The Billionaire's Unwanted Bride

Anna's POV

The horn of his car is louder now. This is the second time he is honking, I know he doesn't want to come in.

I am done with my make-up and dressing up for more than ten minutes now. But I have been staring at the mirror, doing nothing other than admiring myself and thinking about what the future holds for me. When Aidan honks his car again from outside, I know it is time to go before I get on his bad side on a special day like this. I stand up from the small stool facing my mirror and watch myself in the mirror for a while.

My new hairstyle is Teased Chignon with tendrils and my red high-end flowing evening party dress is glowing. I am wearing black stiletto heels and black stone earrings. Mother had specifically picked this particular dress out of the five dresses I got for the party.

I did my make-up myself and I am proud of the result.

I take a deep breath and pick up my black shiny purse from the table before moving out of my bedroom. I am taking a step at a time, walking slowly like a model. When I get to the living room, my eyes are on the wall clock and I realize it is half past 6 already.

No wonder Aidan had been honking the car persistently, I thought to myself.

I get to the front door and pull it open. I almost bump into a furious-looking Aidan when I step out. He is on the front porch about to enter the house.

"What took you so long?" He queries me.

"Sorry", I mutter.

His gaze falls on my dress and he looks at me from head to toe. I am hoping he will comment on my look as I admire his dress too. He is dressed in a blue Armani suit and suede shiny black shoes.

His beards are well shaved and he looks more handsome today. His eyes are clear tonight like the ocean that has no worries and his face holds no emotions as usual.

Even though I like him in this dress, I still prefer seeing him in casual wears, just like I saw him the second time he came to our house. He was looking damn hot.

I slap myself mentally when he calls my name.

"Let's go, we are late already", he turns back to go to the car. I quickly lock the door and follow him behind quietly.

I am thinking Aidan will act like a gentleman for once in his life by opening the car for me but he didn't. I can see this is not the car I always see him with, this is bigger but I don't know the name. I see a middle aged man on the wheels. I never knew Aidan has a driver.

The man gets down and open the back door for me after bowing in greeting. Aidan opens the side and hops in beside me.

He looks away as if we are not together and his action is upsetting but I don't want to be angry on a special day like this. Today will be a day to make things official between us and in a week, I will become his bride.

The billionaire's bride.

The car purrs to life instantly and the driver drives away from the house. There is silence as he drives with his concentration on the road. I am wondering what is on Aidan's mind and I wish he can share them with me.

But I know better than to strike up a conversation with him. I know doing that will lead to nothing but another quarrel just like it happened the other day he took me to his parents.

Since I am going to be his wife, I wanted to know about his family but the arrogant groom of mine ignored me like I didn't exist. When I kept asking him, he shouted at me. I got angry and insulted him before asking him to stop the car and drop me off. Where he dropped me wasn't too far from home so I walked the rest of the journey home.

I don't want the same thing to happen today. Today is a good day and I am going to make the best out of it, I won't let anyone ruin it for me, including my stupid baby father, Aidan.

"Why the stare?" He pulls me out of my reverie. I didn't even know I was staring.

Is it a stare or a glare? I ask myself.

"Nothing", I respond to his question and look away.

"You need to be calm and...."

"I'm calm", I cut him short.

"Don't be nervous, just be yourself and ignore whatever criticism is thrown at you", he says. His last statement caught my attention.

What criticism? My heart raced.

"And please, I want you to play along as you have always been doing, ok?" I nod.

"There are some people I want you to stay away from. You have no business whatsoever with them and one of them is my father", he looks away from me again.

"Your father?" I can't believe his father is the first person he wants me to avoid.

Why are they not on good terms? My curiosity is back but I know I can not ask Aidan.

This is me wishing I have a father, this is me walking with heads up into a loveless marriage because I don't want my child not to have a father like me but this is Aidan, the father of my baby right in front of me, wishing he has no father.

What sort of irony is this?

Even though my mother isn't answering my questions about my father, I still want to meet him but Aidan doesn't appreciate the father that he has when other people are out there praying for a father like his, no matter how bad he is.

"Yes, my father."

"Why?" I can't help but ask.

"None of your business", he says.

I sigh, telling myself that I won't be angry.

"After father, then Julian and Tessa.

Please stay away from anyone bearing the name Damien also, he is dangerous. If any of them ask you a question that has to do with us or how we met, do not answer." He tells me firmly.

I want to chuckle. I shouldn't answer. I should look at them like I didn't hear the question? Does Aidan even know what he is saying? Why can't he tell me what is happening and what to expect from the damn party?

Be calm, Anna, my subconscious warns.

"I shouldn't say anything?" I question him.

"Yes", he nods.

"Can't I just tell them I would love to keep it anonymous or something?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Just do as I say", he barks at me.

"Don't you dare shout at me? How do you expect me not to say anything when a question is directed to me? There are a million and one ways to avoid answering a question, keeping quiet is definitely not the best solution."

I can't believe I let Aidan get to me. I can't believe I shouted back at him. He made me angry, despite my resolution not to be angry today. Aidan is damn stupid.

He keeps quiet without saying anything. When I see his fist tighten on his lap, I feel sorry for shouting back at me. I feel Aidan is going through something he doesn't want to share with anyone, including me and I am supposed to respect that, right?

"I'm sorry for the way I shouted", I apologize sincerely. "I did not mean to."

He nods in reply and after a short silence, he continues. "Do not be intimidated by anyone, especially Tessa."

"Tessa? Tessa Rodrigue?"

"Yes", he looks surprised that I know her.

How won't I know my husband's concubine?

"Ok?" I urge him to go on. I want to know about Tessa.

"My father wants me to marry her and she believes she is going to be my bride. They will all know she is not my bride to be today when they see you and me together. So be ready to face......"

"Tessa?"

"And my father."

"Alright."

"Please remember all my instructions. Stay away from all of them, even after the party. My father, Julian, is Tessa's father, then Tessa and Damien." He repeats.

"Who is Damien?" He is quiet for a while before answering.

"My enemy."

I nod in understanding. A billionaire like him ought to have an enemy and enemies want nothing good for their opponents. I will try to be careful and stay away from the people he just told me about.

"One more thing, be yourself, be confident and jovial. Talk to people I talk to but avoid those that I don't like. Don't be clumsy, be careful with your words and the way you carry yourself. Your actions today will determine whether we will be married next week or not. Have I made myself clear?"

I roll my eyes. He is making it look like I am the one forcing the marriage. Silly man!

"Anna?" He calls me.

"Yes, I get it. Is mother coming?"

"Mother?" He furrows his brows.

"Your mother, I haven't seen her in a while", I smile. "I miss her."

He watches me for a while before looking away. "No."

I want to ask him why but I keep mute.

Because she is crippled doesn't mean she can't attend events, right? I ask myself when I remember I saw a wheelchair at the far end of her room when we went visiting.

I just feel she ought to be here to watch her son's success. She ought to be here to see her son making her proud. She is not supposed to miss a lovely day like this. The day her son will be awarded and officially given the title of the best businessman and youngest billionaire of the year in New York.

How will she feel without being here? Will she watch it on TV? Will she be happy not to be here?

I have a feeling that all is not well in their family but I want that lovely woman I saw on the bed three weeks ago to be happy. I love her smile even though it is full of pain. I want her to be happy all the days of her life and I promise to make that happen whether Aidan wants the same thing or not.

"Your mother is a rare gem", I say out aloud. The car stops abruptly, making me conscious of my statement. Aidan and I stare at each other for a while before the driver says.

"We are here, sir."☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