall. "I'm not gooo-ing," he said through clenched teeth, slightly mocking her with an imitation of her song-like voice. Drake was now looking up at the ceiling as he twirled his wand through his fingers. Would the girl be pretty? What if she is some terribly ugly hag. If that's the case I'll simply walk right out the door without as much as a 'hello'. Drake was contemplating all of the possible outcomes of the night. Then again, she might be gorgeous. That would be good. At least then I might be able to get something out of this stupid arrangement.. Drake's thoughts were interrupted by his mother's voice again. This time she was standing in his doorway.

"Come on Drake, we're ready to leave." Her voice was still nice and soft, and Drake could tell she was begging deep down. He simply smirked, knowing at this point that he had gained the control he wanted. "Shut the door, mother. I'm getting dressed," he snapped back as she smiled sweetly and listened to him. Once she was gone, Drake laid back down and then pointed his wand at the outfit that was hanging over the edge of his bureau. "Diffindo." The material ripped itself into shreds, and then Drake got up and walked over to his closet. What to wear... what to wear.

Descending down the stairs to the living room where his parents were waiting, Drake brushed past them and to the kitchen where he grabbed an apple and took a large bite. "Where's your nice formal outfit?" his mother asked in a highly disappointed voice. "It tore as I was putting it on," Drake lied between bites. "I can mend it for you, honey," she replied, only to get a stabbing glare from Drake. "Let's go," he said, heading toward his parents. "Well..." he continued with a bored and demanding tone. Soon, his father linked arms with Drake and his mother and the three had traveled via apparation to the front porch of a very wealthy looking residence. Drake grinned and thought to himself, at least they've got money. Of course money can't buy beauty. Soon, they were greeted by a house-elf and Drake's boredom could already be seen in simply the look on his face.

Not long after entering the residence, a smiling witch greeted them, assuring that her daughter would be downstairs shortly. This was it. This was the moment that Drake had been anticipating ever since his parents told him about his arranged marriage. Of course, his anticipation was wrought with bitterness as well. It was an ambivalent event, as he knew that the girl's appearance would determine much of what his response was. If she was nothing to be desired then he wasn't going to waste his time pretending. Footsteps at the top of the stairs indicated her soon arrival. Elegant legs began to descend, and a radiant white gown outlined a very womanly figure as Drake's eyes scanned from bottom to top. And then... at the very same time that the girl spoke... Drake saw her face.

It took everything within Drake to prevent himself from laughing. This was a joke, right? How could it be that the very person he had been set to marriage since he was a child could be none other than Brianna Bowman? She wasn't ugly... no... in fact she was rather attractive. Drake would have probably starred if he wasn't so shocked to see her looking as though she had just met the devil. "Nice to see you again too, Brianna," Drake finally managed. Memories of their last encounter, which ended with Drake totally infuriating Brianna and then leaving with a quick kiss, flooded his mind. This is going to be good. This is going to be real good.

[Brianna Bowman R7]

"Oh you two have already met?" Brianna's mother asked in a pleasant voice, disregarding the anger that had been heard in Brianna's own. She was completely oblivious, completely unaware of her daughter's reaction to the man before her. Unaware that this was not going to fly. There was no way Brianna was going to go through with this now...Oh yes you are Brianna Bowman. There is no way you are going to dishonor your FATHER'S name. You will go through with this. If it's the last thing you do, you will not dishonor your family! her conscious was screaming at her. Trying to persuade her to do what had to be done. The one thing she didn't even know how to manage. So she forced the air into her lungs. Forced her body to try to calm down. His reaction to her was infuriating. He probably thought it was a game, probably thought this was the funniest thing in the world, but it wasn't funny. It was so far from funny that a funeral would seem humorous. How could this have happened? How in the world could Drake Manning be her future husband? It was almost more than she could bare. She wondered what her father would have said at the moment. She wondered if it would have given her hope that things would be alright or if it would be to pack up her bags and just leave. She knew which one it wasn't, but that still didn't stop her from wanting to take off at that moment. No...she had to be strong. She had to show this jerk in front of her that she wasn't afraid of him and wasn't afraid of what their binding would mean. That was, of course, if he even knew what this meant to her, or her family.

