Chapter 5 ...
Anne woke up with a pounding headache to find herself just outside of Mundan Corp., the business headquarters of her husband.
Shit, my husband, thought Anne. She had been so happy with her new lfe that she hadn't given a thought to her sudden disappearance or its consequences.
Anne turned quickly, only to be caught by the short man who had abducted her.
"Who the hell are you? Are you crazy? Let me go!", Anne shouted.
"Calm down, Miss...I'm only doing my job. Just go inside and have a chat with Mr. yagharat", he smiled easily.
"I could have you arrested for kidnapping. Now don't make me say it again...let me go", she screamed back angrily.
"I could have you arrested for abandonment", a lazy voice interrupted. Anne looked up in shock at the familiar voice. Lounging on the side of his silver Mercedes Benz convertible, Chakrit was observing the scene with a sardonic smirk.
Anne was shocked into silence. What could she say? Just looking at him brought back old feeling of love, need, lust...a potent heady combination that threatened to undo the progress of the last few months. Chakrit opened the door to the building and gestured for Anne to go inside.
Anne straightened her back and swept past him. She was a different person now and the only thing standing between her new life was this old mess. Time to clean it up!, she told herself encouraging.
Chakrit studied Anne as they ascended in the elevator in silence. She had lost a good 10 or 15 pounds and her previously chubby face was now a study in sharp, sleek lines. Her cat-like eyes glittered with high emotions, her skin gleamed like polished alabaster and her pink lips pouted in anger. She was dressed in an unfashionable smock but it empahsized her small waist and slender calfs. She stood tall and straight, confidence pouring out in waves. Where the hell had his dowdy wife gone and who was this feisty stranger?, wondered Chakrit. He had no idea but he intended to find out.
As they entered the boardroom, loud harpy voices shrieked in unison.
"Oh my god! where the hell have you been?", Mrs Itawat and May chorused. Anne had paled upon seeing her entire family.
"You are in such big trouble, young lady! What has gotten into you",continued Mrs. Itawat in a tone that would have even dogs wincing. Nothing has changed here, sighed Anne but her expression softened when she saw her father. Mr. Itawat looked genuinely happy to see her and wrinkled forehead finally soothed. Anne gave him a small smile, the only person in this room truly worried about her. Her mother and sister's incessant harping Anne ignored as background noise, like the noisy toddlers of the orphanage who needed to be ignored when they had a temper tantrum.
Her eyes alight on a slight figure in the back, Mr. Inan, the family lawyer. Ah, that's why I'm here, sighed Anne.
Ignoring everyone else in the room, she crossed over to Mr. Inan and wai'ed in respect.
"How are you, Mr Inan?", she asked with a smile.
"Ummm...fine...you/", he stuttered nervously as all eyes focused in shock on them.
"I suppose you are here to facilitate the divorce", Anne quired.
"Umm....ummm...yes", he replied even more uneasily.
"I understand. I intend to fully cooperate. Please prepare the forms and let Mr. Yagharat know. He seems expert at finding me.", Anne smiled.
"Now if that will be all, I will take my leave", she said and turned to leave.
"Wait...the settlement....is there?", Mr. Inan trailed off.
Anne tilted her head in amusement. Her whole family and Chakrit seemed shocked into stillness, she had even shocked the normally calm Mr. Inan into stutters. Doing good.You go girl!, she congratulated herself.
"Just one", she replied, "I want nothing of Mr. Yagharat's. Not a single piece of property, gold..even the clothes. I just want my freedom, total and complete. My dowry and such were negotiated by my father so you can help to settle that business dealing. Probably easy considering my sister will be taking my place, just a transfer of funds". Flashing a last smile, Anne strode out the room leaving a silent and frozen room behind her.