“Of course you did.”
Henry snorted behind me. I cocked my brow and turned around again, this time to scowl at the Hathaway son. I hope he got my gaze too. It said: Shut up.
What was so funny anyway?
“Maybe you should ask him why he proposed to me,” I clicked my tongue, “He’d be the one to know.”
Mark evaded the response. He said instead, “Anna, do you like him too?”
“Of course. You saw us kiss dad, of course I like him.”
“Is that why you’ve been avoiding the dates I set up for you? To see this man?”
That got me.
Up until that moment, I wasn’t considering the arrangement to be of any use to me. I mean I wanted Mark and Earnest to be on the same page about their feelings, I secretly wanted to go out with Henry without Mark creating a hassle, so I was going on with the plan. But there was one other thing that this lie could bring about – it could avoid the war that Ray Elliot ditching me last night could have started.
Oh, boy. Original Elliot owed me big time.
I didn’t speak. But I gave Mark a guilty enough look for him to fume and stomp his foot, “You were!”
“I’m sorry dad. But when I first met him, I really didn’t know about your legendary battle with his family. I swear I wouldn’t have seen him again if I did.”
“You lied to me Anna!”
As if it was the first time. I wonder why parents so conveniently assume their children are always honest with them. I mean… we’re not, and we do still love you.
“Sir… sir. May I say something?” I was relieved when Henry spoke again.
Mark glared at him with all his might but he wasn’t getting anywhere with my answers so he nodded his assent to Henry. Hathaway said politely, “Anna rejected me saying she would never hurt you. When she came to know about… our family feud, she said no to my proposal last night. She got to know about it only a day before, so it isn’t her fault.”
Wrong move, Henry.
“Don’t defend my daughter for me, Hathaway,” Mark seethed and I knew Hathaway had touched a wrong nerve. It sort of got on my nerves that this drama was being conjured to save Earnest Hathaway’s ass, and yet he was the only one not making any decent contribution. He knows Markian the best, right? He should be able to talk this through!
“I’m sorry!” Henry was quick to say, “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“What do you do?” Mark asked.
“I’m a lawyer, sir. I have my own firm Hathaway & Brown Partners.”
“Why haven’t I heard of it?”
“We’re just starting out.”
“Do you have eyes on my Anna so I’d make an investment?”
I almost laughed out loud at that. Mark is cute. I think Henry struggled to hold back his smile as well, but Mark’s disrespectful interrogation finally gorged Earnest into active defense.
“Reeves, Reeves,” Earnest sat up straight now, “Let’s not do this mate. I’m filthy rich, why would he seduce Anna for money? Give me some credit here.”
“I don’t know, he might be scum like you.”
Dad really needed to come up with a better response. I was feeling bad for him, but I also felt bad for Henry.
“Reeves, let’s do this: Give the kids three months to test waters. Time for Henry to woo Anna. Time for you to know if he’s good enough for your daughter. And maybe… we could talk things out in the meantime. It’s good for everyone. I’ve never thought of you as an enemy, you’ve always –“
“The nerve! You have no reason to!”
“Yes, sorry man. But think about it. The kids are serious. What will separating them accomplish? I also don’t think Anna’s going to listen to you.”
“Excuse me?!”
“Relax, Henry is fucking disrespectful too. Kids somehow manage to grow up all wrong even if we do our best.”
“My Anna is beautiful, responsible –“
“I don’t doubt it. But isn’t it annoying when they don’t listen to you?”
“It is. It’s harder for me because I’m alone. At least you have Emily.”
“I know. Hearing about Rhea broke my heart mate.”
“Is that why you didn’t visit?”
I was getting invested in the conversation when Henry held my hand and dragged me away. Honestly, Mark and old Ernie didn’t even notice, even though we were walking away right in front of their eyes. It surprised and amazed me at the same time.
Were they really just friends?