"Maybe you two should take some time, go for a walk through the estate or something," Brianna's mother said softly before turning her attention to his parents. Brianna let her mother's response pass through her as she tried to find enough air in her lungs to breathe. Suddenly everything seemed to be too much to handle and she was feeling rather light headed. However she wasn't going to let Drake Manning have the last say in this. No...if he could play this game than so could she and daresay she could play it better. Given time she learned the rules, she would be far better at this game than Drake himself. Or at least she told herself that. So Brianna clenched her fists into her white gown and swept down the last few steps as if uninterrupted. Her anger pushed aside as she found a smile somewhere in the back of her features, bringing it forward long enough to make her mother turn and begin conversations which who could only be Drake's parents. Brianna tapped her foot softly, trying to find where to begin, but realized she looked weak for doing so. With that she swept toward the door, turning quickly to look back at Drake. "Well are you coming or not?" Brianna asked in as chipper a voice as she could muster toward him. How she hated herself right then for the politeness in her tone. How she hated having to be civil and want to have his company. When he had left her in Diagon Alley that one day she had hoped that would be the last she'd see of him, but no...fate had made sure of that. Fate was a fickle thing. One day you thing you understand where it was leading you and then the next you find yourself engaged to the most infuriating person in the world.

Brianna didn't wait for Drake's reply as she immediately continued out the door. She wasn't about to say what she had to say to him in front of her mother. Deep down there was no way she could go through with this arranged marriage, but there was no way she was going to tell her mother so. There was absolutely no way she could do anything about it, except accept it and go through with it, as much as she hated it. Maybe...just maybe Drake won't want to though...Maybe he'll refuse to. That'll keep my dignity in tact as well as the Bowman name. Brianna thought to herself as she waited outside on the porch for a few seconds, seeing if he was going to follow her or be the Drake Manning she had met in Diagon Alley. Then again maybe if her mother saw that she wouldn't make her go through with the wedding. Either way, she was saved from having to marry Drake.

[Drake Manning]

Oh yes. We've met, Drake thought to himself. Instantly, he began to wonder what this might mean in the long run. It was obvious that Brianna felt something even greater than pure hatred for Drake. They hadn't even talked for more than fifteen minutes in Diagon Alley, and she was practically livid. That wasn't even Drake at his worst either. How in the world could she deal with him on a regular basis. There seemed to be no possible way that a marriage between the two of them would work, even if Drake would have wanted it to. Luckily, he wasn't looking for anything to last long term though, and he simply saw this as an opportunity to have some fun. He wanted to see Brianna squirm, thinking that he was actually going to go along with the planned marriage.

"A walk sounds lovely," Drake replied in his most polite voice he could muster. He watched as Brianna seemed to go from a scowl to a smile in just seconds, heading toward the door where she impatiently inquired if he was going to join her. He couldn't help but wonder if she was simply putting on a show for her mother's sake. In fact, he was almost certain that as soon as he stepped outside the door that the Brianna he had left in Diagon Alley would surface and he'd either get slapped across the face or completely ignored. It wasn't possible for her to have had such a drastic change of heart in just a few seconds of time.

Seeing that his parents had already joined Ms. Bowman and that Brianna was out the door, Drake put on his best smirk of a smile and followed to the grounds of the estate. Once outside, he turned to see Brianna standing in the white gown, and he couldn't help but notice how pretty she really was when she wasn't draped in the long and concealing robes that they wore at school. "My, my, you're a beautiful bride to be." Somehow Drake didn't think that Brianna would find his compliment very complimenting. And, of course, she would be right to assume that he was perhaps truthful, but not in a kind and loving sort of way.

