Natalia’s POV

After Kim introduced herself, I didn’t know what to feel. Well, I didn’t want to care that she was Micheal’s girlfriend, but I did care. Something inside me wanted to rip her hand away from Micheal as they stood a few feet from me.

I took the nearest glass of wine and drank the whole thing. Maybe I can watch away the shame and humiliation he was putting me through. Didn’t he care that he introduced me to his father has his future wife? What if his father sees? What will he think?

I looked at him as he talked to a few of his friends. He looked happy, so maybe disturbing him with whatever his son was doing wasn’t a good idea.

Everyone seemed to be talking to someone and I just stood there like an unwanted guest I was. I shouldn’t have agreed to go; I should I have come up with some excuse. But I didn’t know he was going to bring his mistress here.

Was this how our marriage will be like? Him with his mistress and me at home? And why did he need me if he had Kimberly? She is a fine woman as much as that hurts to admit. Was she the one Justin was talking about when he said I was better than his older brother’s previous girlfriend?

Turning I found Joseph’s eyes searching, and then it hit me. I splint and pushed Kim away. Micheal turned to shout then I gestured for his father who was approaching. He closed his mouth.

I didn’t know I saw the need to save him. But I realized, if he was happy, then I would get my money for father sooner. And maybe the better it would be for the both of us. I help him, he helps me.

His father’s smile widened as he reached where we were standing. “Good you are both here…” his mouth fell open as he looked at Kim. “What is she doing here? I thought…”

“She is just leaving, she needed something and she got it,” Micheal interrupted. “I will see you around, Kim.” He dipped his head and Kim walked away.

As we turned to look at Joseph again, his eyes burned with anger. “I don’t want to see her near you or anyway around my properties. I even told you; I don’t like her very much. She is rude.” I took a long sigh then smiled again. “Now, both of you follow me. And where the hell is Justin?” he looked around. “That boy will be my down fall.” He said and walked into the cloud.

I looked at Micheal and he didn’t look pleased at all.

Did he get upset because I pushed Kim away or was it because his father just admitted he never liked her?

Whatever it was, it had to wait because Joseph was leading us on the stage. What was going on? Why did he invite me to this party in the first place? I was okay with just been behind the scenes, I didn’t need this.

We stopped in front and the whole room went quiet as they turned to look at us. I really wished I was not on that stage. I didn’t need this much attention, and I’m sure whatever Joseph was about to do would worsen the sick feeling I was feeling.

Before he could speak into the microphone, Justin walked on stage. His father eyed him and he just looked down.

He cleared his throat, his smile again widening facing the cloud. “Good evening everyone.”

“Good evening,” they all responded.

He was silent for a while, then he sniffed. “This never gets old,” he said and rubs his face.

I looked at Micheal and he looked sad. Turning to Justin he also looked down and I’m sure I saw a tear drop from his eye. What the hell was happening? I should have asked for details before accepting to make a fool out of myself.

“I should have prepared. Thinking after a while I would get used to this but no. that deep whole she left is still there,” he paused again to breath. “She would have pinched my cheek and told me to stop crying like a little girl.” The cloud laughed, but there laughs sounded sad.

Who was he talking about?

“Oh, my Maria. This hurts every year that passes by.” And he broke down.

I didn’t know what to do. So, I just rushed and hugged him, his tears dampening my shoulders. But I didn’t care, whatever he was going through, whoever he was longing for, was far worse.

Justin wasn’t doing any better. He didn’t care that people watched, he just allowed his tears to drop. Even though Micheal’s tears didn’t show, I could see that he felt the same way the two family members he had felt. Hell, even worse.

After a few minutes, he finally let me go. He sniffed a couple of time and then looked at the cloud again.

“Enough crying,” he ran a handkerchief through his face. “She would have scolded us for this.” Again, they all laughed. “My wife was the most amazing person I had the chance of meeting and her legacy will leave on.” He raised a glass wine the waiter brought in a rush. “To Maria Willa, the love of my life,” and they all shouted the same thing before drinking their wine.

Damn his wife is the reason we all gathered there.

He cleared his throat, this time looking at me with a smile that I didn’t like. He gestured and Micheal moved to stand next to me.

“We are not only celebrating my wife’s birthday today,” he began. “Come dear,” he wrapped a hand around my shoulder. “Everyone, I’m pleased to announce an addition to the family. Meet Natalia Smith, soon to be Mrs Willa and my beautiful daughter-in-law.”

Crap. This was not how I planned this going. But they are the worthiest in the city so I didn’t know why I thought my marriage to his son would be a secret.

I smiled and waved.

Micheal moved and stood next to me.

“Tonight is their official engagement!” he shouted into the mic and everyone clapped.

But I could see they looked shocked, some even upset. I’m sure they were women and men who wanted their daughters to get married to Micheal, I mean that would secure their business deals with the Willa’s for life. But they saw that dream fading away.

Then Kim’s ember cat eyes met mine. This was not good. I just met her and I didn’t know what she would do after tonight. Obviously, Micheal loved her and promised to marry her someday. But just like the parents in this audience, that dream was slowly fading.

Joseph got something the tray that a very tall waiter was holding out to him. It was a black box. Crap.

He opened it to me and Micheal and its contents made my heart skip a beat. He should have asked if both of us wanted to do this. Because even his son looked upset.

“Go ahead,” he gestured to the rings.

“Told you he was going to get carried away,” Justin whispered behind me and his brother. “Welcome to the family, Natalia.” He laughed.

I should have taken him seriously when he said it. But it was too late now. I’m getting engaged to Micheal Willa in front of literally the whole world.

Micheal took one ring that had a diamond stone on top and I took the one that was just round, and looked like real silver. And knowing them, it was real.

Want I wanted to know was how he managed to do all this in just a few minutes. But again, he had the money, so one call was all he needed to get things done.

Micheal hesitantly took my hand and put the ring on my finger. I took his hand and did the same. Then everyone waited. I looked at Joseph if there was anything else we needed to do and he just gestured his hands.

He was not serious suggesting that was he?

I felt a chill down my spine at the thought. Micheal without a word he moved closer to me and I could feel my legs giving up.

This was bad, really bad.

I sighed, as Micheal leaned closer and closer until his soft lips touched mine. And suddenly I felt the butterfly in my stomach they all talk of.

He pulled away after what felt like an eternity of peace and we turned to the cloud. As the flash light of the camera hit my eyes, a thought warmed itself in my head.

Father.