Chapter 6: RAGE

ALISS’ POV

I walked into the house with shaky legs. Did Ryan recognize me? It was even more stupid that he was just knowing my jamez and vice versa. That was just how fucked up my life was at that point.

My dad kept asking me questions in the car, but I couldn't bring myself to reply to him.

As I got to my room, I stripped off my clothes, and fot into the shower, allowing the water cascade my skin, and calm my nerves. I couldn't deny the fact that I was more than tense after seeing Ryan.

And now, he wanted me to act according to his commands. He wanted me to do things under his supervision. If I didntnhave any interest in the company, then I would have just let it slide. It was just that I liked my father too much to allow him hand the company over to someone who wasn't deserving.

I had just gotten out of the shower with a towel wrapped around my body, then I saw Lucas. He had a smirk on his face, and he looked at me from head to toe. Like he wanted to chew me raw.

On other days, I would have wanted all of him. But as I stood there, I knew that I didn't stand a chance at even pretending.

Lucas didn't notice, but he walked towards me, wrapping a hand around my waist as he pulled me closer to him.

“Are you okay?” He asked in low tone, and I have him a small smile.

“Today was hectic. I don't think I'm in the mood for anything.”

He took a step back cocking an eyebrow. I had never been brutally honest with his like that.

“Did something happen at the office?” He asked, and I smiled.

Yeah, I was just supposed to go agead and tell him that I was supposed to be working with the same person that I had a one night stand with, a few years ago. The father of the children that he was bringing up as his.

“Nothing,” I whispered, and he narrowed his eyes at me like he didn't believe. Either way, he didn't question more.

“Your mom asked me to call you downstairs. Dinner is ready,” he said, and I gave him a small nod.

“I'll get dressed and come down.”

My lips were pressed into a thin line as he headed out of the room. I was already feeling guilty.

I slipped on one of my causal dresses, and headed downstairs.

Lalissa and Alisa hurried to where I was standing at the bottom of the stairs, wrapping their arms around me.

“Why did you take so long to come home?” They asked in their whiny tones, and I couldn't help but smile.

This was my life. I had loving children. I had a fiance that cared about me. What more coukd I ask for?

I carried the both of them in my arms, before placing them on their chair, and kissing my mom on the cheek. She smiled at me.

“Your dad just told me everything about what happened in the office.”

I felt my throat close up immediately, and my hands were balled into fists.

“Oh, he told you about Ryan the jerk?”

She smiled, cutting her into chicken. “You know, I was thinking of calling him home for dinner or something,” she said, as I sat down.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, and she looked over at me.

“He is one of the people who have been supportive to the family,” she said.

“And yet he wants to practically punish me for trying to take over the CEO position.”

Lucas placed a hand on my leg, and I smiled at him. The smile didn't even reach my eyes.

One of the maids was immediately by my side, dishing out my food for me.

“Anyway,” my dad said, looking more than eager to move away from the topic. “There's a party later tomorrow. And you have to be in attendance.”

I gave him a slightly wide smile. “Of course, I'll be there. Just send me the location and everything.”

“But you'll have to go with Ryan,” he said, and I almost choked on my wine. Were these people just trying to bring me and him together?

The mischievous look on my dad's face told me that he had that in mind.

Maybe he was forgetting that I had Lucas.

“I can't go with him,” I said quickly.

“She said she doesn't like this man,” Lucas quickly spoke up, and I couldn't help but look at him adoringly. “I can go with her instead.”

My dad cocked his head to the side like he was considering the whole thing. Then he suddenly shook his head.

“You can go as her fiance. But she and Ryan have to represent the company.”

My hands were slowly curling up in my lap, but I didn't have a choice.

My dad gave me a strict look. The one that told me that he won't be taking no for an answer.

“Will you be in attendance or not?”

In my head, I tried to assure myself that this was just a test. He wanted to see if I would be able to keep up even in times of discomfort.

I plastered a smile on my face. “Of course,” I said. “And I'll be going with your little friend, Ryan.”

My dad gave me a small nod, and I went back to eating my food. Lucas leaned in.

“I already said I'll be going with you.” He said in an assuring tone.

I nodded at him. A part of me didn't even want him to be there. What if he noticed how awkward I was around Ryan?

I wanted to tell Lucas and my dad the truth there and then. But I couldn't bring myself to do it.

It didn't matter if he was coming with me. I couldn't push away the thought that things were going to go awfully wrong.

And I was barely going to do anything to stop it.