Mr. President, I Don't Love You

This holiday had been a complete circus, Dad had been on his knees for two days without Mom's forgiveness.

Meanwhile, the family business hit a snag, with the Taylor Group circling like sharks. Best strategy now? Team up with the Taylors.

I met the famous CEO, proposing a merger through marriage, spelling out the ups and downs crystal clear.

He agreed without hesitation, puzzled, I asked why.

Sure, marrying me wasn't losing out, but it wasn't his top pick either.

"Heard Miss Colder's got a knack for handling the family bigwigs."

Got it, even the best judge can't untangle family knots.

News of my February wedding got out, and Grandma's folks were on edge, drove over in the dead of night to "persuade" me.

Even brought along my cousin from my uncle's side to convince me.

"Jessie, don't shoot the messenger, but stepping into high society ain't a cakewalk, thought you prided yourself on being a strong, independent woman? Got dazzled by some dollars, huh?"

"Hear me out, the guy Grandma found you is a real catch, got a son too, and no pressure to have more kids, talk about a sweet deal."

"If you know it stings, why say it? Just dunked your brain in a manure pit and forgot to scrub? I'm loaded, pretty, and smart, why would I downgrade to Nowheresville for charity? Plus, what's money done wrong, don't curse my cash flow, will you?"

Before she could go on, Dad hustled this nosy relative off to a hotel.

He came back and hit the deck before Mom, vowing our little family always comes first, everything we own is in my name.

Whatever the home drama, contracts are contracts.

Logan Taylor and I made it official, the wedding might have been hasty but didn't skimp on sincerity.

Ingredients for the feast airlifted in, I sneakily nabbed a couple of pastries while I could.

After waving off the guests and collapsing on the couch, Grandma starts up her tirade with her pet granddaughter.

"As a lady, you oughta be polite and hard-working, look at the state of you, no clue what your mom's been teaching."

"You could learn a thing or two from your cousin, give your brother a hand now and then, so if you ever get a rough patch, you've got a brother to back you up. Today's gals are just too touchy, making mountains out of molehills over domestic spats, think divorce is the answer to every tiff, but hey, which couple doesn't bicker?"

I mustered the energy to give a thumbs up, "Match made in heaven, peas in a pod, you two are a sight for sore eyes, really should have a monument erected in your honor."

Mom chided me with a laugh, and Grandma went from ashen to flushed and back.

She snatched up a decor stick and hurled it at Mom, I sprang up from the couch.

Cross me by insulting my pride or touching my Mom, and it's game over!

What in the world was my cousin thinking, blocking me, hollering about giving the old lady a break.

We should cut Grandma some slack at this gathering.

I sent a slap flying her way, "No face saved here, buy one slap, get one free, you in?"

The sharp slap silenced the room, she covered her face in tears, staring at me.

Grandma too stunned to squeak, my new hubby and mother-in-law silently scoped out the scene at the doorway.

"Logan, I just saw stars for a second, quick, get security to clear out these extras, I need to have a word with your mother-in-law."

Then she cozily escorted Mom to another room.

Soon, it was just me and him left, locked in a gaze.

"Miss Colder, you've got some serious skills, hope you can handle my family too, Mom's all I care about."

"No sweat, it's all in a day's work."

Yeah, right, the pocket money Mr. Taylor showered on me could keep me slaving away, not to mention sorting out these little dramas!