While they had their breakfast, suddenly Julian's phone rang and spoiled the whole peaceful atmosphere. His eyes went to the screen and his face changed. "Excuse me, I have to take this," he said while getting up from the table.
Anne watched Julian walk away, pondering on the person that could be calling him at this time of day. The curiosity pricked at her, but Julian would not give any details.
"Who was that?" his mum asked when she noticed the change in Julian's demeanor.
"Nobody important, Mom," Julian said faintly, "just a work thing."
Anne raised her eyebrow, feeling that Julian was hiding something.
"You both should go take a walk," said Mrs Clair knowing the sudden change in Anne's attitude.
"Yes, a perfect plan you two need some fresh air," said Mr Clair and Anne stood up and followed Julian.
While they was strolling around the estate, again Julian's phone rang. He looked at the screen and his expression changed. "I'm sorry, I have to take this", he turned and walked away.
Anne was in for a real surprise. "Wait, who's calling?" she asked, but Julian was already walking away.
"Julian, wait!" she called out, but he didn't respond. He swiftly hopped into his car and zoomed off, leaving Anne standing there.
Confused and worried all at once, Anne hailed a cab, ordering the driver to follow Julian's ride. She was in the dark regarding all that was happening but needed to find out what the phone call was about and what bothered Julian so much that he had to keep such a thing to himself.
She saw Julian get out of his car and enter the lobby of a fancy hotel, and everything in Anne seemed to come tumbling down. She told the cab driver to wait, and her heart raced in anticipation.
As she watched, Sophia, Julian's former girlfriend, walked out from the hotel lobby and immediately rushed to him to embrace him. Anne felt as though her heart were torn into pieces and left whimpering as well as tears forming in the corner of her eyes as she stood watching Sophia perhaphs hug Julian.
Anne felt so shattered, and she couldn't take it anymore. "Take me back," she said to the cab driver in a quivering, whisper-like tone.
The cab driver nodded little sympathetically and turned the ride around. Outside the tears flowed, yet heavy in the heart. Blind-sided was how she felt as turned upside down her world.
The cab ride was a blur, filled with mind-swirling questions and doubts. So what was up between Julian and Sophia? Was he still in love with her? Did he ever really care for her, or was she just a rebound?
When they reached the mansion, Anne got out of the car and paid the cab driver. Lost and without a single clue on how to move forward, Anne walked back to their room with a heavy heart.
While the hug between Sophia and Julian unfolded, Julian was surprised by how suddenly that affection took place. "Get off me, Sophia," he spoke, trying to pry her off from around his waist. But Sophia, though, was reluctant-she held him even tighter.
"I've missed you," she whispered, her voice husky with emotion.
Julian's discomfort grew as he tried to extricate himself from her grasp. "Sophia, let go," he repeated, his voice firm but controlled.
But Sophia refused to release him, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Julian's patience was wearing thin. "If you don't get off me this instant, I'll push you," he warned, his voice low and even.
Sophia finally let go, her eyes flashing with anger and hurt. "You're still as cold as ever, Julian," she spat, her voice venomous.
Julian took a step back, his eyes narrowing. "What are you doing here, Sophia?" he demanded, his voice cold and detached.
Sophia smiled, a sly smile that made Julian's skin crawl. "I called you here to tell you something, Julian," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "I know your secret."
Julian's eyes locked onto hers, his mind racing with possibilities. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice cautious.
Sophia's words hung in the air, and Julian's eyes narrowed. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, his voice flat and unyielding.
Sophia's smile faltered for a moment, and then she laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "Don't play dumb, Julian," she said. "I know all about your little marriage arrangement. You're just trying to boost your image, aren't you?"
Julian's expression remained impassive, but inside, he was relieved that Sophia didn't know the true reason behind his marriage. He decided to play it cool, to deny everything. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he repeated. "You're just making assumptions, Sophia."
Sophia's eyes flashed with anger, and she took a step closer to Julian. "Don't lie to me, Julian," she spat. "I know you're just using Anne to get ahead in your career. You're not even really married, are you?"
Julian's heart was racing, but he kept his cool. He knew he had to deny everything, to protect himself and Anne. "You're just jealous, Sophia," he said, his voice calm and collected. "You're trying to stir up trouble because you're hurt that I moved on with my life."
Sophia's face twisted with rage, and for a moment, Julian thought she was going to lunge at him. But then she seemed to regain control, her expression smoothing out into a cold, calculating smile. "We'll see about that, Julian," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "We'll see about that."
"I have missed you," she said in a low whisper.
The more Julian tried to wriggle out of her grasp, the more discomfort he felt. "Sophia, let go," he repeated, sounding firm but every bit controlled.
But Sophia did not let go; she tightened her arms around his waist. Julian was beginning to run out of patience. "If you don't get off me this instant, I'll push you," he warned, his voice low and even.
Sophia finally let go, and there were flames of anger and pain in her eyes. "You're still as cold as ever, Julian," she spat venomously.
