CHAPTER 22

ANNIE POV

I sit in the kitchen, sipping my tea. I while looking outside the window, lost in my mind, I known my mother well, and she will do anything to get what she want. I don't want to drag Arthur into my problem. Moreover now I'm pregnant, I make decision. I have to end this, this is problems between me and my mother. I don't want to drag Arthur into my problems. Take another sip my tea, I reach my phone then message her, I need to meet her.

I told Arthur that I'll going with Mia to the mall, actually I will meet my mother there. I trying to be like usual, so Arthur doesn't notice that I'm lying to him. He know every little things about my habits, and he know I'll never lie to him. That's why now I feel so guilty to him. But I don't want to cause any problems regarding my mother.

I see Tom and Sawyer near the car, they nodded at me, I smile but feel sorry to them. I'm afraid if this time Arthur find out about this, I'm sure he'll fire both of them no hesitated. Step into the car, trying to calm, but I'm so nervous, I have to find a way how meet her without both of them notice.

Inside the mall, I pull out my phone, texting my mother, I told her to meet me at one restaurant. I already make a reservation there. Come inside the restaurant, the waiter come to me, I told him that I already make reservation. He check it, then he showing me the way to the private room. I see my mother have arrived, smile sly to me,

"Darling, you came ... what took you so long ?" she's pretending like a care mother to me

"Cut the crap mother, I'm here just want to end everything. I know you are my mother, but all this time you never care for me, since I was kid, until I got married with Anthony, and after he died, you never care for me. Now you come because you need money, just because I'm with Arthur. Don't ever think I will give you the money, its not my money, and I won't allowed Arthur giving you a cent. I'm not threaten you, since the beginning you're not my mother, I feel sorry for you, ... "

She snap me "Listen kid, never raise your voice to me, I'm still your mother. You'll see what will I do, you same like me, you just want Arthur money isn't ? Don't try to fool me, bitch. We can work together, darling" she persuade me

I start crying "mother, I never and will never give you Arthur money. I'm not you, a gold digger, who looking for men only for his money and fame .. "

She slapped me, "how dare you speak like that to me, bitch"

I caressing my cheek, still crying, suddenly the door open, I look at the door, shocking, I see Arthur come near me, there is 2 men following behind him. I never meet those men, still shocking, I feel Arthur sit beside me, he looking at my face, I don't realized that my hand still in my cheek.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong with your cheek? Did she slap you ?" Arthur caressing my cheek softly.

Feeling a little bit hurt, I'm taken back of his sudden action. He looking at my mother, his face turn into cold, ruthless, if look could kill, I guess she's already death by now.

"Mrs Edison, I know you are Annie's mother, but she's my fiance and in a few days she will be Mrs knight. Don't you dare insult her. I don't care who you are, but don't mess with me. Try me, put your hand on Annie and Mia, I swear I will chasing you and burn you to hell. Don't ever think to contact her or Mia again. Mark my word, I'm sure you know well who I'm and what am I capable of doing" he shouting at my mother.

He embraced me, kissing my forehead and turn again at my mother. My mother suddenly silent, her face look fear, her body shaking. Arthur turn his head to the man beside him and nodded. That men looking at my mother, his face flat no emotions he said "Mrs Edison, this is letter of consent to stay away from Ms Melanie Edison and her daughter. if you break it, then you will be dealing with the police"

My mother take the letter, start reading it. Her face turn into red, looks disappointed, frustrated, without a fight, she signed the letter then giving it to the man.

Arthur stand, and grab my hand, start walking, when we reached the door he turn around and said "Don't even think I'm not monitoring your movements" then we walk away leaving her speechless.

In the car, Arthur sit quietly, I feel scared, afraid, a part because he know that I lied to him. Unconsciously my tears fell, Arthur will never forgive me, he will hate me because of this, look out the window, so many things happened today, I feel exhausted, I close my eyes trying to rest a bit.

Open my eyes, I see my our, looking at my dress, its turn into Arthur t-shirt, I try to sit suddenly hugged from behind. I know from the scent who's that, I put my head on his chest, I'm still afraid he's mad at me.

"Sweetheart, don't you ever do that again" he said sternly, put a piece of my hair to my ear.

"Baby, I'm sorry, I just don't want to be burden for you, I thought I could handle that, but wait, how do you know I was there ?" I sit then look at him confused

"I always have my ways sweetheart" he put me back to his chest.

Our wedding will be held in two weeks. After everything happened with us, Arthur hasten our wedding date, he didn't want my mother to make problem again. And now I'm sitting in the living room waiting for Julia. She will show me the progress of our wedding plans. I rubbing my belly, now my baby bumps visible, and Arthur always fascinated when see my belly.