8. Family Dinner

Anastasia was coming out of the restroom when Noah grabbed her hand and pulled her to a corner.

They sauntered into the balcony.

"What the fuck do you want?!" She yelled at his face in disgust.

"No, the question is, what are you doing here and why are you standing with Mr. Mateo!?" Noah questioned her in annoyance, as if he still had the right to do so.

She smirked, rolling her eyes in disbelief.

"What does it look like, you dickhead? I'm in a relationship with your boss and by now you know that I'm screwing with him and you have nothing to do about it!" She spat at his face and he was taken aback by his statement.

"Anna." He grabbed her hands. She almost fell.

"I know you're in agony after what I have done to you but it hasn't gotten to this. Mr. Mateo is only going to use you and that's it." He paused. "If you're doing this to get back at me, stop it." Obviously, he was trying to stop her for his own benefit but to his surprise, she gave him a dirty slap in the face and he gasped.

"Who I screw with, who I mingle with, have no fucking business to do with you!" She cried out.

"Watch out for me, Noah. Because, this is just the beginning. I will make sure you pay for what you did to me." She attempted to leave the balcony but stopped in her tracks.

"And as for the debt you left for me, I will also make sure you pay triple told." She flashed him a smile before leaving.

"Argh!!!" He screamed in anger as he punched his hand in the wall, it hurt him but he couldn't wince because there was much pain in her word than his action.

"Boss, you called for me." Eve bowed.

"I got a call from our Australia investor that you warned them to stop distributing to us, can I know why?" He raised his brow, as he relaxed on his chair, turning it around.

"Ummm… boss, you see." She began nervously.

"Our staff couldn't sell out the stock we had on ground, so it would only fill the warehouse if we purchased more. So I asked them to pause while we try to sort out the stock on the ground and sell them at auction price." She explained skeptically and cautiously as she was afraid of his wrath.

He smirked, looking annoyed as his gaze returned to her. She quickly faced the ground.

"The campaign we did last month with about 50% off was to make sure those goods get sold out. According to you, we made millions of sales, how come we still had remaining?" He paused, giving her a long look.

"Or is there something you're hiding from me?" He questioned vividly.

"Boss, I…." She trailer off.

Soon, the office door pulled open after a short knock.

Anastasia gave them a look of suspicion and Mateo sighed.

"You've got a week to sort this out else you are out." He said seriously and she nodded.

"I will do so, boss, thank you very much." She couldn't look at Anastasia's eyes as she lowered her head and left the office.

Shame!

Anastasia approached his desk.

"Did something happen?" She curled her lips.

"It has nothing to do with you." She felt bad at his response but tried not to show it.

He got up and started wearing his suit jacket.

"Going somewhere?" She made a sad comeback and he nodded.

"Yes. With you." He flashed her a smile, which melted her heart over and over again.

"What's the deal?" She raised a brow.

"Going shopping. I will give you the details on our way." He assured her, stretching out his hand which she grabbed.

"Where were you?" They walked out of his office.

"I… I went to grab some fresh air." She lied.

Eyes were on them until they completely left the building.

"Fresh air, huh?" It dawned on her that he didn't want to change the topic, even until they had entered the car.

"Yea." She nodded nervously.

"Fresh air with the past?" He commented and she swallowed hard. Her lashes started batting.

He caught her.

"It's not what you think." She rattled out.

"I will love it if there will be no secret between us, that's the only way this relationship can work." He paused and leaned over to her ear.

"I mean… this contract relationship." He added and a sign of disappointment flashed on her face.

George parked the car in the garage and they strolled into WARM MALL, one of the most expensive and classic malls in the city.

"So, why are we here?" She broke the awkward silence between them and he faced her, leaning on the edge of a rack.

"To shop for a luxury outfit for you, you will be meeting my family." He spilled.

"Your family?" She almost gasped.

Inwardly, she felt everything was going too fast. Was it that he couldn't wait to introduce her to his family but to him, it was the opposite.

"Yes, my mum wants a family dinner. After seeing the news, they all want to meet you." He said.

"Sounds nice." She nodded.

"So, let's find something good for you because it's tonight." He spilled.

"Tonight?!" She half-yelled as some eyes swayed to their direction.

Every action of Mateo rejuvenated her heart but she constantly reminded herself that they were binded by one thing and that was the "contract".

They prepared to leave for Emerson's family mansion. She was nervous to meet with his family but she approved of it because sooner or later, it would come by.

Mateo stood at the entrance, in his blue luxurious suit, his shoe sparkling in the dark with his hair and beard perfectly shaved. He looked like a charming demi-god.

He checked his expensive wristwatch times without number, waiting for Anastasia and finally, she arrived.

Anastasia stepped out from the elevator, looking beautiful and gorgeous.

Her body-fitted gown exposed her charming curves and her eyes glittered at the sight of "her man." Mateo couldn't help but get lost in his stare.

She was indeed a beauty.

When she got closer to him, she cleared her throat and that was when it dawned on him that he had zoned out on her.

"Yes?" His brow raised.

"Let's go?" She said rhetorically and he nodded.

Arriving at the Emerson Mansion, it was two times bigger than Mateo's penthouse and she gasped at the alluring sight.

Curbing the car round the waterfall until the engine gradually fades, the Emerson family were standing outside the building, patiently waiting for Mateo and his new woman.

They had different facial expressions which left her in utter confusion.

Will they like her?

Soon, Matoe's gaze shifted to her.

He flashed her an assuring smile which for some reason soothed her heart.

"Are you ready?" His hoarse voice came up, asking affectionately.