Chapter 59

Chapter 59
As Fernandez's fingers brushed against her skin, Anna felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew he was trying to act flirtatious, and she wasn't having it. She quickly pushed him away, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "I can handle it myself, thank you very much."

Fernandez chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Suit yourself, my dear."

Anna hastily retreated to the bathroom, her heart racing with anticipation. She finished her bath and changed into a comfortable outfit, her skin still tingling from Fernandez's touch.

Fernandez soon followed, his shower and change taking mere minutes. He emerged from the bathroom, his hair damp and his eyes sparkling with mischief.

They called the personal butler assigned to them, and he arrived promptly with a sumptuous feast. The table was laden with an array of dishes, each one more tantalizing than the last. There were succulent lobster thermidor, tender filet mignon, and savory roasted vegetables. The aromas wafting from the dishes were heavenly, making Anna's stomach growl with hunger.

Fernandez smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Shall we dig in, Anna?"

Anna nodded, her eyes scanning the spread. "I'm starving."

The butler refilled their glasses with a crisp white wine, the perfect accompaniment to their meal. Anna felt a sense of contentment wash over her, her earlier irritation forgotten in the face of Fernandez's charming company.

As they finished their meal, Fernandez leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers.

A knock came on the door, the sound echoing through the room like an unwelcome intruder. The butler had already left for the night, and they had specifically instructed him not to return unless summoned. Who could it be? Anna and Fernandez exchanged a curious glance, their minds racing with possibilities.

Anna's curiosity got the better of her, and she stood up, her movements fluid and graceful. "I'll get it," she said, her voice firm.

Fernandez nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Be careful," he mouthed, his expression serious.

Anna twitched the doorknob, her heart beating with anticipation. The door swung open, revealing Soraya's annoying face. Her features were pinched, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of determination and malice.

Clear annoyance was displayed on Anna's face, her eyes narrowing into slits. "You're here again?" she muttered, her voice laced with disdain. She stood firmly between the door and Soraya, her arms crossed over her chest, blocking Soraya's entry.

Soraya's smirk grew wider, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Yes, I have unfinished business with Fernandez," she replied, her voice dripping with confidence. She tried to push past Anna, but Anna stood firm, her feet rooted to the spot.

"I don't think so," Anna said, her voice firm. "You've already discussed everything with Fernandez. There's nothing left to talk about."

Soraya's smile faltered, her eyes flashing with anger. "You don't know what you're talking about," she spat, her voice venomous. "This doesn't concern you."

Anna raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Oh, I think it does," she said, her voice cool. "You're not welcome here, Soraya. Leave."

Fernandez knew Soraya wouldn't leave unless he attended to her. "Anna, you can wait here, I'll attend to her. We truly have an unfinished business." He said, his voice firm but polite.

Anna looked at Fernandez, then back at Soraya, who smirked at her. She felt a surge of annoyance but decided to leave them alone. She entered the restroom to ease herself, leaving Fernandez and Soraya alone.

As soon as Anna was out of earshot, Soraya began to speak. "Fernandez, why is Anna behaving like that with me? Didn't she know I'm your friend from university?" She asked, her voice laced with innocence.

Fernandez stared at her, his expression incredulous. "What do you want to say, Soraya?" He asked, his voice firm.

Soraya nodded and took a deep breath before answering. "What I'm saying is that I've found out everything about Anna. And I found out that she's really from a poor family and her father was even a gambler. She's not even up to your status, why did you marry her, Fernandez?" She asked, her voice dripping with malice.

Fernandez clenched his fist, his eyes flashing with anger. What he hated the most was someone belittling others.

Anna, who had emerged from the restroom, couldn't help but overhear Soraya's words. She felt deeply hurt and smiled bitterly. It wasn't her fault that she was from a poor family. It was Fernandez who had threatened her father to marry her off to him. She wasn't up to his status? Yes, Soraya was up to his status, but why didn't he marry Soraya instead?

Soraya, oblivious to Fernandez's growing anger, continued to speak. "And she also looks ordinary, and she can't support you with anything except to take from you." She said, her voice venomous.

Anna couldn't take it anymore. She left the bathroom and rushed to their room, tears streaming down her face. She sat on the bed, feeling suffocated and trapped. She didn't choose this life for herself; she was thrown into it. She couldn't stay in this room anymore.

In her haste, she grabbed her handbag from Fernandez's drawer, unknowingly knocking over the files placed on the table. The papers scattered everywhere.

Anna bent down, her hands shaking as she picked up the files from the floor. She hurriedly gathered them, her mind still reeling from Soraya's cruel words. As she reached for the last file, her eyes widened in shock. The name on the file caught her attention, and she felt like she had been punched in the gut.

"Silvia Anderson," Anna whispered, her voice trembling. It was her mother's name. She hadn't heard that name in years, not since her mother's passing.

Anna's hands shook as she opened the file, her eyes scanning the contents. The subject line read "Last Stage Cancer." Her heart sank, and she felt like she was reliving the pain of her mother's illness all over again.

"Why does Fernandez have a file on my mother?" Anna wondered, her mind racing with questions. She felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, and she had to sit down on the bed to steady herself.