Chapter Ninety-One: The Date Begins
CHAPTER NINETY-ONE: THE DATE BEGINS
ANNA SERRANO
Today was the weekend, and I'd spent the past two hours getting ready for my evening date with Christopher, something I hadn't done in years. Actually getting dressed up for a romantic evening, taking care with my appearance beyond just business professionalism, feeling that flutter of nervous excitement about seeing someone.
My original plan had been to spend the weekend at home, resting and finalizing some last-minute details for the BelleNova unveiling. But life had surprised me with something better: an actual date with someone who made me laugh, who looked at me like I was more than just my last name or my business acumen.
I checked myself one last time in the full-length mirror in my bedroom, smoothing down the elegant burgundy dress I'd chosen, fitted but not too tight, sophisticated but not stuffy, with a neckline that was tasteful but still feminine. I'd paired it with simple gold jewelry and black heels that added just the right amount of height. My hair fell in soft waves over my shoulders, and my makeup was subtle but polished.
You look good, I told my reflection. Relax. It's just dinner.
But it didn't feel like "just dinner." It felt like something more significant, like I was allowing myself to be someone other than Anna Serrano, CEO and revenge-seeker. Just Anna, going on a date with a man who seemed genuinely interested in getting to know her.
I grabbed my clutch, small, elegant, containing just the essentials, and headed out of my room.
As I descended the grand staircase toward the living room, I was immediately hit with what could only be described as the most awkward atmosphere I'd ever experienced in this house.
Sherry sat on one of the couches, laptop open on her knees, completely absorbed in whatever she was working on. Her posture was relaxed, professional, entirely focused on the screen in front of her. She seemed completely unaware of her surroundings, or at least, she was doing an excellent job of pretending to be.
The problem was Alexander.
My brother was pacing the living room like a caged animal. He'd walk past the couch where Sherry sat, steal a glance at her, then walk away. Then he'd sit down on the opposite couch, open his mouth like he was about to say something, close it again, and stand back up. The pattern repeated over and over, and it was painful to watch.
He was clearly trying to strike up a conversation with her, trying to get her attention, trying to... something. But Sherry remained utterly unresponsive. Not rudely so, she just genuinely seemed not to notice him at all.
Goodness, I thought, fighting back a smile. Alexander is absolutely doomed. Because Sherry clearly doesn't care anymore.
Sherry was here because we had work to finalize for the BelleNova launch, coordinating final details, reviewing the guest list, and confirming vendor arrangements. She wasn't supposed to come to the mansion to do it; we could have handled everything over video call or at the BelleNova offices. But Alexander had practically begged me to call her over, using every manipulation tactic in his limited emotional arsenal.
And now here he was, realizing that getting her here and actually getting her attention were two very different things.
I cleared my throat deliberately, and Sherry's eyes immediately lifted from her laptop to meet mine. Her face broke into a warm, genuine smile.
"Oh, you're ready!" She stood up, closing her laptop and setting it aside. "Anna, you look absolutely beautiful! Christopher is going to lose his mind when he sees you."
She crossed the room and gave me a quick, affectionate hug, genuinely happy for me.
"Thank you," I said, feeling a flush of warmth at her enthusiasm. "But listen, if you're still working on those vendor confirmations, you can absolutely go up to your room to finish. Or to my room if you want more space. Or honestly, you can just go home. I feel terrible leaving you here alone like this when I'm the one who called you over in the first place."
My eyes flicked briefly to Alexander, giving him a sneaky, knowing glance before returning to Sherry, who hadn't caught the silent exchange.
"Oh, don't be silly!" Sherry waved off my concern. "You're acting like I'm a stranger in this house. I've practically lived here on and off for the past month with all the planning we've been doing. I'll figure something out."
She smiled. "Besides, I'm actually starving right now. I'm going to raid your kitchen for something to eat, finish up this last email, and then probably head home myself."
"Yeah, okay, just make yourself comfortable," I urged, genuinely meaning it.
"Good luck tonight!" Sherry called over her shoulder as she headed toward the dining room and kitchen beyond. "I want all the details later!"
"We'll see about that!" I called back, laughing.
The moment Sherry disappeared around the corner, I turned to face Alexander. He was still standing in the middle of the living room, looking lost and frustrated and completely out of his element.
"Why are you so jumpy?" I asked, crossing my arms. "Why aren't you just sitting down in one place? Why are you pacing around like this? What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing. Just leave me alone," Alexander snapped, his voice sharp with frustration.
I rolled my eyes at his defensive tone. "I'm not the one ignoring you. Don't transfer your aggression to me just because someone else isn't paying attention to you."
Alexander ran his hand through his hair, a gesture of frustration I'd seen countless times growing up. "I don't even know what I did," he said suddenly, his voice quieter, almost vulnerable. "I've been trying to figure it out for weeks. What did I do wrong?"
I looked at my brother, usually so confident, so controlled, so completely sure of himself, and saw genuine confusion and hurt in his expression.
"I don't think you did anything wrong, Alexander," I said more gently, letting some of the mockery fall away from my tone.
He stared at me with raised eyebrows, clearly not understanding. "Then what happened? Why is she acting like this?"
I paused, choosing my words carefully. "I think... she just changed. She has different priorities now. We've been incredibly busy with the BelleNova launch, and she's thrown herself completely into that work. She's not the same girl who used to follow you around with hearts in her eyes. She's grown up, matured. Become more focused on her career, her goals."
I watched his face carefully as I added: "She's not into you like she was before. She's a mature woman now with her own ambitions."
"Does she..." Alexander hesitated, then forced the words out. "Does she have someone else?"