Chapter 6 KEEPING IT A BUCK

Anesha's POV

The view from the balcony does nothing to improve my mood. My palms are sweaty and I can barely keep my feet my feet steady. It's just like Diana Escarrá to keep everyone else waiting. When I woke up this morning, Deimos' housekeeper tells me that Max's mother had just invited me for brunch. I didn't care much to see her immediately after the party but after combing through the entire house and finding Deimos gone, I decide I might as well leave too.

One hour later, I rise to my feet to leave and see her strutting into the restaurant, chip on her shoulder. Getting angry unnecessarily wouldn't help me beat her at her own game so I try to calm down, greeting her with a smile. "Hello, mother. Oh, should I call you sister in law instead?"

Her smile falters for a second. "You're more daring than I gave you credit for. You've surprised me. You used to not be able to look me in the eye but now, you can last a few minutes. What changed?"

"My admiration for you grew."

She chuckles and levels me with a glare. "You pesky brat. First my son, now my own brother? You think I'd sit still and watch you taint our family name?"

"How do you taint a name that's already dirty?"

"If I had known you'd come back to bite me, I'd have thrown you far away but Max told me he'd be able to deal with you appropriately. Bless his heart. He didn't want to see you hurt."

Was everyone insane in this family? "Max didn't want to see me hurt? I caught him cheating on me and you knew. How could you? What sort of a person are you?"

She bursts out laughing, signaling the server "Do you think I owe you an explanation? I told you before. You should know your place but I guess if we're being honest, maybe Deimos is better suited with you. You're cut from the same cloth after all."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, you don't even know that? What a joke." She gives me a small laugh. "Tell me, how much is he paying you to try and fool us?"

My heart quickens at her words. It's too early to be found out. "Paying me? He's not paying me anything. I'd make a fool of your family for free."

"Is that so? So you don't love him."

Shit. Damn this woman. I struggle to find the words to cover up for my mistake "When did I ever–"

"Wasn't it just last week my son dumped you? To think that you planned a proposal all by yourself. Did you really think you'd be worthy of the Escarrá name? We're billionaires, darling. We have been for generations. You don't even measure up to the sand beneath our feet. Are you going to tell me that it was love at first sight for the both of you? Maybe for you, it was. You finally found a saviour. You couldn't get my son to get you out of penury so you went after my brother. I'll give you a warning, girl. Heed it twice. Get your hands off my family."

Before I can respond, I feel wetness from my hair, down my dress. I stare at the white dress stained red with wine. Diana's gloating eyes. The server apologizing to me with a fervour. People look at me with concealed smiles, pointing and chuckling. She pulls me up from my chair, hard and talks loudly for everyone else to hear. "Oh dear, it's too early in the afternoon to be so drunk. Look what a mess you've made. This is why I've been telling you to cut back on drinking. Max would be so hurt if he hears this."

Her grip is tight on my arm, so tight I can't pull out. It digs into my skin, leaving marks. Her voice comes out as a harsh whisper, "I don't know what you and Deimos have planned but for your sake, let this be the last time I have to set my eyes on you. I won't let you ruin my plans. If you decide to stay, then I will be well within my rights to squash you like a bug."

She lets go so hard, I fall to the ground. When I look up, I see Lilith and two other women walking towards us. They're gorgeously dressed while I'm sitting on the cold marble with a wine stained dress. So that was her plan. She looks down at me with a smirk and walks by, kicking my purse out of reach. They walk up to Diana, all smiles, kissing each other by the cheek. Why? Why does she look so happy with them when she never accepted me? What did I ever do wrong to her? I fumble to get my purse and stand up, rushing out the building with tears in my eyes.

I have to speak with Deimos. It's clear now that he's hiding something and I need to find out what.

He's sitting in the living room when I get back. His hair drawn back with his glasses. He looks stupidly attractive and it pisses me off. He rubs his stubble, deep in thought, barely acknowledging my presence. Ever since last night, he's been holding me at arms length. Treating me like I don't even exist. Not that I blame him but this is a bit too much and the guilt is eating me up.

I'm embarrassed to walk up to him like this, all covered in wine but I'm more upset so I march right up to him. "We need to talk."

He looks up at me, eyes zeroing in on the colour on my dress. I watch as he moves his laptop to the side and motions for me to sit. "I'd rather stand, thank you. Ever since last night, you've been MIA."

"I haven't been MIA. I've been working. I'm a very busy man, Anesha."

"I know that. Never mind that, we need to talk. About Max, I didn't–"

"I don't think I want to know about your relationship with my nephew. If you recall, you've already told me enough. If that's all you want to talk about, I suggest you leave. You look like you have things to handle and I'm rather busy."

I can feel my anger rising. I did not just get humiliated to hear this. "Busy? Or hiding things from me?"

"Well that would make two of us, wouldn't it?"

His words hurt but I press on. "If you'd let me explain, you'd see–"

He goes back to his laptop, dismissing me. "You don't need to and I don't owe you an explanation either."

I scoff. "Wow, I guess you really are an Escarrá." His expression darkens at my words. "Incase you forgot, I'm your partner for the next year. Which means that if it's important to this contract, you let me know. But I know you're hiding something. Max and his mother seems to know something I don't and they think I should cut my losses and run. Do you happen to know what that's all about because I just took a wine shower because of you."

"Let's get this clear; you are not my partner." he stalks over to me, standing so close, I crane my neck to see him. "You signed a contract and I became your employer. I've told you all you need to know. Unfortunately, if you want to know more about what my nephew and his mother are talking about, you'd have to talk to them personally." He eyes me lazily. "I don't suppose that'll go too well for you so I advise you focus on the job that pays you and let me do mine. If this is enough to start throwing tantrums then maybe we should just end this while we're ahead."

I ball my hands into fists by my side. This arrogant, old brute! Throwing tantrums?! What was I thinking assuming that he was any different from the rest of them? They were all Escarrás. They all thought the same way. Why did I ever assume that he was any better? He's only using me to get something. It was up to me to figure out what.

"Okay then. I'll leave you to your job. From now on, all we need to do is keep up public appearances. I'll play my part and when the contract ends, we can say our goodbyes and never see each other again. Thank you for clearing that out. I must have been confused. Have a nice day."

I stride up to my room and slam the door. Deimos Escarrá! I'm not going to let yet another Escarrá embarrass me again. I will get to the bottom of this and I will bring this whole family down if I have to.

Just you wait.