Calista stared, puzzled at the familiarity of the name she just heard.“I see Anthony kept a lot of things from you.” Mrs. Lewiston smiled before standing up again. “I bet he didn’t tell you that he might have to go down to Washington DC with us for a week for the United States presidential inauguration. You’re welcome to come too.”“I would have told her myself, Mum,” Anthony hissed before walking towards Calista, who still found it hard to believe that Anthony might be the Lewiston Son, the very one who almost got her father to serve a jail term.“Are you okay, Cal?” he asked, concerned, holding her wrist.Calista nodded with a brief smile before walking out of the house with Anthony to the boutique.“Your dad will be relocating to the White House in Washington?” she asked, making her way into the car Anthony opened for her.“Yes. Why? Don’t tell me you aren’t aware it’s customary or law-bound for a president to live at the White House in Washington,” he inquired, trying to suppress
The ride to the main estate of Lewiston was a quiet one. Calista couldn’t bring herself to say anything, avoiding eye contact with Anthony’s constant stares. Maybe when she returns to California, she will think it through and consider dating him.She couldn’t help but wonder where Emily could be. She never imagined she wouldn’t be able to meet her best friend. Whatever has happened to her, she hopes it’s good. Maybe she finally decided to return to her parents.“We’re here,” Anthony announced, causing her to pay more attention to the vicinity. Good gracious; she had been here before!“Your family house?” she asked, staring at the very familiar building of the popular Lewiston castle. She had come here many times in the past to plead.“My dad’s home, actually,” he replied, oblivious to the turmoil she was experiencing.‘There’s no way you’re going in there or having anything to do with the son of the man who almost sent your father to jail, Calista. How could such a man be the presiden
"Miss Hamilton," Penelope called, walking briskly towards Signoral, who stood staring at her reflection in the mirror."I don't want to hear anything work-related, Penelope. It's my engagement tonight," she warned, dismissing the ladies helping her with her looks."Miss Calista is at the event," Penelope announced, standing a foot away from her boss. "We haven't been checking up on her lately, assuming she's okay, moving on with her life in California, but she's here.""What?" Signoral asked, standing up abruptly. "Why?""She's friends with Mr. Anthony, Mr. Windsor's younger brother, and I think he invited her to the party."Signoral clenched her fist, trying not to vent her resentment. "What in the universe is she doing back here when she can stick her ass back in Los Angeles?""Is she a threat?" Penelope asked, her hands rigidly clasped behind her back.Signoral smiled. "Vivian said she might be, but I'm very sure Ranya doesn't want her. If he did, he wouldn't have sent her away the
Calista slipped away, unable to bear the urge to be alone. Everything seemed out of place. How is Emily a Hamilton? How could she have been so oblivious to the truth about her best friend?Calista walked away, seeking refuge where she believed she could gather her thoughts without intrusion. Her footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway as she made her way to the house, following Anthony’s directions. She soon located the visitor’s restroom and slipped inside, shutting the door gently behind her.Emily knew all along that he was her betrothed, yet she even helped her secure an appointment four years ago. Calista placed her hands on the basin, her eyes glued to her reflection. How on earth is she to face Emily, knowing fully well she had been sleeping with Ranya for the past three years they had been together?She needed to see Emily and explain. She needed to let her know she had no idea Ranya was the betrothed she had always talked about.“I love him,” Emily’s words echoed back to her. S
“May I?” Anthony asked, extending his hand toward Signoral for a dance. She smiled and accepted his hand, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor.“You look really amazing tonight, Miss Hamilton,” he complimented as they began to dance. “I understand couples usually have the first dance, but I guess my brother isn’t one to play by the rules.”Signoral nodded, her eyes scanning the vicinity for Ranya. He should be near his father or her grandfather, but he was nowhere to be found.“It’s my pleasure to share the dance floor with you too,” she replied, turning gracefully and resting her fingers on the back of his head. “Ranya and I already had our first dance.”As they turned again, she searched the crowd for Ranya or Calista but saw no sign of either. “Your girlfriend—wasn’t she the lady you were standing with a while ago?”“Oh,” he blurted, bowing as the song ended. “What makes you think she’s my girlfriend?”“Your mom,” Signoral announced as they walked off the dance floor. She ne
“Calista?” Emily pouted, causing her to nod in acceptance.“I need to tell my parents. I bet they will really love to attend your wedding with me. Willie sends her regards anyway,” she replied, walking out of the garden with Emily as they approached the buzzing vicinity that held her engagement party.“You won’t ask me why I kept my real identity from you?” Emily asked, slightly staring at Calista, whose face was more calm than the last time they were in the garden. Maybe she’s not a threat yet, but there’s no way she will let her guard down. Reason she invited her to the White House with her. She was going to watch them closely and have reasons to eliminate Calista for good, since Ranya by now knew she had been hiding in California.“I believe we have lots of time together to ask more of these questions because, Em, you have a lot of explaining to do,” Calista replied. “I was shocked you were Ranya’s betrothed, more shocked that he is Lewiston’s first son, and extremely shocked to kn
“What? Really?” Anthony asked, shocked by her response. She rolled her eyes, nearly provoking an outburst from him.Unable to contain his joy, he grabbed her, lifted her off the dance floor, and spun her around, attracting stares from the other dancers, including Ranya.Calista laughed. It sounded genuine, but deep down, she hated having to say yes to Anthony just to get Ranya off her back. She hoped that, in time, she would learn to love Anthony as much as he loved her.“You’re causing a scene, Anthony,” she beamed, her smile radiant, while her insides churned with chaos and turmoil.“I don’t care, Cal. I don’t care,” he said amidst laughter. His smile was capable of melting the coldest hearts, but only if she truly wanted to be with him.He dragged her down the stage, and for some reason, Calista was prompted to look back at Ranya, who wore a smug smile of ‘I told you so.’ She hissed and wished she had slapped him harder in the washroom earlier.She turned back and walked with Antho
“You’ll agree with me that Anthony’s girlfriend is a beauty,” Damian said from across Ranya, munching on the pizza they had brought to Ranya’s home.He was already clad in Ranya’s clothes. “Why are you telling me that?” Ranya asked, annoyed. This was why he didn’t want Damian around. He’s a pain in the ass.“You were ogling at her, too. I saw you continuously glaring at the pretty woman,” Damian continued, ignoring Ranya’s displeased snort.“Go to bed now and leave me to do my work,” Ranya replied, picking up his laptop.“Her name is Calista; did you know that?” Damian persisted. “How can your brother’s girlfriend have the same name as the young lady you were looking for, huh?”“I will not tell you again, Damian. Go to bed now, or I will be forced to push you out of my space tonight.”“I’m only trying to talk to you, seeing as you might need company.”“I don’t need your company. Go to bed now.”Damian sighed and stood up from the sofa, prepared to leave Ranya to his work, when his pho