FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Anesha's POV

"Anesha, explain yourself. What is this? Were you cheating on me? Is that it? Are you that desperate that you'd go after my uncle? Is this some sort of obsession?" I flush in anger at his hurtful words. he laughs in my face wildly, turning to Deimos. "Uncle D?! Is this some kind of a joke? Don't tell me you let a woman like this seduce you. This one? She's not even worth–"

"Watch your words, nephew. This is my woman you're talking to." I try not to gloat but it's impossible when I see the look on Max's face.

"Your woman? This is Anesha. My ex. This is my woman!" People start edging closer to us, eager to hear the news. Lilith tries pulling him aside but he brushes her off. "What game are you trying to pull here? You've been cheating on me with my uncle? Is that really it?"

I sneer at him, enraged at his accusations. "You're one to talk. Last I remember, I wasn't the one caught deep in the act." I cast a glance at Lilith who meets my eyes, angry.

He flushes red from anger and embarrassment and reaches for my hand. "Let's go. We need to talk."

Deimos snatches his hand before he can touch me. "What do you think you're doing?" Max flinches, struggling to maintain his composure. "Anesha is the woman I intend to marry. If you so much as touch her again, family wouldn't be a good enough defense to save you from me."

My chest tightens at his words. Why was he trying to protect me still? I shrink behind him. I don't deserve this. I need to end this conversation so we can talk. I need to explain things to him.

"Please, no one is trying to do that. Besides, this is a special occasion. It's been so long since you paid us a visit, brother." Max's mother, Diana, appears from his side with a coy smile.

"Cut the boy some slack. Any man would be shocked by what he's seeing, and hearing. Wouldn't you?"

Deimos grits his teeth but doesn't respond. If looks could kill, I'd be well on my way to heaven. Max's mother levels me with a stare that can kill in an instant. I struggle to keep my poker face on. When she speaks, her voice is sugary sweet. "Its so lovely to see you again, darling. I was worried you wouldn't show but you came. It seems you were closer to home than I thought. Now I know why you were so emboldened." I stare at her, defiantly but keep my mouth shut. I need this conversation to end quickly.

"Lovely, just lovely. This is a lovely surprise, Deimos. I hope you'll both stay for the rest of the night." She sets off, dragging Max along, ignoring every greeting and murmurs as they pass. Lilith trails behind them, struggling to keep up.

I turn to Deimos immediately, eager to explain things but he turns away grabbing a champagne flute. Before I can speak, we're surrounded by a swarm of people. We power through as many introductions as we can and by the end of it, I'm exhausted.

My feet hurt from all the standing and running away. I'd been actively avoiding Max's mother all through the night. My instincts told me that time alone with Diana Escarrá would end this before it even began. The woman was as cunning as a snake. She'd slither over when she saw me alone and I was always alone! After we'd met Max, Deimos was no where to be found. Not that I blamed him but we needed to talk, fast.

I move to the balcony for a breather but I spot a couple inside already. The boy has the girl pinned to the wall. Her face is the very picture of uncomfort. He says something to her and laughs as she stares up at him in horror. I pause. I've seen that face before. I can't remember where but it doesn't matter. I start walking towards them until I hear someone yel my name.

I turn to the side and see Max and make a beeline to the garden. He loses me in the crowd and I breath easier when I step out. The air smells nicer with all the flowers and the fresh water flowing from the water fountain.

There's a maze and an old man standing right in front of it. He takes one step into it and I call out instinctively. "Grandpa! What are you doing?"

He turns around, surprised and asks, "Young lady, are you talking to me?"

He sounds dignified albeit suspicious. In the dark, I can't see him clearly so I stay in the light to ease his doubts. "Sorry, it's just a habit but you really shouldn't go in there. You might get lost." He walks up to me, calmly. I give him a quick once over. He's not dressed in any fancy clothes so he obviously didn't come for the party. Was he a worker? "Let's go inside so you can sit down and I'll call someone to help you out."

As I try to take a hold of his hand, I hear Max shouting my name. Right. I was trying to run away. Just what I needed to end my night. I give the old man instructions to the house and rush off, away from Max. He catches up to me quickly, grabbing my forearm. "What kind of twisted game are you playing here? My uncle? Do you want to make me jealous that bad?"

I can't believe my ears. Did he think I still cared about him? "Jealous? I don't care what you think or what you do. I don't care about you. I and Deimos, we're in a relationship."

"What relationship? You think I don't know this is just a plot to get me back? I wasn't expecting you to be this desperate but I know just how much you loved me. What was I expecting? Of course you'd do something like this."

I stood, speechless. How much of an idiot could one man be? If he was going to be like this, then two can play the game. "Are you deaf? I don't love you. I never loved you. I just used you to get to the one I really wanted. You should know you're not worth my efforts."

Anger radiates from him and he grips my hand tightly. I squirm underneath his force but he doesn't let up. "Do you think I'm stupid? I dumped you. I threw you out of my house, kicking and screaming. You used me? I used you! You were squirming under me as I screwed your brains out. You think a man like him would ever fall for a girl like you? You're not good enough for any one of us."

"Let me go, you piece of shit."

"Marry you? Ha! Don't make me laugh. You don't know what that man is capable of. He'll chew you and spit you out. He'd never marry you. He's only using you. Soon you'll come crawling back to me. And for what it's worth, if it's your body you're offering, I'll be more than happy to take you back into my bed." He presses against me, suggestively. I can feel his breath hot on my neck. Goosebumps line my skin. He reeks of alcohol and cigarette smoke.

This bloody bastard.

I kneel him in the balls, hard. He cries out in pain and crashes to the ground, cradling his bruised privates. I step on his hand, hard. I can't control my anger. "You think I'll come back to you? I'd rather die! You don't deserve anything I ever gave to you and if you ever lay a finger on me again, I'll crush your balls in my hands."

I walk away from him as fast as I can. When I get back to the maze, the old man is gone. Hopefully he found a way back to the house. My mind tells me to ignore everything Max said but I can't help but worry at his words. I know the only thing binding I and Deimos is a contract but what if there was something else? What if there was another reason he wanted a wife? What our contract was just a plot? Max said he only wanted to use me. He clearly wasn't talking about the contract so what was he talking about?

Seems I wasn't the only one with secrets after all. But now wasn't the time to think about that. I run back into the house, eyes scanning the crowd.

Where is Deimos Escarrá and what is he hiding?