Chapter Five

ANNA

I took a step back, I tried to think of what to say while twisting my fingers. It didn't stop him from getting closer to me and before I could say, Jack, he removed the veil and tossed it on the floor. 

He lifted my face and asked, "Who the hell are you?"

I went mute and shaky, Daisy didn't prepare me for this stage. Daniel had a terrifying look on his face which made my mouth dry up immediately. 

"Answer me!" he yelled at me. 

I lost my composure and I blurted out the words without giving it a thought, "Who are you and why are you here?" I yelled back at him but he didn't move, he kept the furious face. 

Without hesitation, "I am betrothed to someone who I assume is not you, you wouldn't be asking me such a question of it were you" I added. 

He looked at me and laughed wickedly, "You're trying to play smart, I'm not dumb little miss", he grabbed me by the arm. 

"I think we both got the wrong partners, we can't keep going back and forth. Let's annul this mismatch tomorrow" I fired back. 

He laughed mischievously "Not so soon miss". 

I know I'm bad at lying, my nervousness takes the best part of me and always exposes me. He didn't have any of the excuses. 

He counterattacked every effort I made to lie myself out of this situation. I snatched myself away from him and ran to the bathroom, I locked myself in there. I expected him to come after me but he didn't.

I called Pamela and spoke in a hushed tone "He knows he has been deceived and he's not taking it lightly, what do I do?"

"You go according to plan, ask for annulment". 

"He wouldn't agree to that", my voice was shaking at this point. 

"Then make sure he does, that is the only way you'd receive full payment" she answered and hung up. 

I pressed my ear against the door, I could hear Daniel talking to someone on the phone then I heard a knock on the door. My heart skipped a beat, I couldn't keep myself locked in here forever, I had been there for over two hours. 

I opened the door gently, he stood by the door with his hands in his pocket. I couldn't fathom his emotions with the face he made, he was angry hours ago but he looks undisturbed now. 

He handed me a baggy top and shorts, "Change into this, you look like a mess of yourself" 

"Join me downstairs in ten minutes for dinner" he said as he walked out of the room. 

I changed into the clothes and went downstairs, he already set the table. He pointed to the chair beside him for me to have my sit. I sat there and stared at the food, I didn't understand why he was suddenly calm and acting nice. 

"The worst decision you can make is to starve yourself against tomorrow" 

He looked in my direction, took a sip of water and added "I assume you will have a lot of explanation for this ludicrosity". 

I swallowed hard, I knew it was all a facade to make me calm down. He said it with all seriousness, my eyes stung with tears but I held it back. 

He showed me to my room and walked away. The room is lit up and has a girly design but I have a lot going on to notice the tiny details. I curled up on the bed expecting a call or text from either Daisy or Pamela. 

I was dozing off when my phone vibrated, I sat up immediately hoping they had found a solution but my shoulders dropped when I saw who had sent the message. 

"I need my balance soon, you have three days to do that". 

What could be more words than a threat from the creditors and a marriage I'm unable to annul? 

 …….. 

I opened my eyes, Daniel was sitting by the bedside and watching me, my heart skipped a beat. 

He shook his head, stood up and left the room. I did not need anybody to tell me he needed an explanation for all the ruckus. 

I still haven't gotten a message or call from Daisy and Pamela. I assume they want me to find a solution to the mess I put myself into. 

At that moment, I decided to come out clean and accept whatever came my way. The room had female clothes and toiletries, I took my bath and changed into something comfortable. 

I joined Daniel in the dining room, he was having breakfast. He wore an ocean blue fitted shirt tucked in fitted pants trousers. I drew out the chair beside him and sat down. I was twisting my fingers so badly out of nervousness. 

"You don't need me to ask you to start explaining yourself, do you?" He asked hysterically. 

I adjusted myself and I explained everything that led me to his house in detail. By the time I was done explaining, I was fighting my tears back. 

He handed me his handkerchief to wipe my tears, but he didn't look like he was moved by my story. 

"So you would do anything for money" he blurted the harsh words at me. I tried to explain myself further but he wouldn't have it.

He finished eating, pushed the plate to a side and crossed his arms on the table. He fixed his eyes on me, giving me a straight face. It weakened me more that I didn't know what he was thinking. 

"What do you want from me?" he inquired. 

I have to get myself out of this situation, I need to leave this stranger's house and pay off the debt. 

I managed to clear my throat, "I only want one thing from you" I responded. 

He shrugged, "And that is?" he answered. 

"Firstly, I am sorry I deceived you this way. You need to agree to annul this union for me to be able to keep up my part of the deal with Daisy".  

 In a firm tone, he responded "Read my lips, young lady, I will not agree to the annulment!"

Just like that, I knew I'm finished.