Chapter 48
Anna's POV
Mom is ransacking my closet for a decent dress to wear before Aidan comes to pick me up to his mother's home. I am laying quietly on the bed watching her. She is excited and I am happy that she is happy about the turn of events.
The only joy I am deriving from this is that my child will be born within the confines of her father and mother's marital home and I don't need to go long distances to search for her father whenever she requests to see him.
I know my mother wants this too. She doesn't want my daughter or son to be like me. I am fatherless but I am not too bothered, probably because I had always thought my father was long dead. I know she is also excited about this because of how our lives will change for the better.
We deserve it, don't we?
I have always dreamed of growing up, going to school for mom, and landing myself a good job with good pay so I can put an end to mom's suffering. She is suffering for me but she doesn't show it. I guess doing this for her is what makes me a good daughter, right?
"Are you going to wear this?" Mom pulls a maroon dress out.
I shake my head. "I wore this dress to the party on Friday. No, mom."
"Oh!" Reality dawns on her and she puts it back in the closet before searching for another suitable dress.
She brings out a dress I love so much and I grin. It is a one-piece blouson dress with a pencil skirt. She brings out perfect heels and hoops to complete the look.
"I can see you like this already", she flashes me a smile.
"Yeah, I guess I will have to make do with what I have anyway."
"Yeah. Don't worry, very soon you will have a large walk-in closet with numerous dresses. I wonder why Aidan didn't even bring up the idea of taking you shopping for a perfect dress." "It's not a date or a party. I am just going to meet his mother." I remind her.
It is Sunday and Aidan says we will go to the hospital. I wanted to go against the idea but I decide to just let it be so he wouldn't think I am hiding something. He has the right to know if the baby is his or not.
I take the dress from her and begin to wear it. I let go of my towel and wear a blouse. Mom stands watching me. As soon as I am done dressing up, she leads me to the dressing table so she can apply a little makeup on my face. We did it in silence before I wear my heels.
We hear a knock on the door at that moment and I know it is Aidan.
"Let me go check if he is the one", mom says and walks out of my room after I nodded for her to do that.
I sit on the bed with my hands on my lap and look into space.
I can do this, I say to myself.
I am sure Cameron will be so surprised when he gets to know that I am now in a relationship with someone else and that I have gotten over him so easily. When he gets to know that I am pregnant, I know he can't claim the baby as his because the last time we had sex was six months ago.
I can't wait to see the look on his face when he hears the news of my pregnancy and my marriage. I am no longer scared that he will think less of me.
I suddenly remembered what Pamela said to me earlier yesterday morning. She said I should be good to Aidan and make him fall in love with me. Even though I have no absolute idea how to do that and if I can love a man like him, I am really bothered about the separation.
Why bring up the issue of marriage when we are bound to get separated in a few years? It sounds dumb to me and his reason seems silly.
Marriage is supposed to be a lifetime affair. I had mixed feelings when mom told me the marriage isn't forever. I didn't know if I was happy or sad but now I know how I feel. I am greatly troubled by the thought. Pamela says I can make this last forever, right? I ask myself and nod.
Then I should give it a try, only if Aidan can answer another question which I intend to ask him today.
His answer to this question will determine whether I am going to make the best out of this or not.
****
Aidan's POV
After waiting for a few minutes, Anna comes out. I saw Evelyn at first after knocking twice and she asked me to wait for a second so she could get her daughter.
I admire Anna's dress. It fitted perfectly well and I can see signs of her protruding belly already. It isn't too glaring to the eyes unless you look carefully or you are a good observer.
I am making a mental note to take her shopping next week. Evelyn made a statement a few minutes ago about spending hours looking for a perfect dress to wear.
Her hair is packed in a ponytail and I find myself liking it better than letting her hair down just like she did the first time we met at the club. She looks good today.
I move over to the door to open it for her like a perfect gentleman. I can't believe I am actually doing this but my subconscious is telling me this is what I need to do to get what I want.
We say no words to each other as she spares me a glance before entering the car. I can't seem to figure out what she is thinking and how she is feeling. But I am hoping the news I have for her will make her a little happy.
I go over to the driver's seat and hop in before igniting the car into action. I drive away from the house and the neighborhood before I turn to gaze at her.
Her right hand is on the car window, supporting her head. She looks like someone who is brooding.
I look ahead and mutter, after gulping twice. "You look good."
"Thank you", she answers softly without looking at me.
"I have good news", I inform her. Her gaze shifts and falls on me. She is not asking me what the good news is all about but I know she is curious to know what it is.
"I am making plans to have you begin studying online instead of going to school every day. I don't want you to stress the baby too much and I don't like the idea of going to school with a protruding belly." I say. She looks away and nods in silence. I wonder why she isn't saying anything.
"What do you think?" I ask, trying to control my anger.
She has no idea the trouble I went through just to make that happen. I began the process when I got home yesterday, instead of going to bed. I was making calls to confirm and everything was settled just this morning.
"It's ok", she only says.
"You don't like the idea?"
"The idea is great, Aidan."
"But you don't sound like you like it," I remark.
She did not say anything so I look towards the road, telling myself not to ask her anything again. I am mad at her for ignoring me.
Who does she think she is? I wouldn't be doing this if it isn't for my mom. Bullshit!
I want to rant but I am trying to keep my cool.
"Aidan?" She calls me. I hold the wheels more firmly.
Why is she calling me? When did she start calling my name?
"What?" I bark without looking at her.
"Something keeps bothering me and I feel that will determine what becomes of us."
I stare at her in confusion. "What becomes of us?"
She nods. I never said I want anything to become of us. I just want her to give birth to my child and go away after a few years. What is she saying?
She didn't give me enough time to comprehend what she meant before she asks again. "Why do you want this marriage if we can't be together forever?"
I almost laugh out loud at the question.
"Forever?"
"Yeah. Marriage is supposed to be something we...."
"Ours is a different type of marriage. Stop making it look like this is real when we haven't done it yet", I cut her short.
I hear her sigh. "I know but what I am saying is this, I am doing this because I don't want my baby to be fatherless but after a few years when we are separated, won't this affect our child? I don't want my baby to be like me or like my friend, Pamela. I have no father and Pamela has no mother. Pamela is more sensitive than me, even though I had always thought my father was dead. Pamela's mother is alive but separated from her dad, her parents don't know how much trauma their separation had cost their child."
"Why are you telling me all this?" I ask her with a furrowed brow. I know the point she is driving at but I am not interested.
She exhales deeply. "I am asking you this because I want to make a decision and your answer will determine..."
"Do I look like I care?"
"What?" She exclaims. I know I was acting like a gentleman but I am not really one.
Now that she has agreed to meet my mom, my revenge can get started even though I want it to be after the wedding. I am sure she can't go against her words now and even if she does, I am going to drag her to my mother's home whether she likes it or not. She is already in my car and I don't intend on stopping the car till we get to our destination.
"You keep missing this, Anna", I say. "I am doing this for my mother and nothing else."
Her mouth is still agape. She closes it and I see tears welling up in her eyes. "And not for your child?"
"My child is part of it", I shrug nonchalantly. "I wouldn't be doing this if the child isn't involved."
"That is what I am saying. You don't seem to get me...
"Anna, you need to let this get stuck in your head. Your mother brought up this idea in the first place, even before my mother began to pester me. I am doing you a huge favor in return....." I don't even know why I am still dragging words with her.
"You know what?" I grit my teeth in anger. "Get the fact that you are unwanted into your head", I blurt out, before looking away and driving down the street.
From my peripheral view, I see her mouth drop open again in shock.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