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. Seeing her so aroused and calling out Matthew's name made me feel something. I just didn't understand what I was feeling towards Anastasia. 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 - when I found out, she used to be engaged to Matthew. It could only 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.I didn't look bad at all. I 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.Anastasia As I descended the stairs, nothing prepared me for Matthew. He looked as handsome as ever, Matthew could always feel out a suit beautifully. "Hello Matthew," I said casually, trying not to sound bothered or flustered by his presence. I could see that Harry was as surprised to see him as I was. "Hello, Ana," Matthew replied with a coy smile. The door swung open, and Harry's parents entered. "Welcome Mom, Welcome Dad", Harry said as he walked over to his parents. He kissed his mom on both cheeks and shook hands with his dad. "Sorry your nephew had to tag along," Herbert said, and Harry waved it off, "it's ok, Dad, Matthew is family." It was not okay by me, I could feel his eyes all over me, and whenever I raised my head, I would find him looking at me. I lowered my eyes and tried avoiding his gaze, 'I just have to get through this evening', I reminded myself. 'How hard can that be?', I asked myself. "You look fantastic, dear," Harry's mom said as she wal
It was really Harry. Anastasia looked at him, and she couldn't speak. He just turned and walked out. Anastasia was confused, she was unsure whether to go after him or go back inside. A decision had to be made fast and just as she was still contemplating, she heard Matthew call, " Sweetheart,". "Who is at the door?" Matthew asked from inside. Anastasia quickly made a decision. "A lady," she answered and came back inside, shutting the door behind her. "Why didn't she come in?" Matthew asked. Anastasia continued her lie, "She just saw me and left." "That is strange," Matthew said. This was her chance to confront him. "Is it really strange that you're a cheat? That you cheated on me throughout our relationship? Or is it more strange that I'm here with you after how badly you treated me?" she said, pouring out her feelings. "Anastasia, I swear on my life, I never cheated on you. I love you dearly. You hurt me when you left without a word, no explanation, no closure," Matthew
"Before you say anything", Harry said. "It's important I let you know what is at stake. If you decide to walk away from our little arrangement", Harry said. Anastasia knew she had beaten much more than she could chew. "After I tell you my family history you may understand my plight", Harry said before he started his story. " My grandmother, Paris and Matthew's grandmother were best of friends. It's as though they were joined at the hip. So it came as a shock to Megan when Paris told her that she now had a boyfriend", Harry said. Anastasia listened intently as Harry kept narrating his family history, Anastasia was drawn into as she imagined everything Matthew said. ****** "I now have a boyfriend ", Paris had said to her friend with a dreamy look in her eyes. "You're kidding right?", Megan asked and Paris shook her head, "It's Stephen Smith", Paris said. "When did this happen ", Megan questioned her friend, completely baffled. "We met during summer camp and I just
"Yes, I am," Anastasia answered, and Harry's face fell. "I thought he cheated on me," Anastasia began to explain. She told Harry everything that happened, from the video she received showing Matthew sleeping with another woman to the discussion she had with Matthew at his house. "That day you saw me at his house. I only went there because he begged me to come over so that he could explain things to me. "Anastasia rambled on, but Harry kept silent. "I never set out to hurt you. I didn't know I was still in love with Matthew until I set my eyes on him. I regret running off and not talking to him after I received that video on the morning of our wedding. Now that I know that he was not the person in the video, I can't hold myself back from being with him, "Anastasia said. Harry sat really still, and Anastasia became worried, "Please say something," Anastasia begged. She went closer to him and took his hand in hers, "I never meant to hurt you..." "Cut the crap and say some
Anastasia didn't know if she was ready to receive any bad news. She was not happy that Natasha had interrupted her time with Matthew. "I am all ears," Anastasia said to her friend and sister as she settled in on the couch and took a sip of her drink. "First of all, tell us what really happened that day. You owe us an explanation as to why you ran off," Natasha said, "what exactly happened that morning? You just took off without any explanations. You cut everyone off. Anastasia, everyone was worried about you." Anastasia exhaled and launched into the entire story of what happened the morning of her wedding. She also told them what Matthew had said about the video. After Anastasia finished her explanation, Natasha exhaled and shook her head, "I don't know what to say." "Do you believe him?"Britney asked. " I do," Anastasia answered, "I know Matthew loves me" Natasha looked at her sister, and she knew Anastasia was not telling them everything, "And what about your hus
