chapter 10

James' sister darted her eyes towards Anne and wore a fake smile.

"Hi, I'm Jessy". She said, requesting for a hand shake.

"I'm Anne". Anne replied with a faint smile.

"So! How long?". Jessy asked.

"Sorry, I …

"How long have you been with my brother?". She made herself clear.

"Uhm, few days…weeks". Anne replied.

"Weeks huh? And you felt so comfortable coming to a family event with him. What status are you from?". Jessy inquired.

"Pardon? I…I didn't get that". Anee stuttered.

"Rich, middle class or poor?". Jessy asked in disgust.

"That is not a proper question to ask on a first day". Anee bluntly responded.

"Oh, really? You come into my house, uninvited and tell me what and what not question to ask huh?".

"Please I don't want to have a fight with you". Anee said, interrupting her.

"Same here darling. Like mother has said, you are welcome". She smiled and left.

Anne closed her eyes as she took a deep breath. "This isn't part of the plan". She thought as she makes her way into the mansion

"Come here daughter, come here". Mrs Hathaway called Anne on seeing her.

Anne took a few steps close to her and wore a faint smile and hid the facial expressions that occupied her face earlier.

"You shouldn't be by yourself. You're to work hand in hand with your soon to be husband. Go, go work with him".

"But…that…". she stuttered.

"Go work with him, you'll soon be a couple".

Anee gave out a heavy sigh as she walked to where James stood, discussing with some men who she wasn't sure of.

"Oh, is she the one?". One of them asked, on seeing her.

"Uhm, yes she is". James responded as he pulled her by her waist. "Meet my business partner". He said, smiling at her.

"It's nice to meet you sir". She smiled at them.

The rest of the event went smoothly and exciting. What Anne hated the most was smiling at any given second because she was addressed as the new soon to be daughter in-law.

Finally the event came to an end. And the mansion was left with just the members of the family.

"Well". Mrs Hathaway began. "We have come to the end of this beautiful event and it's time to retire to bed because of the long evening we had, tomorrow morning shall be our family reunion".

"Mother, whatever that has to be discussed tomorrow should be said now because I'll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning". James opposed.

"No son, your limbs might still be strong but not mine. You are used to staying up late and not all of us. It's past sleeping time, so let's honor that".

"Grandma can my nanny put me to sleep". Sophia interrupted.

"Nanny?". Mrs Hathaway repeated, confused.

Oh baby! Don't you worry, grandma will be with you tonight". James exclaimed and shut Sophia up.

"Yes pumpkin, I'll put you to sleep tonight, next time we'll get you a nanny okay? Now go to your room and wait for me". Mrs Hathaway told her.

"Goodnight daddy, goodnight everyone". Sophia waved as she made her way to the elevator.

"James, you should go in with Anne. Don't keep her waiting, she had a long evening". Mrs Hathaway suggested.

"What? No, no, no ma'am. I'm absolutely fine. I mean it was just an event". She forced out a chuckle.

"stop trying to act like a saint here. We all know what low level bitches like you can do". Jessy blurted out.

"Jessy?". Mrs Hathaway yelled.

"Oh mother please. You all should be deceived by her looks, trust me I know a bitch when I see one".

"That's enough Jessy. You've got no right to talk to her in such a manner". James warned.

"Or else what? Listen here brother. I don't know where you got her from but get rid of her. How can you be so nonchalant to bring home a girl you meet days or weeks ago huh?".

"what?". Mrs Hathaway exclaimed.

"And what does that have to do with you? It doesn't matter if I met her yesterday, I love her and that's what matters".

Anne darted her eyes towards him in shock. "Did she just hear him correctly". She thought.

"I'm proud of you son. Now go in with her, I ought to have another grand baby soon". His mother said.

James grabbed her hands and pulled her to walk with him. He pressed the first button of the elevator and pulled her in.

They didn't utter a word to each other till they got to their room. Anne was in great fear. She couldn't believe she was about to spend a whole night with her boss.

"Help yourself out with a bath". He told her, breaking the silence.

"I'm…I'm fine". She stuttered as she cleared her throat.

"It's not an opinion but a demand. You've got everything in there, so go". His voice oozed with authority.

"Urhh". Annie groaned as she made her way into the bathroom.

Her eyes popped open on seeing the interior. It was large enough to be someone's sitting room, it had three sections. A closet, a bathroom and a toilet room.

In the end she was happy she listened to him. "I can even spend the night here" she thought.

She made herself comfortable as she made use of each room and its equipment. After having her bath, she pulled the transparent door but it failed to open.

She used the towel as a support but it was still adamant.

"How the heck is this opened". She yelled as she pulled the door.

A slight groan leaves her mouth as she gives up on her strength.

"Are you alright in there?". James' voice yelled from outside.

Anne quickly gets up and ties the towel around herself.

"No! I'm stuck in here". She yelled.

"Do you need a hand?". He inquired.

"Urrh, who asks such a question?". She murmured. "Yes! Please come in".