Drake took Brianna's hand in his own with a bit of force and led her down the steps of the entrance and toward the large courtyard. "How many children do you want?" he asked, smiling as he turned his head from side to side, taking in the rather aesthetic view that the autumn season had bestowed upon the grounds. "Seven... maybe eight?" Drake was enjoying too much the thought that he might be torturing Brianna by actually acting as though he was seriously going to follow through with their arranged marriage.

He stopped, not really giving Brianna much time to react to his sudden force and pointless questioning. Then, he turned to face her, expecting to see the blackened hatred swirling in her eyes. "Perhaps we should make this official?" he said, a glint of power shining across his narrowed eyes. "The last kiss that we shared was rather brief. We wouldn't want to leave anything to be desired, would we?" Drake's strong grip still held onto Brianna's hand. Just how are you going to play this one, Brianna Bowman? Face it. You can't win. You can't beat me when the control lies in my favour.

[Brianna Bowman R7]

As soon as Drake stepped outside her house and the door shut Brianna was about to turn on him and tell him to drop everything, but his response had her speechless. This was going to be a lot harder than she thought it was going to be. Maybe...maybe she could play his game. That's what he’d been doing wasn’t it? Playing a game, trying to get her angry, and nearly succeeding. Brianna kept her cool though. She made sure everything was checked inside. She had already had an outburst inside, one that she did not intend to repeat. If Drake Manning was going to play this game then so be it, she'd beat him at it. If it was the last thing she'd do she would beat him! An inner voice screamed at her, telling her to just slap that stupid little smile off his face, get angry with him for saying she looked good, it was just a lie. Everything he said was a lie! She couldn't trust him any further than she could throw him. He may have won the battle in Diagon Alley, but he would not win the war. Brianna had spent her life keeping her own wants and needs hidden, doing only what she was supposed to do. She would be able to beat him. She would be able to win.

The pep talk in Brianna's mind subsided to a low whisper as she flashed the smile from before. She was going to milk this for all that it was worth. "Why Mr. Manning I'm absolutely delighted that you think so. I was a little afraid of the color for the first meeting, but you can never silence the ideas of your mother when it comes to planning a wedding. She was determined I get into this outfit. It’s nice to see you…presentable. You’re rather dashing in that. Though I am surprised not to see you in a tuxedo or something of the sort. Not much for the penguin suits are you?” Brianna asked pleasantly, a rather annoying anger pricking inside her at the idea of being nice to him. She’d rather curse him several times instead of act so nice, but she couldn’t. Not at this moment anyway, she’d wait until after the wedding, if there was even going to be a wedding. If there was one thing she knew it was that Drake Manning did not want to be tied down anymore than she did, of course she didn’t sleep with every person of the opposite sex in the school either or want to at least, but those were Drake’s problems not hers. So she pushed them from her mind, knowing that he may be good at his game of wanting to stay single, but Brianna was the better actress.

Brianna thought she was doing rather well at the game. That was until he grabbed her hand. She tensed immediately, wanting nothing more than to rip her hand away, to quickly sanitize it with every bit of soap she had in the manor, but forced her to relax. She let her fingers wrap in his hand, feeling the nausea rise in her stomach. How could he have such an effect on her? She hated him so much in that moment, but she kept herself up, standing tall and ignoring the hatred rising not only for him, but for herself as well, at her acceptance of his hand and his game. How could she lower herself in this way? She kept her body and her emotions in check at that moment not letting his touch bring on the anger that she wanted to throw at him.

Then Drake said it. The thing that made her stop dead in her tracks, a look of horror falling over her face. How could she have forgotten that detail? How could she have forgotten what this marriage was for? “Kids?” Brianna choked out as she felt the color draining from her face. She felt herself shaking, not only from the anger, but also from the realization that she was going to have to have…No! So, he could play a good game. Maybe this wasn’t going to be as easy as she thought it was. She felt her hand tighten in his and she shook her head. “Not so soon…honey. I want to have a little time just with you. Worrying about kids this early could hurt a perfectly good marriage,” the words were strained as they came out of her mouth, but she didn’t care. At that moment he could win for all she cared. There was no way she was stepping into a bed with him! Never! The thought made a shiver flow through her body, but maybe it was because deep down the thought wasn’t that appalling. She slapped herself mentally for the thought before she turned her eyes on Drake.

