Annalise's POV.I stand there, my fists clenched at my sides, my eyes fixed on Mia with an intensity that could pierce through steel. The room is silent, every eye on the two of us, waiting to see what will happen next."You can't leave the meeting, my love," Grandma says with a concerned-filled voice, and I sigh."Fine, I won't leave, but Mia has to apologize," I declare again, staring at her with deadly intent.Mia's eyes narrow, her jaw clenched stubbornly. "I won't apologize," she retorts defiantly, her voice dripping with arrogance.I feel a surge of anger rising within me, but I keep my composure, refusing to let her get the best of me. Instead, I lock eyes with her and speak with a calm yet commanding tone."Very well, Mia," I say, my voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "If you refuse to apologize, then I'm afraid your presence here is no longer needed."Mia's expression falters for a moment, a flicker of apprehension gracing her eyes before she shakes it away, repl
Annalise's POVI went home after the meeting, although Liam insisted on dropping me at home, I quickly refused. I knew whatever happened at the meeting today had only intensified Mia's hatered for me. I wasn't scared of them if they came to me head-on, but involving the people I loved was a wrong move.Until now, I still felt the guilt swell up in my chest. I didn't know what I would have done if something had happened to my family. I had considered them the only family I had until I met the Smiths.As for Liam, I really wished he would have told me before he made such a move by organizing a family meeting. But what authority… There wasn't much difference between his actions with Grandma. It was exactly this morning that Liam and Mia met. He was quick to organize a meeting with busy people, yet everyone showed up, including father, who happened to be really busy.Getting into the house, I paused and looked around the mansion. It was well-built and just so classy, but I wasn't used to
“Hello, Grandma,” “My grandchild continues to make me proud. Did you see what you did at the meeting? I was beginning to wonder if you were the one that called for the meeting or if it was you and Liam” I giggled as I blushed, I had never wanted to say a word in the meeting. All I planned to do was remain quiet till the meeting was over. It wasn't like I was interested in getting married anyway… and to Mia's boyfriend? I'll never have an eye on that girl's man. He was never hers from the beginning. “Grandma, did I do well?” I asked again, searching for more praise. “My grandchild was no different from her grandmother. You are really from my loins”I burst out laughing, Mia had left with a red face earlier today. If she thought I would sit down and listen to her insult my mother without doing a thing, she was so wrong. In fact, she was so lucky I didn't know what plans Liam had from the beginning. I would have gotten myself prepared for them all.“Grandma, I called to get your ad
Liam's POVIt was just a friendly dinner, I had said to Annalise, but deep down, I knew it wasn't just one. I was enthusiastic about it; I couldn't concentrate in the office work and I didn't even bother to try. Everyone could notice my bright mood today, and I didn't bother to explain it to anyone, not even my best friend, Nathaniel, who had come to the office earlier on.I knew I shouldn't have call her at that time, but I couldn't help myself. Hearing her voice also made me wait in anticipation for this dinner.With a hushed voice, she had explained it was still 10 am, and I could guess that she was speaking that way because she was with her family. I wish I was there to tease her with both grandma's backing me up.After the call, I had called to ask about the reservation I made at the restaurant. I didn't want Annalise to back out, so I decided not to reserve the entire place for just the both of us. I know her too well to know that she won't be pleased. Unlike other girls, she's
Annalise's POV“Are you going somewhere?” Mother asked and I nodded, “Yes, I am going to tell Liam the good news” I replied before walking over to where Liam sat, “Stand up, we don't have all the time in the world. We have to leave here before the day gets dark” I had spoken in a hurry, almost pulling Liam up so we could leave already. “You know, it's more beautiful when the day is dark,” Grandma said. I didn't need any more signs to know that there was no better time to leave than now. Liam was still staring at me like a hawk, does he know I am trying to avoid questions like… where are you going? Is he your boyfriend now? “Liam, I know my granddaughter is beautiful but you have to get up before she swats your head. Take a look at her face” Grandma announced and the idiot actually moved his eyes to my face. A deeper frown formed on my face as I glared at him, “I'll be outside!” Before I got to the door, Liam had walked past me and opened the door for me. Without thanking him,
Annalise's POV. Taking a deep, calming breath, I struggled to contain the storm raging within me. Just seeing them alone sent my blood boiling; they were living reminders of a past I wanted to forget. Why did they have to intrude on our dinner now of all times?"Why can't they just enjoy their own meal and leave us in peace?" I muttered under my breath, barely containing my frustration as I glared at them. "Hello, Lara, nice to see you here," I forced out, my smile feeling like it was tearing at the corners of my mouth. I turned to Benson, who looked like a lost puppy. "And Benson, how are you doing?""It's not good to see you, Annalise. There's nothing good about seeing you," Lara spat venomously, her words like daggers aimed at my heart. "Hope you've heard that the Walford family has regained their footing in the business world? Your family's attempt to ruin them didn't work. They're back, and they're stronger than ever!"I fought to maintain my composure, refusing to let Lara's w