ANASTASIA After Britney and Natasha left, I became very anxious. Divorce was all I needed from Harry to be free to be with my man. The whole idea of the contract marriage was so that Harry could claim his inheritance, and now that aim has been achieved, I just hoped that he would free me from the contract. When it drew near to the time Harry usually came back from work, I took a seat by the window hoping he would come back soon. Finally, I saw the gate open, and his Rolls Royce drove in. I knew nothing about Harry Smith, but I hoped he wasn't a man who would want to keep me against my wish. Shortly after he arrived, I was notified by one of the housekeepers that dinner was ready. went down for dinner hoping to see Harry so that I could talk with him but he didn't come for dinner. I was disappointed and ate alone. After dinner, I decided to go to his room to talk to him. I knocked several times but there was no response, I decided to forge ahead with my plan of talkin
When I got inside I tried sleeping but Matthew and Harry had robbed me of sleep. The following day, I went to the hospital and I was surprised to see him already sitting. He smiled when he saw me, his mom was there with him. "You're here", she said acknowledging my presence, "I hope you slept well", she said. "I did. Thank you", I said. "How is he?", I asked Harry's mom, "Why don't you ask him", she said with a smile, she bent down and planted a kiss on her son's head. "Let me give both of you some space ", she said and walked out. "Thank you for saving my life", Harry said. "You don't need to thank me", I whispered. He looked so weak and pale and that made my heart break, "what happened", I asked him. "I don't want to talk about it ", Harry said, "not yet", he added. "I brought you breakfast. Your mom told me your favourite and I had the chef make it just the way she said you like it ", I said, he smiled and his eyes lit up. I could see he was still ver
HARRY Shortly after, my driver left to bring Clarise to the venue he called and informed me that Clarise was not at her house. I started to panic, and while I was trying to reach Clarise on the phone, Peter called. "She said yes," Peter screamed into the phone. He had just proposed to his girlfriend, and she had accepted the proposal. Peter went ahead to apologise for not waiting till he got to the venue like we had all planned. Even from the phone, I could hear how excited Peter was. He asked me if I had proposed to my woman. I told him she was still on her way, I lied because I didn't want to dampen his celebratory mood. I went to Clarise's house myself but she wasn't there. I couldn't reach her on the phone either. Her friends whose contact I had didn't know her whereabouts. My mother was equally worried. The following day, I told Peter what really happened. He felt so bad for me. He invited me over to have dinner with his fiancè and I obliged. On my way to Peter's hous
Anastasia sat on the edge of her bed, her hands trembling as she scrolled through her phone. The images of Harry and Camille were everywhere. Pictures of them coming out of a restaurant. Anastasia could not help but see how Harry held the beautiful actress. Anastasia felt sick to her stomach. Her heart pounded against her ribs. The pain was physical, a sharp stab that made it hard to breathe. " No, this can’t be real," Anastasia kept muttering to herself as she struggled to breathe. She had spoken to Harry just last night. He had told her he was busy and had an early meeting. And yet, here he was, on the front page of every gossip blog, wrapped up in another woman. Tears blurred her vision, and her body got weaker. The phone slipped from her fingers, crashing onto the marble floor. A wave of dizziness hit her like a storm, and before she could even cry out, the darkness consumed her. Miriam, one of the domestic staff, knocked lightly on Anastasia’s bedroom door. "Madam, y
Anastasia stretched lazily under the soft sheets, her body still heavy from exhaustion. The previous night had been a blur of discussions, strategy, and whispered theories with Natasha. They had spent hours poring over security footage, trying to make sense of who could have betrayed her. She had hoped to speak to Harry—to hear his voice, to feel some semblance of reassurance. But he hadn’t come home. She had waited. And waited. At some point, her eyes had grown heavy, and sleep had claimed her before she could hear the sound of his footsteps in the hallway. With a sigh, Anastasia pushed herself up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She stripped off her lilac-coloured nightwear and stood before the full-length mirror. The reflection staring back at her was different. Her waist was still trim, but her breasts—fuller than before—hinted at the new life growing inside her. A slow smile curled her lips. She was going to be a mother. Excitement coursed through her veins, but it w
The restaurant was dimly lit, the soft flicker of candlelight casting golden hues across Camille’s face as she sipped her wine, her gaze locked onto Harry. The tension between them was thick, like a velvet rope pulling them together. Harry, slightly tipsy, leaned back in his chair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. He was fully aware of Camille’s game—she had always been a master of flirtation, using her beauty and charm like a finely honed weapon. “You’ve done a good job staying out of my reach,” Camille murmured, setting her glass down as she leaned in, her voice was as soft as silk. “Even when you know how much I’ve been dying to have you.” Harry smirked, shaking his head. “Camille, we’ve never seemed to be single at the same time.” Camille let out a soft, sultry laugh, her eyes gleaming as they travelled over him with deliberate slowness. “Oh, Harry…” she purred, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. “You’re being coy. That’s not the real reason.” Harry arched
