Chapter 16: Chapter 16

“Are you insane?” She stood up from her seat with shock. It seemed like he had vowed to throw bomb after bomb on her. She had been taking everything well until he mentioned getting married the next day.

It was just a day ago when she agreed to accept the proposal, and now he was telling to get married so soon.

“Relax. Sit down please.” He stood up as well. He did not expect such a big reaction from her.

“How can I relax? Will you let me have a say on anything? How can we get married tomorrow? I have not even told my mom anything yet. What will she think of me if I go ahead and tell her I am getting married tomorrow?” She threw her hands in the air while her eyes showed how frustrated she was.

The reaction was not out of the blue. She had been put through hell in the past days, and she had an idea how difficult it was for her mom to bear all the pain. She could never think of causing her more pain. How can she go ahead and tell her that she was getting married all of a sudden?

“We will find a way out. The thing is my grandfather has given me an ultimatum, and I am not far away from that. It will be for the best if we get it done with as soon as possible.” He tried to make her see his point of view. He had come around his desk and stood in front of her.

She glared at him folding her arms. She looked so small in front of him. He was not only tall—like really tall—but he also had muscular body. Her flats did not help either. But she did not want to feel small. She wanted her point to get into his thick head.

“Why do you only think about yourself? I have never met someone so self-centered and narcissist like you.” She gave him a hard look. His own expressions hardened a little. Both of them kept glaring at each other until they heard a knock.

“Come in.” He barked angrily making Olivia jump. She was not used to loud and angry tones. He was not looking at her though.

“Sir, Mr. Jones have dropped these papers for you.” The secretary informed giving the papers and left as quickly as she had come. She looked scared as well.

“Read this and sign if you are okay with the terms.” He gave the papers to her and went to sit behind his desk with quick strides. His tone was devoid of any gentleness it depicted earlier.

She stood there awkwardly but went to take a seat as well.

She stole glances while reading the papers. He was frowning the whole time while looking at his laptop. She knew he was angry because of the terms she graced him with. But she could not go ahead and do whatever the hell he dictated to her. He was so authoritative before marriage. What would happen when they got married? He would probably direct her breathing as well. She would be required to release a certain level of carbon dioxide and inhale a certain amount of oxygen in a day—neither more and nor less than he desired.

“Are you done?” He asked with a clipped tone when she took a while to read them. Her head was occupied with a bundle of different thoughts. She could not concentrate.

“Yes!” She nodded and signed the papers right away. She could not delay it any further, could she?

“Great! So when do you think would be the right time to get married?” He asked surprising her once again.

What was he doing? One time, he was so persistent on getting what he wanted and the other time, he was asking her opinion. She could not understand him at all.

“Give me a week at least.” She voiced her opinion aloud. She felt his expression change as if he was ready to disagree. He opened his mouth and closed it. After a moment he spoke.

“Okay.” He said shrugging. He had a feeling of unrest. As much as her words angered him, he knew that she was right. He was so absorbed in his matters that he was ignoring hers. That was why he agreed to her.

“Thank you.” She said softly before standing up, “Have a good day.” She said and grabbed her bag ready to exit his office.

“Wait!” He called from behind her making her turn around, “However fake this marriage might be, I want you to treat it like a real one. We will get married in secret and then tell everyone. I think that might be the best option. What do you think?” He said and asked her suggestion again.

She thought about it. She also thought that was the best option. She could not afford a big wedding with every eye looking at her. She sucked at pretending. She was afraid everybody would be able to tell that it was all fake. Besides, there was no need to hold a formal wedding when they would separate after the year.

“Okay.” She nodded making a small smile appear on his face.

“Great! I will send someone to pick you up tomorrow. You can decide on your wedding dress and all.” She wanted to refuse, but she did not think she would be able to put up a protest anymore. She was tired and had to go to home to find a way. She had to think how she would tell her mother about the marriage so she would not take stress or be shocked. It was a hard job she had ahead of her.

“Good day Ms. Anderson.” He said while being seated.

“Good day Mr. Walker.” She said with small smile and exited the office.

It was the first time he had seen her smile at him—however small that was. And he was amazed at how good he felt.

Olivia’s POV:

“Aunt Mary, when did she sleep?” She asked as soon as she was home. It was getting dark outside. She had spent almost three hours in his office.

“She just fell asleep. I have already fed her.” She told her. Olivia smiled gratefully.

“You can go and rest now. I am sorry for bothering you.” She said with gratitude. Mary had supported her a lot. She did not know how she would have done it all on her own.

“Don’t be silly, dear. She is my friend, and you are like a daughter to me.” Mary smiled and hugged her. Olivia sighed in the hug. It felt great to have someone whom she could rely on from time to time.

“I will go now, but call me if you need anything.” She instructed and left the apartment. She was the same age as her mother. They were both in their early fifties, but it was saddening to think how weak her mother had gotten after the cruel illness engulfed her being.

She kissed her mother’s cheek and went to her room. She had called Sana who was on her way to Olivia’s place. She felt like her mind would explode anytime soon if she did not share the crazy situation with someone.

Just after a few minutes, she heard a knock.

“Hi Sana.” She greeted after opening the door. Sana looked as wonderful as always. Her ginger hair color, green eyes and height about 5”7, always made her stand out in the crowd. She looked cute in her green dress that matched her eye color.

“Hey darling, how are you?” She asked hugging her tightly. It made Olivia laugh. She always had that effect on her. She enjoyed her presence.

“Come on in.” She led her to her room closing the door. They both sat on the bed as usual.

“So…how is your mom?” She asked having a gentle look in her eyes. Olivia sighed putting her hand under her chin while sitting crisscross.

“She is alright. She has not experienced pain again. But I am worried. What if it gets worse from here?” She knew that was inevitable, but she was still not ready to accept that. She was never ready to lose her mom. She wanted her beside her—always.

“She will be alright. Have faith! We are here for her and for you.” Sana took her hand and squeezed it making Olivia smile.

“I know. Thanks to you and Aunt Mary, I have not broken apart yet.” She said putting her other hand on top of hers.

“Oh darling!” She hugged her again. Sana was a year older than her but she always treated her like she was way older than Olivia. It made a bubble of laughter come out of her mouth despite being sad and worried.

“I want to tell you something, but promise me you won’t freak out?!” She took a deep breath and looked at Sana who was giving her a questioning look.

“What are you going to tell me that is gonna make me freak out?” She asked in return with a frown. Olivia let out a sigh.

“I am getting married in a week.” She shut her eyes tightly and told her in a single breath. She said it so fast Sana almost did not get her. But when she did, her eyes went as wide as saucers.

“What the fuck? Wh-what?” Sana shrieked after a moment of silence fell upon them. She looked like Olivia just told her that the world was going to end.

Well, it could not be less of a shock than that for Sana. Her innocent friend who had just dated once in school was suddenly announcing that she was getting married—that too, within a week.

She could neither believe her ears nor the guilty expression Olivia was having with her head down. It was as if she had committed some sin and was confessing in front of her best friend.