THE NEW GIRLFRIEND

Anesha's POV

It's been a week since we signed the contract and today is Max's parents anniversary. The day we present ourselves as a couple. It's a very close knit event with just mostly business associates and family friends in attendance so this will be enough to get the rumour mill going.

And I'm losing my mind.

Ever since we signed that contract, I haven't had the time to talk to him. Some days, it seems like he's avoiding me. And there's always so much to do. Who knew it took so long to pick out diamonds earrings? By the end of each day, I'm exhausted and ready to go to bed. Plus, Stanley, Deimos' assistant, gave me a list of people to memorise and now I have homework!

At what point am I supposed to say "Hey! Remember that scumbag I dated? Turns out he's your nephew."?

On top of that my mom called me all through the week but I ignored them all. I didn't know what to say to her. Telling her that I'd gotten together with Deimos meant that she'd won. I couldn't do that.

It's one of those days again and I rush after Stanley. We head out to the regulars to get dressed and I'm shocked by the prices of these things. Their items are way out of my budget but nothing is too expensive when you're an Escarrá. Our final stop is my hair appointment and I go through the motions waiting for it to end. Stanley is waiting for me at the parking lot. We're halfway done when I hear her voice.

"Oh, I almost didn't recognize you. I never thought I'd see you in a place like this." I look to my side and seated two seats away from me is Max's mother. I'd tried to put them all behind me to prepare for the days to come but it seems I still wasn't ready. I'm about to avoid her gaze when she says to her hair stylist, "This is my son's ex. I didn't think she was the violent type but people surprise you."

So he told her about that night.

She really did know everything. "What can I say? When I love, I love passionately. But alas, love can't help a rabbit in heat. They're always going to scratch that itch anywhere they can."

Her mouth falls open in shock. My heart's beating a mile a minute but I don't care. I defended myself! The thought fills me with joy. People in the store cast glances at us, ears prepped to catch every word.

She fixes her face with a smile. "Some people just aren't meant to mix. I knewI knew it was so hard trying to fit into our world. A poor girl with no father must have gone through many struggles. I had hoped I'd be able to brush those rough edges out of you but they were harder to fix than I thought."

"You're so kind, Mother. Don't worry. We still have so much time together. Perhaps I'd be able to rub off on you the same way you've rubbed off on me. Who knows?"

"And how would that happen? We belong in different worlds."

"I don't think our worlds are so far apart. I mean, we're here, aren't we?"

She gave me a tight smile. "A one chance meeting doesn't mean much at the end of the day, does it? This must have put quite a dent in your reserves, dear. Don't worry. I'll cover this one. It's the least I can do."

"No need." I whip out Deimos' black card. "I'll cover you. It's the least I can do." she's beyond shocked to see the card. I smile at her in triumph. "Don't be so surprised. We're going to be family. If I don't take care of you, who will?"

"Family? You're just as delusional as my son said you were." She sneers.

"For a man, he sure spends a lot of time whispering in Mommy's ears. Not that I mind. From now on, you're going to be hearing a lot more from me. I can't wait to share the good news with you." I say, holding her hand with a big smile. I let go to admire my hair in the mirror and get up to leave. "Oh, and congratulations on your anniversary. I hope you get pleasant surprises."

Hours later, it's time.

I go with a little black dress and golden jewelry. The neckline drops dangerously low, inches below my breasts. The gown itself stops a little above my ankles, showing off a 14 carat gold anklet. The fur coat completes the look, seating prettily on my shoulder. I can barely recognize myself in the mirror. The woman staring back at me looks sexy, bold, everything I'm not. She looks like she has everything under control and doesn't care what other people think. I steel myself and walk out. It doesn't matter that I'm not her. I have to fake it till I make it.

He's waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. Green eyes lighting every skin it touches. By the time, I get to him, there's a heat growing inside me and I try everything to get it to cool off. He looks majestic in his three piece suit, his outfit complimenting mine like a matching set. He offers me a small smile, playing with a piece of my hair.

My heart pangs.

By the end of the night, he'd know who I am. I have no choice but to tell him right now. He brings a kiss to my knuckles and whispers, "If I knew you'd look this lovely, I'd have told them I wouldn't be able to make it."

I blush at his words. "Please, I spent days of extensive training. I'm not missing this."

He goes serious. "My family can be very intimidating and not as welcoming as they should be. Don't worry about them. All you need to do is stay by my side. I'll make sure they accept you."

I can't help the guilt growing in my chest. I struggle to find the words to say as we walk to the car. Every minute, dread settles in my mind. His hand at my waist pulls me into his warmth. I can feel him comforting me as best as he can. I can't take it anymore. "Deimos, let's go home. Please, I can't– there's something I–"

"Anesha?"

I halt, words dying on my lips, too scared to turn around. Why? Why is my cheating ex the first person we see when we walk in?

We turn to him and there on his arm, is Lilith, glaring at me. He looks between us. "Anesha? Uncle D? What are you doing here and why are you two together?"

I want to deny it. I want to drag him out before it's too late but it already is. Deimos has a frown on his face and his hand on me tightens. "What do you mean by that, Maxwell?"

"What do I mean?" He says incredulously.

I begin to interject. "Deimos, I can expl–"

"That's my ex! What are you doing with my woman?"

I freeze, too scared to look up at him. His hands go slack at my side. My confidence falters. Max is rambling on, throwing accusations in my face but I can't hear him.

The cat's out of the bag now.

What do I do now?