Sensing the need for a reprieve, she swiftly lowered her head and excused herself before anyone could utter a word. Andrew's instinctive response was to call her back, but he hesitated. She had already disappeared, leaving him to trail his hand through his hair in frustration. As he turned to face Albert, he couldn't help but notice the scrutinizing look in his friend's eyes. Perplexed, Andrew raised an eyebrow and questioned the reason behind Albert's peculiar stares. With a subtle chuckle, Albert brushed off the tension and remarked, "Oh, it's nothing. Just seemed like something happened between you and her." Andrew's eyes widened briefly at the insinuation before returning to their usual composure. Defensively, Andrew uttered, "Nothing happened between us." Albert's laughter filled the room, leaving Andrew bewildered and searching for an explanation. "Dude, chill out. I was just messing with you," Albert admitted, still chuckling lightly. Andrew rolled his eyes, slightly annoyed
The guest's reaction caught me off guard, and I quickly stammered, "I-I'm so sorry, sir. Please allow me to clean that up right away." I glanced down at the stain on their clothing, anxiety gnawing at me. The guest, however, seemed to regain their composure, their expression softening slightly. "It's quite alright, accidents happen,"he replied in a more forgiving tone. I breathed a sigh of relief and rushed to grab a cloth to clean up the mess. As I dabbed at the spilled drink, my mind raced, wondering who this guest was and why they had chosen to attend the party dressed in such lavish attire. It was clear that this event meant a great deal to them, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity about the drama that seemed to surround the family and the evening's celebrations. As I continued to clean the stain with as much precision as possible, I couldn’t help but overhear snippets of conversations from the nearby guests. They spoke in hushed tones, their words laced with int
As Zachary ambulated through the dimly lit passageway, his mind swirled with the bitter aftertaste of losing the contract to Andrew, each step accompanied by the clenching of his fists, a tangible manifestation of his simmering anger. The invitation to Andrew's party lingered in Zachary's thoughts, a festering suspicion that it was a calculated move to flaunt Andrew's triumph in his face. Yet, it was more than a mere assumption; it was an undeniable reality, a deliberate act by Andrew to revel in his victory. Lost in the labyrinth of his ruminations, Zachary, with a sudden awakening, found himself in the midst of the passageway, a solitary figure in a contemplative journey. His frustrated groan echoed as he ruffled his hair, regretting his presence at the event, fueled by the mere prospect of encountering Tracy, Albert's fiancée. Contemplating a hasty retreat, Zachary's ears caught a distant murmur—a symphony of sorrow and solace intertwined. Intrigued, he abandoned the notion
The sudden stillness in the aftermath of the brawl hung heavily in the air. Zachary, now on the ground nursing his injuries, wore a mix of defiance and surprise, while Andrew, his knuckles stained with the aftermath of the punch, struggled to maintain composure as he faced the repercussions of his actions. Amid the tense tableau, Annabel, still recovering from the abrupt push, found her footing. Averting her gaze from the clash, she attempted to fade into the shadows, seeking refuge from the tumultuous confrontation. Andrew’s mother, a silent witness to the drama, approached with a mixture of genuine concern and disapproval. Her gaze shifted between her son and ,Zachary on the ground, and the injured Annabel. The room, once filled with murmurs and distant melodies, now bore witness to the aftermath of an unexpected eruption of violence. In the uneasy quiet, Zachary rose from the ground, wiping away the blood from his nose with a defiant smirk. “Guess you finally learned to thr
Albert, immersed in his phone, briskly traversed the corridor toward Andrew’s room, driven by an urgency to share something significant. Without a second thought, he swung the door open, neglecting the courtesy of a knock, and began uttering, “Hey, bro, you need to see this.” However, his sentence waned into silence as he took in the surroundings—Andrew was conspicuously absent. A quizzical expression painted Albert’s face as he called out, “Andrew?” The ensuing quietude compelled Albert to conduct a thorough sweep of Andrew’s room, methodically checking each corner, even peering into the bathroom. The elusive Andrew remained a mystery, nowhere to be found. In an exasperated sigh, Albert closed the bathroom door, vocalizing his realization, “I guess Mom was wrong; Andrew isn’t in his room.” As he exited, shutting the door behind him, Albert found himself momentarily rooted in front of Andrew’s room. Lost in the digital landscape of his phone, the significance of seeking out Andr
As Annabel pondered the peculiar encounter with Andrew, the atmosphere in the room remained charged with a subtle tension. She retrieved the first aid kit and began addressing her wound. In the solitude of his room, Andrew found himself engulfed in contemplation. The vivid memory of Annabel seated on his lap lingered, creating a symphony of emotions that resonated within him. Pressing against his chest, Andrew grappled with an unfamiliar rush of feelings. He questioned the source of these emotions, bewildered by the intensity that surged whenever Annabel occupied his thoughts. A reflexive movement led Andrew to his counter, where a jug of water awaited. Pouring himself a glass, he hastily consumed its contents, hoping to quell the swirling thoughts. Yet, the mental reel persisted, projecting images of Annabel that danced before his mind's eye. Frustration etched across his face, Andrew ran his hand over his features, groaning audibly. "I must be going crazy," he admitted wit
