Chapter 36

"I did hear that you are getting married to Raymond Walker. Do you think that your marriage will happen?" Of course it was Lydia who said this. She definitely won't let her get married so easily. She is the one who should be getting married. If she had come back home a week earlier then she would be the one getting married. How can she just let this scheming witch Joanna take it away from her? No way at all! she is Lydia Anderson! There is no way that Joanna will be able to surpass her in this lifetime. Who does she think that she is? She is just an orphan who lost her parents. She still has her father, her litter and her brother backing her! Is there something she wants that she won't be able to get?!
Joanna laughed. It was a sinister laughter. Then she turned to look at Lydia. She could see from her eyes that she was burning with jealousy. It was expected of Lydia. After all, ever since they were little she always wanted the things that were hers. Well, she won't let her get away this time at all! "What? If I'm not going to get married to him then do you think that you are that one who should get married to him instead ? Dream on Lydia!" Joanna said. Since she already said what she came here to say, Joanna turned and walked away from them. She was already done with this family. This family that made her go through so much. She is this close to her revenge now, Lydia or anyone else can try. They won't be able to stop her!
Paul was pacing up and down in his house. He knew that Joanna was going to get married and there was nothing that he would be able to do about it anymore. She was always like this. When she set her mind on something, she made sure that she did it no matter what. But she did not love that person. The both of them have never even had a proper conversation once! And everyone knew what Raymond was like. It could be that he only wants to mess around with Joanna. If this idiot is playing around with his friend then he won't let him go at all! Paul wanted to make sure that Joanna won't be at a loss getting married to that person.
Because he did not want Joanna to suffer any loses he decided to give her a call. If he meets her and finds out what she is thinking, he will be rest assured about her getting married. Besides, he knows that this is going to happen soon. He just wants to make sure that his friend is doing alright. He called Joanna and she picked up after the third ring. "Joanna, how are you doing? I saw the news. So it's true, you and Raymond, you are going to get married. I, I just want to meet with you and talk. Do you think that you have time?" Paul asked. Maybe it was because he had been with Joanna for a long time now, he thought that she is still that going and innocent girl who bumped into him because she was crying so much she did not see where she was going. He had no idea, how much she has changed.
Joanna on the other side of the phone, sighed. She knew what Paul was going to talk about. She does not know who Raymond is. The fact that she is getting married like this, it might not be beneficial at all. Joanna was thinking. She had to find a way to convince him that this marriage is going to work out for her. But still, she did not want to tell him that she was excited about it. She did not want Paul to think that she is just like other women who wants to hook up with a rich man just to live a better life. That was exactly what she was doing but still she did not want him to know about it.
She decided to meet up with him. She already knew what she was going to say to him. Besides Paul has always been like this. As long as she mentions it to him, he is going to do everything for her! Actually, Joanna could not say that she was completely unaware of Paul's feelings. She was not stupid. Joanna just did not care about it at all. He was still useful to her, so they continued to be friends. "I really don't know what to do anymore. I feel like..I feel like, I don't know what is going on in my life anymore! Let's meet up. You remember that restaurant we used to visit when we were Young right? Let's go there" she said and ended the call.
Paul was happy that Joanna decided to meet up with him. . He knew that Joanna was going to get married and there was nothing that he would be able to do about it anymore. She was always like this. When she set her mind on something, she made sure that she did it no matter what. But she did not love that person. The both of them have never even had a proper conversation once! And everyone knew what Raymond was like. It could be that he only wants to mess around with Joanna. If this idiot is playing around with his friend then he won't let him go at all! Paul wanted to make sure that Joanna won't be at a loss getting married to that person.
The restaurant that they used to visit when they were young? Of course Paul still remembered that. As long as it was about Joanna he would never forget it. Joanna did not get any pocket money from her uncle then. She always had to starve for lunch. There was no way that Paul could watch that. But if he wanted to have a proper meal then his allowance won't be enough for the both of them. So they found this restaurant. Maybe because the business was not doing well, it was quite cheap. It became thier regular spot. Paul felt happy that Joanna still remembered this place. This meant that deep down, he still had a place in her heart right?
