|3|

The next afternoon, all schedules planned were postponed. Harry was shocked by this sudden revelation, that it took some while to settle down the deals and purchases meant for that day.

About three official calls, about twenty or so dealing calls, and finally in between, to add spices, his fiancé would call to make sure he had had his breakfast or had drunk eight glasses of water.

"Its just to make sure that big boss isn't making you dehydrated or anything"

He laughed, keeping his head tilted so it held the phone while another limb arranged the sheaf of papers scattered in the main bedroom of his boss.

"Nah! Seriously, can't trust that jerk!"

"Alright, love, that's enough. I'll catch up with you later. Love you"

'Yeah, year. Love you too!"

Saying so, Harry ended the call, before another string of curses on Aiden barged upon his head.

Now, what specialty did this noon have was uneventful, for the lights were swished up and down with balloons, personally by the gardener, Jacob.

Aiden had mentioned vacuuming twice, to a stunned Harry who knew how annoyed his master was by the whirring sound of that machine, and all the bathrooms were cleaned personally by Jacob’s step-wife, Mrs. Tiny who often accompanied in case of extra handiwork.

"I guess, it's enough, right? How big a meeting could it be?', remarked Harry, at the frustrated gardener who was feeling desolate without Scottie. The little guy was locked up inside the garage, in case he went crazy at visitors like that once when he bit another dog of a business colleague. However, for that he gained an extra chicken leg, as his master wasn’t willing to meet anyone then.

"I wish it's over. Poor Scottie", said his loose accent.

Harry shook his head and calmed down the man, whose worse panic attacks over such small matters always ended up in hospital cases.

And just then, a posh four-wheeler pulled up by the gate.

"Woah! Mr. Aiden, I am impressed", remarked Mrs. Halsey, whose irritating presence was upsetting his master. Harry made sure both their guests, one unfamiliar and another much well known were met with juices, cakes, and biscuits; all of the special Iranian taste and aroma. The anonymous lady kept her head down, stuck to Mrs. Halsey like glue, without much to say. Nevertheless, Harry was so confused by all of it.

Mrs. Halsey as always ate little, mentioning her diet and disease controlled her excessive hunger, which wasn't as surprising as calculated.

But what caught Harry's eye was the way the other gobbled up everything. Like a cat, she would smell it. Then give it a lick, to see if it's edible or not, and then in a munch, the entire thing is inside of her.

Munching away, in a few minutes, she had finished two plates of three variety sweets he had brought for both of them.

"...Eats well, I guess", Harry remarked, in a grin.

Aiden, who preferred silence, especially when he was agonized often asked Harry to fill up the awkwardness with his words. As an assistant, he was just doing his job again. 

"She does. However, not so much”

Ignoring the question, she pulled down her hands to stop Anna from hogging and got up with her purse. 

Her body was shining after a body wash, but the wrinkles covered them up, showing how old that saggy skin was.

"Aiden let's talk."

But he wasn't listening. 

Instead, he was no longer sitting on the couch. 

Across Anna, with another bowl of sweets from Harry, he was pushing a sweet nut into her hands. 

"Eat"

Anna met his eyes.

Again, that warmth. But in a man of such pride and pomp, it felt too unreal. However, altogether hungry, she began to eat again.

Mrs. Halsey was now burning, more or less surprised, like how Harry understood. He was seeing something he never thought he would perceive in his life once, or maybe never.

"Master-'

'Harry, take her to the main room"

Aiden stood. Her hands still held the bowl of sweets. Maybe in

guilt, because her mistress was now trying to kill her with glares.

However, Aiden did the best thing ever. Grabbing the towel hanging on Jacob's shoulder, he slowly placed it over Anna's eyes and whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Shut your eyes if your ex-mistress is disturbing you"

"MR AIDEN!". Her yell echoed.

Her scream of pain didn't make the big man change his decision. Harry took away Anna, holding a towel to her eyes, while they resumed their actions.

"Mrs. Halsey, I guess, my actions have spoken"

The latter didn't budge. She felt humiliated and absolutely pained.

"You can leave now"

She sneered.

"And what makes you think so, I would?"

Aiden crossed his arms.

"Why wouldn't you? You have nothing to lose anyway"

Her head shook.

"Anna is never for free."

Aiden nodded, understanding.

"Anything for her"

She smirked again.

"I assume, this is more than a business deal"

Aiden never answered unnecessary questions.

"Your deal?"

"Anna is yours, forever to come and all she is will be yours in return for this ultimate favor..or can I say deal?"

Aiden shook his head and stressed.

"It's a deal, no matter what."

Mrs. Halsey, whose mind now revolved around all those moments of love and hatred playing in her eyes.

Pushing her away and giving more space to an ideal cook in the kitchen, whose hands are tormented with dirt and feet bare and licking germs. The difference insulted her, and no less severe punishment could solve this.

Her voice threatened the entire room as she spoke.

"Mr. Aiden Mathews"

The big proud guy now stood, listening.

"Marry my daughter”