Chapter 24

John immediately went back to his dying act. "I'm already at this point, I think that I won't be able to live for long. Can't you fulfil this one wish of mine before I die? You think that you won't be able to fall in love with another person because you have not opened up your heart to another person. Once you try to open up your heart then you will see that you can forget about it. Please give her a chance. Please, for me. If you can bring that woman that you love here I will approve of the both of you. But until then, you have to get married to Joanna. Think of it as my dying wish" John said. He was really threatening his son with his life! He really was so desperate.
Raymond felt weak all of a sudden. He did not know how to argue with his grandfather anymore. He knew that he was dying and yet he was still hesitating about doing the one thing that he wants. But what is he supposed to do? There was a time when he told himself that he was going to forget about that woman and move on with his life but he could not do it. He could never move on from that woman. What is he going to do about this.
Raymond was still contemplating what to do about this when he saw the monitor beside his grandfather's bed beeping. He really is dying! He looked at his grandfather's face. His eyes were shut tight. Raymond felt really scared. He felt like he was having another close shave with death. First his parents, and then April, now his grandfather, he really wanted to prevent this. He wanted to do everything to save his grandfather! He called out for the doctor immediately. Soon, the floor opened and some doctors came in with the director. Raymond was pushed out of the ward.
After about thirty minutes, the director and the doctors came out. The other doctors left but the director stayed behind to talk with Raymond. He really did not like that he was doing something like this. He felt like this rich people were playing around with his profession. But there was really nothing that he could do. He really enjoyed the benefits that he got from them. Even though he felt a little bit annoyed, he had to play along so he won't offend them.
"I already told you, your grandfather, his condition keeps getting worse and worse. We are giving him treatments for now but we really don't know when all of that is going to stop working. You really need to stop triggering him. I know that it is not in my place to say this but your grandfather really wants to see you get married. Why can't you just do it? I'm sure that he will be able to live for much longer if you do as he says and get married" the director said.
Raymond sighed. He really wanted his grandfather to get better but is he ready to do that? To get married for his sake? For his grandfather, he already knew since a long time ago that he was ready to do anything and sacrifice anything for him. But, he really did not want to have anything to do with Joanna Anderson! She really is terrible woman. He did not know much about her but after one meeting with her he could already see how scheming she is. Raymond looked back at his grandfather. He saw the pitiful look on his face. His grandfather said that if he brought that woman here he would approve of her right? Well, he would bring her! He would definitely find her. But before that, before he finds her, he is going to have to put up with this for the sake of his grandfather's health.
"Take care of my grandfather. I'll be back" With these words, Raymond dashed out of the hospital.
The director watched as the man ran out of the hospital. Sometimes, he really could not figure out what rich people were thinking. When Joanna Anderson came to the hospital, he had seen her and he knew that she was here to see the old man. And from the conversation that he had earlier with him, he already knew what was going on. In his opinion, Joanna Anderson really is a good woman. Why does Raymond reject the idea of being with her so much?
Raymond left the hospital with the idea to go see that woman. But as soon as he got in his car he realized that he did not even know where the woman lived. He almost gave up the idea. What is he even doing right now? In the middle of the night, rushing off to a woman's place. A woman that he really hated. He was just going to head for home but the face of his dying grandfather flashed in his head just the . He really could not bear to walk away from him.
He is his grandfather and he should give him everything to make sure that he is alright. He got in his car and made a phone call to his secretary Ivan. "Ivan, I need you to get me the address of the actress Joanna Anderson. You have five minutes to do that!" Raymond said. He was always like this. Decisive. He already decided on what he was going to do. Before he can find her, he had to put up with this crazy arrangement. The only difference now was the fact that he now has a time limit to find that woman. He is definitely going to find her.
Ivan on the other hand was shocked. His boss just called him and asked him to find the address of a woman? He knew the woman immediately he mentioned her name. Joanna Anderson was currently the biggest actress in the country right now. She was like an household name. But why does his cold and indifferent boss suddenly want to know where this woman live? As far as he knew he did not have any business with her, the both of them have never even met each other before! What is going on?
