MATTHEW
After more than twelve years away, my uncle Harry Smith was finally coming back home, and my grandfather was throwing a ball to honour his return.I didn't really care because very soon, I would have a bigger celebration of my own.Dressed in a black velvet suit and trousers, my white shirt spoke volumes, and it made my rich maroon velvet bow tie stand out. i looked at the mirror, and I saw a man ready to command attention at the ball, i was a vision of sophistication.Entering the beautifully decorated arena a few minutes later, I observed men coming in, dressed in tuxedos, each accompanied by a woman in their arms. The ladies wore elegant evening gowns, their makeup meticulously applied, and their hair impeccably styled.Surprisingly, I was remarkably calm. A year ago, this situation would have sent me into a panic. My grandfather had declared that ninety percent of his shares in all his companies would be transferred to my uncle if he was able to get married before his thirty-fourth birthday. Despite the anticipation and rumours, no news of Harry's engagement or marriage had surfaced, so I knew I would soon succeed my grandfather. I would soon be in charge of a multi-million business empire.My father was a product of an illicit affair my grandfather had with his wife's best friend, Megan Rock.Megan Rock, my grandmother had seduced my grandfather, and nine months later, my father was born. Because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, my father got their maid pregnant while still in high school, and voilà, I was born.I didn't know much about Harry Smith, and since he was no longer standing between my grandfather's wealth and me, I was open to seeing him. I took my seat at the closest table, and not long after, I heard the voice of Jim Moore, my grandfather's trusted Personal Assistant. He announced the presence of my grandfather and his wife, and a round of applause followed. The pair walked over to their reserved seat, and my uncle was announced."....Put your hands together as we welcome Harry Smith," Jim said.A tall, slim man walked in and shook hands with Jim. He was a remarkably handsome man. Harry Smith combined the features of my grandfather and his former supermodel mother beautifully. He smiled and waved and took his seat beside his father.The rest of the celebration went on smoothly.The following morning, I woke up to an email calling for a board meeting. As I prepared for the meeting, I had a feeling I would be named the director of the 'Smith and Smith group of companies'. While the rest of the board waited for the arrival of my grandfather. My nonchalant father was not present. He was probably somewhere in a yacht or a luxury hotel in the company of a supermodel or social media influencer.My father was the typical example of an entitled person. He spent money recklessly and couldn't be bothered to work for it. His father was a billionaire, and that was enough for him.My grandfather finally arrived in the company of his PA and Harry, my uncle. I have been the one working and toiling for the company, so I waited with a smile, my celebratory champagne already cooling off in a refrigerator in my office."I have some important information I need to pass to the board," my grandfather said.I nod smiling, 'this was my moment ', I thought to myself.Stephen's voice, though firm, carried a tremor of emotion. "i am so happy to have worked with all of you. And i hope you will give the next director the same support you have given me all these years. Effective immediately i will be stepping down from the helm of this company, a legacy I built with each and every one of you. it's time for a new chapter." Stephen paused. Everyone listened intensely.He gestured towards Harry, who sat beside him, I could see the genuine pride on my grandfather's face, "With immense faith, I introduce your new Director – Harry Smith.""I hope the same support you have given me will now be extended to the new Director of this company," Stephen said.Thunderous applause erupted, echoing in the boardroom. All eyes turned to Harry, who rose, a shy smile gracing his lips. As he addressed the board, i looked at his lips moving, but i wasn't listening anymore. I was angry. Frozen in shock, I felt the weight of the announcement hanging heavily in the air.I couldn't believe it. My grandfather had picked his son over me.Surrounded by an atmosphere charged with suppressed rage, I realized every calculated move I had made, every dedication to the company, was tailored for this very moment – to inherit the legacy my grandfather had painstakingly built. Now, my dreams lay shattered, replaced by the foundation of another.My blood pounded relentlessly, drowning out the congratulatory messages and backslaps Harry received. A bitter taste lingered in my mouth as our eyes met, and at that moment, a battle line was drawn.The air hung heavy in the boardroom.I got up abruptly, "Grandpa, this is unacceptable," I blurted out, rising abruptly from my seat. My voice, usually composed and measured, trembled with suppressed anger."How can this be?" I continued, ignoring the surprised stares of the board members. "I thought Uncle Harry's 'grace period' ended last year. You promised..."My grandpa, looking disappointed and frustrated, raised his hand, telling me to stop before I could say more. "Matthew," he said, sounding firm but tired, "let's talk about this at home. It's not good to share our family problems in front of others."Then, he turned and gave me a serious look before taking Uncle Harry out of the room. The door closed behind them, and I was left alone in the quiet room.The celebratory atmosphere had vanished. I felt robbed. I needed an explanation as to why my uncle was announced as the person taking over Grandfather's companies instead of me.The wait for dinner felt like an eternity. I paced my room, each hour stretching into an agonizing minute. Every tick of the clock mocked my shattered dreams and shattered trust. To numb the sting, I poured myself a glass of wine, then another, the warmth doing little to soothe the turmoil within.When I got to the house, they were already seated. My grandfather's wife was seated beside him while he was at his position at the head of the table. I was surprised to see my father at the table. My mother was probably somewhere in a luxurious hotel nursing a champagne flute enjoying the wealth she gold dug herself into by giving birth to me.I noticed my uncle was not in attendance, 'it's best', I thought to myself. I needed to air my grievances to my grandfather, and it was best that my uncle was not around to hear it.After the desert was finished, I knew it was