Chapter 22

"Like seriously Max...how did you even get married so suddenly?....and to that girl?'Miguel started as soon as they were at the Storm's mansion.Max had his own mansion but he always came over to his family mansion before going to his own.

"Her name is Ammy."

"And I was the one who told you that name so I can't have probably forgotten it.We were together at the party and you never mentioned anything about that to us."Miguel continued his complaints.

"That's because my personal life is none of your business.Stop talking now, we are almost going inside and I wouldn't want my mother to know that the whole fiance thing is just a made up story,"Max spoke as they neared the door making Miguel stop on his track with creased brows.

'That means that the Storms knew that this man finally had woman again and he lied that they were fiancees?'Miguel questioned himself as he stood still at the same point.Max reached the door and noted that Miguel wasn't coming along.He turned and gave him a questioning look which Miguel didn't even see nor note.

"Welcome master,"Richard saluted him as he walked inside.Max ignored him and walked past him into the lounge.

"Max...you are here?"his mother asked as he walked in,making him wonder if his presence was no longer needed in the house.

"I am...why?"

"I thought that since you have a fiance then you would definitely not come over here."

"She is just a fiancee not my wife."Miguel who was now behind him chocked on his own saliva when he heard what Max just said.He just declared that the girl wasn't his wife yet he had heard him call her his wife when they were living the mansion.He couldn't just understand the man's annoying pretence.Who could anyone even dare deny such a beautiful young lady!?.... only that cold man could.

"Don't say that Max.She really is a gem you know,"his mother continued.

"I know that...I just dropped by to check if you all are fine...will be leaving now."Max spoke as he turned to leave.He actually wanted to spend sometime in his room but his mother's nagging made him change his mind.

"You haven't even told me how she is doing.Yesterday must have been very tough for her."

"It really was but she is okay now....I will take my leave now.."

"Max, can I come with you?....I would love to see my soon to be sister in law again,"a young lady spoke from the stairs.Max raised his head and looked at her.He had not noticed that she was there.

"Not today Milady...maybe on weekend," Max answered calmly.Of all the people in his family,this sister of his was everything to him.He would never leave that mansion without seeing her although he almost did it today.She was gorgeous and very smart too.She was only nineteen years old but she owned several jewelry shops and clothes shops.Despite the love he had for her and his mother,he never dared show that since his enemies would use them to weaken him in anyway possible.He was a great business man and many business men admired his strength and position in the world and the influence he had and many seek to bring him down. Therefore, he needed not to show any kind of weakness and that's why he resolved to being cold to almost everyone so that he could protect them from being used as pones to get to him and also protect himself.

"Is that a promise Max?"the lady asked

"Aren't you busy with work Milady?"he also asked a question instead of responding to her question.

"You know that I have people taking care of my businesses."

"When it comes to the business world,you have to be always there for you to realize the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents so that you can make a step forward and always be ahead of them,"Max tried to make the girl give up on the issue of going to his mansion.

"Wait....is that a polite way of saying no to me now?"she asked.

"Always that smart,"Miguel murmured but loud enough for Max to hear.

"Yes Milady...you can't come to my place."

"But why?Do you always have to be this cold even towards your own family Max?"she asked at the point of breaking down to tears.She couldn't just understand what the issue was with her brother.

"Anyways it's your mansion and you can decide on who can be there and who cannot,"she spoke calmly and ran upstairs.Max looked at the stairs before turning to leave.Miguel followed him.

"You know it's not necessary for you to behave that way towards them Max,"Miguel started when the car accelerated outside the mansion.

"You of all people should understand why I can't do that Miguel."

"You are an influential man...you definitely can protect your sister so stop creating this unnecessary distance with them "Max remained quiet and his face as emotionless as ever.

"I will think about it,"he finally spoke.

"It's a decision needed not some thinking,"Miguel spoke before a deep silence embraced the car with it's unworthy presence.The two stayed quiet until they reached the mansion.Max stepped out of the car and walked straight to the house without talking to Miguel.Miguel just watched his back as it disappeared into the house before alighting from the car.He walked to where his car had been parked.

"Good evening master,"his chauffeur saluted as he settled at the back seat.

"Good evening Redington....let's get going,"Miguel commanded calmly and the chauffeur drove off.

"Welcome back master,"Colbert bowed his head alongside his maids as Max stepped inside the mansion.

"Where is your madam?"he asked coldly making them wonder if something happened.

"She is upstairs sir,"he responded and Max walked away unhurriedly.

"You are back Max... welcome,"Ammy spoke as stepped into the bedroom.She was just from freshening up at the bathroom.Max gazed at her steadily and Ammy remembered that she only had wrapped a pink towel on her small figure.She quickly ran to the closet in embarasment and got dressed before drying her hair.

"You know you don't have to be that shy around your husband,wife,"Max spoke when she walked back to the bedroom.Ammy stood and stared at him,her hands akimbo.

"As far as I can remember....you introduced me as your fiancee to your family....not your wife."Max simply chuckled and glanced at her before looking away.

"Don't try to act smart with me wife."

"I didn't....was just stating the truth."Ammy said and Max just nodded calmly making her wonder why he just gave in.

"Your argument has made me change my mind on the punishment I had for you for what you did in the morning....so let me think of another proper punishment,"Max spoke before heading for the bathroom.Ammy stared at his back as he walked to the bathroom.Did one had to be punished for being so happy for meeting a long lost friend or for being good to her husband's friends?!...She refused to be intimidated by him or letting him bully her just because he was a cold and heartless man and so she would also show him that she was stubborn in her own way....she thought before giving herself a smile of triumph.

"Am waiting for it Mr fiance,"she spoke as she walked out of the bedroom to downstairs.