Annalise's POV. The guards arrived, their imposing figures casting a shadow over the table. They stood tall and imposing, their presence commanding attention as they surveyed the scene before them."What seems to be the problem here ma'am?" one of the guards asked, his voice firm and authoritative as he stared at Lara who was all smiles. I was pretty sure she was enjoying her little show of power."Is there anyone disturbing your peace ma'am?" Another asked, I rolled my eyes and made to stand up but Liam drew my hand back and I gave him a suspicious look, however, he just gave me that dazzling smile of his.Lara wasted no time in pointing an accusatory finger in my direction. "These individuals are causing a disturbance," she declared, her tone dripping with disdain. "They're not welcome here, and I want them removed immediately."I glared angrily at her, my jaw clenched with frustration. "We're not causing any disturbance," I shot back, my voice laced with defiance. "We're simply tr
Author's POV“Son, what's going on? Where's Lara?” Mrs Walford asked the moment she saw her son step into the house with a grumpy face. Looking behind him, she couldn't find her daughter-in-law to be, “Where's Lara?” She asked again when Benson didn't reply to her but was only taking his shoes off. “She's gone to her parent's house. She has a lot of explanation to do” he replied as he raised his head to look at his mother. Tears swelled up in his eyes when he recalled the humiliation he had to go through because of Lara. At first, when he caught sight of Annalise, he wanted to leave immediately and have nothing to do with that family again but Lara had told him that she had it under control. He was humiliated for the second time by Annalise. “What's wrong?” His mother walked up to him when she noticed his mood. Benson didn't have a smile on his face, he hated the guts of Liam so much. “It's Annalise!” He spat through gritted teeth. Mrs Walford raised her brows before asking, “Wh
Annalise POV Liam, as the driver and the gentleman that he was, held the car door and I stepped into the passenger's seat while he made his way to the driver's seat and entered. “So you did get the outfit. Tell me, who—” I swallowed back the rest of my words when Liam covered my lips with his. I thought we weren't doing this. I didn't stop him but quickly responded, my hand let go of my purse as I held his jaws before my hand slipped to the back of his head. The kiss wasn't a slow one or an innocent kiss, it was demanding and filled with so much desire that I wondered how I didn't notice it earlier. I moaned as his hand reached for my ass and gave it a light squeeze causing me to moan some more. “Fuck!” He broke the kiss and cussed, “Fuck, Annalise, my self-control is slipping away” he announced. His eyes staring right at me, his face was so close to mine and his breath literally fanning my skin. I had gone red as I tried to catch my breath, God, I had never had it this good. I
Annalise POV “My exams are coming up, Liam, I don't have time to party. The party is supposed to be at the end of the year. Why now?” I asked as I dropped the book I was reading on the bed before stepping down from the bedToday is finally the day of the party and as much as I wanted to please Grandma Smith by enjoying all of this, I have an exam to prepare for. Not to forget that the emergency calls almost every day at the hospital made me miss a lot of classes. I walked towards the dressing mirror as I listened to Liam explain how women could be when it came to parties, and he laughed at me for being a different kind of woman. “Well, as long as I would have another opportunity to spend time with you, I don't mind. I don't care if they decide to arrange a party every week” he held back a chuckle and I rolled my eyes. Unbelievable, they must have gotten used to always going to gatherings. I hated it and avoided it when I was in school. I don't know how long I would survive it. “T
Annalise’s POVBefore Kelvin could respond to my question, Father and the rest of the family came out making me furrow my brows. Did they decide to follow Liam out or what?I wouldn’t be surprised if only Father and Grandpa Smith had stepped out but for the entire family to come out, something was going on.Kelvin came to stand beside me while Liam stopped pushing the swing,“Is everything alright?” I asked Father with a smile and he nodded,“Yes, my child. Your grandma has an announcement to make” he informed before turning to look at Grandma who was making herself comfortable on the other swing beside me. I waited for her to speak along with the rest of the family. They didn’t seem to know what she was going to say either. Curiosity almost eating me up.“Kelvin, come give your grandma a push” she instructed making me raise my brow a bit.“Yes, my lady” Kelvin walked behind her and began to push her gently. I smiled.“There’s going to be a party coming up. It’s a collaboration we nor