time to speak, "Grandpa, you gave Harry up to the end of last year to get himself a wife or forfeit the company. You gave him two years to do so, and he failed to do that. I have been here slaving for you while everyone else enjoys the wealth, "I stated.My grandfather was quiet, so I continued,"I thought you were a man of your word. Is it because I am a product of your bastard's son's fling with the maid? "I asked.He cleared his throat and looked up at me, Stephen Smith was a handsome man even for his age. At seventy three, he looked like a man in his late fifties." I keep telling you to observe more than you talk," Stephen said and sank back into the chair.My father got up and walked out, I wasn't surprised that he walked out. He had never cared or ever stood up for me.Paris Smith, my grandfather's wife, practically raised me alongside my uncle, her son, until things took a different turn for her."Your uncle is married," my grandfather said."What did you say?"I asked."They will both be with us shortly. They were supposed to be part of this dinner, "he said calmly.I couldn't believe my ears. A thousand questions ran through my mind. When did he get married?Who did he get married to?How long have they been married?How long did my grandfather know?I heard footsteps, and I turned to see my uncle walk in."Good evening Dad, Good evening Mom," he greeted."Hello Matthew", He said to me as he took a seat beside his mother."Where is this beautiful wife of yours, we are all eager to see her," my grandfather said, I could hear the eagerness in his voice."She was taking a call, she will be with us shortly," Uncle Harry said. A few seconds after, footsteps approached,"Here she is," Harry said.I looked up and in walked Anastasia.ANASTASIAAfter three long years, Matthew hadn't changed a bit. He was still very handsome. Those once captivating blue eyes, which I used to get lost in now, looked at me with so much surprise.As I stood before him, uncertainty gripped me. I hadn't known how I would feel seeing him again after i ran just hours before our wedding. Yet seeing him made all the feelings to return.The scent of him brought back a lot of memories, I remembered the times I ran my fingers through his beautiful hair. For years, the only way I kept tabs on him was reading about him from gossip columns in magazines, social media, and financial magazines.Standing just a few feet away, the truth hit me – I was still in love with him. He had this sophistication and sexiness that made me giddy and wet. Dressed in a navy blue tuxedo, he exuded timeless elegance, a sight that made my heart ache."Anastasia," he whispered as he stared into my eyes."What is she doing here?"Matthew asked as he sprang to his feet. "I
ANASTASIA "Anastasia," I heard my name again. I opened my eyes and found Harry in my room."I am sorry," he mumbled and quickly walked out. I sat up and wiped the beads of sweat that had dripped all over my body. "It was a dream," I whispered to myself.Feeling aroused and a little bit ashamed, I descended from the bed and made my way to the bathroom. Glancing at the wall clock, I realized I had overslept; it was already eight o'clock. I ran a warm bath, adding my rose-scented shower gel and a few drops of my favourite essential oils. I removed my nightwear and slipped into the bathtub.An hour later, I was dressed and seated at the dining table, ready for breakfast. The maid, Maria, who had introduced herself earlier, informed me that Harry was in a virtual meeting and would be joining me soon. I wasn't looking forward to seeing him, not after what had just happened that morning in my bedroom. "Why did he even come into my bedroom without my permission?" I mumbled to myself. I sett
ANASTASIA The man in the grey suit sat and listened attentively throughout my interview. A subtle smile was on his lips. After the interview, as I left the building, my mind replayed the entire encounter, the questions, my answers, and most prominently, the mysterious Mr. Grey Suit. Reaching home, I found Mia laying down on the couch with a tub of popcorn balanced on her lap. "So, how was it?" Mia asked. "How did the interview go? Did you wow them with your HR expertise?"I sat down on the opposite end of the couch, i sighed and looked up at Mia. "I think I might have… stuck my foot in my mouth," I confessed, I narrated my entire interaction with the handsome stranger.Mia's eyes widened in surprise. "You told him to go home and change because he looked too rich?" She asked and started laughingShe laughed so hard tears started flowing from her eyes. "Oh, Anastasia! What were you thinking?"I buried my face in a throw pillow, mortified. "I don't know! i was so nervous and looked
HARRY The second Matthew said, "What is she doing here?", I knew there was some serious baggage between him and Anastasia. My parents looked at each other and I could see that there was a lot I didn't know. After Matthew walked out, I became even more confused. "Why did it have to be her?", My Dad muttered, "I don't understand," I said. Mom, ever the voice of reason, dropped a bombshell. "Son," she said gently, " didn't you know that Anastasia was engaged to Matthew? Your nephew." My jaw hit the floor. I whipped my head around to look at Anastasia, expecting some kind of explanation. But she wouldn't meet my gaze. The revelation hung heavy in the air, adding another layer to the already suffocating silence. The air grew thick with tension, and the car ride back home stretched into an eternity. I kept stealing glances at Anastasia, hoping she'd finally break the silence and explain everything. But she didn’t, I finally spoke up, "why didn't you tell me that you were once e
ANASTASIA My makeup artist had just finished my makeup, and very soon, I would be walking down the aisle. It all seemed like a dream, Matthew Smith would be my husband. I couldn't believe I would be marrying the most eligible bachelor. I just couldn't contain my joy as I gazed at my reflection in the mirror. My engagement to Matthew had been on gossip blogs and magazines. It was a very romantic engagement. We had attended the Super Bowl together, and just as the halftime started, the camera landed on us, and I turned to Matthew, and there he was with a beautiful diamond ring. I accepted it with a continuous "yes." I had come into my hotel room to speak with Matthew. "In an hour, you'll be mine," Matthew had said, and I just couldn't wait. After talking to Matthew on the phone, I sprawled out on the bed and fantasised about our honeymoon. Images of us making love on the beach sent shivers down my spine, I was going to make sweet love to Matthew, and I just couldn't wait for the w