ANASTASIA
Finally, the day was here.
Cassandra came over one more time to remind me of the event taking place at eight in the night.
“Please Anna, after tonight you won’t get the chance to see Father again. This is the best opportunity for you to come and meet him,” She said, standing outside the door of my room.
I didn’t allow her to step inside no matter how much she wanted to invite herself in, but I attended to her outside there.
And like every other begging she has been displaying, I refused.
“I’m sorry, sis. You’ll have to go there without me. There’s always another time,” I said, smiling at her.
Casey rolled her eyes at me and said, swaying her head, “I can’t believe I did all that begging just to get rejected again. But it’s fine, Anna. I’ll just tell mother than you were busy.”
“Why tell her? Is it a must for her to know?” I asked, crossing my arms.
Casey grinned at me, giving silly reasons why she wants Mom to be aware. “You know I already told her that we found you and I’m sure she’s looking forward to meeting you again after so long. But if you don’t want her to know, it’s fine.”
She dusted her palms, faking understanding. But this is just an act to make me think all is well.
All is well my ass. I bet that devil of a woman must have sent Anna to get me to accept the invitation to fulfill a plan of hers.
I am not accepting her invite. I don’t even want them to know that I’m coming.
“But if she asks, I’ll just tell her that you’re busy with work. Is that okay with you?” She asked with a smile.
I nodded at that plan, apologizing one more time for the disappointment.
My step sister claimed to be fine and decided to head back to her room and meet her husband.
“He must be waiting for me,” She chuckled, drawing away from my door.
We both said our goodbyes and I watched Casey head down to the lift, until she was gone.
Once she left, I went back into the room and shut the door close.
Taking in a deep breathe, I glanced at the bed and stared at the dress I placed aside for tonight’s party.
I’m going to see my father and do what is right.
I just hope that he believes me over that woman.
.
At around seven fifty in the evening, I had gotten myself dressed for the party, staring at my reflection in the mirror, and thinking about my mission.
There was this fear taking over my heart, as flashes of father’s rage came into my head, making me scared.
“What if he kicks me out before I even open my mouth and speak?” I trembled, feeling worried.
“You can never know unless you try,” Diego said from behind, embracing me.
I lifted my head to look at his reflection. He curve his lips into a smile and comforted my heart with his words. “He’s your father. I’m sure he’ll give you his attention.”
“Diego, he… He disowned me. He said he doesn’t want to see me anymore. I’m worried that he’ll…”
“Anna,” He called, turning me over to face him. With his hands resting on my shoulders, Diego said, ” He won’t chase you away except Linda interferes. You are his daughter after all. His biological child.”
I sighed, lowering my head down.
“The least he can do is give you the stink eye or express anger towards you,” He said, lifting my head to his point from my chin.
He ran his hand across my face, dressing my hair properly with a pleasant smile.
“I trust you on this. You are my brave girl,” He encouraged, filling my heart with confidence again.
I felt my fear dying down. It was replaced with my zeal to see my father and clear this problem once and for all.
“Are you ready?” He asked, giving me his arm to hang on to.
Then with a big sigh, I said, “Yeah, I’m ready for this.”
Together, Diego and I left the hotel, heading for the venue.
We made sure Casey and Damian were absent before making our move. Since my step sister has been acting funny with her constant invite, we assumed she and my step mother has something planned for me.
So now that they think I’m not coming, you can say the road is free for me.
“We’re here,” Diego said, pointing at the skyscraper where the party was being held.
I gulped down and began to feel my heart beating with speed.
Calm down, Anna. You can do this.
The guards parked close to the building, and we got out, heading inside.
We weren’t the only ones who stepped into the tall building. There were other fancy looking guests who came trooping into the skyscraper, talking about my father and his company.
When I saw the faces of most of them, I felt scared.
I recognized them. They were present at my mate bonding that night!
They all witnessed the embarrassing moment and viewed me as a harlot!
Now I feel… “Diego,” I called softly, grabbing his hand tightly.
He felt my grip and carefully held me close, asking, “What is it?”
“This people… I recognize them. They… They know me.” I trembled, panicking over this.
Seeing my reaction, Diego pulled me into a corner and calmed my pounding heart.
“Stay focus. Remember why you’re here. You came to see your father and clear your name. You aren’t here for them.”
“I’m… I’m not here for them,” I breathed, nodding my head.
Feeling the shivers all around my body, Diego sighed and said, “Maybe it’s best if we head back. I don’t think you’re ready.”
“What? No, I’m ready. I’m… I’m just trying to get myself,” I said, standing straight.
“I got scared when I saw their faces. They were present that night when Damian ruined me. They all called me a slut and insulted father.”
“Yet they are here to celebrate with him. And I’m sure your father doesn’t give a damn about their presence, and I expect you to have that boldness as well.”
