Part 19

“How about lunch with me?” Abigail coaxed on Friday morning just before the girl's parents' driver picked her up to take her to school.

“Ask your driver to take you to my office. I don't want to pick you up from school.” Claire replied.

“Okay.” Abigail replied briefly and then their routine began.

“We've been waiting for you in the lobby. When are you coming down?” Abigail's voice came from Claire's cell phone.

“We?” Claire asked a little surprised. She didn't remember her niece saying she was inviting someone else to lunch this morning. But Claire could guess who her niece had brought.

“Yes, me and Flavia.” Abigail replied as Claire had expected.

“Alright. Wait a moment.” Claire replied as she rolled her eyes.

“Is there a problem?” Asked Bella who shifted her chair closer to Claire's desk.

“Abigail.” Claire said as she took her purse from inside her bag.

“Your mom still hasn't returned?” Asked Bella curiously.

Claire shrugged her shoulders with a scowling expression. “She wanted to extend her vacation. And my older brother decided to extend his vacation too.” Claire complained irritably.

“Are you jealous? Then apply for a leave of absence. Go traveling. You're not as poor as me. A vacation abroad won't make you poor.” Bella suggested in a mocking tone that made Claire tap her best friend on the shoulder. They walked together towards the elevator. “Or is the real reason you're getting tired of taking care of Abigail?”

“Let's just say that.” Claire replied which made Bella roll her eyes. “I'm tired of her nature. Sometimes I feel like I'm the niece and she's the aunt, not the other way around.” Said Claire which made Bella laugh.

“Yeah, I guess I know where her controlling and perfectionist attitude comes from.” Bella quipped which made Claire glare. “Besides, you're lucky to be entrusted with Abigail who has grown up. What if it was your baby niece?”

“For God's sake, then I should bring her to the office and breastfeed her here, do you think?” Asked Claire with an incredulous expression. Bella replied with a nod of her head. “Of course I'll refuse if it's a baby. I don't want the hassle of taking care of its crying and diapers.” Her snort was harsh.

Bella laughed again. “Why don't you want to deal with those two things?”

“Crying babies annoy me. And changing diapers...” Claire imagined how it used to be when she was asked to look after little Abigail. “I guess I don't want to think about that for now.” Claire replied with a shudder of horror.

“Didn't your mother tell you to get married soon? Her asking that means she's asking you to give her grandchildren soon.” Bella returned to the topic that she knew was very sensitive for Claire.

“I'm still only twenty-five. Getting married is at the very back of my life plan.” Claire replied curtly.

“If your mom knew that our CEO was single, I think she would have tried all sorts of ways to make you guys go on a blind date.” Said Bella who more or less understood Claire's mother's character.

“No, no. Widower is not in my mom's dictionary.” Claire answered boldly because there were only two of them in the elevator. “Especially widowers who already have children. My mom is very anti.” She said again.

“Why?”

“Because of one and two things.” Claire answered ambiguously.

“If he wasn't a widower and if he didn't have children, would you want him?” Bella again provoked an answer.

Claire glanced back at her best friend and rolled her eyes again. “You think I'm the Cinderella that the prince is going to marry?” Claire replied with a sneer. “Don't try to reach too high. When you fall, it will hurt a lot.”

“Then what kind of husband do you want?”

“I don't know, maybe the kind of husband my mom would want.”

Bella looked at her best friend with one eyebrow raised. “Who's getting married? You or your mom?” Bella asked in a mocking tone. “You're getting married, why is your mom deciding what your future husband should be like?”

“Just so there won't be any commotion afterward.” Claire replied with a lopsided smile. “For me personally, I just need a man who loves me and is willing to fight for me.” A faint smile spread across Claire's face just as the elevator doors opened and a figure they had not expected to see appeared there.

A beautiful woman with a tall, slender body and a wafting perfume smiled at them. Her expensive mauve dress waved softly as she stepped out of the elevator.

“Sorry.” She said holding the elevator open. “Which room is Antony in?” She asked kindly.

Bella was stunned for a split second before glancing at Claire. “Antony?” She tried to confirm her hearing.

“Yes. Antony Quirino.” She continued with a meaningful smile.

“You just walk straight. At the end there's a turn, you can take a right.” Claire gave directions which were answered with a nod and a murmur of thanks from the elegant woman.

