HIS SUBSTITUTE WIFE

Chapter 7

That night Anna had a lot to think about. This was no longer about her emotions and she was well aware of that. She was not even thinking of her emotions and was just thinking of her life and the future. Immediately she was rushing out to the terrace, pushing onto the terrace door open of the hospital that was allowed for the visitors. And now it was late at night, around 1 in the morning and not very much of an ideal time to be here. It was cold but she wanted some fresh air..

And also, she wanted some time away from her family, friends and all the reality of life. Anna quickly walked out into this enormous terrace and balcony-like area with multiple plants and flowers decorated everywhere in its surroundings. Anna was trying to make peace with this calm environment, knowing this was supposed to help the visitors as well, hoping this could help her. Even the patients.

But it is not quit helping her. She walked blankly forward while Anna was trying to make her way up to the edge of the balcony. Placing her hand on the grill, she stared out at the open, trying to see what this place was, trying to divert her mind. Because just a few years ago her life was different, she was happier, brave, confident, loved and now it was something else entirely. She was angry in her life for the first time ever. Angry at her sister, something that had never happened before, but today was different today. She was done.

Anna felt a cool breeze hit her face, forcing her to slowly shut her eyes. At this small moment she was enjoying this time away, whatever was left of it. However, at that moment and in her own peace, Anna heard a sound of the door cracking open right behind her. At that second it was evident that someone was there with her and no longer was she alone. And knowing that no one accepted for them were on this floor, she expected that it was her mother or her friends, a few people she did not want to meet at this moment.

"Just give me some time to be with myself guys, I don't want to go to sleep right now." She said, but this time Anna did not hear the clicking of their heels, rather she heard some shoes coming towards her. She thought that maybe it was her grandfather.

"I think sleep will do you much better.." The voice said to her, and a shiver ran down her body as her eyes went stunned. It clearly was not her grandfather, she was well aware of that. Anna's eyes went wide open as she turned around to see it was him, Arthur. His large body was making his way towards her, and it was so strange to Anna to see him here out of the ordinary. But seeing him in that suit, she couldn't help but think that he came directly from his office. Clearly, this was shocking to her. Never the less, she turned back around because she had no other option but to hear him out this time.

However, Arthur, on the other hand, slowly smiled to himself. Knowing she was angry. Thinking it was funny. He just thought both of them had a different way of expressing anger. Never the less, Arthur walked up closer towards her, standing right at the edge, and both of them were glancing at the view of the night of the City that was still glowing. Even though most of the people were asleep by now after the day that went by. But not them both.

"I am guessing you have an answer for me." Arthur said to her and this confused Anna. Lines forming on her forehead.

"You came all the way here, and to a hospital to find an answer from me?" She asked.

"There is no other way to this, you and I both cannot get out of this." He said, not once looking at her.

"You just don't want us to get out of this." Anna said to him, upset and pissed off.

"Do I have to keep reminding you of the contract?" He asked her and this time she stayed quiet. Both of them stayed quiet, because right now he turned to her, looking at her face. He had no sympathy to anyone in this world, but when it came to family, he did and seeing her face, he couldn't help but think that she was going through something.

The man stayed quiet, just for that one second, glancing at her.

"I am sorry about your grandmother, this must be difficult seeing someone you love this way." He said, looking away from Anna, some how she refused to believe that he knew anything about this, almost losing people.

How ever, Anna stayed quiet.

"This entire time my grandmother said to me that I should marry you. I don't know if that's going to change anything for her. I don't think it is going to do anything. I get married then." She said, as he nodded his head.

"Your sister cost a lot to this family and mine, and her actions have consequences, Anna.We are facing them together." Arthur said.

"And Ruth might be facing her own." She said, making him nod his head. Anna was thinking that might be true. How ever, at this moment Anna was clinging on to the rod of the grill, feeling all sorts of emotions touching in her body, feeling overwhelmed as well.

This was nothing to her by now, but this was more than feeling upset, this was just crazy over thinking and a crazy flow of emotions. She couldn't help feel sick.

"In this life Anna, people with emotions don't survive, and sometimes it's okay to let go of all that and be a little rough." He said.

"Are you trying to help me out here?" She asked, for the first time she was speaking out to people this way. This was new but Anna had enough.

"What I am doing for your family is helping you out. None of you predicted this could happen and it did and I cannot blame the entire family but your sister. I am not going to punish the entire family either." He said.

"So why are you here?"She asked, looking at him this time and confused.

"I want to ask you one last time Anna, because after this I promise you I will never come back to your life. Financially or even as someone who knows your family or your father. I will have nothing to do with this company and you. How ever.........." He said completely turning to her, facing her.

"I want to know," He said, when Anna's mouth slightly opened. She knew this was it and her answer was going to change everything for her and for her family and many other families under her.

"Are you Anna, going to marry me?" He asked her, not really a proposal in anyway,but a question of a contract. Something she never expected to hear in this lifetime. Never the less, she stood there, staring at the man she would have to spend her lifetime with. Never the less, Anna slowly nodded her head, because even though the truth hurts, this was in fact that. Because this was all even bigger than him and her.

"I will...." Anna whispered very softly.

The moment the answer came out, it was given, that was it for both of them. It was enough for Arthur as well. Even though Anna expected him to have a smirk on his face, any kind of emotion, but his expressionless face stayed that way. With no expression as always, his large body havoring over her as he looked down at Anna, meeting her eyes. Nodding his head.

"Good night then, Anna." That was all he had to say to her, as Arthur then walked right past her like nothing had ever happened. Anna stood right there, feeling the cold breeze hitting her from every corner. She was softly blinking her eyes, a little confused to this situation around her.

"Our wedding will take place in 2 days. I will take care of everything." Arthur said to her. Opening up the balcony door and walking out. Arthur had just left her there, completely stunned and Anna had no words to say. She was just blankly staring at that massive man walking away, and the nurses and doctors were looking at him up and down like he was a piece of candy. Smiling at him while he was not even paying attention to them. Anna was still standing there, and watching him walk away through the glass background, getting into the elevator and Arthur was out.

Seriously, Anna thought that there would be some time for her to get married, maybe about a month or something. But two days seems so close. Nevertheless, she knew there was no other way to this. And immediately Anna sat down on a small bench that was right next to her, her body just fell that way. Feeling as if she had no control over emotions anymore or her life. This was happening one way or another, and there was no stopping it.