Chapter 2 Confused

In the evening, at the Ivanov family mansion, the family gathered for dinner still celebrating Grandpa, Anya sat next to Vladimir, trying to smile politely, even though Misha and Katya's betrayal caused a deep pain in her chest.

Suddenly the doors to the dining room opened, and two people entered, it was Misha and Katya, who were smiling shamelessly.

"We're sorry we're late, we had a little mishap." Misha apologized hypocritically.

Katya let out an annoyed giggle, her eyes shining with malice as she looked at Anya.

"Yes, that's it, a mishap."

Anya clenched her fists under the table, trying to control the urge she felt to jump on Katya, and tear her eyes out so that her stupid smile would be erased, how dare they show up as if nothing had happened?

But she couldn't make a scene, not with her grandfather and the whole family present, so she forced a smile, and stood up to greet them.

"Katya, dear cousin, what a surprise to see you." She said with false sweetness, greeting her with two air kisses, pretending to kiss her cheeks.

Katya returned the gesture, her lips brushing Anya's skin in a mocking gesture.

.

"Surprise? But we are family, Anya. Where else could I be? If not here, celebrating Grandpa."

The double meaning of her words did not go unnoticed by Anya, she gritted her teeth, but kept her smile, managing to contain herself.

"Misha, welcome." she greeted coldly, avoiding looking into his eyes.

Misha took her hand and kissed it, his thumb caressing her skin in an intimate gesture, his contact causing repulsion in Anya.

"Anya, my love, you look as beautiful as ever, wonderful." The shameless man said gallantly.

Anya abruptly withdrew her hand, it was as if his touch burned, she felt dirty, contaminated by his presence, but before she could answer him, her grandfather spoke.

"Misha, boy! Come, sit next to me, we have a lot to talk about regarding your future in the company." The grandfather had no idea about what Misha had done to his granddaughter, and he believed that they were still boyfriend and girlfriend.

Misha gave Anya a triumphant smile before obeying, Katya, for her part, sat in front of Anya, staring at her, smiling mockingly, feeling that she was better than her.

Throughout the dinner, Anya had to endure the knowing glances between Misha and Katya, their secret giggles, it was torture, a constant reminder of her betrayal, the worst thing is that they seemed to enjoy it.

But the worst was when Katya leaned over the table, causing her cleavage to reveal more than was appropriate, then she whispered in an overly saccharine tone.

"Anya, honey, you really have to try this dessert, delicious, although of course, not as divine as other desserts I've tried recently." She said and then bit her lip.

Anya felt nauseous at the insinuation, she knew exactly what "dessert" Katya was referring to, the image of her and Misha together, their naked bodies, haunted her like a ghost.

But she couldn't break down, she wouldn't give them that satisfaction, so she tried hard to fake a smile and answered.

"Thanks Katya, but I think I'll pass, I've lost my appetite." Katya's smile widened, and her eyes sparkled with cruel satisfaction.

"Really? What a pity, dear cousin, but well, more for me then, I never tire of the sweet pleasures of life.

Anya squeezed her glass so hard that she feared it would break, she felt furious, and humiliated.

How could Katya be so cruel? And how could Misha sit there, smiling and chatting with her grandfather, as if he hadn't broken her heart? The behavior of those two brought her to her limit, so she decided at once to do something to stop them.

After dinner, Anya asked to speak to her grandfather Vladimir in private, once inside the study, away from prying ears, Anya finally spoke about what was happening.

"Grandpa, I have to tell you something, it's about Mysha and Katya." She said while her voice trembled.

Vladimir frowned, worried about his granddaughter's condition, he had noticed her strange.

"What's wrong, Anya? What have those two done?"

Between sobs, Anya told him everything, how they had betrayed her, how she had found them together in the bathroom, when she finished telling him, her body trembled, she could not help it, she felt invaded by pain and rage.

Vladimir's face changed immediately, he turned red with anger, he stood up abruptly, hitting his desk with a fist.

"How dare they? Damn ingrates!" roared the grandfather, truly upset by what he had heard.

Anya cringed at her grandfather's fury, she had never seen him so angry.

"I will throw them out on the street, they will not set foot in this house again, nor come near you, I swear on my life." He hissed, but Anya shook her head.

"No, grandfather, I do not want any more scandals, I have had enough of humiliation."

"Oh, my girl, you do not deserve this, you deserve to be happy." Vladimir looked at her sadly.

