Anna's POV
Mother left for work after dropping the bombshell.
My marriage with Aidan has an expiry date. Is this like a contract or what?
I don't even know whether to be happy or sad. Happy because I won't spend forever with Mr. Arrogant and sad because I will get divorced at an early age. I am just 24 and in the next 6 years, I will be 30. I am sad that I am going to get a divorce at 30.
I see divorce as a bad thing.
The separation of parents causes emotional trauma to the child. Pamela is a close example. Pamela rarely talks about her mother but her love for her father is out of the world. I know she is blaming her mother for the divorce of her parent
Aidan's POVI was buried in my work till 7 pm when I remembered I had the intention of paying Anna and her mother a visit today.I quickly round things off and pack the files I will be using at home in my briefcase. I stroll out before locking the door. I had dismissed Chloe since 6 pm.I take the elevator out to the parking lot and hop in before driving off. Different thoughts are running through my mind as I drive to the neighborhood. I am hoping to meet her mother at home since it's past 7 pm already, I am sure she must be back from wherever she is always going to.What should I say to her? How can I succeed in convincing Anna? Should I plead with her to agree to my terms? Should I try sweet-talking just like Richard has advised?I shake my head at the thought of begging her.I can't do that, I mutter."What do I do then?" I ask
Anna's POV Mom is ransacking my closet for a decent dress to wear before Aidan comes to pick me up to his mother's home. I am laying quietly on the bed watching her. She is excited and I am happy that she is happy about the turn of events. The only joy I am deriving from this is that my child will be born within the confines of her father and mother's marital home and I don't need to go long distances to search for her father whenever she requests to see him. I know my mother wants this too. She doesn't want my daughter or son to be like me. I am fatherless but I am not too bothered, probably because I had always thought my father was long dead. I know she is also excited about this because of how our lives will change for the better. We deserve it, don't we? I have always dreamed of growing up, going to school for mom, and landing myself a good job with good pay so I can
Anna's POVNew beginnings frighten me a lot and I wonder if it frightens other people too. I am frightened of fresh beginnings because I have no idea how it will end and turn out.Am I weird because I am scared of a new beginning?Aidan's statement left me with my mouth agape. I thought we were beginning to be civil with each other.He was calm and gentle a few minutes ago and now he is back to being harsh, arrogant, and rude? I never said I wanted him, why is he making it too obvious that I am unwanted?I didn't say all of that because I am expecting us to fall in love with each other, I am only trying to see that things don't turn out to be messy on the long run. I am having a second doubt about sticking to Pamela's suggestion. I don't fucking care about what he thinks anymore. He can go to hell for all I care.The massive gate before us opens and he drives
Aidan's POVI can remember my mother said father shouldn't know about Anna yet until our plan has been executed and that plan will be executed on the award night. Mother and I have a lot to talk about but we couldn't talk because of the presence of Anna.From what we discussed with mother the last time, I need to pretend like I want Tessa too but I know it is going to be hard doing that since I hate pretense. If I let my father think I am agreeing to his term, he will tell Tessa's father and they will help me. But if I don't, I won't get any help even though I wish I can get the help from somewhere else and not from my selfish, monstrous father.Now I remember my mother's bandaged arm as I stand with Anna by the doorway. I want to rush to him and punch the living hell out of my father but I know I can't. I need to control myself. I need to be calm so I won't ruin things way too fast. I seriously need to get my mother out
Anna's POVAFTER THREE WEEKSI used to think rich people have it all and the poor are the unfortunate ones meant to have one problem or the other that they are to solve every single day of their lives, most of which has to do with their finances.My thinking now has changed, ever since the day I visited Aidan's parents and I got to meet his mother and his father. Aidan is a billionaire but he has his unfair share of life challenges.Despite his wealth, his mother is crippled and bedridden and I can sense that all is not well in their home. I am quick-witted, it was easy to detect that Aidan is not on good terms with his father and his father is one of the reasons why he wants us to be married.
Anna's POV The horn of his car is louder now. This is the second time he is honking, I know he doesn't want to come in. I am done with my make-up and dressing up for more than ten minutes now. But I have been staring at the mirror, doing nothing other than admiring myself and thinking about what the future holds for me. When Aidan honks his car again from outside, I know it is time to go before I get on his bad side on a special day like this. I stand up from the small stool facing my mirror and watch myself in the mirror for a while. My new hairstyle is Teased Chignon with tendrils and my red high-end flowing evening party dress is glowing. I am wearing black stiletto heels and black stone earrings. Mother had specifically picked this particular dress out of the five dresses I got for the party. I did my make-up myself and I am proud of the result. I take a deep breath and pick up my black shiny purse from the table before moving out of my bedroom. I am taking a step at a time
Tessa's POVAidan is not picking up his calls. I am going crazy with fear and anger. I am trying to calm myself down as I pace the floor of my room with the phone glued to my ears.I am already dressed and I can't think of one single reason why he hasn't come to pick me up. Why can't he send his driver if he is busy?He sent me the dress I am wearing and I can't even wait for him to see me in it. I have a new hairstyle and I have glamorous makeup on my face.I don't want to go alone because I want us to go to the party together. This is my plan and that of Trevor's. Besides, Aidan also said the same thing yesterday and this morning and now I can't think of anything.
Anna's POVThe hall is silent, everyone is watching the host on the podium, waiting patiently for the announcement of the top 10 best businessman and newest billionaires in New York. I can see the fear and anxiety in Aidan's face, even though he is trying to hide it. I can see through him.I can see Julian's table from where we sit. I can also see his father watching us at intervals, there is a pretty lady beside him.When Aidan and I entered with my arms intertwined with his, the flashes from the media's camera were enough to intensify my anxiety. Aidan told me not to answer any questions and I was obeying him.When we entered the big hall, I wished for the ground to open so I could go in. My breathing seized because of the large crowd. I was panicking.I have never been in a place where there are so many people like this.Aidan noticed it