9. Don't Fall in Love with me, Anastasia

"Let's make a bet, she's not as cute as you imagined. Let's say 2/10." A young boy who seems to be seven years old.

"I know for sure that Uncle Mat won't settle for an ugly woman. I bet 7/10." Another young boy chirped in, they looked so much alike, undoubtedly twins.

"So, how much are we getting or what's the reward?" They continued deliberately between themselves while their mother and grandparents anticipated Mateo's arrival.

"$150!" The first one said quickly.

"You better pay if you lose." The other rolled his eyes sarcastically.

"John and Jones, your uncle is here." Their mother's loud voice disrupted their childish conversation.

Mateo and Anastasia locked arms as they approached the people waiting for them with smiles on their faces.

"Mother. Father. Good evening." Mateo greeted his parents with a short bow.

"Good evening, to you Ma'am and Sir." Anastasia followed suit and they nodded approvingly.

"Oh no! I think I have lost this time." John closed his mouth in astonishment.

"Yay! I won!" Jones ignored everyone, jumping happily.

He had just won $150 from his brother.

"Hey bro, it's good to have you back home." His sister, the mother of the twin, Clarissa flashed him a smile.

"Yeah, I'm also happy to see you. Back from Dubia, huh?" He raised a sly brow and she nodded.

"Hey man, welcome back!" His junior brother, Max, shook his hand happily.

"Thanks man." He smiled.

"So, Mateo and…" His father trailed off, staring at him to give him his girlfriend's name.

"Anna. Anastasia." He said.

"Let's go in." His father flashed them a smile, ushering them into the mansion through the wide entrance.

"Uncle Mat!"

"Uncle Mat!" His cousins, John and Jones embraced him in excitement as he lifted the both of them from the ground and strolled into the mansion.

"How are you doing, Champs?" He asked lovingly.

"Fine! It's so good to see you." Jones said with a loud voice and they laughed.

"And you've got yourself a pretty woman, uncle." John let out a toothy smile and Anastasia blushed.

Delicious mouth-watering delicacies had already been placed neatly on the round steel dining, covered with a blue tableware.

"Mateo, I'm so happy that you've finally found a woman by your side." His father nodded happily.

"What's a rich man without a woman by his side?" His mother commented and they chuckled.

"Well, let's say she's someone like you." His family raised their eyebrows looking confused, including Anastasia.

"I mean, for you to capture my father's heart, it clearly means you've something unique. She's just like you too." He explained meticulously to them with a warm smile, Anastasia blushed while his family chuckled.

"Wow, my brother is in love." Max teased him.

"So, Anastasia, when did you started dating.my son?" His father asked her and she cleared her throat nervously.

Mateo didn't tell her what to say and she didn't want to make any mistake.

"Two years now."

"One year and a month." They said almost in unison and faced themselves immediately.

"What's going on?" His father gave them a cryptical look.

"I…" She trailed off when he grabbed her hand on the table.

"We have been doing online dating for one year but when we started dating officially was last year." He began.

"Maybe that's why she said two years inside of the official date. You know, women's lifestyle." I rattled out calmly and his family nodded.

"Oh? That's true."

"Let me get some yogurt and fruits in the kitchen." His mother stood up.

Anastasia couldn't understand that kind of urge she got as she quickly got up.

"Where are you going?" Mateo grabbed her arm, muttered.

"I.. I want to join your mother." Without waiting for her response, she left with his mother.

Chatters and laughter faded as she stepped into the quiet kitchen.

"Anna, right?" His mother rinsed the fruits while she searched for trays.

"Yes, mother." She said.

"It's been ages since I heard a stranger calling me mum." Mateo's mother chuckled and Anastasia smirked.

"Well, you've got one now." She assured her warmly.

"Anna, you are now a mother to my son. I hope you will love him, bear with his bad sides and protect him. He is the only child we have." Mateo's mother informed her sadly and they faced each other.

"Only child?" She approached his mother with the tray, and they started placing the sliced fruits.

"Yes. Clarissa and Max are adopted. I could only give birth to Mateo." Mateo's mother explained to her.

"Oh?" She looked a little bit surprised because the harmony between them was hard to tell who wasn't their real blood.

"He didn't tell you about it?" Mateo's mother's voice called her out of her reverie.

She shook her head.

"No. He doesn't really talk about family matters, we are just dating. No plans yet." She said.

"No plans yet? Don't worry." She placed her palm on Anastasia's hand.

"I will talk to my son. We all love you and want him to end up with you." Anastasia couldn't help but blush happily.

For a second, she forgot that the whole thing was a contract.

"And also, this is the first time he is bring a woman home. That's why we have to receive her warmly because my son can never fall in love. I guess it's fate." Mateo's mother gasped in excitement.

"I feel honored already." She lowered her face. Inwardly, she felt bad for lying at his parents.

"Okay, let's go ahead and meet them. We can't keep them waiting." Mateo's mother laughed and she nodded in agreement.

"You're right. Sure." While Mateo's mother carried the tray of fruits, she carried the yogurt.

The family dinner was successful and the best Anastasia had ever had. It made her forget the reality she was facing. The warmth she received from his family was extraordinary.

"Auntie, will you visit us again?" Jones, Clarissa's child, refused to let go of her dress.

Just a short period of time, he had grown fond of her.

"I will." She lied, trying to assure them.

"Drive safe." Mateo's father said.

Soon, they entered the car and Mateo started the engine. He rode out of his father's compound and didn't exchange words with Anastasia.

"Wh… what did you discuss with my mother?" He broke the awkward silence.

"Nothing much. Just women stuff." She tried to wave the topic.

He gave her a long look before facing the road.

"Anastasia, hope you are not getting too engrossed in this drama?" He curled his lips.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"My family. My life. Don't get interested." He warned her.

"Why? I have to know more about you as your girlfriend." She reminded him warmly.

"Girlfriend?" He scoffed. "It's a contract thing, Anna, it ends in paper!" He reminded her curtly.

"I know but…" She began but was rudely cut off by him.

"No buts. Don't fall in love with me, Anastasia." He said seriously, staring into her eyes and her lips trembled.

Then, she realized she almost lost it.

It was all an act. What was she doing?

She couldn't say a word as she stared at him.