“S-She’s Anastasia? That model? Our company's BA?” Bella whispered very quietly while her eyes could not escape watching Anastasia's retreating steps. “She's very beautiful. You're right, God matches people according to their caste. We are not Cinderella who can marry a prince. Especially if our rival is a supermodel who is the target of men.” She said sadly. Claire could only shake her head at her best friend's words.

They arrived at the first floor and were greeted by ‘twins’ with different parents who were sitting on the sofa in the waiting room looking at their cell phones.

“Did you guys wait long?” Asked Claire, distracting the two from the cell phone screen.

“Aunty!” Abigail exclaimed as excited as ever. “Not too long. We can understand that employees like you are busy, and don't have as much free time as we do.” Abigail's reply sounded like sarcasm to Claire's ears. “Hello Aunty B, long time no see. You look even more beautiful.” Abigail teased which made Bella roll her eyes. “My friend, Flavia.” Abigail introduced.

“I don't know if it's a compliment or an insinuation that I look older in your eyes.” Bella replied with an ungracious snort that made Abigail giggle.

“It's a compliment. I mean it.” Abigail's comment was still answered with a sneer by Bella. “Are you going to join us for lunch?”

“No, I'm not. I already have a lunch appointment with someone else.” She replied which was met with a probing look by Abigail.

“Another date?” Abigail's question sounded more like an accusation.

“Secret.” She replied and walked away, waving goodbye. Just as Abigail was about to ask her aunt about her conjecture, Claire raised her hand first and asked her niece to be quiet.

“Where are we having lunch?” Abigail asked at last. “I see that the restaurant in front of this building has delicious food.”

“Alright, let's go there.” Claire replied to which the two young girls standing on her left and right nodded in response.

Meanwhile, in the office.

The sound of the door opening distracted Antony from the document he was reading. His forehead furrowed deeply and let's say he was stunned when a beautiful woman with a beautiful body walked into his room without excuse while smiling sweetly.

“Hi, long time no see.” She greeted him and walked closer towards Antony's desk. But three steps towards the table, Antony raised his hand to silently ask her to stop walking.

Anastasia frowned, but she couldn't help but stop walking and chose to sit on a nearby sofa to relieve the embarrassment of Antony's rejection.

“What's wrong? Why did you come here?” Antony asked in a flat tone.

“I came because I missed you. Don't you miss me?” Asked the woman in a sulking tone as if Antony's question was her opportunity to express her feelings.

“Have you forgotten that our relationship is not in the context of missing each other?” Antony still asked in his flat tone.

Hearing Antony's response to her presence, Anastasia frowned. Deep in her heart she knew her position, that she was just an actress in the man's entertainment company as well as during this time she was used as Antony's pretend lover. But after Antony's polite and warm attitude so far, isn't it wrong that Anastasia thinks Antony has more feelings for her and she also hopes that their relationship can become even more intense?

And after all this time of warm treatment from Antony, honestly Anastasia was quite shocked by Antony's current cold reception.

“Why are you talking like that?” Anastasia was still trying to sulk. “Even though I deliberately came here immediately after I returned from Hong Kong.” She said in the hope that Antony would persuade her.

Antony raised one eyebrow. Anastasia finally gave in. The beautiful woman then shrugged her shoulders with an indifferent face.

“When I heard you were moving your office temporarily to Kansas, I thought that as a good 'lover' I should support you by appearing in front of people so that everyone here would also know what our relationship is like so that no nosy women would chase you like you wanted all this time. Like we did before.” The woman said again with her heart in her throat because she realized that her position as a shield with the title 'lover' would never change.

Anastasia was not a stupid and heartless woman. As a normal woman, being with the handsome, dashing and wealthy Antony Quirino too often would certainly make her fall in love for real. But instead, Antony Quirino didn't seem to have the same thoughts or feelings as her.

Antony rubbed his temple with his index finger. The man leaned his back on the chair. “I think we should end this 'boyfriend-girlfriend' game now.”

Antony's words were like a grenade that exploded right in front of Anastasia. No, Anastasia did not want her relationship with Antony to end. Even if it was just an act, she believed that she could still win his heart and make him hers.

