CHAPTER 6

Ann’s POV

 

My emotions are all over the place.

 

Anger

 

Hurt.

 

Confusion.

 

Not only did he just announce that he wants us to stay married, but he also mentioned a dinner party that we both have to attend tomorrow night.

 

He just made me feel like I have no say in any of this.

 

I caused this. I should be responsible, but this is not the way I thought he would handle it.

 

No matter how much I think about it, it feels like I am just an advantage to him. He wants to use this to his advantage, and it's pissing me off.

 

In situations like this, we ought to take a quick decision of an annulment before it gets out of hand.

 

He didn't even bother to explain to me why he wants us to stay married. If we are in this together, then I need to know every single thing.

 

Every damn thing.

 

The ringing sound of my phone jolts me out of my reverie.

 

Since he left the room without waiting for a reply from him, I have been standing like this, with jaws dropped.

 

His words were too difficult to believe.

 

We got married by accident, and he wants us to stay married? Who in today's world would do that?

 

I move to grab my phone, and I see Theresa’s name flashing across the screen. When the guards gave me my phone yesterday morning before I sneaked out, I saw several missed calls from her, but I was too broken to call her back.

 

Theresa is my best friend. She knew I was coming to LA to try and get Ryan back. She supported me and made me promise to keep her updated on how things went.

 

The thought of what happened two nights ago weighs heavily on me again, making me sigh deeply before picking it up.

 

“Ann!” She screams my name. “What the hell happened? I have been so worried. Are you okay?”

 

Despite the turmoil in my stomach, I smile. “Yes.”

 

“I have called countless times. I was worried something happened to you,” she utters again with a tone laced with concern.

 

“I'm ok, Tessa.”

 

“What happened? Did you two talk? Are you back together now? Did he dump that bitch…”

 

“Tessa!” I quickly cut her short, determined to stop thinking about Ryan or a future with him. Apparently, he doesn't want me anymore. He didn't fight for me, and I shouldn't either. “Ryan and I are done. He never showed up.”

 

Silence meets me from the other end.

 

I can imagine the disappointed look on her face right now. She really wanted us together. Theresa supported our relationship from the very first day. 

 

“Wow!” She finally mutters. “I can't believe this. Ryan is so stupid…”

 

“Enough of Ryan,” I interrupt her again, sitting down. “There is something I need to tell you.”

 

It's overwhelming. It feels surreal. I feel as though I am immersed in a movie or TV drama, even though this is only temporary.

 

I don't even know if I want to do this with Vince or not. I feel safe here, even though we are strangers. But we are married, and that is entirely different. Even if I want to leave, that marriage still stands.

 

I pick up the marriage certificate again and glance through the contents.

 

It's real.

 

“What is the matter?” She demands after a long moment of silence.

 

Sighing again, I announce. “I got married….”

 

“What?!” She exclaims in disbelief. “You got married? To Ryan or who? When did this happen? How come?”

 

“It wasn't intentional, ok? Calm down so I can explain everything, will you?” She doesn't speak, so I continue. “That night when I was waiting for Ryan to show up, someone else did show up. It was Carter, and he tried to rape me again until he heard the sound of a gun from across the street. He became frightened and left. It turned out the call for help, which was supposed to be sent to Ryan, was sent to someone else. His name is Vince, and he took me away and brought me to his home, a mansion.”

 

“What?!”

 

“Yeah. I went to the courthouse yesterday, and I was extremely drunk. Vince came to find me, and I practically forced him to marry me with the same marriage license and wedding ring Ryan and I intended to use.” I slap my forehead as everything begins to sink in. “Shit!”

 

A low gasp leaves Theresa’s mouth. “What?! You forced a full-grown man to the altar? That's ridiculous.”

 

I don't even know what to say anymore. Now that I think of it, it makes me feel stupid. "I think he just allowed it because he thought it wouldn't be real. The certificate arrived at the mansion this morning, and he was enraged until…”

 

“Until what?!”

 

Oh, God! How do I even say this?

 

"We should annul it as soon as possible, right?"

 

“Yeah. You are still nursing a broken heart, Ann. This is really bad.”

 

“Exactly my point,” I mutter, my body a trembling mess. “But he wants us to stay married. I suggested we get it annulled, but he wants us to stay married. I'm not sure what he meant by that, but it's not going to happen.  Because I forced him to marry him doesn't mean I have to do his bidding now.”

 

Silence falls.

 

“Theresa, are you there?”

 

“Yeah,” her response comes slowly and low. “You are kidding, right?”

 

“Of course not. Does this look like a joke? I am damn serious, Tessa. I know it's unbelievable, but he just dropped the bomb on me now and left without waiting for a response from me.”

