ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THREE

ANISHA'S POV

She led me to a well decorated room, and I smiled timidly as I followed her.

"The cake is in here," she pointed to a shelf. "Come through, come to the study first. I will show you something before I give you the cake."

After hesitating for a bit, I followed her into a large study which was full of books on beautiful shelves.

"Sit." She pointed to a chair. I sat there quietly and I said a silent prayer in my heart.

Mrs de Milo looked at me from head to toe. Her look gave me the shivers, and I just wanted to shrink into thin air. To my surprise, she smiled and handed me a document. I stretched my hand to receive it, and I unfolded the papers and read through them.

"Title deeds," Mrs de Milo spoke.

"And these", she dangled two car keys in her hands. She quickly separated them, and with each of her hand dangling a car key, she gave a very sinister smile and said, "two cars. Pagani. Kia Sorento."

"I…I'm sorry but I don't understand." I stammered in fear.

"Well, they're yours! I'm giving you a very beautiful house, two cars and a fat bank account. If you want, I can facilitate for you to get a good job."

I wanted to pinch myself but I could not move. What was she saying? Did she suddenly like me that much? According to what Dylan had told me, Mrs de Milo had just stated that she was going to give me a chance; but who would have guessed that by giving me a chance she meant handing over to me title deeds, two cars, a fat bank balance and a job? No. it could not be. Or…was it….could it have been….a trap? A trap of some sort? Why…why would she…..

"I don't mean to be rude, Mrs de Milo, but may I ask; why are you doing this!?" I asked in a low voice.

"Ah!! You do have brains, I see," she stood up and laughed hysterically. Her laughter ended as soon as it had started, before she turned to glare at me.

"one week, Anisha. I am giving you seven whole days. In seven days you must find a reason to end your friendship...relationship or whatever it is that you and my son have! You will take the house, the cars, the money and the job, and you will never talk to Dylan again? The money will be enough to take care of you for a long time. And I want you out of our lives. Forever."

In silence, I wanted to believe that I was dreaming, but the reality was right before me. I had always known that she hated me. But did she hate me that much? She would pay to get me out of Dylan's life? Oh my goodness; just when I thought…

"Mrs de Milo; from what Dylan told me, I thought you had agreed to give me a chance."

"You were a fool to believe that," she scorned.

I gasped in shock; realising that I had greatly underestimated the woman.

"Tell me," she gave me a creepy smile, "Do you ever see yourself as a princess in this home? You look in the mirror and imagine yourself as the future Mrs de Milo? Answer me on that one."

I remained silent. She walked towards me, and due to fear I stood on my feet, ready to run away if need be. She circled around me, smiling. Of course it was not a genuine smile, but still she smiled. she looked at me from head to toe, and smiled even wider, "he gave you a tour of the manor; didn't he? Tell me; when you were going through the place…my Clear Opal Manor; to be specific…did you imagine yourself as the owner of this place, one day?"

"No Mrs de Milo, I have no intention of taking your home away…"

"But you do have the intention to take my son away from me? My only son, huh? Why won't you leave him alone?"

With courage which I did not know where it came from, I managed to say, "Mrs de Milo; the way you say it, it's like I am chasing after Dylan. The truth is he is the one who chased after me…."

"Because of your beauty! Besides that beauty, what else do you have to offer? I am looking for a daughter of a well-known family; established business owners; someone who will not only come to milk the de Milos; but will bring something to the table as well. A girl who grew up at Olga is definitely not my choice."

The words stabbed my heart. I felt a piercing pain which went through my chest, and as it slightly subsided, it left my eyes swimming in tears.

"Don't cry! Let's talk! You need money, don't you? You need a good house? You long to have a home that you can call your own? And a job? And when you see Dylan; he becomes the right candidate to provide you with those. Now I am giving you a good proposal. Leave him. Leave him, Anisha, and walk away with everything that I have just offered you. All of them are in your name."

"Mrs de Milo; I am not after Dylan's money…."

"Every girl in Lakeworld would die to marry into this family. Among those who wish to become de Milos, there are some who are a hundredfold more decent than you. Although I must admit that you are beautiful, Anisha, beauty alone is not enough. Dylan needs a business partner. He needs a listening ear; someone who will give meaningful advise, an educated mind full of wisdom…"

"I am going to university, Mrs de Milo! I am also going to…."

"Enough! I don't want to hear it! We're going to walk out of here, and join the rest of the family. After a week I will call you, and you will give me an answer. Do you understand me?"

"But M..Mrs ..de…." I stammered.

"Do you understand me?" she hissed.

"I understand you, Mrs de Milo."

"Good. Let's go!"

She led me back to the central lounge; where the whole family was surrounding Arianna. Mrs de Milo rushed forward and asked, "what is it? What's happening with her?"

"She just complained about cramps," Mr de Milo said.

Iris, standing nearby, explained with great care, "Miss Arianna has been having these cramps for a while now. And many times I have seen her sleeping, looking very sick."

"And why wasn't I told about this! Iris!!"

"I tried to tell you, ma'am. In fact I did tell you…"

"I won't hear any of it! We're taking her to the hospital now! My child has been sick all this while, and someone has been sleeping on duty!" Mrs de Milo screamed.

"It's ok Shimmer", Mr de Milo smiled as he held his wife's shoulder. "Arianna, since you have been unwell for a while now, let me go with you so that we may do a few checks. You don't look too bad, I mean I could let you sleep until tomorrow but I know your mum will need you to go through some thorough checks."

"No dad, I am fine," Arianna refused.

"Miss Arianna, you have been unwell for some time now, please go." Iris pleaded.

"I can't believe she hid her sickness from us all!" Mrs de Milo spoke out. "Well, I'm so sorry Dylan and Anisha; I'll have to invite you back in a week's time; for now let's see to it that Arianna gets help."

"No! I won't go to hospital!"

"Why, Arianna?"

"I won't go!" to everyone's surprise, Arianna broke into tears.