Chapter 7

• ANASTASIA’S POV
• "Yes, Athena, I’m in my office. You can come by," I replied, signing off on a stack of documents on my desk. "Just ensure you’re here before 4 PM—I have business to attend to after that."
• "Oh, I’ll be there in an hour. Don’t miss me too much," Athena said cheerfully on the other end of the line.
• I chuckled dryly. "You wish."
• As I set the phone back on the desk, my secretary walked in, balancing yet another stack of files in her arms. I sighed inwardly. Managing a family furniture business as a front for our real operations was both a blessing and a curse. The endless paperwork tied to both businesses? Definitely a curse.
• "They just never end, do they?" I said sarcastically, glancing at Ruth as she placed the files neatly on my desk. She gave me a polite smile, one I imagined she had reserved for all my complaints.
• "You have a meeting at 2 o’clock, and you need to be at the other warehouse by 4," she said, her voice calm and professional as she ticked items off her iPad. "Also, your mother called. She said she has been trying to reach you all morning."
• "A meeting at 2?" I asked, frowning. I tried to remember if I had scheduled anything for that time.
• "Yes," Ruth replied, her voice a little hesitant. "Someone from the Russo family business called earlier. They said their boss is coming over, and it’s non-negotiable. He’s already on his way."
• I leaned back in my chair, a wicked smirk tugging at my lips. "The Russos, huh?"
• "Yes, ma’am."
• "Send him up when he arrives," I said, picking up my pen to return to the work on my desk. Ruth stood there for a moment, waiting, unsure if I had more to say.
• "Will that be all, Ruth?" I asked without looking up, my eyes scanning the document in front of me.
• "Yes, ma’am. "I’ll take my leave now," she said as she hurriedly exited the office.
• About 40 minutes into working on the stack of files, a soft knock echoed against my office door before someone opened it. He was here.
• I didn’t need to look up; I already knew who it was. His presence was unmistakable as he took firm and deliberate steps, announcing himself with each stride. He had this aura, heavy and commanding, like a weight pressing down on the air around me. I could feel his intense and unrelenting gaze.
• "You!" he growled, his voice low and charged as he stopped at the opposite end of my desk.
• I finally looked up, my expression unreadable as I took him in. His all-black ensemble—a tailored suit over a crisp shirt—was perfectly fitted, emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean frame. His jet-black hair was slicked back, not a strand out of place. If we weren’t sworn enemies, I might’ve found him attractive.
• Leaning back in my chair, I gestured casually to the seat opposite me. "Mr. Russo," I said coolly, my tone laced with indifference. "To what do I owe this... unexpected visit?"
• Nolan didn’t sit. Instead, he leaned on the back of the chair, his stance casual but firm, exuding authority. "I’ve been having trouble with one of your borders. My shipments are being held up, and your people are refusing to grant passage. I’m here to resolve the issue."
• My lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Oh, I’m aware of the situation. And I’m afraid granting you entrance isn’t in my best interest at the moment."
• His brow furrowed, his calm demeanor beginning to crack. "Your best interest? This isn’t personal, Anastasia. It’s business."
• I leaned back further into my chair, crossing my legs and folding my arms. "Everything is personal, Nolan. Especially in our world. Your business activities have the potential to disrupt my operations, and frankly, I’m not inclined to take that risk."
• He took a deep breath, his voice steady but tinged with irritation. "This isn’t about risk, and you know it. It’s about control. You’re using this to gain the upper hand."
• "And if I am? Isn’t that what you’d do in my position? Let’s not pretend we play by different rules, Nolan," I said, my tone sharp and challenging.
• For a moment, he simply stared at me, his dark eyes studying every detail of my expression. Then, he finally lowered himself into the chair, his movements slow and deliberate. "What’s it going to take to get your cooperation?"
• "Simple," I said, my voice deceptively sweet. "Agree to the terms of the marriage. Put an end to this charade and spare me the daily lectures from my mother. She calls incessantly, as if I don’t already know I have no choice in this. Do that first, and then we can work out an agreement."
• His eyes narrowed, his calm exterior giving way to a flicker of surprise. "That’s what this is about? Getting your mother off your fucking back?!"
• I leaned forward, my tone sharp and cutting. "Don’t mistake my motives for desperation. I’m tired of wasting energy on something that’s already decided. You and I both know this marriage is happening whether we like it or not. So why drag it out?"
