The Billionaire's Unwanted Bride novel Chapter 50

Aidan's POV

I can remember my mother said father shouldn't know about Anna yet until our plan has been executed and that plan will be executed on the award night. Mother and I have a lot to talk about but we couldn't talk because of the presence of Anna.

From what we discussed with mother the last time, I need to pretend like I want Tessa too but I know it is going to be hard doing that since I hate pretense. If I let my father think I am agreeing to his term, he will tell Tessa's father and they will help me. But if I don't, I won't get any help even though I wish I can get the help from somewhere else and not from my selfish, monstrous father.

Now I remember my mother's bandaged arm as I stand with Anna by the doorway. I want to rush to him and punch the living hell out of my father but I know I can't. I need to control myself. I need to be calm so I won't ruin things way too fast. I seriously need to get my mother out of this hellhole.

"Aidan", he calls again as he approaches.

I am happy Anna and I aren't holding hands like we did when we entered the house. I take a step sideways and whisper to Anna. "Play along."

I didn't wait for a nod to show that she agrees and understands like earlier before I turn back to face father. I bow. Anna stares at him in nervousness and bow.

Father looks from me to Anna, suspiciously.

"Good morning, Father", I greet politely.

This is how I behave in the presence of strangers. Even though Anna isn't a stranger, I have to do this because of what I want in return. I am going to get the help indirectly.

I didn't know I would meet my father at home by this time of the day. He is barely at home, except when he has guests coming to visit. Even if the father doesn't have anything to do in the office, he goes there just to avoid having contact with his wife.

I see Anna looking at me with a questioning gaze from my peripheral view. I know what she wants to ask me is why I only introduced her to my mother.

Father on the other hand is staring at Anna and shifting the gaze to me at intervals for me to explain who she is. He stops walking when he is close enough and folds his arms.

"Who is this?" He asks me again when I am not offering any explanation.

"This is my new secretary, Anna", I point to Anna. Anna didn't show any sign of surprise, instead, she bows again with a smile.

"Beautiful name for a beautiful lady", my father smiles back and I feel like punching him.

"I didn't know you were in", I say, to stop him from ogling Anna like the shameless man that he is.

"Oh!" He looks at me. "Yes, I won't be going out today. As you can see your mother is ill and I want to take care of her."

"Really?" I am being sarcastic. I can't help it. I can't help not being rude to the man before me, even if I am not rude to others.

"Yes. We had a guest this morning and while she was drinking wine from her glass cup, the accident happened. I think she was holding it too firmly and it got broken, piercing her hand." He explains.

I didn't ask him for an explanation but here he is offering me some, just to cover up his horrible acts. I regret the day he met mom. I am going to make him suffer after taking my mother away from him.

But for now, I will stick to my mother's advice. I need to pretend to be good to him for three weeks and that will be all. This means I have to also make him think I believe his cock and bull story.

The scrubbing the maids were doing earlier when Anna and I entered is enough evidence. I assume they were scrubbing blood from the floor. I am sure whatever happened between them happened last night or this morning. They were trying to get rid of the evidence that father had beaten mother till she began to bleed.

My heart is breaking into pieces as I stand here, watching father. I am hurt because I can't do anything now. I am hurt because this beating started all because of me.

Whenever father wants to beat me and mother takes my side, he beats us together. I am hurt and I feel like crying. I wish I have magical powers to make all my wishes come true at this moment.

At second thought, I feel like going against my mother and ignoring Anna's presence by venting my anger on my father.

"Anna, when did you begin work with Aidan?" He asks Anna, jerking me out of my reverie.

"A few days ago, sir", Anna answers calmly.

"What happened to Chloe?"

"Clumsy as always. I sacked her when she made me lose the deal with one of my clients", I lie.

"Which of your clients?" He asks with curiosity. I know he might offer to help if I tell him but I am not interested. I only need one help from him and I am going to get it whether he likes it or not. I feel entitled to it already.

"You don't know him. Can we see in private?"

"I was about to ask the same thing", he says. I know what he wants to talk to me about. I have not been picking up his calls as always.

"Anna, you should go wait for me in the car", I instruct her.

"What? Why can't she stay in the living room while we talk upstairs?" Father suggests.

Father is trying to play smart. He wants to have Anna close by so I won't be able to shout at him when we are alone like I always do.