Chapter 2
____________________
ANASTASIA
My phone vibrates from beneath my pillow. I groan, flopping onto the other side of the bed whilst I attempt to fish it out from beneath the satin covers.
What the hell?
I grimace at the sound of fart noises blasting out of my phone in the tune of lover by Taylor Swift.
Fuck, Demetri. That’s the last time I let him use my phone to supposedly email his tutor.
I hit the button beside my bed and stretch awake as the sight of a rainy New York City comes to light. Violent pellets of rain fire down above me, pinging off the sky light window above .
My legs ache as I swing them off the bed, the muscles still sore from the 8-mile run I completed yesterday. Still, I choose to wear blood red heels that compliment the black dress that clings to my body like cellophane.
It’s almost seven by the time I finally reach the lobby and find my bodyguard, Declan, waiting for me with an umbrella. I tilt my head in slight acknowledgement and he does the same, cementing that silent air of understanding that lingers between us. One of the reasons why I hired him.
I slide into the car just as my phone vibrates in my hand. A smile muses on my lips as I click on the notification, finding a picture of Isla with our parents and Demetri on her first day Ravenswood.
Nero must have taken it from the way Isla is glaring tragically at the camera and when I zoom in, I find that same flag with the school crest embroidered on, still waving as high as it did on my first day there.
***
“Not another one mom.” She hands her phone to another parent, instructing them on how to take the picture.
My dad squeezes my side. “Just smile and go along with it, bunny. Your mom is struggling to let you go.”
“Shouldn’t I be the one freaking out? ”
He laughs, and I realize it’s the last time I’ll hear that sound for a while. The thought strikes a nerve, causing a strange unease to settle in my stomach. “You’re stronger than us, Anastasia. I thought you knew that by now.” The sincerity in his tone takes me aback.
There’s no-one stronger than my parents. The way they face life is effortless, cruising through at a steady pace unnerved, despite all the shit that’s thrown at them.
“Okay smile guys,” My mom rushes over to us, hooking her arm around my waist on the opposite side. We wait until the camera flashes a few times before breaking the pose.
I stare at my new home for the next few years, bar from summers of course. The entire place is built like a medieval castle with a flag hanging high from one of the spiraled towers. Already parents are beginning to leave, teary eyed and proud, as their kids wander into the school with a wide-eyed curiosity as if they’re entering a new world.
Me? I’m already thinking up a million ways to fit myself at the top of the hierarchy.
As a Romano, I’m guessing I’m pretty up there already but still, it’s not enough until everyone knows my reputation, not just my family’s.
I want Anastasia Romano to be a name that directs fear into their hearts and from the looks of the docile does wandering in, I’ll be running this school by Christmas .
“Please try and make some friends, Stasia.” My mom hugs me so tight it chokes the air out of my lungs. “I know you prefer being alone but friends are what will make this feel like home.”
“I don’t need friends.” People under my command sure, but friends? A waste of time.
“Yes I know but you can be harsh sometimes, baby. Not everyone can handle that sort of directness.” People need to grow a backbone. “If you ever need us, we’re just a phone call away.”
“Princess let her breathe,” My dad drags me away from my mom, only to crush me in his own grip.
“You both need to learn how to hug.” I mumble. He chuckles, pressing a kiss against my temple. “Smart ass.” I smile. “Don’t be afraid to come home. If you don’t like it, then that’s fine.”
“I know dad, I will.” The chance of that was very low. Even if I hated it by all margins, I would never back down from a challenge.
They both smother me with one final hug, peppering my face with wet kisses. I don’t fight it — let them have their fun. “I’ll be fine.” I reassure them as they hesitate walking back to the car.
Waving them off, I sigh and turn back to face the colossal building before me.
Seriously, what’s the worst thing that could happen at a private boarding school?
They run out of caviar? My socks aren’t pressed properly?
I snort out loud at my own jokes, faltering in my steps as I feel a pair of strong eyes on me. Glancing to my right, I notice someone watching me. They avert their gaze away, messy hair hanging over their face so I can’t get a good look, but I swear I see a hint of a smile.
Whatever. I look forward, adjusting my hair to make sure all the strands fall straight down my back.
Then I step forward, ready for whatever comes next.
***
My assistant, Adrian, comes racing forward with hot coffee. I wince as the black liquid almost sloshes over the side.
“Sorry Miss Romano, the queue at the shop was terrible. The cream cheese bagel is already on your desk.” “It’s fine.” I mutter, desperate for a sip of the strong liquid. “Did you reschedule the Japan meeting?”
“Yes and the jet will be available for next Thursday.” He hesitates for a moment whilst I blow across the steaming cup. “Also, Hopkin’s daughter is getting married. I left the invitation on your desk.”
“He’s just being polite. No-one wants the boss at the wedding, trust me. Decline it.” Passing rows of offices, I make sure to nod to whoever seems brave enough to meet my gaze. We step inside the elevator and I hit the button for the top floor. “ There’s a retirement party for Jenny Marsden down in marketing—”
“I’ll go. I’ve always liked her and so do my parents.”
