CHAPTER 5- A PLAN

GENEVIEVE POV

I couldn’t sleep well that night. My mind was uneasy till the next day.

It was both terrible and improper to find out the truth after so many years. It even hurt the most that they both decided to keep it away from me.

I just felt so messed up right now, and for some weird reason I just wanted to be alone. I wanted to vent my spleen and scream, but I couldn’t. Not only that, but I felt so weak.

Locked in the bathroom, I simply watched my reflection in the mirror. My midnight hair was rougher than I thought, making me look uglier.

Black eyes with evident tears line on my face. I looked devastated, and my heart felt so heavy. I bit my lips, trying to hold the tears that were coming.

It was at that moment it sank in that I needed to talk to someone. I could no longer keep holding it. I am sad and had to express it. But how?

Suddenly it felt blurry, as I closed my eyes, hoping it would stop. Few seconds passed, and I opened yet again. Taking one full view at the mirror, I was determined to leave the house for my sanity. With that thought in mind, I took a quick bath.

In few minutes, I was dressed up, paying little to no attention to my appearance. My phone rang as I picked only to come face to face at the picture of Bryan. A gush of something more than anger went through me.

He was calling. How great? It was recently that I realized I haven’t done what was necessary. I ended the call, before blocking him on all social media.

Suddenly the thought of marrying Anderson just to spite him crept to my mind, but I shook it off as fast as possible, as I quickly texted the only person that could give me the comfort I needed.

My steps halted the moment I stepped outside the living room.

“Genevieve, please I’m sorry. “ She stood, trying to approach me.

She waited and kept begging at my bedroom door last night. My heart sank, distressed knowing I turned deaf ears to her. I felt betrayed, but I could still see the motherly love in her eyes.

“Please ma, I need some space. Could you please give me that?” I looked into her eyes and said.

She nodded, stopping on her track.

“I have to go out. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye. Always remember I love you,” she said. Her last set of words echoing in my mind as I set foot out of the house.

I clamped my lips on the tea cup, taking in another gulp of the coffee as the scrutinizing gaze of Anabelle was on me, as her movement halted, a few steps away from me. Her eyes widened in shock. I placed the cup down, clearing my throat, hoping she would stop staring at me that way.

I knew I looked horrible, but that wasn’t something I wanted to be bothered about now. She took a seat beside me, her hand holding my right hand, concern boldly written on her face.

“What happened? You look…..”She paused, her words hanging.

“Miserable, Terrible,Exhausted, Heartbroken,Betrayed.”I completed her sentence, as she sighed.

“I know you are hurting, and it is fine, but you need to take good care of yourself. I hate seeing you this way,” she lamented.

Her words struck a nerve in me, as I gave her a small smile.

“Did Bryan try to do something to you?” She asked.

“He called this morning, but I cut off his call. I’ve blacklisted him on all social media as well. I don’t need his presence in my life again.”

My voice went a bit higher at my last set of words, as I took a quick glance around, grateful few people were in the restaurant. And being at the last end of the restaurant was an advantage, free from ears that might want to eavesdrop.

“You did the right thing.” Anabelle stated, as I simply nodded.

“Would you like to order?” I asked as she waved it off!

“I’m fine, Genevieve. Is there something you need my help with?” She looked intently at me.

I shook off the imagery that suddenly went through my mind at her words.

“I want you to listen.” She nodded, still fixing her gaze on me.

“I’m being betrothed to get married in the next three months,” I spilled, closing my eyes.

“What? How? To whom?’ Anabelle asked, as I opened my eyes to her brows raised confused.

I explained in detail about my foster parents dilemma resulting in me being at the receiving end. I only withheld the fact about the identity of my foster parents, but I doubt if I could keep it in for much longer.

“Why would your parents do such a thing without your consent?”

“That is because they are not my parents,” I deadpanned, as Anabelle gasped.

“What?” Her mouth was agape, as a tear slipped down my face.

I breathed in, trying to hold myself from giving way to more tears. She pulled me closer, hugging me. It was comforting as silence followed.

I was sure a few minutes must have passed before I finally looked away, cleaning the small drops of tears that had made their way down my face.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you. But have you decided on what to do?” She asked.