• Nolan leaned back in his chair, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "You’re something else, Anastasia."
• "And you’re not as composed as you’d like people to believe," I countered, my lips curving into a smirk.
• The tension between us was palpable; the air in the room was thick with unspoken challenges. Neither of us was willing to back down as our dominant personalities clashed.
• "Fine," Nolan said, his voice cold and calculated as he stood, buttoning his suit jacket. "I’ll agree to this bullshit arrangement. But make no mistake, Anastasia, I’ll do everything in my power to make your life a living hell."
• I stood as well, my expression hard and unyielding. "And I’ll be doing the same, Nolan."
• As he turned to leave, I called after him. "Oh, and Nolan?"
• He paused at the door, glancing back with a glare that could cut glass. "What?"
• "Next time you come into my office, make an appointment."
• His jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he turned on his heel and slammed the door behind him.
• As the door clicked shut, I sank back into my chair, exhaling a breath I hadn’t realized I had been holding. The battle lines were drawn, and this was only the beginning.
• The heated exchange between Nolan, and I was still replaying in my mind when my office door swung open again, pulling me out of my thoughts.
• "Okay, spill," Athena said as she strolled in, planting her hands on her hips. "Who was that gorgeous man I passed by in the hallway? The tall, dark, and broody one? Girlllll, I need details."
• "Athena, don’t start," I said as I rolled my eyes at her.
• She ignored me and flopped into the chair Nolan was sitting in moments ago. "Don’t start? Anna, are you kidding me? That man looked like he just stepped off a high-budget action movie set. Who is he? A client? A secret lover? A hitman? Spill!" She said as she leaned forward with mischief glinting in her eyes.
• I groaned as I pinched the bridge of my nose. "He’s none of those things."
• She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Then why do you look like you’ve been sparring with a wild animal? And why do you sound so… annoyed?"
• "Because he’s…" I paused, hating the words that were about to leave my mouth. "He’s supposed to be my so-called fiancé."
• Athena froze before she burst into laughter. "No way! Hold on a minute, you mean to tell me THAT smoking-hot guy is THE Nolan Russo? Oh, this just keeps getting better."
• "It’s not funny," I said, though she looked like she was having so much fun with my predicament.
• "Are you kidding, Anna? It’s hilarious! You, of all people, being with someone like him? He definitely looks like trouble, but at least he’s the kind of trouble that’s easy on the eyes. Great taste, Anna."
• I gave her a flat look. "Uhm, did you forget that this whole thing was orchestrated by my parents?"
• She waved me off with a grin. "Details. Tell me everything."
• I sighed as I leaned into my chair, "There’s nothing romantic about this, Athena. It’s a business merger—plain and simple. Also, if you must know, he just threatened to make my life a living hell."
• Her grin widened as she raised an eyebrow. "Now that sounds promising. I’m sure you’ll give as good as you get."
• "You can bet on it." At least we can both agree on one thing.
• "Damn," she said with a playful smirk, "now I have to start planning for the wedding."
• "Don’t get ahead of yourself, sweetheart, he hasn’t even agreed to the godforsaken arrangement," I shot back.
• She laughed, leaning back into her chair. "Fine, fine. But you’ve got to admit, this is pretty juicy. You—the ice queen of business—matched with the king of chaos? What a great day to be alive!"
• I shook my head with a sigh. "This isn’t a fairy tale, Athena. It’s a nightmare, and you know it."
• "Sure, sure," she said, waving me off. "But admit it—it’ll be fun watching you two have a go at each other. Honestly, I’m here for it."
• I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the small smile creeping onto my lips. Athena always had a way of making even the most frustrating situations seem a little less serious. That’s one of the reasons why I valued her friendship so much.
• Just then, my secretary stepped into the office, interrupting the moment. "Ma’am, it’s time for your other business. Everyone is waiting downstairs."
• I glanced at her and nodded, grabbing my bag. "Thank you."
• Athena stood up from the chair, smoothing her skirt. "It’s time for some real business, huh?”
• "You already know it," I said with a smirk on my face. It’s finally time to do what I enjoy.
• "Be safe, sweetheart," she said with a wink as she headed for the door.
• As she left, I stood from my chair to arrange my things in my bag and headed for the door. I was ready to face the people who thought they could mess with my business and get away with it. Being a woman in this business gives room for men to underestimate me, and I loved it.
• It was always satisfying to let my inner demons out to play when they dared to cross me.