CHAPTER 4

ANNALYN 

As soon as the car was packed and I stepped out, the crowd of fresh TV anchors roared around me.

I didn't realize the news of my marriage would have spread so quickly.

I spoke to the press back at the courthouse so Kathryn or atleast Sophie would see it. I just didn't know there would be more waiting for me at the company's entrance.

I spaced out for a moment. I couldn't walk further or say a word as cameras flashed, making me blink my eyes without a word.

"Congratulations, Annalyn Lorenzo. We heard you were married to an unknown man. Mind if you could tell us his name and why you decided to keep your husband a secret?"

"Mrs. Anna, did you get married to the company?"

"Mrs. Anna, what happened to your already planned wedding slated for next week Saturday with Warren Gonzalez?"

The cameras kept flashing until I decided to step forward towards the company's entrance. 

Suddenly, an anchor jumped in front of me, as if shoving their damn speaker towards my mouth and trying to find their way towards me while pushing me along the line wasn't enough.

I glared at her but the determination on her face indicated she wouldn't go without having her question answered.

"Did you break up with Warren Gonzalez? Why did you marry out of the blues?"

I smirked.

"She continued with her question. "Did you get married truly or this is just a fake marriage for you to finally take control of…"

"Would you question me like this if I were your daughter?" I retorted at her in anger.

A sudden shush fell among the crowd before murmurs began and the whole place was back in pandemonium. The company's security rushed at me, and guided my way in, till I was free from the anchor's clutches.

I heaved a deep sigh of relief but not for long as the receptionist congratulated me with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Congratulations, Ms. Lorenzo." I nodded at her and walked slowly to the lift.

My head was banging but I know I had to come to the company. For this show and to see how things were now that I was married.

I already spoke to the lawyer over the phone and he promised to meet with me here to confirm the authenticity of my claim.

Like I would lie to be married when I wasn't.

No one was showing any concern about the bandage on my forehead. What they were interested in was what will sell; the marriage that was called off with Sean Gonzalez, and my sudden marriage to the mysterious stranger.

Aidan mentioned how he wanted to be unknown to the public and I wanted to protest at first but now I saw how necessary it was.

He didn't look like the social type. I couldn't have him marry me and still drag him into this high-class society of ours.

I understand because I'd never be willing to change my social life for any man.

I received bows from people in the elevator as it closed and began to descend upward.

"Alex Klein is married?" I heard someone mutter from behind. It must be one of the staff.

At the mention of the surname, I raised a brow. 

"It's a rumor," Another person said and I nodded my head.

My new husband was Aidan not Alex anyway so I shouldn't be bothered about his identity being revealed.

As soon as the elevator dinged open, I let out a sigh as I walked to the office. I needed to get everything done and call Aidan to pick me up. I wondered why he hasn't sent me the address yet.

I needed to head home early today. And I might not come in tomorrow. The banging headache is a reminder of my impulsive decision to suddenly leave the hospital when the doctor gave me the strict rules to be on bed rest for the rest of the day.

I didn't want to end up collapsing. Not when there was still a lot to do.

It was amazing how I got myself married to a man I barely knew in just two hours. I'd always been an impulsive type but never in my wildest dream had I thought of getting married to a total stranger.

When I thought of the idea of getting married to him, I never gave the consequences a thought. Probably because I was so desperate.

Now my desperation was gone. The company was halfway mine but my mind kept nagging me.

I wondered what father would say if he was here. I was sure he'd go ballistic with anger.

"Anna?" The familiar voice of Kathryn made me come to a dead stop. When I turned slightly, I saw her head popping out from her office's door. "Come in, I want to see you."

I contemplated whether to go or not for a second before muttering. "I'm busy right now. Can I come later?"

She stared at me for a moment, her eyes lingering on my forehead before she nodded and slammed the door shut.

I didn't intend to confront anyone about the accident. Confronting them about the sex was enough. Because of the accident, I was going to pretend not to know anything for now.

Letting them know I was fully aware of what transpired this morning was going to put me in more danger.

I just needed to get the company before anything else.

As soon as I walked into my office, the door opened behind me and Kathryn walked in with her phone showing a picture of me in front of the courthouse.

"Can you be kind enough to explain this?" I ignored her as I settled on the swivel chair, exhaled and inhaled deeply with my eyes shut.

I felt so relieved.

"Anna!"

"I got married," I replied so calmly with all honesty. "Is there a problem?"

"What??" She exclaimed with disbelief, her face in a deep frown. "What…what do you mean you got married?"

An ember of pride flared to life inside of me.

I did the right thing.

The horror on her face right now was something I'd die for.

"You…you got married? With whose permission? What about Warren? And who is this stupid stranger you got married to?"

"None of your business, mom!" I muttered with heavy sarcasm. "The lawyer is coming so I'd like to have a private meeting with him."

"No way. I'd be here when he comes," she said through clenched teeth as she dragged out a chair opposite my mahogany chair and slouched in. "This is absolutely silly. What a disrespect to the dead. Don't you have any regard for your father?"

I shut my eyes, trying to calm my uprising anger.

Don't you dare call my father, you bitch!

"What exactly do you want the public to say about our family? Do you have no idea what you've just done? First, we've lost the Gonzalez family and you have managed to ruin the reputation your father has built all his life by getting married to some silly unknown man. You and Warren have been together for God knows how long and this is how you repay him? How do you intend to explain this to his father when your wedding with his son is just two weeks away?"

"Do you know Sophie has been sleeping with Warren all along?" I demanded from her as soon as she was done rambling.

Her eyes widened a little, but not as much as I thought it would if she were in the dark about the affair between her daughter and my supposed groom.

"You knew?" I peered down at her, swirling my chair with a light smile dancing around my face.

"What? Of course not. Sophie wouldn't do such a thing…"

"Well, she did…"

"Don't blame your impulsiveness on your sister, Anna. I am warning you."

"What will you do?" I shot to my feet, boiling in rage. I stepped away from the desk and moved closer to her. She rose up too, her lips sealed tightly and her hands balled into a fist. "I just told you my so-called groom was cheating on me with my sister and the least you could do was say she wouldn't? Why don't you ask me how or when I found out, uhn?"

"Anna…"

"Your daughter slept with Warren and I broke up with him this morning and here I am married to someone else. Is there a problem?"

"Anna…"

"You can tell Sophie to have Warren all to herself because I do not need him anymore. The conditions of the inheritance have been met. I got married as he wanted and now I can have company. All you need to do is stay calm so you can retain your position in the company…"

"Are you threatening me?" She yelled in frustration, poking a finger in my chest. "I am your mother, Anna."

I feigned ignorance. "Really? Oh, sorry, mom but I never considered you my mother. So if you'll excuse me."

I turned back to go to my seat when she stopped me. "You think you'll get this company just like that? This is my husband's company and I also have a right to it. All I wanted was for you to be happily married and now you do this? You think I'm going to fall for this fake marriage charade of yours? I'm not dumb, Anna."

"Well, the lawyer will confirm if it's real or not."

"And you think I care? Produce this so-called husband of yours and let's start from there. Without that, you are not getting the company and I mean it." 

With that, she turned on her heels and took the exit out while I stand watching in shock.