“Why?” Anastasia asked with an innocent expression. At least if Antony wanted this to end, he should know why. If he had another woman in mind, then Anastasia should try to get rid of him.

“Because it's time.” Antony replied still in his flat tone.

“Do you have another woman?” Asked Anastasia trying to suppress her jealousy.

“It has nothing to do with you.” Antony replied coldly. “So, our business is done?” Asked Antony for decisiveness.

Anastasia shrugged her shoulders. “As long as it doesn't affect my contract in Kralligimiz, I have no problem.” Anastasia replied acting casual when all she wanted was for Antony to give her an answer.

“Your contract won't be a problem as long as you keep your mouth shut about our agreement. If at any time word gets out about our 'past relationship', then you know what I can do.” Antony replied with a hint of threat that honestly gave Anastasia goosebumps.

“Sure. I'm a person who is good at keeping secrets. You've proven it all along.” Anastasia replied with a sweet smile.

“Is there another problem?” Antony asked when Anastasia didn't get up from her seat. Anastasia clearly understood the subtle suggestion.

“Well, since I have another photo shoot in this area, I'll take my leave.” Anastasia got up from her seat and tried to act casual. “I don't see Altezza, where is he?” She asked curiously.

As far as Anastasia knew, for as long as she had known the two cousins, it was Altezza who was usually seen everywhere. Not Antony.

“He's on leave.” Antony replied briefly.

“In that case, give him my regards.” Anastasia said as she stepped towards the door.

Right inside her car, Anastasia's frustration boiled over. She screamed loudly as she hit the steering wheel.

“Damn Antony!” She said angrily. It was lucky she was alone, otherwise Anastasia would have made a fool of herself.

Now her hopes of becoming Mrs. Quirino were completely dashed. 'What am I lacking?' Anastasia asked herself. 'And who made Antony decide to stop making me his pretend lover?' She continued silently as she fixed her makeup. 'Is that bitch prettier than me?' she asked squinting. 'Or is that bitch from a rich family that Antony thinks is worthy of a new companion?' Anastasia's mind was still racing.

'I can't lose. Once I know who's taking my place, I'll make sure she steps down voluntarily. If not, then I'll make her resign by force. See, my retaliation will be more painful for that bitch. Just watch.' Anastasia threatened as she drove her car out of Antony's office.

Anastasia. The beautiful model under Kralligimiz - Antony's production house managed by his mother - had been Antony's 'contract girlfriend' for the past two years.

Their meeting began when Antony and Altezza attended the hotel opening party of one of his business partners where Anastasia, who had just been appointed as his company's Brand Ambassador, was also present.

At that time Antony did not have any crazy ideas until a condition made him make her his 'pretend girlfriend'. However, time seems to have made the woman too deep into her role and thinks Antony is really interested in her and wants her to be his real girlfriend. Unfortunately, Antony had no such intentions at all.

Altezza had often asked Antony to stop everything because Altezza felt that Anastasia had a 'Princess Complex' disorder and Altezza did not want Anastasia to create problems for them in the future. But Antony never listened to her.

Antony needed Anastasia as a shield, and Anastasia needed Antony to stay afloat with his career. They both benefited from each other until Antony began to notice changes in Anastasia who began to like physical touch in public places and tended to be possessive which when Antony rebuked her, she argued that it was a normal attitude that should be shown by a lover.

At first Antony didn't care about any of that until he met Claire in the elevator the other day.

Finally Antony-for the first time in thirteen years-is attracted to a woman. And it's Claire. So to get Claire, Antony must stop his drama with Anastasia.

Antony didn't want any misunderstandings. He could see Claire's accusing gaze when she saw how aggressive Anastasia was in the elevator that day. Although he was also to blame for letting Anastasia touch him just to find out if she had any interest in him like he had in her.

But making the girl 'guess' turned out to be the wrong move because Claire's mindset turned out to be that nonchalant. Like a weapon, Antony's plan to make Claire glance at him now makes the girl seem to dislike him and think of Antony as an asshole.

Antony doesn't want Anastasia to be an obstacle for him to get close to Claire or to rekindle his relationship with Flavia. If Antony wants his relationship with Flavia to improve, then he must keep Anastasia away because in fact after Antony investigates, Anastasia knows someone who makes Antony stay away from Flavia. Yes, Anastasia knows who Flavia's biological mother is.