Jayden's POV

Gabriel was right. Anna is someone I know.

I glance once more at the screen before shutting the laptop down.

I didn't take his words seriously because I thought it was just gibberish to l have me listen to him.

When my mother mentioned to my hearing last night about Anna being my father's friend, I knew I had to find out who she was.

That was when I remembered Gabriel's question of how it was possible for me not to know who she was.

Anna is Roger and Emily's only daughter. Roger is my father's close friend and I see no reason why they would allow their daughter to come work with me as an Assistant.

No wonder she has a Porsche car.

If this isn't about matchmaking us both, then what is the best explanation for this?

What infuriates me the most about this issue is the fact that she is allowing them to push her toward me. She is allowing them to do what they like at her expense. She is at the receiving end of whatever happens.

But I won't succumb to my mother's wish. I can't and won't marry Anna just to please her.

Pleasing her was what led me to ask my Assistant to become my wife. It took me a lot of courage to do that.

Anna will be difficult to handle. I don't even like the idea of getting married to someone my mother knows or can control.

Isabella knows the rule and I am damn sure she will stick to it.

The knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts and I realize I had called Anna in for a brief questioning.

"Come in", I adjust in my seat and shift the laptop away before leaning back.

She opens the door and walks in. Her skirt is extremely short and her top is hung tightly to her body. Averting my gaze from her dress, I watch her approach.

She bows respectfully. "You called me, sir."

"Sit!" I order with a tone of authority. She glances up with surprise and I quickly raise a brow at her.

I didn't force her to come work for me so she should learn to take orders from me.

She sits on the chair opposite my desk and I begin. "Anna Nicole, right?"

She gazes up. "Yes."

She isn't using "sir", I note.

"You are Roger's daughter, right?" I ask again and she falls silent. After a while, she smiles. "I don't know why you are doing this and I don't even care to know why because you are an adult and you are responsible for whatever actions you take. I just want to tell you that I will be getting married this Saturday to Isabella Rodriguez, my former Assistant."

She looks shock as her eyes grow large before the look on her face is replaced with anger.

"I guess my mother didn't tell you that. She knew about the marriage even before she recommended you to me", I grin broadly. "If you are here to seduce me or…"

"I am not here to seduce you", she says in a raised voice, her eyes brewing anger.

I am silent.

Did she just raise her voice at me?

My bad, I shouldn't have called her in. I should have just let her go on with the pretense that she is here to work indeed. After all, the news of my marriage to Isabella will be out very soon.

"Get out!" I clench my jaw, trying to control my uprising anger.

Because she is in here or she is from a wealthy family doesn't give her the right to raise a voice at me. I am her boss for as long as she comes into this company to work and I won't allow this.

"What?!"

"I said get out", I utter sternly and she stands up to go out immediately.

She slams the door shut and I twirl my chair. The phone rings at that instant and I grab the intercom.

"Your mother is here to see you", Anna's voice booms into the phone.

I know mother will come looking for me today after the arguments we had last night. She has been calling me all morning but I don't wish to speak to her over the phone because of my anger toward her.

"Let her in", I command before disconnecting the call.

I twirl around once more before the door opens without a knock.

"Jayden, you weren't picking your calls", she shouted, making me turn the chair to face her.

"We are in a work environment and I would really appreciate it if you lower your voice", I point out.

She fumes in silence before marching towards me. Flopping to the seat, she asks, her voice a bit down. "Why weren't you picking up your calls? I was damn worried."

"I was busy", I answer, dragging out a file from the drawer and flipping through it.

Surprised at her silence, I look up.

"I'm sorry", she apologizes calmly. I raise a brow at her. "I'm sorry for wanting to force you into something you don't want. I'm sorry for being an ingrate and for not supporting you. I know you are doing this because of me. I know how much you loved Helena and how hard it must have been for you to love someone again. But I figured out that it must be because Isabella reminds you of Helena", she smiles at me. "I looked her up and I found out she has a lot in common with Helena."

"Isabella looks like Helena?" I inquire with jaws dropped open in disbelief.

"Not really. I'm talking about the lifestyle and the dress sense", she chuckles lightly and I throw her a cold glare.

"I guess Father pointed all of these out to you which made you realize your mistakes", I affirm, eyeing her to know the truth.

She tilts her head high up proudly and looks away.

I am right. Mother wouldn't have given up just like that, except for the fact that her desire to see me married is higher than her wish for me to have Anna as my bride.

I continue flipping the file, ignoring her when she clears her throat. "So are you still going to get married to her?"

She is predictable. I know my mother in and out. I know what she is capable of and her fear.

I knew she was going to come to see me and here she is. I know she is here just to be sure that my threat about not getting married is empty.

That threat did the trick. She is more concerned about me getting married and having kids. She doesn't know what I have in stock for her.

Pretending to be confused, I ask. "To who?"

"To Isabella, of course", she rolls her eyes at me playfully.

"You said you don't like her, didn't you? I can't get married to someone you don't like because I doubt if Isabella has the same strength as Helena to face you and your difficulties as a mother-in-law." I continue my work.

She gasps softly, hurt flashing across her face. She opens her mouth to say something but thinks otherwise as she closes her mouth.

Guilt replace the hurt on her face.

"I'm sorry for everything", she apologizes again.

"It's fine", I assure her, so she won't end up brooding over it for days. It's gone already and she is forgiven but I just wanted to remind her so the same thing won't repeat itself in the case of Isabella.

It is indeed true that Isabella and Helena have something in common. Maybe that is why I am satisfied and rest assured with having her as my bride and no one else.

"So what do you say?" She leans forward with excitement. The way she switches her mood is amazing and shocking.

"About what?" I ask again.

"Come on, you know what I am talking about. Are you still going to get married to Isabella?"

I stare at her face etched with curiosity and anticipation.

This is all for her. Getting married. Signing a contract marriage.

Shouldn't I see this till the end and make her happy for at least a year?

Well, I never really planned to stick to my threat. It was meant to scare her and it worked.

The plan is still on. Isabella is still going to be my wife this Saturday. Mother would be happy. Father would be proud. And I will become responsible one more time, and not be considered a confirmed bachelor.

Expelling a deep sigh, I declare openly. "Yes. I am getting married to her this Saturday."

She jumps up and rushes to me, dragging me forcefully for a tight hug.

****

Jayden is still going ahead with the marriage!!!

Are you ready for the drama?

Does this mean that Isabella is now accepted wholeheartedly by Jayden's mother?

Air your views and don't forget to vote for this chapter.

See you soon💓