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
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
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
"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’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
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
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
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
It had been weeks since the incident with Annabel and the brothers. Since that night, Annabel had done everything in her power to avoid them. She followed Juliet’s advice to the letter: don’t get involved, just focus on the job. For now, she had nowhere else to go, and she needed the shelter the mansion provided—even if it meant enduring their presence. Andrew made several attempts to speak with her, but Annabel never gave him the chance. She kept her distance, her voice cold whenever he came close. He started to wonder if her silence had something to do with him being with Esme. Desperate for answers, he confronted Esme about that night. She’d given him a casual shrug and said, “We got drunk. We slept. That’s all.” But Andrew didn’t believe her. Not fully. Still, he didn’t press further. “Esme still hasn’t told you anything?” Albert asked, stepping into Andrew’s office. He leaned on the edge of the desk, watching his brother intently. Andrew just shook his head, eyes fixed
The next morning, Annabel stirred, her head pounding. A groan escaped her lips as she squinted against the light, her vision blurry. Everything around her spun for a moment before the room finally came into focus. “Where… am I?” she whispered, her voice hoarse and dry. She blinked, trying to make sense of her surroundings—and then felt a hand rest gently on her arm. She flinched. Her head snapped to the side. Andrew. Her breath hitched. Her heart pounded against her ribs as panic rose inside her. She shoved her hair back with trembling hands. Her gaze dropped to herself—bare skin, no clothes. Her stomach sank. She was completely naked. Air caught in her throat. Her lungs refused to work. Her chest tightened. No, no, no… Before she could even piece together the nightmare she had woken into, another hand touched her. Albert. Her scream nearly broke free—but she swallowed it down, eyes flying to her other side. Albert lay beside her. Naked. Just like Andrew. H
“I don’t think I’m interested in playing any of these games,” Annabel said softly, barely audible over the pulsing music. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress. “Sir, I think we should leave,” she added, her gaze locked on Albert’s hand.Andrew, standing nearby with a drink loosely gripped in one hand, narrowed his eyes. Jealousy flickered in them like a storm ready to erupt.“Why can’t you play?” he asked sharply, his voice cutting through the music. “You running from something… or someone?”Annabel didn’t answer. Neither did Albert. Instead, Albert reached out, lacing his fingers through hers as if shielding her from the moment, and turned to leave.“You can’t just walk out!” Andrew snapped, voice rising above the club beats. “What the hell are you doing, Albert? You have a fucking fiancée, so why are you holding her hand like that?”Albert stopped in his tracks. His eyes met Andrew’s, dark with irritation.“That’s none of your damn business,” he bit back coldly.“Okay, oka
Annabel’s eyes widened in shock at what Andrew had just done. “What is the matter with you?” she demanded, rising quickly and hurrying over to where Albert lay sprawled on the floor to help him up.Andrew’s face flushed with anger and disbelief as he barked, “What is wrong with me? You were both about to fucking kiss—and he’s got a fucking fiancée!”Annabel’s tone was icy as she scoffed, “He was trying to get something out of my eye, you weirdo!” She steadied Albert, whose eyes darted around in embarrassment over the scene he’d just witnessed.Albert cleared his throat and, with a calm steadiness that contrasted sharply with the chaos, asked, “Why would you do that, Andrew?”“I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry,” Andrew mumbled, his voice softening as he turned and stalked away toward Esme. “Let’s get out of here now,” he said, gripping Esme’s wrist firmly as they left the café behind. Annabel and Albert exchanged glances while watching them disappear through the door.Albert let out a sigh.
