Chapter 92 Unknown Number
JAMES’ POV
I rubbed my hands against my jeans as I stepped out of the car. My throat had gone dry, and I would have given anything for a drink.
My mom stepped out, standing right beside me as she handed me my phone. It was a message from an unknown number.
‘We need to meet. Trust me, I'm a person of interest.’
I deleted the text immediately. I didn't have the time for such things. Especially not when it might be one of those angry patients.
A part of me was angry at Anna. Why was she trying to be friends if she was just going to end up doing something like this? The fact that I killed my ego for her was putting me on another level of anger. But once again, I needed her.
“Who are you looking for?” One of the guards asked, with an eyebrow cocked. I could see the displeasure written all over him. He probably recognized me from the last time I had gone on my knees. I felt goosebumps over my skin immediately.
“Miss Anna,” I answered, and I didn't miss the slight roll of his eyes. Of course, I wasn't rich anymore. Most of them were only going to see me like some kind of nuisance. If only they knew how much their little Miss Anna begged me to love her. She hung on to my every word.
There was a voice at the back of my head that told me that I won't be getting back to that stage with Anna. It didn't matter. It wasn't like I wanted her to be my girlfriend or something. Or so I tried to assure myself.
“Sorry, she has asked us not to let you meet with her.”
My mother wrapped her fingers around the railings of the gate. “What do you mean by that? Why would she try to avoid us? Doesn't she know what our social status is, in the society?”
I pulled her back immediately. As far as I knew, we were just the failed pharmacist, and his mother. .
“She has refused to meet you. There's no need for me to go in and check,” the guard answered, obviously exhausted with what was happening at the gate. We had probably caused more drama since he had seen in weeks.
“Let's just go,” I told my mom. “We'll meet her somewhere else.”
The both of us already turned around when we heard a small calm voice call out. “Open the gates.”
My hopes were lifted, but I knew that it didn't belong to Anna. I narrowed my eyes at the petite woman that walked towards us. The firm smile on her lips told me that she was up to something.
“James, right?” She asked, and I gave her a small nod.
“How many I help you? I don't remember speaking to you.”
The lady cocked her head to the side. “Maybe if you paid more attention to the news, then I'm sure you'd know exactly who I am.”
I shrugged, not giving a fuck. She wasn't Anna, she might as well go to hell.
“I'm Isabel Quinn. Anna's sister.” Her face was squeezed in a frown as she added the next statement. “Adopted.”
“And am I supposed to be amazed? What do you want with me?” I asked, already losing my cool.
She looked at the security guard. “I said you should open the gates.” She looked back at me as the gates were being open. “I texted you a few minutes ago. I believe we have something in common. Come with me.”
I looked back at my mom, and she nodded, like she was giving me the go ahead. The both of us headed into the house, and my jaw was literally on the floor. It screamed elegance already. But walking into a place like that seemed ethereal.
My mom and I followed Isabel to what looked like a waiting room. She gestured for the both of us to sit down.
“I would have preferred for us to meet elsewhere. But since you're already here, I thought why not?”
I narrowed my eyes at her. The way she was acting was more than suspicious. “What do you want with me?” I finally asked.
“You want Anna,” she said, taking a seat of her own. “I want her out of the way. I believe we can do more than helping each other.”
“How?” I asked, with amazement in my voice. It was hard to even believe that Anna was not exactly welcome at the house. Was there someone else that hated her? Were they just trying to keep up a fake media appearance while she was being hated behind doors?
Not even one part of me felt bad for her.
“My parents anniversary is coming up. You will be attending. As my boyfriend.”
I froze. “Do I have to tell Melissa?”
“Don’t be stupid,” my mom cut in, leaning into Isabel. “What does he have to do?”
“Just come here and play the boyfriend role. If Melissa comes here to act some kind of drama, that would only make things better.”
“I don't think this will work,” I said, leaning back in my chair.
Isabel cocked an eyebrow. “Do you want me to pay you off then? All you'll have to do is make appearances.”
“He'll do it,” my mom quickly said, extending a hand for a handshake. I watched as the both of them shook hands, while I narrowed my eyes at Isabel.
She was desperate, but very composed about it. Fuck it, I might as well have fun while I did this. And that was probably going to be my only way to get extremely close to Anna. I couldn't miss my chances like it was nothing.
There was no way that the whole family didn't know that I was the ex that stole Anna's drug. That alone was my cue to run away. But I couldn't bring myself to do that. I was desperate as well. Extremely desperate.
I leaned back further in my chair, already planning what to do.
I looked up at Isabel, who equally had her eyes fixed on me. “Send me all the details I need to know. Anna was my girlfriend once. It'll need extra acting