Chapter 10

One week later;

Robb placed a piece of steak into Anastasia's place. Anastasia flashed him a warm smile, to which he replied with a shy one.

Jamie spared them a glance and returned to his meal. He hasn't spoken to AAnastasia, or seen her since the day she attempted to kill him.

The urge to see her brought him to breakfast this morning, only to watch her get along with his younger brother. They even sat next to each other.

"You got food in your mouth," Robb's voice cut through Jaime's thoughts.

Jamie was dragged back to reality and was forced to watch as Anastasia's brown eyes widened in shock and softness.

Anastasia tucked a strand of her brown hair behind her ear and touched her mouth. Robb shook his head, indicating she touched the wrong place.

"Where?" She smiled playfully while running her lounge across her lips, trying to take the food off.

Robb's smile was tender as he leaned in, his thumb grazing the corner of her lips to wipe away the stain.

But he lingered, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart race. Anastasia's breath caught as he held her gaze, his eyes burning with a warmth that spread through her veins like honey.

She felt her cheeks flush, her pulse pounding in her neck as he seemed to drink in every detail of her face. Time stood still as they hovered there, the air thick with an unspoken connection.

Then, slowly, Robb's thumb traced the curve of her lips, sending shivers down her spine. Anastasia's eyes fluttered closed, her heart soaring as she felt the gentle caress. When she opened them again, Robb's gaze was still fixed on hers, his eyes shining with a soft adoration that left her breathless.

"Robb," Jamie's hard voice cut through the silence magic.

Robb's gaze snapped towards Jamie, his eyes narrowing as he straightened up. Jamie's handsome features were twisted in mild anger, his chiseled jaw clenched and his lips pressed into a thin line.

His piercing gray eyes flashed with irritation, their control making Anastasia shrink back in her seat.

Jamie's gaze flicked to Anastasia before settling back on Robb. "When would you return home?" he questioned, his deep voice low and menacing.

Robb's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with a hint of steel. "Soon," he did well to hide his raw emotions and ended up sounding calm.

Jamie turned to Anastasia. He doesn't know what has been going on between them, but he hates their sudden closeness. Her reactions around Robb were too natural and comfortable.

"You'll join me today," his voice softened when he spoke to her. "Your monthly pay remains a hundred thousand USD,"

Anastasia's hands froze. She turned to him. "I'll still get paid?"

Previously, Anastasia had taken off her mind from the huge amount he offered, after realizing she would be his wife. His generosity stunned her.

Anastasia shared a questioning look with Robb. He shrugged his shoulders and nodded.

Anastasia smiled at him. The moment she turned to Jamie, her smile flattened, and she nodded stiffly.

"I will. Thank you,"

Robb clapped. "Beautiful," he yelled cheerfully and continued clapping. "Stun those models with your natural charms,"

Anastasia giggled.

Anastasia was a pretty lady, with a delicate beauty that was hard to ignore. Her warm brown eyes sparkled with kindness and intelligence, fringed with lush lashes that added to their allure.

Her rich brown hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, framing her heart-shaped face and accentuating her pouty lips, which curved into a perpetual hint of a smile. Standing at a petite yet adorable height of 5'3, her slender figure exuded grace and elegance, making her a true head-turner in any room.

Having enough, Jamie strengthened his suit jacket and stood up. "Let's go, Anastasia. I have morning business to take care of."

"Sure," Anastasia wiped her lips and stood up. "I'll just change into something appropriate. Wait for me," she ordered softly.

Jamie gave her a look of approval and watched her walk away.

Anastasia gave Robb one last glance before leaving. She mentally shut her heart. Just maybe, if Robb was the person whom she got a contract marriage with, her heart would have begun healing and would have been happier.

"What are you doing, Robb?" Jamie asked coldly the moment Anastasia was out of earshot.

Robb's smile disappeared. "I'm having breakfast." the softness in his voice also disappeared.

The warmness in the room dropped. The coldness of Jamie's eyes covered the whole dining hall.

Jamie picked up Anastasia's plate. He gently arranged the portion of her untouched meal and arranged the used plates together. "With Anastasia. What are you doing with her?"

Robb smiled. "I'm only treating her right. She doesn't love you yet. Perhaps, she'll fall for me," his smile widened to his eyes.

Jamie nodded slowly. He backed away, stood straight and fixed his hand into his pants pocket.

"I'm not here to make her fall in love with me. However, if you one day hurt her or even raise your voice at her…" He stared straight into Robb's eyes. "... that's the day I'll kill you for everything." He promised.

Robb dropped his cutleries. "You don't have to worry about her. If you care so much, end the marriage."

Jamie scoffed. "Why?" He raised a brow. "Scared she'll end up not wanting you?" he mocked casually.

Robb's jaw clenched in frustration. "She needs me, but she doesn't want me," he muttered, his eyes flashing with anger. But as he gazed at Anastasia, his expression softened, and he nodded in understanding. "She needs me to protect her from people like you, Jamie, who are willing to kill innocent people for their own selfish gain. You took away the only loving family she had left."

Anastasia gasped, her eyes widening in shock, as she stood in the doorway, her camera bag slung over her shoulder. She wore casual denim jeans and a shirt, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, revealing her heart-shaped face.

Jamie, meanwhile, simply combed back the three stray strands of hair that fell across his face, his eyes locking onto Anastasia with a wild amount of blank emotions that made her heart drop.