The Return

                     Chapter Six

                     The Return

Annie's POV 

By 8am in the morning, my room was already a mess. The clothes I carefully selected for my vacation were everywhere on the bed. I stood in the middle of it all, folding and unfolding the same dress like my hands didn't know what they were doing.

This wasn't how my vacation was supposed to end. I should have been relaxing. Swimming. Even trying to forget the bad relationship I just came out from. But I'm packing my things because I agreed to pretend to be someone's girlfriend.

The worst of it, Matteo had said he wasn't leaving the beach yet, until he's done enjoying himself. He only said I should be careful. But being careful wasn't something I could feel. Not with the anger from Diaman's message still burning under my ribs.

That message felt like a match dragged across my chest, reminding me why I agree to this madness. 

A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. I didn't need to ask who it was.

“Annie.”

Grey's voice. Calm and controlled as always.

I walked to the door and opened it. 

He stood there, straight-backed, hands dip inside his pockets.

“The flight leaves in thirty minutes. Are you not done packing?”

I blinked, suddenly aware of how fast my heart was beating. “I'm almost done.” I replied quickly. “Just give me five more minutes, I'll be finished.”

He studied me for a brief second, his gaze flicking past me to the half-packed room. Then he nodded once.

“Five minutes.”

Just like that, he stepped back. I closed the door slowly, my heart still racing. Five minutes. That was all I had left to decide if I was really ready for what came next. I quickly packed all my stuff into my box, not minding if they were properly arranged or not.

We left the beach and drive to the private plane. The flight was quick, and soon we were landing at the airport.

Grey's car was already waiting, we slid in to head to his home.

The car ride was quiet that I noticed my pulse, the way the air felt too thick. Grey drove with one hand on the wheel, calm as ever. I kept glancing at him, wondering how he could be so steady. 

“My family is lively,” he broke the silence.

I blinked. “Lively how?”

“I told you before that they notice everything. And they expect excellence.”

I swallowed. “Y–yes. I remember you told me.”

“You shouldn't forget what we agreed so fast. And don't worry. You'll be fine if you do as planned.”

Our hands brushed when the car hit a bump. He didn't pull away neither did he look at me. I quickly turned to the window forcing myself to breathe.

The mansion rose like something out of a Billionaire's dream. White stones, glass panels catching the sun, garden impossibly perfect. 

Four years with Diaman, and he has never brought me here. Red flags I ignored then. Grey parked, stepped out, and opened my door.

Inside, I could hear laughter, clinking of glasses, and chapter. This wasn't just a welcome party, it was an event. Everyone seemed thrilled at his return.

As we walk up the marble steps, the front doors opened wider, revealing the crowd inside.

Faces turned at the sight of him. I believed his parents must have seen us, but I couldn't tell which were his parents. Then my stomach fell straight to the floor when I saw Diaman standing across the room with Katy gleaming beside him.

He didn't know I would be here with his brother. My chest tightened until it hurt. They were married after everything they did to me. Four years wasted.

Two people walked towards us. A man in a wheelchair and a woman with smiles on their faces. The man struggled to stand and patted Grey's shoulder. 

“It's good to have you home home, son.”

My eyes widened. His dad was sick? This is my first time seeing him. His monther eyes shifted to me slowly and assessing.

All eyes were on us. Then the dad started.

“The moment we have been waiting for has come. My first son, Grey is back after years of studying abroad. Let us toast,” he said raising up his glass . “As we welcome him home.” 

Glasses lifted, and applause rolled through the room. Guests started approaching Grey, shaking his hand and exchanging greetings. I moved beside him, our hands intertwined. As we greeted the last of the early arrivas, Grey's gaze found his parents.

They were standing slightly apart, observing us with quiet expectation. He guided me towards them. My pulse hammered with each step.

“Mum, Dad, Diaman…. I want you to meet my girlfriend and future wife, Annie.” 

All of them got surprised especially Katy and Diaman. They glanced at each other as if thinking about what the hell I was doing.

“A–Annie?”

“Diaman, do you know her?” Their mum asked.

Before Diaman could even speak, I answered their mum. “Oh, no. We don't know each other ma'am. Hi there, Diaman right? I'm Annie. Your brothers girlfriend.”

He just glared at me together with his wife.

“Why don't we sit down and have some good talk. It's nice finally meeting you, darling. You don't know how long we have been waiting for our oldest son to finally introduce a woman to us.” Their mum said to me again as we sat down.

I continue smiling to piss the couple even more. “Really? Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't introduced myself to you immediately.”

“Wait, can I know how long the two of you have been in a relationship? Their dad suddenly asked.

I looked at Grey to get a help. Good thing he immediately spoke. 

“We've been together for two years now.” 

“So that's the reason why you feel so mad whenever I ask you to have a blind date with someone, huh? Now I know.” Their dad laughed.

“Annie. I would like to know more about you. Do you have a job? I mean, if you don't mind?” Mrs. James asked as she rested her chin on her hand. 

“I'm a marketer at Pleasure Hills.”

“Pleasure Hills? One of our competitors? Interesting. How did you two meet?”

Grey jumped in again. “At an event. She was handling a client. I approached her first.”

His mother laughed. “You approached her? Grey! She must be special.”

She nodded her head. “I see. So that's where you actually met.”

“Y–Yes ma'am.”

“I don't believe it.” Diaman suddenly spoke.

Everyone looked at him.

“What is it?” Their mum asked.

“They are obviously not in a relationship. I've never seen Grey with any woman before. It's just so impossible for them to be in a relationship. Brother, don't tell me you paid this woman just so she could pretend as your girlfriend?”

“Grey, is that true?” Their mother looked so confused.

Before Grey could even speak, I looked at Diaman. “How could you say that? Your brother and I loves each other so much. We just had to keep it a secret because we never wanted it public and he didn't want to pressure me to marry him right away. But now, we are ready. Right, baby?”

Grey obviously got surprised about what I said and what I just called him. But then he nodded his head. “ She's right. The number if years we have been together doesn't matter, anyway.

I am so dead. Where did I even got the bravery to call him baby? 

“I still don't believe it.” 

“I don't believe either,” this time it was Katy who spoke.

I laughed sarcastically. “Then what should we do for you to believe us?” 

“Kiss.” Diaman added.

“What?!” 

He crossed his arm over his chest, and looked at me with raised brow. “Why do you look so surprised? If you have been together for two years, then it must be so easy for you to do that, right? Can't you do it?”

“I–I… I was about to speak, but then all of a sudden, Grey grabbed me by the nape and pulled me close to him and claimed my lips without any permission. I didn't know what to do at first, but then I just found myself responding to his kiss, erasing the fact that we were in front of their parents, guests and my stupid ex-boyfriend.

Then we finally moved away from each other, everybody started clapping.

“See?” How can you question their relationship when they obviously love each other so much,” said their mum.

His father added, “I believe you two will marry soon.”

Grey and I locked eyes, both silently screaming.

Then his Dad continue. “Everyone may I have your attention please?” 

Immediately, the hall grew quiet. Every eyes fixed on us. 

The Dad continued. “We've come to the main program of the day and we all know why we gathered here. 

“It's time for Grey to lead as the new CEO of Starlight. Are you ready, son?”

My jaw dropped. New CEO? He never told me this.

What would happen to Diaman?

Then Grey leaned forward.

“Dad… I'm not interested. Diaman should remain in his position. I didn't come back for that.”

“What?”