“I doubt it too,” Henry smirked. I raised my brows at him, impressed, “Is there somewhere we won’t be disturbed?”
I smiled and led him up to my room.
My room is as unflattering as it can be. I’m not messy as a person, I prefer less stuff which is all easily accessible. My bed is queen size and my curtains are dark blue. My sheets are white. I have a working table in a corner and a walk-in closet with unimpressive clothes.
I buy what I can afford. Mark has a pretty decent heir, I’d say.
I could see the surprise on Henry’s face when he saw my room. He looked around, hoping to find something interesting I guess.
“It’s so – “ he lost his words.
“Ordinary, I know,” I completed it for him.
“By the way, isn’t it too soon for me to be seeing your room?”
“Not one bit. You’d never find out what I don’t want you to know anyway.”
He pulled me close and we were all over each other again. He kissed my neck and held me tightly, laughing as he said, “Your father would kill me for this.”
“I would do it first if you don’t explain to me why you left last night.”
He pulled back a little, “Don’t tell me that’s why you brought me here?”
“Why else do you think?”
He drew me against his chest and left me no room to move by wrapping his hands tightly around my waist. He kissed me on my lips. I’m beginning to really enjoy his taste.
“I told you I’m not a hotshot, Anna,” his mouth moved to my jaw as his voice dropped to a low whisper, “It was so sudden… and I didn’t understand why I kept feeling so warm. I had to go because I didn’t want it to end as a one night stand when I actually like you.”
I’ve read the butterfly-in-your-stomach thing a thousand times in books before. But I didn’t think I would ever feel it. The bottom of my belly fluttered and twirled about in ecstasy. He is so romantic!
I draped my arms around his neck and said softly, “I thought it was maybe because you had a girlfriend.”
He looked back at me, surprised. I blushed hard. I like this very different version of me that even I don’t know about. It’s weird how I keep feeling hot and mushy all over.
“You’re so pretty.” His hands moved to the inside of my tee. I shivered. I felt goosebumps along my spine where he rubbed my skin. His fingers reached to unclasp my bra. His teeth were on my pulse. He licked and bit. I moaned. “Dre-Dressed like this?”
“Every time I see you, you’re pretty Anna.”
“Even when you saw me in that alley?”
“Oh, I was so turned on.”
“Asshole.”
We moved to the bed. I lay beneath him as I unbuttoned his shirt. I guess I don’t need to tell him it was buttoned wrong anymore. He pulled up my tee and with one swift move, removed my bra. I blushed again when his eyes landed on my breasts. I could see him swallow as well – his mouth was on my nipple in an instant. He suckled hard. I bit my lip in delight as ecstasy flew through my body and throbbed in sweet ache between my legs. His hand moved to my other breast, caressing it while he plucked and pulled, teased and pressed on it hard.
I sucked in a breath and swallowed a moan. Need rushed in me too soon. I pulled him closer. I could feel his bulge against my stomach.
He let go of my nipple, which pulsated once his tongue had left. He kissed his way down, his fingers playing with my breasts instead. I gave way to my desire. My mind muddled and
I arched my back when he rolled my little buds between his forefinger and thumb. He kissed my belly.
At the same moment, I somehow registered a sound.
The sound of footsteps.
My reaction was instant. I pushed Henry away and got up from the bed in horror. He lost his footing against the bed and fell back on his ass.
“It’s dad!” I mouthed, quickly pulling down my tee and throwing my bra under the pillow. Henry’s eyes widened and he got up from the floor. He began to button his shirt in hurry while dad’s voice came from outside my door.
“Anna, why are you in your room?”
I urged Henry to be quick while I stood up and rushed to the door. I hadn’t locked it. Mark pushed it open as hard as he could and got in. My heart was still pounding and I was short of breath. I turned around to look at Henry at the same time as Mark did.
Relief flooded my entire body. He was dressed.
I leaned against the door, ready to sigh when I noticed Mark was tense. He clenched his fist. I looked worriedly at the cane that he had in his hand. Hadn’t he already thrown it at Henry once?
