~~Anastasia's POV ~~
I struggled to focus on work after I left Mr Lexus' office. I was restless after what had transpired and still unable to accept the fact that Mr Lexus gave me out to a stranger just because every piece of clothing he was putting on screams luxury. No matter how hard I tried to focus and push the thoughts aside, I simply couldn't. I put my hand in the pocket of my Apron and took out his card. His name was boldly written on the card -RICARDO ANTONIO- accompanied by his contact information. Confusion washed over me, I was exhausted but the thoughts won't give my mind some space. Never before have I felt so lost and without direction.
I finally concluded to put the card aside, by deciding within myself to turn his request down and never to call him.
It was finally closing time. I said my goodbyes to my colleagues as I gathered my belongings and left the restaurant, Emily was already waiting for me outside, totally aware of my meeting with Mr Lexus. I plan on telling her though, but not today.
As we both walked down the street, the light summer breeze of the street felt so good on my skin and helped me clear my thoughts as I exhaled. But not for long, as a luxurious car sped by and stopped in front of Emily and me. We were both shocked as we shared a look of questioning with each other.
A young man opened the driver's door and stepped out. He was putting on a black suit and a tie, and his black polished shoes were so clean that I could clearly see my reflection through them.
"Anastasia Texas?" He asked as he bowed his head to greet Emily and me.
"Yes.." I replied with uncertainty traced in my voice.
"I'm Mark, Mr Antonio's driver, I was sent to pick you and take you home," the man said nonchalantly like it was no big deal.
Shock, surprise, and then finally anger boiled through me. Who does he think he is?
"Well, you can go back and tell your boss that I'm not interested in whatever he has to offer," My eyes sent daggers his way, clearly passing the message that he shouldn't stress himself following me, as I stormed past him, leaving him behind. I noticed the surprise look on both the driver's and Emily's faces as she ran towards me. I wasn't even willing to entertain him, not even for a second. I couldn't understand why he would send his driver to pick me up, It was clear this man was up to no good.
"What was that for? Mark the driver? And who the hell is Mr Antonio?" Emily bombarded me with questions as I increased my pace.
I inhaled a deep breath as I explained everything to her, "One of the annoying men in a black suit that came to the restaurant this evening, I'm sure you know who I'm referring to?" I asked her.
Also included the details of what happened in Mr Lexus' office and how Mr Ricardo Antonio gave me his card to call him.
"Oh my God! Anna, you don't mean it, what does he want from you?" she asked with an expression of worry written all over her face.
"Exactly my point, look at him, and then look at me, we're not in the same class. What else would he want, if not to get in between my legs," I said in disbelief and scoffed with irritation.
"Are you planning on calling him?" Emily asked as she hit me with her shoulder.
"Not in a hundred years, I'm never calling him," I replied, but a part of me still felt the need to keep the card, don't know why, but I listened to that advice from within and decided to just keep the card and not trash it.
"You have to be very careful Anna.. what's his name again?" She asked as he dipped her hand in her bag bringing out a piece of paper and pen to write down his name.
"Antonio Ricardo," I replied.
"I will search him up on the internet."
I scoffed, clearly not interested in getting to know anything about home. We finally arrived at Emily's house, I waved her goodbye and took that same path to my house where the feeling of fear and sadness returned immediately as I stepped my foot inside the house.
"And what took you so long?" My aunt's voice interrupted me as I was just about to take off my shoes. She was standing in the shadow of the dim light. Which gave her a scary look, like a bad monster from a movie.
"Sorry ma, we had visitors today in the restaurant, and I....." but she interrupted me before I could complete my sentence.
"You better not be playing around with boys and end up like your useless mother." she scolded me, pointing out how much hatred they have for my mother. She walked toward me, away from the shadow, "Go to your room, there's no food for you in this house today, that's your punishment.." And with that, she walked back to her room as the sound of her footsteps still echoes in my ears..
I took my shoes off and made my way through the dark corridor to my room, turning the handle of my door, I stepped inside as tears streamed their way down my face. This has been my life since I started living with my aunt Jessica, the fear that I might never get to live a normal life made us cry harder..
Throughout the years, I had worked so hard for her to change her attitude toward me, but none of that worked. Up until now she still detests me, blaming me for the death of her brother, my father.
****
Darkness was hazing over me and I needed to talk to someone. I waited until my aunt and her husband left, before I quickly made my way to Emily's house. I knew she'd be at home, cause we are both on the afternoon shift today.
"Anna," Emily greeted me with a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Hi," I greeted back with the same amount of excitement. "May I come in?"
"No, remain standing outside," she sounded more enthusiastic and sarcastic at the same time as she laughed out loud, opening the door wide open for me to enter as we went straight to her room.
Emily was a few years older than me, even though her parents were lacking financially, the love in her family was all that mattered to her.
"I have a lot to say to you concerning Mr Ricardo Antonio," she hurried to get her laptop from her study table that was located on the right-hand side of her room close to the window. She sat on the bed and opened the laptop turning it on, Here it is," she handed it over to me.
The picture of Ricardo was on the screen with a history of his background and net worth.
Mr Ricardo Antonio was twenty-nine years old, from a very wealthy family from Italy, but he was born and brought up in the United Kingdom. He was an American by birth, and an Italian by nationality. That says a lot about his appearance. Known on the internet as a ruthless man in the business world, and a possessive playboy in women's world. He lost both parents at the age of four.
"His parents died in a car crash?" I asked.
"Yes, but the family believed it was a setup, that they were both murdered," Emily replied. Taking the laptop from me and then scrolling down to show me more about Ricardo. " he grew up with his grandparents since he was the only child to his parents," Emily added.
"That's so sad, who could have done that to a child, by taking his parents?" I was so shocked by the discovery I found out about Ricardo today in a span of a day.
I didn't even realize it was getting late as I was so engrossed in a conversation with Emily..
"OMG! I have to go back home now, Emily. Wish I could stay much longer," I bid her goodbye and rushed down home before anyone got back.