Anna’s POV
8 years later
It has been eight years since that tragic incident and my life has been on a constant downhill.
I was now a twenty-eight-year-old woman, living in a crappy apartment, working a job I hated but couldn’t quit either.
Every day, I’d throw on this embarrassing miniskirt at the car company, where I worked as a car model just to make a few bucks. But even though I hated my job, it was all worth it just to be able to afford the basic things for my children.
I couldn’t give up now, I had to fight and give it my all “A few more hours Anna,” I muttered, pulling my mini skirt, hoping it was just a bit longer.
“Anna, get on stage now!” Our manager, Remi called, clapping his hands in urgency.
“God! I hate this job,” I groaned.
Today was the highly anticipated car launch of the Grayson Enterprise Family, and unfortunately for me, our manager Remi, had organized a show for the event, reserving the center stage just for me.
I heaved a deep sigh and turned towards the stage, already embarrassed of my outfit.
However, just as I was about to take a step towards the stage, Layla grabbed my hand and pulled me aside
“You must feel you’re better than the rest of us, don’t you Anna.”
“What?” I asked in confusion
“Don’t give me that bullshit! I know your secret, you’re sleeping with the manager, aren’t you? That’s why he keeps giving you all the good spots when everyone knows damn well, I should be the one center stage!” She snarled bitterly
Layla despised me and I could tell why. She was a vixen and reveled in showing her body off, whereas I was just doing this to make ends meet.
This car show was the biggest stage either of us had been on, so when our manager gave me the center stage spot, she didn’t take it very well
“The way I see it, you’re just jealous Layla. You should let go of some of that bitterness, it’s probably why you’re not center stage,” I said meeting her gaze with a blank expression
“How dare you bitch!” She sneered and hurried after me, as I turned to leave
Her face flushed red with anger and she angrily pushed me. I lost my balance and was about to fall when I felt a strong muscular arm wrapped around my waist, catching my fall
“Hey, are you okay?” He asked, his voice soothing and deep
“Yes, thank…” I started to say but when I looked up and saw his face, I froze and the words trailed off.
He had the most enchanting pair of blue eyes I’d ever seen, with cinnamon-dark hair that hung loosely over his forehead
“Damn.” The words left my lips before I could even comprehend my thoughts.
He smiled like he knew the effect he had on me, staring with a keen look in his eyes.
This man seemed so familiar like we had met before, and from the way he looked at me, I could tell he felt so too.
“Hi, I’m Mark. Mark Grayson,” he said, pulling me back to my feet.
I was still lost in his eyes, something about them felt very safe and familiar, but I couldn’t tell what or remember anything about this man.
He reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear and for a moment, my heartbeat slowed.
“Have we met before?” He asked, quirking his eyebrows.
“Hi, honey!” A tall and slender woman quickly approached us before I could say anything.
She wrapped her arms endearingly around Mark, leaned forward and kissed him passionately, then turned to me,
“I’m Mia, I see you’ve met my boyfriend,” she said, scowling at me.
“I’m Anna…” I said meeting her cold gaze with a gentle one, but before I could say anything else, she quickly turned to Mark.
“The show’s about to start honey. Go, I’ll meet you in a few.”
My eyes were still glued on him as he walked away, wondering where I had seen that face before.
“Listen here tramp, Mark is my boyfriend and I don’t know or care who the hell you are, but I suggest you keep your hands away from my man if you don’t want me to teach you a lesson,” Mia snarled, then turned and walked away
I heaved a deep sigh, wondering why this strange woman was sneering at me when Remi beckoned for me to take my place on stage. So, I swallowed my pride, held my head up, and went up.
After the show ended, the manager pulled me backstage and handed me an envelope. It was the only rewarding part of this demeaning job.
I pulled out the stack of cash and counted through, but then noticed it was a little more than what I usually got.
“Umm Remi, there’s a bit more here,” I said, holding out the envelope.
He hung his head low, trying hard to avoid eye contact with me, and I could tell by his unease that something was wrong.
“What’s going on Remi?” I asked worriedly
“Just take the money and go Anna, you’re fired.”
“What? Why?” I asked, my mind running wild with questions.
“Why am I getting fired Remi?” I repeated, creasing my brows in anger.
“This is not my doing Anna. Apparently, you pissed off the boss’ girlfriend and now she wants you gone,” Remi replied.
“The boss?” I asked in confusion.
“Yeah, Mark Grayson,” he replied.
Immediately my eyes widened in shock. “He’s the boss?” I exclaimed, and our brief encounter immediately replayed in my head.
