Chapter 9: Decisions

Anna slowly exhaled when she heard Dalton's voice. She had been quite tense the past few seconds when her phone seemed to be ringing for an eternity.

"DALTON KLINT GUEVARRA, WHERE ARE YOU‽" Dalton's mom positively bellowed at her son.

Dalton went silent on the other end of the line. The other two men took a step back.

"Mom..." he started.

"Don't you 'Mom' me! Tell me where you are right now." She demanded.

"Mom, it's not what you think. A company in The Isles reported a business emergency," he explained. "Since I'm in charge of business in this area, I went here to check."

"Leaving Anna behind?"

"Mom, I wouldn't have left if she didn't allow me."

Anna wondered what he learned in that business school of his to be able to lie so gracefully.

"Yes, that is correct." Anna smiled sweetly when they all turned to look at her.

Now, Anna thought that her law school was doing her favors.

"I didn't manage to tell her the entire situation because I was in a hurry, but she understands," he added.

"When are you coming back?" Chairman Guevarra asked.

Dalton went silent for a while. "I can't say for sure, Grandpa. Things are kind of in a mess over here,” he said slowly.

"I can handle the business over there, if that's what you're worried about," he cleared his throat, talking to his grandson.

"This is my responsibility, Grandfather," Dalton insisted. "Plus, I may have to stay here for a while."

"AND WHY IS THAT?" Dianne practically screamed at the phone.

The two men took another step back.

"I got accepted to one of the most prestigious universities over here," he took a deep breath. "I'm doing my master's here."

Anna's breath caught. She realized too late that she gave a lot away.

Their families turned to look at her, understanding that this is new information for her as well.

Dalton immediately caught on.

"I only received the news earlier. I had planned to call later to share the news," he hurriedly explained.

"You accepted their invitation just like that? You didn't even consider Anna's input first?" Dianne asked in shock.

Dalton started to explain, saying a lot of things. Probably lying his way out of the situation again.

But Anna was no longer paying attention. As she sat there, holding her phone, she tried to calm the swirling of her thoughts.

What would this mean for her, as a newly married woman of the upper society?

Of course, other couples had done this before. Immediately parting ways just a few days into their marriage.

But Anna and Dalton's marriage was supposed to be different. Everyone expected them to be the most perfect couple there is.

What would happen if people find out that what they are is a sham?

People would talk. They definitely would. People had talked about Anna before, but this is going to be something different.

When Anna left the yacht, she expected to be on her own, yes. But she had thought that Dalton would go back, and then they would pretend to love each other in front of people.

Dalton had promised her that he wouldn't embarrass her or their family. So what is he trying to do now?

This is not only going to put them to shame, but this is going to ruin them.

Why did he change his mind? Is it possible, Anna thought, that Dalton had found Lara these past few days? Is that why he's not going back?

What's next, she thought, is he going to serve her divorce papers in the next few weeks?

Anna's face paled at the thought.

She was brought back to attention when her dad asked her something.

"Yes, Dad?" she asked.

"Would you be okay with this setup?" he repeated.

"Yes, Dad, of course." She smiled sweetly, having no idea what she was agreeing to.

"All right, I guess that's settled then." Chairman Guevarra straightened himself.

"Anna, I want you to know how proud I am of you," Mr. Delgado embraced his daughter. "You're quite brave."

"It's nothing, Dad." Anna wrapped her arms around her father. She has no idea what he meant, but she figured she needed her father's love right now.

"Anna, do you want to come with us right away, or would you like to spend the night here?" Dianne asked her.

Anna smiled, having no idea what she meant.

"Will you stay here tonight, or go with them to their house right away?" Mr. Delgado asked. "You'll be living with them from now on, anyway.”