Anastasia sat on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her as she absently scrolled through her phone. She wasn’t reading anything—her mind was too clouded to focus. Her fingers tapped rhythmically against the screen, the only sound in the vast, quiet living room. The clock on the wall ticked away, marking each second that passed as she waited for her sister, Natasha, to arrive. Anastasia had called her the moment Harry stormed off, demanding answers she didn’t have. How had Matthew heard about the divorce? The only two people she had confided in were Natasha and Britney, and she trusted them both with her life. Her chest tightened as she replayed Harry’s furious words in her mind. "Why did you tell your lover that we were getting a divorce?" Matthew. The man she had cut ties with years ago. The man she wanted nothing to do with. But somehow, he knew. She shuddered at the thought. If Matthew was inserting himself into her life again, nothing good would come of it. A car doo
Anastasia paced the length of her living room, her fingers gripping her phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps, and her heart pounded in her chest as the moment Harry had walked out replayed in her head. She had rushed up to him the second she heard his bedroom door open, desperate to speak to him, to explain, to beg—but he had walked past her as if she didn’t exist. No glance, no words, not even the flicker of an emotion in his eyes. She had watched from the window as he got into his car and drove away, leaving her standing there, crushed, shattered, and abandoned. Tears blurred her vision as she dialled Natasha's number. The call barely rang twice before Natasha picked up. “Anastasia?” Natasha’s voice came through the speaker, filled with concern. Anastasia couldn’t even respond—only a choked sob escaped her lips. “Stasia, talk to me. What’s wrong?” More sobs. “Anastasia! What is going on?” Natasha’s voice was sha
Anastasia lay still, her body wrapped in the soft glow of the bedside lamp. The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the soft hum of the air conditioner. Her chest rose and fell with each deep breath, but she didn’t say a word. Harry shifted uncomfortably, his arm draped loosely over her waist as he studied her face. She stared at him, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words. “Anastasia,” he began, his voice trembling, “I need you to know… I love you.” Her expression didn’t change, and her gaze was still fixed on him. Harry’s heart ached at her lack of response. He shifted to sit on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his dishevelled hair. “I know i have already professed my love for you,” he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. “And I promised to wait. But my heart yearns for you, " he paused, swallowing hard—"I thought tonight meant something. But if it doesn’t, I understand.” Anastasia turned her head away
When Anastasia had gotten home, she got into the sitting room and sank into a chair. She was pleased that Harry wasn't there; she couldn't face him, not with her tear-streaked face. Anyone with eyes could easily tell that Anastasia had been crying. Her eyes were red and swollen. She rang for a maid, and one appeared. Anastasia asked for a bottle of wine. Shortly after, the maid came back with a tray. On it was a very expensive wine And a glass. Anastasia poured herself some and gulped it down. On the second glass, the alcohol had started kicking. She took two more glasses, and soon after, she started feeling numb to all the pain she had been feeling. By the time Anastasia got to her feet, she was tipsy. In the twilight of the evening, Anastasia walked into the bedroom, her eyes meeting Harry's in the soft glow of the bedside lamp. "What are you doing here?" she asked. Harry rose to his feet, his eyes reflecting a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. "I really needed to
"Matthew is a woman's man. Women love him, and he loves women. The lady in the video with him just happens to be one of his many flings, "Caroline said. Hearing the words spoken to her about a man she worshipped and adored felt like a knife was continually being plunged into her heart. Anastasia held her sister's hand a little tighter; Natasha, sensing her sister's pain, turned to her, "Would you like her to stop? You don't have to listen to this if you don't want to, "Natasha whispered to her sister. No,” Anastasia said, her voice steady despite the storm raging within. “Continue.” "Okay," Caroline said and continued, "Like I said earlier, another woman had walked into the two of them and made quite a scene. Coral is the name of the lady in the video. I was able to find her, and she was very open about her relationship with Matthew. " The two sisters listened intently, and Caroline divulged more of the information she was able to get from Coral. "She assured me that s
After her talk with Harry's mom, Anastasia had resolved to look deeper into her relationship with Matthew. When Paris had told her how she had found out from a friend that her best friend had drugged her fiancé and made it look like they had sex. Anastasia had also hoped that she would find out that truly the video was fabricated. When Natasha suggested employing the services of the private investigator she had used to investigate her husband, Anastasia reluctantly agreed, hoping Matthew would be vindicated. She clung to the belief that the video showing him with another woman was fabricated, as Matthew had insisted. While she waited with Natasha for the PI, Anastasia found herself replaying every beautiful moment she had shared with Matthew. She remembered how he had proposed, his eyes filled with love, and how he whispered, "I can't wait to marry you." His eagerness had been so contagious that they had rushed into a short engagement. Could the man who once seemed so perfec