Brianna’s words seemed to have been blown off by Drake as he stopped as well, turning to face her with a look in his eyes that made her weak. She didn’t like his words, didn’t want anything to do with them or him, but she couldn’t help but react. It was how he said, how he made her feel in that moment. It was as if he exhibited more than just himself at that moment, there was power there, power that was hard for her to ignore. He would make a good husband, the thought slammed through her before she had much time to think about it, but she couldn’t change her mind about that. It was Drake Manning, that was for sure, but now…now she realized what all the girls he’d slept with saw in him. It was that look, that look that was making her weak in the knees. She forced herself to listen, forced her mind to shut up about everything and to fight him head to head in this battle of wits. She felt his harsh grip, much harsher than was really necessary at that point in time. She was willingly standing there now with him. Somehow she found the ability to speak. It was hard at first to put things into words, but she found her voice, it was small and most unlike her, but she didn’t care, not anymore. “No…we wouldn’t want that…” the words were foreign to her, the sound of her voice like that of someone else. How could she be so weak? After all that had happened between them how could she feel so…attracted to him?! Her mind seemed to wake up briefly as she put a hand on his chest. “But then again, maybe it’s better to leave you wanting more.” Now that was the Brianna that she knew, the Brianna that wasn’t going to take his crap, but they were just empty words. It wasn’t a real statement. Or at least she hoped it wasn’t. She had to look away, had to get away from him. Needed to clear her head. So she turned away from him and away from those mesmerizing eyes. “Shall we continue on?”

[Drake Manning]

Despite her show of sorts inside, Drake expected Brianna to leave nothing hidden when they were outside. Ready for the claws to come out, Drake was quite stunned when she replied with the same sweet voice that had to have been so fake that he would bet his life on it. Though, this showed something about Brianna, and that was that she wasn't going to be as easy to step all over as Drake assumed. Perhaps she did have a bit of a backbone, meaning he would have to be on his toes, and maybe even play a bit rougher than he had intended. Saying nothing to reply to her kind comments, Drake knew that it was at a point where he had to chose his words wisely. Brianna had seemingly caught on to his ways, meaning he would need to approach everything from a slightly unexpected angle. Predictability was what would ruin him, and so he had to avoid Brianna knowing what he was thinking so that he could keep control.

Drake had to hold back the grin that naturally came as a response to Brianna's shocked tone of voice when she commented on his topic of children. He could tell that she probably wanted to let on how much that repulsed her, but had to maintain her steely composure as she continued with the act. Had she not been so adamantly opposed to Drake in Diagon Alley, he might have thought that perhaps her actions were true as the were walking, but there was no way she could have had such a drastic change of heart, indicative that this was obviously Brianna's way of trying to beat Drake at his own game.

After Drake had thought that his actions and words had given him the upper hand, Brianna surprised him once more, furthering the question of whether this was her way of playing a very good defense to his overpowering ways or a genuine statement that she had somehow been able to look past the person in Drake that she seemed to openly hate during their previous meeting. Had she not turned away, Drake would have thought that she was quite strong, but the subtle weakness that allowed his power remained in her inability to face him. "I'll always want more," he deadpanned, letting go of her hand and standing silently lost in his own thoughts about the truth in that statement. Brianna's call to continue pulled him back to the moment, and he shook of the brief lapse in his quest to maintain control.

