As the clock struck seven, the drawing room of the Anderson mansion transformed into a spectacle of culinary indulgence. Waitstaff glided in and out, bringing forth platters laden with an array of sumptuous dishes that filled the air with an intoxicating medley of aromas. Roasted meats glistened under the soft light, while trays of colorful vegetables, fragrant herbs, and artisanal breads created an enticing feast fit for royalty. The rich scent of slow-cooked sauces wafted through the room, mingling with the sweetness of freshly baked pastries. It was a banquet that could make anyone feel like a king.
Mr. Anderson, practically beaming with excitement, floated into the room and plopped down beside me, his enthusiasm palpable. "You actually included the names of everyone they were going to work with to start the project. You actually gave me all the information I needed to make all of them switch to working with me instead once they heard Spencer," he exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with joy. "I don't know what that kid did to make an enemy of you, but I'm glad it wasn't my son!"
"Really?" Mrs. Anderson interjected, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes! I admit defeat; the plans are legit. They've been planning for five and a half months already, so the grunt work is basically finished, and now we're in charge of it all. The land will be transferred to my name in the next forty-eight hours." Mr. Anderson wiped the sweat from his brow, a triumphant grin plastered across his face.
"And everything just went to you so easily?" she asked, skepticism lacing her tone.
"That's the thing! It was just planning in their free time; once I put money down, it all became exclusively my property!" He chuckled, clearly reveling in his newfound power.
"The Roths didn't secure anything?" Mrs. Anderson gasped, astonished. "Why would they do such a stupid thing?"
"Because they're too arrogant. They think their name alone is enough to stop things like this from happening, so those Roth sons didn't take the necessary steps to prevent it," I explained, relishing the moment of victory.
"So he has your approval, Dad?" Damien queried, a hint of hope in his voice.
"My approval? He can take you home with him and keep you for all I care!" Mr. Anderson laughed, piling food onto my plate with an exaggerated flourish. "Eat, my little money maker! Eat as much as you want! My son sure knows how to choose them. I send him out for gold, and he brings me home a diamond!"
"His best quality is how dutiful he is. If I can trust anyone enough, it's Damien. You definitely raised him better than the Roths raised their kids," I added, hoping to solidify my position further.
"What is it you want in return?" Mrs. Anderson asked, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "I don't believe you just want our acceptance."
Smart.
"You're right. I need connections down south to expand Empire. You have them; you can use this to establish a good working rapport with the Spencer family. Instant reputation boost for your family." I paused, recalling how Eli's family had benefitted from this connection in my past life.
"That's still helping us! I asked what you want in return since you've given us all the advantages!" Mrs. Anderson snapped.
"If something happens to me, have it thoroughly investigated. That's all," I replied, the weight of my words heavy in the air.
"Is someone after your life?" Mr. Anderson's brow furrowed with concern.
"I don't know yet, but I just need to make sure I live past the age of thirty," I said, stuffing my mouth with food to distract from my admission. I had said too much.
"Are you terminally ill or something?" Damien asked, his expression shifting to one of genuine worry.
Not yet.
I shook my head, chewing my food more than necessary. But they waited, eyes fixed on me, for me to finish so there was no possibility of staying vague.
"Who's going to try to kill you?" Mrs. Anderson pressed.
"I'm not actually sure."
"Do you know the reason why they'd want to kill you?" she continued.
"I don't know," I confessed, my heart racing. I had done everything expected of me, and I was killed for it. Now that I was doing the opposite, I felt red flags popping up everywhere.
"Why us?" Damien's mother asked.
"Because you can protect me... and because I've been charmed by Damien," I admitted, trying to keep my tone light.
"I approve! You have my protection! Anyone who messes with you will be dealt with. I can't believe our little brat charmed you!" Mr. Anderson exclaimed, his delight palpable. "I underestimated you, Damien. It looks like your judgment can be trusted."
And mission accomplished! His dad thought he was more grandiose than he actually was. I'd done what I came to do, though I sensed his mother still wasn't completely sold on me.
"It sounds like you want to get away from your family," Mrs. Anderson commented, and Damien nodded in agreement. "Is this because you're an heir?" she pressed.
"No. It's because my family won't hesitate to abandon me," I said, the bitterness creeping into my voice. In my past life, they had discarded me like I was old news. I had every intention of keeping it strictly business with them. I didn't love them like I used to; the idea of loving them scared the hell out of me now that the facade was broken. "I just want to protect my life should there be a possibility they do abandon me. I'd like a soft place to fall."
