Chapter 15 - Planning obstacles

"Mina, I have come to an understanding with Mr Sherman – but it does involve some sacrifices on my behalf," Joanna said to Mina over the phone.

"What do you mean Joanna? You're not doing anything against your will are you?"

"I won't say I am… We have both made sacrifices and we will both gain from the arrangement. I think I might have the most to gain from it actually."

"Joanna, sweetheart, please speak so I can understand you," Mina said as her voice increased in its tone and her words started to blur when she spoke.

"I'm planning to marry Mr Sherman. He has promised to tell me everything I wish to know thereafter. And promised to give me everything I desire from that point on."

It was silent thereafter, neither Mina nor Joanna made a sound and Joanna soon feared Mina had ended the call. "Mina?"

"But Jo…" Mina began, "I can't understand, I thought that you... That I could... That perhaps." She couldn't say another word.

"It isn't a real marriage as you would understand it. I'm still free to do as I please," Joanna quickly said. But by then Mina had already ended the call.

Mina stood with her arm hanging down the side, her phone sliding out of her hand and landing on the carpet that covered a great deal of her floor. She was shocked by the hurtful act she considered this to be, but her mind was working vigorously. She had to stop this from happening.

"I will not be taking part in the planning of this wedding!" Joanna strongly protested, when Macaroy Sherman suggested that she told him what she wanted it to be like. "Listen, I don't have the time, it is your money, and it is your condition to be married. I will not be planning the wedding."

Sherman nodded understandingly. "Alright. I shall do the planning then – are you available next Saturday?"

Joanna checked her calendar and discovered that it was completely free of events.

"Then the wedding shall be next Saturday."

Joanna looked at him, with a pretend smile on her face, that slowly turned into an almost sincere one. To her surprise, she found that she was looking somewhat forward to the wedding. Perhaps it was merely that weddings were always a big deal, a reason to celebrate, something society had tough girls to love, she theories that it was only these predisposed feelings that affected her into a feeling of joy.

"I will write it in my calendar right away – will you text me the details?"

Sherman nodded and smiled, "as you wish my darling."

"Anyway, I have homework to finish, I should get back now." Joanna sighed silently as she prepared to leave. She looked down as she felt the weight of the ring on her finger. It was heavier than she had expected it to be.

"Allow me to drive you home."

"I don't…"

He placed his finger over her lips, "no, allow me. I insist."

Joanna rolled her eyes, but they walked to his car together, where he opened the car door for her just as the other time. She paused before getting in, what if her memories would be missing this time as well. She got into the car and Sherman got in next to her on the driver's seat.

"You know," he said as he turned the engine on, "I have an apartment here as well."

"You do?" Joanna was feeling inclined to being hostile and cold towards Sherman, but she tried to put any effort into being kind. It would be better if they were friendly towards each other when they were married.

"Where is it?"

"A nice place uptown, high-up in the highest building."

"Of course, it is," Joanna said, chuckled and shook her head. "Don't you do anything without the desire to draw attention to yourself?"

"You think I attract attention?" Sherman nodded as he considered the possibility that she was right about him. "I suppose it's a part of the job description."

Joanna rolled her eyes, "well, we must continue our debate on this topic later – this is my place." Joanna pointed to the building and got out before Sherman had the chance to run around and open the door for her. "See you soon," she said and closed the car door behind her, before walking into the building, leaving Sherman rather perplexed at the sudden end of their conversation. He had rather hoped it would go on a little longer.

Mina went onto all of Joanna's social media and went searching for her friends. She checked what friends she had made at the time she began university and there was only one who was consistent on all of the platforms: Bailey Brown. Mina contacted her right away without thoughts as to what she might say about being contacted like this.

Text to Bailey: Are you a friend of Joanna Charleston?

Reply: Yes, who are you.

To Bailey: A friend of Joanna, Mina, – she's in trouble. I need help to stop her.

Reply: … … … I texted Joanna, she says there is no problem. Goodbye.

To Bailey: She's being blackmailed into marriage. She doesn't want to tell you.

Reply: … What. Blackmail… How do I know I can trust you?

To Bailey: … I don't know. But there isn't time.

Reply: … Oh, Okay. I suppose then I will… But what can we do?

To Bailey: I don't know yet… But we better think fast. Met me by the lake in the uni park in two hours?

Reply: Okay. I will be there.

Right after receiving the text from Mina, Bailey texted George for help, since she figured this was a job for more than two people, but mostly because she didn't want to go see a stranger in the uni park at seven o'clock in the afternoon. George didn't think twice before agreeing to join Bailey, he actually showed up earlier than the others.

"George!" Bailey shouted as she saw him. She ran towards him and stopped abruptly, as she struggled to slow down. "I'm so thankful that you would come."

"Of course," George wasn't smiling, Bailey noticed. "Anything I can do to help." He was about to say something more when they noticed a woman walking towards them.

"Are you Bailey Brown?" Mina asked, reaching her hand out.

Bailey nodded and smiled carefully, "this is George."

"I trust we can all agree that we want what's best for Joanna and that none of us wants her to be blackmailed into a marriage?" Mina said.

George took the word without hesitation, "of course we do, but what do you plan to do about it?"

"That's just the problem..." Mina said and sighed, "I don't know."