Chapter 3; He left!

“Where have you been? I was worried sick,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

“I had some business to take care of,” he explained, avoiding her eyes as he spoke.

Page took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “I tried calling you. Your phone was on Do Not Disturb.”

Rowan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I needed some time alone, Page.”

Page went on, completely ignoring him again. “You should have called me to say you would be late.”

“And why should I?” he asked so coldly.

“Of course, you should,” she said, her voice softening. “Why even ask that?”

He looked at her then, really looked at her, and for a moment, she saw something in his eyes—but it wasn’t there the next second, only annoyance. “Did I not make it clear enough yesterday? You and I have nothing to do with each other. So just stay out of my way.”

Page stared at him, hurt written all over her face. 

Rowan stretched his neck and adjusted his tie, his head tilted just enough for him to spot the covered plate of food on the table. He raised a brow, turning back to look at Page, who could barely make eye contact now. He scoffed and shook his head, walking past her up the stairs.

Without another word, the door to the master bedroom closed softly behind him, leaving Page standing alone at the bottom of the stairs.

Page silently went to the kitchen to clean up the plate. She placed the food in the freezer, resting on the fridge door after she closed it. She slid down to the ground, her vision blurred with her tears. She was embarrassed and tired already.

—

Page woke up the next morning to hear someone struggling to move something down the stairs. She rushed out of her bedroom, finding the driver carrying down what looked like half of all the luggage Rowan had brought here when they moved in.

Her eyes widened, confused. She rushed up and asked what was happening, “What is going on here? Where are you taking these to?” she demanded.

“The car, Madam,” he said. “Mr. Cannon is going on a business trip. I thought you would be aware.”

“Business trip?!” Page said, very surprised to hear this, and even more surprised because a business trip should not need you to carry more than one small bag. What kind of business trip is this?”

She rushed back up the stairs and into Rowan's room, meeting him there wearing his shirt.

“What business trip?” she asked, her breath restless. “With all that? Just how long is this trip?” She felt frustrated with him.

Rowan sighed. “This is exactly why I need this trip. You don’t seem to get it when I say you are to stay out of my business in this house. I won’t get any peace here.”

Page stood there, shocked at his words. He grabbed his coat and headed out the door past her.

She ran into the hallway after him, shocked and angry. “Is this how you want to do it? Traveling about like your parents?”

Rowan’s eyes flashed with anger. “Yes, Page, that’s exactly how I want to do it!”

Her heart sank. “Fine, go. I don’t care anymore.”

Rowan seemed hurt by her words, his face twisting in pain. “You’re only here for the money and the title anyway, so enjoy that while I leave.”

Before she could respond, he was already down the stairs, heading back outside. Page watched as he got into the car with the driver and sped off.

—

Page felt frustrated and just a little sad, after all, she barely knew the man. From the two days he had been here it seemed like things would be better with him absent anyways.

She went back inside and collapsed onto the couch. Tears streamed down her face as everything began to hit her. He truly left. And this would be the start of a partnerless marriage for her. 

After a while, she picked up her phone and dialed her grandfather, someone who she was close to. She called not just to complain about the man he had insisted and begged she marry, but also just to hear his comforting voice.

“Page. How is everything sweety?” He asked in an upbeat tone expecting to hear honeymoon phase stories.

“Granddad, Rowan left,” she said, her voice trembling. “He’s gone on a business trip. I don’t know when he’s coming back.”

There was silence for a moment, then he spoke in a surprised but calm voice “Oh wow, I’m so sorry, why did he go and do that? Isn’t he supposed to be on honeymoon break? His grandad is too lenient with him, I need to call him up, He can’t do this to my baby girl” He ranted on.

“No, please don’t call anyone.” She sobbed “I don’t need anyone forcing him back, he’ll just treat me worse if he’s forced to stay here”

She could sense her granddad’s reluctance to agree. To him, she was like a daughter. He had raised her since his son and his wife - both her parents- died in a car accident when she was 12. 

“Okay.” he finally said, giving in. He sighed “Marriage is hard, Page. I’m sorry for what you’re going through. Give him time to cool down and come back. He will be more mature when he does.”

“Okay,” she replied, wiping her tears. “I’m coming back to work next week. I can’t stay idle in this house.”

“Of course, No problem,” he said warmly in a light cheery tone “We’ll see you next week. Director Brooks”

“Yes you will, chairman” she jested him back, Mr Duncan Brooks was the chairman of Califonia’s most lucrative conglomerates. 

Pae thought back to when Rwan had accused her of agreeing to this marriage for the money and title, she scoffed. “Granddad, You didn’t tell Rowan I’m your heir?”

“Well no,” He said “I didn’t think it was necessary.  Though you two should get to know each other from yourselves”

Page shook her head “Now I’m not going to tell him, not after today.” she sighed “Though it’s not like I could even if I wanted to” I looked up and the empty large house I was in.

“Okay, Bye,” Page said before she hung up, feeling a bit more at ease. She had a plan, She wouldn’t let this whole thing define her. She was going to continue her life just as it had been.

She was going to focus on her own life and her happiness, even if her marriage to Rowan would offer nothing but distance and formality. She inhaled deeply and exhaled. “Time to make this place feel like home.”