158. AT SCHOOL… Olivia was on a seat, trying to get a class work they had given to them done. Sebastian hadn't been to school for a while, and she was darn worried about him. She didn't know his place and had even asked Mrs. Genevieve about him several times, but she would tell him Sebastian would come soon. “Are you still pouting because of that boy?” Winter scoffed. “His name is not “that boy” Winter. His name is Sebastian and yes, I'm pouting because of him because I'm angry that he hasn't resumed school for days now.“ She folded her hands with a huff. “You care about me that much?” She gasped when she heard the voice she had been wanting to hear for a few days now. She turned and was shocked to see him. “Sebastian,” She called, and he smiled at her. “Where have you been?” She rushed to meet him. “Come with me,” He held her hand and led her outside to the car. When they got there, he smiled at her and Olivia wondered why he had brought there. “Olivia,” He called, and she loo
1.“Pack everything! Leave no single furniture in that house!” Annabel went on her knees immediately. “Sir, please don't do this to us. We promise to pay.” She pleaded, but he acted deaf.Tears rolled down her cheeks as she watched the hefty men take their furniture away. She held the man's hand, but he yanked her hands away from him.“Don't you dare lay those filthy hands on me again,” He snapped and returned his gaze to the house. Annabel didn't know what to do anymore. This was too much for her to bear. After her father's death, she was left to pay the numerous debts he had with loan sharks and business companies.She managed to pay off the minor ones and now the rest were after her life. While others would come to take things out of the house, the rest would ask her to spend a night with them to clear off her debts, but she would politely turn them down, making them resort to a violent way of taking everything away from her.Just yesterday, one of the loan sharks came and took th
2.Annabel got to the hotel in no time and rushed into the massive building. While the elevator took her to her boss's office, she arranged her clothes that had been ruffled as a result of how she rushed to get there and exhaled.The elevator dinged open and she rushed out immediately. “Good evening, sir.” She greeted with a bow the moment she walked into his office.Mr. Mike studied her from head to toes. The hotel uniform she was putting on fitted her perfectly, and the skirt did justice to bringing her curves out a bit. “Perfect for the job,” He muttered to himself.Annabel wondered what he had muttered, but before she could think about it, he drew her attention.“Follow me,” He stood up and started walking out of the office. Annabel hurried after him as he led her to the kitchen. There was a tray of food resting on the counter there. She needed no one to tell her what to do next, and quickly took it.“What room should I deliver the food, sir?” She asked with a smile.“Room 345,
3.“Doctor Blake, you can't do this. Just work on her, I'm going to pay the money.” She pleaded, but he shook his head.She had rushed Audrey to the hospital and the doctor had told her that Audrey's heart condition had deteriorated, and the little girl would die if they didn't commence treatment immediately. The money Annabel had in her account wasn't even up to half of what the doctor had said, and she tried to reason with him, but he wasn't listening.“Look, Miss Walter, this isn't a charity organization. I've told you to bring half of the payment as a deposit, so we can commence treatment immediately, but it seems you aren't ready. We can't work on her for free,” The doctor said and turned to leave, but Annabel held his coat.“Doctor Blake, please, I beg of you. She's my only sister, my world, my everything; she's the only one I have. Please, don't let her die. Take the one with me. I'll look for more to pay, please.” She pleaded.“I'll be in my office, Miss Walter. When you're re
4.3 MONTHS LATER…It's been three months and the pain still felt fresh to Annabel. What hurt her most was selling her pride to be able to raise the money, yet she lost her beloved sister. It still felt surreal to her, and she was yet to wrap her head around it all.To stop her from doing something stupid, Sasha made Annabel move in with her and had served as her shoulders to cry on, on numerous occasions.“It's been three months, Annabel. You can't continue like this.” Sasha facepalmed. Annabel had denied herself of food that day.“If only you know all I went through to make sure she lived, Sasha. Audrey is my only family, and now she's gone to a place of no return.” Annabel lamented.“I understand how you feel, Annie. Please, you have to live to continue your parent's lineage and starving yourself isn't going to help at all. Look at what you're doing to yourself. You easily fall sick these days as a result of this,” She hugged Annabel. “Now, stop okay? Your body is already heating u
5.FIVE YEARS LATER…As Annabel stepped out of the plane and set foot in New York City once again, a wave of emotions washed over her. Memories of her past flooded her mind as she looked around at the familiar sights and sounds of the bustling city. She took a deep breath and tried to steady her racing heartbeat.On one hand, Annabel felt a sense of trepidation. Returning to the place where she endured so much pain and heartache is a daunting prospect. She wondered if she would be able to confront the ghosts of her past and move on from the trauma that she experienced.But on the other hand, Annabel also felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. She had come a long way since she left New York five years ago. She had worked, and raised a beautiful daughter, despite all the challenges that life had thrown her way. As she looked down at her daughter, who was holding her hand tightly, Annabel felt a surge of love and gratitude. She knew that everything she had been through was worth it, j
6.Annabel felt like the ground should just open up and swallow her whole. How on Earth was she going to work in the same company with a man that caused her nothing but pain in the past? “Miss?” Roland called, waving his hand in front of her face.She snapped back to reality and quickly composed herself. He gestured to a chair in front of his desk, “Please, have a seat.” She forced a smile and sat down. Her heart was beating at an incredibly fast rate, and she could swear he might even hear it from where he sat. She looked at the plaque on his desk, boldly inscribed on it was “Roland D'Ville, President and CEO”.She sighed. So, she wasn't dreaming all this while. It was indeed true that she was sitting beside the annoying playboy Billionaire; the jerk that ruined her life.Roland watched as her eyes darted to all corners of his office. It was more like she was trying to avoid eye contact with him. The more he looked at her, the more he felt a sudden connection with her and the more
7.“You mean, he's the president of the company?” Sasha asked with wide eyes.“Yes, my dear. I was so scared that he might recognize me but turns out, he doesn't even remember me.” Annabel sighed and removed her heels.“How do you expect him to recognize you when you changed so much? You look more beautiful and mature, and your hair that was once dark is now blonde. What do you think?” Sasha asked and Annabel sighed.“It's a good thing that he doesn't recognize me.” She smiled.Sasha frowned. “Are you being serious right now? You should be bothered that he doesn't recognize you. If he doesn't, who would claim ownership for Olivia?” Sasha asked.“Sasha, Olivia is better off with me, trust me. I don't want a situation where my only daughter will get rejected.” Annabel expressed her fear.After she left the country and gave birth to her child, all she wanted was to give the baby the life that she deserved. She wanted to raise her child on her own without giving a damn about what others w