Claiming Caden Hart

Chapter Four

“It's the audacity of this woman,” Veronica said with a scoff, rolling her eyes. “Where’s your mother anyway? Mrs. Hart?”

Caden's mother was in the bathroom of her bedroom and she couldn't hear anything that was happening.

“You must be Caden's friend?” Anna asked.

Veronica scoffed again. “Bitvh, I’m his date. What exactly is your business here, aside from being a lunatic?”

Anna didn't bite the insult. Instead, she looked at Caden and then Veronica. “As I've said, my business here is that I’ve decided to marry Caden.”

The room went silent.

She was dead serious. Caden was still processing his thoughts. “Did you just say marry me?”

Veronica looked between the two of them before she burst out laughing. ‘“You can’t be serious. You want to marry Caden? The nurse?” She asked, finding it completely funny.

Anna narrowed her eyes at her. “Yes, Caden. I believe he is more than capable of being the man I need by my side.”

Veronica gaped at her. “You’re joking. He’s beneath the both of us. Why would you want to marry someone like him?”

“You might see him as beneath you but all I see is a man of character. He had integrity too and these qualities are far more valuable than wealth.” Anna defended Caden.

Veronica opened her mouth but Anna was done with her. She faced Caden. “Caden, I’m not here to play games. I know we’ve only just met but after our conversation earlier, I realized something important.”

“What?”

Anna took a step closer. “I realized that I need someone by my side who isn’t after my money or my status. I need someone genuine, someone like you.”

Veronica laughed. “Oh my goodness, I'm so glad I came today. This is so funny. Why would I pay for comedy when I can have one right here?”

Anna faced her. The temperature in the room seemed to drop. “Do you know what's really funny. It's the fact that you think so little of him. But that’s exactly why you’ll never understand what I see.”

Veronica became angry. “So what? You think you’re better than me because you’re throwing around money and gifts? You’re just trying to buy him!”

Anna smiled. “Money means nothing if the person you're giving it to doesn’t value you. Caden is different. I'm sure that he isn't moved by the gifts I'm bringing but, he appreciates the gesture. Unlike you…’ she trailed off, “You came visiting but you brought nothing. Nothing even a bottle of wine.”

Veronica folded her hands into fists and scoffed. “You don’t know anything about him. You’re just some spoiled little rich girl trying to play a game.”

“You’re right. I don’t know him well. But at least, I want to find out.” Anna replied.

Both women stared each other down. Caden felt like had been caught in a storm. How had he gone from being unwanted by women to being fought over? It was all so confusing.

Before he could say anything though, Anna's assistant stepped forward with the gifts. Anna said, “These are for you. It's a token of my intentions.”

Caden stared at the gifts. Veronica was angry. She didn't necessarily want Caden but now that this woman was doing her best to win him over, she wanted Caden.

“You think this changes anything? Just like you said, Caden is different. He's not going to fall for your tricks.” Veronica said confidently.

“I’m not here to force anything, Caden. The choice is yours. But I’m serious about my proposal.” Anna said.

Just as she finished, they heard someone coming down from the stairs. The three women and Caden looked in the direction to see Caden's mother walking down.

She smiled as she saw Veronica. “There you are, Veronica. Thank you for coming. Dinner has been ready for a while. I hope you and Caden have been having a good time.” She said.

Her eyes moved to the other women— Anna and her assistant. Mrs. Hart was confused.

“Oh, hi there. Have we met before?” Mrs. Hart said politely.

Anna took a step forward and held out her hand. Mrs. Hart shook it. “Good evening, Mrs. Hart. My name is Anna. That's my assistant, Kira.”

“It's nice to have you here. Did my son invite you? He didn't tell me anything about having extra guests.” Mrs. Hart said.

“I'm not a guest, ma'am. I’m here because I’ve decided to marry your son.” Anna said dropping the bombshell.

Mrs. Hart blinked, her eyes widening in shock. She looked at Caden and then Veronica. She looked at Anna again.

“It's either I'm confused or I didn't hear you clearly. Did you say marry my son?” Mrs. Hart asked to be sure.

Veronica crossed her arms. “That’s exactly what she said, Mrs. Hart. Can you believe the audacity?”

Caden’s mother turned to Caden for some explanation. She needed him to explain why this stranger was talking about marriage.

“Caden dear, what’s going on here?” She asked.

Everyone stared at him. Caden swallowed. He wasn’t sure how to explain this either. “Mom, It’s complicated. I didn’t invite her here. Anna just showed up and said she wanted to marry me.”

Caden remembered the part of her phone call that he had over heard. Was this because of that? Anna wanted to marry him because of her family's pressure?

“Mrs. Hart,” Anna began confidently. “I understand this is so sudden but I'm very serious about this. Caden and I met earlier today and it made me realize that he is exactly the kind of man I need by my side. He has the qualities of a great partner and I’m here to ask for his hand in marriage.”

Mrs. Hart’s eyes widened again, and she glanced at her son. “Are you serious? You just met him today and you’re already talking about marriage?”

“Yes, I’ve given it a lot of thought and I believe that Caden and I are compatible. I come from a family where business is everything,and it’s rare to find someone who isn’t blinded by money or status.” Anna explained.

“You must be kidding me. This has to be a prank, where are the cameras?” Veronica snapped. “So you only just met him today. This is insane!”

Anna looked at Veronica. “Time does not matter. Just because I don't know him, it doesn’t change the fact that you don’t respect him. You see him as someone not worthy of your time or effort. I see something different.”

Mrs. Hart was surprised that her friend's daughter thought about her son like that. She had wanted the two of them to work things out. “Veronica, is that true?”

‘“Mrs Hart, I can explain.”

Mrs. Hart didn't give her a chance. She faced Anna. “I appreciate your confidence, but marriage is not something you can rush into. Caden is my only son and I want the best for him. What do you even know about him? What do you know about our family?”

“I don't know him but I want to. I want us to build a future together. I want to understand him.”

“This is ridiculous. Mrs. Hart. She’s clearly just trying to use her money and buy your son.” Veronica said bitterly.

But Mrs. Hart, while still confused. She wasn’t sure if she believed Anna’s intentions but she could see that this wasn’t a joke.

“I’m not buying anyone. From what I know, Caden can't be bought by any amount of money. I come from a wealthy family, yes. But, I can't be with someone who only focuses on status or wealth. Caden is not like that.”

Caden had had enough. He needed to put an end to this drama. As much as he was attracted to Anna, the thought of getting married immediately was absurd. He hadn't even gone through one date.

"Anna,” Caden began but he was interrupted by the doorbell. He looked at his mother. “Are you expecting someone?”

She shook her head. “No.”

Caden sighed and answered the door. He opened it, wondering who it was.

There was a strange elderly man at the door. He was dressed in rich clothing. Although he held a walking stick, he had the aura and stance of someone who was respected. There was something familiar about him.

“Good evening, young man. Are you Caden from the cafe shop earlier today?” The man asked.

Caden was confused. In just a single day, that cafe shop had brought him troubles. “Who are you?”

Before the man could speak, Caden heard Anna's voice, “Grandfather?”