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
93. Annabel returned to the company after the lunch date with Carson. She entered the office but couldn't find Roland there. Her phone beeped and she saw a text message from him, asking her to come into the suite. She dropped her handbag on her desk and tapped the button that was to take her in. When she entered, he wasn't in the living room. She looked around, wondering where he had gone to. Her phone beeped again. She checked it and saw a text, asking her to follow the kitchen door to the backyard. “It has a backyard?” She asked no one in particular as she looked around the place. She entered the kitchen and took the kitchen door. Her eyes widened at what she saw. It was so beautiful. It was like an indoor swimming pool with amazing umbrellas for relaxation. Roland wouldn't cease to amaze her. She was sure none of the employees knew about this place. “Wow!” Sue exclaimed, still looking around with a smile on her face. “I knew you'd be wowed.” Roland said behind her ears and
94. The next day was finally the day they were to go for the picnic. Annabel took Olivia outside the house and Roland drove them to the amusement park. When they got there, Olivia couldn't help but run around Roland happily. “Mr. Roland, I'm happy you finally fulfilled your promise of playing with me.” She smiled and he winked at her. “I'm happy to spend some time with you too. Where's the picnic blanket?” He asked and Olivia pointed at Annabel, who stood at one end lost in thoughts. She was wondering how Roland's reaction would be when she finally told him that Olivia was his daughter. She knew he was going to be beyond shocked but what else can she do? She had to tell him. She felt someone tap her and gasped. “Are you alright?” Roland asked and she nodded. “Yes, I was just admiring the scenery. I haven't been to the amusement park before. I went as a kid but I think it was only once.” “Jeez! Why?” Roland asked and she gave him a small smile. “We couldn't afford it.” “Oops
95. Annabel returned home, looking gloomy. She made sure Olivia took her bath and sent her to take a nap, since she had been playing all day. She sat down and switched on the television, in an attempt to take her mind away from what's bothering her but that didn't work out for her. She switched it off and walked to the kitchen where she took a bottle of water from the fridge and gulped the content down. She wondered what might have happened that had to disrupt her confession. Was it that serious? She heard the doorbell, and knowing it was Sasha, she quickly rushed to open the door. Sasha came in with a bag of groceries in her hand and hugged Annabel. “You look exhausted. What's up?” She asked as she took the stuff to the kitchen with Annabel tagging behind her. “I'm sad.” Annabel answered as she helped Sasha bring down the foodstuff she bought from the grocery store. “It didn't go well with Roland?” Sasha asked. “It was actually going well. I was about to tell him when a call
96.That night, Roland couldn't sleep. Carson's threats kept echoing in his head. He didn't want things to go too far between them, and he couldn't let go of Annabel either.He wondered if he should report to the police, but he needed to know what Carson had up his sleeves first.He stood from the bed, picked up a bottle of wine and poured in a glass. He sat and took a sip as he thought of what to do.He suddenly remembered that Annabel was about to tell him something before he got that urgent call and tried calling her, but her number didn't go through. After several failed attempts, he dropped the phone and made a mental note to see her the next day.The next day, Roland walked into the company and was greeted by the employees. To their surprise, he didn't respond to their greetings and just walked into his elevator. They exchanged looks and shrugged before taking their seats.They knew him to be cold and domineering, but at least, he answers their greetings. Why was today different
97.“I think we should stop bringing in fabrics for now, Roland. Carson might still be lurking around.” Ashton told Roland after bringing Roland to his office. He didn't want to talk about it in front of Annabel, since Carson was Annabel's friend.“Carson doesn't have a problem with my company or anything pertaining to it. He might be jealous that I'm more successful than him, but I doubt that's his main focus for now.” Roland ran his hands through his hair.“Then why is he doing all these? Why is he causing trouble?” Ashton couldn't comprehend why Carson wouldn't just mind his business and focus on his company instead. If he wasn't callous, then why was he trying to run them down by burning down the fabrics they ordered?“He's doing all these because of Annabel. He wants me to leave Annabel and is using my company against me.” Roland scoffed.“That's low.” Ashton frowned.“I know, right? When I went to meet him, he told me I had two days to leave Annabel, else he would cause more tro
98.The time for Roland to have a meeting with the employees came, and he asked Ashton to pass an announcement, giving them 30 minutes to round up whatever they were doing and report to the meeting room immediately.After the announcement, Annabel turned to him. “Is there any emergency? Why is there a meeting suddenly?” She was worried about him.“No, it's nothing serious. I just want to pass a few announcements to them.” He smiled at her.Annabel heaved a sigh of relief. She wished there was something she could do to lighten up his mood before the meeting. He looked gloomy, and she wouldn't want the employees to see him that way.Something clicked in her head. She smiled and hurriedly finished what she was typing. She took a clean sheet and with all seriousness started writing some things down. Roland wondered what she was doing that made her look so serious. He thought she looked funny in that position, and he smiled.When Annabel was done, it was already 5 minutes to the meeting ti
99.“Why did you make me leader of the committee?” Annabel asked Roland immediately she returned to the office.Roland looked up at her from his computer and rested his jaw on his palm. “Why? Aren't you happy with it?” He asked.Annabel sighed, running her hands through her hair. “It's going to make me feel pressured and all eyes are going to be on me.” She answered.“Isn't that a good thing? Everyone would expect the best from you because they look up to you, and they know you wouldn't fail them. At the end of the day, you'll succeed, and they'll realize they were right to have trusted you all along.” He smiled at her.Annabel sighed. “It seems you still don't understand what I'm talking about. Look, I don't like getting people's attention at all. You're right when you say people will look up to me, but I don't want that. I don't want people to look up to me, and then I end up disappointing them.” Roland smiled at her. “What if I say I believe in you and I know you can do it?” Anna