3 Chapter 3: Exquisite Start

Andrew's Point of View:

I wasn't the happiest after knowing what my parents had planned for me, but I had grown to see an opportunity in everything that happened to me. As soon as Anastasia left my room, I laid down on my bed, planning my future.

I loved a challenge.

I wasn't sure why, but Anastasia had a kind of effect on me. It pissed me off that even though she was going to be my pretend girlfriend, I couldn't bring myself to think about having a one-night stand with her and then leave her hanging.

She didn't look like that kind of person. A part of me wanted to even save her from any kind of heartbreak or hurt, but I wasn't capable of it. If anything, I'd be the one breaking her heart—and that's okay, because the bigger part of me was focused on winning the challenge she had just given me.

One thing was for sure: I wasn't gonna fall in love with you, Anastasia. Love's not for me. But you seemed to be the kind of girl who dreamt of happy-ever-afters and picket fences.

While on the other hand, I knew better. I've seen what love could do, and it may end in happiness—I agreed—but it gave pain beyond comprehension and it wasn't worth it all.

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The next morning I woke up at around 7. I called my travel manager and asked him to get the plane ready by 8, since I wasn't one to be late. Originally, I would have left after 10, but I wanted to get out of this place as soon as possible. The conversations last night have made the entire atmosphere equivalent to that of a first date.

I got out of the room after getting ready by 7:25. C'mon, a man's gotta take his time in the shower. It's heaven.

"Hey mom," I wished her as I sat down beside her on the breakfast table. Dad walked in a while later, "Hey dad," I said to him too.

I was still a bit uncomfortable after the way they had accused me of fooling around yesterday, but I wanted to leave with a happy mood.

I turned around when I heard heels clicking against the marble floor.

"Anastasia," I said her name and saw that it was enough to make a bit of blush creep to her cheeks.

"Andrew," She replied after a moment in a lower voice. "When are we leaving?"

I had hoped she would wake up late and not get ready on time to leave with me. That would have saved her from this game she was starting.

But now there was no other way.

"In fifteen minutes," I replied and she took a seat beside me. "Are you ready?"

"Don't I look ready?" She looked at me with sharp eyes and I smirked. She did. Her hair was made up in a messy, yet carefully let out bun. Her eyes were highlighted with eyeliner and a bit of mascara; her lips lighted with the same sharp red lipstick. Her attire was formal with a light peach blazer, but her top beneath it was a crop top which displayed a bit of her stomach, and she wore a matching watch. I wonder how someone could look so pretty in such formal clothes.

She looked beautiful.

"Maybe," I replied and looked at the breakfast in front of me.

"I'm sorry for imposing on you, Drew, but you'll realise this was the best thing that ever happened to you," I heard mom say after a few moments of awkward eating.

I looked up at her and then at Anastasia. Without tearing my gaze away from her eyes, I said to mom with a smirk: "Don't be sorry to me."

"Obviously," Anastasia spoke up, now looking at mom. "I'm no burden to Andrew. He knows how lucky he is."

I chuckled a bit and was met with a fightful gaze.

"I don't do jokes in the morning," I said as I stood up. "I'll be leaving now, mom."

She nodded. "Bye, Andrew. Visit often."

I smiled and looked at dad: he had been quiet this entire time. "Bye, dad."

"Bye, Drew."

I flashed a smile and Anastasia followed me out. Her stuff was taken by the security guards and put into my car.

"Your parents are nice," She commented as she sat down in the passenger's seat.

"You really wanna do this? I can drop you off in another country," I gave her a last chance and she laughed.

"You're such a coward."

I laughed back. I sped up to 110 miles per hour. It was good that the traffic was little to none at this early time. We were making sharp turns each time I overtook a car.

"Great." She whispered and I could feel that she was indeed a bit scared.

"What's the fastest you've driven?" I asked after a moment.

"100 on a highway," She said and looked at me, "I'm not crazy. We're in the city."

"Or you're not talented enough." I muttered loud enough for her to hear and she scoffed. A smile appeared on my lips. I loved the satisfaction I got at making her frustrated.

I brought the car to a sharp pause when we reached the airport and looked at her. "What? Should I open the door for you?"

She smirked. "I'm not your damsel in distress, Andrew and this isn't Hollywood."

She got out of the car and I came out to her side. "Really?"

"I'm starting a company in London," She ignored my question and took a step toward me. "Wanna be business partners?"

I was taken aback she wanted to start her own business. Calder Cosmos was a huge business that worked with NASA on numerous occasions to provide them with material and technology for Space Missions. But, as it appeared, she didn't have a perfect relationship with her parents.

"And what would this new company deal with?" I asked, hiding the shock behind a smirk.

"Modelling. You are my first model."