Chapter 5

Anastasia's POV

I stare up at the ceiling in deep thought. What the hell did I get myself into? My life is going to take a drastic turn from this point. Did I make the right choice by accepting this deal? I just signed my life to a stranger himself. I let out a long sigh before standing up from my bed.

Enough thinking, Anastasia.

I grab my grey sleeping robe and put it on without tying it. While walking to the kitchen, I tie my hair into a messy bun and start making breakfast for my mom and sister.

As soon as I finished, the doorbell rang. Striding towards the door, to reveal the most handsome man I've met.

"Mr. Carter?" I ask confused as to why he was here this early. He raises his hand for a 'hi'. "What are you doing here, Mr. Carter?... Oh! Come in!"

"I am here to pick you up, we need to go somewhere." He sat on the couch.

"Uhmm... C-Can we go some other time? I... I still need to explain to Mom about the situation." I keep glancing at my mom's room, but his dark brown eyes gave me a hard stare.

"Wait... You still haven't told them?" He growls.

I fidget with my fingers trying to control my uneasiness. After he introduced himself to my mom as my fiancee, he left and my mom did not say anything or ask me about the situation. I do not have the guts to tell her, I am not good at lying, and I don't know what story should I make up for her to believe in our so-called marriage.

Mr. Carter walks closer to me. "Are you not serious about this, Ms. Hansley?" his jaw was tense, frowning. Is he angry?

"N-no... It's not like that. Uhmmm, O-okay... I-I will just change my clothes."

I hurriedly rush to my room. He always looked intimidating when he frowned like that. I think he looks scary when he gets angry, so I should obey him, I made this myself and must accept this fate.

After tidying myself, I cover the foods that I've prepared and leave a note. I saw Mr. Carter standing in front of the window while he was on the phone. When he saw me ready, we exit the unit.

We steered outside the building and reached his red Audi Sports Car. My mouth falls in awe, staring at his luxury car makes me edgy because it's very expensive.

"Get in."

Awakened by his cold and deep voice, I immediately get into the car while he is already buckled up in the driver's seat. I buckle myself up before Mr. Carter starts the engine and it roars to life.

I look out the window as we drive past the busy Miami streets. When the car comes to a stop, I look out the window and find a Cartier Jewelry Store.

"Um, what are we doing here?" I ask in confusion.

"Well, I realized you didn't have an engagement ring and we can't pull off our lie if you don't have one so I brought you here. You can pick the one you like."

I unbuckle myself before stepping out of the car and walking toward the store entrance doors. We are greeted by the shine of expensive-looking diamond rings. Stunning jewelry filled the store and they all looked like cost millions or billions of dollars.

A woman around Mr. Carter's age, if not a little older, walks behind the counter to approach us.

"Good morning Caleb, how may I help you?" She asks as she twirls a piece of her hair.

"It's Mr. Carter for you, and would you show me your top engagement rings?" I silently smirked as Mr. Carter responds. He just corrected her for acting like a close friend to his.

The woman frowns before taking out two different display trays with various engagement rings on them.

"Which one do you like?" He asks as he sways his head looking at me.

I look at the various diamond rings but they all screamed rich and powerful. None of them caught my attention except for one. It had small diamonds forming a leaf pattern and a big diamond was placed in the middle. It was beautiful. I look over at the price and my eyes nearly pop out, not beautiful anymore.

Mr. Carter follows my gaze and asks, "Do you like that one."

I bite my lip and shyly nod.

"Give me this one please." Mr. Carter orders.

"No, Mr. Carter, I can't let you waste five hundred thousand dollars on me?!" I whispered.

"Don't worry about the money, I am already going to waste ten million dollars on you at the end of the year." He whispered back.

"Would you like to try it on, Mr. Carter?" the woman interrupted.

"Yes please."

The woman hands him the ring and he slides it into my finger, surprisingly it fits perfectly.

We walk out of the store with the ring still on my finger, he didn't even let me take it off.

"Uhmm, thanks for the ring,"

"You're welcome, it's part of the deal."

I play around with the ring as I look out the window. The clouds seemed to drive with us as we drive down the Miami streets.

After a not-so-long ride, he stops the car in front of a building. Mr. Carter got off the car and I followed him behind.

