Chapter 6 I Promise

• The next day, Anastasia got discharged from the hospital. Ian arrives at the hospital to take Anastasia home.
• They drove home in silence, Ian refused to say a word to Anastasia. They arrived at their home. Ian got out of the car and went in leaving Anastasia outside. One of the maids helped Anastasia in.
• Ian slammed the door behind him and punched the wall.
• "Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!! Anastasia is so controlling. She wants to control every part of my life. I mean...she can do whatever she wants but this is the part of my life I'm entitled to make a decision. Anastasia can't choose Iris as my wife and force her on me. No! I oppose to this marriage but then... she's blackmailing me. Damn it!
• A knock came twice at his door.
• "Who! Who is it? He opened the door and saw Anastasia at his door.
• "You? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting in your room? I mean...the doctor advised that you take some rest, so let's keep to his advice. Do go back to your room and get some rest"
• " I want us to talk" Anastasia said sitting on Ians bed. Sit with me " We'll talk later. Your health is important" Ian replied taking a few steps away from his bed.
• " Stop Ian, stop it...you can't fool me. My health? For real? Ian, I know you're really mad at me right now but believe me when I say I didn't intend to commit suicide. Sit and lets talk, okay?
• Fine. You never know when to give in Ian said returning to his bed, and sat down, keeping a gap between him and Anastasia.
• “ I see, you are really mad at me. Well, about the incident, I didnt try to commit suicide You dont have to lie to me. Iris found you with a bottle of some drugs beside you Like I said, I never intended to commit suicide, I was nervous. I was scared and confused...more like I had a panic attack when I learnt you were missing. I wanted to take some tranquilizers to calm my nerves unfortunately I took overdosed of those tranquilizers"
• " Okay. Since when did you start using tranquilizers?
• "We're not here to talk about tranquilizers"
• " Oh yes so you have to give me an answer, straightforward answer. I ask you again. Since when did you start consuming tranquilizers like it's some kind of food supplements or some vitamin complex? Tell me"
• " Quite a while"
• " How long? A year? Two years? Three years? Answer the question damn it"
• " Fine... I'll answer you. Twelve years ago"
• " Twelve... twelve years ago? Ana? You started consuming those since you were seventeen? How? Why?
• "Because... I couldn't find solace. Dad and mum passed away from a ghastly car accident and...the shock made me have a nervous breakdown. I stayed at the hospital for a week and the doctors fought to keep me alive. Since then...I relied on these tranquilizers to calm down my hot nerves. Happy now?
• "Really? Why didn't you stop?
• " You. You added to the burden, especially with the lifestyle you chose. It was impossible not to worry about you. Ian..." She held Ian's hands. " Please... don't let me down"
• "How?
• " Get married to Iris, please. You promised me at the hospital. Im only here to remind you of that promise"
• Ian pulled his hands out of Anastasia's palms.
• "I'm not going to do that. I do not love her. "
• You promised!
• Yes, I only did that to get you off my case and not start a fight with you in your condition. I meanat that time, what was important is your health " I know. Trust me, you'll learn to love her and I know when you finally learn to love her...you won't ever let go of her, so do you accept her to be your lawfully wedded wife?
• "I'll think about it. Lets end this please"
• "That's more like it and that's my boy"
• " I'm no boy but Anastasia...this isn't fair. I'm just twenty-five and you're forcing me to get married. You had forced me to get a master's degree I did. Please, stop forcing me to do things against my will"
• " I can't promise you that. But trust me... you'll be going for your PhD soon"
• " Get out of my room, now"
• " Okay. Don't forget to think about it, got it"
• " Out." Ian shut the door at Anastasia's face. " What a sister I have. I refuse to marry Iris.
• Later in the evening, Iris arrived at the Santiago's Mansion with some fruit basket and some flowers.
• One of the maids welcomed her in. Iris had her seat while the maid left to call Anastasia.
• Anastasia joined Iris at the living room. Both hugged and kissed each other's cheeks. Anastasia offered Iris a seat and asked the maid to get some snacks and juice for Iris.
• "How are you feeling Anastasia? Iris asks with a bright smile.
