112.Roland returned to the company. He was in a very foul mood and ignored the greetings from the employees.When he got to the office and didn't see Annabel, he sighed and walked straight into the suite but was surprised at the aroma that filled the whole room.He closed the suite door and wondered who must have entered. “Could it be Ashton?” He asked no one in particular and went straight to the kitchen.He was surprised to see Annabel cooking. She stood in front of the electric cooker with an apron around her waist and a hairnet. The way she looked so focused on what she was doing brought a smile to his face, and he quickly forgot that he was in a bad mood.He tiptoed to where she stood and wrapped his hands around her waist. Annabel stiffened, but when she got a scent of his perfume, she calmed down and leaned into his touch, his breath fanning her neck.“What are you doing?” He asked and she smiled.“What does it look like I'm doing?” She teased him.“You're cooking of your acco
113.Before they knew it, three days had passed by. Roland and Annabel got themselves busy checking the things on Annabel's to-do list. From grocery shopping together to picnics, live events and movies with Ashton and Sasha.Annabel just returned from one of their outings and plopped on the couch, exhausted.“Look who's back!” Sasha exclaimed as she got down from the stairs. She walked to where Annabel sat and sat beside her. “Did you have fun?” She asked.“I did, but my legs are aching.” She sighed.Sasha cleared her throat and looked at Annabel suspiciously. “What did you do?” She asked.Annabel furrowed her brows. “I don't understand. What are you talking about?” She asked.“You said your legs are aching, so technically, something must have happened between the two of you — something secretive and sacred.” She whispered to Annabel, and Annabel quickly got what she was saying.“Oh my goodness!” Annabel screamed and hit Sasha's shoulder. “How could you even think of something like tha
114.Annabel couldn't believe what this woman was telling her.“I'm sorry, ma. Maybe I didn't get you quite right. You want me to leave your son for thirty million dollars?” She asked.Mrs. D. Ville looked at Annabel, her expression turning serious. “Why are you looking surprised? Isn't that why you're dating him in the first place?”“You think I'm dating your son for his money?” Annabel shook her head. “You're mistaken, ma'am. I'm dating Roland because I love him not because of his money. Please, don't misunderstand me.” She explained but Mrs. D. Ville didn't look like she was believing whatever Annabel was saying.“And you think I'm going to believe that gibberish you're spluttering?” She asked, her voice suddenly becoming cold and firm. “Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Annabel? You're a single mother. I don't see any reason why you want to have an affair with my son.” She said and Annabel lowered her head. “I don't think there's any need to bring the fact that I'm a single mother i
115.“You did what?” Roland exclaimed, his eyes wide in shock. He couldn't believe his mother would go too far.“Yes, I had to and guess what, she was more than ready to accept the money. I had to tell her it was a test and that angered her, and she left,” She said, and Roland shook his head.“No, Annabel would never do such a thing. She wouldn't choose money over me. She loves me.”“Shut up!” She snapped at him. “Just shut the fuck up, Roland. Are you this blinded by love that you can't see what's right in front of you? Has love run away with your common sense? I'm telling you this girl chose money over you, and you think I'm lying?” Roland still didn't believe her. He knew Annabel too well. If she were after his money, she would have demanded for expensive and exclusive things that other girls demanded for. What about when he wanted to buy clothes for her and she decline? He couldn't believe this.“I'm sorry, mum, but I don't believe you. Annabel and I have come too far for her to d
116.“I don't know what you're talking about.” She feigned ignorance, hoping to lie her way out of this one, but Roland had already seen through her. He gave her a small smile and walked to where she sat. He tried to sit beside her, but she moved away for the fear that he might study her body movement and find out she was lying to him. Roland was hurt by what she did, but he took it in now that he knew the reason she was acting that way.“Anna,” He called, but she couldn't answer him. “Annabel.” He called again, and she turned to look at him, eventually looking away in other to avoid his gaze.“Did I do something wrong? Maybe something you didn't like and you're annoyed or angry with me? Did I say something to hurt you, or is there something else that I don't know about?” He asked.“Nothing is wrong. I just needed space for a while.” She replied, being hurt by her own reply.“That's not true, Anna. You can't just wake up one morning and decide that you need space without a valid reas
117.Nadia smiled as she approached Roland and stood in front of him. “Hi, Rolly. Has it been like 6 years?” She asked.“Nadia, I can't believe—”“Yeah, I know, I know. I didn't tell you I was coming because you never bothered to call and check on me, which got me wondering if I have offended you or maybe someone or something is trying to come in between us.” She looked back at Annabel, said nothing, and averted her gaze to Roland.“No, that's not it. It's just that—”“Save your explanation and hug me already,” She chuckled and embraced him. Roland hugged her back, the shock still evident in his features as he stared at her. She had grown so much and he couldn't believe this was the girl he derived joy in teasing about how tiny she was when they were growing up.“I missed you so much, Rolly.” She sighed.“Rolly?” Annabel muttered as she looked at the girl, hugging Roland like she didn't give a care in the world.Nadia pulled away from the hug and looked at Ashton.“Welcome back, Nadi
118.It was night, she walked around the street, her head hung low as she reminisced over how her life had been for the past 5 years.After her mother's death, she didn't really know life would give her hope again, only for it to come shattering to pieces when her best friend traveled out.She lost her freedom and all of a sudden, everything changed and here she was. She knew if her mother was alive, she wouldn't have been subjected to such a cruel fate; she would have fought her battles head on, but this… this was becoming too much, and she wanted to forget about it all.She looked up ahead and caught a glimpse of a bar. With a satisfied nod, she headed that way and entered. “Two bottles of alcohol please.” She requested.The bartender nodded with a smile and gave her what she ordered and a glass cup. She didn't bother to use the glass cup and just downed it all down from the cup.When she was done with the second bottle, she ordered for three more. The bartender shook his head and
119.The next morning, Sasha woke up and was greeted with a throbbing headache.“Ah!” She exclaimed and placed her hands on her head.When the headache subsided, she looked and saw that she was in her room. “How did I get here?” She wondered, looking around. She tried to remember all that happened, but she couldn't. She realized she must have drank a lot.The door to her room opened and Annabel walked in with a tray of soup. “You're awake.” Annabel smiled.“Yeah,” She answered as Annabel dropped the tray on the bed and gestured for her to take it.“It's hangover soup. You'll need it.” Annabel smiled.Sasha sighed. “How did I get home?” She asked, taking a spoon of the soup.“Ashton brought you home.” Annabel answered and Sasha gasped, spewing the soup.“What!” She exclaimed. “Ashton? Tell me you're joking?”Annabel folded her hands. “Do I look like I'm joking?” Annabel frowned. “How could you go to a bar and get yourself drunk to the extent of not remembering anything? And you even wen