I have an arranged marriage to my crush, but he is sort of a player

I have an arranged marriage to my crush, but he is sort of a player (2)

Recap:

I knocked. I heard a muffled voice and the front door opened. It was a woman who opened the door; she appeared to be in her mid to late forties and seemed stressed. “Hi, I’m Annie. Apparently I'm here to be punished? Wait, that came out wrong, I mean my mum told me that I had to come here but it wasn’t for a good thing, it was a punishment for something, I'm sorry, I'm rambling,” I looked down in shame. I was never good at meeting new people, even more so when sober. The woman smiled at me and opened the door further, “I understand, please come in,” she said and stood further inside. I took a step in, “Oh, I'm sorry, but is there anywhere –” “Annie, through here darling, don’t touch anything, it’s a bit dirty,” that was my mother. I turned and silently apologised to the nice lady. She just simply smiled and led the way to were my mother was sitting. My mum and my step dad were there. So was Lochy. Wait. Lochy?

NEW CHAPTER

Changed step-dad's name

“Wait! What is going on here?”  We both said at the same time. “Annie, I think you better find somewhere clean to sit,” my mum said while looking around the room. I hate my mum, she is so rude. I swear she forgets what it was like to have to rely on government cheques to pay the rent. “Mum! Be nice!” I said while sitting on the floor.

The woman that answered the door started to speak, “I’m Lochy’s mum, Julie and I think we all just need to take a deep breath and relax, by the way this is my husband, Michael. I think it would be best if your father explained this,” she said while sitting down. Tim being Tim, (my step dad) said “step” at the same time I did. Julie and Michael both looked at each other.

“What is happening here is that as your mother is disappointed in your actions there has been an agreement between the Jones’ and your mother. Annie Smith and Lochlan Jones will marry in six months time. As part of this agreement the Jones’ will get 2.5 million dollars and a new house or an extension to their house with all expenses paid for Annie. It has already been signed by your guardians and Annie will move in this weekend. Annie will wear an engagement ring at all times and it will be expected that the two of you share a room. It doesn’t matter if you disagree, especially you Annie, you cannot complain to your father because he has no custody rights over you. At the time of your parents’ separation he signed of all custodian rights until you were of age, therefore your mother has complete control of your half of the marriage. Understand?” I simply nodded I knew that there was no point arguing. When Tony makes a contract, he makes it good, concrete in fact.

Lochlan didn’t know this though. “Why me? Why did you choose me? Where did they get the money from? Why does she go to MY school if she is so rich? Why isn’t she snobby?” he kept on going on and on and on with angry questions. I just started to cry silently. Even though I liked him, it was just a crush. I may be head over heels, but come on; I'm a hormonal teenage girl! It’s not like I ever thought about marrying him for real. I stood up and grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the room.

“Dude, relax.  It’s simple. We will get married. Sleep in separate beds. And as soon as we are both eighteen we will get a divorce. You can date who you want and I will date who I want. We won’t tell anyone at school. Well I sort of have to tell two people, but I recommend you don’t tell Brittany. She’ll get all agro and stuff. There is no way getting out of this until we are both 18. My step-dad is one of Australia’s best solicitors and knows how to make things like this stick. As part of the contract, I have to wear an engagement ring but I plan on wearing it on a necklace and it will be paid for by me. It would become a lot easier if we were friends. Relax, ok?” I said in a fast whisper. He looked at me dumb-founded. “Ok?” “Friends?” I said while holding my hand out to shake it, “Sure,” he said while shaking my hand. “Are you ok with this and all?” he asked me. “No, not really. But since there is nothing we can really do about it, we will just have to live with it.” I sighed and walked away.