Chapter 17: Chapter 17

“What do you mean you are getting married in a week? Is this some kind of a prank?” She looked at the stunned expression Sana was having after she announced that she was getting married.

Sana looked at her like she was spewing bullshit in some alien language.

“You think I wanted to do this? I have no choice, Sana. My mother is on the verge of dying, and we are about to be thrown out on the streets. I could not find any other way.” She felt mist in her eyes at the helpless situation she was in. Sana put her hand on top of hers.

“If you are worried about Aunt Amelia’s surgery, we can arrange that. My father is a social worker, Olivia. He can raise money to make that happen. Why did you have to take such a big step? You should have discussed it with me first.” Sana was not getting out of the shock however hard she tried. She could not believe Olivia would be so stupid to take such a big risk.

She understood the dilemma that made her take such kind of a decision, but she was angry at her for not discussing it with her first. They would have tried to find a way together. She wanted to scold her so badly, but she knew she should not. Olivia was so sensitive. She had to treat her gently especially considering the fucked up situation she was in.

“Even if her surgery is done, how would I be able to bear the expenses? And what about losing our place? Where would we live? Anyways, I have signed the contract. There is nothing I can do now. And I don’t want to do anything. This is the best option there is for me.” She sighed and lied down on the bed. She had told Sana about the owner being changed and the demand for them to pay the due rent if they wanted to live in the apartment. Sana had offered her to live with them until they found a new place. She had profusely refused.

She was tired. Tired of miseries—tired of life.

Sana noticed how she looked so broken. Her heart squeezed painfully finding her that way. She knew her from childhood. She used to be so cheerful and fun-loving. After losing her father, she still held herself together since she had her mom. Besides, she was young enough not to understand anything. But now that her mom’s condition was getting worse, she was on the verge of being shattered.

She lied with her on the bed and took her hand in hers, “Everything will be alright. Don’t beat yourself up too much. I believe in God’s ways. He always has the best plans for us.” She said and Olivia nodded with a smile. She also had the same belief.

“So…how does he look? Tell me he is at least handsome! How old is he? Don’t tell me his is old. I mean a billionaire ought to be old to have so much wealth, right?” She put one hand under her head and raised herself to look at Olivia. Her eyes were wide with curiosity and a bit of fear. Sana was always against dating older guys. Olivia chuckled.

“It is not like he is really going to be my husband. We are getting into a pretend marriage, you know. So we should not really care how he is.” She said shaking her head with a smile.

“Whatever! I want to know more about my brother-in-law.” She said looking at her curiously. Her heart reacted weirdly at the term she used for Thomas. She did not know why.

“Tell me!” She shook her arm slightly when she zoned out. Olivia laughed at her persistence.

“Okay, okay. Geez!” She said sitting straight up. Sana followed suit.

She thought for a moment before speaking, “Well…He seems to be in his mid-twenties. He is handsome and has muscular built. He looks really tall, may be taller than 6 feet. A bit self-centered if you ask me. And, he seems to want to lead and control others.” She had a thoughtful and light expression in the beginning, but it changed to a frown eventually.

She still could not wrap her head around how controlling he was earlier. But he did ask her suggestions after she made him see the mirror of his personality. She could not draw conclusions, but he gave her the idea that he was indeed dominant, arrogant, and so full of himself.

“That sounds like a douchebag, but you mentioned that he is strong, handsome and tall, right?” Sana said teasingly wiggling her eyebrows. Sana was worried after she said that he was controlling. Olivia was sensitive and had a fragility about her. She was afraid for him to manipulate her. Still, she did not want to worry her more. She wanted to warn her, but she thought the better of it. She would have a deep conversation about it later, she thought to herself.

Olivia narrowed her eyes at her jokingly, “As if that would make everything better.” She knew her best friend was just trying to cheer her up. She was glad for that. She did not want to discuss any more grim matters at that moment. She had taken the decision, and she was bound to face whatever came her way. There was no need to worry for the unknown.

“It would. Having a terrible personality sucks, but it would be okay to have any eye-candy in front of you.” She winked and got up, “I gotta go now. Don’t worry about anything, okay? Call me if you want to talk or need my help. I pray you have everything that your heart seeks for.” She hugged her tightly. It made Olivia emotional to think that she always had a shoulder to cry on.

