Chapter 246 Schemes Succeed
She cleared her throat and continued, "Alright, since you're being sincere, I feel more at ease. I've heard your company is doing well lately. Can you promise Anna a stable and prosperous life after marriage?"
Caleb nodded earnestly. "Mrs. Powell, you can count on me. I'll do everything I can to give Anna the best life. My company's growing steadily, and the future looks really bright."
Qiana's doubts gradually faded as she listened to Caleb. She gently patted Caleb's hand and said earnestly, "Alright, Caleb, I believe you're a responsible young man. I won't interfere much with your and Anna's wedding plans. As long as you both truly love each other and support one another, I have nothing to worry about."
Caleb's eyes flashed with a hint of satisfaction, but Qiana didn't notice.
Anna had used Qiana as an excuse to stall him, so he decided to win over Qiana first.
When Anna received Qiana's call, she found out that Caleb had gone to her house. She hung up on Qiana and immediately called Caleb.
"What are you doing at my house?" Anna's tone wasn't exactly friendly, but it wasn't hostile either. She just didn't understand why Caleb was in such a hurry.
Caleb didn't mind Anna's questioning and replied with a smile, "Is it wrong for me to visit Mrs. Powell?"
Anna was at a loss for words and could only say, "Wait for me to get back."
When Anna returned, Caleb was still there. He said, "Since you're back, let's have lunch together. I made a reservation at Whitewater Bay Restaurant. It's owned by Colin, Anna's boss. It's really good."
Caleb directed the last sentence at Qiana.
Anna's smile froze. She didn't understand why Caleb insisted on going to Whitewater Bay Restaurant. She wanted to explain that there was nothing between her and Colin, but the words seemed stuck in her throat.
Qiana, being experienced and perceptive, immediately sensed that something was up when she heard the name Whitewater Bay Restaurant. "Alright, that place is indeed quite nice."
While Qiana went to the dressing room, Anna couldn't hold back any longer. "Caleb, there's really no need for this. There's nothing between Colin and me."
Caleb's gentle demeanor faded slightly. "If there's really nothing, then going there shouldn't be a problem, right? You need to act naturally to prove that there's nothing between you two. My patience isn't unlimited. I've come this far, and you should seriously consider giving me an answer soon. I genuinely want to marry you."
Anna bit her lip and didn't say anything more. Reflecting on the past, she had never felt this constrained around Caleb. She realized that Caleb never used to care if she liked someone else because he didn't care about her.
But now that he did care, was it because he truly started to care about her?
At Whitewater Bay Restaurant, the three of them sat in the main dining area. Qiana didn't hold back and ordered the most expensive dishes on the menu.
When the total was about to hit five figures, Anna gently reminded her, "Mom, it's just the three of us. We can't finish all this."
Qiana glanced at Caleb and then added a five-figure bottle of wine, smiling, "This is Caleb's first official treat. We can't be stingy, can we? You haven't even married yet, and you're already siding with an outsider?"
Caleb seemed in good spirits and didn't mind Anna's reminder. Instead, he reassured her, "It's alright, Anna. Order whatever you want. Thanks to you and your parents' care, it's my turn to repay you."
One was willing to indulge, and the other was willing to pay generously. Anna, however, felt like an outsider at this lavish feast.
They didn't run into Colin at the restaurant, perhaps because he wasn't there that day, which made Anna secretly relieved.
After the meal, Qiana suggested going shopping, and Caleb, as always, indulged her unconditionally.
Watching all this, Anna felt a surge of helplessness. She felt like her life was being arranged by others, leaving her with no decisions to make.
This prearranged life occasionally made her want to rebel. She wasn't content with having her life planned out by others.
Lately, she had been asking herself countless times if her feelings for Caleb were still as passionate as before.
Did she still love him?
The answer was unclear.
Anna was frustrated and wanted to escape. So when Colin asked her to go on a business trip, she agreed without hesitation.
"Are you still doing the part-time job?" Colin asked, noticing Anna's distracted state.
Standing in Colin's office, Anna was a bit confused. It had been a while since Colin mentioned the part-time job.
"Is your mom asking you to bring me back again?" Anna asked.
Colin nodded. "Are you going?"
Anna thought about it. Given her current situation with Caleb, it wouldn't be good to deceive Gia anymore. If Gia found out she and Colin were faking it, she'd be heartbroken.
"Why don't you find a time to tell Mrs. Rivera the truth? We're not really a couple. If Mrs. Rivera finds out, she'll be so upset." Anna said, not daring to look at Colin's face.
Colin's expression indeed darkened. "Anna, are you really with Caleb now? Are you in a hurry to give him a status?"
Colin's tone wasn't pleasant, and Anna immediately backed down. "No, I haven't made up my mind yet."
Colin suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. "Since you haven't decided, you're still my girlfriend in name. Come home with me tonight."
For the first time, Anna felt strange being forced to do a part-time job.
In the end, Colin managed to persuade Anna to go home with him.
Gia was surprised to see Anna, but when she saw Colin giving her a look, she immediately understood.
"Anna, I've missed you. I'm so glad you're here. Come, let me show you the clothes I bought for you last time." Gia pulled Anna upstairs, winking at Colin as she went.
After dinner, the two of them left the house, and Anna asked Colin to take her home.
Colin agreed, but once they were in the car, he drove towards the Whitewater Bay villa instead. Anna didn't notice.
Gia had given her a bunch of things when they left, and she was busy talking to Colin.
"You should return these to Mrs. Rivera tomorrow. Given our current fake relationship, I feel guilty accepting her things."
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