Anna 's POV
Just like I had discussed with Lily, I began to pack up my things. I need to leave today, or I won't be able to leave again.
I dragged my luggage downstairs after packing and met Nicholas sitting in the living room.
He stood up from his seat in a hurry, a frown on his face.
"What's going on with all the bags?
Where are you going?" He asked, blocking my way.
Avoiding his gaze, I continued to drag the bags along.
"Anna, what the hell are you doing?" Nicholas asked in frustration.
"I think it will be better for us to live separately". I answered, looking up at him.
"Wait, is this because I kissed you?" He asked, his eyes dropping to my lips briefly.
"No, it's not. I just realized that we are not obliged to each other. We are not a real couple, remember?" I continued while avoiding his piercing eyes. truthfully the kiss we shared had left me unsettled.
I might do things I will regret later
Alright, I apologize for that and for the way I talked to you at the hotel but you cannot leave" Nicholas, with a lot of difficulties.
"This is not right," I said, shaking her head slowly, but my eyes were drawn to his.
The way he stares at me made her some sort of way.
"Don't leave please. I don't know what is wrong with me" he said in frustration, and ran a hand through his hair.
"I think it's better we live apart," I said with clarity while shaking my head.
"Why?" He asked and slowly coming closer to me.
I moved back, but he suddenly caught me by the arm and brought me closer for a kiss.
I was stunned by the kiss, let him kiss me until I broke away after my senses returned and slapped him immediately.
The slap came as a surprise to both of us. I gasped after my hand connected with his face in a loud smack. I was shocked by my own actions.
His expression changed immediately
"I will stay," I said in a hurry, and I took my things back to my room in a hurry.
Ever since that day I avoided him like a plague, my cheek always feels red hot any time I recall the fleeting moment.
As usual, today I got home before him and prepared dinner for both of us. It has become my usual evening routine before I disappeared into my room after leaving a sticky note on the dining table.
But today luck wasn't on my side when I met him sitting on my bed in my room.
I made to run back outside, but he stopped me.
"Wait, won't you at least talk to me?
You've been avoiding me the past few days, but that ends today" he said, standing up.
"I have nothing to say to you, Mr Chester" I replied flatly. Ignoring his eyes.
"Mr Chester?
Alright, Mum has invited us for dinner tomorrow.
I will pick you up at 4 PM" he announced coldly, and walked out.
There we go again.
A dinner with that horrible woman, Huh!" I sighed, my mood ruining completely. I recalled my last encounter with the woman. And still haven't forgiven her or forgotten it.
~
Nicholas's POV
I went to pick her up at her office. And I saw her discussing happily with a young man.
I suddenly feel annoyed by the sight of both of them together.
"I think you should stop coming here while we are still married" I said to her as soon as the driver started the car.
"Pardon?
This is none of your business, please don't stay out of it" she replied coldly and turned her face away from me.
"What?
I believe I have a say in that considering the fact that you are my wife" I replied and I noticed my driver was listening to our conversation.
She glared at me silently and was about to respond to what I said.
I kissed her quickly on the lips before she could utter a word.
The kiss left her stunned. She looked at me with a questioning look on her face.
"The driver" I whispered in her ear and she immediately understood.
Our ploy had already begun again.
"That is so unnecessary, couples don't spend every hour of the day kissing.
That is to show you don't have much experience in that area" she whispered back.
"I guess you are expert in that aspect to come to that conclusion, maybe you can teach me some things" I replied, smiling at her.
She glanced briefly at the driver and hesitated, I knew she wanted to give me a snarky comeback to what I said.
"What do you think?
You wouldn't have married me if I wasn't", she replied, and smiled sweetly at me.
I lost the train of my thoughts seeing her smile.
I gently caressed her on the cheek.
"Let's keep this going for the rest of the night, okay?" I whispered against her lips and gave her a brief kiss on the lips.
She smiled in response to what I said, but I could tell she was fighting the urge to argue against what I said.
We arrived at the mansion a little while later. Grandfather was the only one in the Mansion when we arrived.
The old man beamed happily at them when they walked in holding hands.
"How was the honeymoon?" He asked curiously.
"It was fine," Anna replied, smiling before I could reply.
"I wanted to have someone prepare something for both of you, but Nicholas wouldn't let me. I guess he knows what you like and don't like.
So how is it going?" He asked again.
I watched them discuss and decide not to say anything.
"What is that?" She asked him, confused.
"About my grandchild. I want to see what a child from both of you would look like before I die", he continued earnestly.
"Grandfather" I called his name, shocked by what he just said.
Anna smiled softly and chuckled nervously at him.
"Well, I know I don't have to worry about that. Young people these days know more about the matter of the bedroom than older folks", he said, laughing wholeheartedly.
"Excuse me for a bit, I want to take a call".
I said to her and left them alone in the room.
I returned to the room later and whisked her away from grandfather's perusal.
"What is going on?" She asked worriedly as she noticed the difference in my expression.
"My brother has returned, and I don't see eye to eye with him. I need your help", I continued, rubbing a hand across my forehead.
I could feel a headache coming, I have always hated days like this.
"What do you need me to do?" She asked, concerned. I could hear a trace of worry in her voice.
"I need you to please distract me through dinner and anytime my brother and father start engaging in conversation" I said in a serious tone.
"How am I supposed to do so?" she asked, genuinely confused.
"Just make sure I have all my attention on you, if not all, almost all" I said softly.
Her cheeks turned red at my request.
"Just keep me engaged in a conversation with you" I said chuckling.
Everyone had arrived before dinner was served except for my brother, Thomas. Mum was happily chatting away with my sister, Jennifer, an occurrence as rare as a flying pig.
A few minutes later, Thomas arrived and everyone around the table welcomed him happily. Except me.
He also ignored me and sat down without a word to each other.
Anna at that time playfully laid a hand on my thigh.
She remembered my request to distract him, and she was doing more than I thought she would.
I caught her hand and turned it over before planting a kiss in the middle of her palm.
I manage to successfully ignore those around except her.
"That is cheating, you asked me to distract you. Don't stop me" she whispered to me and giggled.
"Your idea of distraction seems more intense than I intended. If you want to spend the rest of night tending to the consequences, you can continue" I replied and smiled.
She blushed immediately she understood my words.
I enjoy teasing her.
Someone clears their throat to get our attention.
"Brother, I understand you just got married. At least save all that for later. There is a child here", Thomas spoke up, referring to his son sitting beside grandfather, and also breaking the barrier Anna and I had successfully created.
"Good evening, sister-in-law, I'm Thomas, your brother-in-law." He turned his attention to Anna and introduced himself.
I subconsciously tightened my hold on Anna.
"I'm Anna". She replied to him and turned to look at me with a slight frown.
"Are you okay?" She asked, cupping my face in her hands.
My anger immediately dissipated.
She was distracting me again.
The dinner was served, and we all ate in silence. Anna and I whispered to each other throughout the dinner that a few people at the table were pissed.
When the dinner had concluded, Mum gestured towards Anna.
"Can you come with me for a minute?"
She asked.
They both left and it was time to face my brother.