While Ann was standing at the bus stop, watching the cars pass by, she was struck by a sudden thought: "Once I pay him, he will leave and take off just like what I did this morning." The realization filled her with a profound sense of sadness.
Ann needed some time alone to carefully consider their current situation and find a way to resolve the dilemma weighing heavily on her mind.
She couldn't help but dwell on the sudden disappearance of her best friend, Lea, who had been absent since the previous night.
Lea is an expert on relationships. She changes boyfriends about as often as she changes her underwear, making her the best candidate for this kind of situation.
With that in mind, Ann hurriedly changed her direction to Lea's workplace.
Ann reached the Chapel where Lea was employed, but unfortunately, Lea was not present at that time.
She proceeded to search for the Manager to inquire about Lea's current location and obtain information on the process for obtaining an annulment.
The Manager informed Ann that Lea had called and requested some time off. She was also told that for them to get an annulment, they have to file the document at the courthouse, and both of them must be present. However, for a small fee... He could do the filing for them.
The man in front of her said the words she wanted to hear the least. Ann smiled sardonically and told the Manager, "If that is the case, I'll be back then. I will go get him and come back. Thank you!" She then turned around and went toward her apartment to get Jeff.
***
Ann arrived only to find an empty apartment, and Jeff was gone. " Where could he have gone? Did he leave for good? What do I do now?" She was mumbling to herself, almost in tears, when suddenly, she heard someone knocking at the door.
Does she wonder who it could be? "Could it be him?" She asked herself as she ran to open the door nervously. The first word that came out of her mouth was...
" Where have you been?" Ann asked Jeff, screaming at the top of her lungs. Her eyebrows were raised, and she frowned, still showing relief on her face.
For the first time in Jeff's life, someone was scolding him like a nagging wife. The funny thing was... He liked the sound of her screaming voice. He only stood there, staring at her without saying a word.
" You have not answered me yet? Where have you been?" Ann repeated herself.
"I went out to get some food and a change of clothes, then I realized I didn't have your entry code and didn't know your phone number, so I just walked around until now," Jeff explained to Ann.
Meanwhile, he was thinking, 'Why am I explaining myself? When did I ever explain to anyone my whereabouts?' His face showed a broad smile from ear to ear, and he was watching Ann's reaction to his explanation.
Once he confirmed that Ann was no longer upset, after hearing his explanation, he breathed a big sigh of relief. " By the way, why are you looking for me? Did you miss me?" Jeff jokingly said to Ann.
"No! I was looking for you because I stopped by the Chapel where we got married last night and asked the Manager for the annulment process, and he told me that we both needed to be present." Ann explained.
"Really! What else did he say?" Jeff asked casually.
Jeff had no interest whatsoever in what the Manager told Ann. He was merely trying to calm her.
***
No matter what, he aimed to keep this wife. He would make sure they couldn't annul their fake marriage. Divorce will be the only way, and she will never get it in this life or the next. He thought of something, and he quickly took action.
"Ann, I have a favor to ask... Would you hear me out?" He asked with a saddened face.
"If I can, I will! What is it?" Said Ann, looking at Jeff but not seeing him.
"You see, I'm in a dilemma right now. I lost my passport, and I have to wait for a week to get a temporary one before I can go back home." Jeff peeked at Ann's reaction. [Nothing!]
"I don't have a place and very little money, so can I stay with you?" 'A week should be long enough; I will make sure that by the end of the week, you will become fully-fledged Mrs. Jeff Go.' He began scratching his head, acting sheepish.
Jeff had made all the arrangements ahead of time. He told his assistant to fly back home ahead of him. "If someone asks why I did not return, say that I have an important business deal. Should my Grandfather ask, never... ever, mention Ann." He ordered Ronald, who had no intention of leaving the Country.
His Grandfather will not accept if he finds out that his new wife is a nobody, a high school graduate, and an orphan at that. With sadness in his eyes, He bowed, that he would pave her way to a better future.
First, he will need to know what her plan is. No matter what, he will never give her up; his heart tells him that she's the only one for him in this life and the next.
Ann was deeply thinking about Jeff's dilemma. 'Is he serious? He doesn't look like a person with little money. Looking at him right now, he's screaming 'rich,' but why would he use that excuse? Maybe he's fallen for me? Ya! Right! In my dreams, maybe!'
"Well! If you put it that way, what else can I say? Of course, you can stay with me till then." Ann agreed without hesitation; she felt happy that he had used a lie, that he had lost his passport, and that they would have a week together before saying goodbye.
Then Ann realized that she was supposed to compete in another city; "Would you like to accompany me to a singing competition to cheer for me?" Ann asked Jeff, hoping he would agree.
" Hmmm," Jeff acted like he was lost in deep thought.
"Please! I have no one, and my best friend is currently MIA. You're as good as any," Ann pleaded, her face sad.
Jeff agreed in a heartbeat. This way, he would see how good she was at singing. If she was excellent, he could sign her up with one of his Entertainment Companies. [It sounds like a unique plan to me.]
Traveling to the venue was exhausting for Jeff. Never before, in his entire life, had he ridden a bus. He wanted to rent a car, but Ann insisted that they didn't have the funds for a rental.
Jeff couldn't do anything to convince Ann, so he just followed along with her. 'You know what they say, 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do.' Jeff was ready to experience something that he would remember for his entire life.
Ann was very nervous when she saw how many people were competing—at least a thousand, maybe even several thousand.
The people who were waiting to get in formed a line so long that Ann contemplated just giving up on the whole thing. "How am I ever going to register? This will take a whole day just to get a number and ID," she murmured under her breath.
Suddenly, she heard Jeff tell her, "Why don't you wait here? I'll be right back!"
Ann was confused and looked in the direction that Jeff went. 'What does he mean by that?' Ann wondered.
Jeff didn't give her a chance to reply; he just left and went in the same direction that people who already had their numbers went. A couple of minutes later, Jeff came back with what seemed to be a printed number and an ID card.
"Turn around; let me stick this to your back." He told Ann, who was still in shock. "There you go! You're all set; let's go!" Jeff was so proud of his accomplishment, not even realizing what he had just done.
Ann was both too afraid to ask and speechless. She decided not to think about it and concentrated on the upcoming competition. "Let's go!" Slowly, they made their way to the venue.
Once they were inside the building, they were separated. Ann was ushered towards the area where the other competitors were waiting, and Jeff went to god knows where. [VIP section]
While Ann was waiting for her turn to sing, she couldn't help but think, 'How did Jeff manage to get me into the competition? Does he know someone? Who is he? There are too many questions without any answers. I will need to ask him after the tryout. For now, I need to give it my all. This is my future; I need to take control of this situation.' She turned her mind toward the competition and started practicing.