Diego cupped my face dearly. He smirked and asked, ” Aren’t you you your Alpha’s brave girl anymore?”
I frowned with a reply, “I am.”
“Then why is the Alpha Lord’s naughty girl getting scared of some dull ass wolves in fancy clothes? Has she forgotten what her man can do?”
He ran his thumb across my lips, blooming my heart with his words.
I smiled at this and apologized for allowing my fear to get to me. “I know what you can do, Diego. You’re the Boss.”
“That’s the spirit,” He smiled, caressing me.
Getting myself back, Diego and I made our move, heading for the party.
When we got there, we met the Hall crowded with different guests who came to congratulate and wish my father on his special day.
Honestly, I was marvelled by the number. This will be the biggest party my father would ever throw.
Or was it Linda’s doing?
I don’t really know.
“The securities didn’t even search or question us. Is this an open party to anyone?” Diego observed.
I also noticed this when we came in. The men at the entrance didn’t even ask us any questions.
They must have assumed we were guests since through our dressing.
As we walked into the crowds, a few people recognized Diego. The shock on their faces showed that they weren’t expecting Crescent pack’s Alpha to be present at such an event.
And I understand why.
This is Raymond De Great’s party, and father doesn’t like Diego.
My Alpha’s presence has left thwse onlookers astonished, leaving them wondering if father invited him over.
This was beginning to get uncomfortable.
Diego noticed but paid no attention. He followed me around, until… “Found him,” He notified, pointing at my father’s direction.
There he was, standing with his business partners and my stepmother, laughing and making cheers with their glasses.
My heart sank when my eyes fell on my father. He seems to be doing perfectly well without me around.
Well, that’s what I thought until I saw how his mood went dull when he walked into a corner to be on his own.
He wasn’t happy.
My stepmother had to go and meet my father to cheer him up, and he just forced a smile on his face to do as she had said.
“Did you see that?” I asked Diego, feeling a spark in my heart.
“Yes, I did. Looks like your old man isn’t enjoying his special day after all, ” He pointed out the same note I had taken.
Dad feels lost.
Is he thinking about me? Does he miss me like I miss him too?
Linda walked away from father’s point, leaving him with another set of business friends who came to give him their wishes.
When we saw this, Diego asked, “Do you want to make your move?”
I stared for a few seconds and said, swallowing the heaviness that was stuck inside my throat, ” I guess so. Linda is gone. I think I need to use this opportunity to get him away before she returns.”
“Okay, then be fast. I’ll be around if you need me,” Diego said, patting me.
About taking my step, I lifted my eyes at my Alpha Lord and met him smiling. He gestured me to go before moving into the crowds to hide himself from being seen by my father.
This made my heart ache with sadness. He’s keeping himself away so things would escalate for the worse.
“Thank you, Diego,” I appreciated deeply, making my move.
“One day you won’t be seen as an enemy in my father’s eyes. Mate or not, I belong to you.”
Almost getting closer to Dad, Linda came back and began to speak to him about something.
When I saw this, I immediately drew back and hid myself, watching both of them.
“Come with me, my love. Alpha Damian and your daughter got you a surprise,” My stepmother said, trying to get father to come with her.
But something kept father glued in his spot. He refused to follow Linda.
“They can come here. I really don’t have the strength to move about,” He said, hovering his eyes around the guests, suspiciously.
“Okay, my love. I’ll tell them to come over with the gift,” She said, walking away.
Once she was gone, father’s behavior became weird. He was looking around and sniffing the air. Almost as if he was picking a scent.
Suddenly, his attention fell at the spot where I was hiding!
“Wait… Is it my scent?” I suspected.
I thought he was just picking up something else, but the way he fixed his gaze right at my point, made me suspect father’s sudden attitude.
I think he’s trailing me!
In fear, I moved away from that spot and went into another area, just to be sure of myself. And to my surprise, father stood right at the spot I just left, taking a sniff again.
When he took in another smell, his lips read my… My name!
Father… He’s looking for me.
I felt my heart beating when I saw him making his move, tracing my smell in the midst of the crowds.
He knows I’m here. He’s trying to find me.
Seeing his eagerness, I decided to use this to lure him away. I moved away from the spot I was hiding and aimed for the entrance.
Carefully, I exited the Hall and went into a peaceful corner away from the party, waiting for my father to show up.
“I know he’s coming. I know he’s coming. I know…”
“Anna?” I heard his voice from behind, calling out to me.
That made my heartbeat give a brief thud, before beating at its normal pace.
Feeling hot, I turned around and met my father staring me. My old man was in shock. He froze in his spot.
“Father,” I uttered, smiling at him.
“It’s… It’s you. I thought I was…” Father stammered. His eyes came welling with tears, which he immediately hid away from me, trying to subdue his emotions.
He misses me. He still loves his Anastasia.