Chapter 3

1 Week Later

RODRÍGUEZ MANSION

The mansion is beautifully furnished and exhibited wealth. Taylor had already left some days ago and the mansion had an aura of peace for a while.

Sofia leaned against the white-painted wall as she waited for her mom to come out with their luggage.

Mateo sat cross-legged on the sofa opposite Sofia, gently tapping his fingers on the handrest of the seat as he took a moment to scan the room with his eyes.

The artifacts were made of silver. The room was still as they made frequent eye contact before Mateo broke the silence.

"Would you be nice enough to tell me your name?" There was a smile plastered on his face as he spoke. Sofia stood there, staring at the man seated on her favourite part of the cushion asking her name. She held her stuffed pet so tight as she stared at him blankly in reply. Mateo wasn't known for having patience with little kids, but if he was going to live with this lady and her kid, then he might as well adapt to patience. He took a step forward and she flinched in fear and held her bunny even tighter.

"Hey, I don't bite. I only want to know you." He stated but all she gave him was that cold stare that sent daggers his way once more. She was starting to get on his nerves with her silence, but he took in deep breaths before adjusting to his seat. He leaned his back against the seat as he observed her facial features for a while.

"Blue eyes?!" He thought. "Just like her mom." He sighed.

Anisa showed up in the room carrying two big boxes, one blue box and the other silver coloured.

Mateo helped her with the boxes as she eyed him from the corners of her eyes.

"I appreciate your acting but I don't need your help." She said as she forcefully took the box away from him. The beige-coloured car is an Audi brand.

Mateo walked her to the car with Sofie in his arms. Anisa eyed him from the corners of her eyes, she couldn't believe she'd be living with this man. She stole a glance at Sophia from the rearview mirror, she looked unhappy with that pout on her lips. She observed her for a little longer before speaking up.

"Hey baby, what's the matter?" She asked softly but Sophie only looked away. "Pull over!" She instructed Mateo, giving him a stern look. He eyed her, lips pursed, and he rolled his eyes before eventually pulling over. Anisa walked to the back seat, taking Sofia in her hands as she smoothed out her hair.

"Niño, want to tell mami what's wrong?" She asked and Sofia nodded her head.

"No? What could be wrong with my querida?"

"Nada mami, I'm fine." She said and Anisa pulled her into a warm embrace.

The drive to the Fernandez mansion wasn't that far and long but they had stopped subsequent times to get Sofia some things which made them arrive at the mansion 2 hours later.

Anisa stared at the mansion that stood in front of her, it was a good-looking building but it didn't seem like her taste as she wasn't moved by the sight. A lady approaches her from the mansion, introducing herself as Maria as she helped with the pieces of luggage Mateo stood beside her, staring at her for a moment before breaking the silence.

"Mi señora, I see you're appalled by the sight....you probably haven't seen one of this kind huh? You should come in, querido." Mateo said and walked away.

She watched him in annoyance as he made his way into the house before muttering. Perra. She muttered before walking in.

The interiors of the house were nice as well but she was reluctant to walk into *their bedroom*. Sophia's was nice and looked like a doll house, it had a doll collection in a cabinet which houses various dolls. She glanced at them with a disapproving look as she clutched Susie, her stuffed bunny pet in her arms. She looked up at Anisa with sad eyes before resting on her bed with Susie. She never joked with Susie, Susie felt like the sibling she doesn't have, like the best friend she's always wanted.

"Mami," She called out after settling on her bed.

"Sí?"

"When are you going to bring Catarina?"

Anisa peeked down at her little angel and placed a kiss on her forehead, "Rest now, I know you're tired. We'll visit Cata tomorrow." She walked away shortly after and jumped into Mateo in the hallway. They exchanged glances for a while before walking away.

She walked into her new bedroom, it was nice looking and had this really beautiful view. Mateo walked in shortly after.

"You should rest a bit, we'd leave for my parents by 5:00 pm, I should introduce you to them., Mateo said as he took off his shirt.

She got the chance to stare at him from behind, he had muscular shoulders which made him look hot, he turned around and she stares at his chest....abs in the right place. Mateo caught her staring and cleared his throat, jolting her back to life.

"Right." She said and walked away.

_______________________________________________________

The FERNANDEZ

Anisa alighted the car with Sofia as they walked into the building, Mateo had his arms wrapped around her waist with her too around his. They walked in together, with fake smiles playing on their lips.

She felt very uncomfortable with his hands around her waist but she had to agree with it as she didn't want to send the wrong signals.

Thiago and Joan sat on the couch, side by side discussing when Mateo walked in with her.

Mr, Thiago rose to his feet and walked over to his son, he didn't seem all that happy. Well, Mr, Thiago isn't that much of a smiley person so it's hard to decipher when he's happy from when he's sad. He observed the brunette lady that stood in front of him with a little girl in her arms.

"Good evening, dad., Mateo said with an unending smile playing on his lips.

"Good day sir," She greeted and Mr. Thiago kept staring without uttering a word, it was starting to make her feel uneasy.

Mateo walked over to his mom to greet her and she replied to his greetings and hers with a smile playing on her lips. Mr, Thiago settled on the seat opposite his wife's, waiting for his son- Mateo to break the silence.

"Dad, mom, this is Anisa, my fiance. Anisa...my parents." Mateo introduced.

"Buen día señora, buen día señor. I'm Anisa and this is my daughter, Sofia."

"Nice meeting you, amigo." His mom said.

They got on talking as a family until Mr. Thiago gave his consent for their relationship.

"So, how do you have this girl?" Ms. Joan questioned.

"I had a husband but he-" She gets interrupted by a chuckle that seemed to be coming from someone outside. It sounded so familiar....just then, someone walked in....attracting the attention of the once-listening parents. The person had a neat mixture of blonde and chestnut hair, a well-chiselled face and spoke with confidence. There was only one person that suited this description, there was only one person she knew possessed these abilities. Was she dreaming right now?

"Missy?" The person spoke up and her heart felt like it was starting to melt away. Everything appeared blurry, she was fazed and was slowly starting to pass out.

"Anisa, Anisa...Ani."

"Juan." Those were her last words before she finally blacked out.

Please, guys, read, comment, vote, and leave a review and power stones. Who or what did she see?

What secret could they be hiding?