Chapter 5
1059 Words
The Stranger in the house
The soft knock on her door broke her focus. She turned, smoothing down her dress. “Come in.”
Robert stepped inside, his hands in his pockets. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing the slight tan of his forearms, and his tie was nowhere in sight.
“Thought I’d check in,” he said, leaning against the doorframe. “You’ve been hiding up here since lunch.”
Mia crossed her arms, leaning back against the s window. "Needed some time to decompress. Your family does have a way of draining the life out of a person."
Robert chuckled. "You handled them well. Charlotte was just about salivating at the chance to trip you up, but you didn't give her the satisfaction.
"She's pitiless," Mia said. "I nearly feel sorry for people that have to deal with her daily."
"Don't," Robert said, with a grin. "She feasts on it."
Mia smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. He caught this and c****d his head.
"Something on your mind?"
She wavered before shrugging. "It's nothing."
"Come on," he pressed, taking a step further into the room. "You don't 'nothing' me. Spill."
Mia sighed, looking out the window again.
"It's just. I keep thinking of what happens when this is over. What's next for me? For you? This whole thing feels like walking on some tightrope, and I don't know what's waiting on the other side."
Robert watched her for a moment, his face contemplative. "You're not wrong. It is a risk, for both of us. But if we play our cards right, we both get what we want."
"And if we don't?" Mia asked, turning back to him.
"Then we deal with the fallout," he said matter of factly. "But I didn't bring you here to fail, Ava. Neither of us can afford that."
His confidence was reassuring, yet the weight of uncertainty still pressed down on Ava like physical force. Before she could respond, a sharp knock echoed through the house, followed by muffled voices in the hallway.
Robert frowned and moved closer to the door. "Stay here," he whispered, before slipping out.
Mia waited a beat, then followed, her curiosity outweighing her better judgment. She crept down the hall, keeping to the shadows until she reached the top of the grand staircase. Below, in the foyer, she saw Evelyn speaking with a tall man in a dark suit. His back was to her, but something about his stance made Ava's skin prickle.
"Marcus," Evelyn was saying, her tone clipped. "I wasn't expecting you."
"My apologies for the intrusion," the man replied, his voice smooth and cool. "But I have urgent business to discuss with you."
Evelyn's gaze flicked to the staircase, and Ava quickly stepped back, pressing herself against the wall.
"This is no conversation for the foyer," Evelyn said now, her tone low. "Come to my study."
Mia held her breath, watching the two people disappear down the hallway. Ava didn't budge until she was certain they had vanished. Then, with measured steps, not wanting the creaking floorboards to make any noise, Ava descended the stairs.
Robert was pacing in the drawing room. He turned sharply as Ava entered.
"I thought I told you to stay upstairs," he said, annoyance lacing every word.
"I'm not a child, Robert," she snapped. "What's going on?"
"Nothing you need to worry about," he said, but his tight expression gave him away.
"Don't lie to me," Mia said, taking a step closer. "Who's Marcus?"
Robert hesitated, pushing a hand through his hair. "He's. a problem."
"That's not an answer," Mia said, crossing her arms.
Robert sighed, sitting down on the edge of the couch. "Marcus is a business associate of my grandmother's. He's been sniffing around ever since I announced our engagement, trying to dig up dirt."
"Why?" Mia asked, sitting across from him.
Because if he finds something, he can use it as leverage to gain control of certain assets," Robert said. "It's all about power plays with people like him."
"And you think he'll figure out we're faking this?" Mia asked, her stomach twisting.
"Not if we're careful," Robert said. "But he's sharp. He'll be watching us closely.
Mia swallowed hard, the weight of their deception heavier than it had ever been before. "What do we do?"
"We follow through with the plan," Robert said matter-of-factly. "And we don't show him any cracks."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The next day, Marcus remained after tea, his presence a dark rain cloud over the usually spotless estate. Ava and Robert joined Evelyn in the parlor, their faces carefully neutral.
Mia," Marcus said smoothly, extending a hand to her. "I've heard so much about you."
"All good things, I hope," Ava said, shaking his hand with a practiced smile.
"Of course," Marcus said, though his eyes were sharp, calculating.
The conversation flowed, but Mia could feel Marcus' stare on her and Robert as if trying to dissect their every interaction. She leaned closer into Robert, her hand resting on his arm, and he responded by lacing his fingers through hers-their act flawless.
"So, Ava," Marcus said casually, "how are you adjusting to life here? Quite a change, I presume?".
"It is," Mia said, attempting to lighten the mood. "But Robert's been wonderful. He's made the transition much easier."
"Has he?" Marcus echoed, his lips curving into a little smile. "You two seem. awfully close."
"We are," Robert said, straight-forward and matter-of-fact. "Ava's the best thing that's ever happened to me."
Mia's cheeks flared at the words, knowing they were rehearsed. She glanced over at him, and for one second, his expression almost looked sincere.
Marcus didn't blink an eye. "Well, all the happiness in the world to you both. Though I can only imagine wedding planning and business can be tedious."
"We manage," Robert said smoothly.
Marcus's eyes were still on Mia a beat longer before coming back to rest on his tea. "Of course you do."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That night, with Marcus gone, Mia and Robert sat in the study, tension finally released.
"That man gives me the chills," Mia said, rubbing her temples.
"I hear you," Robert muttered. "But we held our ground. He didn't get anything."
"Not yet," Mia replied. "But he's watching us, Robert. He's waiting for us to slip."
"Then we won't," said Robert firmly.
- Writer
