*GIANNA*

Marry him? Did I hear it wrong?

"What.what are you saying,Griffin?"

"Please, Anna. I know this is sudden for you, but I'm running out of time. I need to find someone to marry me."

I immediately brought him to my villa. Griffin didn't seem like a casual guy, so I had to know his reasons for this. I got him a cup of coffee, then sat down looking at him. "Listen, Griffin, I want to know why you're doing this."

Griffin took a sip of coffee, then took a deep breath and began telling his story.

Griffin told me that he had just returned to our small town as well. He had married the daughter of a wealthy family overseas. Unfortunately, Griffin's wife passed away about a year ago. After that, his in-laws had been fighting him for custody of the child. His in-laws insisted that their daughter's death was related to Griffin, but the truth was, his wife was willing to marry him because she wanted to escape her overly controlling parents. She had no freedom and felt like a corpse.

In their first year of marriage, his wife told him she had never been happier, but soon illness struck her.

He loved his wife dearly, and before she passed, she made him promise to be involved in the child's life. She didn't want their child to become another version of herself.

But his in-laws refused to believe Griffin's account. They even filed a restraining order against him in court, and Griffin was expelled.

The court told Griffin that he had to prove he was married, otherwise they would never allow him to take the child, because his in-laws never supported his marriage to their daughter.

I frowned. Married? I had only ever thought of marrying Maxim.

"Anna! Please. This is my only hope. I feel like if it's you, the court will believe we're actually married. We've known each other since we were little, so they probably won't have any doubts about the legitimacy of our marriage."

"Griffin, marriage is..."

Griffin cut me off. "It's just a marriage of convenience, Anna. I just need to get Emmett back, and once everything is resolved, we'll get divorced."

I ran my hand through my hair as I sat on the couch.

"Still,I.I don't think this is right."

Griffin bent in front of the couch and held my hand.

"Please,Anna.I'm desperate.My in-laws are filing for full custody.If they succeed,Emmett might think I abandoned him.He's barely coming around to never seeing his mother again.I can't leave him with the thought of never seeing me again too.I don't even know if they would take good care of him.And that is why I need to take care of him myself.Please,Anna.Lily always talked about how toxic her family was,I'm sure she would want Emmett to be with me."Oh God.

Recalling how sweet Lily was made me tear up.

But this isn't going to hurt,right?

I just needed to pretend to be married to him for a short while.

He gets his son back and everything will be fine.

"Okay,then.Let's get married."

And that was how Griffin and I got a marriage certificate the following day.

We didn't do much.We only went to court and took some pictures to show as our wedding pictures and he was sure that would help with his case.

*****************

*MAXIMUS*

Three days passed.I stared at the jewelry boxes beside me on the back seat as we headed for my mansion.

I had just landed from my business trip and I was sure that Anna was waiting for me at home.

She must be over that canceled engagement party now.

I instructed Jacob,my secretary.

"Give Grace a call and ask her if Anna has gotten glammed up.The stylist must be done by now so I can take her to the seafood restaurant she loves a lot."

"Yes sir."

After a few minutes,he said to me."Grace isn't answering."

I rolled my eyes.

I had no idea why Grace was so mad about this canceled engagement.

She literally isn't Anna.Just my old housekeeper.

It practically can be done anytime.

Women just love throwing tantrums.

Fine.I fucked up with the engagement party and I was making an effort to apologize tonight so this should be over with already.

**********

Jacob opened the door for me when we got to my Manor.I got down from the car and walked into the house.

There was an odd vibe around the house like the last time I was home.

There was still no Anna running up to the door to hug me.

I tugged off my jacket and called.

"Grace!"

Grace hurried in.

"Welcome home,sir."

"Where's Anna?"

"Miss Weston hasn't been home since that night,sir.I've called her so many times but she didn't pick up."

I frowned.

"I'm so worried about her.She looked so hurt that night and I'm scared something bad might have happened to her."

My teeth clenched.

Anna was always so bright and sunny,I'm sure nothing would have happened to her.

I can't believe she's still mad about the engagement cancellation.

I had thought she might've come back home by now.

Why was she suddenly being so difficult?

I brought out my cellphone and shot her a text.

"I'm sorry.Come back home and I'll throw as many engagement parties as you want."

She should be glad that I'm apologizing to her.

I rarely apologize to anyone!

I was stunned to see that my message didn't deliver.

Did she.

She blocked me?!

What has come over her?

She has always been docile and rarely gets angry with me, but this time she rejected my text messages?

My brows furrowed again, and I felt angry inwardly.

What was she playing at?

I found this very funny for a woman who literally worshiped the ground I walked on.

I need to know what's going on in that head of hers.

"Jacob,find her now!"I ordered.

*******

Almost thirty minutes later,Jacob Brought back news of Anna.

"Miss Weston traveled back to her hometown,sir.She's at her family house now."

My teeth clenched.

This woman could barely stay days without me and now she travelled back to her hometown cutting off communication with me?!

What a joke!

I grabbed the iPad from him,wanting to confirm how she looked.