 

“Wow, sounds much more like a TV drama. I really can't believe things like this happen in reality.”

 

“Me too.”

 

I am not even convinced about that when I am the cause of everything. If I didn't sneak out, maybe I would be making plans to leave here and go back to NY today.

 

If only I didn't get drunk and go to that courthouse.

 

If only I wasn't too stupid to ask him to marry me.

 

I slap myself mentally again and shoot to my feet in frustration. I can recall everything now, including my foolish behavior and all the things I said to him. I'm trying to wave it all away, but to no avail.

 

I let out a groan of frustration.

 

“What do I do, Theresa? Why the hell are you silent? You don't believe me?”

 

“I do,” she answers sincerely. “I'm finding it challenging to wrap my head around everything. Are you still at his mansion?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“So he saved you and took you to his mansion without asking for anything in return?” I shake my head, as if she can see me. She must have taken my silence for a no. “Did he ask for sex?”

 

“What? No!”

 

“Ok. Good. Is he a decent guy?”

 

“I met him barely 72 hours ago, Ann. I don't know.” I almost shout as I stamp my feet on the floor. What I need is a solution, not more analysis.

 

 “You know what?”

 

“What?” I stop pacing, my heart pounding wildly at the thought of a possible solution. 

 

“I believe he has something to benefit from this, Ann. This was not planned. He never saw it coming, and neither did you. So if he asked you not to think of an annulment but to stay married, then it means one thing; he wants you to be his real wife for a reason.”

 

I process her statement slowly. “What do you think is the reason then?”

 

“This sounds like a novel I read a while ago. Jayden wants his secretary to be his contractual wife for a year because he wanted to prove to his mother that marriage wasn't for him. The same way Xander married a woman he barely knew so she could bear him an heir to get his inheritance…”

 

“This is not a novel, Tessa!” I am beginning to get pissed off. She is a novel freak.

 

“I know, but things like this only happen in novels. If it happens in reality, then it means people are applying that fiction to their lifestyle now. Let's apply the principle of comparative analysis to this situation. Jayden needs a wife. Vince wants you two to stay married. Jayden needs a wife because of his mother. Vince wants a wife because he needs a son. Don't you see?”

 

I shut my eyes, completely enraged by her silly analysis. “You are not helping matters, Tessa. Do you think this is a joke? My life is at stake, you foolish girl!

 

She starts to laugh.

 

I should have known she was messing with me. 

 

I am tempted to disconnect the call so she realizes how upset I am. This is not the time to make jokes about my situation.

 

“I'm sorry, Ann, but I was serious about my analysis. That is exactly what he will ask you…”

 

“Are you saying he wants me to stay married because he needs an heir?” I stalk back to the bed and slump on it. 

 

“Yeah. That is exactly what I said, girl. Believe it or not.”

 

I shake my head. Vince is a good-looking man. He must have numerous women falling at his feet, worshiping him. He cannot simply ask me to remain married to him when he has the ability to attract any woman he desires.

 

“And you know the sweetest part?” Theresa makes a point, a cackle escaping her lips. “I'm loving this, you know. This can work to your advantage too, Ann. Accept to stay married, and let's get Ryan jealous so he can realize what he has lost. Perhaps that would make him come back, you know?”

 

I shake my head again. I can't do that. 

 

“Ask Vince for a bigger wedding, send me the IV, and I will have it posted on every damn social media available so I can tag his ass. Do that and see what his reaction would be. I assure you he will come running to you like the jerk that he is.”

 

Theresa told me to go to LA and ask him to meet with me. She was so sure he would come, but he never did.

 

“What makes you think this will work? He is getting married too, remember?” 

 

“Love doesn't fade in just a day, Ann.” She only says this, causing me to furrow my brow.

 

Everyone who knew Ryan and I could see how madly in love we were with each other. How he managed to fall out of love for me in a short time doesn't cease to amaze me each time I think about it.

 

Theresa is right.

 

I believe Ryan still loves me. He is trying to avoid meeting me so he doesn't go against his parent’s wishes.

 

Perhaps this will work too. If asking him for help doesn't work, announcing my wedding to the world and having him see evidence might work.

 

“If this doesn't work, Tes, I will kill you,” I warn her playfully, a genuine smile springing to my face for the first time in days.

 

"Believe me, I'm heading to Los Angeles tomorrow. I am eager to meet this man, Vince. I'm sure he is hot, rich, and sexy. Wouldn't mind some borrowing, would you?”

 

“Shut up!” She laughs hysterically, and I join in.

 

If Vince thinks he can use me, I believe I can too.