With my shaky hands, I took a sip from the cup, hoping it would ease the bitter feeling down my throat.

“No idea. That is why I need your advice. What do you think I should do? I can’t seem to wrap my head around marrying someone I don’t love.”I stated, suddenly feeling I was at the brink of losing my mind.

“Calm down, okay.”Her words were soothing as I nodded.

“I hope you are not planning on accepting Bryan even if he apologizes.”

“Hell no! I would never forgive a cheating partner. Our ship had drowned the moment I realized he was simply playing with my feelings. He cheated on me with my supposed best friend.” I seethed, as I was beginning to get angry again.

“It’s fine. I trust you on that. Meanwhile, the person you were betrothed to. Who is he?”she asked, as I quickly checked my phone for the details sent to me by my foster father.

I can’t seem to find it easy to call him my dad. It still hurts.

I handed my phone to Anabelle, and within seconds, her brows raised with surprise.

“Wow. Anderson Grande,” she muttered, her eyes widening a bit.

“You know him,”I but in.

“Well, who doesn’t? I mean he is a renowned Billionaire in the States. Um, you get right?” She said quickly.

My gaze lingered on her for a while, as it felt like she was hiding something. I shook my head, wheeling away the thoughts.

“What if marrying him is the best option?” She suggested,making my breath hitch for a while.

“You get to be free from your foster parents, and it will be a complete slap on Bryan and Stella's face if they realize you married a Billionaire. And so far, there hasn't been a bad record about this Billionaire. He seems like a nice guy,”I was stunned at her words.

My mind went back to last night. Even when I tried to make him angry, he was quite calm.

Yet looks can be deceiving. What if he was the worst version of Bryan?. I can’t afford another heartbreak.

“I appreciate your suggestions, but I can’t go with it. I’m giving up on relationships for now. Men are not worth it. All they ever want is to use and dump one. Stella and Bryan are not worth the hassle too.”I can’t believe I was saying this.

“It’s fine, but think deeply about it. You can bring up a contract marriage between you two for a period of time, perhaps a few months or a year. If things do not work out between you two, then you can end the marriage.”

Annabelle’s words led me into deep thought for a while, but not for long.

“I can’t marry a stranger. I’ve always loved a simple life. Marrying him won’t give me that,” I rejected.

“He is only a stranger because you haven’t gotten to know him. With a contract marriage, you can decide either to leave or stay in the marriage,” she stated, her words beginning to have an effect on my thoughts.

“I will think about it,” I simply said, knowing how persuasive she can be.

“Meanwhile, you can stay at my place for some days, if you are not comfortable staying with them,” she stated. I finally realized who she was referring to.

“Staying at the hostel will make me remember a lot of things,” I stated.

“I’ve moved somewhere else. Stella and I had a disagreement and I thought it was best to leave. I could not continue to stay with that naysayer and backstabber,” she voiced out, her tone showing irritation.

I felt my heart full with gratitude that I had a friend like Anabelle to lean on in difficult times.

My phone rang,signifying a call, as I reached out for it.

“Hello! Please, is this Miss Genevieve Armstrong?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Congratulations. You have been given the opportunity to choose from three jobs in different countries. An email will be sent to you.” A huge smile crept to my lips.

“Wow. Thanks a lot.” It took a lot of self control not to yell, as I ended the call.

I broke the good news to Anabelle who pulled me into a hug.

“Congrats girl. Being the overall graduating student definitely has its reward.” I couldn’t stop blushing, before pulling away from the hug.

“So, what is your plan now?” She piqued, as an idea crept to my mind.

“For the job, I am definitely choosing a country far away from the U.S. This is the perfect opportunity to be free from everything. The breakup, betrayal, my foster parents and the forced marriage. Don’t you think so?”

I glanced at Anabelle, whose mouth was agape.

“What the hell?” She looked frozen, her words making it obvious she was not in agreement with my thoughts.

“I will go for a job offer far from the States. That is my final decision,” I stated confidently feeling no remorse at all.

It was the best decision, and I really can’t wait to leave. To be free from everything.

I really hope it works out….