The Anderson family was known as legends in the perfume industry for more than decades, producing expensive and the best fragrance across the country. As the founder, Roy Anderson, he was old and the company was presently run by the eldest son, Albert Anderson, the father of Dave, with the second eldest son, Henry Anderson, as one of the shareholders. Zack, being the youngest, built his own business empire from scratch to gain his achievements rather than living off someone else’s company. Although he invested from his shares and expanded his business far and wide, gaining wealth from multiple businesses. His wisdom in performing business was one of the many things Roy Anderson loved about him. But one thing that made him upset was that he cared too much about money and his business that he never considered marriage as an option. So when he picked the statement ‘my wife,’ he was overjoyed that he told him to come over for a family dinner to celebrate, even though he didn’t inform them of his marriage beforehand.
Zack and Ivy decided to wear matching fabrics since they were visiting; they had to appear as real couples. Wearing a green sparkling suit that reflects his outstanding figure and presence, capable of consuming the beholder, he stepped into his posh car with Ivy tagging along dressed in an off-shoulder mermaid gown that aligned with her curvy shape, making her look like a supermodel ready for the runway. The slit from her thigh down to her heels exposed her fine skin, coupled with her elegant movement that shows how she was a perfect match to the sculpture-like beauty by her side. They must make an impression.
As she got into the car, Zack glanced at her. Catching her looks, he immediately turned again to scrutinize her properly but couldn’t find any flaws in her beauty. He usually doesn’t see anything perfect in a woman, but Ivy blew it. The woman by his side was something else, her eyes carried its own share of attractiveness, not to mention her entire body from her head to her… He berates himself for the thoughts, quickly averting his eyes away from her body. Now he was deeply regretting why he made her dress this enticing as he was slowly falling into his own trap he made for his nephew. He wanted Dave to see what he rejected turn into a precious gem that can’t be reached.
“Is there anything I need to know about your family so I could be cautious…” Ivy’s voice made him return to the present.
“Are you scared, don’t worry they won’t bite.” Ivy had to ask; after all, Dave was from the family, who knows if there were more surprises for her; Dave was an eye-opener. She couldn’t bring herself to trust any Anderson apart from the one beside her; at least he was way better compared to the rest of his brothers.
“I would like to know everything about you since you are my husband now.” She continued. “Have you dated any woman before, cause I have never heard of it, or maybe you dated in secret. Many thought you are ga…”
Ivy’s words made him turn his head to stare at her lips that uttered those words; he never had the thought of how it would feel for someone to refer him as ‘husband.’ Well, he disregarded the other sentence that followed, but Ivy thought he was actually piqued by the word at the end of the sentence…
Ivy bit her lips as she held her breath, his fierce gaze made her widen her eyes without blinking for a second. ‘I just said something wrong. I just said something wrong…’ Offending this man was never in her bucket list, according to Xavier the butler, he has a temper! She did remember him saying she shouldn’t interfere with his personal life, and here she was being nosy.
“I’m sorry, that was very immature of me.”
“What did you say that was immature?” Zack was too preoccupied with the ‘husband’ that he didn’t hear her remaining sentence…
“Y… you didn’t hear me?” She puffed out air from her mouth in relief, ‘thank goodness.’ “Oh, forget about it, it’s nothing. Well, um, I hope your father didn’t mind you marrying a younger woman…
“Am I that old?” He frowned, as deep furrows appeared on his forehead. Ivy pressed her lips tight; ‘this man is easily angered.’
“Answer me…
She squinted at him, ‘What have I gotten myself into.’ “Well, you are twice my age; that’s why I said that… Zack was undoubtedly handsome for his age; despite being in his late 40’s, he looked a little younger with a well-built body frame…
Even Ivy can’t deny his attractive looks, as she was tempted to compliment him to make him let her off, but she remembered how he turned the conversation around last night to avoid the praises.
“We have arrived, sir.” The driver announced as they approached a magnificent mansion filled with gleaming lights that flared with its intermittent reflection. ‘What’s the occasion? Oh, I forgot Zack Anderson finally got married. He made arrangements for his grand welcome? His father must truly love him.’ Ivy thought as she was mesmerized by the decor…
“I can’t believe the old man went through all of this just to welcome the new brides into the family.” Zack said as he stood, staring at the decor. ‘New brides.’ She completely forgot she wasn’t the only bride that was joining the family.
“Is it just the two of us invited to the dinner, or…
“What, you are afraid to face him…
Of course not, she couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he walks out that door with her hands hooked on Zack Anderson’s arm. A smile appeared on her face as she thought of how Irene will react in front of the Andersons. Will she pretend she didn’t know her?
“Shall we?” He said as he tilted his arm. Ivy’s wide grin could be seen on her face as she hooked her hand on his arm. ‘Lovely.’ What a satisfying face slap it would give…
“Of course…” He responded as they walked to the entrance with their arms intertwined.
With each resounding sound of her high heels, she walked majestically, with her head held high, curling her lips as her eyes gleamed in determination. ‘I will rise again.’ Another step forward with more resolve in her determination. ‘Beyond bound.’
Zack whispered. “Let’s go make that jerk bury his face…