A way out

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.

Anastasia stepped out of Walker Enterprises with unsteady legs. She was still in shock.

"Marry me." Those two words kept ringing in her ears.

It sounded absurd.

Impossible.

She had walked into Walker Enterprises expecting lawyers, negotiations and perhaps one final chance to apologize.

Instead, the person whose reputation and business she had unintentionally destroyed, offered her a marriage proposal.

Or perhaps an ultimatum.

Anastasia tightened the grip on the legal notice in her hand.

She did not know if she was supposed to be happy or sad, she felt so confused and tired.

She looked around. Everybody was going about their normal lives.

"What have you gotten yourself into, Ann?" She sighed.

Her heart felt heavy.

There was only one place she wanted to be right now.

Home.

Not her apartment she was trying to save, but her actual home, where she could see her mother and brother.

She arrived in front of her mother's restaurant.

It was just below their house.

There were few people in the restaurant. It was a little busy, and the conversations and laughter from the customers showed how satisfied they were with their meals.

Anna walked inside, putting on her perfect smile.

"Hi, Mum."

"Ann?" Her was shocked to see her, especially by that time of the day.

"What are you doing here?"

"I didn't know I wasn't allowed to come here anymore." She teased as she placed her bag on the counter.

"Of course not, my child. I'm just so surprised to see you." She stood up and embraced her warmly.

This was just what she needed. The peace and comfort she felt in her mother's arms brought tears to her eyes.

Her life was chaotic now.

"I've missed you, Mum." Anna said as she tightened the hug.

Hours later, the restaurant was quiet as there were no customers anymore.

"Ouff, how do you manage all this alone?." Anna exhaled as she kept the last dishes in the sink.

"Oh, it's mostly quiet here dear. A lucky day I guess."

"Why is that shithead not back yet?"

"Ann."

"Language."

Her mother scolded her, even though she wasn't offended.

She knew how Ann and her brother got along.

The bell rang again, indicating someone had entered the restaurant.

She looked up to see a familiar figure.

The boy had grown so much since the last time she saw him. Or was she seeing things now.

"Hey stranger." He smiled brightly.

"Theo."

"Why do you look old?" She asked, teasing him.

"Not as old as you, Sis." He joked

He hugged her tightly.

"You came just in time. Come, let's eat."

"Mum, I've been here for almost two hours and you didn't offer me food."

"Ann, stop acting spoiled. We were working, and how often do we get to eat together."

"True Mum, but you have to give me double. I'm so hungry." Theo said as he tried to win his mother over.

"When are you never hungry?" Ann asked him as she took her seat.

Anastasia and her family spoke about a lot of things, especially about Theo's school.

She was so happy and laughed so much that she had forgotten about her problems for a while.

But reality hit her again.

"Ann, did you take a leave?" Her mother asked her.

Suddenly, everything came rushing back to her.

The huge problem she had found herself in.

"Uhm, yes."

"Oh, for how long? Will you be coming home?" Her mother asked interested.

"Um, no. It's a bit complicated."

" I have to go now mum. I have work to take care of."

She stood up, trying to avoid her mother's eyes. She knew her mother could tell if she was not alright.

"I'm off. Take care of mum, Theo, or I'll hunt you and mum please take care of yourself too." She said as she left the restaurant.

She arrived at her place and noticed the lights were off.

"It's just past seven, is Kelly sleeping already?"

She turned on the lights "Kelly? Kelly?"

She got no response.

She noticed the sticky note on her screen

"I'm so sorry, Ann. I just found out from my manager that i have an impromptu shoot. I'll call you when I'm done. Much love from Kelly."

Anna placed the note down. Kelly was so nice to her.

After she had freshened up, she got into bed with Windy cuddling beside her.

Windy purred as Anastasia rubbed its little head.

Her mind wandered back to Walker Enterprises.

"What do I do with my life?"

"I can't go to jail. My family will be in trouble. Who is going to take care of them?"

"A contract marriage," She repeated.

Walker Enterprises...

"Are you crazy, Damien?" Xavier asked. Surprised after Damien told him what he discussed with Anastasia.

"Look, the girl is pretty, Dee. If you wanna hook up with her, then I understand. This is crazy."

"You think I just want to hook up with her?" Damien said.

"Then what are you planning? She doesn't have the status or whatsoever to back you up in business." Xavier argued.

"Did you fall for her, Dee?" Xavier asked, with amusement clearly written on his face.

He'd be happy to hear his friend falling over a girl again. After what happened seven years ago, he had never been the same person.

"You should get your head checked, Xavier." Damien said as he handed him a document.

"This is the contract terms. No one apart from three of us should know about this. Read carefully Xav. There's a penalty if the legal counsel chooses to open his big mouth."

Xavier was dumbstruck.

"Damien, I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."

Walker Mansion...

Inside the study room, Damien sat in front of his grandfather, who had a displeased look on his face.

"Damien, I'm going to ask you questions, and I want the truth from you," Grandpa said looking directly into his eyes.

"Did you do it?"

"No," Damien replied monotonously.

"It was all a setup, then." His grandfather stood up

"Who do you think is responsible for this?" His grandfather asked again.

"I'm still on it, Grandpa."

Anna couldn't sleep a wink. She kept tossing and turning.

Morning came in the blink of an eye.

She took her bath, dressed up. She was ready to tell Mr Walker her decision.

She filled Windy's plate with food and water.

"See you later, Windy.I'm going to set things straight."

She wasn't going to agree to his demand. How could she?

She was on the bus when her phone rang.

She picked it up.

The news she got made her heart sink.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Walker Enterprises...

"She's running late, Dee," Xavier said as he stared at his watch.

"She was supposed to come by 10.00a.m. this is past 11.00a.m. He added.

"File the lawsuit," Damien concluded.

"I have a meeting out of country X. I'll see you when I get back." He stood up, adjusted his cufflinks, and turned around to leave.

As he opened the door, the force caused the little figure to lose her balance, sending her falling straight into him.

He caught her in time.

Anastasia closed her eyes, waiting for the pain to come.

It didn't.

instead she felt strong arms holding her.

She opened her eyes. Damien Walker.

Her "fake husband."