Chapter 3 - Getting Caught

Anna felt a hand slip under her body, then another hand rested on top of her. Next, she felt her body move as if pulled towards the hand's owner, bringing their bodies back in close. Although her eyes were still closed, his movement managed to wake her up and acknowledge where Anna was. She was in Dave's arms, the man she had only met last night.

She smiled faintly as the memory of last night entered her mind. Long chats accompanied by whiskey ended with sex. Yeah, not a weird ending, indeed. A convenient interaction brought the desire. This was normal for adults.

Anna moved her body back to be closer to the muscular body behind her. But, as the comfort was just got, suddenly, the door opened.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Like a thunderclap, it startled the two people who were still on the bed and forced their eyes wide open. They automatically got up, and it was the wrong decision. The blanket covering their bodies fell off, revealing Anna's naked upper body. Her reflex brought it back up, though it was too late.

"Grandma," Dave called hoarsely. He could only stay where he was because he, too, was naked. The blanket really was the only thing covering him and Anna.

Anna's face turned pale as Dave called the person who casually ruined their morning. And her breath felt like stopping when she found not only an old woman but also another woman behind her. What was this? Why did it feel like she was caught red-handed?

"Grandma, I can explain." Dave was still trying to speak in a sober consciousness. To be honest, his brain couldn't work correctly yet. However, he had no other choice but to force it to think fast.

"Put on your clothes. We'll talk outside," Grandma insisted before turning away and leaving the room.

"You're such a fool. We said we would visit this morning." The woman who was with Grandma said in disbelief on her face. Then she followed Grandma.

And all Anna could do was put on her stupid expression. She didn't understand the situation, except that they were caught naked in the same bed. Besides, Anna didn't get why Grandma and the woman looked so annoyed with them? Did she do something wrong? Wait. Could it be that she was sleeping with someone's husband? Her last thought made her body freeze.

"Sorry to startle you. I totally forgot my grandma was coming." Dave immediately got up to grab his clothes scattered on the floor. This resulted from their passion for throwing away their clothes randomly. "We'd better get dressed quickly," he continued, helping to pick up Anna's clothes.

Anna still didn't understand. But, she complied by accepting her underwear and quickly putting it on. They changed into more decent looks to meet Grandma and the woman in the next minute.

"My grandmother is a bit old-fashioned. She's probably nagging us about sleeping together." Dave warned just before they opened the door. After receiving an understanding nod from her, he pressed the knob.

Dave walked briskly to the sofa, with Anna following behind him. She seemed to hide behind his body, trying hard to avoid the accusing stares from Grandma and the woman. But as they got there, she couldn't do it anymore because now, they were sitting side by side. Her only shield was silence.

"What's your name?"

But, apparently, Anna couldn't use it. She clearly knew Grandma directed the question at her. "Anna Dunn." Doubtful, she spoke. She either wanted to hide it or mention it. In the end, she decided to be honest because she had no lies to tell.

"What's your job?" Grandma asked the following question.

"I'm a manager for celebrities." Anna must have looked like an ant to the Elephant. Already caught red-handed, this time Grandma interrogated her. Really, what did she do wrong?

"What about your parents? What do they do?"

"Grandma!" Dave called out his protest. Why was the question swiftly directed about her parents? That was not right.

"Shut up." Grandma immediately muffled it with her absolute command. Even the woman next to her couldn't help but only watch this awkward situation. "What do your parents do?" she repeated with the same question in a friendly tone as before. However, everyone knew her kindness was full of meaning.

Anna didn't answer right away. She looked at them one by one, then swallowed hard as she realized the situation was not on her side. "My father is a lecturer, and my mother used to be a teacher but quit after giving birth to me. She wants to be a full-time housewife to take care of my sister and me."

Grandma nodded in understanding and seemed satisfied with the answer. "Are you married?"

"Grandma!" Dave returned his protest. He began to suspect the direction of the conversation. Matchmaking. He was tired of hearing Grandma ask him to do that.

"No." She was hesitant at first, but she answered anyway.

"Engaged?"

"No."

"Have a boyfriend?"

Anna shook her head. "No."

Grandma was silent. She looked to thinking about something meaningful based on her brief investigation. A few seconds later, she was ready to announce the results. "Then, it's decided. You two are getting married today."

If the first incident was like a thunderclap, the latter sentence was like lightning striking the three people there. Grandma was no longer discussing matchmaking but marriage! It really surprised them.

"Grandma!" Dave and the woman shouted loudly. Their protest was not kidding. How came? It was a unilateral decision, and it was about marriage! Who would want to just get married, especially after only meeting for once?

"What does it mean?" The woman asked Grandma for more explanation. She knew her grandmother was old-fashioned and firm about this. But, married? That was overkill.

"Dave slept with her. So he should be responsible for marrying her." Grandma strung her words in a calm tone. Apparently, she was used to facing rejection. Yeah, yeah. She seemed to interfere in Dave's life. However, it was all for the sake of his happiness. Starting a family was the best decision in her life. And she wanted Dave and her other grandchildren to feel the joy.

"Don't joke, Grandma! How can someone get married just because they've slept together?!" Dave began to get annoyed with his grandmother. This was the twentieth century. Not even getting married was common.

"Yes. Your grandparents." Again, Grandma replied with her composure. "You two are getting married. There's no objection."

"Grandma, you should also consider her feelings. Don't make unilateral decisions." The woman tried to calm Grandma and control the situation.

Anna was slightly surprised as the woman pointed at her. Though she deliberately withdrew from the debate that she did not understand. Oh, she knew it had to do with her fate. But, her mind still couldn't keep up with this confused state. Or perhaps her consciousness had not fully recovered, so her body and mind could not react logically. Supposedly, she joined them in resisting Grandma's absurd wedding plans, right?

Suddenly, Grandma got up and walked over to her. Then Grandma sat down next to her, which almost widened her eyes at the unexpected behavior. Inwardly, she was anxiously awaiting what would happen next. Especially when Grandma unexpectedly grabbed her hand.

"Anna, let my grandson, Dave, marry you," Grandma said with a hopeful look at Anna.

Anna was a woman who couldn't bear such things. Seeing the way Grandma asked for it obviously made her heart waver. "I don't think we need to get married." Worry was in her voice. It was a mix of confusion over the situation and the marriage.

"See?" Dave joined them, confirming his thoughts on Anna's refusal.

"My grandson is indeed impolite. But I will make sure he is responsible for you." Grandma didn't respond to him as if she didn't hear his words and continued her conversation with Anna.

Anna had difficulty swallowing. She didn't like it when someone asked her like this. "I'm okay. So-"

"Look, I'm old grandma," Grandma cut in quickly. "I won't live long. All I want is to see my grandson get married," she added.

"Grandma!"

"Huh?"

Dave's call and Anna's response came out at the same time.

"He never wanted to do the matchmaking I planned. So please, marry Dave. For this old granny." Grandma stroked Anna's hand, still with the same look.

Anna was really faltering. Finding someone begging her had wavered her heart, let alone an old woman doing that. Somehow, she saw the figures of her grandparents in Grandma. Two persons who loved her very much, besides her parents. They definitely wanted the best for their grandchildren.

"O-okay." Finally, the decision was taken. And she didn't know if it would be a good or bad thing.