12.“Olivia, why would you ask such a question?” Annabel asked, trying her best not to cry. This was the second time the little girl was asking such a question. The first time was when she was schooling in Greenville and now this? Annabel had to pretend like she hadn't heard the question before, so Olivia wouldn't bring up their conversation the last time.Olivia looked at Annabel, her eyes turning glittery which broke Annabel the more. “My friend usually talks about how her daddy comes home from work and buys all kinds of things for her. She also asked me what my daddy buys for me but I couldn't tell her because I don't know where my daddy is. Mummy, where's daddy? You told me the last time that he went on a business trip and would be back soon, but I haven't seen him. I want him to buy things for me so I can show my friends too. Don't you know where he is?” Olivia asked again and Annabel could feel her heart breaking into pieces. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she used her hand
13.NEXT DAY…Annabel walked into the office feeling nervous about the day. Coupled with what had happened last night was tonight's dinner date with Roland. She had told Sophia about it that morning and the lady almost screamed her head off.“I think he's interested in you.” Sasha had mentioned that morning.“Don't be silly. What the heck will he see in me?” Annabel asked.“He saw a lot. You're beautiful and independent, you're caring, loving and damn, you're cute. Do you think I wouldn't date you if I were a guy?” Sasha teased and Annabel laughed.“It's just a harmless dinner, Sasha.” Annabel argued again.“I don't think so. Alright, picture it like this; Roland D. Ville is known as a ruthless Billionaire who doesn't like when his employees are tardy. He either cuts their pay or suspends them. Worse case scenario, he might even dismiss them. You were tardy and instead of cutting your pay, suspending you or even firing you, he asked you out to dinner. How does that sound?” Sasha aske
14.Annabel was busy clearing her up her table since it's close time already and then Brian suddenly popped up behind her, startling her a bit.“Hey!” She scolded, lightly slapping his arm. “What was that for, Brian? You scared the shit out of me.” “I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.” Brian apologized, while laughing at her.“Anyways, shouldn't you be leaving already, why are you here?” “Oh, I thought we should hang out tonight, you know, have a little celebration to celebrate our victory over Carl and his daughter.” Annabel shook her head, she was literally trying to contain her laughter. “I seriously can't believe you, Brian, her being demoted isn't something to celebrate and besides, it's not like I wished for that to happen to her.”“That's the thing with you Anna, you're just too kind, she didn't think twice about ruining something you suffered for, so why shouldn't you be happy she got the punishment she deserved? if I were in your shoes, I would have hoped for more th
15.“Wow.” Annabel whispered in amazement as they walked into the restaurant Roland had reserved for them.The whole place was decorated so beautifully, it also had some heart shaped balloons hanging around.“You did all this?” She asked, still looking around, and she also noticed they were the only ones present, except for the waiter who was patiently waiting to take their orders.“And it's just us here?” She asked.“Yes, I figured out you'll love privacy since you're so concerned about what people will say if they see us together. Why don't you take a seat first.” He replied before pulling out a chair for her.Annabel didn't know how she should take his words, was it an insult, or he was just casually saying that, all the same, she said her thanks before sitting down.Roland then took a seat afterward, and soon the waiter arrived with the menu. She wasn't in the mood to have anything, she just wanted all this to be over, but she had no choice than to choose something.They made thei
16.When Annabel got home, she met Sasha watching a movie, she was so into the movie that she didn't even take notice of Annabel's presence.A mischievous smirk appeared on Annabel's lips as she decides to use this to her advantage. She sneaked up on Sasha and scared the hell out of her.A loud scream escaped from Sasha's lips as she jumped up in fright, causing Annabel to burst into laughter."Why the hell did you do that Annie? And when did you even get here?" She asked with an angry pout."Just now. You were so into what you were watching that you didn't even notice me come in, good job Sasha, you're such a great nanny." She teased and Sasha mentally face-palmed herself."Olivia is fast asleep already, although it wasn't so easy getting her to go to bed." She sighed."Why? What happened?" Annabel asked."Nothing much. She just kept on asking about you and I had to do a lot of things to get her to fall asleep since she insisted on saying goodnight to you before going to bed." She ex
17.Roland's car pulled up in front of the airport, then he and Ashton got down.Ashton had this grumpy look on his face and he kept on glaring daggers at Roland who pretended not to notice how upset he was."Why the hell are you doing this to me Roland!? I don't want to go to China, can't we get someone else to do this?'' He grumbled.Roland walked to him, then he tapped his shoulder lightly. "You should be willing to do this much for me, you're my best friend." He smiled, but Ashton wasn't finding anything funny.As if Roland knew he wasn't going to travel today, he suddenly showed up at his doorstep this morning and forced him to make this trip to China, he even surprised him with a flight ticket."It's not like you have much work here, you should be thankful I'm letting you go on this trip, just see it as a vacation." Roland said and Ashton rolled his eyes at him."It's not a vacation if I'll be running the streets of China looking for one man, how the hell do I go about this? You
18.Roland instantly ran after Annabel, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the closest room, then he shut the door.Annabel looked around and saw he had brought her to the storage room."What the hell! Why did you bring me here? Move away, I want to go out!" She tried pushing him off, but he wouldn't budge.Seeing how stubborn he was being, Annabel's anger only increased. "If you don't leave then I'll scream." She threatened.Roland scoffed. "Go ahead and do that, then you wouldn't be able to avoid what you've been trying to avoid." He replied and Annabel narrowed her eyes."What's that supposed to mean?""Aren't you scared of us being seen together?" He smirked."You really are so—" She trailed off."So what?" Roland asked. "Go ahead and say it, after all I've been taking all sorts of insults from you, this won't come as a surprise either, go ahead and insult me." Annabel was actually going to call him cheap, but she decides to keep shut. "What do you want from me? I have thing
19.Roland spent quite a lot of time in his car watching Brian and Annabel, they had so much fun eating and they even had lots of drink, although Annabel was a bit hesitant at first, she later gave in to Brian's pleas and ended up drinking with him.She wasn't much of a drinker, the little glass she took at first made her tipsy, but she couldn't stop herself after one shot and she ended up taking so much, as well as Brian.By the time they walked out of the restaurant, it was so late already and the two of them couldn't even walk properly, they were both staggering."What kind of woman is this!?" Roland spat.Annabel missed her footing and was about to fall when Brian caught her in a nick of time.Roland saw all this happen and seeing Brian's hand wrapped around Annabel's waist made him loose his cool. He came down from his car and walked up to them, then he forcefully pulled Annabel to himself.Although they were both drunk, they could still recognize him."Hey look, it's the bossy C