The Arrangement

Chapter 15

AnnaLeigh

I was at home making cookies when I heard the elevator buzz. I glanced down the hall at my room, wondering if I would have enough time to get there before the elevator doors opened. But before I could finish the thought, the doors opened. And there Christain was, suit jacket slung over his arm. Before I could get a word out - or think about getting a word out - he was marching over to me, words tumbling from his lips.

"Who in the hell were you shopping with today?"

"What?"

"Who was the man?"

"My friend? Jason."

"Oh, Jason." He said and it was clear he was mocking me. "Let me make something clear to you Mrs. Cartwright, everything you do in this city comes back to me. Everything."

I was so confused I didnt even know where to begin. I thought back to shopping with Jason.

"I had business meeting with Mr. Graden." He was saying.

Oh, we had run into Mrs. Graden. There was my answer.

"He said his wife saw you shopping....with a man." Was that jealousy I detected in his voice?

"I dont care what you do on your own time, in your own space." He said getting up in my face. Maybe not jealousy, I thought. "But you dont interfere with my business. You will not embarrass me again. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, but I didnt mean to interfere..."

"Listen to me." He slams his hand down on the kitchen counter. "You are not to be in public with any man that is not me. You might of cost the company this deal. Do you even understand that? I forbid you from seeing that man until the deal closes."

"You forbid me?"

"You heard me. You are living under my roof, using my money, you can at least abide by one simple rule. Besides if my father was to find out you were doing anything to mess up this deal, you would have more to answer to than just me." His words were so thick, so sharp, that I felt them cut through me.

I didnt have any fight left in me. I thought about my dad and looked around at my new life, I was tired of fighting to find the up-side. Seeing the resignation on my face, Christain turned and marched into his bedroom, slamming the door.

"He is my only friend." I say softly to the empty kitchen, like saying the words would make what just happened less real. But nothing came in response. I looked around, feeling lost. It was just me and my cookies.

I had called Jason after Christain blew up at me, telling him about the rule forbidding me from seeing him. I had tried to laugh it off, making sure he knew how absurd I thought it was. But Jason had not laughed.

"Christain Cartwright forbids you from seeing me? Like, me, specifically?"

"Yeah," I had answered. "But its just until this deal closes..."

"Thats messed up. Seriously messed up." Jason had said.

"What? No, Jason, he is just overreacting..."

"AnnaLeigh, I gotta go, okay?" And then he had clicked off. Just like that, our friendship had felt like it was over.

But now it felt like I had no control of my life.

It was bad enough I had to live with Christain, had to hear him scream at me for the smallest reasons. But now he was actively cutting into my personal relationships, like my life didnt matter one bit. He clearly had no respect for me. He thought I had married him for his money and his name and I couldnt defend myself or explain anything - not without breaking the rules.

How long could I be this lonely?

How many werks, months, years could I go without having a real friend? My sorrow turned into frustration, then rage - rage at Christain, but also at lifes unfairness. I was starting to really fume, when my phone lit up. It was my old boss, again.

You have got to be kidding me. I let out a frustrated sound and I answered. But I didnt wait for him to speak.

"Leave me the hell alone." I shout into the phone. My heart was pounding louder thsn a drum. I was shaking as I waited for a response - anything.

Then I heard a controlled voice on the other end. "You are going to wish you had not said that to me." I threw my phone across my bed, as far from me as possible. My hands were still shaking.

Suddenly I heard more incoming messsges. I crawled over to the corner of my bed, where my phone lay face down and slowly flipped it over. I had never been so relieved to see my brother's name flash across the screen.

It was Greyson saying I needed to get to the hospital to see dad, right away. He was throwing a tantrum because I had been avoiding talking to him about my marriage. Damn. Another problem to deal with. I had been avoiding talking about it. I just hadnt had the heart to keep lying straight to my dads face. But that was the only option other than avoiding the topic, so I would have to do it. I let out a big breath and climbed off of my bed. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a black shirt, lacing up my converses. Then I headed for the door. I wasnt sure if I would be able to keep up the lies in front of him. Especially not when he was in such bad shape. But I had to be strong, for his sake.

By the time I reached the hospital I had gathered my thoughts and resolved myself to answer all my dads questions. Quietly I entered his room and saw he was resting.

"Dad?"

"Come in, sweetie." He says, clearly straining to get his words out.

"Greyson said you were feeling better."

"I am." He says, taking my hand and kissing it. The silence stretches out for a second before his eyes crinkle up into a smile. "You cant avoid the talk forever."

I nod. I felt like a child about to be scolded. I was neck deep in a web of lies and deceit. A billion dollar secret where my dads life hung in the balance. I took a deep breath, bracing myself.

"Hey lighten up." He jokes. "Im not mad. And Im not going to tell yoy how reckless and crazy getting married so fast was."

"You just did."

"Ah, I guess I did." He laughs and I cant help but laugh too. But I kept my gaze on the floor.

If he knew the truth he might just have another heart attack.

"Anna, look at me," He says. "Are you happy?"

I look up at my dad, the man I had loved the most for the longest. My favorite person. Being there with him, talking to him, I was. So I nod, a tear escaping down my cheek.

"Then dont worry about me. Im happy - Im happy for you. Im proud. My baby is a wife." He squeezes my hand and another tear falls.

"Dont cry."

"Im sorry."

"So tell me about him."

"You met him at Thanksgiving, remember?"

"Sure, but I barely know the guy. And as far as first inpressions go, I wasnt that impressed."

"He was just nervous about what all of you would think." I say, wishing that it was the truth. I lifted my hand to wipe away the tears from my cheek and my dad whistled, eyeing the ring on my finger.

"Jeez, that is a rock." He says.

"Well, Christain is a Cartwright, after all. You dont need to worry about anything."

"Well Im glad my baby has someone to take care of her, thats all."

"So, your trail treatment is starting tomorrow?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"It will work. I just know it."

He looks at me, "You bet it will." He says smiling.

I pull a chair up close to his bed and tuck my feet under me, holding his hands tight. I knew I would have to go back to the city soon, but for now, I just wanted a little more time with my dad.