In Your Heart

Conditions

Anaya was crying the whole morning in her room. During lunchtime Judy knocked on her door.

"Anaya dear, madam is calling you in her study."

"Coming", Anaya wiped her eyes and freshen up then she went outside. On her way down she bumped into Andrew. Andrew was about to say something to her but she walked past him and went downstairs.

At Amanda's study...........

Andrew and Anaya was sitting on the couch facing Amanda.

"What have you decided?"

Anaya was silent as always at last Andrew spoke,

"I have thought about it. And despite the fact that I don't want to get married but this situation is not what we expected for."

He paused for a minute and then started saying again. "As it is important for Anaya's father's will I am ready to marry her." Hearing this both Anaya's and Amanda's face lit up. But the next sentence from switched ther joy into frown.

"But as there is no benefit for me in this marriage so I have some conditions"

"What are your conditions." asked Amanda knitting her brows.

"We will be married for a year. According to her father's will she have to remain married with me for six months to be the heir so after 1 year we will divorce and in this one year period she cannot interfere with any of my personal matters."

Both of the women were dissatisfied by his conditions. But Amanda was a business woman she knew how to play with her son.

"Ok I accept this condition of yours but as you are marrying her so you have to be a real couple for this following year. So that no one can point a finger on this marriage for this time being. Cause if her uncle suspects anything about this marriage and knows about this contract marriage he will try his best to use it against her. And also you have to be loyal to her. No girls no controversy will be tolerated otherwise you have to remain married to her for next 5 years."

"Mom this is too much. You can't do this to me. I'm already sacrificing enough." Andrew bargained like a little boy.

"Dear boy you are not alone in this road she is sacrificing more by marrying a good for nothing playboy for her father's wish. She doesn't have parents that doesn't mean that I will let her suffer. The conditions will be remain as I said." Amanda declared her final say.

" I know what you're trying to do mom but that's not gonna happen if your condition is going to be added then I have another condition that has to be added too. "

" What's more in your head Andy? " Amanda was pissed with her son.

"We will be a real couple and real husband wife but in this one year period she can't be pregnant. That's my last condition." Andrew said looking straight to his mom.

"you're pathetic. Is this what me and your dad taught you?" Amanda said with hurt in her voice.

"Mom don't be emotional. I love my freedom and I have to make sure I will be free after this one year so it is as it is."

Anaya was silent the full time when her godmother and Andrew were arguing about her life her future. She knew they both wanted her benefit but with their own conditions. She then stood up and for the first time she spoke with boldness in front of another person.

"I accept all the conditions" After saying this she just left the room.

Amanda could see the hurt in her eyes and was also surprised by her boldness. On the other hand Andrew was shocked. This was the first time she told a full sentence in front of him without stuttering.

The whole day Anaya didn't step out of her room except for the dinner. During the dinner she was silent as always. But Amanda felt some kind of coldness in her silence. Before her silence always contained a warmth but now that was missing.

After dinner Amanda went to her room to talk with her.

"Anaya are you planning to sleep dear?"

"No ma come have a seat." Anaya patted on the bed motioning Amanda to sit beside her. Amanda sat with her then took Anaya's hand in her lap and talked to her like a mother.

"You know Ana I always wanted a girl but after Andrew for some health issues doctors asked me to not have anymore child. That's why when you born your mother made me your godmother. She was my soul sister for me." Amanda took a sharp breath and continued....

" I know that you are feeling lonely now without her. But I want you to know that I will be always there for you. And what I'm doing is best for you. I know you love him for years. I also know that he likes you but he's afraid to take responsibility. After his father's death we were in great trouble with business then I took control of the company. That situation made him like this. He's afraid of relationships cause he thinks that if something happens to him then who will take care of his family. And with you his fear gets worse cause you are so soft and fragile. He wants to protect you from the worst at the same time he doesn't want you to be dependent on him. That's why he is so adamant about this contract marriage. "

Tears were flowing down from both of their eyes but they didn't care about that.

" You must be wondering why I agreed with him? Also told him to consummate the marriage and be a real couple? "

Anaya nodded and waited for the answer.

" Dear one year is a long time if you count it contains 365 days. In this time he will fall for you I know him. He will never divorce you believe me. But you need to change. You have to become a strong woman not only for him but also for yourself. Society always targets the weak ones that's why you need to prove that not only you are a good girl you can be a strong woman who can continue her father's legacy. Moreover men always prefer the fierce women." she winked at Anaya. Anaya couldn't help but laugh at her wink.

" I promise you Ma I will change for my parents, for Andrew, for you and mostly for me. I will be a strong woman." Anaya said to her. Amanda could see the determination in her eyes. She smiled and stood up to exit the room.

"Oh I forgot to tell you that tomorrow you are getting engaged to Andrew Black. Good night dear" after saying that she left the room. But Anaya's heart was beating faster. So tomorrow she's going to be engaged. From tomorrow her new life will began. She then slept with excitement in her mind. After a long time she slept so peacefully and was dreaming.

In her dream she was standing in front of Andrew in a white wedding gown and was taking the marriage vow. This was the most beautiful dream for her. She never wanted to be out of this dream. But a loud knock on her door broke her sleep along with the dream. With sleepy eyes she went out of the bed and open the door.

"I want to discuss something important to you"

Andrew's voice made her wide awake. She saw Andrew was standing on her door with only in a short pant. His upper body was n*ked. She gulped down a lump on her throat and made space for him to come inside. Then inhaling a sharp breath she asked him looking straight into the eyes,

"What do you want to discuss?"