Chapter Five

Raymond scoffed. He already knew that his grandfather was up to something. Even though he had been really worried when he got here after spending some time with him he could see that the old man's condition was much more better than he had imagined. He probably got him to come here for a reason. Raymond decided to play along. He knew his grandfather was going to reveal his reason for making him come here soon enough. And he did. He wants him to get married. What a joke!

Raymond had no plans of get to married. Especially not to one of those women who had no self respect whatsoever. Throwing themselves at him whenever they got the chance. He did not want to have anything to do with them. By the way, he already had someone in his heart. "I see. This is the reason you got me to come here right? You want to convince me to get married. I already told you dad. I don't need something like this. I'm perfectly fine staying on my own!" Raymond said.

John sighed. He already knew that it won't be easy to convince him. Really he had lived for so long but in all his life he had never met anyone who is as difficult as Raymond! But he was also prepared this time. He could see death fast approaching him. He had to make sure that his grandson at least had a woman in his life first. He even went as far as picking out the woman for him. He won't stop until he sees him settle down with Joanna.

"You really need to listen to me son. You may think that you are still very young now but time flies past very quickly. The company is at it's highest point right now. You need to take this opportunity to settle down with your own life. Just get married. Why are you so scared of getting married? In already married your grandmother a long time ago when i was your age. Don't be so stubborn" John said.

Raymond resisted the urge to laugh. His father was really very persistent today. Raymond was sure that he already had everything figured out. Seeing as he kept hounding him to get married without a single break it must be because he already planned everything. He probably already has a woman that he wants him to get married to. This old man is really very sly. Raymond already knew, he won't be getting married. Nothing they said to him will be able to change his mind. He had to wait for her.

But because he wanted to humour his grandfather he decided to hear him out. He wanted to know what grand plans the man already had. "Grandpa, I know that you already have everything planned out. Seeing how you keep hounding me to get married, it's because you already have someone in mind right ? Tell me grandpa, what have you planned? Who is this person that you want me to get married to?" Raymond asked. He won't be marrying her anyway.

John smiled. He really could not hide anything from his sharp sighted grandson. Maybe that is the reason he was able to make so many progresses in five years time. Well since he already figured out that he had someone in mind, he might as well tell him. He was sure his grandson would like her anyway. She is pretty and talented. What is there not to like about Joanna Anderson? He will definitely fall in love with her and thank him for it.

"Alright. Since you already figured it out I think that I might as well just tell you about it. The woman that I want you to get married to is Joanna Anderson! You must have heard of her son. She is a really popular actress. She is always on television these days. I'm telling you son she is a woman that you cannot afford to miss out on at all! She is talented and she is a self made woman! Anyway, you just have to meet her once and you will be convinced!" John said excitedly

Raymond scoffed. This old man really will go to any lengths. He even got an actress for him to get married to. Maybe it was because he really didn't watch television or listen to entertainment news but he had never heard of that Joanna Anderson. Anyway, it did not matter. He was not going to get married to her. He did not want to marry anyone. As long as it's not April. She is the one that he will marry. No one else.

"I see grandpa. I think that I have already humoured you enough. Now I'm going to tell you what I really think. I don't want anything to do with that Joanna woman or any woman at all! Stop looking for marriage partners for me. I don't want to do it. I won't even see them. If I want to get married, I'll get married. But right now, i don't have any plans of marriage. Leave me alone please" Raymond said. He really can't let any one else into his heart. He just can't.

John was disappointed. He did not even try to find out who the woman is even after he told her that she was a celebrity. But still he did not want to give up. Even though he did not like the attitude of that woman's uncle he put up with it and met with him so that they could talk about the marriage. He seemed really excited to sell his niece of but John did not mind. At least he was sure that the woman he picked would make a good wife.

"Raymond how can you just conclude that you don't want the woman that I picked for you? You did not even try to see her. Once you see her I'm sure that you are going to change your mind. Just see her first okay. I am already like this. Old and weak. Can't you do this for your grandfather?" John asked. He was trying to use his health as a leverage to get his grandson to do what he wants. He really wanted him to get married to Joanna Anderson.

Raymond sighed. It wasn't as if he did not care about his grandfather's health. It was just that there was no way he could let another person into his life. There is only one way that he will get married. If he finds April. He already started looking for her a long time ago but there has been no news of her at all. It was as if she disappeared. But he had refused to believe that she did not exist in this world. He just wanted her to be alive somewhere.

