11 Paper Marriage

Anna tried hard to hide her feeling of solitude and she said hello to Shane.

"Anna! Where are you?" Shane asked in a detached voice.

"I am in Highland Park. Is the issue in the company resolved? Are you coming back home?"

"I am on my way back; I will meet you in the park in another ten minutes" His voice was cold and serene.

"Ok" Anna was used to this kind of treatment by now. Ever since she reached Newyork city, Her life was empty and lifeless.

Only for a week, Shane accompanied her and left her alone without a prior warning. She was alone in the new city for more than four months by now. Once in a while, he would visit her to check her but he would not accompany her.

Shane doesn't want to give her optimism in this marriage, it was just a kind of Paper Marriage to him. According to him, the whole marriage drama was to save Anna from marrying the old man and also to save himself from his mother's continuous nagging of his marriage. Now, he can relax.

Both their parents decided not to go officially about their marriage. Right now, they needed to sort out a way to get back an upper-hand in their family company.

But he still needed to clarify it clearly to Anna. He could not bring himself to let her live in a world of lies; it would hurt her even more than the life she had lived before. But how?! How can he say it?

When Shane reached the park, he found the girl sitting under a tree, he felt the aura of loneliness around the girl, and His eyes were distressed by the sight.

He was a tall man, with a long stride, he inched closer to her and his heart warmed instantly. He picked the red leaf lay on Anna's hair and said nonchalantly, "Hey girl! Relaxing?!"

Anna's eyelid fluttered open and as she looked up, she spoke merrily, "Shane?! When did you come?" She stood up clumsily, she never once was able to coordinate herself when she was near Shane. He caught her wrist and steadied her.

"Not so long! Do you like this park so much?"

"Yeah! This park has lots of scenery and I love the beautiful lilacs and maple trees. It is quite refreshing!" Anna replied honestly.

"Yes, it is indeed beautiful. Unfortunately, l never had time to visit." Shane smiled.

"Now you have time, I can tour guide you. Today is Rochester Lilac Festival. Do you want to walk and look around?" Anna Smiled back intimately.

Her adolescent voice is so sweet and gentle but her maturity rate is ladylike. Maybe, that's how she wanted to be looked upon by Shane.

Anna held Shane's hand like a lovely couple, they walked leisurely. Shane could not bear it, how could he continue to hurt this lovely girl, he had a strong internal conflict but he could not voice his words.

By that time, they both heard a voice from behind. They turned back to find a bunch of girls and boys. One of the girls voiced, "Hey Shane! Who is that girl?"

They were all Shane's classmate; they were all in the final year just like Shane.

"Elanda! Irik! What are you guys doing here?" Shane was flustered.

"To watch music concert! Man!! You have a girlfriend?" Irik was astonished. Elanda's face turned red in complexion. Irik turned to look at Elanda, he knew very well that Elanda has a crush for Shane.