Mark hissed under his breath, “Why is your shirt buttoned right Hathaway?”
I froze. Dad launched himself at Henry who yelped out when he saw the cane. Markian didn’t throw it at him this time – but he did approach him rather fiercely.
I couldn’t help but feel a heart attack coming.
This was ridiculous. Dating Henry definitely wasn’t going to be an easy deal.
Henry
My life lacked action on a lot of fronts.
I got it all at once in one room when I decided I wanted to date Anna Reeves. All things put aside, what is wrong with Markian? I think I get where Anna gets her temper from. But the truth is they aren’t even blood related. What the heck. This man must know that I could put him away on charges of assault. And have my first big case.
I dodged his cane and we ended up in the living room again. I explained how Anna just told me that I hadn’t buttoned my shirt right. I’m honestly ashamed. I had no idea I was roaming around in her house like that.
I had lost my breath and most of the desire in me. Anna was constantly behind, trying to reason with Mark. Nothing helped except when Earnest interrupted, “Relax Mark. We already decided to give them a go.”
Markian Reeves glared at my father but promptly stopped. I had to stop my mouth from falling open. Like… seriously?
Why don’t the two just get married? They’re annoying. I feel sorry for my mother unless she has an unhealthy obsession for one of her friends as well.
Mark settled down and they informed us of their unanimous decision to give me a month to woo Anna and suck up to Mark. I swear, I could have bitten my tongue in frustration. It’d be easier if they just sorted their grudge and let us be. I agreed though and we were declared fiancés. Dad took us both aside and congratulated us, which was all the more frustrating because things like this were not supposed to happen in this day and age.
While I had to leave with dad, I couldn’t help but give Anna a reluctant-to-go hug and kiss her cheek.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I whispered to her. She’s way bolder than me though.
She gave me a small kiss on the mouth and said, “Sure.”
I think I love her already.
I usually don’t find the first text hard. We don’t have an online relationship yet. I’m not a fan of social media, but being the owner of a firm comes with its parts that I don’t like to execute. One of them being advertising. I would’ve hired an agency to promote us, but then, we’re not exactly sound on capital. So we self-promote and I’m on all social platforms. That night I did something I haven’t done post asking someone out – I sent Anna a follow and friend request on all websites I could find her on.
Then I moved on to actually sending her a text on Whatsapp. I’m usually pretty good with these things. But because it was Anna I didn’t know what to say. I retyped the message a hundred times before settling for a simple, Hey.
I waited for my phone to buzz while I prepared dinner. Peter was over at his girlfriend’s for the night so I didn’t have the chance to share the news with him. What would I say when he came back tomorrow? Man, two of your closest friends are dating!
Anna and I are together!
Together-together.
I’m hopelessly happy about us.
My phone buzzed while I was grinning to myself. I pulled it out and beamed when I saw Anna’s name on it. Her message read, [Hey, accepted your requests. You look cuter in person btw].
My fingers moved on their own, [I’ll have to hold the judgement on yours for a minute].
I literally spent the night staring at the four pictures of her that she had uploaded on Instagram, two on Facebook and her D.P. on Whatsapp. She looks cuter in person too. We talked away the time till it was six in the morning and I didn’t want to go to work anymore.
I saw her last text and smiled myself to sleep. It read, Night now, hon.
I know, it’s out of the blue but I’ve become a person who misses his partner dearly one night after going out. I’m in a relationship. I’m dating Anna Reeves.
I think my grin might fall off my face. I love this.
I’m enjoying it so much already.
Chapter 13
Anna
Henry is comfortable.
Being with him is easy. It’s natural. He feels like home.
On our first date, we had dinner together, we went for a midnight movie and I made out at a theatre for the first time. It was thrilling and exciting and it felt all wrong at the same time. Henry kept holding my hand in the car all the way back home. He kissed me in front of my house and I came back in, a happy mess.