"Grandpa, don't worry you are not going to die. We have the best doctors here taking care of you. You are not going to die anytime soon. But you see I can't get married to some random woman because you tell me to. I really can't grandpa" Raymond said. He really wanted to add. I already have someone in my heart. I really really love her grandpa. But Raymond did not say it. He did not want to burden him anymore.

John felt weak all of a sudden. He felt like he had an idea on what he was talking about. He really did not think about it because he thought that his grandson must be over it because so much time has passed. He did not imagine that he was still thinking about that woman from a long long time ago. It's already been so long. They did not find a body even after the incident happened. So, how can he still be waiting for her?

He felt bad that the girl had to leave like that but it's already been so long. Will his grandson really live his life waiting for some girl that he used to know from his childhood. "Raymond, you are not still thinking about that woman even after so much time has passed right ? She already died, you have to accept that fact" John said. He immediately stopped talking about it when he felt Raymond's burning gaze on him. "Why, why don't you just meet Joanna Anderson? Just once? For me?" John asked.

Raymond sighed. Since his grandfather already brought up April, he was feeling drained. He did not have the time or energy to argue with him anymore. Since his grandfather wants him to meet this so called Joanna Anderson once he is going to meet her. He is going to meet her and makes sure that she never thinks of marrying him ever again. He is still the cold and ruthless CEO Raymond Walker after all. A woman like that won't be too much for him to handle.

She must be jumping up and down thinking that she is going to marry Raymond Walker. Well all that he needs is one meeting with her. She will call off the marriage on her own. "Alright grandfather. Since you are already begging so much i am going to meet that woman once for you. Its just once right? I'll meet her" Raymond said. If one meeting meant that he won't be dealing with this again, he could do it.

John was happy. Raymond will meet her. He won't be able to resist once he meets her.

Paul walked back to Joanna. He had a horrid look on his face. He was still trying to process what he had just seen. Joanna is someone who had always been proud of her face. She was extremely beautiful. How will she feel seeing someone who looks exactly like her? That woman can impersonate Joanna without a problem! He looked up and saw Joanna staring at him. He still had to tell her something.

She thought that the woman was a reporter. He had to answer her and make sure that she does not get curious about that woman. The two of them must never meet each otter. They won't be able to deal with the consequences. "I already checked her. She is not a reporter. You don't have to worry about it. I think that she just started working today and she made a mistake. Let's just let it go okay? It won't look good to drag this on with a waitress" Paul told Joanna.

Joanna was relived that she probably did not get pictures of her but she was still upset about her dress. She still wanted her to at least pay for the dry cleaning. What did she mean by she did not have any money? Joanna did not care about her personal problems. But since she ruined her dress she should pay for it. It's only right that way. She was going to go over to her and demand for her dry cleaning fee. For goodness sake the dress had cost $5000.

"Well it's a relief that she is not a reporter and she did not get any pictures but she ruined my dress! I have to make sure that she pays for this. I'm not going to let her get off. I don't care if she just got the job or if she is poor, I just want her to pay for the dry cleaning. Then she will know not to mess around anymore! I'm going to her!" Joanna said. But as she took a step, Paul stopped her. She was surprised. He had never stopped her before. What is going on?

Paul stopped Joanna. He did not want her to go at all!

He had a horrid look on his face. He was still trying to process what he had just seen. Joanna is someone who had always been proud of her face. She was extremely beautiful. How will she feel seeing someone who looks exactly like her? That woman can impersonate Joanna without a problem! He looked up and saw Joanna staring at him. He still had to tell her something. He did not want her to be suspicious so he made up a story.Well you see there's no reason for you to go after she's just a waitress you won't get anything from going her after and besides it's going to reflect bad on your image she's not a reporter but there might be reporters here so let's just let it go I'll pay for the dry cleaning if you want. Let's just leave this place Joanna" Paul said. He really did not want them to meet at all.

Joanna was not convinced. But just then, she received a text from her Uncle. "Raymond's grandfather is in the hospital and I'm going to visit him. I'll meet you in front of the hospital. And Raymond Walker will be there too"

Joanna turned to Paul. "let's just leave. It's a lousy place anyway. I won't come back"

His substitute bride

Written by Authoress Mira