Little by little, the game was starting to lose it's fun. Perhaps Brianna had taken away the thrill of it by playing along. Had she won? Despite his continued efforts and seeming victory, she was ruining the pleasure that Drake got from his ways. Her obvious discontent and yet relentless struggle to play along sucked the amusement out of his every action. He would push further, and she would allow him to push. Resistance was what made it addictive, not the remorseful enabling that seemed to be Brianna's defense. A bit angered by this realization, Drake caught up with her and spun her around again, using his forceful ability once more. Forcing his eyes on hers, Drake instinctively called out Brianna's defense. "Do you really know what you are messing with here?" he questioned, as if feeling the need to reinstate his reputation. Without it, Drake was nothing. He was defenseless. Vulnerable.

"You can go on pretending, Brianna, but in the end, don't you dare come crying to me whenever you are the one left broken and alone. If you want to think that you can beat me at my own game, you can't. I will win. I always win. And you want to know why? Because you can't beat someone who has nothing to lose. I have nothing to lose, Brianna. My whole life is based on using others for happiness." Drake didn't flinch once in his words. He didn't even bother to think about the implications of laying down the truth for Brianna to deal with. Perhaps it was a move of intimidation; Drake wasn't sure. All he knew was that Brianna had required a special way of going about things, one that wasn't normal for Drake's routine act with most girls. What it was about her that was different though, he couldn't tell. She was different though, he simply couldn't place his finger on the one thing that separated her from the rest.

[Brianna Bowman R7]

Body whirled around, colors swirling past the eyes until they landed once again on Drake. His hand digging into her arm she stared at him, anger coursing through her as she let him have his words, let him speak. Brianna couldn't help thinking how selfish he was, how immature. Was he suffering all that bad? Was he hurt...somewhere in his deep seated soul? Did he even understood what the hell was going on? Did he understand what she went through as a child to get to where she was today? No...he understood nothing and he was just some selfish child who didn't know what the hell was going on. She shook her head, trying to gain a little control of the anger that was pulsing through her entire being. If she didn't control herself right then she'd be seeing red and she would just curse Drake where he stood. She had no time in her life to deal with such childish behavior. Never had she gotten to enjoy being a kid, not with her father's death that came all too soon in her life. No...she had to be strong and take care of everyone else. So how in the world could Drake be so selfish and childish. Had he ever lost someone? Did he know what it was like to lose someone? The pain? The turmoil that the soul raged on within the body as you tried to move on and couldn't?

Brianna ripped her arm away from him, pushing at his chest, sending him away from her, not wanting him that close to her at all. "You think you're the only one suffering!" Brianna shouted at him, her anger uncontrollable as she pushed at him again. She'd curse him right then and there, but she'd left her damn wand in her room, thinking that she wasn't going to need it. Brianna advanced upon him, not caring if she was shorter as she stood up against him, her eyes staring up coldly into his. She wasn't going to let him walk all over her. She wasn't going to let him speak down to her like she was something to be forgotten, like she was nothing. Brianna may not have thought much of herself, but she thought much more of herself than she did of Drake. He was nothing compared to her, a no one. He didn't know what he wanted in life and he even admitted to using others for happiness, what a childish admission. Brianna shook her head, her hands balling to fists as she tried to gain control, as she tried to keep herself in check, but the minute she looked back at him the anger exploded from her again.

"How could you be so selfish!? You know nothing of pain! Nothing of suffering! You think that an arranged marriage is the epitome of pain for you!? You think that doing this takes away your free will to fall in love?! Well you know what I pity you! You know nothing of the pain I've suffered! You know nothing of the pain that anyone has suffered! You're too consumed with your own self pity! And if you think for one minute that I want to be standing here with you right now you're wrong! I'm here because when I was little my father had a dream for me and when he died I decided to honour that! So don't you dare talk down to me! Don't you dare treat me as if I haven't known suffering and that I want to get married to you! I DON'T! I've suffered more than you know, more than you could ever begin to believe and I don't want you anywhere near me!" Brianna couldn't stop yelling...all her pent up aggression was pouring out of her as she pushed him again. Wanting to hurt him physically and emotionally. She wanted to just tear him apart right then, but she knew she couldn't. Knew that his facade was too great to get at, but she wanted to so bad.

