85.THE NEXT DAY…Annabel walked into the company and looked around, smiling. She was no longer entering the company as Mr. Roland's personal assistant but someone dear and close to his heart.As she reached for the elevator and opened it, she saw a hand turning it off and it closed. When she turned, her eyes met with that of Roland.She just stared at him with a smile, not knowing what to say. But when Roland's hand took hers and he intertwined their fingers, her eyes shot open.“What are you doing?” She asked.Roland smiled and started walking, taking her with him. “We're going to use my elevator. You aren't permitted to use the ones the employees use anymore.” He answered.“But must we hold hands? The employees —”“Can think whatever they want to think,” He cut her off and tapped his elevator button. “I am in charge.” He smirked and they entered.Annabel knew the employees would be gossiping about her soon because while they were going to the elevator, she noticed their stares and
86.“You look unusually happy these days. What's the secret?” Brian asked Annabel when they bumped into each other in the company one day. She had told Roland, she wanted to deliver somethings to the technical department so they could work on. He didn't want her to leave and wanted to call someone to get it done, but she insisted, and he let her go.Annabel smiled. “Don't I deserve to be happy?” She asked.“Of course you do. I'm just surprised because you aren't usually this cheerful, especially to Mr. Roland of course. But these days, there's this smile you always have on your face that makes me wonder what might have actually happened with you.” Brian smiled. Annabel sighed, wondering if she should tell Brian what was going on or not. Well, they just started, so she might as well keep it a secret. Besides, she didn't want anyone to know about them yet.“I'm just happy, that's all.” She smiled dreamily.Brian was determined to get the truth out of her at all costs “I know those kind
87.The day went by faster than expected and it was almost closing hours. Roland allowed Annabel to close early so she could go home and prepare for their dinner night while he remained in the office.Ashton came to meet him as he sat working. “Aren't you going to prepare for your dinner date with Annabel tonight?” He asked, taking a seat, facing Roland.Roland looked up at him with a smile. “Of course I will. I just need to get some things done first.” He replied.“I think it's about time you showed her to your parents. I always tell you that delay is dangerous and with Carson lurking around every corner, you need to officially announce her as yours before he makes any move.” Ashton sighed.Roland massaged his forehead. “Yes, I understand what you're trying to say. I also have that in mind, but don't you think she'd feel that it's too sudden?” He asked.“Nothing is sudden. You two have loved each other for some time now. The only reason the confession delayed is because the two of you
88.“Your parents?” Annabel's eyes widened. Seeing his parents sounded too sudden and urgent for her and she had no idea how to even react to this.She dropped the fork and cleared her throat. “Isn't that too sudden?” She asked.“I know it sounds too sudden for you but I have a reason why I want to show you to my parents now. I want them to see the woman who finally gave me her heart.” He covered her palm which was rested on the table with his palm and intertwined their fingers.Annabel couldn't help the feeling of anxiety that crept up her body that particular time. The feeling of meeting his parents was a nostalgic one. She had heard about them, and how strict they were.She had expected to finally see them during the dinner party in the company but they didn't later come and now she had to see them face to face; one on one and they'd been talking to her. How was she going to handle that pressure?Roland noticed her tension and gave her hand a little squeeze. “I know you're nervous a
89.“Wait, Roland, don't tell me this is the girl you told me and your father about.” Mrs. D. Ville said and looked at Annabel from head to toes. She could tell from Annabel's dressing and looks that the lady wasn't from a classy family.With just a glimpse, she's able to tell a first class lady whenever she saw her but this one? No, this can't be for her son.Mr. D. Ville had a frown on his face. When he told Roland to bring a lady and show to him, this wasn't what he meant at all. He didn't expect a middle class lady.“What's the meaning of this?” He asked Roland.Annabel's heart was racing. From the way they looked at her and how they spoke, she knew these people didn't like her one bit. Roland helped her to sit and gestured for his parents to sit as well.“Don't jump into conclusions this easily. You have to meet her first to know if she has class or not. I don't see class or anything relating to it in money or material things. I look at character.” Roland said and his mother sigh
90“How did it go?” Sasha asked after Annabel entered the house.Annabel placed her hand on her forehead, and with a sigh, slumped on the couch. Her face held an unreadable expression, making Sasha to wonder what was wrong with her. Sasha sat on the couch and moved close to her, wrapping her hands around Annabel's neck.“Talk to me, Annie. What happened at his parents' place? They welcomed you with open arms and his mother showed you embarrassing pictures of his childhood right?” She asked.Annabel shook her head. “They didn't like me. They said I'm not a lady with class,” She said and Sasha gasped. “I heard everything they said about me, Sasha. I just acted cool.” A tear was about to slip from her eyes but Sasha held her.“Hey, stop it. You're a strong woman. They don't know what they're missing out on. They're wrong about you.”“No, Sasha, they're right. Everything they said was true. This was my fear all along and it's finally reality. I always had this fear that I and Roland were f
91.CS Haute Couture CompanyCarson sat in his office one day, swaying left and right on his chair. He had different thoughts swirling through his head in diverse directions. He couldn't believe Annabel fell for Roland after all his efforts to make sure she loved him and no one else.He took care of her when she was pregnant and offered to be her backbone and shoulder to lean on. He was her hope when she had nowhere to run to, and now all he did had been thrown into the sea by no other person than Roland D. Ville, a man who once claimed to be his best friend.Liam sat opposite him, staring at him with a look of sadness in his eyes. Ever since Annabel rejected Carson, the fella hadn't been himself and was always so withdrawn and quiet. He knew Carson's quietness meant bad news, and he wanted to know what the mischievous fellow was up to, so he decided to engage him in a conversation.“You're awfully quiet these days. It's quite unusual.” He started.Carson grinned. “What do you expect m
92.Annabel returned to the office, maintaining a straight face. She was still annoyed over what the ladies said about her. She couldn't comprehend why people loved assuming unnecessary things. What's their business if she decides to keep her relationship with Roland hidden?Roland watched her. He could see that she was lost in thoughts. “What's going on?” He asked and she looked at him, forcing a smile.“Nothing is wrong. I'm just exhausted.” She lied and it was so smooth that it even shocked her.Roland wasn't convinced. “I don't think that's what's wrong with you but if you're exhausted, you can take a break and rest at home today.” He demanded.Annabel shook her head. “Don't worry, I'm okay.” She smiled.Roland watched her and sighed before nodding his head. She picked up her phone to check some messages when she saw Carson's text. She went through it and saw that he wanted to have lunch with her.She contemplated on whether to accept it or not but she started to think. If she do