Chapter 7
Eric's POV
"How will you get two million dollars to pay for the necklace? And this gown—why didn't you tell me it's over a million dollars? You know I was almost called a thief for wearing such an expensive outfit. If you keep this up, you'll end up going bankrupt. You'll have so much debt on you," I said, trying to keep my tone light, but the concern was real.
"Is all you do worry? Don't you ever take a moment to clear your head and live in the moment?" Anna shot back as I opened the car door for her.
"Well, I'm sorry…" she paused, her brow furrowing. "What's your name?!!"
"It's Eric, Anna. It's Eric," I replied, trying to keep my patience intact.
"Well, I'm sorry, Eric. I'm sorry if I have to worry about embodying millions of dollars on me. I'm literally a walking artifact," she said, her voice tinged with frustration.
"Yeah, no kidding," I said sarcastically, letting out a laugh to lighten the mood. "Look, Anna, you have nothing to worry about. I'll drop you off at your block; you'll be fine."
"And all of this," she said, gesturing to her gown and the necklace, "I'll be hijacked on my way home. You'll drop me in front of my apartment. Deal?"
"Fine, deal," I agreed, knowing she was right.
When we arrived at her apartment, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation. "This is where you live?" I asked, trying to mask my surprise.
"Yes, do you have a problem with that? Not like yours is any better; I mean, you drive a rented car," she shot back, her eyes narrowing.
"And I also got you a million-dollar necklace," I countered, feeling the tension rise.
"Exactly how will you pay for it?" she pressed.
"Don't worry about it, Anna. Just go inside; you've had a long night," I said, trying to dismiss her concerns.
She got out of the car and walked inside, leaving me with my thoughts.
*
Tonight had to be the roughest night I'd had since returning to the States. I parked my car in front of my small apartment and handed the keys to my butler, who took it to the garage.
"Good evening, Mr. Moore," he greeted me, and I nodded in response. My maids offered similar pleasantries as I walked up to my room, but my mind was elsewhere.
I wasn't used to seeing a woman in a vulnerable state. Watching Anna handle Bianca with such grace had melted a part of my heart that had long held a strange detest for women. My childhood wasn't what you'd call perfect. I had everything I wanted, but there was a broken bridge connecting me to my parents.
My mother, Mrs. Laura, the ex-CEO of our family's company, was always nagging and challenging my father, making life miserable for him. I had no choice but to bear the brunt of her words.
"What do you do in this house other than sit around on the couch while I work my ass off trying to make the company grow and prosper?" she would often say.
"Laura, I asked to work at the company with you; you volunteered to do it alone," my father would reply, but it never ended well.
"Why would I have my husband as an employee in my company? Does that sound right to you?" she'd snap back.
"What else am I supposed to do then, Laura?" he'd ask, frustration creeping into his voice.
"Be useful with your life, you lazy fowl! I can't be the only breadwinner of this household!"
"I try my best every time, Laura. You're just choosing not to see it," he'd say, but that only led to more arguments, pushes, and blows.
I would lock myself in my room, wishing I never had a mother like her. Fear made me avoid approaching women. My last girlfriend had approached me first, and aside from that, I had kept my distance until I met Anna at the bar. There was something about her that drew me in, and I felt an instant connection.
As I walked into my small apartment, I couldn't shake the thought of Jeremy. "This Jeremy she talked about—why does that name seem to ring a bell?" I pondered.
I had just returned from a business trip and hadn't let anyone know I was back. I needed some "alone time."
"Have you gone to the Moore family house since you got back?" my mother asked over the phone.
"I haven't. I think I need a little rest before I start all over again," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral.
"You have to take your position there. Further delay will only make them too comfortable," she insisted.
"Mom, they know it's not their property or inheritance to take. They'll hand it over immediately when I show my face," I said, trying to reassure her.
"Why the delay, if I may ask?" Her impatience was palpable.
"Look, ma, everything doesn't have to be about work. Work is what made me leave this state for six years. Do you think I don't deserve a break?"
"You'll only get a break after you present me with a woman—either as a girlfriend or a fiancée. We both know the last one didn't end well, and I'm not getting any younger," she said, her voice firm. "I need a grandchild, an heir to the family's company."
"Mom, I'm not ready to venture into that aspect of life just yet," I replied, feeling the weight of her expectations.
"What about the young lady?" she asked.
"Who?" I was confused.
"The one you were bent on finding after the scholarship scheme you hosted at the orphanage?"
"That was a long time ago, Mom," I said, dismissing the thought.
"I mean, there's no hope of even finding her. For all I know, she might not even be in the state," she continued.
"I need an heir, and that's all that matters to me. Get me an heir," she demanded.
The last relationship I had was more complicated than anything I'd ever experienced. I couldn't handle the toxicity; she was too dominant and self-centered. I didn't want to be part of that kind of relationship.
"Else what, Mom? Else what?" I challenged.
"You'll beat and scold me like you did with my father?"
There was a pause on the line as she seemed to reflect on her past actions.
"Your father got what he deserved, Eric. He lazed around all day. I don't know why you decide to paint my name black. You were too little to understand what went on between me and your father," she said defensively.
"Then why let me experience it in the first place? Why would you do that in my presence?"
"Because I didn't want you to turn out like he did. You were meant to take over," she replied.
"It didn't help, Mom. It didn't," I said, frustration boiling over.
"I need an heir, or I'll strip the CEO position from you if it's too much for you to handle," she snapped before ending the call.
I was left staring at my phone, feeling the poundage of her expectations pressing down on me. The last thing I wanted was to repeat the cycle of dysfunction that had defined my childhood. But as I thought of Anna, I couldn't help but wonder if she might be the one to change everything.