His Devious Rule

Catalina hissed in annoyance, "Do you think marriage is a child's play?"

Alvin: "..."

He was serious about marrying his Little Donut. He couldn't understand what made Catalina think they weren't serious about the marriage.

Anya bit her lower lip looking at her mother angered. Dennis was in no better state. He was displeased but calmer.

Anya tried to explain, "Mom, I haven…"

Catalina cut off Anya, "Didn't you think once to speak with us before accepting his marriage proposal?" Her voice increased with each word, showing her dissatisfaction. "Anya Owen, when will you learn to speak about serious matters with us? Being independent doesn't mean you ignore us. Does our opinion even matter to you?"

Catalina's body shook in anxiety. She wasn't ready to see Anya suffering like five years ago. As much as she knew Anya met Alvin just a week ago, she couldn't believe they were marrying.

Catalina's gaze narrowed at Anya when she asked. "Have you spoken this with Zane? Or did you assume he will do as you want?"

She didn't have one to worry about but two. She glanced at Alvin and cold ran down her spine. The rich people cared for their heirs for their lineage.

Why would they look after another man's child?

Thinking of Zane being mistreated by Alvin's family filled Catalina's eyes. She craved for the past Anya Owen who was sharing everything with them. Not the one who is stubborn and self-sufficient to the extent, they feel unrequired.

Alvin's back stiffened hearing Catalina. He understood the misunderstanding caused by his words. And he knows Anya was thinking of her parents and son unlike what Catalina said. He wanted to speak for Anya but held back. He already disrupted the calm conversation, so he chose to let her handle it.

Dennis had tried to stop Catalina but she ignored him. He wasn't going to scold Catalina in front of others. When Catalina was done, he gently patted her hands.

Most of the time, he was proud of his daughter who was living no less than a son could. He was a father, so sometimes, he also hoped their daughter would reach out to them.

The circumstance had pushed them in such a way. However he trusted his daughter, he wouldn't get angry without listening to everything from her mouth.

Dennis glanced at Alvin who was looking at Anya. He comforted his wife while he asked his daughter, "Anya, What's going on?" If he feels like he has to stop Anya after hearing her, he will do it.

Anya had thought she could slowly tell them once they started to know about Alvin. But the man next to her doesn't know how to handle the situations in a family. She could understand his intention but others couldn't.

"Mom, I didn't accept to marry Alvin. Hear me out, please." She requested them.

Catalina was confused.  Nevertheless, hearing that Anya didn't accept to marry Alvin, she barely nodded in response.

Anya briefed her and Alvin's situation, "Although I and Alvin weren't in contact with each other in the past years, I know him pretty well. He asked me to marry him because he is resolute about his decision. He is a kind who commits to everything he does. However, I rejected him…"

Catalina and Dennis looked at each other and Alvin. Alvin was satisfied so far and silently heard Anya continue.

"Because we are polar opposite. We grew up in different environments. We hold different views and principles. Importantly, my priority is my baby and he knows that."

Anya glanced at Alvin who had faint scowls hearing the difference. She continued, "He didn't give up on my rejection, he won't give up either. After considering it for a few days, I wanted to give myself and him a chance."

Catalina cooled down hearing Anya was giving herself a chance. She and Dennis knew well what her words meant. Whereas Alvin controlled himself from nitpicking her words.

"Mom, I know you are worried about me and my baby. I can assure you I won't let you down again." Anay was aware of the fright and trouble she had given to her parents. It was reasonable for them to be worried.

Catalina pursed her lips. Her daughter knows very well, to make her regret her words.

Anya looked at her parents and requested, "Mom, Dad, could you please give Alvin a chance to know our family and try to understand him?"

Alvin: "..."

Anya looked at her calm father and Catalina who stopped nodded. She concluded, hoping this could put them at ease, "We will break up if necessary and there won't be a marriage without your consent."

Alvin: "..."

He won't let them break up at any cost. Nevertheless, he was amused at how she turned calm when the situation demands even after hearing her mother angry. Well, he also knew she was nervous as her hold on his right-hand thumb was increasing without her awareness.

