Chapter 3 Behind closed doors

Annika.

"But not for a good reason".

I remained motionless, sipping the drink I had taken from the dining table, my gaze locked on him.

Malakai stood up abruptly and headed towards his brother " What does it say?"

" It shows a video again.....here I'll show you"

We all headed to the living room,he used his phone as his projector showing us the video.

In the video Malakai was kissing a woman with dark luscious hair at a restaurant showing the dates, and the next day he was with another woman__ completely different with blonde hair and he was cupping her cheeks, and smooching in a way that meant she was upset.

My stomach churned. I wasn't really surprised, but I resented the fact that I would have to clean up another mess I hadn't created.

Everyone was uncomfortably quiet,I could even hear the dishwasher making a noise in the kitchen. The clinking of the cutleries against the high quality plates stopped.

The chandelier lights aboved us started to shake,as if a ghost entered the room.

" Who did you take after,son? Why is the whole world so determined to cancel you ,most importantly?" Mr Jones said with his voice deepening frustratedly.

Ares let out a chuckle, Lucian shoved him.

" We'll take care of this Dad.... especially now that we have Annika by our side"

I stood still looking at him while sipping my drink I took from the dining table.

Malakai Was now looking straight at me , his hands wrapped around him, his legs trembling, unable to stand still.His father tapped him out.

" This is why Annikas here, she'll help you ... .or won't you Annika?"

" Huh...of course I will, or I could just stay here sleeping" I said with a fake grin appearing on my face. Lucian lets out a short wheeze,he came towards me to grab my hand and led me outside. " Let me show you around Annika"

" So how are you doing with all this... because I understand how Malakai might seem to you, but I promise he's a great person" He said and winked at me , with his arm around my shoulder.

" Might take a while to convince me on that ... .and I'm not here to bond with him, I'm here to work, so what's gonna be my role in this ?"

"Huh... we're gonna have an interview with the best news influential person and you're gonna be there to support him"

I sighed heavily " what did I get myself into?"

At the interview, Malakai beside me ,the interviewer right in front of us.

" Miss Wilson,how do you feel about this situation, I can't imagine how you feel_hes your husband to be"

" We've been dating for a few months now and I can assure that he's nothing like that anymore, he's a changed man"

" You've only been dating for....a while you say,how did you meet". I looked at him , he cleared his throat and said.

" She had been working for my father for six years, whenever I visit the industry for training I used to see her there, we started to talk and get find of each other,then we started dating...a year ago"

"Didn't you just end things with Miss Freya Carson the year before that though?, it was pretty easy for you to move on regarding all those years you guys dated"

The interviewer kept dropping bombs, I didn't know what to say next, I never knew much about his love life.

" However ma,m , during our relationship I never caught him in such an act,he's handsome,and kindhearted,I can vouch for him because this is the present, he's loyal to me and I'm happy to have him as my Fiance"

What a joke ,I literally just caught him on top of another woman.

He looked at me with his eyes softening.The interview grinned and turned to the camera.

" Well there you have it people, they're in a loving relationship, and Mr Jones is an amazing partner let's trust her words and maybe try to believe in them"

Malakai

" I'm happy to have him as my Fiance"

That melted my hear , and some part of me wished it was true,she's so beautiful and warm hearted. I never thought she would defend me , even though I don't deserve it.

" Thank you..."

She looked at me, not even attempting to hide her disgust. " For what ..... doing what I'm here for?"

" Don't be so difficult Annika,I'm just thanking you, accept it will you?"

She rolled her eyes so hard it almost got stuck while winding down the car window.

So much sass for a beauty.

" You're welcome" she said softly.

I turned to the side and smiled in relief.

I'm gonna enjoy these next few months.

It was now dark outside, I kept hearing some giggling downstairs and went to check what's going on. I could recognize the voice I was hearing.

" Lucian, what are you doing here?" I said before even knowing who I was talking to .

Annikas was with my brother and Ares,she was in an apron which captured all her curves. With an oven glove and a hand mixer. She was baking. She just stood there looking at me with her mouth hanging slightly open. She does that a lot.

I shouldn't find this so amusing, especially after what I witnessed yesterday. But perhaps it's alright to relax-just for a moment.

" Hey man , Baker Annika was just baking for us , you've gotta try these cookies man ,tastes so damn good"

"Yeah I can see everything man ,I'm not blind you know....can I see you outside dude?".

Lucian came outside and wrapped his arm around my neck.

" Annika told me about the interview... she's amazing isn't she?"

" yeah yeah whatever,why is she telling you of all people though?"

"So damn jealous already,bro it hasn't been three weeks yet"

Lucian let out a brief wheeze, still trying to catch his breath.

" Shut up dude!!"

"Whatever,go on without me ,I'm going to use the bathroom quickly" he said tapping my shoulder.

As I was making my way into the room, I overheard Ares and Annika having a conversation_giggling .

I leaned against the wall to hear them.

Ares cleared his throat.

"So do you like Malakai?".

My heart tightened,my stomach dropped.

Before I could hear her answer, Lucian sneaked up behind me and shoved me into the room.