Room for You
Chapter 9

Knowing the strained history between the ladies, Francis glared atNaomi and lectured her. “Anastasia and her son just arrived, so there isno need for you to be so sarcastic. Get along well with her, wouldyou?!” “Who is the kid, Mom?” Erica showed up on the stairs andbecame curious when she saw her father with a child in his arms.“Watch your mouth! This is your nephew whom your sister gave birth towhen she was living abroad,” Naomi answered unhappily. Erica's eyeswere instantly left wide open. “What?!” She then walked down the stairsand closer to Anastasia. “Why didn’t you let us know about your child?What's wrong? He can't be seen?” “How could you say something likethat, Erica? Jared is part of our family now, so I want you to take backyour words.” Francis unhappily glared at the lady. Naomi noticed herhusband's reaction and immediately harbored a greater grudge towardAnastasia, replaceing it hard to believe that his attitude toward Ericachanged so much just because of Jared. “D-Dad, I'm just showing my...concern for her!” Erica bitterly stood up for herself. “Come here. I'll takeyou to the garden for a walk.” Francis wanted to bond with Jared. Assoon as Francis left with Jared, Erica approached Anastasia with a glacialsmile. “You had an affair with some married man and gave birth to thatillegitimate child, didn't you?!” While Anastasia’s eyes were filled withhatred, she could never forget what Erica and Hayley did to her backthen. For that, she told herself that she would never forgive both ofthem because of what they did to her. “My business is none of yours,”Anastasia coldly replied. For some reason, Erica started to think thatAnastasia had become prettier as the latter gave off a more dominatingaura now, compared to who she was five years ago. In that instant, shebegan to feel even more jealous of Anastasia’s beauty. She thoughtthere would be no one else in her way after the former left the TillmanFamily, only to be surprised by her fair skin, curvy figure, and calmdemeanor when they met again. Man, she doesn't even look like she’sgiven birth before. “Anastasia, I don’t know what you're up to comingback here, but I warn you—forget about whatever silly idea you have inyour mind. This family has nothing to do with you at all.” Naomithreatened her. Anastasia glacially chuckled and asked, “Why not?When my father first built his company, my grandparents invested in ittoo, but you both had the cheek to take everything without doinganything.” “You...” "Know your place, Anastasia. I drove you away fromthe Tillman Family five years ago, and I can always do the same thingagain.” Erica tried to intimidate Anastasia. “My father is the only personI ever came back to this family for, which has nothing to do with youboth at all. Furthermore, my dad can do whatever he wants with hisinheritance, which is, again, none of your concern.” Anastasia refutedErica and Naomi, ridiculing both of them. “Speaking of that, don't youever think that you're going to get a bigger share of the inheritancewith your son.” Naomi gritted her teeth. “My father is still alive and hasa long way to go in his life, but you both won't stop talking about hisinheritance. Do you want him gone so badly? If that's the case, I'mgoing to make sure he lives a long life so that you both can forgetabout inheriting his fortune.” Anastasia gave a cold reply, knowing thatErica and Naomi only loved her father's money instead of the manhimself. “You...” Naomi was rendered speechless but immediately talkedback to save herself from the embarrassment. “He is my husband, so ofcourse I want him to live long.” Erica quickly defended her mother.“What're you talking about, Anastasia?! My mom loves my father.”Nonetheless, Anastasia reached for her phone and sat on the couch,refusing to entertain the mother and daughter. Soon, the maidproceeded to serve the dishes while Francis told her to prepare twomore dishes that were not spicy for his grandson. Seeing that, Naomiand Erica were steaming because they could tell from Francis’ eyes thatAnastasia was beginning to regain his favor with her son. “What's youroccupation, Anastasia?” Francis asked curiously during the meal. “Istudied jewelry design when I was living abroad, and I'm now adesigner at Bourgeois.” “Not bad. Bourgeois is quite a big name.”Francis complimented Anastasia. “I'm looking for a job too, Dad! I'mcurrently interviewing as an auto salon model.” Erica desperatelyintroduced her job to her father. “What kind of job is that? You'd betterquit before you embarrass me.” Francis shot a gaze at Erica, giving her astern gaze. “Hubby, Erica is just having fun while exploring theopportunities around her. I'm sure she'll come to your company in thefuture.” Naomi immediately stood up for her daughter. “Hmph! Whatcan she do in my company? A receptionist?” Francis grunted coldly. Onthe other hand, Erica harbored a strong grudge toward Anastasia,blaming her for indirectly exposing her shortcomings. “Grandpa, mymom is an impressive designer. She even took part in the InternationalJewelry Design Competition,” Jared happily said. The child's words put asmile on Francis’ face. “Really? That's awesome! Jared, I'm going to getyou a present later in the afternoon, so just tell me what you want.Alright?” “Sure, thank you, Grandpa!” The little boy politely expressedhis gratitude. While Anastasia was glad that her father was so fond ofJared despite her surprise, Naomi and Erica were growing more andmore annoyed with the child's presence, deeming him a scheming littleboy they should be wary about, in spite of his young age. After dinner,Francis took them to the nearest shopping mall, where he bought hisgrandson some expensive presents, including robot toys and Lego.Although they cost thousands, he didn't hesitate to pay for them at all"That's enough, Dad. Don't spoil him.” Anastasia quickly tried to stopher father. “Alright. Alright, that's all for today. I'll buy him somethingelse again in a few more days.” Francis still felt an urge to show hisgood faith. “It's okay, Grandpa. I don’t need any more toys because Ialready have plenty of them.” The child gave a mature reply, whichgrew on Francis more as the latter caressed the child's head. When theywere done with their shopping, Francis gave his daughter and grandsona ride back to their apartment. The moment he saw the building, hebegan to think that it was time for him to make it up to Anastasia sincehis company had made him quite a fortune over the past few years.After seeing her father off, Anastasia wrapped her arms around Jared.“Jared, your grandfather seems to like you a lot.” “I like him too.” Jaredhappily said while pouting at the same time. “Mommy, can you tell mewhere Daddy is?” Anastasia paused in the face of the inevitablequestion that she knew Jared would ask. She then gazed at him in aserious manner and said, “I don't know where he is, Jared. In fact, wemay never see him again, but anyway, I promise I'll be by your side. Ilove you, Darling!” Jared nodded and held his Lego up in the air.“Alright then, I'm going to play now!” “Go ahead!” Anastasia nodded,watching her son unwrapping his new toys while losing herself in herthoughts. Deep down, she knew it wasn't hard to replace her son's fatherat all because she was sure that Erica and Hayley had the answer tothat. After all, she believed that they tricked her into sleeping with agigolo, but because of that, she vowed never to let her son know abouthis father's embarrassing profession. It’s alright. I love Jared, and that'senough for both of us. Now that my dad likes him too, I suppose there isnothing else that can make my life even happier than how things are atthis point.