Playing with Fire

Chapter 56 - Busted

Charlotte's POV

When we came back from our honeymoon, a surprise was waiting for us in our penthouse. Anastasia was waiting for us here, and she looked angry.

"Mom? What are you doing here?" Alex asked, puzzled as we approached his mother.

"Do you want to tell me anything?" She asked dryly, ignoring Alex's question.

"What?" Alex asked her, puzzled and turned his gaze from her to me. I shrugged my shoulders, confused.

"I know you lied to us about your relationship. You two fooled everyone because Alex could get his inheritance." Anastasia stated firmly and gave us a disappointed look.

I gulped nervously and looked at Alex, panicked while he was staring at his mother, frozen, his face pale.

He cleared his throat, clenching his fist, and asked, trying to control his voice as much as possible. "Who told you this?"

"Rebecca. By the way, she looks forward to being with you as soon as you get your inheritance." Anastasia replied bitterly.

"Damn it!" Alex cursed under his breath while his muscles tensed.

"You disappointed me so much, Alex." His mother commented, shaking her head.

"Mom, it isn't..."

"Stop lying, Alex!" Anastasia exclaimed angrily, cutting him off.

"Mom, please let me explain. Yes, it started like this. I didn't have another choice; you know about my grandpa's blackmail. I couldn't lose our company." Alex sighed, running his hand through his hair. "But everything changed. Charlotte and I love each other. We don't pretend anymore." Alex confessed honestly as he held my hand and looked at me, full of love in his eyes.

"Alex is right, Anastasia. I and Alex are in love. We got married because we love each other, not because of the inheritance." I reassured her.

She looked at us, thinking. "Fine. I will decide what to do with you two later. Till that, I won't take my eyes off you." She stated firmly.

"What?" Alex asked, puzzled.

"I decided to stay with my son and daughter-in-law for a while." She informed us, giving us a devilish smirk.

"What?!" Alex exclaimed, dumbfounded.

"Alex, what is going on with you? You repeat this word like a parrot." She smirked wickedly.

***

It had been two weeks since Anastasia came to stay with us. She had been keeping her eyes on us as she told us; it felt like there was the paparazzi on our tail.

Today I had a photoshoot early this morning. Once I finished it, I received a message from Alexis that his mother would be home late this evening and suggested meeting up in our penthouse, promising a mind-blowing evening.

When I walked into the penthouse, I bumped into Anastasia. She was about to leave.

"Honey, it is good you arrived early. Join me; I am going shopping." She suggested warmly.

"No, I can't. Sorry.... I don't feel good." I lied, ruffling my hair.

"What happened? Do you want me to call a doctor?" She asked, concerned, resting her hand on my arm.

"No, don't worry. Just my stomach is uneasy. Nothing to worry about." I gave her a reassuring smile while feeling guilty about lying to her, but I didn't have another choice. If I told her Alex was coming home early, she would stay with us.