Julian made a step backward, narrowing his eyes. "What do you want, Sophia?" he asked, cold and detached.
Sophia smiled, a sly smile to crawl under Julian's skin. "I called you here to tell you something, Julian," she said, her voice so snakingly tainted with malevolence; "I know your secret."
Julian's gaze went into a lock with hers while his mind went a thousand miles per hour with thoughts. "What do you mean?" he inquired with caution in his voice. The air between Sophia's words, and then, Julian narrowed his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, flat and unyielding.
Sophia's smile faltered momentarily and then sounded a cackle, the kind of laughter that could peel paint off of walls. "'Don't play stupid', Julian," she said, "I know all about your little marriage arrangement. Boosting your image, right?"
Julian's face remained impassive, but internally, he couldn't help but feel relief that Sophia was unaware of the true reason behind his marriage. He resolved to be as indifferent as possible, denying everything. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he repeated. "You're just making assumptions, Sophia."
With her eyes now sparked with rage, Sophia took another step forward toward Julian. "Don't lie to me, Julian," she fired. "I know you're just using Anne to get ahead in your career; it's not like you are married to her really."
Julian's heart raced but he maintained his calm. He knew that he must deny everything to protect himself and Anne. "You're just jealous, Sophia," he said, calm and composed. "You're just trying to stir trouble because you're hurt that I moved on with my life."
For a fleeting moment, his assumption was on target as she turned mad in her face because he thought she'd charge at him. But then she suddenly regained composure and smoothed her face into a pretty cool, calculating smile. "We'll see about that, Julian," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "We'll see about that."
Anne could feel the weight of her crying on her cheeks, she was simply thrusting insults at herself for being blinded. How stupid was she for thinking that Julian could possibly care about her? "What was I thinking," shaking with fury and anguish. "It was a contract marriage. Of course, he feels nothing for me. I am so damned stupid."
She could recall laughter, chatting, close sharing, moments they spent together. Anne thought there was some bond, that there was slightly more than friendship in Julian's heart. But now she came to comprehend that he was acting, just putting on a show for her benefit in their fraudulent marriage.
"Why would I think Julian would like me?" she scoffed to herself with self-loathing. "I'm not even his type. I'm just a convenient arrangement, a way to barge a contract or whatever it is he wants."
Anne's fury and resentment then began to focus on herself, and an ongoing reflection on her worth started to surface. "Why am I so foolish?" she whispered so softly she could hardly hear it. "Why does it always have to be me? Why can't I see it when it's right before my eyes?"
Anne sat, lost in her own dejection, as her mind began to spiral out of control, feeling stuck in this endless loop of self-deprecation and insecurity.
At that moment, Julian's sister Emma walked into the room, worry evident on her face. "Is everything okay?" she asked upon seeing Anne's tear-stained cheeks.
Anne quickly wiped her tears away and tried to pull herself together. "Yes, I'm fine," she lied, dismissing the concern. "I just got something in my eye."
But Emma was not convinced by her words. She knew her brother well enough to understand when something was wrong. "Where's Julian?" she asked, a tone of firmness edging her soft voice. "Did he do something to you?"
"I don't know anything!" Anne shook her head, actively trying to steer the focus away from herself. "He didn't do anything! He just got a call and took off. Like I said, I just got something in my eye."
But Emma narrowed her eyes, gazing disbelievingly at Anne. She did not buy Anne's explanation and knew something much deeper was going on. She intended to probe a little further, searching for something to latch onto.
"Anne, whatever it was, you can tell me," Emma said quietly, yet encouragingly. "I am here for you, willing to help."
Anne hesitated, not sure whether or not to confide in Emma. But with a look of kindness and concern on her face, Emma made her feel like she could trust her. Perhaps it was worth considering sharing something with Emma, if only for some insight or support. For now, though, she just shook her head and worked up a smile.
"It's really nothing, Emma," Anne tried to reassure her. "I'm just a little tired, that's all."
But Emma didn't buy it. She gave Anne a skeptical look but let it go, choosing instead to nod and change the subject.
"I was thinking of heading out to do some shopping. Would you like to come with me?" she asked excitedly, her eyes brightening.
This invitation had startled Anne, though she admitted it was pleasant of Emma. "I don't know, Emma," she faltered. "I don't want to intrude or anything."
Emma waved her hand dismissively. "You're not intruding at all, Anne. I could really use the company, time spent with you will be so much fun! Plus, I need to have someone give me an opinion on a few things that I am about to buy."
Anne found Emma's excitement very hard to resist. "Okay, sure," she finally said. "I'd love to go with you."
Emma squealed excitedly and clapped her hands. "Great! I will show you some of the best shops in town; we can have lunch at a little café I know of and just have a girls' day out."
While Emma rambled on about her plans, Anne felt relief wash over her. Maybe she really was ready for a shopping trip to take her mind off things.