The Billionaire's Unwanted Bride

Aidan's POV

I was buried in my work till 7 pm when I remembered I had the intention of paying Anna and her mother a visit today.

I quickly round things off and pack the files I will be using at home in my briefcase. I stroll out before locking the door. I had dismissed Chloe since 6 pm.

I take the elevator out to the parking lot and hop in before driving off. Different thoughts are running through my mind as I drive to the neighborhood. I am hoping to meet her mother at home since it's past 7 pm already, I am sure she must be back from wherever she is always going to.

What should I say to her? How can I succeed in convincing Anna? Should I plead with her to agree to my terms? Should I try sweet-talking just like Richard has advised?

I shake my head at the thought of begging her.

I can't do that, I mutter.

"What do I do then?" I ask no one in particular.

A few minutes later, I drive into the neighborhood and park aside before going out of the car, hoping the dog that kept barking at me the other day won't do the same today. I take long strides towards the house and knock on the door softly.

I hear a voice from within and before I know it, the door is thrown open by Evelyn. Her face lit up in excitement.

"Hey, Aidan", she waves her hand at me with a smile.

I remembered the last thing my mother said to me before I left home without seeing my father. She is requesting me to come with my bride the next time I visit. I am still contemplating what to do. Now that Evelyn is home, should I just tell her to help me do the persuasion? I shake my head at the thought. Evelyn will laugh at my silliness.

Should I just plead with Anna in private without Evelyn around? I shake my head inwardly again, I think Anna is just like her mother.

"Aidan?" Evelyn waves her hand in front of me to pull me out of my reverie. I blink twice and watch her.

"Who is that, mom?" I hear Anna's voice. She comes into view. She is wearing a cardigan and her hair is packed in a messy bun making the pleats of hair fall off her face. Her mouth is slightly open and I suddenly remember how I kissed those lips that night.

"I think Aidan is here to see you, Anna", Evelyn turns to Anna.

Anna sees me and folds my arms, with a face devoid of emotions. I don't know what she is thinking.

"Why are you here?" She comes forward when Evelyn moves out of the way.

I scratch my head when I realize I don't even know the first thing to say. "Can I come in?"

She stays in the door and leans on the frame. "No!"

"It's pretty cold out here", I shiver impulsively.

She looks at me from head to toe. "A billionaire like you shouldn't be seen in a shabby house like ours."

I know she is trying to use my words against me. I have no idea why I even said that. I guess it is because I found the house really uncomfortable.

I sigh heavily and rub my hand over my head. I want to let go of my ego right now but I am finding it hard to let go. I dip my hands into the pockets of my trousers and stare at her. "I'm sorry....." "Sorry?" She interrupts me.

"Yeah?", It sounds like a question. I am asking myself if I am genuinely sorry for what I said about the state of the house. I doubt if there is anyone in the world who doesn't like comfort and luxurious things, I guess Evelyn is staying here with her daughter because they can't afford luxurious homes and not because they don't like it. I feel sorry for them and I am here to change that.

"I didn't mean to sound insulting...."

"Why does it look like you are doing this because you want something?"

"Stop with the interrogation already, Anna, and let him in", Evelyn appears again. I am thinking she has left the living room.

I am not happy that she is still around to hear me say sorry to her daughter but I am glad she is cautioning Anna. This is hard on me but they have no choice.

"Come in, Aidan", Evelyn pushes Anna out of the way and invites me in with a smile.

I enter and adjust my tie. "Thank you."

"Please, sit." She offers me a seat.

I look at the sofa for a while as Anna stands watching me before I sit. "I guess I will let you two be."

I nod. She turns to her daughter who is still standing. "Don't forget what I told you, Anna. Don't be too harsh on him. He is cold but a good guy", she whispers. I almost smile.

Anna nods sadly and Evelyn leaves. I can see how hard Anna is taking everything. It is obvious she doesn't want this and I am hoping my persuasion will work tonight. I want to make my mother happy and I can't wait to see the reaction on her face when I visit with Anna.

I don't want this either. I am still young and I have a long way to go. I have a lot to do before thinking of settling down with a good woman and not someone like Paige, even though when Paige left, I pushed away the thoughts of getting married someday.

I want to get married to Anna at the age of 27 because I want to fulfill my mother's wish.

Besides, Anna is better than Tessa in all aspect. I also want to prove to my father that I don't need him to make any decisions in my life. I am an adult and I should choose who I want to be married to. "I'm sorry once again, Anna", I utter, without looking at her.

"One thing I keep asking myself is why you accepted my mother's offer. How can we even be married? We don't need to be married because I am carrying your child." She sits.

"I am doing this because of my mother. She is sick and this is her wish. That was why I gave your mother a condition. You can leave after 6 years. I know mother won't be bothered about it when that time comes and the baby will be 5 years old already", I explain. I can't believe we are now speaking casually to each other now.

Well, it is inevitable, we are about to become man and wife, I thought to myself.

I remember another condition and clear my throat. "Another thing is we don't need to be married like every normal person that are married. We will just sign the papers and live under the same roof, but not act like man and wife." I clear my throat again because of the cold glare she is giving me.

"Since we both don't want this, I am doing this to ease it....."

"Why are you here?" She cuts me short. She is turning the tables and making me look like the one in desperate need of something. Well, I am.

Evelyn is no longer the desperate one. I am also desperate and I feel so stupid to be having the thoughts.

"I just want us to reach an agreement."

"What agreement again? You have concluded everything with my mother without consulting me." I can see how angry she is.

"That is not my fault."

"Then whose fault is It?"

I sigh. "I am sorry. I am here to hear your consent. Will you go with me to see mother tomorrow?"

She eyes me and stands up. "You should get going. I haven't concluded yet."

I can't believe my heart is racing in fear of rejection and anticipation. I am damn curious to hear what she wants to say but her statement is saddening. I want to get everything done with today, why is she trying to make this hard on me?

I still have the intention of dealing with Anna because of how bad her mother reacted to me. She even threatened me and right now, Anna's reaction is making me feel like starting my punishment already.

"I wanted to start a new life", she folds her arms around her bosom. "I didn't want you in the new story I want to write for myself but I can't believe it is the beginning already. God knows I don't want any of this." She turns to face me.

"I understand you and I feel the same way but I guess this is our fate. Since we are getting married on paper only, you can go on dates after the baby is born."

"Really?" She twirls round to face me squarely. I can see her face lit up in excitement.

Is she in love with someone else and she can't wait to push my baby out so she can go date him? Is her boyfriend back and asking her to accept him again? I feel it is for the best since I have no intention of remaining committed to her. She can date whoever she wants after my baby is here and I can do the same. That is where my punishment will start.

"Yes, you can and you can get married to someone else after 6 years," I add.

"That's great, then", she didn't smile but she sounds relieved.

I stand up. "So what do you say?" I ask her again. I want to go home and sleep. I am damn tired.

"I guess it's fine then", she nods.

"To the marriage, going to the hospital, and going to see my mother?" I peer at me.

"Yeah", there is still sadness laced in her voice. I almost jump up for joy when the words finally came out of her.

"See you tomorrow then. Goodnight", I smirk and walk to the door.

"I hope I don't regret this", she mutters more to herself as I get to the door. I heard her and I get out without looking back.

That is what I want, I want you to regret letting your mother cross paths with me. I am going to satisfy Evelyn by changing their financial status. I am going to take my revenge on her now that her daughter is going to be my wife.

I am not the type to forgive people so easily.

Evelyn is one of the people I can't forgive so easily and her daughter will suffer for it.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