Chapter 29: The Meeting

Anastasia Honchar's POV

I did not recollect what just happened. One thing leads to another, the old man vanished from my eyes as we went toward the basement. Marco was holding me tightly as he helped me to get inside the car and we went out of the building. We were driving on our way home when my phone ring. The number was unknown but I might have a guess who was it so I picked it up.

"where are we going?" I asked him as he was driving out of the building. I can see that Marco was intense as he should be. I was about to kiss that old man but it was for a great cause. Can he forgive me for that?

"Marco, I—"

"Do not say another word," he said as he was gripping the steering wheel. I went silent as I don't want to push him further. Who knows what he will do once the facade of the good guy wore out. the phone rang again before I answer it.

"Hello?" I asked as I was looking at the street at night. It was lively like the people were drinking and partying right now.

"Anna, where are you?" Alfred asked me as I was looking around to find something that I can tell him where was i.

"On the way home from work, why?" I asked him as I thought he was still in jail. Maybe he got out or maybe he was calling from jail. I don't know it was a little confused with this old man.

"Are you free tonight?" He asked me. I did not know how to answer that as Marco was a ticking time bomb right now.

"Uhm, I have to raincheck but I think I am," I said as I glanced at Marco. He did not say a word.

"Okay, if it's okay with you, I want to meet you tonight, regarding your job," he said. I perked my eyebrows up.

"Which one?" I asked. He chuckled but he did not give the answer that I was looking for.

"Just come to the restaurant next to the National Museum. Be there by 8 PM, sharp," he said before he cut the line. I was surprised to see that Alfred was ordering me around whenever he wanted. Maybe I was his pawn in his own twisted game.

"Who was it?" Marco asked after a few moments of silence was in the air.

"What does he want?" He asked. I was clearing my throat as he was stopping at the red light.

"he wanted to meet me tonight. Do you have any idea why?" I asked Marco. Maybe he knows something that I don't but I would not put my hope up just yet.

"no, nothing that was concerned for us anyway," he said before he went on as the lights turned to green. I sighed.

"hey, maybe he just wanted to have some fun with you. Besides, it was a Friday night right?" He said as he took my hand and kissed it. I chuckled before I looked at him. He was so focused on his driving that his side profile looked perfectly delicious and handsome.

"what will you do once I go out? I cannot have my husband wandering around alone in the big city," I said as I was arching my eyebrow at him. He laughed and it was the first thing that I yearned to hear it again.

"well, I have some other things to be done as well. so, I will not expect to be early at home, waiting for you to get home," he said as he was smiling at me. I arched my eyebrow at him.

"I swear, Conti if you plan to take—"

"no woman will match your temper, cara mia. Just try to have some fun. okay?" He said as he went to switch off the car and get out. He went to my side as he opened the door.

"I hardly think the old man would be pleased with dinner let alone fun. But I try to bear his presence," I said as I went to tiptoe and kissed him. He gripped my waist closer to him as I was smiling before broke the kiss.

"well, we can make it worthwhile if you wanted to," he said huskily as he was rubbing my side. I smiled at him before I briefly kissed him.

"no, I have to get there by 8 PM. You know he did not do well with tardiness," I said before we went inside the house as Marco hold the door for me. I went to put my handbag on the sofa as I went to the wardrobe to get the perfect dress for dinner tonight.

"I think you should wear this," Marco came behind me as he was whispering to my left ear. He was guiding my hand into a dress that I never saw before. I spun to look at him as I arched my eyebrow at him.

"was this was here before?" I said as I was snaking my hands into his neck. He smirked.

"maybe, but since I felt like it was the right occasion, why don't you wear it," he said before he kissed me and turned me to look at the dress.

it was a dark green, emerald, as it was a sleeveless summer dress. The bodice was laced with lacy material and it has emerald shining around it.

"wow, it's beautiful," I said as I was touching the material. Marco touched the dress as he came from behind.

"do you like it?" He asked as he was nuzzling my neck. I was angling my neck for him to access.

"well, the best is for my wife," he said as he bit my ear. I moaned at the simple gesture that he did.

"I have to shower," I panted, trying to get the words out as much as I can.

"We can do it together," he whispered. I smirked before I turned to look at him.

"and as much as I wanted to do it, I have to get there before they arrived. They might have something of value to share to me," I said as I went out of the wardrobe before I went to take a shower. All I can hear now was his laughter as I closed the door.

I was standing in front of the said restaurant. I don't know if I was appropriate enough for the occasion but I hoped I was. The restaurant was crowded as it was one of the most established restaurants and I think Val has to do with this setup.

"name?" The hostess asked me in Greek.

"Honchar, Anastasia Honchar. I was supposed to meet Mr. Bianchi," I replied to her. She was taking in my dress. The bodice hugged my figure perfectly as Marco said he wanted to rip it off when I got home tonight. I blushed at his caveman attitude but I also like it.

"this way, please," she said as she directed me toward the private booth. Of course, Alfred did not like the crowd so it would be a shame if he has to seat in there. I thanked her as she parted the curtains and I went inside. I was smiling at Alfred and Val who were talking animatedly as I took my seat in front of them.

"there she is. How are you, my dear?" Alfred asked as he kissed both of my cheeks before I hugged Val and took our seats.

"I was doing fine, thanks for asking. I can't say the same to you though," I said as I looked at Alfred's state. His greying hair was thickening but his laughter remained the same. I smiled at that.

"well, prison changed me, I think. It would be a great deal to know that you are happy while I was away," I smiled at his comment.

"and apparently, too happy from what I heard," Alfred said as his voice was now very serious. I arched my eyebrows at him.

"what do you mean?" I asked him, confused at the sudden change of tone.

"well, let's just say someone told me that you were already married. Is that correct, Anna?" Val asked me as he has been quiet for some time. Alfred was staring at me. I blinked my eyes a few times before I chuckled at them.

"wait, who told you that?" I asked them as I was looking at them. they were not smiling nor they think it was funny since I was the only one that was laughing at the matter.

"Come on, if I were to be married, as you claimed me to be, you would have known about it, Val. right?" I said as I looked at him. He nodded but his eyes were still hard. I think about all the things that I did and not one bit has been mentioned that I was married.

To Marco Conti nonetheless.

I looked at them both as they were mad. I don't know what triggered it but I was done playing their bullshit. It's my right to marry someone that I wanted, whenever I wanted to. I was my self.

"Okay, fine. yes, I am indeed married to someone," I said as I dropped the bomb on them. They were taken back a little bit but I did not stop there.

"I met someone in the company and I have tied myself to him," I said as I looked at Val before I looked at Alfred. The tip of his ears was red. I know that he was enraged.

"who was it?" He asked.

"What?"

"Who. Was. It?!" He asked as he gritted his teeth. I can see that he was controlling his anger and I know I have been like a daughter to him but I was the only one left that was not married. well, except for Camila but I don't even know where she was?!

"that would be me," a voice interrupted us as we turned toward the voice. My eyes bulged at his side. He was here.

Marco Conti was here!