“Plus one?” I shoot him a scathing look and he quickly averts his gaze, pretending to be busy on his tablet instead. “Oh and your Aunt Emery called ahead about using the Dumont hotel for your grandparent’s anniversary party.”
“Clear it with Heather, but it should be fine. Tell Emery if she needs to use the party planner—”
“Already done.” I nod, feeling my mind ease a little.
My heels clack against the floor as I race towards the office. I’m already off schedule by fifteen minutes, thank you to whoever was stupid enough to crash their car on fifth avenue.
“Jas is in there.”
I halt in my steps, fighting the angry twitch that threatens on my lips. “Why didn’t you start with that?” Adrian cowers slightly and for a moment I consider firing him, before remembering that the only reason his unqualified ass is still hired is as a favor to my grandmother. And she just happens to be one of my favorite people in this world.
Breathe, Anastasia. I replay Calista’s words inside my head, closing my eyes until the anger subsides.
“Get some work done Adrian.” I don’t bother to look back at him, as I head straight into my office.
I have to brace myself for Jas’ overly energetic personality this early in the morning, yet as I step inside, nobody rushes over to gush about their latest fuck buddy or to curse me out for refusing to go clubbing last Friday.
Instead, I find my best friend lounging across the sofa. Her head hangs back, traipsing thick black hair down the sofa arm and letting the rising sun cast a warm glow across her rich caramel skin. A forlorn expression troubles her face, giving rise to this urge inside of me to protect her.
“What happened?” She’s never this quiet. Even at her grandmother’s funeral, she was babbling shit to me throughout the entire procession even as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Setting my coffee on the desk, I make way to sit beside her, forcing her to shuffle her legs up. “I’m sorry.” She hands me a paper file. I frown as I flip it open, quickly reading over the contents.
What the hell?
I quickly go over it again, feeling the heat of anger beginning to blister inside of me like a hot furnace. “Is this asshole serious?” She nods groggily. I sigh, pushing my coffee into her hands.
Honestly, she looks like she needs it more.
“I was up all night talking to his asshat of a lawyer, trying to determine a peaceful solution but no. He wants to take his chances in court. Oh, and he’s already been talking to a bunch of news channels.”
I groan. The last thing I need is some dick who wants his five minutes of fame by dragging my company’s name .
“It was clear insubordination, Jas. He was supposed to be training temps, but instead he spent the time telling them how his boss is a nepo-bitch that needs a good fuck. Not to mention that he was caught spreading rumors about the company and slandering his own workplace. He’s just upset because I embarrassed him when I sent his ass packing. I swear I saw tears in his eyes as he ran out.”
“He probably did say all that shit, but he’s claiming he was wrongfully dismissed and the way you spoke to him damaged his mental health. He wants a million for compensation.”
“Fuck that!” One million is chump change in my world but there’s no way I’m giving him the satisfaction of getting that money.
“He says you overreacted to a few brief comments about the way the company is being run but he’s dismissing the insubordination.”
“I overreacted?” I scoff. “Of course I did. Men can only react to situations, but women always overreact.”
“I’m so sorry.” Wait, is this why she was so upset?
I breathe out a sigh of relief, thankful that she’s not actually hurt. “Jas this isn’t your fault.”
“I’m your lawyer, okay. I’m supposed to fix this stuff without bothering you but I just…I’m trying to work a loophole without having to go to court, but it looks like this is going to be a really shitty public trial. ”
“Hey, it’s fine. Let him embarrass himself some more. You’ll destroy his asshat of a lawyer in five minutes. I know you can.”
She smiles, finally relaxing a little as she sips my coffee. “Also Palo is being a real dick again.” I laugh, listening to her rant whilst I finish off a few work emails.
“Just find a new fuck buddy, Jas.” I say, once she’s finally done. “He’s getting lazy and taking you for granted.”
“But he’s just so hot.” She whines, reminding me of how attached she was to the fantasy of fucking our business teacher at Ravenswood.
Jas and I met at the esteemed boarding school. Though I tried to shake her off for months, she was adamant about becoming my friend, even going as far as to look past my bitchy attitude and not taking all the insults I threw at her to heart. Yet eventually, I got used to her company — I even began to enjoy it.
Her loyalty is why I hired her as my personal and company lawyer, despite all the backlash I received from the board. They’re a bunch of misogynists that can’t accept women in the workplace.
Anyways, I figured if she could handle me, then she could handle the rest of the sharks out there. The phone on my desk begins to ring .
Sighing, I hand Jas my computer and lean across the desk to answer it. Adrian teeters nervously on the other line. “Uh Miss Romano, was there a board meeting scheduled for today?”
I frown, knowing my weekly schedule off by heart. “No. Why? What’s going on?”
“Well Rutherford, Lawrence, Harrison…they’re all here. They’re sitting in the boardroom greeting each other. What should I do?”
What the…breathe Anastasia .
I try to inhale through my nose but end up slamming the phone down.
Fuck breathing. Those traitors.
Jas watches me carefully like I’m an animal about to turn rabid. “Stasia, what happened?”
I grip the desk, forcing back the need to scream despite how much it burns the back of my throat. “A fucking mutiny.”