Anya smiled, it was a sad smile, as she fought back the tears that threatened to betray her.

"Thank you, Grandpa, but right now, I just want to forget, to move on with my life."

Vladimir sighed, running a hand through his greying beard, suddenly, his eyes lit up as if he had remembered something.

"Anya, do you remember my old friend Anatoly Petrova?"

Anya nodded, she remembered him clearly, he was an oil tycoon, as rich and powerful as her own grandfather.

"Well, it turns out his grandson, Alexei, is of marriageable age, Anatoly and I have always dreamed of uniting our families." Vladimir continued, Anya blinked, confused.

"What are you suggesting, Grandpa?"

"I'm saying that maybe it's time for you to meet Alexei, I know it's sudden, but think about it, a marriage with the Petrovs would give us even more power and influence, and Alexei is a good man, Anya, he's strong, smart and determined, I know he would treat you like the queen you are." Vladimir took his granddaughter's hands in his.

Anya bit her lip. Marrying a stranger? It sounded crazy.

"Alexei has been living abroad for years, so they don't know each other, but I'm sure they'll get along, and if not, well, they could get divorced, but at least they'll have tried." Vladimir added as if he could read her thoughts.

Anya took a deep breath, this was crazy, complete and utter madness, but maybe it could be a chance to start over, to rebuild herself away from the shadow of Misha and Katya.

"Grandpa, I don't think marrying someone I don't know is a good idea."

"Don't answer me now, daughter, think about it calmly, then tell me what your answer is."

Anya left there confused, feeling that there were too many events to process in such a short time, as soon as she walked away, Vladimir picked up the phone to call his friend.

Days later, at the Petrov mansion, the powerful tycoon Anatoly Petrov faced his rebellious grandson Alexei.

"How dare you disobey my orders? Your duty is to marry the granddaughter of my friend and partner to ensure the future of our empire." Anatoly roared, his face red with anger.

Alexei let out a sarcastic laugh.

"My duty? I'm sorry grandpa, but I'm not going to be a pawn in your chess game, I'm not going to marry a woman I don't know just to satisfy your ambitions." He said determinedly.

But then something happened that he would never think of, Anatoly raised his hand and slapped him hard, Alexei brought his hand to his cheek, while his green eyes burned with fury.

"Watch your tongue, insolent boy, you will do what I order, or face the consequences. Do you want your cousin Nicolai to keep everything?" Anatoly hissed.

Alexei clenched his fists, the mention of his hated cousin was a low blow, Nicolai had always coveted his position as heir and would do anything to get him out of the way, and he had dared to do something that he could never forgive him for.

"Don't bring that bastard into this." Alexei growled.

"Then be a man and do your duty, the wedding is in a month, and you better put on your best smile and behave like the gentleman you are supposed to be." Anatoly poured himself a glass of vodka and downed it in one gulp.

.

Alexei clenched his jaw, he knew he had no choice, but that didn't mean he was going to make it easy for his mysterious girlfriend.

"Fine, I'll marry her, but I have my conditions, I want a prenuptial agreement in my favor, and I reserve the right to add whatever clauses I deem necessary."

"What are you up to, Alexei?" Anatoly narrowed his eyes.

"None of your business, grandpa, let's just say that woman will wish she had never agreed to this marriage." Alexei said the latter to himself, while smiling wickedly.

Meanwhile, in her apartment, Anya looked at herself in the mirror as she cried.

"How could they do this to me?" She whispered, raising her hand to touch her reflection.

The doorbell startled her, she walked to the door, looking through the peephole, she threw it open, feeling furious.

"What the hell are you doing here, Misha?" She screamed,

Her ex-boyfriend stood in front of her with a bouquet of roses in his hand, he gave her a pleading smile.

"Anya, my love, please let me explain."

"Don't call me that! You lost the right to call me that when you decided to screw my cousin whenever you felt like it." Anya took the flowers from him and threw them on the floor.

"It was a mistake, a stupid moment, but the one I love is you, it's always been you." Misha paled at her fury.

"Save the lies, it's over between us, I never want to see you again." Anya crossed her arms, restraining herself from slapping him.

"Anya please." Misha tried to grab her arm, but she jerked away.

"I said get out! Before I call security." She threatened, Misha pressed her lips together, a vein throbbing on her forehead.

"This won't stay like this, Anya, you belong to me, and sooner or later you will come back to me, even if I have to force you."

After uttering that threat, Misha turned around and walked away, leaving Anya shaking with rage.