"They're your parents!" Mrs. Anderson shot back, incredulous.
"And who knows them better than me? What should I do when I know what they're capable of doing to me?" I challenged. "Wait for my entire life to crash down around me with no backup plan? Or should I just lie down and let everything be stolen from me? I don't think that'll have an end well. I don't want a sad ending."
Mrs. Anderson finally relented. "I see. Well, eat up then."
With that, dinner continued in a more relaxed atmosphere. Damien's parents got to know me as a person, their questions becoming softer as the tension melted away. As the hour passed, my phone was returned to me, and Damien and I were granted permission to stroll through the sprawling backyard garden maze.
The garden was a marvel of design, with hedges meticulously trimmed to create winding paths that beckoned exploration. Flowers bloomed in vibrant colors, their scents mingling in the cool evening air, and the sound of water bubbling from hidden fountains added a serene ambiance. It looked like a scene straight out of a fairy tale, a place where secrets could be shared under the stars.
I welcomed the escape from the stuffy dining room, but even outside, an undercurrent of tension lingered. Did Damien suspect the facade I had kept up, pretending to like him? Did he not appreciate how effortlessly I had lied to his parents about our relationship?
"You did really well. My father's already treating me differently. You have my trust," Damien said, crossing his arms, an almost protective stance. "Just one question. Are you psychic or something?"
"Why?"
"Well, how do you know you'll need protection until age thirty? Are you going to die at thirty? How are you so sure you can't trust your parents? Why should a seventeen-year-old worry about when he's thirty?" Damien pressed, his concern evident.
"I'm not a psychic. I just trust my gut feeling, and it's telling me my life is in danger, so I need to do everything to stop it. Surviving is my only goal," I replied, my voice steady.
"I'm sure that's not all. How about you let me in on this plan of yours so I know what I'm really dealing with? No one can hear us here," Damien urged, his tone turning serious.
I had promised to let him in on my real reasons for clinging to him, but it needed context. "Listen, I've genuinely loved and cared for my sister and my parents my entire life, more than myself. But now I'm sure my family will be the death of me somehow if I don't take action. My sister is going to hire someone to kill me, and I don't know if Eli is in on it, but I don't even want to take the chance and find out. Debbie is out to get me for some reason, and she's already started her campaign at school," I confessed.
"Woah! How did all that even start?" he asked, his eyes wide with shock.
"My sister declared her love for Eli, and I tried to fight her on it, but now I'm deciding not to fight her, and I gave up on him. She wanted him, and he's going to end up cheating on her after she gets me kicked out because she's a master manipulator," I hissed, anger simmering beneath my calm facade.
"How do you know that for sure?" Damien pressed.
"Because... can you just trust me when I say I just know something is going to happen? I just haven't figured out all the details yet, but I know things won't end well for me if I'm on my own again," I said, feeling the weight of my own words.
"Well then... what's your ultimate goal?" he asked, genuine interest in his tone.
"Revenge. Revenge on everyone who dared to try and fuck with me before. I want everyone who ever looked down on me to suffer worse than I did," I confessed, my voice dropping to a whisper. "I want to step on them all, and I want it to be slow. I want to make them all die on the inside."
Damien nodded, a look of intrigue crossing his face. "You're getting more and more interesting by the minute. What do you know about me? What will I do?"
I hesitated, then replied, "I know nothing about that except... you're a great businessman, but you'll be an unfaithful partner and a perpetual flirt."
"I've never even been in a relationship before. How could you know that?" Damien argued, indignation sparking in his eyes. "I'll have you know I'd never cheat on the one."
He used this line on me in my past life after calling me 'the one', and I had evaded him then. But I figured there was no harm in doing the opposite this time.
"I'll give you a chance to prove that to me," I said, a challenge hanging in the air between us.
"You're testing me now?" he shot back, his expression one of amusement.
"Hey! I chased away that girl, I made your dad interested in what you have to offer, and I gave away two incredibly lucrative plans I could've used for myself. I think it's time you worked to earn some of my trust now. This is supposed to be a mutually beneficial agreement after all and so far I've just been doing thing after thing for you," I argued, a playful smile creeping onto my lips.
Damien frowned but then relented. "Okay, fine. You want the faithful boyfriend treatment? You've got it. You're going to fall so hard for me. Just watch!"
"Stick to your day job and just make sure I don't die," I rolled my eyes.