Annalise’s POVBefore Kelvin could respond to my question, Father and the rest of the family came out making me furrow my brows. Did they decide to follow Liam out or what?I wouldn’t be surprised if only Father and Grandpa Smith had stepped out but for the entire family to come out, something was going on.Kelvin came to stand beside me while Liam stopped pushing the swing,“Is everything alright?” I asked Father with a smile and he nodded,“Yes, my child. Your grandma has an announcement to make” he informed before turning to look at Grandma who was making herself comfortable on the other swing beside me. I waited for her to speak along with the rest of the family. They didn’t seem to know what she was going to say either. Curiosity almost eating me up.“Kelvin, come give your grandma a push” she instructed making me raise my brow a bit.“Yes, my lady” Kelvin walked behind her and began to push her gently. I smiled.“There’s going to be a party coming up. It’s a collaboration we nor
Annalise's POVThe drive to the Smith family house was swift and quiet. That was because Liam was deep in thought about what I had told him. I shouldn't have but I didn't know when it slipped my mouth as I spoke about the stress I had been facing because of him in school. Well, I think it's because we haven't spoken for a long time and I needed to tell him a lot about what had been going on in my life. I had missed him. When we got to the family house, Liam came over to open the car for me like a gentleman, “Ready?” I sighed, “I don't think I can ever be” “That was what you said when you wanted to go for the reunion but see how it turned out” he smiled at me. I wanted to be positive so I nodded, assuring myself that I was here to only visit Father and Grandma then I'll go back home. “Ah, what's she doing here?” I heard one of the sons speak. What was his name again…? Jerry. “Big sist,” another one smiled as he came over to meet me then pulled me into a hug before I knew it. A fr
Liam's POVIf I say I haven't missed Annalise, I would be a big fat liar. I didn't know I'd get to miss a girl like I missed her. This only means that she had entered my system and had mixed with my blood because what kind of a man would drive from his house early in the morning only to come to stare at a girl's house for more than an hour then drive off? I've been doing that for the past three days. I'll go to her house and park my car there, staring at the house for minutes, and turn to an hour before finally going to work. I had tried as much as I could to put all my attention to work. And yes, I had bullied my employees because I had diverted my anger at them. They suffered it more. The project they were supposed to accomplish in a week, ended up doing within days, really annoying how I had transferred aggression to them. When I heard that Annalise was downstairs, I literally jumped up from my chair. My heart raced as I tried to put my office in order, not like anything was out
Annalise's POVI didn't get any call from Liam, it's been four days. I didn't know he was that hurt. I had stayed with Jared and his son, Alex, in the hospital for two nights. I expected Liam to call and ask how I was doing, but I never received a call from him. That was unlike him. “Anna, shouldn't you be home and resting since you don't have classes today or any emergency yet?” Grandma J asked. I was wearing my shoes as I replied, not looking at her,“Yes, but I want to go and visit someone. I will be back soon, I need the rest too” She didn't say anymore but I assume she got the message. It's also funny how none of them had teased me about Liam since the hospital thing. Did Liam ask them to stop? Within these few days, I also noticed that Benson's flowers and letters also increased and Professor Ken has been a bone in my throat. I wish I could just explode at him and tell him what I really think but I don't want to be disobedient to my professor. As for Mia, she's on a low and I
Annalise's POV “Liam…” I called, a bit shocked at the way he was acting. This was my office and Jared is a patient's parent here, he can't come and start acting like a jealous husband now. Jared held me by the shoulder to stop me from saying any more before he moved closer to Liam, “Hi, I'm Jared” he stretched his hand for a handshake. Liam looked at his hand and didn't bother to take it, he had a deep frown on his face as he looked away from Jared and asked me instead,“Are you ready to go home?” I watched Jared drop his hand, seeing that Liam wasn't planning to take it for a handshake. Damn you, Liam! What kind of jealousy was this? And how do you act this way seeing that the man wants to be friends? I folded my arms across my chest and said,“Liam, this is Jared, his son was rushed to the hospital because he took some poisonous substance” I tried to explain the best way I could. Maybe he would finally face Jared and give the man the respect he deserved. Liam looked from me fi
Annalise's POV. "Jared... What are you doing here?" I asked, my surprise evident in my voice. I never knew I'd see him so soon after the school reunion. "Hey Anna, it's so good to see you again." He waved and I gave him a half smile. "Yeah. What brought a star to the hospital, did you do any dangerous stunt while shooting any movie and broke some bones?" "Well, with a doctor like you at my service, I don't mind breaking all my bones cause I know you'll fix them, just like you fix my son." He chuckled and confusion settled in me. "Your son?" I asked in confusion."Yeah, the nanny brought him to the hospital before calling me, the boy you just finished treating is my son, he was rushed to the hospital some hours ago." He explained and my mouth and eyes opened wide in shock. "You... You had a son?" I questioned in awe and he let out a cackle before nodding in affirmation. "Wow, that's so cool." I found myself saying and he chuckled the more.Yeah, I'm overreacting but wow! "Looks