Billionaire love in disguise

Chapter one

Anita was jolted awake by a loud rap on her door, a familiar morning ritual. She let out a languid sigh and extended her limbs, then rose to her feet. "Who's there?" she inquired, but was met with silence.

She approached the door and cracked it open slightly, peeking outside to find her stepsister, Mitchell, looming on her porch. Anita's expression twisted in annoyance, and she slammed the door shut.

She trudged back to her bed and plopped down, gazing at her reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall. She looked disheveled, so she stood up and headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth and take a refreshing shower.

Returning to her room, anita snatched up her phone. Just then, the knocking resumed. "What do you want?" she bellowed at the persistent visitor. "Open the door, Anita....

"A voice called out from beyond the door," Anita's heart skipped a beat as she asked, "Dad?" Her eyes widened in astonishment, convinced she'd just heard her father's familiar tone. She swiftly rose to her feet and hurried to the door, flinging it open to reveal her dad standing on the threshold. Overjoyed, Anita threw her arms around him.

His unexpected arrival caught her off guard; it was only early August. Typically, he returned home at the end of each month, departing again with the start of the new one. Anita's dad stepped inside, settling onto her bed. She closed the door and joined him, sitting beside him and studying his face intently, awaiting his cue to begin the conversation.

"Dad, why the early homecoming?" Anita asked, her curiosity piqued by the uncharacteristic timing of his return. She sensed that something was amiss.

Anita's dad let out a deep sigh, his expression laced with concern. "Anita your stepmother frequently calls me, complaining about your behavior towards her," he explained.

Anita's eyes flashed with resentment.

"You never listen to me when I tell you how she mistreats me, but you always take her side whenever she calls," she accused, her voice trembling with emotion. "You've changed since you married her," Anita continued, her words spilling out in a torrent. "You always support her, no matter how many times I try to tell you how I feel. I hate this house, and I don't want to live here anymore!" Anita's voice rose to a yell as she stormed out of the room. Her father called out her name, chasing after her, but Anita was too quick. She slipped out through the back door and disappeared into the neighborhood.

Anita wandered the streets for a while, eventually growing tired and settling onto a public bench. As hunger pangs began to gnaw at her, Anita sat lost in thought, weighing her options. She was determined not to return home. A plan began to form in her mind – she would go to her friend's house. Summoning her energy, Anita stood up and started walking, the long journey ahead of her. Despite the distance, she persevered, finally reaching her friend's place.

Anita rapped on the door, and her friend Elina answered, looking astonished. "Anita?" Elina inquired, taken aback by Anita's sudden appearance on her doorstep, breathing heavily.

"Hi Elina...can I come in?" Anita requested.

"Of course, come in," Elina replied. Anita stepped inside and was greeted by Elina's parents, who were dining at the table. Anita exchanged warm greetings with them, and they invited her to join them for a meal. Anita eagerly accepted and took a seat at the table.

With unbridled enthusiasm, Anita devoured the food, unmindful of the curious glances from Elina's parents. They were surprised by Anita's ravenous appetite and sensed that something was amiss. Moreover, Anita rarely visited their home at such an early hour.

After finishing their meal, Elina's parents excused themselves, leaving the dining room. Elina turned to Anita with a concerned expression.

"So, why are you here so early, Anita? What's going on?" Elina asked, her brow furrowed with worry.

Elina's curiosity got the better of her. "Why did you come over so early?" she asked Anita, who was still devouring her food. Anita swallowed hastily before responding. "My dad's back, but he didn't come because he missed me. He came because my stepmother complained about my behavior." Anita's words tumbled out in a rush. Elina's expression remained puzzled. "That still doesn't explain why you're here." Anita's frustration boiled over. "My dad always takes her side, no matter what. I'm fed up with living in that house. I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon."

Anita finished her meal, drank some water, and leaned back, feeling momentarily satisfied. A few minutes later, Elina's parents returned to the dining room.

"So, Anita, what brings you here?" Elina's mom asked gently.

Anita's voice dropped to a whisper. "My dad came home today and accused me of being rude to my stepmom. I left in anger."

Elina's parents exchanged a knowing glance before continuing their meal. After a brief pause, Elina's dad spoke up.

"We've called your dad, and he'll be here any moment," he announced.

Anita's eyes widened in alarm. "What? You called him? I have to..."

Anita hastily stood up, announcing, "I have to go!" She strode to the door and flung it open, only to find her dad standing on the threshold. He seized her hands and exchanged a brief wave with Elina's parents before dragging Anita back to his car.

"Get in the back seat," he instructed gruffly.

Anita shot her stepmother, seated in the front passenger seat, a venomous glance before hissing under her breath. She reluctantly opened the back door and slid in.

The car ride was marked by an uncomfortable silence, punctuated only by Anita's muffled, angry mutterings.

Her dad finally broke the silence, but Anita beat him to it.

"Dad, I'm not going to live with this woman anymore!" Anita declared defiantly.

Her dad's face darkened. "How dare you call your stepmother such a vile name? You want to do things the hard way? Fine, I'll show you the hard way!" he thundered, accelerating the car.

Upon arriving home, Anita's dad yanked her out of the car and dragged her to her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

"You'll stay in there until you learn some manners!" he bellowed.

Anita's response was immediate and furious. "Open the door! You can't lock me in here! Open it now!" she screamed, kicking the door in a futile attempt to break free. Eventually, Anita's exhausted body succumbed to her emotions, and she slid to the floor, resting her back against the door. Silent tears streamed down her face as she drifted off to sleep.

Anita woke up hours later, only to find her door still locked. She let out a frustrated sigh and stood up, stomping into her bathroom to splash some water on her face. Just then, a knock at the door broke the silence. Anita swiftly opened it to find her stepsister, Elina, standing there with an expectant gaze.

"Hey, Dad wants to see you now," Elina said brusquely. "Get out here quickly before he leaves; he has an appointment." With that, Elina turned and walked away.

Anita's anger flared up. "Hey, you'd better show some respect if you don't want to face the consequences!" she shouted after Elina.

As the older sibling by a year, Anita had always expected Elina to treat her with more deference. Still fuming, Anita slammed her door shut and stormed back into her bathroom, where she checked her reflection in the mirror.