Chapter 8

• Lila POV
• I kept quiet throughout the drive back to Armani's house. Once we got there, the driver assist me in carrying my luggage inside.
• I felt bad for Bella, I do, but it's probably for the best.
• Jenny rushed to my side the minute I entered. She must have been so worried about me.
• “Omg Lila, she called out. We were so worried about you. Did you leave because of what Charlotte said?”
• I guess she heard our conversation, and I smiled down at her.
• “No, I just got caught up at the moment and I couldn't think straight.”
• “She pats my back as if she is trying to comfort me before she told me Armani is waiting for me in his office.
• Little did I know that I just made the biggest mistake of my life.
• I went into his office and he was a different person from whom I saw yesterday.
• He looks cold that it gives me shivers. He stared down at me with his intimidating eyes, and my legs grow weak out of fear.
• “ Are you okay?” He asked, but his tone did not show an iota of care not to talk of worry.
• He looks as if he is waiting for the right moment to bash out on me, and I regret coming here immediately.
• Bella warned me. I should have listened to her, but I guess it's a little too late now.
• “You should get some rest, we will be going to my parent's house in the evening.” He declared,
• I left his office feeling worried.
• Why is he introducing me to his family? Perhaps, he wants to marry me legally. I couldn't think straight because his expression from earlier is not giving me a clue. Maybe I am just worried about nothing. Perhaps he is just having a bad day. Either way, time will tell.
• Since I've brought in my luggage, I don't need to panic about what to wear because I have plenty of them. I settled for a simple gown.
• It fits any occasion. It is a beautiful casual dress that can be used for dinner parties, dates or whatever. I choose this because of its simplicity.
• Before I knew it, Jenny is in my room saying Armani is waiting for me downstairs.
• I followed Jenny into the sitting room, where Armani was already waiting for me.
• He is dressed in a black tuxedo, which complements his perfect body. I didn't notice he had a body of an athlete until now. I was so caught up with my worries to realize how hot the man living under his roof is.
• He doesn't seem to notice my trance. He asked if I am ready the moment he spot me without giving me a second glance.
• “Are you ready?”
• “Yes.”
• Armani leads the way to his brand-new Bugatti Veyron, making me wonder how many cars he owns and what type of business he is into.
• The drive to his parent's house was silent and the only sound you can be heard is the music playing on the radio. And for some weird reasons, it gives me chills.
• We were welcomed by a number of maids running around while trying to get their job done.
• The sitting room was designed as if a party is about to hold some sort.
• What is happening? I wondered.
• A woman in her early fifties came out of nowhere and kissed Armani. Judging from the look, she must be his mother.
• They don't exactly have the same features, but they have the same hazel eyes and dark brown hair. Other than that, I didn't see any resemblance but seeing how he is being extra, I'm right.
• I was consumed with my thoughts to listen to them until I hear Armani call out my name.
• “Lila, meet my mother.”
• “Hello ma'am” I offered her a fake smile.
• “You can call me Benita, she smiled.”
• I studied her expression to see if there is anything, anything that expresses her feelings about me, but there is none.
• It is unclear to me why both mother and son have this icy look on their faces, making it hard to understand.
• They continue their chatter, leaving me to myself, and I am not even bothered.
• A man who seems to be in his mid-fifties approaches us and hugs Armani immediately.
• From the look of things, Armani looks exactly like his father. From appearance to expression, there is no slight difference; If there is any, it would be his father's face that is starting to winkle.
• They exchange pleasantries like they haven't seen each other in a while.
• “Dad, Lila here is my wife.” Armani introduced
• I feel so small and suddenly become more conscious of myself as the man stares down at me.
• “Hello Sir, I greeted.”
• “Nice choice.” He said to his son before he exists in the room.
• I am left confused by his statement.
• Nice choice?
• Does that means he likes me, or should I be worried?
• Did I make it obvious that I was intimidated by his stare?
• Tonight will be a long one.
• Benita instruct me to follow her into the kitchen so that she can teach me how to make some of their family's favorite dishes.
• Well, that was what she said until we got to the kitchen, and she started bashing out orders, making me do unnecessary chores.
• She still has a blank expression on her face, but I have concluded.
• I don't like this woman.
• Once we finish in the kitchen, the maids prepare the table and everyone is seated for dinner.
• While we were at it, a young man who seems to be in his early twenties walk inside with a charming smile.
• From his appearance, I can tell he is their family too.
• He kissed Benita and waved at him… I am yet to figure out his name. Well, let's just say Armani's father. And did the bro thing with Armani before he disappears.
• We continue to eat in silence until he joins the table.
• “Hey, he greeted, looking at me.”
• “Hi” I answered curtly.
• His eye roams over my body, making me think if it was some sort of family thing.
• “How do you manage to look hot in that simple dress?” He questioned
• I hate guys with stupid pick-up lines. I almost roll my eyes, but then, Benita cuts in.
• “Where are your manners?
• That is your brother's wife.”
• “Shoot! Sorry, I thought you are one of his regular babes and seeing how he is silent, I thought it is fine with him.
• I am Kyle, His younger brother.”
• “It's fine, I'm Lila.”
• “Welcome to the family, Lila.”
• At least one of them is welcoming, even though he just stupidly hit on me.
• We finished eating and Armani disappear along with his father.
• Benita, on the other hand, said she hopes I don't give them trouble in the future and disappeared too.
• Leaving me with Kyle and his stupid grins.
• “I'm sorry about my mom. Everyone in this family is somewhat hostile, as you can see.”
• “Clearly” I muttered, making him laugh so hard.
• “How did you end up with my brother?”
• “Well, shit happens. I narrated the whole story to him.”
• “Ain't you like supposed to hate him?”
• “I guess I should, but all of these wouldn't happen if not for my father.”
• “I see…”
• “Ain't you surprised your brother brought in a wife you have never heard about?”
• “For starters, we don't poke into each other business and yeah, sounds like something he would do. My brother is not completely sane, you know?”
• “Yeah, I agree with you.” We both laugh.
• “Why though?”
• “Simply put, no sane man would take a stranger home and refer to her as his wife.”
• He laughed even harder this time, “true, my brother is insane.”
• We begin to discuss random things until his phone begins to vibrate.
• “Lila, it was a pleasure talking to you, but I need to leave now. The man got to get laid.” He winks and then disappears too. Now, leaving me all to myself.
• I got tired of sitting alone, so I wanted to see what the backyard looks like and that was all it takes to shatter me.
• I saw Armani having what seemed to be a serious conversation with his father. Likewise, I was about to leave then, I heard my name.”
• “You cannot trust the Brown son, we both know how greedy James is. What gives the assurance that he will not pull some nonsense moves in the future?”
• “I thought you know me better.
• I have zero interest in marrying his daughter officially. She would just be in my house, satisfying my needs and of course, keeping her father on track. I have his daughter in my custody, no matter how heartless he is, he wouldn't go against my will because he knows exactly what I am capable of.”
• I dropped my purse in utter shock and they both looked at me.
• “I told you to keep her on track, son. If she eavesdrops on everything, it can affect our business.”
• “I will handle that.” He looked at me one more time before he finally speaks.
• “I was going to be nice. I wanted to, but it seems you would rather have it the other way. Now, stand up.” he commands.
• He walks towards the exit and I follow reluctantly behind him.