Chapter Five

HARRY

The second Matthew said, "What is she doing here?", I knew there was some serious baggage between him and Anastasia.

My parents looked at each other and I could see that there was a lot I didn't know.

After Matthew walked out, I became even more confused.

"Why did it have to be her?", My Dad muttered,

"I don't understand," I said.

Mom, ever the voice of reason, dropped a bombshell. "Son," she said gently, " didn't you know that Anastasia was engaged to Matthew? Your nephew."

My jaw hit the floor. I whipped my head around to look at Anastasia, expecting some kind of explanation. But she wouldn't meet my gaze. The revelation hung heavy in the air, adding another layer to the already suffocating silence.

The air grew thick with tension, and the car ride back home stretched into an eternity. I kept stealing glances at Anastasia, hoping she'd finally break the silence and explain everything.

But she didn’t, I finally spoke up, "why didn't you tell me that you were once engaged to my nephew? Are you some sort of gold digger?", I asked but she kept silent.

she just stared out the window, the car became so tight, that I could barely breathe.

That morning I had gone into her room without her asking me to come in. I had knocked but she didn't respond, so I opened the door and let myself in.

I frankly wasn't thinking, I just became angry knowing she was engaged to Matthew.

I, myself, can not even understand why I am so angry with her.

Busting into Anastasia's room was a dumb move. I had woken up that morning feeling weird. It was difficult putting into words what I felt.

When I first met Anastasia, I thought she was something special, not like the other girls who just wanted my money. But then the truth bomb hit me yesterday - she used to be engaged to Matthew. It could mean she was just another gold digger. That was the only explanation as to why she hadn't told about her relationship with Matthew.

The only problem I now had was this crazy fake marriage thing. I was already in too deep, and getting out wasn't exactly easy. My relationship with my mother was at stake. If I lost the company, I knew my mother would disown me. This was her way of getting back at her friend for sleeping with her husband and getting pregnant for him.

They told me Anastasia was waiting for breakfast downstairs. As I headed down, the image of her in that sheer nightgown wouldn't leave my head. Let's just say it got me aroused. Then, the memory of her moaning Matthew's name hit me. There was no way I was going downstairs with a visible erection. I just couldn't let her see me like that, so I quickly went back upstairs.

I got cleaned up and prepared for a call while breakfast was brought to me. My phone buzzed with a text from Dad. After reading it, I knew I had to act fast.

I found her sitting out on the patio. Having worked with men and women of different ages and ethnicities, I couldn't understand why Anastasia made me nervous sometimes. I just couldn't understand why, I was much older than her and more exposed. I walked up to where she was sitting, "Anastasia", I called out and cleared my throat. She turned to look at me, and she looked a bit troubled.

I just couldn't be worrying about her welfare, at least now. She had a lot of explanation to do, but there wasn't even time for that.

" My parents will be coming over for dinner," I informed her.

"today ", she asked, I could tell from the way her eyes darted back and forth that she was already anxious.

"I need you to put on the best acting performance of your life. My parents have to believe you are in love with me...",

"I need to explain what happened between Matthew and me to you," she cut in.

"You had enough time to do that, but you didn't. There is no time for that now," I said.

"Please, you should instruct the chef and what has to be done and find something nice to wear. I instructed the stylist to get outfits for different events, so I am sure you should find something in your closet to wear. There will be here in two hours, "I added and walked away. I found myself getting angry. I couldn't believe I had been honest with her, and she had been so secretive with me. She made me look like a fool in front of my nephew.

Dinnertime. I threw on a burgundy double-breasted suit, ditching the shirt for a more casual look. I tamed my messy curls with some gel and checked myself out in the mirror. Didn't look bad. Sprayed on a quick spritz of cologne and headed downstairs.

I heard footsteps descending the steps. I looked up to see Anastasia coming down the stairs. She was dressed in a sky-blue figure-hugging gown. Anastasia was slender but she had curves in the right places. Her hair was styled in waves in a side part. Her makeup was simple with a bold lip. I couldn't take my eyes off her, "hi", she said bringing me back to reality.

"You look beautiful", I remarked, and she smiled, "thank you", she replied.

"let's sit", I said and we both walked to the couch.

"Since it's just my mom and dad, I believe we can pull it off. We might have to do a bit of PDA, just to make my dad believe we are in love", I said.

"it's ok", she said she the doorbell rang interrupting us. I went to the door and opened it and there was Matthew.