A Call From Christian

My phone rang while I was in the room. I had been given a room in the Johnson's mansion but Jared and his Martha were mad at me for not agreeing to the marriage yet.

That was after I'd changed my initial yes to a solid no. 

They would not understand. I had everything to lose and they would just enjoy the proceeds of this marriage into the Johnson family.

Uncle Pete was the only one who was patient with me and he was also asking Jared to be patient with me too. 

Excitement and nerves bloomed in the pit of my stomach when I saw the caller ID. Christian.

Had he changed his mind? Was this going to work for me after all?

Eager to find out, I picked. "Hello."

"Hey. Uhmm...I need to see you." He said.

I gauged his tone. It was calm. There was none of the meanness or bitterness when he talked to me. It was as if we were back to how we used to be. 

"Okay, where?" This was too real to be true but I had to believe that Dad's advice was saving my marriage.

Maybe he was ready to talk. Maybe he was over the hurt. 

"I'll text you the location now. Could you make it in thirty minutes?" He said.

I bobbed my head even though he couldn't see me, feeling relieved a bit. I could sense hope bloom. "Yes."

"Alright. See you." 

The call ended.

I was still reeling over the fact that he'd called me. My phone pinged with notification. I picked and saw the address of the place he'd texted.

Oh my goodness! My vision got blurry. This was definitely a sign. A good sign.

Without wasting any more time, I quickly got dressed, made sure to look pretty. I was finally able to get my things from the hotel I'd been kicked out from, thanks to Uncle Pete.

That man was a very good person. Within this short period of time, I'd become connected to him. I was going to miss him though. 

I dabbed on some powder, spritzed perfume on my simple yet elegant dress. I opted for a low heeled strapped sandals and a purse with straps too.

Combed my hair and made sure to look pretty for my husband. Christian liked when I dressed well.

I stepped out of the living room to meet Jared and his mother discussing but they paused as soon as they saw me. 

"Where are you going to?" Martha sneered at my dressing.

Was she jealous I could look this good? No matter though, she would not be seeing much of me anymore after this meeting with Christian.

And I could not be more thrilled at the prospect.

"I'm going to see my husband." I replied and yes, I could not stop the hint of pride in my voice.

"What?! No." Jared stood, walking towards me with anger and desperation. "What will happen to me? My life? My business? You ruined me and now you're leaving?!"

"You ruined my life, Jared. I feel sorry for the problems you're facing but let's be honest, I am married and you have someone you love. You can work this out and your business will be fine." 

I replied, heaving a sigh. Then continued, meeting his angry gaze.

"And I promise to help you ensure your business does not collapse." It was the best I could do at this point.

"And how do you intend to do that?" Martha cut in sharply, giving me a vicious look. "It's not as if you are rich or come from a wealthy or influential family."

"My husband will help." Was the only calm, sensible response I could give. 

"You can not ruin my life and walk away like nothing happened! You have to clear my name." He raised his voice, very angry and very desperate.

"And I said my husband will help." This whole drama was beginning to grate my nerves.

"You heard my uncle, Hailey! He said the only solution is to get married!" 

"I do not want to get married to you, Jared, any more than you want to get married to me. I value the sacredness of marriage. It's not something to be toyed with. I can not just marry you when there's no love between us! I marry for love not because it's beneficial or convenient." An ache was beginning to form around my temples.

This was why I hated confrontations, they made me ill.

I checked the watch I had bought during my last vacation trip to Valencia. "I need to get going."

He blocked my path. "Not if I can help it."

"Don't do this, Jared. Get out of my way." I tried to sidestep but he moved his body that way as well.

A frustrated groan left my lips. I was pressed for time.

"What is happening?"

Uncle Pete, thank God.

"Uncle Pete, your nephew is refusing me from going out." I glared at the nephew.

"Are you going somewhere?" He came into view, calmly eyeing my dress. 

"My husband wants to see me, uncle Pete. This is a chance to repair my home and get my man back." I hoped he would understand and let me go.

He observed my face and nodded. "Let her go, Jared."

"What? Uncle but..."

"You can not hold the girl against her will now, can you? It's a crime to hold someone against their will, last time I checked. It's called kidnapping." Uncle Pete told him.

The man didn't sound too happy and I understood. He would try to fight for his family's reputation too. That didn't make him a bad person just a human being.

"You can not be serious, Pete. Are you working against my son?" Martha angrily faced the man.

He ignored her and directed to his nephew. "Let her go, Jared."

After the hot, hateful glare, he stormed out of my presence, going upstairs. 

"Thank you, uncle Pete." 

A big smile on my face, I hurried out of the house, reached the gate, flagged a taxi and was on my way to the address he had sent to me. 

I would beg uncle Pete to have my things sent to my house later. As the taxi nearest the location, my heart pounded both in anticipation and excitement.

I clutched my purse tighter, unable to sit still in the back of the taxi.