Annabel couldn’t shake the nagging uncertainty about where Albert was taking her. Dressed in a simple outfit—a basic top paired with worn jeans—she hoped she wasn’t underdressed for whatever surprise lay ahead. As the car cruised along the quiet road, Albert’s eyes flicked over to her, catching the subtle tension in her posture.“Are you okay, Annabel?” he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.Startled, she turned to him, forcing a small smile. “There’s no problem, sir. I’m good,” she replied softly, though the tremor in her tone betrayed her. “I’m just a little cold—that’s all,” she added, a gentle lie meant to smooth over the awkward silence between them.Albert’s concern didn’t waver. “That’s no problem at all,” he said, immediately reaching over to switch off the car’s AC. “Better now,” he added with a warm smile. Annabel returned his smile, and the drive passed quietly, punctuated only by the hum of the engine and the soft whisper of the road.When they finally arrived, A
Andrew took a step back, putting distance between himself and Esme. A smirk curled on her lips, her eyes glinting with amusement."I’m glad I make you uneasy. That just means you feel something for me," she said confidently, tilting her head slightly.Andrew’s left eyebrow arched at her words."Feel something for you?" he scoffed. "I don’t give a damn about you, okay? And don’t get too close to me again. I’ve told you before, and I’ll say it again—I’m in love with someone else. So whatever you’re hoping for? It’s never going to happen." His tone was sharp, laced with clear irritation.Before Esme could respond, movement caught Andrew’s attention.Annabel.His eyes widened slightly as she approached, a sudden rush of worry washing over him. Had she seen what just happened?"Excuse me, sir. I'd like to get through," Annabel said, her voice calm, controlled.Esme turned to her, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Oh my, are you a housekeeper here?" she asked, her gaze sweeping over Annabe
Andrew's mind reels as he watches Esme, confusion clouding his thoughts. Why is she saying this? What game is she playing?"I'm serious, okay?" Esme insists, her tone light yet unwavering. "When my dad told me I’d be meeting someone, I wasn’t exactly thrilled. He’s always setting me up with people I have no interest in. But with you… it’s different.” She tilts her head, watching him closely. “The way you stood up to your parents, refusing the marriage—it was something I’ve never seen a rich boy do before. It was… attractive." She smiles, but Andrew feels no warmth from it—only amusement, like she’s enjoying a game he never agreed to play.His frown deepens. "Don't get the wrong idea," he says sharply. "I said that because I don’t want to marry you—not because I was trying to impress you."Esme’s smile widens, as if his frustration is nothing more than entertainment to her. "I know. But now I want to marry you.”Andrew exhales sharply, barely containing his irritation. "Well, I don’t w
Andrew’s POVI loved the shocked look on my mom’s face. Now I was sure—this marriage would never happen."Hi, everyone. I’m Esme," she said in a nonchalant tone, barely looking up from her phone as she found a seat."This is my daughter, Esme," Griffen said nervously. I mean, who could blame him? Just look at his daughter."She doesn’t look shy to me," I said with amusement, only to be silenced by my mother’s sharp glare. I rolled my eyes but didn’t push it further."I think we should all eat," my mom said with a forced smile, trying to keep things civil.My gaze stayed on Esme. I wanted to tell her how relieved I was that she was the one here. There was no way my mom would ever accept her as her daughter-in-law.As we started eating, Griffen reached over and took Esme’s phone away. "Eat properly," he told her.Surprisingly, she listened without protest. She actually obeyed him. Well, I guess that wasn’t a bad thing."I know you all might have some questions about my daughter," Griffe
The house is beautifully decorated, warm lights casting a soft glow over the elegant setup. The scent of fresh flowers lingers in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of baked goods.Annabel moves about the kitchen, wiping down the counters, but her mind is elsewhere. Curiosity tugs at her as she watches the staff rush around with an unusual level of excitement.She finally turns to Mrs. Jones, who’s overseeing the preparations. "Mrs. Jones, what’s happening?" she asks, her tone laced with curiosity.Mrs. Jones pauses, a smile tugging at her lips. "Andrew is about to get engaged."The words hit Annabel like a sudden gust of wind. Her heart skips a beat, her grip tightening slightly on the cloth in her hands."What?" she breathes out, needing confirmation. "Is he really getting engaged today?"Mrs. Jones’ smile fades into a frown. "That’s exactly what I said," she replies with a hint of irritation. "Now, get back to work."Annabel nods absently, turning back to her task, but the news