Joanna and Paul were seated facing each other. The reason why Joanna had chose to come to this place was because the business was always bad. People did not come here often. The food was quite good but maybe it seemed the owner did not know how to do business. Or maybe who ever owned it did not care about the money at all. People were not usually here so no one would recognize her if she came here with Paul. Everyone in the entertainment industry already knows that she is getting married. She did not want any scandals that was going to end up relaying her marriage with Raymond. Lydia is back. She did not want to give her time to plot anything!
Joanna looked at Paul with pitiful eyes. Her look made anyone that saw it want to pity her and do everything that they want to help her. This was the image that she always had when she was with Paul. A poor pitiful woman, Paul could not help wanting to give her all that she wants. "I really don't know what to do anymore Paul. I just feel that for some reason I am just a part of some bigger plan. I really don't know what to do. My uncle and those people, they just planned whatever they want and released this outrageous story today! I really want to back out but there is nothing that I can do" Joanna said. She was almost crying now.
Paul slammed his hand on the table immediately. He was really angry. He knew it! He knew that something like this isn't what Joanna would do! Why will she want to get married to that man? She already has a wonderful career! This career is the most Important thing to her! When other people were enjoying thier teenage years she did not enjoy her teenage years at all! Because of her family she entered the entertainment industry at a really young age and she has struggled to get to the trip since then! She already put so much into her career. Will she want to give it up for a marriage? That is so unlike Joanna at all! When will these people stop forcing her to do such things? What do they really want from her.
"What the hell is the meaning of this? Your uncle, what does he really want from you? What does he want you to do? He is really forcing you to get married to that man?! Because of his company?! Doesn't he have a daughter? Can't he have his daughter marry him in your place instead?" Paul asked. Because he felt really angry for Joanna, his words were a bit harsh. Paul suddenly thought of something. "If you don't want to do it then there is no need for you to force yourself like this. You are a wonderful actress and you don't need that family! You can definitely survive on your own. Just refuse to get married and cut them off completely!" Paul said. Joanna does not deserve this at all!
Joanna suddenly sat up! What is this person saying? What? Get Lydia to get married in her place? Cut off her family and tell them that she is not going to get married? There is no way that she can do that! She is the one that should be getting married to Raymond! No one else! But she did not want to yell Paul this. For the first time, Joanna felt that she did not know how to deal with this person anymore. To be sincere, Joanna did not know why she was doing this to Paul. She just liked the feeling of him being by her side and doing whatever she wants. She had to find a way to convince him that she has no choice but to get married.
"Do you really think that all of this is that easy? If I could just walk out of it I would have done so a long time ago. But I really can't get out of this. Lydia knows what Raymond is like and she won't get married. Her father dotes on her so much and he can only do whatever she wants him to do. As for those people then, they know that I am actress. They already announced that I am marrying Raymond. If I suddenly back out then it would be an insult to him! After I insult him like that do you think he will let me go? He will definitely try to end my career as an actress! I Will lose everything then! I really can't risk that Paul. You know how much I suffered to here today! I just want to run away! " Joanna said. Yes, she was making it sound like she was being threatened!
Actually, Joanna did not know what she was hoping to gain from lying to Paul like this. When she first came to live with her uncle and his family, she was distraught. She did not remember most things about her life up until she came to live with them. She asked her uncle the first day and he told her that it wasn't important. What was important was what she chose to do with her life from now on.
Joanna took those words personally. When they started to ill treat her, she told herself that she won't be standing for it. The only person who did not try to bully her was Paul. And the both of them became friends. She had been playing this push and pull game with him for years. Without knowing when it will end.
His substitute bride
Written by authoress Mira