ANNALYN
As the crowd of TV anchors roars around me, I realize I have spaced out.
I can't walk further or say a word as cameras flash, making me blink my eyes without a word.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Klein. We heard you were married to an unknown Mr. Aidan Klein. Mind if you could tell us 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 Sean Gonzalez?"
The cameras keep flashing until I decide to step forward towards the company's entrance.
Suddenly, an anchor jumps 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 glare at her but the determination on her face indicates she won't go without having her question answered.
"Did you break up with Warren Gonzalez? Why did you marry out of the blues?"
I smirk.
"She continues 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 retort at her in anger.
A sudden shush falls among the crowd before murmurs begin and the whole place is back in pandemonium. The company's security rush at me, and guide my way in, till I am free from the anchor's clutches.
I heave a deep sigh of relief but not for long as the receptionist congratulates me with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.
"Congratulations, Ms. Lorenzo." I nod at her and walk slowly to the lift.
My head is 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 is showing any concern about the bandage on my forehead. What they are interested in is what will sell; the marriage that was called off with Sean Gonzalez, and my sudden marriage to the mysterious Aidan Klein.
Aidan mentioned how he wanted to be unknown to the public and I wanted to protest at first but now I see it is necessary.
He doesn't look like the social type. I can'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 closes and begins to descend upward.
"Alex Klein is married?" I hear someone mutter from behind. It must be one of the staff.
At the mention of the surname, I raise a brow.
"It's a rumor," Another person says and I nod my head.
My new husband is Aidan not Alex anyway so I shouldn't be bothered about his identity being revealed.
As soon as the elevator dings open, I let out a sigh as I walk to the office. I need to get everything done and call Aidan to pick me up. I wonder why he hasn't sent me the address yet.
I need 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 don't want to end up collapsing. Not when there is still a lot to do.
It's amazing how I got myself married to a man I barely know in just two hours. I've always been an impulsive type but never in my wildest dream have 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 is gone. The company is halfway mine but my mind keeps nagging me.
I wonder what father would say if he was here. I'm sure he'd go ballistic with anger.
"Anna?" The familiar voice of Kathryn makes me come to a dead stop. When I turn slightly, I see her head popping out. "Come in, I want to see you."
I contemplate whether to go or not for a second before muttering. "I'm busy right now. Can I come later?"
She stares at me for a moment, her eyes lingering on my forehead before she nods and slams the door shut.
I don't intend to confront anyone about the accident. Confronting them about the sex is enough. Because of the accident, I am going to pretend not to know anything for now.
Letting them know I am fully aware of what transpired this morning is going to put me in more danger.
I just need to get the company before anything else.
As soon as I walk into my office, the door opens behind me and Kathryn walks in with her phone showing a picture of me in front of the courthouse.
"Can you be kind enough to explain this?" I ignore her as I settle on the swivel chair, exhale and inhale deeply with my eyes shut.
I feel so relieved.
"Anna!"
"I got married," I reply so calmly with all honesty. "Is there a problem?"
"What??" She exclaims with disbelief, her face in a deep frown. "What…what do you mean you got married?"
An ember of pride flares to life inside of me.
I did the right thing.
The horror on her face right now is what I'd die for.
"You…you got married? With whose permission? What about Sean? And who is this stupid Aidan Klein?"
"None of your business, mom!" I mutter with heavy sarcasm. "The lawyer is coming so I'd like to have a private meeting with you."
"No way. I'd be here when he comes," she says through clenched teeth as she drags out a chair opposite my mahogany chair and slouches 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 Sean 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 Sean all along?" I demand from her as soon as she was done rambling.
Her eyes widen 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 peer 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 shoot to my feet, boiling in rage. I step away from the desk and move closer to her. She rise 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 Sean 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 Sean all to herself because I do not need him anymore. The conditions of the father 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 yells in frustration, poking a finger in my chest. "I am your mother, Anna."
I feign ignorance. "Really? Oh, sorry, mom but I never considered you my mother. So if you'll excuse me."
I turn back to lgo to my seat when she stops 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 turns on her heels and takes the exit out while I stand watching in shock.