chapter 9

"Really? You've so much money to spend, but if I had asked for a loan, you wouldn't". Anne smirked.

"Come on Anne". Eun laughed.

Few minutes after the call, Anne's phone rang again.

"Is she here already? '' She sighed as she answered the phone.

"Eun!". She called.

"I'm at the mansion gate". She announced.

"Okay, I'll be there in a second". She said as she hung up and made her way to the security department in charge of the gate.

"Hy girl". She smiled at Eun as she hugged her.

Since the day she became a staff member of the Hathaway mansion, she hasn't laid her eyes on her best friend including her mother.

"You don't look like yourself Anne, are you okay?". Eun asked.

"I told you already but you paid dead ears. please pass me my stuffs". She sighed as she picked up a branded bag from the passenger seat. "throw this truck away, it's old fashioned".

"What? You should be grateful because without it, I wouldn't be here this early, and besides that's why I have you, you can replace it". She said as she stretched her hand in request of the money.

"Here!". She places some bundles on Eun's hand.

"What? Three bundles?".

"Give one to mother". Anne announced as she bangs the gates against Eun.

Anne opened the bag and glanced at it while a smile occupied her face as she made her way inside.

She went upstairs to Sophia's room but found her already dressed.

"Sophia, how did you get dressed? Anne asked, astonished.

"Does it look like I don't have hands?". The little girl replied rudely. "We are going to Grandma's place and we ought to be present by 6pm". She blurted out.

Anne quickly dashed out of her room and headed towards the staff room to get prepared. One thing she knew about rich people was hate for being late.

She had a quick shower and dried her wet body. She stared at the duchess gown, designed with crystals stones that laid on her bed.

Taking a deep breath, she clothed herself with the gown and wore the matching heels Eun bought.

"Oh Eun". She smiled as she noticed the jewelries and a mini bottle of Prada perfume.

She then began to regret why she didn't give Eun all the money. "maybe she spent exactly the amount I told her that I was given".

Anne began to hear distant noises and sounds of chattering vehicles. She peeped through the window and saw James and Sophia standing beside a white Rolls Royce.

She hurriedly dashed out of the room and walked towards the mansion exit before comporting her steps. Her heels clicked to the polished floor and created a sound with it.

All eyes fell on her as distance chattering began. Some murmured in jealousy while some admired her.

James was left with no words as his eyes said it all. He stared at her till she got close enough to have an eye contact with.

"You look…..

The noise of breaking bottles was heard and interrupted James. Amanda stormed out of the mansion with range and anger in her eyes.

"You bitch! I know you were no ordinary staff. She's your lover right?". She asked, facing James.

"Sophia, get into the car". He instructed.

"I asked you a question. Who the fuck are you?". She asked Anne and walked towards her, while her hands dropped blood due to the pieces of broken bottle she held.

James grabbed Anne by her arms and pulled her with him into the car.

"We are late". He says calmly to the driver.

"No! Close that gate!". Amanda yells in tears as they drive off.

There was a moment of silence in the car as Sophia made herself busy with her iPad and headphones. Anne didn't utter a word as her eyes were fixed on the windows, admiring the beauty of the city.

Anne lost comfort when they drove into an estate. The beauty of the estate sang of luxury which made her believe that they had arrived at their destination.

A set of guards stood at the front of a metal gate, dressed in black and all armed.

The driver rolled down his side mirror and spoke to a guard. The guards, knowing who occupied the car, bowed their heads and gave way for them.

Anee tried to act calm but was tense. The car pulled at the garage while James and Sophia highlighted down from the car.

"Grandma, Grandma". Sophia yelled with excitement.

"My baby, come here". A woman in her mid sixties smiled.

"Grandma, I missed you". Sophia hugged her.

"Go say hello to ur aunties and everyone". She told her.

"See you". Sophia ran inside with excitement, leaving her grandmother and James who was walking towards his mother.

"My billionaire son". She teased.

"Hello mother". James smiled as he hugged her while she darted her eyes around.

"Where's she?". She whispered.

"Mother! He sighed. Come forward". He said dryly.

Anne, counting her steps, walked forward. She struggled to maintain a happy appearance.

"Wow, she's so pretty". James' mother complimented as she caressed Anne's cheeks.

A mild smile appears on Anne's face. "Good evening ma'am".

"You're welcome my dear". Mrs Hathaway responded.

"Mother, some prestigious guests are awaiting". A lady in her late twenties approached them.

"What! Look who's here, my billionaire brother. She chuckles as she hugs him.

"How are you, sister?". He asked, hugging her.

"I'm good bro. You didn't come with Amanda?".

The smiles on James face disappeared immediately, he ignored her and walked past her, leaving his mother, sister and Anne by themselves.

"Mother! Did I say anything wrong? She inquired.

"Perhaps allowing us to have a peaceful family time would have been nice. Anyways meet…. She stretches her hands towards Anne.

"Anne". She completed.

"You're brother's new fiance". Mrs Hathaway completed her speech.

"Haha! You must be kidding, mother. She's not even fit".

"Well, you've got that to deal with because she has been chosen". Mrs Hathaway responded as she made her way inside the mansion