CHAPTER 16

Damien's POV

Gabriel had a point. I know someone named Anna.

I take one last look at the screen before turning off the laptop.

I didn't take his statements seriously since I assumed they were meaningless babbling.

I knew I had to locate Anna after my mother revealed to me last night that she was a friend of my father.

I then recalled Gabriel's query about how it was possible for me to not be aware of who she was.

The only child of Roger and Emily is Anna. I don't understand why Roger, a close friend of my father, would let his daughter join my team as an assistant.

There is a reason she drives a Porsche.

What is the most logical reason for this, if it isn't to pair us up?

The fact that she is enabling them to push her toward me is what aggravates me the most about this situation. They are able to do as they like at her cost because of her. Whatever occurs, she is on the receiving end.

But I'm not going to give in to my mom's request. I cannot and will not wed Anna for her own sake.

I asked my Assistant to be my wife so that I could please her. To accomplish it, it required a lot of guts on my part.

Anna will be challenging to manage. Even the thought of being married to a person my mother knows or can influence bothers me.

Lisa is aware of the rule, and I have no doubt that she will uphold it.

I'm startled out of my reverie by the tap at the door, and I remember that I had called Anna in for a quick interrogation.

I make my seat adjustments and move the laptop out of the way before saying, "Come in."

She pushes open the door and enters. Her top is firmly draped over her torso, and her skirt is really short. I look away from her outfit and wait for her to arrive.

She makes a courteous bow. Sir, you phoned me.

"Sit!" I give the instruction in a firm voice. She looks up in astonishment, and I swiftly arch my brow in her direction.

She shouldn't have to learn to obey me since I didn't make her come work for me.

She takes a seat in the chair across from my desk, and I start. "Anna Nicole, am I right?"

She looks upward. "Yes."

I see that she is not utilizing the word "sir".

You must be Roger's child, right? She stops responding when I ask again. She eventually grins. "I don't know why you're doing this, and I don't really want to know why; you're an adult, and whatever decisions you make, you're accountable for. Just wanted to let you know that my former assistant Lisa Rodriguez and I will be getting married this Saturday.

Her eyes enlarge as she seems astonished, and then rage appears on her face.

My mum apparently didn't tell you that, I presume. Even before she suggested you to me, she was aware of the engagement," I smile widely. If your intention is to woo me or...

She declares angrily, "I am not here to seduce you," with her voice rising.

I keep quiet.

Did she just call me out loud?

I apologize; I should not have invited her in. I should have just allowed her to continue acting as if she is here to work. After all, Lisa and I's marriage will soon be public knowledge.

"Leave now!" I tighten my jaw in an effort to contain my mounting rage.

She does not have the right to yell at me just because she is in this room or because she comes from a rich family. As long as she comes to this firm to work, I am her supervisor, and I won't let her do this.

"What?!"

I sharply say, "I said get out," and she instantly gets up to leave.

I spin in my chair as she slams the door shut. I immediately grab the intercom when the phone rings.

Anna's voice shouts through the phone, "Your mother is here to see you."

After our disagreements last night, I know Mother will come seeking me today. She has been phoning me all morning, but because of my anger with her, I don't want to talk to her on the phone.

I order "Let her in" and end the call.

Before the door opens without a knock, I spin one more.

She yelled at me, forcing me to spin around in my chair to face her, "Damien, you weren't picking up your calls."

I make the observation that "We are in a work environment, and I would really appreciate it if you lower your voice."

She screams quietly before approaching me. She asks while flopping to the seat, her tone a little lower. "Why didn't you return my calls? I was very concerned.

I replied, pulling a file out of the drawer and looking through it. "I was busy," I said.

I glance up in shock at her lack of response.

She says, quietly, "I'm sorry. I brow furrow at her. I apologize for trying to make you do something you don't want to. I apologize for being a grump and for not helping you. I am aware that you are acting on my behalf. I am aware of how deeply you loved Helena and how hard it must have been for you to fall in love once again. But I came to the conclusion that it must be because Lisa makes you think of Helena," she beams at me. "I looked her up and discovered that she and Helena share a lot in common."

"Lisa reminds me of Helena," I ask, my mouth gaping wide in shock.

"Really not. I'm talking about the way of life and the fashion sense," she giggles, and I give her a stern look.

I say, examining her to see whether she's telling the truth, "I guess Father pointed out all of these to you which made you realize your mistakes."

She looks aside while proudly tilting her head forward.

I am correct. Mother wouldn't have given up so quickly if her desire to see me get married didn't outweigh her desire for me to take Anna as my bride.

When she clears her throat, I ignore her and keep turning the file. So, are you still planning to wed her?

She follows the script. I am really familiar with my mum. I am aware of her abilities and her dread.

She's here, just as I expected her to visit me. I am aware that she is there to confirm that my warning to not get married was not hollow.

That threat was effective. She is more worried about my upcoming marriage and children. She is unaware of what I have prepared for her.

I ask, seeming to be perplexed. "To who?"

She gives me a playful eye roll and says, "To Lisa, of course."

"You said that you dislike her, didn't you? I don't think Lisa would have the same fortitude as Helena to deal with you and your challenges as a mother-in-law, therefore I can't be married to someone you don't like. I get on with my task.

She lets out a faint gasp, her face showing signs of pain. She prepares to speak, but as she shuts her lips, she changes her mind.

Hurt had been replaced by guilt on her face.

She repeats her apology, "I'm sorry for everything."

I reassure her that "it's fine" so that she won't wind up worrying about it for days. Although everything is now over and she has been pardoned, I wanted to remember her just in case Lisa experienced the same situation.

It is accurate to say that Lisa and Helena share a trait. Perhaps for this reason, I am content and confident in choosing her to be my wife and no one else.

What say you, then? She sways forward with anticipation. She has a remarkable and astonishing ability to change her emotions.

Again, "About what?" I enquire.

You understand what I'm talking about, so come on. Do you intend to wed Lisa moving forward?

I look at her face, which is carved with interest and eagerness.

All of this is for her. being wed. signing a marriage contract.

I ought to see this through to the conclusion and provide her joy for at least a year.

I guess I never really intended to follow through on my threat. It succeeded in frightening her as intended.

The strategy remains in place. This Saturday, Lisa will continue to be my wife. Mom would be content. Dad would be pleased. And I'll take on some additional responsibility so that I'm no longer seen as a confirmed bachelor.

I remark frankly after exhaling a heavy sigh. "Yes. Next Saturday, I will marry her.

She springs to her feet and runs up to me, tugging me for a strong embrace.