“Yes,” Remi answered.
“His girlfriend said you were coming on to him, trying hard to seduce him and so she’s asked that I sack you.”
“Seduce him?” I repeated, still trying to process the situation.
“I didn’t try to seduce him; I was pushed and he caught me. He was there, you can ask him, I’m sure he’ll tell you,” I pleaded
This job was not the most gratifying, but at least it helped pay the bills and take care of my children. I couldn’t afford to lose it.
“Please Remi, don’t do this. I need this job; I promise I didn’t try to seduce the boss. I only tripped and he caught me, that is all that happened.”
“I’m sorry Anna, but I can’t do anything. Clear out your things from the dressing room on your way out,” he replied and turned to leave.
“Remi please…I’ll do anything. I’ll take on extra shifts, clean the dressing room, anything. Please I need this job,” I begged desperately.
“Anything?” Remi stopped and turned towards me.
“Anything” I nodded in response.
“Well, I do have another offer but you won’t be working here, however, it’ll pay just as well,” he said and I beamed in excitement.
This turned out well after all, I no longer had to do this demeaning job and could still cater to my children.
“What’s the offer?” I asked excitedly
He leaned towards me and a wry smirk appeared on his face
“You’re a beautiful girl Anna and I like you. So, what do you say, we spend some nights together, say two or three times a week huh? I’ll pay handsomely.”
I stood frozen in shock, too stunned and insulted to say anything. Was I hearing this fool well? Did this bastard just offer me to be his call girl?
“So…want to come around my place tonight, have some fun?” He asked shifting closer to me.
I swung my arm across angrily, landing a heavy slap on his face.
“Keep your damn job!” I snarled
He held his face, nursing the red-hot prints on his cheek, annoyed and embarrassed.
“Security!” He immediately called and in no time, about three men approached me.
“Drag this bitch out!” Remi snarled and without wasting time, I was thrown outside the building.
Humiliated and afraid, I crouched down and picked up my belongings, trying hard to stifle the tears that welled up in my eyes. The cold evening breeze only served to rub salt in my wounds.
Alas, as I grabbed my things and left, I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. There was one constant thought on my mind, breaking me as I walked away,
‘How will I be able to feed my children?’
Anna’s POVAs I walked down the alley, I was deep in thought, wondering where I would find a new job and how I would take care of my children.I was already late on this month’s rent and with all the money I had saved up, I was still two hundred dollars short. I needed to find a job quickly, so I pulled out my phone and searched through my contacts for anyone I could call for help or a job opening, but there was no one. However, just as I was about to put my phone back into my purse, an ad popped up on my screen,[Become a Maid for the Greyson Family - $1,000,000 Salary! The Greyson family is looking for experienced and dedicated maids. Enjoy a high reward of $1,000,000. Don’t miss this unique opportunity. Apply today!]As soon as I saw the ad, a lightbulb lit up in my head. If I could get this job, I’d be able to take better care of my children, guaranteeing more than the basics for them, and also handle all my financial problems. Finally, I could give my kids the kind of life they
Anna’s POVI almost did not hear my name being called, as I waited with my head in my hands.My daughter’s question had completely unsettled me. I knew it wasn’t possible that Mark was their father. Besides the deep blue eyes they shared, they had no other similarities. The truth is, I wasn’t entirely sure who their father was either.After that tragic incident that happened eight years ago, I packed my bags and left Brigdon and everything behind. There was nothing left for me in that town anymore.I didn’t find out I was pregnant until I got to Delroy and didn’t know who to call. I had been with Luke earlier that week before I woke up in bed with that stranger. Either of them could have been their father.Still, I couldn’t dismiss the fact that Julia was right. My first son Derek looked a lot like Mark, which left me very confused.“Ms Brookes…Ms Brookes…” the secretary called, and I quickly jerked up.“We’re ready for you,” she said with a smile.I quickly stood up and followed her
Mark’s POVI was in my home office going through some work files when a reminder for the shareholders' meeting popped up on my laptop. I heaved a deep sigh immediately when I saw it. I knew for sure what that meeting was about. Those old folks just couldn’t wait to remove me as the CEO of my father’s company.However, just before I could confirm my attendance at the meeting, I heard a knock on my door,“Sir?” Rita called and waited for my response.“Come in,” I answered immediately, packing up the files spread out on the table.“Did you find her?” I asked with curiosity, leaning back into my chair.Rita marched forward and placed a folder on the table, looking anxious and quirky,“Uhm, I did, but not much.”“What do you mean?” I questioned with a frown on my face.“I mean I found the woman, but it seems like she has completely disappeared in the last eight years. All her records are gone,” Rita explained, leaving me even more confused.“Disappeared?” I asked, raising my brow in curio
