Chapter eight

The Approval….

William's Pov….

She had suddenly gotten busy in her room, yeah I knew she was a designer in her father's industry but, whatever kept her busy was more than just a few sketches

Some days I'd try to peep from the door she’d unintentionally keep open but it was not possible as her system was not visible from the door

Not to be intrusive but curious, this was something that would take up her entire day only giving her free time to grab a drink or water or something to eat which she usually walked the mile to the store for snacks, I only made attempts to have her eat good food when I wasn't going in to work early.

“Ann we are going to meet my parents a day from today so we can finalize the wedding plans” I told her as she had come to do her normal routine of walking out in pajamas and messy hair and dark circled eyes.

“You need to fix yourself up you look bad” sluggishly looking up at me

“I'm busy let's move it” that's all she said

“No we can't, I'm going to get very busy and there's no time and besides what have you been doing almost all week coupled up to that computer?” I asked already fed up with her absence, we had barely made any casual talks and it had been hell trying to let it be as it was

“Busy, just trying to find something on there nothing serious” that almost sounded as though she was trying to convince herself, as though she wanted but couldn't tell me.

“Okay then I will be prepared for it, can I get back to what I was doing?”

“And oh you've had mails from your office, you will need to respond to them soon” I said to her as I headed out, I had chosen today as the day to meet up with my father as promised so I could also boost my chances of getting him to like Ann, never forgetting he was a very hard man to please.

I adjusted the rearview mirror, smoothing down my already perfectly styled hair. The sleek black Mercedez hummed along the highway, the city skyline rising in the distance, a testament to my Father's success that would soon be mine and I wondered if I was ready for it. I was headed to the heart of it all, the sprawling headquarters of my father's company, a behemoth in the world of finance.

Adding an extra credit of being a managing director in one of the biggest firms in town would also boost my own firm and create just the right amount of exposure I needed to be renowned in town.

Not exactly cut from the same cloth as my father, but I was a sharp businessman in my own right. I'd carved out my own and still niche within the company, managing the website department, a world of digital marketing and online strategies. It wasn't the traditional path father had envisioned, but I had proven my worth, that was why no matter how mean he was to me he still could trust me with the work more than Micheal, my innovative ideas and strategic mind had driven the company's online presence to its present and new heights.

Pulling into the company's expansive parking lot, the sleek, modern building towering above me. The air buzzed with a quiet energy, the scent of ambition and success hanging heavy in the air. I took a deep breath, a sense of satisfaction and excitement washing over me . This was my domain, my playground, my opportunity to prove himself once again, not just to my father, but to myself. I stepped out of the car, my footsteps echoing in the quiet morning, and headed towards the building, ready to face the day and conquer any obstacle of the day.

Getting inside my father's secretary was already waiting to let me in, my arrival must have been announced by my father.

“Ahh Williams! Son, good you made it and just right on time! The paper worked has just been sent to HR’s office for processing by the time your wedding is over you would have been called in to sign the proceedings”

Okay Father, but why me?” I asked without showing any sign of fear or my words being cut up my throat and he knew exactly what I meant with the question.

“You've always been my first child, no matter how things are now, I and your mothers relationship was very special to me” he paused but still held a stern look at me “And you've made me proud son” he said with a firm pat on my shoulders grinning.

And for the first time in a long while, I felt good, happy that I'd made him happy, Annhadreallly brought that ray of sunshine I always heard people refer to.

“ I still expect to meet this woman you finally let into your life” knowing that was also going to come I was extra glad i’d been ready for an answer to it.

“ oh, a day after tomorrow sir for dinner, hope it suits you?”

“It pleases me well, I'll make sure we are all ready for you both, will your mother come too?”

That question was almost unexpected and I'm quiet sure he knew the answer to that.

Never mind, never mind son” standing up and extending his hand for a shake was a family tradition in the Antoni house.

“ Thanks Dad, this is special to me and I won't let you down”

“When have you ever”

And that was it, what I needed to click my shoes on in the business world with my fathers firm, I would get the extra credit on mine “willyband firm” was going to make waves and I'm certain.

************

Ann’s Pov……

The car pulled up to a grand house, its manicured lawns shimmering in the afternoon sun. My heart thumped against my ribs, too loud I heard it and sneaked a peek at Williams who sat beside me checking if he heard it too. This was it, meeting William's family.

"Don't worry," William said, squeezing my hand as tho he knee I just needed that tho it was only he and I who knew this was a contract marriage the thought of me having to lie to them dried my mouth up instantly "They're all lovely." he continued with a smile.

At the dinning I sneaked glances at each member as they ate and chatted and wondered how I'd have to fit into such substantial looking people.

But his grandmother, a formidable woman with eyes like steel, scrutinized Ann with a critical gaze. "So, you're the girl who married my grandson," she said, her voice sharp. "Tell me, why did you choose this path?"

“Path?” Well it was a journey only I and her grandson knew but how did she figure it out or was she just trying to hear me talk about it.

“He helped me out through a tough phase I was going through one time and ever since we’ve been hanging out and then now, in love” I said looking at him smiling, returning the smile couldn’t help but wonder at how good we were at putting up an act.

William's stepmother, a woman with a perpetual frown etched on her face, leaned forward, I began to wonder if there was something with all stepmother being angry all the time, her eyes gleaming with malice and I wondered why she was like that within the household .

"I hear you were adopted," she said putting me off the edge on my seat, that was a conversation I never plan I’d have at my supposed in-laws "It must be difficult, being different."

“ it’s not ma’am, I’ve never been treated differently” I said back in defense -all lies though.

“That’s not what it’s being said out there, don’t forget you are a member of a prominent family so talks always fly about” my goodness what news!! I yelled in my head cause my spikes were already at its edge.

She just said that to make me uncomfortable and I wasn’t gonna let her win, I didn’t know her connection to Williams but surely with me was a no go already.