To my surprise,she seemed to be taking a walk and she looked so relaxed.

Relaxed without me?!

How could she?!

"Jacob, go bring her home!"I ordered.

*GIANNA*

So far,I've been having a good time settling down except for my sudden marriage.Griffin has gone to Country B since he registered with me, and I'm sure he can't wait to bring back his children. I hope he succeeds.

Maxim, my lips keep popping this name in my spare time. It's been almost a week now, and I've blocked anyone or news related to Maxim, and I'm sure he won't be uncomfortable with me leaving because I'm just a cheap toy for him, and he can always find a replacement.

I read some books and mostly spent the time at the garden.

I planted a lot of flowers and vegetables and while working on the garden,I realized what I wanted to do for work for now.

I wanted to be a florist.I quickly made a mental note to immediately start looking for a store.

This house was beginning to take shape again and feel like home since I was back to look after it.

My doorbell rang.

I quickly set aside my shovel.I had ordered some takeouts and I was starving.

I washed my hands in a rush and headed for the door.

As I opened it,I was surprised to see Jacob.

I stood by the door not wanting him to enter.How did he figure out my home address?!

I had wanted to be far away from Maxim,to never see him again so the least I expected was seeing his secretary at my doorstep.

"What do you want?"I asked.

"The boss sent me to bring you home."

I laughed."I am home."

"Don't be stubborn,Miss Weston.Go get your things and let's go."

"I think I made it perfectly clear to Maxim that we were through.He should check his text messages."

"He wants you back."

"To humiliate me further?"

"Stop making things so difficult,Miss Weston.Mr Lewis is a very busy man and I have a lot of paper work to attend to.I don't have time for this."

"Jacob,you do not get to talk to me this way anymore.I am not your boss's pushover anymore so I would not tolerate your attitude."I warned.

Because Maxim wasn't very respectful of me,most of his employees treated me like trash.

It was only Grace who treated me like a human being.Jacob was particularly mean to me.

Whenever I couldn't reach Maxim and would reach out to him instead to know where Maxim was,he was harshly tell me to know my place in Maxim's life!

It had hurt so much to be treated without respect but I was willing to endure because Maxim still wanted me around him.

Now,I didn't care anymore.Even if he was going to treat me with respect,it was too late.

I didn't need his love or his respect anymore!

"Mr Lewis would not be happy if you don't come back with me."He warned.

I laughed."Who cares if he's happy or not?To hell with him."I made to lock the door but he blocked it with his foot.

"Jacob,there are CCTVs everywhere so you better respect yourself!"

"Why are you playing hard to get all of a sudden?"He then laughed."Do you seriously think that this would make Mr Lewis finally love you?If he love you,even a little bit,he wouldn't have canceled the engagement party!"

I tried not to let his words get to me.

I already knew this and since he was reminding me of it,it only gave me more determination to never degrade myself again.

"Well,thanks for the reminder.You know,anytime I reported your behavior to Maxim,he always defended you because you're his efficient and incredible PA.But look up."

He looked up to see the front door camera and I could see his teeth clenched.

"Now that I have evidence about how despicable you are.I wondered how he would feel when he hears this,plus,you're doing a very bad job in convincing me to go back to him."

I moved closer to him.

"Now go back and make Maxim understand this.Him and I are over.I do not want to have anything to do with him as well as with anyone around him.Scram!"

He scoffed."I hope you keep playing hard to get like this.You do not deserve him.Did you seriously think you could compete with Nadia.You stood no chance from the beginning and it was funny to."

Before he could finish speaking,I slapped him hard on the face.

He held his cheek,looking shocked that I had slapped him.

"I warned you not to talk to me like that ever again!"With that,I slammed the door on his face.

I leaned against the door,fuming.

The nerves of him.

To compare me to Nadia?

Even if Maxim had chosen Nadia,she wasn't better than me and I wasn't inferior to her or any other man.

I am Gianna Lewis.I'm beautiful and I'll have a beautiful life.I am going to love myself and let no one break me ever again.

Now I have to ask the property management to upgrade the security level of my apartment so that no more unrelated people can break in.

*GIANNA*

My doorbell rang again.I smiled knowing it must be my takeouts.

I couldn't wait to get those crispy chicken into my mouth.I opened the door and my jaw dropped seeing Jacob.

Seriously?!

And why the heck was my order taking so long?!

"Didn't I tell you to get lost just now?"I asked him.

I saw him fall to his knees.

"I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you just now.But please,Mr Lewis really wants you home.Please come with me."

I laughed.

It was funny watching him beg like this.I know Maxim must have probably reprimanded him on the phone and that is why he was here again,begging me.

I had no idea why Maxim was so determined to have me back in his house and frankly,I didn't care.

I had given him what he wanted.Freedom to be with Nadia without me begging him to stay faithful to me so why can't he just accept that?

Why can't he just go be with her?!

Does he seriously enjoy torturing me?

I recalled the times I tried to leave in the past.There was a time I stayed in a hotel for about a month,determined not to go back to him.