He looked at Dennis holding Catalina's hand as if that could relax her. He shifted his left hand and covered Anya's fist and watched her reaction.

The warmth on her hand, spread the warmness to her body, easing her stiff body. But his movements caused their hands to settle on his lap. Anya tried to pull her hand away but he held her firmly.

Anya: "..."

Dennis looked at his wife who gave him an apologetic look for raising her voice at Anya due to a misunderstanding. Instead of responding to Anya, Dennis questioned, "What about the house? Are you going to look for it or not?" He hid his motive behind his question.

The gentleness on Alvin's face sharped instantly. He hadn't expected she would still think of moving out of the mansion. He was thinking they were half a way there to get married. Now he felt like he was being fooled.

Anya's eyes were on Alvin and noticed him clenching his teeth. So she gripped his hand immediately. She hadn't spoken about the house with him yet. She hoped he wasn't thinking as she was escaping him.

She couldn't explain anything to Alvin in front of her parents. So he responded to her father, "I will buy it, Dad. I will inform you two as soon as I get a suitable place."

Anya clutched Alvin's hand as tight as she could when he took his left hand away and tried to pull away from his right hand. She didn't want him to walk out or say something that would offend her parents.

Catalina breathed in relief. She didn't want Alvin and his family to think Anya was a wanton or behind Alvin's wealth.

However, Dennis glanced at Alvin who was masking his emotions with a cold expression. He was afraid Alvin wouldn't be able to compromise and adjust with his stubborn daughter. There were things Anya wouldn't negotiate.

"Momma…"

Anya left Alvin's hand instinctively and turned behind. "Baby!!" Stretching her hands, she carried him and placed him on her lap.

Zane looked at Alvin and broke the bomb, "I don't want Daddy." Then he hugged her leaving her blank.

Catalina and Dennis were shocked. Zane was smart and he understands the relationship between a man and a woman. He had rejected Kyle's advances to Anya, they hadn't thought too much about it as Anya didn't like Kyle. Alvin was different. He was the first man Anya wanted to get out of her comfort and accept somebody in her life.

Alvin's face turned dark as coal. He was about to get up, Anya grabbed his hand in her left hand, while her right hand caressed his Little Enemy.

Just when he thought his Little Enemy wasn't as bad as he thought, His Little Enemy showed his true colors. He was going to toss the little human out of the mansion if he dared to look for him again. Looking at his Little Donut's hand holding him back, he chose to sit silently for her.

Anya didn't expect Zane to accept Alvin so easily. But the way Zane mentioned felt like he wanted nobody as his father. Or did he guess Alvin was his biological father?

The previous day, Zane had spoken with Alvin for hours, she hadn't expected he would say something like this. "May I know the reason, Baby?" She wasn't going to ignore her son. So she was extra careful with him.

Zane refused to respond and hugged her tight.

Catalina spoke, "Darling, what's wrong?"

Dennis asked Zane, "Don't you like Mr. Matthews?" If Zane doesn't like Alvin, It means Alvin made a very bad impression on Zane. It would become difficult for Anya.

Alvin controlled himself from tossing the little man out. He was already compromising his Little Donut's time with him, what else does his Little Enemy want?

On the other hand, Linus who failed to hold back Zane stood in shock. He wanted to help his brother but how? He hesitantly spoke, "Champ, your mommy likes my brother. You are putting your mommy in difficulty."

Anya: "..."

She couldn't believe Linus was using Zane's weakness to support Alvin. She wouldn't put that pressure on her son. Her son wasn't obliged to like what she likes. He was free to have his own opinions. "Baby…"

Zane unwrapped his arms and looked at Anya. He asked the important question, "Momma, do you like Mr. Matthews?"

Everyone's eyes etched on Anya who was bewildered at the question. She was thinking of her son and her son put her in the spot in front of everyone.

Like was a small word. If she says the truth, everyone would know the father of her son by linking one to another topic.

If Catalina gets to know Alvin was the father of Zane, she will drag her out of the mansion without accepting their relationship. Her father will loathe Alvin. And she wasn't sure how Alvin would react.

Alvin: "..."

His Little Enemy was doing good by asking that question. He had no idea if she liked him.