I didn’t know someone’s bare touch could ever excite me so much. Even when I’m not particularly aroused. Every time we’re together I feel like waves of current running through my body. Most of all, I can’t believe I finally have a boyfriend.
I’m in a relationship!
I would generally have told myself to wipe the lousy grin off my face, but tonight is a special occasion. Hathaway is a great guy, no doubt. I really like him.
But if I am being brutally honest with myself, he did tire me out a little bit today. He was fun to be with, of course. But I keep wondering why he was so nervous. He kept looking around as if he expected someone to pop out of thin air any minute. I really don’t know what was up. We’ve barely started going out, so I could only ask him if something was wrong. He denied it, obviously.
The thing that discomforts me is that his wasn’t the kind of nervousness I was feeling – the one that came to me because of my first date. Henry’s was the kind that makes you want to be ready against a possible assault.
I sighed and lay down on my bed, throwing away my purse. I’m happy. My insides are fluttering and my heart is beating fast. His face keeps flashing in my head at random moments and I end up blushing. But Henry… I wonder what today was like for him? Why he was so stiff even when we were together?
I really wanted to invite him back to my room. But I didn’t want to subject him to Mark so I didn’t. I also wasn’t sure.
Dating is nice all over, I guess. Maybe I just need to back off a little. Thinking too much is no good.
I pulled out my phone and stared at the screen for a few minutes. I texted Henry, Got home? And then put the phone away. I’m not sure what the time limit for texting is. We were talking all night yesterday. We were together today. Was I being clingy?
But I just wanted to know if he reached back to his place safely. Should I have asked Brown instead?
Ew. No. That would be weird as hell.
I haven’t mentioned about Henry to Shinoda and Kelly yet. So I officially have no friends whom I can go to for dating advice. I also don’t know how they’ll react when I tell them. They’d congratulate me and ask for pictures, but neither of them know Henry. I don’t know him either. Not that I need their opinion, but it would be nice if
they got to know Hathaway someday. Then I’d be able to have sound advice from considerably intelligent people.
I rolled around on my bed again, secretly hoping for my phone to flash with his message. I hope I didn’t make any mistakes. I hope I didn’t turn him off on the first day itself. I hope all of this ridiculous happiness lasts.
I hate it when I spiral into overthinking. It’s a habit and it comes out whenever I’m restless about a situation. Usually, the situation is one that I don’t have control over. I sighed.
I had a session scheduled tonight with two of my underlings. The thought excited me somewhat and I forced myself to get up and change. Working out makes me destress, and although I still had an hour left, I began to get ready. I put on black treggings and a black tank top along with sneakers. I tied my hair up in a ponytail. I texted dad not to wait up for me and told him where I’d be, then I left the house.
When I was living with the third foster family of my life, I was nine. It was a difficult time for me back then. It was also the first time I got bullied. I understand that almost everybody is bullied at some point in their life. But as the way of people goes, what I’ve understood from my experience back then is that diversity is always offending. What’s different is scary to people – and I was different. That time in my life is what makes me who I am today. I made a difficult choice as a child and although it costs me on a few fronts, I’m glad I do what I do. I’m also glad Mark never asked me to change.
I don’t know if it’s because he’s callous or accepting or just plain enthralled, but I like that he doesn’t impose or interfere. He is a good man.
I took an Uber that dropped me off a mile away from an abandoned warehouse. I ran the remaining distance. The warehouse is where I’ve established my base. It’s nothing fancy, it is about ten miles away from home, but it is the perfect place to practice. I rotated my neck and stretched my shoulders as I entered the yard.
The warehouse seems like a haunted house located in a junkyard, to be honest. But it’s the best I can get if matters have to stay out of the public eye. I crossed the barren ground around and pushed open the door to the place. I had handed over the keys to Nathan and Ian – my students for the night – earlier.
My Thug Bride Page 8