But he kept coming to see me,telling me he would change and that I had nothing to worry about regarding Nadia.

He always said that and then give me even more reasons to worry about his relationship with Nadia.

Now I was standing my ground,I wouldn't be persuaded by him or anything he does.

I didn't want him anymore.I didn't want the disrespect and pain that came with staying with him.

I walked back into my house and shut the door.

Not in the mood to eat anymore,I canceled my order and paced to and fro.

For two days,I noticed Jacob's car was still packed in front of my house.

Seriously?!

He was determined in taking me back,isn't he?

I decided to let him see how determined I was to get away from Maxim.

Maybe if he and Maxim sees that,they would finally leave me alone.

So I packed a small bag in hopes of coming back soon.I just needed to be a bit more far away from him for a few days,that would make him leave me alone and then,I'll come back home.

I slipped through the backdoor and travelled to Critport.

*************

*MAXIMUS*

My cellphone rang up and I quickly picked up,hoping to get some good news from Jacob.

It's been a week since I sent him to Bellbanks, this is taking too long. Has Jacob really not been slacking off?

"Jacob, what happened? Why hasn't Anna been brought back yet?" I shouted at him.

"There...there was an issue, sir."

I frowned, not liking the sound of that answer.

I struggled to control my anger, saying calmly, "What issue?"

"I...I noticed she hadn't left her house for several days. I was guarding her front door, not daring to knock because Miss Anna threatened to call the cops on me if I did. But her staying inside for so long felt abnormal. I immediately found some resources to figure out what happened. Turns out, a few days ago, she left through the back door and went to Crittport."

"You fool! How could you be so stupid! I told you to bring her back, not let her go further away!"

I was beyond pissed.

I hung up and got my new phone that I had just bought.

This was the fourth phone I was buying since Gianna left me.

I keep getting new numbers to contact her but she keeps blocking them.

I called her again with this new phone number just to hear that the number at the other end of the call didn't exist.

Fuck!

Did she change her number?

Why was she being so frustrating this time?!

I called my second secretary,Mila and ordered.

"Get the private jet ready.I'm going to Critport.And have our people find out exactly where Gianna is."

Anna has been naughty this time. I need to let her know my stance. When I find her, I must spank her hard.

I have to make her realize that because of her, I've missed out on a few billion dollars' worth of business. She needs to repent for her willfulness.

I hope we can eventually get past this, as I'm used to her giving me massages when I'm exhausted - that's the only reason I'll apologize.

*************

*GIANNA*

I had always wanted to visit Critport.I have so many good things about the place so I could consider this a vacation.

Maybe spend a month or two basking in the nice scenery and many exciting things to do.

I signed up with a tour group and so we had been doing so many exciting activities.

Today we had visited a flowery street.

This place was so unreal.Both sides of the street had so many beautiful flowers.I had to ignore the fact that most of the tour members were couples on a vacation.

I shouldn't be jealous of them or how happy they look.I didn't want to be in a relationship right now.I was working on finding myself.

**********

It was about 10:pm when I got back to the apartment I was currently staying at.

I didn't know how long I would be in this city for so I didn't want to stay at an hotel.

Instead, I rented an apartment for six months.I also felt this way would also make it very less likely for Maxim to ever find me.

Though,I doubt he would be looking for me.

He must've given up now.

I opened the door of my apartment and took off my shoes.

As I turned on the light,I froze seeing a man sitting in a couch in the living room.

I rubbed my eyes and opened them again.

It was Maxim!

No.

I must be dreaming.

But why would I be dreaming of Maxim?

I hated him.

I didn't want to see him anywhere,not even in my dream.

But this couldn't be real.

He couldn't possibly have found me and worst be in my living room?

Nope.

Not real.

I closed my eyes and opened it and this time,he was standing up.

"Is this enough apology to you now?"He asked, his arms crossed around his chest.

And then, it dawned on me.

This man had really followed me here!

"Did you seriously break into my apartment?"

He shrugged.

"I could sue you for that!"I thundered.

"You wouldn't win against me,Anna.And will you finally stop blocking me?"

"Will you just leave me alone?"I asked,exasperatedly.

"Pack up and let's go home."He ordered.

I huffed.

He was just as arrogant and self-absorbed as ever.

"What part of 'we're over' do you not understand?"

Maxim walked closer to me.

"I'm sorry for what happened.I'll throw a bigger engagement party for you and we'll have a grand wedding.I believe you've thrown enough tantrums now.You have no idea how exhausting it is running after you."

I rolled my eyes."Did I ask you to?"

I moved away from him,keeping a good distance between us.

"Maxim,I don't want any engagement party.I don't want to be married to you.I don't want you at all.I want nothing to do with you.So leave right now."

"Are you seriously breaking up with me?"

"Didn't you get my texts?!Didn't you read it?When did you become so daft.I am not just breaking up with you now.I broke up with you the day you canceled our engagement party!We are done for life!"

I opened the door for him.

"Get out,Maxim.I don't want to ever see you again.I mean it."