Chapter 4: Curiouser and Curiouser
674 Words
Robert Plant’s voice exploded into the room without warning, slamming straight into the girl’s eardrums — which were particularly sensitive to loud, and especially unexpected, sounds.
"Ah-ah, ah!
Ah-ah, ah!"
—from Immigrant Song.
Anastasia stared at the Boss in stunned silence. That ringtone choice was so wildly unexpected it knocked her off balance.
Alex had always reminded her of the kind of music that played in coffee shops or shopping malls — neutral, melodic, modern, and vaguely attractive… but shallow, soulless, and completely lacking individuality.
And now — Led Zeppelin?
Meanwhile, the Boss wasn’t rushing to pick up. He was hesitating. Clearly.
Out of curiosity, Anastasia glanced at the screen.
Father.
"Yes."
(Pause.)
"I’m busy."
(Pause.)
"I remember, but today’s impossible…"
(Pause.)
"Yes, I promised, but you know the new cream line launches next week. I practically live at the office."
Wait… seriously?
Anastasia suddenly realized she couldn’t actually recall a single day when the Boss had left before her.
Alex kept talking.
"I’m telling the truth! Why would I make this up? I’ve told you a hundred times — she exists!"
At that moment, the Boss — who’d apparently forgotten all about Anastasia standing in the room — suddenly turned his gaze back to her.
Quick. Direct. A little predatory.
His expression shifted ever so subtly.
First — a slow scan from head to toe.
Then — a slight lift of the eyebrows, as if he were weighing something.
And finally — his face lit up like he’d just found exactly what he was looking for.
"Yes, yes. Of course I’m here… Fine, I’ll introduce you to her… tomorrow."
The Boss threw another strange look at Anastasia. She was liking this attention less and less, and crossed her arms over her chest like a makeshift barrier.
"Yes, Dad… I promise. This time for real. I won’t disappear or flake out.
In fact — she’s in my office right now.
Ahahah, yes, right this second…"
Alex quickly tapped something on his screen and added, "If you’d like to keep working here, walk over to me and, very warmly and clearly, say something like: ‘Hello, it’s me.’"
He pressed another button, raised his voice, and spoke into the phone:
"Sweetheart, say hello to my father. You know how eager he is to meet you…"
Anastasia froze.
Alex pulled a grimace and muttered under his breath, "Now."
On legs made of jelly, she stepped closer and, in a voice that sounded absolutely foreign even to herself, squeaked:
"Hiiiii, Mr. West Senior…"
A voice on the other end replied — quietly, but distinctly:
"I can’t believe it… You actually exist?"
"Of course, Mr. West. I’m… Anastasia?"
She said her name like a question, realizing mid-sentence she was probably saying more than she was supposed to.
She threw a panicked glance at Alex, but he just smiled serenely and nodded approvingly.
Then he shifted the phone to the other ear, and she could no longer hear what the father was saying.
"No, not a model. An intern… Yes, Dad… Uh-huh… Absolutely! I love her."
Anastasia’s ears popped. Or her brain snapped. Or maybe something cracked inside. Possibly all three at once.
Did he just say… ‘I love her’?
Has he lost his damn mind?!
But the Boss was still at it — hammering nails into the coffin of her sanity:
"You’ll see for yourself. She’s… um… redheaded.
She’s… fine.
Posture? Yeah… she’s got posture!
Come on, Dad — what more do you want? I’m telling you — I’m head over heels."
Anastasia felt her face go through every known shade of humiliation:
from pale pink — mild embarrassment, to full-on burgundy — please bury me alive.
Alex, meanwhile, ended the call without even a “bye” — exactly how you’d expect from someone with a cover-model face and a lawsuit personality.
He set the phone down, rose slowly, and looked at her like she wasn’t a person at all — just a new bullet point on his schedule.
"It’s official now.
You’re my fiancée."
- Writer