[Drake Manning]

Drake wasn’t sure what Brianna was getting at, or if this was part of her playing the game, but he was quite stunned when she all the sudden threw out the sympathy cue. While pushing him away physically, Brianna seemed to be trying to distance herself from him emotionally as well as she questioned his own experience with suffering. Another push followed by some more of her irate attempt to perhaps draw some emotion from Drake, whether it be guilt or anger. Perhaps she wasn’t even acting with any particular outcome in mind. Maybe this was the real Brianna; the real feelings that Drake was seeing. Unknown to him though, the slightest bit of care shifted its way into Drake’s feelings, yet it was easily smothered out behind the layers that he surrounded himself with. Whatever Brianna was trying to do with her actions, whether he was sure or unsure of what it was, Drake was determined to take away any strength that she could have gained by trying to act so damaged and affected by his coarse demeanour. If it was a ploy to get him to care, he would fight even more to care less about the situation at hand.

“You have to marry me, Brianna, because you have no choice.” His voice wasn’t full of the thrill of power like it usually would have been when Drake was trying to keep control, but it was more of a matter of fact tone that he used as he tried to figure out what he should do next. The game was starting to get rather confusing, and Drake was fearing that he might not know how to act next. He was Drake Manning though. Drake always knew what the next step would be. His charm always allowed him to play one ahead of whatever girl he was with. “Selfish... worthy of pity... whatever you consider me, Brianna, consider that you don’t have a choice in this. We’re getting married, so get used to it.” He was amazed at the level of tranquility that he was able to keep when talking to her. As much as every fiber in his being would likely rather do anything but marry Brianna, he was able to play it off quite well. It would buy him time at least... until he could figure out if this was another way of Brianna trying to break down his barrier, or if this was truly her breaking down in front of him. If that was the case, this was going to be easier than he thought. Still, Drake was wary, and he maintained his preparedness to take on whatever Brianna might throw next. She had been all over the place in her emotions and actions; Drake wasn’t quite sure what to expect next.

“Why don’t you just accept it now. Sure, I may be a jerk, but even jerks can make a decent husband.” He gave her an evil smile before again taking his arm and this time wrapping it around her waste. Not only did he gain pleasure from the physical contact in general, but Drake loved that his simply touching her waist as they stood there probably made her sick inside. And, if it didn’t, well he could have cared less either way. Brianna was a beautiful woman, and Drake was sure that their arranged marriage would at least produce something good, even if it was temporary. “Why don’t we get back to the manor and show our parents how happy of a couple we will be.” Drake used his grasp around her waist to being to lead her back to where they started. He wasn’t quite sure what he had accomplished, but Drake felt that he had likely gained something from the walk with Brianna. If anything, the thrill of the chase was enough to keep him on his feet and kicking for a chance to show Brianna that Drake Manning never lost. Never.

[Brianna Bowman R7]

Brianna knew it, the moment she started pushing at him, he seemed to check out. His expression one of his many façades and here Brianna was trying to get him to feel something, anything at that moment. She grew frustrated, grew upset, and for the first time she realized that she had already lost the game. Her breakdown here insured that she had lost. Drake’s mask was still on his face, had it ever really come off? Of course not! Brianna scolded herself, deep inside as she stood there, trying to get control of her emotions. In all her years, that was the second time she had ever lost control of herself like that and both times it was a result of Drake Manning’s annoying persona. She let her arms fall away from him, her brown orbs burrowing into his for a few seconds before the moment passed and she wanted to hit him again. What was it about him that drove her crazy? What was it from his little quirks that irked her beyond reason? She hated it, hated the way he spoke, the way he walked, the way he looked at her. He had control of this situation, more control than Brianna could ever admit to having. It was enough to drive a woman crazy. How could she let him get that power? How could he just exude that kind of power over a situation? Especially when Brianna was positive that he didn’t want to be there any more than she did. She was sure, had to be.

