Chapter 4

(Caleb's POV)

After she signed the contract. We headed to her place to pick up her mom and sister. Since she said earlier that they must move out, Josh can't find a vacant apartment near my house or company, so he ended up with a condominium near my company.

"Turn left..." I followed her instruction on which way is their home. This place looks like a poor residential area, you can see a crowded neighborhood and a loud situation.

Somewhere a dog barked, I could hear the risings and fallings of a conversation being held on a porch near the corner, chatting and yapping and playing and shrieking; a car passed on the street, the roaring sound of a motorcycle revving on the other side of the cemetery intrudes like a profanity. How can they live here peacefully?

"JUST LEAVE THIS INSTANT!!"

"S-stop the car, sir." she unbuckles her seatbelt and was about to open the door, adrenaline rushed through me as I stepped on the brake. She jumped off the car and run toward the crowded people.

Is she crazy? Sighing, I don't have a choice but to follow her.

I walked out of the car and searched for her in the crowd as they are crammed in a specific place, but I can't find her. Where the hell is she? Why did she even leave me here?

"What now!!!"

Is this place normally noisy? People are screaming and yelling like a lunatic.

"You better leave this instant, Ms. Hansley. I have a new tenant and they will visit this place today!"

Ms. Hansley? As soon as I heard her surname, I rush and squeezed myself into the crowd only to see someone kept pointing fingers and raising a voice toward Ms. Hansley.

"Could you please let us pack first," she begs helplessly in front of a middle age woman, wearing a polka dot dress with a brimmed hat, her fake designer bag, and shoes while holding out a fan, trying to calm herself by providing air towards her ordinary looking face. Maybe she is the owner of the apartment, the one who kicks them out without proper notice.

"You haven't packed yet? I thought you had prepared everything ready since yesterday? Pack your things within a second, and leave right away. C'mon, I'm waiting!"

"But--" she shot Ms. Hansley a glare. Her fake eyebrows narrowed in annoyance.

"Are you done?" Both of them turned their head in surprise.

"Who are you?" The polka-dot woman looked at me from head to toe as if I were a nosy stranger who just jump into other people's business.

"I'm here to pick up my fiancee." I saw how she was stunned. "And mind you..." I glared at her. "You can't pack up all your belongings in seconds. Where's your common sense?"

"Ooh... O-okay. Take your time, Anastasia." she slowly steps back and walks away from us.

I look at Ms. Hansley, her lips pursed slightly before she looked away and tilts her head towards, maybe her mom and sister, standing at the pale wooden door.

"Alice, pack up your things and help Mom too. Take all that you needed," she commanded to them.

She turned to me and grab my wrist, pulling me inside the house before closing the door. "We-we're just going to pack our things. I'm sorry if you wait--"

"No. It's okay. I'm not busy. Take your time." she gave me a genuine smile plastered on her bare and pale face.

I sat on the plastic stool as my eyes roamed around the whole living room, or is this the whole house? The place looks so dull and empty, the old painted walls were covered with portraits of family members, which hung neatly in their wooden frames. A few pieces of furniture can be seen in the room, the table was cluttered, and there is an empty sink. I noticed that her father is not there. As far as I know, based on the information I've got, her father is still alive.

A girl came out of a room while carrying a big box. I got up from the tool and snatch the box from her.

I walked to my car and placed the box inside the trunk. I was about to tell her to pack the important things only since there's no moving company at this time to help carry the heavy things. But I guess, I don't need to tell her that. They don't have much furniture though.

The conversation is louder than people as they compel around Ms. Hansley's house as if they are watching a show. I frowned at the thought of them gossiping about someone else life, didn't they know that they should mind their own business?

I was about to pick up the other box when I heard a loud gasp and saw Ms. Hansley running.

"S-sir, it's okay. We can handle it. We'll take care of that."

She was about to grab the box but I shove away her hands. "It's okay. This will make it easier and faster." I turned around and walk back to my car.

