Chapter 5

VERA'S POV

"I will drop you off at home and then later on we can start making preparations for our wedding." He said again, casually like he already had everything planned out without my knowledge.

"And what makes you think I want to marry you?! " I yelled. " I mean you should be angry at me for running off before our wedding, why do you want me back?!" I questioned, unable to hide the curiosity in my tone.

"Hmm... Aveera." He sighed. "I'll take you home, take a shower, have a good long nap, after you've rested, we can finally have a chi-chat. I don't think you're in the best state of mind to have any conversation with me now especially not that one."

The car drove along the same path and after a moment, it came to a halt. Raymond dropped me off in front of my home. As I got out of the car, I was greeted with the cold air. I held myself, in a fit to keep myself warm, still standing by the car, Raymond said to me through the window, "I will call you Aveera." And then I want he'd as the car drove off.

At that point, my thoughts had already taken over me. As I stood in the shower, and watched my reflection through the mirror as the water came running down on my skin, my mind wondered back to my past and now my present and then my future. What am I supposed to do now? I just got out of prison and clearly I've created a bad name for myself... Or say Francis rather.

I began to wonder if he is aware that I'm out of jail. In order to get my life back together again, I think the best thing for me to do now, is to visit Andrew, my family lawyer tomorrow. At least that way, I can get my share of my family's fortune, and then,  start my life back on track.

Within a matter of minutes, I had everything planned out already. I got out of the shower, with my towel wrapped around my hair and the other around my body when I noticed my phone buzzing on the bedside table.

I hurried to it, only to find Raymond Anderson's name dancing on my phone screen. I let out a sigh as the thought of why this man was so eager to help me wondered in my head. "Hello?" I whispered to my speakers.

"I hope you're already tucked in bed, the weather is a bit colder than normal."

" I just had my bath, --"

" Get some rest Aveera. Moreover, I want to see you tomorrow, I'll forward the location and all to you, let's have breakfast together, Aveera."

" Raymond, I already have plans for tomorrow." 

"Your plans can wait while I treat you to a good meal, is that alright?"  

I groaned, " Okay!" 

" Have a goodnight rest Aveera." He said before hanging up the call. I quickly got changed into my pajamas and fell on the comfort of my large queen sized bed which was the centre piece of my room. I missed how soft and fluffy my bed was. Unlike the beds in the prison that are as hard as concrete.

Before I knew it, I closed my eyes shut and I was driven straight to Dreamland from there. By the time I opened my eyes, it was already morning, my first morning at home. I let out a sigh of relief as I stared at my ceiling and in that moment, I was so grateful for Raymond, who pulled me out of that hellhole. I began to wonder if the news had already spread, I hadn't received any call or message from Francis. Either way he was the last person I wanted to speak to.

I'm not sure what made me fall in love with him but that was the biggest mistake I made, I wasted my time with him, valuable time I can never get back. I brushed my hand through my face and pulled myself up to make preparations to see Raymond.

After a moment, I got ready and drove myself to the location Raymond emailed to me. When I got there, I stood at the door and searched the room with my eyes, at the corner of the dining hall of the 5 start restaurant, I saw him relaxed back on the fancy cushioned chair, with his phone in his hands.

By the time I got to his seat, he raised his gaze at me, "Welcome." He greeted. I pulled the seat back and took a seat. "I've already made orders for us. You were running late."

" Yeah, I just got out of prison, still trying to enjoy what I've missed." I grumbled as the waiter approached quietly with our food in two separate trays, each on his hands in a white well pressed shirt paired with black trousers and a well-knoted black bow tie.

After the waiter delivered the food, Raymond started as his dug into his breakfast with his cutlery, "Let's set a date now."

"Date for?" I grumbled with a mouthful of pancake.

"When we'll go to the court for the marriage document signing...then we'll have to plan the wedding."

" Sir, I don't understand you." I sparked, dropping my spoon and knife. Raymond cocked his brows at me. " What do you mean?"

" I don't want to get married to you! Why are you enforcing this on me? This is suspicious, I abandon you! You should be angry with me, you should no longer be interested in getting married to me. What do you want from me?!"

" I know your story, Aveera, I know the real story behind why you ended up in prison and I want to help you --"

" You don't know what you're talking about--"

" I know you were framed!" He interrupted wearing a firm look on his face. " I know the truth,  Aveera, you need help, let me help you while in return you be my wife."

" So it truly is for a selfish reason." I scoffed.

" Is that what you think? You think it's for a selfish reason? I want to help you seek revenge Aveera, why don't we make this a win win for both ourselves."

"look, Raymond Anderson or whatever you call yourself!" I started, enraged as I stood up and pushed the seat back with the back of my knee. "I don't know who you think you are, you saved me from prison and so what?! If this is why you invited me here and why you've been helping me then know you're efforts are in vain because I can't get married to you." I yelled and stormed out without letting him speak. 

I could feel everybody's gaze on me as I made my way out of the restaurant shamefully. By the time I got to the parking lot, I felt my phone buzz. I angrily dug through my purse and noticed Raymond was calling. "What do you want ?!"

"Aveera, I want you to have a rethink."

" Don't ever call my number again! Raymond." I blurted without letting him finish, I hung up and drove off to see my lawyer.