Chapter 3; Not convinced.

~^~

Anna’s throat corded as she glared at her father with jaws unhinged. “Are you fucking kidding me?” She rasped.

“Anna!” Her father scolded with disapproval.

“No!” She snapped. “Do you even hear yourself, dad?!”

“The company will burn if you don’t-”

“Then let it!” She bit out bitterly. “I refuse to be a pawn so you could keep your silly little business.”

Anna began to stand, both men standing with her. “Anna, I would not be doing this if it wasn’t for everyone’s best interest.” Her father barked.

Anna gawked. “You mean your best interest?” She rose a brow and without awaiting her father’s reply, she fled the poolside.

John went after her, grabbing her arm when she entered the living room.

“Anna!”

Anna twirled to face him, her anger evident. “What?!”

“Please, just hear me out,” John pleaded.

“I’ve already heard what I needed to Dad, and I can’t believe you’d even consider marrying me to a mere stranger - Tony for that matter,” She went closer to him, “You know what he did to me, you know how I felt when he left me all those years. He made me the mess I am today and yet, you want me to marry him so you can strengthen your failing company. What am I to you? A pretty little puppet who will dance to the pull of your string?” By now her eyes were glittering, but she was too brave for tears.

John’s heart broke at his daughter’s words and immediately, he felt guilty. “It was inconsiderate of me to ignore the hurt he put you through, and I’m sorry, sweetheart. But Tony is a changed man now, and he’s willing to win you back over-“

Anna’s scoff cut him short. “Win me over?” She shook her head, “I’m leaving.”

“Anna!” John called again.

“No!” She blurted, “My answer is no, Dad, so do not ask me again.” She pointed out firmly.

A few minutes of silence engraved them as they both stared at each other with tightened chests.

“Then I’m afraid you’ll have to give up your penthouse suite and your bank cards,” Her father concluded.

A muscle twitched in Anna’s jaw, the rift in her heart expanding further. “Fine,” She said through tightly clenched teeth, watching the evident shock on her father’s face.

He was not expecting her to concede. “Anna,” He called thereafter, but she was out of the door.

By the time Anna got to her car, it had already felt like a bottle of hot sauce was poured into her eyes and heart. They both ached excruciatingly, but Anna fought against every tear that threatened to fall.

She couldn’t believe her father’s request, and she couldn’t believe Tony had sat there smug and silent while her father put her to trial. She understood how important the company was to him, but it made her question her importance. Not wanting to further indulge in the pain of the day at her father’s house, Anna drove home, grabbing a quick bite on the way.

There, she mustered everything within her strength not to cry, and she didn’t. She angrily grabbed her suitcase and began to throw clothes inside.

Her phone rang and glancing at the screen, she realized it was Fredrick - a fuck buddy who always hit her up when he was in town. Though he was a good enough lay, this was bad timing.

“Hey, Fred honey, what’s up?” She tried to sound casual.

“Hey sweetheart, I’m back in town, and I wondered if we could meet. I have a lot to do and say to you,” Hid smooth, seductive voice came.

Anna couldn’t help but smile. “Hmm, tempting. How long are you here for?”

“I’ll tell you when I see you. Why don't I pick you up this evening at six?”

Anna pondered, biting her lips in thought. “I um, I have some things dealing with right now, but I’ll call, OK?”

“Are you okay?”

Anna scratched her head. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Talk to you later, okay?”

“Okay, beautiful.”

Anna disconnected the call and flopped down on the bed in a huff. Frederick’s call couldn’t have come at the worst time. She hardly got to see him and now, given the chance, she had all this crap to deal with.

Fredrick came along once in a while. He lived in Spain but often had business dealings in California. Their love affair started a year ago when Fredrick stayed at the very hotel she was in. They met at the bar and with a few word exchanges, they were in bed. Two strangers, though he had made love to her like she was his wife. The relationship between them flourished, and she had agreed to see him every time he visited. Occasionally, he didn’t come until months apart, but sex was all there was to it until this date.

The room phone buzzed, and Anna realized it was the concierge who informed her of her mother’s visit.

Anna sighed, knowing exactly why her mother was here.

Anna stood at the elevator door with her arms crossed, waiting for her mother to make an appearance. She thought about her reason to visit but knew she was probably there to beg on her father's behalf. Gianna Stark was always that type of woman who defended her husband even when he was wrong and Anna could already see that this was another of those times.

The elevator doors opened up to the blonde hair middle-aged woman, who regardless of the subtle wrinkles on her face was beautiful. She wore a knee-length designer dress in burgundy, her favorite color complemented by stilettos.

“Mom, you look lovely,” she greeted softly, watching her mother's lovely smile as she approached her.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” she kissed her on both cheeks before she sighed.

“What brings you here on this lovely Sunday?” Anna offered flatly.

"I came to talk to you of course.'

Anna knew that much. “I’m figuring you already know about Dad's plan to marry me off,” she scoffed as she moved to pour herself Some vodka.

“Yes, I have known for quite a while now. A month ago, Tony informed us that he'd be back—he already knew of our failing company, everyone knew. So he came up with a proposition which you now know of. At first, your father was furious Anna, but he had no choice.”

Anna emptied the contents in the cup and winced, deciding that the raw vodka simply could not cut it. “He had a choice mom, he just decided not to choose my freedom,” she hissed bitterly.

“Freedom?” Gianna scoffed. “You have gotten that all your life. We never protested when we watched you go off to countless parties, fraternize with multiple men, and drink yourself unconscious. You were always free to do what you wanted, and your father provided you with the resources you needed so don't you dare talk about freedom when it's all you've known.”

Anna watched as her mother spoke words she was guilty of, her voice low even though her words demanded a high pitch. "I’m not marrying Tony Grey and that's final,” she said, pouring cranberry into a glass before she traced it with vodka.

"Anna-"

"I don't wanna hear it mom. I don't want to hear anything you have to say. Matter of fact, go..just leave," she spat in disgust.

There was silence for some passing seconds until Gianna spoke, refusing to leave until she convinced her daughter of the marriage to Tony.. She understood the hurt, she understood her rebellious attitude towards the whole situation but she could see where the marriage would be beneficial to everyone - including Anna

.

"Look sweetheart, you don't have to consummate the marriage. Tell him it will be on paper only," Gianna said a bit brightly.

Anna scoffed, resisting the urge to burst out laughing. "Don't you get it mom, that's why he wants to marry me - to fuck. He always liked that."

"Anna!"