Anna’s POVI stood at the entrance of the Grayson mansion, my heart pounding as I stared at the luxurious building. I had been so thrilled to get this job that I never paused to consider what would happen once I did. Now, standing before the mansion doors, I was filled with fear.It was eight in the morning, and I had left my children at home, rushing here to make breakfast for a man I should be avoiding.As I walked through the hallways, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had made the right decision in accepting this job.This job was supposed to be a fresh start, a chance to give my children the life they deserved, but I could not help but wonder if I could fit in here.“Oh, it’s you… how nice of you to join us. Keep this up, and you’ll lose your job before you even begin,” Mia’s icy voice echoed through the hallways, and I immediately turned to meet her sharp eyes, assessing me from head to toe with a coldness in her gaze that sent a shiver down my spine.“I’m sorry Ms, I had to…” I b
Anna’s POVMy heart raced as Mark’s piercing gaze bore into me. I quickly realized Rita had set me up, but I doubted mentioning that would matter at this point.“Why are you in here, Anna?” Mark demanded coldly, his voice rising. I froze in fear, searching for an explanation that wouldn’t sound foolish.“I-I, I thought I heard something, so I decided to check it out,” I stammered, my voice trembling, and immediately regretted my choice of excuse. I was a terrible liar, and this was the worst excuse I could come up with.‘Good going, Anna,’ I scolded myself, trying hard to maintain my composure and not give myself up.However, just as I failed terribly in staying composed, Mark saw through my shallow lie instantly.“I can tell you’re lying,” he spat in disappointment, his eyes narrowing at me.He walked past me, and stopped, staring out the open glass windows of the room.“Leave my sight,” he uttered weakly.“Huh?” I asked, unable to hear him.“Get out now!” He yelled, swinging his
Anna’s POVThe sterile smell of the hospital still clung to me as I walked through the hallways. After what happened with Mark, I should have been worried about being late again, but I couldn't care less.My mind was consumed with worry and fear for my daughter as I walked to the kitchen, hoping no one had noticed my tardiness.I made my way through the hallway and overheard the maids whispering amongst themselves. Intrigued, I moved closer and overheard them conversing about Laura. ‘Laura…Laura?” I quickly delved into my head trying to remember where I’d heard that name before. Then it hit me - ‘The picture!’“She was so beautiful,” one of the maids said with emotion “And such a sweet soul.”My curiosity grew as I leaned closer to the kitchen door, straining to hear more.The staff’s reluctance to speak openly about her only deepened my curiosity. Who was this woman, and why did she affect Mark so much? I remember how furious he was yesterday when he saw me holding her picture, and
Anna’s POVLater that evening, I was cleaning the old library, still gripped by terror from the image I saw. Why was I in that picture? What happened between Rita and me? I finally glimpsed why she treated me the way she did now. Something must have happened between us. Just then, I noticed Mark staring at me through the doorway. He seemed more relaxed and softened this time as he approached. He could notice the unease on my face and said with a wry smile, “You look like you’ve seen a ghost”I stopped and tucked my hands behind my back nervously “Mr. Grayson, I want to apologize about yesterday, I didn’t know–““Enough about that, Anna,” he interjected calmly.“I was being hard on you. I realized you mustn’t have known that I don’t allow people into my room.”I remained silent, still unable to look him in the eye. I wasn’t afraid anymore, I only tried to keep my distance. With Rita and Mia watching me, I realized if I needed to keep this job, I’d have to keep away from Mark, no
Anna's POVAs I drew closer to my room, my mind was still occupied with the unanswered questions about my past and Mark's offer.Suddenly, I heard a noise inside and stopped in my tracks, my heart pounding. It sounded like someone or something was rummaging through my things.My first thought was Rita. She had been seething with jealousy and a clear disdain towards me ever since I moved into the mansion.Though I still could not understand why she felt that way about me, I had a strong guess. Rita seemed to have strong undisclosed feelings toward Mark, and strangely, I could share in her plight. Seeing him close to someone else must have been heartbreaking.However, I didn't think it was just her feelings for Mark that caused her to despise me; our past seemed to have left a huge sting on her.These reserved feelings had driven her to snoop through my belongings, searching for anything that could give her an edge.I slowly opened the door cautiously, and just as I had suspected, I fou