Just when Brianna thought she’d had him figured out Drake said the words that nearly made her break down, the words that made her realize that this marriage was non-negotiable and that she was going to be married to Drake. In that moment it almost seemed like he had given in to the idea as well. Brianna was at a loss for words as she stood there watching him, his words beating her to a bloody pulp underneath the flesh and vacant façade. She wanted to tear her hair out at the moment, hell tear Drake’s hair out, but she had to keep playing. She’d already lost once that day, she couldn’t lose again. Then again, when had she lost? Was it just now, in the stairwell not long before, or had she already been setting herself up to lose since that day in Diagon Alley when they had first crossed paths. Brianna wished she had a solid answer for that question, but she didn’t. Hell she didn’t even know what to do right then, how in the world could she come up with a complicated question. She looked in dead in the eye. “You’re right Drake. I have no choice in the matter. I have to marry you,” Brianna said with serious eyes as she looked him over, taking in his appearance and everything else about him. Trying to push away the pile within her. She’d almost lost, or maybe so, but that didn’t mean she was going to make things easy for Drake. In fact she was hoping to make his life a living hell.

The moment Drake’s hand snaked around her waist Brianna that she was going to be sick. His hand gave her such a feeling of uncleanly ness. Brianna wanted to scrub herself clean after he touched her, but she let him stand there, let him be as close as he wanted to be at that point in time. Brianna wanted to lash out at him for his blatant comments. Brianna frowned as she shook her head at him, not muttering her discontent with his hand being around her waist. As he guided her back to the door, she waited. As soon as their feet started up the small set of stairs and they were before the doors again, Brianna decided to take the game one step further, putting the cards back in her place. Just before she opened the door she turned to look at him, her body pressed against his and a smirk playing across her features. “This isn’t over with Mr. Manning. I intend on winning this game and just so you know what you’re missing,” Brianna said just before leaning in and kissing his lips hard, the feeling mixed with deeper emotions as she pulled away. She grinned at him and turned to get back in the house. “Now how about showing our parents what happy of a couple we’ll be,” Brianna smirked, making use of Drake’s words earlier.

[Drake Manning]

The sadness that seemed to emanate from Brianna’s voice might have caused Drake to feel even a tinge of sympathy for her. Might was the key word, however. Sympathy wasn’t an emotion or feeling that Drake could really comprehend. He knew though that any woman who had to marry him was unfortunate. Still, he said nothing and didn’t show any sign of remorse when Brianna reinforced the fact that she had no choice in the matter. If anything, it was what made the situation be in his favor. It gave him control, and he thrived on control.

They had reached the door, and they would soon rejoin their parents. Drake wondered what Brianna’s response might be in front of a crowd. Perhaps she could continue to play the game, but frankly, he wasn’t quite sure what she was thinking. Had she accepted that she was helpless in the situation, or was she just laying low with a plan of action in mind? Whatever it was, Drake was still ready for the games to begin, and he was on his toes, ready for whatever Brianna might throw at him.

What happened next though... what she did end up throwing his way... was not at all what Drake expected. About to open the door to the house, Brianna turned first and looked at Drake. His eyes stared down at her, waiting for some pathetic plea, but instead of a plea, Drake felt Brianna’s body press up against his own, her lips against his as she kissed him right there on the front porch. Somewhat shocked, Drake didn’t kiss her back at first, but then he was lost in the moment as he allowed her physical touch to wash over him and cause him to kiss her in return. Seconds later, he was back to reality, realizing that perhaps Brianna might have found his one weakness. He never thought she would have discovered it, and perhaps it was in a futile attempt to accept what she was surrounded by that Brianna had by chance caught him off guard, but Drake knew now that she was better prepared than he thought. The game might not be a guaranteed win, and he would now have to start playing with more seriousness than before. “After you, dear,” he replied with a coolness in his voice. He had regained composure, realizing now that Brianna was ready for round two.