When we entered the building, I was in awe as I couldn't help but admire the amazing interior decoration, everything about the room, screamed refined and style.

We were greeted by a lady in a suit with laces and sparkling little diamonds. I couldn't help but admire it too.

Mr. Carter gave her a peck on her cheeks. "How are you Olivia, it's been ages, hope you have what I asked for." They seemed close as they both widely smiled at each other.

"Yes, why not? We are here to serve you and she should be the bride?" She pointed fingers at me.

"Yes, Olivia this is Anastasia, Ana this is Olivia, the owner of this building."

"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Olivia." I was about to extend my hand for a handshake but she pulled me closer for a hug and a peck on my cheeks causing my face to warm.

"So do I. Just call me Olivia, beautiful Anastasia soon-to-be Mrs. Carter." uhmm, that was awkward. "So, what you would get, come with me." I followed her while thinking. Soon-to-be Mrs. Carter?

Yeah, right.

Olivia took us to the elevator and we arrived in a room. She led us into a walk-in closet but this time it was stocked with wedding gowns.

Another lady, which I think was her assistant, greeted us, she and Olivia spoke for a while before the other lady went inside an adjourning door.

"Please take your seat, Trina would be here in a minute, I worked on this gown myself, all day and all night, so I do hope you like it, cause I love it!" Olivia exclaimed excitedly.

I smile at her liveliness.

A few minutes later, Trina came out with a mannequin wearing an exquisite pale wedding dress. My mouth left hanging as I gape at the gown, it was a stunning sight to behold.

The dress was an off-loose shoulder-fitted white gown that had silver leafy drawings on the edge, it was nothing but beautiful. There was a silver crown on the head of the mannequin that matched the gown.

"So? You like it?" Olivia asked.

"No, I don't like it, I love it! it's so beautiful! Like my dream wedding gown," I blurted out with a little tear in my eyes.

"That's very pleasant to hear, I worked on this myself and I put my best into it. Ok, testing time! go in there and get into this dress and rock it, ok!" Olivia said clapping her hands in excitement and I was relieved.

I went into the changing room with Trina and after a few minutes I stepped out and everyone there gasped at the sight of mine.

"You look so beautiful Anastasia, you look so gorgeous, gosh can't believe I just said that but it's true you look amazing," Olivia said with excitement in her eyes.

"Thank you so much, Olivia." I shyly smile at her efforts for making this beautiful gown for her so-called wedding.

"Ok, is there anything about it you don't like? Any adjustment you want or anything?"

"No, it's perfect"

"Sure?"

"Yes"

"Okay then, that would be all".

I notice Mr. Carter was quiet in a corner, sitting on a leather couch while staring at me, intently. I shyly stood up against him. "Is... I-Is it okay?" Asking him while avoiding his gaze.

"Y-Yeah, Uhmm... You... You look good." he gestures a thumbs-up.

I automatically dashed inside the fitting room.

Did he... Did he just smile? I felt blood rushes through my face as I saw my reflection in the mirror, my face is crimson red. What's wrong with me? Is this what they called blush?

After changing, I shelved on the couch, while glimpsing for Mr. Carter with Olivia. Mr. Carter saw me and headed towards me. I saw Olivia wave at me and I do the same.

***

Mr. Carter drops me home and bids goodbye as he still has a business matter to attend to.

I enter the unit and saw my mother in the living room, sitting comfortably while watching a flat screen tv. She looked at me and smiled. I should tell her now. But how?

"You're here? Where have you been? You didn't touch your breakfast." She asks wearing a worried face.

"I'm with Caleb." her smile slowly fades away. She look at my hands and I bet she saw the ring.

I don't know where to start.

"Do you love him?" she suddenly asked. Love? I hesitantly nod slowly. What a lie.

"I understand that you didn't tell me before about him, it's because you are embarrassed." embarrassed? No, I am desperate! I felt my throat closing up but tried to control my tears to fall.

"You can have my blessing. If that's what makes you happy. You struggle so much for this family, it's time for you to think about yourself too, Anastasia." when mom caressed my top head, I let out a whimper as tears welled up in my eyes and streamed down my face. She gave me a tight hug while caressing my back.

I am desperate to save this family, Mom.