Chapter 4

I gave the faces around the huge dining table another once over and quickly dipped my head down.

They were all judging eyes. Not even one had a friendly look.

I knew marrying into an elite family like the Howard's,even though it was a fake marriage, was going to be everything intimidating but I didn't expect everybody in the room looking at me like I had two heads. 

Even the older women.

Especially the older women.

"So dear, what do you do for a living?"  A middle aged woman asked while slicing a piece of meat on her plate. I recognized her as one of Asher's paternal aunts, Loretta.

When Asher told me we were going to have dinner with his family two days ago, I started panicking. And when his driver came over to my apartment to take me to the boutique to buy new clothes , per Asher's orders, I almost fainted when I saw the price tag of one of the dresses. 

If I added the pay I got from all my part time jobs for ten years, they still would not buy the dress. That further gave me more knowledge on how well to-do Asher's family was.

Well,I knew they were super rich but it feels different experiencing it at a closer level.

When we got to Howard House for the family dinner, the magnificent mansion blew me away and I went into full panic mode. There was no way I would fit into this level of wealth.

Before I could think of a reply to Aunt Loretta's question, another asked;

"Are you a celebrity? You can't be. I've never seen you before and your skin doesn't glow." She asked and answered her question all by herself, scrunching her nose. I think I heard someone call her Aunt Matilda. Or was it Melinda?

Fuck. The names were all so confusing. Why does Asher have so many aunts? Where the hell was he anyways? 

That betrayer,he left me here at the mercy of his scary aunts.

Aunt Loretta was about to throw me another interrogative question when a voice interrupted.

"Loretta, Grace , will you let the visitor breathe for a moment?" 

I immediately recognized him as Marcus Howard,the patriarch of the household,the founder and current CEO of Howard Companies.

Trailing behind him were Asher, a young man who looked the same age as Asher and a young woman, she looked gorgeous and elegant. She looked like she fit in here.

"Dad please, we were just trying to make her comfortable. Right, Anabelle?" Aunt Grace said, giving me a crooked smile that made her lips lined with bright red lipstick look even more visible.

"It's Ana, Aunt Grace. Not Anabelle,just Ana." Asher said before sitting down on the seat next to me.

Aunt Grace muttered "Same thing" and scoffed lightly.

"Ana, I believe we have not met. I'm Kayden, Asher's favourite cousin." The man who looked Asher's age, greeted me holding out his hand for a shake, which I reciprocated, trying my best to give him a friendly smile.

"Hello Kayden."

"You're not my favourite cousin Kayden, stop the bullshit." Asher scowled. 

I glanced at him.

"Ouch Asher. And here I thought we were buddies. I guess it's quite difficult for you to have buddies considering how fucked up you are." Kayden said sarcastically.

*Okay*

This triggered Asher and he sprung up from his seat,the chair screeching against the floor. "Shut the fuck up Kayden!"

A loud bang on the table interrupted them, making everybody flinch including me.

"For heaven's sakes boys! Asher sit down this minute!" Marcus scolded.

"What is wrong with the both of you? This is supposed to be a family dinner, why are you fighting like kids?! Asher, your wife is seated right next to you,are you not embarrassed?"

His wife?

Right,I'm his wife. I mentally facepalmed myself.

Marcus wasn't done, "How are you supposed to manage a conglomerate when you fight at every slightest opportunity? Tell me!" 

The whole room was pin drop silent. 

"Father, I don't know about Asher but I know very well that my son is more than capable to manage Howard Companies."

A beautiful woman with her hairdo pinned upwards, that I hadn't noticed before, interrupted. She was Kayden's mother. They both had hazel eyes.

"Aubrey. Do you really think I needed to hear that useless piece of information? This is not a job interview. " Marcus replied her coldly.

*Damn*

"Ana."

I jumped, not expecting the attention to shift to me so quickly.

"You're Ana Reed, am I right?" Marcus said again.

"Yes sir." I replied, now even more tensed than before.

"No please,trash the "sir" call me Marcus or Grandpa. " He said dismissively.

"Alright Marcus." I felt more comfortable with calling him that.

"That sounds better." He smiled. "Ever since Asher blurted out in the middle of dinner that he was married, I've been curious about you. My grandson here has refused to go into another relationship after his last one ended and I was already giving up on him...."

"Was that why you made marriage a criteria for becoming CEO? How tricky." Asher mumbled.

His grandfather eyed him and looked at me to continue, "Anyways, my grandson definitely has good tastes. You're beautiful Ana. And the both of you look perfect together. "

I blushed pink. I never expected a compliment from any member of Asher's family, much more, his grandfather.

"Thank you Marcus. Love comes when you least expect. That's what happened with Asher and I." I said, smiling.

*What the fuck? Did the compliment mess with my head?? I'm sure Asher is cringing so bad right now.*

I dared to steal a glance at him and I did not expect the surprised and somewhat pleased look I saw on his face.

Dinner with the Howard family was over and I could finally breathe. No offense to Marcus, I liked and respected him but their family was so stuck up and the air around them was so tense.

"Hi."

The elegant young woman who walked in with Marcus before dinner began, approached me.

I got a closer look at her and she was absolutely beautiful. She had long black hair and perfectly shaped face and body. And she carried herself with so much poise. 

I liked her.

"Hi." I gave her a friendly smile.

"How was dinner with the Howard for the first time?" She asked.

"It was great." She chuckled lightly at my answer.

"I know you're lying Ana. Dinner with this family is never great." 

Slightly embarrassed at being caught red handed,I blushed.

"Oh forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Nina. Kayden's wife. And also Asher's ex girlfriend." 

My jaw dropped down to the floor.

I blinked severally.

*What the hell*

How did Asher's ex girlfriend end up as Kayden's wife? 

And why the fuck was she telling me?

I take back what I said about liking her.