125.When they were done setting Sasha's office, she followed Annabel to Roland's office and met Ashton there.Roland had already told Ashton that Sasha would be his assistant manager and immediately his eyes met with hers, he smiled and stood up to wake her.“Welcome to D. Ville's company, Sasha. I'm excited to work with you.” He said.Sasha smirked. “You'll be more excited when we start working together, Ashton.” She smiled at him, meaning something that was totally different but Ashton didn't seem to understand her.Annabel knew what she meant and chuckled.“Please, show her around the company.” Roland urged Ashton.“Sure. Please, come with me.” He led her out of the office and Annabel smiled as she watched them.She was more than happy that Sasha was finally free from her father's grip. She turned to face Roland, who was busy staring at her.“Roland,” She called and he blinked. “Yes?” “Were you staring at me?” She laughed.Roland knew he wouldn't be able to deny this one. He was
126.The day seemed to go by faster than Annabel expected, and Nadia made sure to spend most of the time with them. Annabel wondered if the lady had nothing to do and just wanted to be a pain in the ass. Her joy was evident when Nadia finally left.She sighed and tucked a strand of her hair behind her eyes. She was getting off work early that day and wanted to pick Olivia up from school by herself today.“I'll be leaving now,” She said to Roland after arranging her desk.Roland pouted. “Why? What are you going home to do anyway? It's not that Sasha is leaving yet.”“Sasha is coming with me. I want to be the one to pick Olivia from school. It's been a while.” She smiled at him.Roland nodded, since it had to do with Olivia. “Tell her I'll see her soon, okay?” He said and she nodded.She walked to where he sat and pecked his lips. “Bye. Don't miss me too much.” She chuckled.Roland smiled. “Oh, before you go, I forgot to tell you that Nadia would be following us to the karaoke tomorrow n
127.What Nadia told Annabel instilled fear in her, and her mood spoiled instantly. Roland walked into the room and dropped the drinks on the table before sitting beside Annabel. He noticed that Annabel wasn't looking too cheerful and held her hand.“Are you okay?” He smiled at her.She forced a smile and nodded. “Can you sing for me?” She asked.“I don't think you need to ask him to sing for you. He'd have to do it by himself,” Nadia smiled warmly at her, and Annabel commended her acting skills. The lady was a real demon. “You see, back when we were together in school, Roland used to have the best voice in class. Girls literally trip just by hearing his voice, but not me, though. I'm not a softie.” Roland chuckled. “Come on, Nady, you literally told me you were moved by my songs.”“I wasn't in my right senses then,” She denied immediately and looked away. Roland just shook his head. “Anyway, go and sing, let's hear you. I need to know if your voice is still intact or if you have a fr
128.“What did you just say, mum?” Roland stood from where he sat and walked to where his mother stood. “You want me to meet Nadia's parents and pick them from the airport? As their errand boy or as what? Don't they have a chauffeur?” He asked.Mrs. D. Ville rubbed her forehead. “Come on, Roland, it's just a kind gesture. What's wrong with picking up your best friend's parents from the airport?” “Are you calling her my best friend now, mum?” He snickered. “I can't believe you. Why has she become my best friend all of a sudden? Weren't you referring to her as daughter-in-law before? Tell me, what happened?” Roland asked, knowing fully well that his mother didn't mean what she said about Nadia being his best friend.“You're overreacting unnecessarily, Roland. Just do as I asked of you, okay?” She wanted to touch him, but he moved away.“What if I refuse to do it?” He folded his hands.“Then you'd be disobeying me.” She frowned.“I want to disobey you.” He said and was about to walk awa
129.Roland brought Nadia to the office and made her sit down. Mrs. D. Ville had seen them walk into the elevator and followed them.Nadia was still crying when she walked in.“What happened to you?” She asked, rushing to where Nadia sat down.“Mum,” She called, pretending to choke on her tears.Mrs. D. Ville cupped her cheeks. “What's the matter, sweetie?” She asked.“I don't know what happened to Annabel and just wanted to calm her down. She slapped me in the process.” She answered, placing her palm on the side of her cheek.Roland sighed and left to get an ice pack from the store.“Annabel did what!” Mrs. D. Ville snapped.Roland returned with the ice pack and bent to help Nadia. He placed it on her cheek and she winced.Mrs. D. Ville faced Roland. “What did I just hear? Annabel raised her hand on Nadia and you did nothing?” She yelled at him but he said nothing and just focused on placing the ice pack on her cheek. He was also wondering why Annabel would do such a thing. He knew h
130.After Annabel walked away, Roland walked to his office, expecting to see her there, but she was nowhere to be found. What alarmed him was that her handbag which was on the table was no longer there.He went into the suite but couldn't find her there either.Wondering where she had gone, he tried calling her, but she wasn't taking his calls. He became worried and quickly rushed to Sasha's office, hoping to find her there.“Sir,” Sasha quickly stood up when he barged into her office.Roland looked around and was disappointed that Annabel wasn't there.“Are you okay?” Sasha asked.He sighed and walked to where she stood. He figured she was Annabel's best friend and should know where Annabel was.“Please, do you know where Annabel is? Did she tell you she was going anywhere?” He asked.Sasha was confused. “No. I haven't seen her since this morning. What's going on? Did something happen between the two of you?” She asked.Roland ruffled his hair. “I only asked why she slapped Nadia, s
131.The next day, Annabel walked into the office and Roland quickly rushed to her. He had searched for her the previous day, all to no avail and had come earlier than usual to work, so he would see when she'd come in.He stood in front of her and sighed as he watched her.Annabel wanted to walk away, but he held her hand.“I'm sorry.” He apologized, but she furrowed her eyebrows and acted like someone who was confused.“I don't understand what you're saying, Rolly.” She answered. Roland would have been glad that she called him “Rolly” but her tone dripped with sarcasm, and he knew she was only mocking him.“I want to apologize for not hearing your side of the story yesterday. I shouldn't have concluded without hearing you first, I'm sorry.”“Before I accept your apology, tell me the truth, do you really think I'd slap Nadia for no reason?” She asked.Roland sighed and lowered his head. “I don't think you'd do something like that, but I didn't have the time to think about anything. Al
132.Ashton blinked. “Are you for real? Do you even know what you're talking about?” He asked and Roland nodded, sure of what he was saying.“I love Annabel and I'm sick and tired of how she's being looked down on by my parents and everyone because she's a single mother. If I adopt Olivia as my daughter, she wouldn't be a single mother anymore and all these will stop.” He explained to Ashton but Ashton knew what the consequences would be.“And you think it's all just gonna end there? Roland, you haven't even proposed to her yet. You two aren't married so how can you adopt—”“Ashton,” Roland interrupted him. “It's not a must to marry her before I can adopt her daughter. I'll do that and then we can get married later. That way, it'd be easier. I don't want to be called her stepfather. I want to be her father before I marry her mother. Olivia is a cool kid. I love her so much and I wouldn't want anything that'd hurt her in the future. That's why I'm doing this. Please, understand me.”“I