Anna's POV
" Can I get a half payment now?" I asked him.
" No." He replied without even batting a lid.
" What do you mean by no?" I inquired. I had my part of the bargain. Wasn't he supposed to let me get at least half?
" The deal is to give me an heir before I pay you." He said.
" See, i need this money today." I informed him.
" I also keep to my end of the bargain." He replied, and I felt like punching him in the face. I thought that if I could get half of the payment, I would offset my father's debt, and run away. Who wanted to be tied down to a man I didn't know.
" You are to stay here till you give birth."
" What?" That wasn't part of the contract." I said.
" You were sent an email weren't you?" He asked, and I searched my spam. The stupid message was sitting in there. He wasn't about to keep me detained against my will.
" You see that?" He said, lounging lazily in his bed.
" You are to stay here till you get pregnant, and give birth." He read to me, like I was incapable of doing so myself. " Why are you doing this?" I asked him. Wasn't he the one that claimed that I was the love of his life earlier?
I was pissed, and I walked out of his office probably not the best idea, but if I remained there, I could do something illegal.
How was I going to explain to my parents that, I'm somewhere trying to sleep with a rich man for money, and now to get that money, I have to stay with him?
Goodness gracious. Whatever he must think I am to him was probably his imagination. I hope I wasn't unlucky to be with a psychopath?
All i needed is half, just half, and I would be free....
~~~~~
I retired to my room, and popped some morning pills. I was not getting pregnant for this man. This was tantamount to kidnap.
" Hi, mom." I greeted when my phone rang.
" Hi, dear. How's the business summit going?" She inquired.
" I trust that you've gained some knowledge that could your dad?" She asked.
Only if you knew where I was mom, you would not be so cheerful.
" Yeah, I'll definitely share with him. How is he doing?" I asked.
" Actually picking up. He's still despondent baby."
" Really?" I asked. I didn't know what to anymore. Before I was confident that I would be the salvation of my family, but as it stands now, I don't have any hope.
" What is he doing right now?" I inquired. I could still encourage him to eat. I also needed encouragement.
" He's taking a nap. Baby I hope you're fine?" She asked, and I nodded forgetting that she couldn't see me.
" Yeah, why do you ask?"
" You sound gloomy." She said, and I forced a laugh.
" No, I'm fine, just caught a cold." I lied.
" Where did you say the summit was holding?" She asked.
I didn't reply. Instead I made a scrunchy sound with a nylon.
" I can't hear you clearly, mom. Talk to you later." I hung up, my heart beating fast. I didn't like lying to my parents.
~~~~~
" Please come down for breakfast" A maid informed me when I opened the door.
" It's good to have you here with me." Sarah commented, and I forced a smile.
" You too ma'am." I replied.
The patriach stared at me, and I felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze. It was as if he was staring right into my soul. His eyes shone with wisdom. Did Vincenzo tell him anything about me?
" Let's make a toast." He said, and everyone raised their glasses.
" To love." He crinkled his glass. I refused to look at Enzo since I walked in. I was focused on getting nourishment. I need energy to cry in peace.
" Do you like the food dear?" Sarah asked me. She was very warm and receptive. Plus she was dying so I had to put on a show. I was uncomfortable sitting there. All I wanted was to go home to my family.
" Yes, ma'am. It's tasty." I replied, and there was a snicker. I turned to stare at the culprit. Sarah didn't seem like she was aware of the clause in the contract.
" You don't like tuna." Vincenzo said, and I rolled my eyes. How did he know? Oh, he said he knw from years back.
" I do." I replied trying to prove him wrong. I wasn't able to eat much, as I was just pinching the food.
Vincenzo pressed a small bell, and a maid came out. " Please bring her some chicken curry." He said. My stomach growled in response. It was so embarrassing. I was sure the whole table heard it.
His grandparents watched the exchange, and I focused on the plate in front of me. I saw his grandfather hide his smile behind his hand.
" Thank you." I muttered politely to the maid. I refused to acknowledge Vincenzo.
" Dear, you don't need to force yourself to eat what you can't." She reached for my hand.
" You're welcome to do as you please." She said, and I gave her a smile in return.
" Thank you ma." I replied.
My phone vibrated on my lap, and I checked the message subtly. It was impolite to be on the phone in the presence of your host.
" You look very beautiful today." The message read, and I looked up to see the culprit, with an unreadable expression on his face.