66.The day went by faster than usual and before Annabel knew it, work hours were over. With a smile, she switched off her laptop, arranged her desk and set to leave when she remembered that Roland was still in the suite.She facepalmed and opened the door. She found him asleep on the couch.“How is he even comfortable like this?” She asked no one in particular and stood, looking at him. She tapped him. “Hey, get up. Work hours are over,”He didn't budge. She sighed and ran her hands through her hair. What exactly was wrong with him? He was asked to stay off work but the disobedient dude still came to work today. She wondered what he was trying to prove. “Roland,” She called but he didn't answer. She bent to his level and placed her hand on his forehead. He wasn't hot or cold. She sighed in relief, at least nothing serious was wrong with him.She stared at his sleeping figure, wanting to look away but it just wasn't working for her. He was just too cute to look away from. She didn't
67.“Do you know him?” Annabel asked but he didn't answer her.She couldn't understand his sudden change of mood when she mentioned Roland. She tapped him and he gasped, looking at her.“Are you okay?” She asked and he nodded. “By any chance, do you know Roland D. Ville?” She asked.“Of course I do. Who doesn't know Roland D. Ville, the business tycoon?” He said that last part through gritted teeth.“I mean personally.” She replied.He smiled at her. “Let's forget about that. I just remembered something and that's why my mood changed.” He lied, knowing that she had noticed his mood.Annabel nodded innocently and continued eating. They talked about other stuff and laughed, forgetting about Roland in an instant. When they were done, he bought some things for them to take home and also the things he had promised Sasha, ignoring Annabel scoldings because he had bought too much.He dropped them at home and pecked Olivia's forehead while his guards took what he bought for them inside.“Than
68.The next day, Annabel returned to work but was surprised to see Noel in the office with Roland. She thought she had gotten it over with with this woman, why was she here again?A frown found its way to her face immediately.She walked to her desk and took a seat, ignoring them. It wasn't her business so she'd stay out of it.“Good morning, Annabel.” Roland greeted with a smile and Noel frowned. She felt that employees should show high level of respect, and didn't like how aloof Annabel was. And the worst part was that, Roland was okay with it. She folded her hands, determined to talk about this and shame Annabel.“Is this how you treat your employees in this company, Roland? This is not like you.” Noel smirked.Annabel only rolled her eyes. Roland cleared his throat. “She isn't just an employee, Noel, and I'd appreciate it if you strictly focus on why you're here in the first place.” Annabel didn't know when a smile found its way to her lips. She looked at Roland and he winked a
69.That night…Roland paced around his room, lost in thoughts. He wondered how and where Annabel got to know Carson?“Could it be in California?” Roland asked no one in particular as he paced to and fro.He and Carson had never gotten along. They were best friends right from when they were kids, but when things worked out for Roland, Carson always got mad and that soiled their friendship.Roland was smart and was the type to always take risk, making him excel higher and better than the rest.Carson always lagged behind and started distancing himself from Roland. He refused to answer Roland's calls and always did everything he could to sabotage and jeopardize Roland's efforts.Roland endured it all until the day Carson said they were no longer friends. He made it clear to Roland that, he didn't like that things were going well for Roland and he was stuck. Roland offered to help him but he refused and cut off their friendship, becoming rivals in business with Roland. Because of Roland,
70.They all waited in the reception as the doctor attended to Noel. Ms. D. Ville pulled Roland to a corner when the waiting was becoming unbearable.“How are you going to fix this mess?” She asked.Roland raised an eyebrow at her. What was his mother talking about this time around? “Why are you acting as if I'm the reason why all these is happening? Why are you making it look like it's my problem?”Mrs. D. Ville sighed. “You're the reason why this happened, Roland. If you had accepted this girl, she wouldn't have gone back to a lifestyle she gave up.”“Can you hear yourself speak, mum?” Roland couldn't believe his mother wanted him to accept a drug addict as a wife. “She's a drug addict. How could you suggest such a person to me?” He questioned. “She's no longer one, Roland. Your rejection triggered whatever happened today.” She placed her hand on his shoulder but he moved away from her.“Your desperation for me to get married is getting out of hand, mother. I have already said it a
71.Annabel was in the kitchen, but it was obvious that her thoughts were elsewhere. She couldn't help but wonder what was wrong between Carson and Roland. Why did they frown at the mention of each other's name?“Annie?” Sasha called and she turned. Sasha walked to where she stood. “Shit! It's burning!” Sasha exclaimed, quickly switching off the electric cooker.Annabel facepalmed. She was so lost in thoughts, she forgot she was frying eggs.“What's the problem? You look bothered. Did something go wrong between you and Roland or…” She trailed off.“I'm just bothered about Roland and Carson.”“What's wrong with them?” Sasha started dishing the almost burnt eggs into the plates.“I think they know each other and from the look of things, they totally don't like each other.” She sighed.“They run the same type company. There's bound to be jealousy and hate here and there.” Sasha smiled, taking a tray from the cupboard.Annabel turned to face her while leaning on the counter. “I know there
72.“I know it's going to be hard but—”“But what, Carson?” She interrupted. “Do you expect me to just nod my head, walk to his office and be like, “Hey, Roland, I'm not working for you anymore. I quit!” because you say so?“ She couldn't believe he would tell her such a thing.“I know why I'm saying this, Anna. Roland isn't someone you should be around.”“Let me be the judge of that.”“Anna, you're not understanding me. Alright, if you're worried about where to work after quitting, the grand opening of my company is this week. I'll employ you and make you my manager, I'll give you whatever you want, Anna. Just leave Roland.” He sighed, hoping she would get his point but Annabel wasn't seeing things from his perspective.Annabel shook her head. “I can't believe you're saying this to me, Carson. I wasn't expecting this. Because you two are at beef with each other doesn't mean you have to drag me into it.”“Roland is not a good person. He's a playboy and can hurt you. It's only a matter
73.Next Day…“Good morning, Annabel. Here's Mr. Roland's schedule for the week.” The secretary smiled as she handed over the files to Annabel.“Alright, thank you so much.” Annabel took them with a smile and walked into the office.She settled down and started going through them. One particular schedule caught her attention.She looked closely to be sure she was seeing right. “An invitation to be a guest in CS Haute Couture Company?” She blinked. “That's Carson's company. Why did Carson invite Roland when they're not on good terms?” She was still wondering when the door opened and Roland walked in.“Come on, Mr. Roland, it's just for a night.”Annabel turned to see Jessica pleading with Roland. With a smile, she stood up to welcome them but they were engrossed in their argument.“Jessica, I can't do that. It's not her job and besides, I don't think she'd agree to something like that.” Roland facepalmed.“That's why you're her boss. You can talk to her and she'd help us get it done. P