Anastasia Chapter 10 #2
I had enough time to take a couple of deep, steadying breaths and to situate my cell phone. Then I sat straight behind my desk. I heard them coming. When she waved them into my office, I met each of their gazes with a steady one of mine. They all appeared upset, glowering.
“Thank you, Morgana. I’ll show them out. You’re free to go,” I told her.
She dipped her chin and then walked off. Arish went to close the door. My words froze him.
“Don’t close the door. I want it left open.”
“We need privacy, and your staff doesn’t need to—” I cut off Dad.
“My staff know what you’re here for. This is my office, my rules. Either it remains open, or you leave. I’d prefer you leave anyway, but I know you’re not willing to do it until you make another useless attempt to tell me how to live my life and who I should be with.”
“I don’t appreciate this attitude of yours, Anastasia.
I’m your father. I deserve your respect, and as your elder, I’m here to guide you so that you don’t make a terrible mistake.
Your brother and I know best. Let us guide you to the best person as your life partner.
A silly attraction doesn’t make for a lasting life companion.
Compatible upbringing, morals, thoughts on the future do,” Dad stated pompously.
The three of them sat without waiting for an invitation.
“I deserve respect as an adult to decide what and who I want in my future. While I love you and Arish, our beliefs differ. I refuse to bow to yours over my own. I know what I’m doing. I’m sorry if that isn’t what the family or Sam wants, but it’s my life,” I stated firmly.
“See, Mr. Shah, it’s exactly as Arish and I said. Reign Caldwell has totally bewitched her. She cast me aside without a thought as soon as he came into the picture. Until then, we were well on our way to becoming engaged,” Sam stated.
“Engaged! You have to be joking. If not, you need your head examined. Yes, we had a few meals together. We joked and had a good time, but at no point did I agree that we were even dating, let alone headed toward engagement. That must’ve been those secret conversations you had with Arish,” I said boldly.
“Now, you listen here—” Arish barked before he was cut off.
“No, now you listen here. She knows what she wants and has told you repeatedly what that is. No matter how many times you try to walk all over her autonomy or make her change her mind, it won’t happen.
Anastasia is far too independent and strong for that.
You clearly don’t know her,” Reign said, entering my office.
Relief flooded me. I hadn’t noticed Morgana walking past to unlock the back door and leave.
Reign walked straight to stand behind my desk next to me.
He leaned over and placed a kiss on my mouth.
It wasn’t overly passionate, but it was more than a peck.
It was a claim for all to see. Then, he stepped behind my chair, placing his hands on my shoulders.
“You have no right to be here. Leave!” Dad snapped. He stood. Sam and Arish did the same.
“I have every right. She wants me here, unlike the three of you. And I’m her man. That fact gives me an added right. Jaanu, are you ready to head home?” Reign asked.
I heard their inhales as he called me Jaanu, which means beloved in Hindi. I was stunned. I had no idea he even knew that word.
“You think you can come in here, throw out one Hindi word, and that’s enough to make us approve of you?” Arish asked in disbelief.
“No, I don’t, but then again, I don’t need or want your approval.
Anastasia is the only one who counts. Apparently, you’re all dense.
She refused your calls and texts all weekend, and I have no doubt she kept doing so all day.
You haven’t been able to corner her at home, either, so you figured this is the only place you can trap her.
Do you want to talk to them more, baby?” Reign asked.
I glanced over my shoulder at him. He was staring at me with warmth in his gaze.
I faced Dad, Arish, and Sam, who were all scowling.
“No, there’s nothing more to say. I’ve made up my mind.
I won’t change it. Reign is my choice. Stop calling, texting, and showing up.
Don’t email me. Dad, Arish, if you want to have a relationship with me, then respect my decision.
As for you, Sam, I’m sorry you thought we had more than we did.
I never meant to hurt you. But you have to move on.
There are women out there who will want what you’re offering. Find one of them.
“I know you intended to act modern until we were married, then switch to reveal you’re like these two. If we’d ended up together and you did that, I would’ve divorced you. It’s time to go,” I stated firmly.
I pushed back into Reign. He pulled out my chair. I rose and pointed to the office door. Reign and I herded them to the front waiting area. Unhappy sounds were coming from all of them. When we reached it and I unlocked and opened the door, Dad stopped.
“You’ll regret this. When he breaks your heart, don’t come crawling back to us.”
“He’ll just use you,” Arish snapped.
“We’re meant to be, Stasia. You’ll see that,” Sam added.
I didn’t bother to say anything. They walked out to Dad’s car.
We remained standing there in the doorway until they left the parking lot.
Relocking the door, I turned. Reign wrapped his arms around me and hugged me as he rocked me, murmuring that it would be okay.
I let my tension ease. I prayed he was right, but my gut said otherwise.