Chapter 26

Joanna smiled. She thought that Raymond was starting to care about her. She did not even do anything and he was already caring about her career. Telling her not to make the marriage public because he did not want her career to be affected after they broke up is because he is starting to care about her right? Otherwise, why will he care about her career after they are divorced? This could only mean that he was doing it because he cared about her. Of course she did not know that he was doing it because he did not want a public marriage.
Joanna was happy because of this show of "care" by Raymond. But still, she refused to budge. She wanted to rub it in everyone's faces that she got married to Raymond Walker.
Joanna was happy because of this show of "care" by Raymond. But still, she refused to budge. She wanted to rub it in everyone's faces that she got married to Raymond Walker. Sonia, her uncle and his wife, Fred and even that stupid Lydia. She wanted to brag that she got married to Raymond Walker. "You don't have go worry about me. Once we get divorced, it won't be your business anymore. I'll handle my own mess" Joanna said. She was really insisting on making her marriage with Raymond Walker a public affairs.
Raymond nodded his head. Since she wanted that he would not try to argue with her anymore. He would do as she wanted. He would just have to find way to deal with it all when it was all over in six months time. For the next six months, he is going to concentrate all of his attention on finding that woman. Once he found her then he is going to show her to his grandfather the way that he wanted. He was sure that then he won't be against him getting married to the woman that he really loves. For the next six months, he just had to put up with the woman. Until he finds her. "Alright let's do that" he said.
Joanna nodded her head. It was all going as she wanted. She is going to get married to Raymond Walker! Even though he said that it's going to last for six months, she was sure that he won't want to let her go after that! And besides, he really did agree to have people know about the marriage. She is Joanna Anderson. Has there ever been a man that she wanted and she did not get? However Joanna had a few conditions. If she is going to get married to the powerful Raymond Walker then she is going to make sure that everyone knows about it and that she rubs it in everyone's faces! It's only right that way.
John was in his ward now. The room no longer had the depressing look that it had when Raymond came to see him. It was much more livier now. John was happy. He was able to fool his grandson. He really wanted him to get married to Joanna. He was sure that she is the perfect match for him. It was not going to be easy but once the both of them are married then it would be easier for him to fall in love with her. Feelings are going to grow from there. Joanna Anderson is a good woman. A good woman that can put up with her grandson.
As far as John was concerned, that girl had long died. It was a tragic end for the girl but he was grateful. At least his grandson came back to him in one piece. He had to be thankful for that. He meant what he told Raymond. As long as he is able to show that woman to him then he would definitely let him get married to her. He won't interfere if he is able to find the woman that he is so in love with. But John was sure that he won't be able to find her. He won't be able to find a person that already died eleven years ago. For the reason, Joanna Anderson is the best woman for him. He just hoped that as time passes, he will be able to fall in love with her. No he was sure it that. With such an excellent woman like Joanna, he would be able to fall in love with her and forget about that girl. The only reason Raymond kept holding on to the idea that she is alive is because he has not moved on. Once he moves on with someone else, he will be able to see that she is no longer alive.
Raymond had already left Joanna's place. The both of them had already reached s conclusion. He is going to get married to her for the sake of his grandfather. When the both of them are married then his grandfather won't be so worried about him. He thought about telling him that it was only a contract and that the both of them will go thier separate ways after six months but Raymond decided against it. Right now, John is still sick. If he tells him that it was only a contract, it will definitely make his condition worse.
The only thing that he should be focused on right now is how to get his grandfather to get better. Once he gets better,maybe he will talk about it with his. Either way, he knew that there is no way he is going to spend the rest of his life with that woman. Even if he were not waiting for someone, he still won't have anything to do with her. A woman like that who only knows how to scheme, definitely isn't the person for him. He was going back to see his grandfather now. Maybe if he knows about his decision to get married, he will get better
When Raymond got to the hospital, he was told that his father was awake now. Raymond sighed. He was worried that he won't be awake. He wanted to talk to him about the marriage and get it done and over with as soon as possible. Even though he had already decided that he was going to do it still thinking about the fact that he is going to be stick with that woman for six months really annoyed him. And she is even demanding that he makes the marriage public! Just thinking about these things gave him an headache.
Raymond walked into the room his grandfather was sitting on the bed. Even though he still looked weak, at least the room did not have the same depressing look that it had when Raymond first came. It did not feel like he was so close to death anymore. Actually, if Raymond had been paying a bit more attention, he would have noticed that something was wrong. But he did not pay attention, he was so worried about him. "Grandfather, I'm back" Raymond said. He sat next to him. He really won't be able to take it if he dies now.
John looked up at his grandson. He has been told how Raymond left the hospital in a hurry. He really did not know what he was thinking. What did he want to do? Be just wanted him to get married so that he won't be so lonely. John believed that he was like this because he did not have someone in his life. If there is someone in his life then he won't miss that woman so much. He would be able to come to terms with the fact that she died that day. Anyway, where did he go? Why did he leave the hospital in a hurry?
As far as John was concerned, that girl had long died. It was a tragic end for the girl but he was grateful. At least his grandson came back to him in one piece. He had to be thankful for that. He meant what he told Raymond. As long as he is able to show that woman to him then he would definitely let him get married to her. He won't interfere if he is able to find the woman that he is so in love with. But John was sure that he won't be able to find her. He won't be able to find a person that already died eleven years ago. For the reason, Joanna Anderson is the best woman for him. He just hoped that as time passes, he will be able to fall in love with her. No he was sure it that. With such an excellent woman like Joanna, he would be able to fall in love with her and forget about that girl. The only reason Raymond kept holding on to the idea that she is alive is because he has not moved on. Once he moves on with someone else, he will be able to see that she is no longer alive.
John looked at his grandson again. He was still pretending to be weak. He would convince him until he decides to get married to Joanna. "Raymond, I know that you really don't like the idea of having to get married to someone like this. I know that you are still thinking about that girl. But it's already been so long already. Do you really think that she is still Alive? Don't be like this. Give someone a chance in your life. Try getting to know her first" John said.
Raymond sighed. It was the first time that his grandfather was bringing her up himself. He knew just how much what happened then hurt Raymond and so even if he wanted to talk about it with Raymond he did not do it because he wanted to be considerate of his feelings. John did not show it but all these years watching his grandson miss someone that has already died since a long time ago, he felt hurt. He even felt like it was all his fault. Maybe if he did not send him to that place.....
Raymond shook his head. He already decided on what he was going to do. It was all for his grandfather's health anyway. Once he gets better then, and besides, he did not think that he won't be able to find her. He will definitely find her. "Grandfather, you really want me to get married to Joanna right? You really think that me getting married to her is a good thing? Will you get better if I marry that Joanna?" Raymond asked. He already knew what the answer was going to be but he still wanted to ask.
John looked at Raymond. He felt bad for decieving him like this. He could see that his little stunt of almost dying had really scared his grandson a lot. But he did not have a choice. If he did not go this far, if he did not do something like this then this person would have never listened to him. He had to go to these lenghts if he wants him to move on with his life. Maybe it was his fault, but he wanted to make up for it now. He wanted to make sure that his life got back on track. And there was no better person that Joanna Anderson!
"I know. I know that you still miss that person. I know that you are still looking for that person after so much time has passed. Maybe it's all my fault. I should not have sent you go that town. I lost my son and I had to take care of the company, you weren't in your best condition and I just thought that sending you away will be the best option, I did not really think that you were going to meet her. No meeting her was a good thing. It was perfect.
His substitute bride
Written by authoress Mira