89.“Wait, Roland, don't tell me this is the girl you told me and your father about.” Mrs. D. Ville said and looked at Annabel from head to toes. She could tell from Annabel's dressing and looks that the lady wasn't from a classy family.With just a glimpse, she's able to tell a first class lady whenever she saw her but this one? No, this can't be for her son.Mr. D. Ville had a frown on his face. When he told Roland to bring a lady and show to him, this wasn't what he meant at all. He didn't expect a middle class lady.“What's the meaning of this?” He asked Roland.Annabel's heart was racing. From the way they looked at her and how they spoke, she knew these people didn't like her one bit. Roland helped her to sit and gestured for his parents to sit as well.“Don't jump into conclusions this easily. You have to meet her first to know if she has class or not. I don't see class or anything relating to it in money or material things. I look at character.” Roland said and his mother sigh
90“How did it go?” Sasha asked after Annabel entered the house.Annabel placed her hand on her forehead, and with a sigh, slumped on the couch. Her face held an unreadable expression, making Sasha to wonder what was wrong with her. Sasha sat on the couch and moved close to her, wrapping her hands around Annabel's neck.“Talk to me, Annie. What happened at his parents' place? They welcomed you with open arms and his mother showed you embarrassing pictures of his childhood right?” She asked.Annabel shook her head. “They didn't like me. They said I'm not a lady with class,” She said and Sasha gasped. “I heard everything they said about me, Sasha. I just acted cool.” A tear was about to slip from her eyes but Sasha held her.“Hey, stop it. You're a strong woman. They don't know what they're missing out on. They're wrong about you.”“No, Sasha, they're right. Everything they said was true. This was my fear all along and it's finally reality. I always had this fear that I and Roland were f
91.CS Haute Couture CompanyCarson sat in his office one day, swaying left and right on his chair. He had different thoughts swirling through his head in diverse directions. He couldn't believe Annabel fell for Roland after all his efforts to make sure she loved him and no one else.He took care of her when she was pregnant and offered to be her backbone and shoulder to lean on. He was her hope when she had nowhere to run to, and now all he did had been thrown into the sea by no other person than Roland D. Ville, a man who once claimed to be his best friend.Liam sat opposite him, staring at him with a look of sadness in his eyes. Ever since Annabel rejected Carson, the fella hadn't been himself and was always so withdrawn and quiet. He knew Carson's quietness meant bad news, and he wanted to know what the mischievous fellow was up to, so he decided to engage him in a conversation.“You're awfully quiet these days. It's quite unusual.” He started.Carson grinned. “What do you expect m
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