Chapter 2 Pretend Boyfriend

Harry shook his head, clearly not believing Anna's words. "Did I hear correctly?" he asked sharply, "Married?"

"Yes, but it's a fake marriage," replied Anna innocently.

Harry closed his eyes, feeling that Anna's words didn't make sense. Could the fall she had earlier have caused a concussion? Harry turned to his daughter. "Sweetheart, stay here, okay? I need to see a doctor. Miss Anna has a medical condition."

Anna's eyes widened as she heard the man's words. "Hey, wait... wait. I'm not concussed. I'm normal, healthy, and fully conscious," she quickly replied. The man snapped back, "Then why are you talking nonsense? Do you think marriage is a game? You don't even know me yet. I already have a daughter, you know? Have you even considered how my wife might feel?"

Anna immediately looked down, realizing her ridiculous actions. It was natural for the man in front of her to be angry. However, Amelia suddenly interrupted her father's words, "Daddy, who is Daddy's wife? Don't I have a mother?" The girl smiled mischievously, making Harry look a little nervous. "Yes, that's an example, dear," Harry replied to Amelia. "So, you can't just ask to marry a stranger you don't know," added the man, again making an arrogant face at Anna. Amelia seemed to nod in agreement.

"Sorry, I didn't mean a real wedding," Anna finally said after taking a moment to compose herself. "Just pretended to be getting married so my grandmother wouldn't keep insisting that I settle down." Anna paused for a moment before continuing, "The truth is, I don't want to get married at all. That's why I ran away until I was hit by your car," she explained without being prompted.

Harry rubbed his forehead, trying to understand. "What do you mean?" he asked. Anna let out a sigh and rubbed her forehead. "It's hard to explain," she said.

Anna's cell phone vibrating made her immediately open her bag. She had 7 missed calls from her mother and father. Anna immediately called her mother's contact back and answered, "Hello-"

"Anna, where are you? Why haven't you answered Mom and Dad's calls earlier?" Her mother's voice shook with anger.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I just opened my cellphone. I had an accident and just woke up, so I picked up your call," Anna explained.

"An accident? What kind of accident? Anna, what exactly happened?" Her mother's voice now carried a tone of concern.

Anna sighed and began, "Mom, earlier, I ran away until I was hit by a car. I'm in the hospital now, but don't worry, I'm okay. I'll be home soon; please try to stay calm."

"What? Calm down?" her mother shouted, "How can I be calm? What's going on? Why did you run away? Jack was furious with your grandmother earlier because he felt like she was playing him. He said he couldn't tolerate being humiliated like this."

"Why won't he accept it?" asked Anna, furrowing her forehead. "What did he lose? Has he incurred huge expenses? I will compensate him."

"It's not about the money, Anna." Her mother sighed. "The issue is that your grandmother got so angry after hearing Jack's words that she had a heart attack. And now, her condition is critical."

"What?" Anna exclaimed in disbelief. " Oh, God! Critical? Is Grandma in critical condition?"

"Well, come here quickly!" said Mom firmly. "If something bad happens to Grandma, your uncle and aunt will definitely blame you, even though they love you." Then, the call was disconnected. Anna closed her eyes, and tears began to flow down her cheeks without her realizing it.

When Amelia saw Anna crying, she asked her what was wrong. She even held Anna's hand and rubbed it gently to comfort her. "Why are you crying, Anna?" she asked. Anna explained that her grandma was critically ill, and it was all because of her. Amelia hugged her immediately, and the little girl was so touched that she cried with Anna, even though they had just met.

Harry softened as he surveyed the scene. The man took a deep breath before asking, "What happened? Can you tell me slowly? My daughter is crying."

When she heard Harry's voice, Anna suddenly became aware of her actions. She slowly released her embrace on Amelia and attempted to put on a smile for the little girl. "Why are you crying, Amelia?" she asked softly, wiping away the little girl's tears.

"I was sad to see you crying, Anna. I also remembered Grandma," Amelia said. "Well, I'm not going to cry, but you don't cry anymore, okay?" Anna persuaded, which was greeted with a nod from the child.

Anna took a deep breath and glanced at Harry, who looked at her curiously. She explained that her grandmother had visited two days ago and kept pressuring her to get married. Anna wasn't ready to marry yet; she wanted to enjoy her life first. While her parents didn't have a problem with her decision, her grandmother was different. She kept urging Anna to get married and even forced her to accept grandma's choice of husband candidate.

Anna sighed heavily and stared blankly at the wall in front of her. "My grandmother made me go on a date with a wealthy man I had never met. I didn't enjoy it at all. He was rude, and how he looked at me made me nauseous," she recounted.

"If you're feeling nauseous, just throw up," Amelia interjected, causing Anna to be taken aback. "Amelia, that's not funny!" Harry scolded his daughter. "I'm sorry, Dad," Amelia replied sheepishly.

"I was looking for a way to ruin a date with that guy. Finally, I found an excuse to return to the room, then jumped off the balcony and ran away." Said Anna. "Grandma was very angry, especially as the man was angry with Grandma because he didn't accept being played with. Finally, my grandmother's heart disease recurred, and now she is still unconscious in the hospital," continued Anna.

Harry was slightly annoyed when he asked, "So you asked me to marry you for this?" He was concerned but didn't like being involved in other people's problems.

Anna replied softly, "Yes, but it's not real, just pretending."

"How can marriage be fake? Marriage is something sacred," Harry said firmly.

"It's sacred only if it's real. This is fake," Anna argued.

"Anyway, I don't agree with this crazy idea," said Harry.

Anna pleaded, "Please, I beg you to help me just this once. At least to save my grandmother's life." She looked sad and desperate because she didn't know what to do anymore.

"Dad, why don't you and Anna just date first?" Amelia surprised Anna and Harry with her idea. "In a relationship?!" they exclaimed, almost simultaneously looking at the child. "Well, it's already harmonious, hihi," joked Amelia, laughing. "It's harmonious, isn't it!"

Harry reminded his daughter, "Amel, don't joke around." Looking surprisingly adult, the little girl replied, "No, Dad. It's fake dating. Later, Anna told Grandma that you would be her future husband."

Hearing the girl's words, Anna became enthusiastic. "Wow, great suggestion! Amel, you're smart!" Amelia laughed and high-fived Anna. Harry noticed the closeness between Amelia and Anna. It was rare for him to see Amelia laugh like that, and it seemed like the kid really liked Anna.

Harry massaged his forehead before finally speaking, "Okay, I agree, but there are conditions."

Anna and Amelia were both surprised and stared at Harry.

"What are the conditions?" asked Anna quickly.

"You have to babysit my daughter," he said.

Anna and Amelia exchanged a glance. "Dad, I am not a baby and don't need a babysitter. We have a household assistant at home," argued Amelia.

"I mean, to accompany you because I have to go abroad for business next month. So, you won't get bored with a household assistant," Harry explained. The child nodded, "Oh... if that's the case, I agree." Amelia turned to Anna and asked, "What about you, Anna?"

"Deal, I agree," Anna answered quickly. "Great! From now on we're friends," Amelia cheered and invited Anna to give her a high five.

"Okay, I'll take you home," Harry offered.

"But I need to go to the hospital where my grandma is being treated," Anna replied.

"Are you planning to go to the hospital dressed like that?" Harry asked, observing Anna's slightly open evening dress, a little dirty from her earlier fall on the road.

"I'm not comfortable wearing this," Anna scratched the back of her neck. "Grandma forced me."

Harry finished the admin and drove Anna home after she agreed to postpone her visit to her grandmother. Unknowingly, a car had been following them since they left the hospital.