Juliet chuckled, leading Annabel into the spacious living room. “Sit down, Annabel. There’s a lot to catch up on,” she said with a mysterious glint in her eyes. As they settled on the plush sofas, Juliet began unraveling her recent journey. “You won’t believe what happened. It turns out I have a distant relative who passed away and left me a significant inheritance,” she explained, her excitement evident. Annabel’s eyes widened in amazement, trying to process the unexpected revelation. “So, you’re rich now?” she asked, still absorbing the news in a doubtful manner. Annabel and Juliet, having shared a longstanding friendship, were attuned to each other's nuances. Annabel possessed an intuitive ability to discern when Juliet was being less than truthful, detecting a subtle discord in her energy, as if she were grappling with rehearsed words in her mind. Sensing the tension, Juliet, raising an inquisitive eyebrow, nervously questioned, "What's wrong?" The palpable unease hung i
Annabel’s jaw hung open, caught off guard by the revelation. The room fell into an awkward silence as Annabel grappled with the sudden realization that Juliet had a husband, and he was the uninvited guest casually munching on chips. Trying to compose herself, Annabel mustered, “Your husband?” Her tone conveyed a mix of disbelief and confusion, still processing the unexpected twist. Juliet nodded, her eyes avoiding Annabel’s gaze. “I was planning to tell you, Annabel. I just didn’t know how,” Juliet admitted, a hint of guilt in her voice. The man, seemingly unbothered by the tension, chuckled and said, “Surprise, surprise. Sorry for the confusion, young lady.” His casual demeanor irked Annabel, who was struggling to make sense of the situation. Feeling a surge of conflicting emotions, Annabel sighed and managed to say, “I wish you had mentioned it earlier, Juliet.” She couldn’t help but wonder why her best friend hadn’t shared such a significant detail. Juliet, now looking
Albert’s POVAndrew is still not ready. My patience thins with every passing second as I check my watch again, exhaling sharply. The morning air is crisp, but irritation burns hotter under my skin. Finally, the door creaks open, and Andrew steps out, adjusting his cufflinks like he has all the time in the world. A wave of relief washes over me, quickly replaced by annoyance.“I told you to be early,” I say, my tone clipped, frustration lacing every word.He grins, unapologetic. “All I can say is that I’m sorry. No excuse.” He strides past me and slides into the car, leaving me to roll my eyes before getting in myself.Settling into my seat, I immediately pull out the documents, flipping through them with practiced efficiency. The low hum of the engine fills the space between us as I make last-minute adjustments, my focus narrowing in on the numbers and projections. The weight of the upcoming meeting presses down on me—this project is mine, and I won’t let anything jeopardize it.By th
Andrew’s POV My mind raced as I stared at Annabel, my throat tightening. What the hell do I even say to her? I hadn’t meant for this to happen—not like this. I should’ve been more careful. I should’ve thought this through. But now? I was caught. And by the look in her eyes, she wasn’t about to let me off easy.“Annabel, listen to me,” I said, keeping my tone calm, but my voice felt tight in my throat. She folded her arms across her chest, her gaze sharp and expectant, waiting for me to speak. But the truth was, I had nothing. Absolutely nothing. “I don’t know what to say,” I admitted, breaking eye contact as guilt settled in my stomach.Her breath hitched, and when she spoke again, her voice was thick with disbelief. “You have to be kidding me right now. You did this, and now you have nothing to say?” Her fingers clenched into fists at her sides. “You knew I wasn’t married this whole time?”“Not the whole time,” I muttered, shifting uncomfortably. “But I figured it out not too long a
Annabel’s POVI still can’t understand how he can afford this restaurant. Everything about this place screams luxury—the elegant chandeliers, the soft classical music, and the neatly dressed waiters gliding across the room. The prices on the menu must be outrageous, and yet, he sits there so casually, flipping through the pages like it’s nothing.I stare at him, trying to figure him out, but before I can stop myself, our eyes meet. Embarrassed, I quickly look away, pretending to be focused on something else. Just then, a waiter arrives and places a glass of water in front of us. I hesitate to take a sip. What if he actually can’t afford anything here? What if we end up getting kicked out? The last thing I want is public humiliation.“What would you like to eat?” he asks, pulling me out of my thoughts. His voice startles me, and I flinch slightly.“I—uh…” I hesitate, unsure of what to say.“Is there anything you’d like?” he asks again, waiting patiently.“Not really. I don’t want to ea