• "I'm okay. I'm feeling much better after a nice rest"
• " That's good to hear. I'm glad to know that you're okay. Uh...here...I brought some fruits and this flower bouquet for you"
• " Aww... that's so sweet. Thank you"
• "You're welcome. I'm glad you love them. I decided to drop by and check up on you"
• " That's so sweet of you. You're so caring Iris"
• " I am? Iris blushed. "Thanks Ana"
• Ian descended the stairs, one hand in his ash joggers and the other busy with his phone. Iris stood up the moment she saw him coming downstairs. She had recalled the incident that took place at the hospital, how Ian treated her. He had yelled and cursed at her and asked her to stay away from him and his family.
• "Why are you standing Iris? Anastasia asked "Uh...I think I should get going" Iris stuttered and staggered back.
• Ian came to a halt upon hearing iris's voice. He stopped whatever he was doing with his phone and raised his head.
• "Iris... you're here? What the heck are you doing here? He asked, trying to hide his anger.
• "Ian... manners" Anastasia glared at him. "Iris has come to check up on me"
• "Really? She must be done checking. Kayla!
• "Sir..." The maid came running. "You called sir"
• "See to it that miss Iris is escorted out and shut the door once she leaves" Ian ordered the maid.
• Iris heart leaped and she bit her upper lip. She clenched her bag as she tried holding back the tears in her eyes.
• "Uh...no. I'll walk myself out. I was about to leave before you walked in. Bye Anastasia"
• " Hold it right there Iris" Anastasia grasped iris's hand. " Ian...is this the way to talk to a lady? I thought we had a heart to heart talk earlier in your room about this issue"
• " We did? Please remind me. Read my lips Anastasia...I don't care. I do not give a damn about it all. Iris...shall I see you off to your car?
• "No...no thank you. I can walk myself to my car"
• " I would love to walk you to your car as a gentleman I am. C'mon"
• Ian hurried down the stairs and went to Iris. Ian wrapped his long arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to himself. His fingers dug deep into iris' arm.
• "Ouch" Iris let out a sound.
• "Are you okay iris? Anastasia asked.
• " Oh my Iris...are you okay? Ian glared at her.
• " Ye...yes. I'm fine." Iris stuttered.
• "Let's go" Ian held iris' hand and dragged her along.
• Iris struggled to pull her hand out of Ian's hand as he was squeezing her palm.
• "Ian...you can let me go. I will go from here immediately" Iris begged.
• " You do love disobeying me. Why? Ian asked letting go of iris hand.
• "I'm sorry. I was worried about Anastasia. I couldn't stop thinking about her and I couldn't help not coming here. I had to run down here to give my mind some sort of peace. I'm really sorry. Please do not be mad at me" Iris looked down immediately.
• " You! You do irritate me but then...what can I do to you. Are you scared?
• "Huh? Me? She looked up immediately... " Small..." She looked down again.
• "I'm up here not down there you crazy girl."
• " I'm not crazy"
• " If you are not crazy then look up...look at my face and look into my eyes"
• " If you say so" Iris raised her head and both made an eye contact. She couldn't stop staring into Ian's seductive eyes.
• "Hey! Ian snapped his fingers at her. " Where have you gone to?
• " Obviously nowhere" Iris tittered.
• “How in the world did Ana arrive at the conclusion that I'll ever love someone like her? Ian thought.
• "Definitely not my type" Ian mumbled.
• "Did you say something?
• " Yes I did and you do not deserve to know what I said."
• " Uh... okay"
• "Get going"
• " Yes I will. Good night Ian and sweet dreams"
• " I do not care. Just leave"
• " Yes"
• Iris waved at him and left for her car.
• Ian returned inside and saw Anastasia standing by the window side. He made a cough sound.
• "Are you done Ana? Stop acting all childish"
• " Did you just insult me?
• "Did I? What were you doing there? Staring at us? Not gonna happen. The love thingy"
• " Why? Why? Why?
• "Get a life Ana. Get a man too. You being single is obviously rubbing off on everyone. You stink and reek of old age"
• " What? Ian! How dare you say that to me?
• "Why? Does it hurt? The truth is bitter, maybe you can try to digest it with some honey. I'll be at the dining for dinner" Ian winked at her and ran off " Ian! Ugh!