***

While at my black BMW 7 Series, there is a huge silence inside the car. The wind howled and rattled at the window pane and I can feel the awkwardness within me.

Who wouldn't be surprised that a stranger suddenly introduced as his daughter's fiancee when in fact it's my first time to meet Ms. Hansley?

I took a glance at the rearview mirror in front of me but I automatically looked away. She looks scary. No, not her mom, but the girl beside her mom, Ms. Hansley's little sister.

I glance at Ms. Hansley in the passenger seat. She just keeps her pace while leaning her head through the window, staring deeply at the road.

My hand grips tightly in the steering wheel. I put too much pressure on her. I shouldn't interrupt her earlier as her mom and sister are watching.

We arrived at the Albany Luxury Residences. It's a condominium. As we got out of the car, Ms. Hansley is staring at the building.

I let out a sigh. Should I bought a small one? She only asked for an apartment. But this is the only one I've got since she needed it for an instant. There's no vacant apartment near my house or at my company.

I open the door for Ms. Hansley. She got down and looked at her mother and sister on the other side. There are busy scanning the place. She slowly tiptoes to reach my face.

"S-sir... Can we get a small apartment instead?"

I was dazed when her breath touches my face as she whispers while looking straight into my dark brown eyes. She breathes heavily as if she is nervous, the way her curled eyelashes fickle trying to avoid the sunlight is so damn beautiful.

I can't deny it but she smells so good, a mix of vanilla and flower scent. It's so addictive. She has these innocent features which I was captivated by from the moment I laid my eyes on her.

"Ms. Hansley, I can't find a vacant apartment--" I smiled at Ms. Hansley's mom and sister when they both looked at our side. I wrapped my arm around her waist and bent to reach her ears. "--Near my house and my company. Only condominiums are available. I just grab it since you urgently needed to move out."

She stilled and was quiet for a second. "Just accepts it, Ms. Hansley." then she nodded her head but avoided my gaze.

We headed inside and reached the 5th floor, where their unit is located.

A single light burned, casting light on a chintz couch and a Quaker chair. Improvised kitchenette off to one side. Walls and ceilings were covered with mirrors, a high-tech bordello. The furnishings were white-painted. Velvet drapes framed the windows, the lace inner curtains remained drawn, allowing daylight to enter while rendering the heart-stopping view over the city a blur. A table with a solid hold upon the floor, a broad cloth-covered surface, numerous easy-sliding doors, a few well-cushioned chairs, and a thick carpet or rugs at the center of the living room.

"Wow!" Anastasia's sister gasps in awe. While her mother is scanning the whole room without conveying any emotions.

I sighed while waiting for the staff to finish delivering the boxes and luggage inside the unit.

The place is huge and I know they will be comfortable staying at this place since there are only two of them. I should have chosen a place that is very more comfortable for them but since this is urgent for them, especially in their situation, I just picked randomly an empty condo unit that is nearer.

Her sister dashed from here to there as she was amazed at how beautiful the place is, and now she was jumping on the couch.

Does she think that's a trampoline? She runs everywhere like a 5-year-old kid being excited about whatever she sees. Until she touched the remote control at the glass table.

"Alice, behave!" Anastasia yelled at her. She pouted and just lay on the white couch.

I smirked, I hope I have a little sister too, who I will scold every day. I glimpse again at her mother who was quiet the whole time. Her mother is just scanning the whole place with her narrowed brows and empty cold eyes. She looks... Not happy.

Maybe she was just dumbfounded by their situation earlier and kicked out of their apartment.

I don't know how to approach her, should I introduce myself first? Or I will tell her that I am going to marry her daughter?

I scratched the back of my neck as my heart thumped loudly, then I extended my hand in front of her. "I'm sorry for not introducing myself earlier Mrs. Hansley. I'm Caleb Carter." She reluctantly reached for my hand for a handshake. "Anastasia's fiancee"