Annabel’s POVThe moment we stepped out of the house, a wave of relief crashed over me, so strong that I nearly sighed out loud. Thank God. My boss had bought the act—I had gotten away with it.I turned to the man beside me, my lips curving into a grateful smile. "Thank you so much for this. You have no idea what you just did. I was able to save my job all because of you." My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag. "I owe you a big one. Just send me your account number, and I’ll transfer your payment."He didn’t move, didn’t even acknowledge my offer at first. Instead, a smirk played at the corners of his lips."I don’t need your money, madam." His voice was smooth, casual, as if helping me had been nothing but a minor favor. Then, he took a step closer.Instinctively, I stepped back.His smirk deepened. "But tell me," he continued, tilting his head slightly, "do you plan to keep up this lie about being married forever?"A frown pulled at my brows. Why does he care?"I don’t thi
"This is Alex, my husband," Annabel introduced, a hint of fear in her tone. She tried to compose herself, but the tension in her body betrayed her.Mrs. Torres stared at the supposed husband for a long moment, her expression unreadable. The silence was suffocating. Annabel’s heart pounded violently against her chest, while Andrew—calm and composed—remained unfazed by the scrutiny."Are you really Annabel’s husband?" Mrs. Torres asked, doubt laced in her tone.Annabel’s breath hitched."Yes, ma’am," Andrew replied smoothly. "My name is Alex, as Annabel introduced me earlier." He offered a beaming smile, the picture of confidence. "I’ve heard a lot about you, and I must say, I appreciate how well you’ve taken care of my wife."Annabel pinched herself , panic creeping up her spine. Andrew was handling the situation too well—tooconvincingly.Mrs. Torres studied him for another beat before finally speaking. "Very well then. Have a seat."They both sat down, Annabel instinctively positionin
Annabel and Juliet found themselves in a state of bewilderment as they stood face to face with a man donning a distinguished beard, his friendly wave capturing their attention. Amidst the moment, Juliet instinctively grasped Annabel's hand, forming an unspoken bond between them as they cautiously approached the enigmatic figure, Andrew, whose countenance bore a semblance of disguise. Juliet, seemingly oblivious to the potential clandestine nature of their encounter, couldn't help but express her amazement. "Woah, Alex, I never knew you were this hot," she complimented, punctuating her words with a playful giggle. Annabel, however, was quick to quell her friend's exuberance, gently jerking her and signaling for quiet. As their trio converged, Annabel's discerning gaze met Andrew's, finding him already fixed on her with a subtle smirk adorning his lips. This triggered a sense of familiarity within Annabel, a recognition of that smirk, yet an elusive memory left her struggling to p
Annabel and Julie found themselves in disbelief as a mysterious figure with a masked face stood before them. Annabel, unable to contain her curiosity, questioned him with a puzzled stare, "Who are you?" Andrew, attempting to maintain an air of mystery, smoothly shifted his glass before settling in next to Julie. A silent exchange of glances between Annabel and Julie revealed their mutual confusion. Annabel inquired, "What's going on?" with a lingering tone, and Julie, equally bewildered, shrugged in response. As Andrew took a deliberate sip, he cleared his throat, adjusting his voice pitch to conceal his identity. A concealed smirk adorned his face beneath the mask as he disclosed, "I heard you guys need someone to act like a fake husband." Julie, momentarily taken aback, blinked twice before responding, "Yes, we do. We actually need someone to act as her husband for a day," pointing at Annabel, who was fixated on Andrew. Sensing Annabel's intense gaze, Andrew flinched imperc
Andrew, now visibly perplexed, continued to scratch the back of his head as he approached the table behind the coffee shop. "Annabel, where are you?" he called out, unaware of the clandestine activity transpiring just inches away. His eyebrows raised inquisitively as he surveyed the area, considering the possibility that she might be hiding. "Could she be behind this table?" he mused aloud, taking a cautious step forward as his eyes scanned the surroundings. Beneath the table, Annabel's heart raced at the realization that Andrew was inching closer. Panicking, she whispered urgently to Julie and the guy with them, "He's coming here! Why is he coming here?" Her eyes widened with concern, scanning Andrew's every move. Julie, caught off guard by the sudden urgency, questioned, "What's going on, Annabel? Why are we hiding?" Confusion clouded her expression as she tried to make sense of the situation. Annabel turned toward Julie, her voice barely audible, "That's Andrew." Julie's
One windy day, Annabel sat in her room, thinking hard. The wind outside matched the whirl of thoughts in her head. She had a big job ahead—getting Mrs. Jones to say yes so she could meet Julie. But this mission wasn’t just about typical friend talks. Restless, Annabel got up, pacing her room. “How do I ask Mrs. Jones to let me see Julie and talk about our plan for finding a fake husband?” she wondered, gently stroking her chin. The situation felt serious, full of uncertainty. In a moment of contemplation, Annabel's phone interrupted the solitude with its insistent ringing. Her eyes darted to the device resting on her bedside table, and without hesitation, she reached for it. The caller ID revealed Julie's name, and a sense of urgency compelled her to answer swiftly. Julie's voice burst forth from the speaker, a cacophony of excitement. "Get down here quick! I've found someone perfect for the job!" Annabel winced at the unexpected volume, hastily pulling the phone away from her