Chương 14: Fake Boyfriend

Daniel smirked as he looked out the window of his car, the afternoon sun casting shadows across the street. He had been trying to reach Anastasia all morning about the winter product launch packaging, but he hadn't expected to be greeted like this when the call finally connected. Trying to play along, he continued, "So, honey… where are you?"

Anastasia's heart raced as she tried to maintain her composure. She could feel Bella's gaze still fixed on her, and she knew she had to keep up the act, at least until her step sister left the room. "I'm at home, like I said earlier," Anastasia replied, forcing a light laugh. "Just changing clothes. You know how I can't stand wrinkled outfits."

Daniel chuckled, but there was a slight edge to his voice. "You were supposed to work today and didn't show up. Is there something wrong?"

Anastasia shot a quick glance at Bella, who hadn't moved an inch. She could practically feel the weight of her stepsister's curiosity. "Oh, I'm fine! Just a bit flustered from the morning rush, that's all."

Sensing something was off, Daniel pressed on, "I need the details about the packaging for our winter launch. If you could come to the—"

Suddenly, Bella snatched the phone from Anastasia's hand. "Hello, Mr. Boyfriend," she sneered. "Our mom wants you to come over since she's mad you took her daughter out all night without her permission."

Frowning, Daniel thought the voice sounded familiar. Clearing his throat, he asked, "Where should I go?"

Bella paused as she heard the voice, her eyes widening slightly. Moving the phone away from her ear, she checked the name on the screen. "Mr. Handsome—" she began, but couldn't finish reading the name, finding it too cringe-worthy. "Whatever. Anyway…" she returned to the call, "Mr. Whatever-Your-Name-Is, come to the Serene Vista Villa in Silverleaf Hills."

"No! Why should he?" Anastasia tried to grab the phone back from Bella, but Bella dodged her easily. "Bella!"

Hearing Anastasia shout the name, something clicked in Daniel's mind. "It couldn't be…" he muttered to himself, before unconsciously ending the call.

"Oops... did he end the call?" Bella snickered. "He chickened out. Don't tell me..." She narrowed her eyes. "You're not pregnant or anything, right?"

"Who's pregnant?" Marleen appeared at the door. She had come home from the hospital after the maid informed her that Anastasia was back. Hearing the word "pregnant" as she arrived startled her.

Bella smirked and shrugged. "Ask your lovely, innocent daughter." She said, then walked past Marleen and out of the room, satisfied with her work of causing chaos.

"What's going on, Anna?" Marleen's voice trembled with anger and frustration.

"Mom... no, there's nothing like that. Do you believe her more than me?" Anastasia's frustration was clear in her voice.

"I believe you, but after yesterday, I realised there are many things I didn't know about my own daughter." Marleen's frown deepened, a bridge of wrinkles forming between her eyebrows.

"I just wanted some space for myself, Mom. I've been under a lot of stress this past week," Anastasia said, speaking from her heart.

"Space? Going to a hotel with your boyfriend? Is that what you call space? I know you're older and this generation has different views, but can't you at least avoid making me lose face?" Marleen's voice was tinged with disapproval. She was conservative and believed that intimacy should be reserved for marriage.

"I never did anything to make you ashamed of me before or now," Anastasia said, grabbing her handbag and packing her things to leave the room.

"Where are you going, Anastasia?!" Marleen shouted, clearly upset. "If you insist that you're old enough, then bring him here so we can set a date for your marriage." She rushed to stop Anastasia from leaving.

"Mom… can you stop giving me a headache?! I've had enough! Please!" Anastasia pleaded, her frustration evident.

Marleen's hand, which had been gripping Anastasia's arm, slowly fell away. Hearing her daughter's words made her heart ache. "Am I the one causing you stress?"

"Mom… it's not like that. You know what I meant," Anastasia said, trying to lighten the mood that was growing more sombre.

"No, I don't know, Anna. If you're stressed, then what about me? Our family is falling apart. Your dad is in a coma, and now I'm hearing the company is struggling. It's all too much," Marleen's voice cracked as tears streamed down her face. "I've been trying so hard to hold it all together, and now… now I feel like I'm losing everything."

"Mom…" Anastasia quickly embraced Marleen. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad."

Marleen's tears flowed freely as she leaned into Anastasia's embrace. After a moment, she pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes.

"I'm sorry, too," Marleen said softly. "I didn't realise how much pressure you've been under. I just wanted to make sure you're making the right choices."

Anastasia nodded, her voice tender. "I understand, Mom. I know it's been hard for everyone."

Marleen took a deep breath, her expression softening. "I've been so focused on what's happening around us that I forgot to think about what's important to you. If this boyfriend is someone you care about, then I'd like to meet him. I want to make sure we're all on the same page and that you're being treated right."

Anastasia gasped for a moment, caught off guard by her mother's shift in concern. "Ah, Mom, he is treating me right, but for now, he's not quite ready to meet anyone." She offered a reassuring smile, crafting another lie to cover up the mess she had made.

Marleen's face remained thoughtful, but she didn't let go of her concern. "I understand, but I still want to meet him. It's important to me to know who you're involved with and make sure you're being treated well."

Anastasia sighed, realising she had no other choice. "Alright, Mom. I'll arrange for you to meet him soon. I promise he's a good guy."

'Ah, what am I doing?!' Anastasia cursed silently, realising she had dug her own grave with this situation.

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