“Thank you, Sana.” She squeezed her in her arms before letting go.

Sana left the apartment and made her promise to invite her to her wedding. Thomas said that it would be a wedding with just a few witnesses. She would still like Sana to be by her side at least.

Now, she had to think of a way to tell her mom about it. She had no idea how she would do that. She could not tell her before getting married because she would want to join her wedding. If she told her after the wedding, she would be shocked and worried about her—may be even hurt.

Either ways, she is going to be shocked. The daughter who she always told to find a boyfriend was going to marry without anyone knowing. It even sound socking to her own thoughts.

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“Ugh!” The ringing of her phone would not stop. She had been awake the greater portion of the night thinking about anything and everything. Now, the caller was not letting her sleep.

“Hello!” She picked up the phone without looking at the caller ID and greeted a bit grumpily. Her eyes just would not open. She was so sleepy.

“Miss Anderson, I have sent my PA to help you pick out your wedding dress. She will be there in half an hour. Be ready!” She heard his urgent voice. Now, her eyes were fully open.

“Half an hour?” She asked with surprise. He was calling so early in the morning and telling her to get ready. She was not even fully awake!

“Yes. Be ready. She will call you once she arrives.” He gave her quick instructions and ended the call.

She buried her face in the pillow and screamed.

She had thought she would get up late that day, but he already ruined her plans.

She reluctantly got up and went to take a shower. She was in no pleasant mood to select her outfit. She got some dresses from the club where she worked as a stripper. But they were in no way decent enough to be worn in normal days. Some of them were decent but others too revealing. She had donated the more revealing ones and kept the slightly moderate ones.

There was nothing she could decide from, so she took out a beige cotton shirt and jeans. It was so hot outside, but she did not have a choice. Her wardrobe did not have that many options.

She quickly took a shower and changed into her outfit. She let her long and silky hair dry until she put on some makeup. It consisted of mascara and gloss.

It felt so surreal that she was going to choose a wedding dress. It was all fake, and she was aware of that fact. But still, she had never thought she would get married so soon. She was twenty-one, and she was already going to tie the knot. It was unbelievable.

She got ready and went to Amelia’s room. She was up and drinking her tea while reading something on her phone. She did not have a proper breakfast since she said it made her nausea.

“Good morning mom, why didn’t you wake me up? I would have made you tea.” She said sitting beside her mom and kissing her cheek.

“I am not that ill, Olivia. I can make my tea.” She smiled. She did not like how her daughter worried about her so much, “Besides, you were sleeping so peacefully. How could I have woken you up?” She asked lovingly and caressed her cheeks.

Olivia felt like she was embraced by heavens. Her mom’s presence had such a calming effect on her, she never wanted to be separated from it.

“Mom, I am going out for a while. Will you be okay?” She asked looking at her.

“Have you had your breakfast?” She did not ask where she was going, rather, she asked if she had had her breakfast. She never pried on her personal life. But she made sure Olivia was taken care of. That was why she loved her mom so much.

“I will eat something. Call me if anything happens, okay? Aunt Mary said she will be here in a while.” She had asked Aunt Mary to accompany her mother, and she had agreed. Even before he mom got sick, she often was found at their place spending hours with her mom and going out for shopping together. They had a strong and sweet bond that Olivia knew she could count on her anytime.

“Okay, take care my love.” Amelia said pecking her forehead.

She left her room to eat something, just then, she received a call from the PA stating that she was in front of her apartment.

She took the elevators and went out of the building to find an SUV parked outside. It did not take her a moment to figure out that was the car she was supposed to get in. The residents of the building were not that well-off to afford a car like that. Besides, that was the only car parked there.

The driver was waiting beside the car and noticed her.

“Miss Anderson.” He greeted her as she went nearer. He knew her already, but how?

She got in and greeted the PA who looked like she was out of a fashion magazine. She did not know what Thomas did, but all she knew was that he had high-class employees and a huge building where she visited the other day.

“Hello Miss Anderson, I will be helping you pick a wedding dress. We will also go to some designer outlets to shop a few dresses. Are you ready for a busy yet fun day?” She started saying enthusiastically. Olivia gave a hesitant smile.

“As ready as ever!” She thought to herself sarcastically while nodding politely at her.