Ivan wanted to call back and ask Raymond just what the hell he was doing but he knew better that to do that. He would only be losing his job then. He did not dare to risk it. He immediately pushed back all of his curiousity. In a couple of minutes, he already got the address. Then he texted Raymond the address. He felt like he won't be able to stop himself from asking if he called him. He would not get in trouble then.
Raymond looked at the address that Ivan had just sent him. She really is living well. This neighborhood, you had to be really rich to afford an apartment here. And it wasn't just about the money. You had to have the connections to get a house here! Most celebrities did not even bother about it. But Joanna Anderson lives here! It was just as if she was trying to tell everyone how rich she was. It was just like her. Vain and proud. The fact that he was going to have something to do with this woman soon really irritated him.
But he did not have a choice. He had to put up with it for the sake of his grandfather's health. He could not bear anything happening to the old man. If him doing this can prolong his life then he was more then ready to put up with it. He started the car and drove towards the address that Ivan had given him. Joanna Anderson, she really has some skills to make his grandfather favour her so much. He is dying and he still manages to force him into this with that woman.
Joanna was getting ready to go to bed. She just wanted to sleep and forget about all the things that had happened today. When she wakes up, she will have a detailed plan to deal with those people. Raymond Walker, she is definitely going to make him her man. First time tommorow, she is going to visit his grandfather and then work on him. She had to get him completely on her side for the marriage to happen as soon as possible. Once they were married, it would me much more easier for her to trap him.
And then Sonia Hailey, that woman really is a pain in the butt. She will have to figure out a way to get rid of her and that stupid assistant of hers Jenna. If they do nothing to her she is not going to react but if the both of them are actually stupid enough to think about going after her then she is going to make thier lives miserable as well! She was going to go to bed when she heard her door bell ringing. Who the hell is it disturbing her at this time of the day? Because the person was really persistent, Joanna decided to go take a look. She opened the door and standing outside was the man that she had been dreaming about. Raymond Walker!
She was really surprised. What is this man doing here by this time of the day? He already told her that he hated women like her! He made it clear to her that he did not like her at all. Joanna did not know if she was happy to see this man at her door right now. What is he doing here? Did he come here to berate and make fun of her? No matter what Joanna was a really prideful woman. She had not forgotten that he insulted her a few hours ago. She hardened her expression. "What are you doing here?" She asked.
Raymond scoffed. This woman really is smart. She knew how to take advantage of situations. He knew that she badly wanted to get married to him and him being here right now must have made her really happy. But she is still pretending as if she did not care. She really is something. He remembered the reason why he came here. No matter how much he hated her, he still had to put up with her for his grandfather. "Joanna Anderson, let's get married!" Raymond said.
Joanna was shocked. What is going on? Is she dreaming right now? She had to be dreaming. That is the only possible explanation for this. She is dreaming. She has been thinking about this man too much for today and now she is seeing him in her dreams. And he is even saying that he is going to get married to her. This had to be a dream. She pinched the side of her arm to make sure that she was dreaming. But it hurts. That meant that it is not a dream.
Raymond Walker really is in front of her door. And he is telling her that the both of them should get married. What is going on here? Did he not say that he won't have anything to do with a woman like her? What is going on? She wanted to jump up and say yes at once but she did not do it. After all, she is Joanna Anderson. She still had to figure out what is going on. He definitely did not fall in love with her immediately he left. "What is the meaning of this? Are you playing around with me right now Me Raymond? You want to get married to me? What kind of a joke is this?" Joanna asked.
Raymond was not stupid. He definitely did not like this woman infact, he really hated her. Over the years, there had been lots of women who had tried to get close to him because they wanted to be with the CEO of Helian Group. But he had never met a woman who annoyed him the way she annoyed him. Her pure white lotus act was really sickening. If not for his grandfather, he won't be in front of her right now asking her to get married to him! She really is an annoying woman.
"What are you talking about? Isn't this what you want? For the both of us to get married right? Don't get ahead of yourself. I definitely did not fall in love with you all of a sudden. I have a deal for you. For some reason my grandfather really likes you a lot. Let's get married, for just six months. After six months we are going to go our separate ways, like nothing happened at all!" Raymond told her. There was definitely no way he was going to spend his life with someone like that. He already had someone in his heart and he is definitely going to find her.
His substitute bride
Written by authoress Mira