Love Struck (The Taylor Brothers Book 4)

Nelson drove back to Houston after the reception party. It was 10:30 in the night when Annalise reached home. She went straight up to her room to sleep thinking how lucky Susan was.

The next day, Annalise met everyone at the breakfast table. Her uncle seemed to be aloof and after a brief nod at her, drank his coffee and left. All her cousins seemed distant too as if she were at fault for some reason. After breakfast, Annalise went up to her room to study. Alexis and Aries came over to her room.

"Has anything happened when I was gone?" Asked Annalise with curiosity.

"Yes, after you left, aunt Emily came to fight with uncle Edward. We were too scared to go downstairs," said Aries.

"What were they fighting about? Could you hear anything?" Asked Annalise. It would be very stupid if aunt Emily still harped on the marriage issue and stayed away from her own home because Annalise refused to marry Colton. There had to be some other reason.

"They were talking about some money,  Anna. I'm not sure, " said Alexis. They were just ten and obviously too scared to comprehend what was going on.

"I think she'll talk to you. She threatened not to return ever if you don't listen to her, " said Aries. "Will you listen to her, Anna?" He asked with wide, scared eyes.

"I don't know Aries. I have no idea what she wants, " said Annalise with a sigh. The whole day she pondered over what her aunt wanted from her. Strangely, there wasn't anyone in the house except Annalise, the twins and the housekeeper, although it was a Sunday. It seemed that everyone was avoiding her. Annalise stayed studying in her room. If only Nelson would have proposed to her! She could have considered moving into his house for good. It was lunchtime and the three siblings sat guiltily eating lunch with none of their uncle's family around. Annalise didn't feel like having dinner after that. She stayed locked in her room. She would need to come up with a plan. She couldn't live like this. Either she would shift over to Nelson's house or her dad's apartment. At night, Aries came over to her room.

"Can we go from here, Anna?" He asked with a distraught face.

"Why Aries? Anything happened at dinner?" Asked Annalise.

"No one spoke to us. I don't want to stay here any longer. It's like we're forcing ourselves upon them," he said. Annalise nodded.

"I'll talk to Nelson. If nothing comes up, we'll shift to our old house and old school, okay?" Said Annalise. She would leave her studies and take up some part time job in the morning.

The next whole day, Nelson didn't come to work. Annalise waited for him the whole day and even called him twice but his phone was switched off. She left him at peace thinking that he might be busy.

Nelson sat down to study for his examinations which would start two days later.  He was running a temperature since last night and Alanis's repeated phone calls were driving him crazy. He didn't have any wish to deal with her with a feverish body and a splitting headache so he switched hed off his mobile phone. The next day too went similarly for him. In the afternoon Carter came rushing to his house.

"What the hell dude! It's my birthday and you didn't even wish me?" He accused, looking hurt.

"I'm sorry bro. It just escaped my mind. I'm a little down, " said Nelson. Carter checked him.

"You have to come to my birthday bash, man. I won't have any cake cutting without you," said Carter stubbornly.

"Okay, I'll go for a little while. Can't stay for long, " promised Nelson. Carter agreed and left.

Annalise went home with a heavy heart as Nelson hadn't come for the second consecutive day and she was worried about him. She contemplated upon going over to his house to see him but couldn't find the courage to go with his whole family there. She returned home and was about to go up to her room when her uncle Edward called her.

"Anna, come to my study," he said. Annalise walked over to his study. Her eyes popped seeing her aunt Emily sitting there with a grim expression on her face as if she was waiting to blast her. Her uncle sat on a couch with the same expression. "Sit down, " he ordered her. Annalise sat down and looked at both of them.

"I'm talking to her, Edward. Please, if you would give us a few minutes in private?" Said her aunt and her uncle failed his arms and walked away angrily, out of the room. The moment he went away her aunt pinned her with a look of hatred.

"Look Anna, I'll be very frank with you. Initially, we helped you and your siblings when your parents were incapable of looking after you. We've supported you after their death but now you have to understand that we cannot pull your expenses all our lives," she said sternly.

"You don't need to pull our expenses. Grandfather left everything to you without giving my dad any share. As his son, my dad has an equal right to his money. You give us his share of the business and property and I'll leave with my siblings and never keep any contact with you," said Annalise. If her aunt wanted to be frank, then so would she. She wouldn't hold back now. Her siblings and her future was at stake.

Her aunt scoffed. "How dare you talk back to me that way after everything that I've done for you?" She yelled, losing her composure.

"I don't want to talk back but since you started the topic and wish to have an open discussion, how can you expect me to sit dumb?" Asked Annalise.

"Fine then. Let it be a final confrontation," said her aunt.

"Fine with me. Give me our share and I'll leave," said Annalise.

"What share are you talking about? For the last six years we have spent so much on your father. Then came your mother's expenses. Your and your siblings' educational expenses, your food and clothing expenses for the last two months. You forgot those?" Sneered her aunt.

"Did they amount to billions? I don't think so. You have grand dad's billions and spent a very meagre amount on us. Give me a detailed account's of your assets and how much you have spent upon us and then I'll tell you exactly how much more I want. Nothing more, nothing less, " said Annalise a fierce determination overcoming her mind.

"The money your grandfather left is solely ours. He gave it to us of his own free will. If he wanted, he could have given it to you but he didn't want to. So, as such, you have no right over something which is already ours. We're not going to spend a single more penny on you," yelled her aunt. Annalise's mouth hung open at her words. What could she say to that? Suddenly all her strength and determination left her. Her aunt looked at her pleased with her victory.

"But you know what? I'm not cruel. I have an option for you. Marry Colton and leave the house. Everyone will be happy and at peace. Sandra still is waiting for your reply. She'll accept you with open arms," said her aunt, her eyes flashing with fire for finally getting an upper hand to dictate her terms out to Annalise. Annalise was stunned to hear her aunt again bring up the topic of marriage. Why was she insisting up in getting her married to Colton? There had to be more to it than just being indebted to her friend.

"Why do you want me to marry Colton? What difference does it make, who I marry? I could marry anyone and get out of your house," said Annalise, confused by everything.

Her aunt chuckled at her ignorance. "I don't want just you to get out dear. I want all three of you to get out," said her aunt.

"Fine, we three will get out but why do I have to marry Colton for that?" Asked Annalise.

"We will not spend a single penny on you and your siblings' education. I'm offering you an easy way out. Sandra and Hugh want to bear all your costs for life. Your education, your siblings'education everything. You three will live a luxurious life at their mansion. I return you just have to marry Colton. How difficult is that?" Asked her aunt with a furious expression.

"I don't want people to point a finger at us later. If all three of you are well settled, Edward would stop feeling guilty and stop fighting with me. My sons would talk normally with me. I wouldn't be accused the whole day of throwing you three out. Only if you agree to marrying Colton will I return to this house, else you can bear the burden of being the cause of a divorce between your own uncle and aunt, " she threatened angrily.

Annalise sat frozen at her words.

"You have twenty-four hours to decide," she said and left the room.