25.Annabel walked to her table and plopped down in the chair, reminiscing over what Jacinthe said to her. Even though she was able to threaten and get her scared, she still felt nervous. The last thing she wanted was a scandal with Roland. If it were with Brian, she wouldn't mind, but Roland? That scumbag is the reason she was in this situation in the first place, and now the employees were spreading fake rumors about them.She sighed, massaging her forehead as she used her free hand to turn on her laptop. “Good morning, Anna.” She recognized that voice anywhere. She turned to look at Brian with a smile. “Good morning, Brian. Did you sleep well?” She asked and he flashed her a smile.“Yes, and I'm sure you did too because you're looking extra beautiful this morning.” He commented and she chuckled.“Thanks for the compliment.” “Anna, have you heard what has been going on in the company?” Brian moved close, so she could hear him, since he was whispering.“What's going on? Tell me.”
26.Roland was startled. “Can you start by not breaking my table first?” He asked.She didn't answer him and sat down. There was silence for a while before Roland broke it since she wasn't ready to talk to him.“What are we talking about, Miss. Annabel Walter?” He asked.Annabel sighed and massaged her forehead. “Sir, this has to stop. All of this has to end right now.” She said and Roland furrowed his brows, not knowing what she was talking about.“What has to stop?” He asked, wondering what was going on? Was she referring to her job or something else? He tried to think but couldn't place his fingers on anything.“Your closeness to me has to stop,” She dropped the bombshell and Roland wondered what had come over her. He was about to open his mouth to speak, but she beat him to it. “I don't want you to treat me differently from the rest of your employees. The kind of relationship we should have is a boss/employee relationship. Your closeness and interference in everything concerning me
27.“Calm down, Olivia. You'll see daddy soon.” Annabel tried to calm her down.Olivia couldn't stop crying. She wanted her own dad so she can boast to her friends as well. She wanted to show them how handsome her daddy was and tell them what he had bought for her. She wanted to be like them and it hurt her that her dad wasn't here so she could take a picture with him at least.She didn't want to feel inferior amongst her mates and she didn't want to be silent whenever they talked either, but how was she supposed to make friends when she had nothing to boast about her father?Annabel held back her tears. She was hurt, seeing Olivia that way. The least thing she wanted was to see Olivia's tears. But now she was seeing it; she was seeing her beloved daughter in tears. And it was all her fault. She knew there was nothing she could do. She can't pick up a random stranger from the street and ask him to act as her dad — that was way too low even for her. The least she could do was coax the l
28.Roland sat on the chair and wondered why Annabel had acted that way towards him. Why was she giving him that attitude? He wondered if it was because of their conversation the previous day.He wanted so much to meet her and ask what has come over her but not wanting to get her angry again over seeing them together, he changed his mind.He took his phone and decided to called Ashton. The search for Mr. Mike was already taking too long and he wanted to know where things were really headed."Any lead?" He asked immediately after Ashton answered the call.Ashton scoffed audible enough for him to hear. “Are you trying to tell me that finding Mr. Mike is the only thing you care about right now?” Ashton asked.Roland sighed. “How are you doing?” He asked but Ashton only scoffed.“I know you don't mean that question from your heart but anyways, I still haven't found him. He seemed not to stay in a place. I think he's a wanderer.” Ashton answered and Roland sighed.“Keep looking for ways to
29.“Annabel! Anna… Anna—” He quickly kicked open the door of the car and rushed out, running to the other side to carry her.Police gathered around the area, asking questions but he wasn't in the mood to answer any of their questions now. His main concern was the woman he was holding.He looked around and saw a nearby clinic then rushed into it immediately. “Help me check on her, please.” He pleaded.When they saw that it was Roland D. Ville, their eyes widened and they quickly came to his aid. The nurses rushed in with a stretcher as they quickly took her to the clinic room.Roland tried to rush in with them but the doctor in charge stopped him. He paced to and fro in the clinic room with his hands tucked into his pockets.He was worried and angry. He vowed to teach the person responsible for the accident a valuable lesson. That person wasn't going to be spared and he would make sure of it.A few minutes later, the doctor walked out and he rushed to her. “How is she?” He asked.“She'
30.“I don't think it was necessary to say that. You've caused an uproar on the internet and they all think something is going on between the two of us. This is the kind of attention I don't like!” She snapped at him after they stopped at the company.“I didn't lie to them.” He answered.“You made it look like what they're thinking of us is true, Mr. Roland.”“Quit the formalities, okay?” He requested.“I can't! I'll call you Mr. Roland because that's who you are. You're my boss, I'm your employee. Stop forgetting that.” She ruffled her hair. This guy was frustrating her and she was stopping herself from going crazy at this point.“We'll talk about this after I find out who caused the accident that almost claimed our lives, okay?” He said and started walking away.“What are you planning to do?” She followed him.“First of all, I'm going to question them, then from there, I'll get my suspects.” He answered.“I'll be with you when that happens. I want to know what's going on as well.” Sh
31.When they got to the hospital, she made him step down and took him in. The doctors came to meet them and after exchanging pleasantries, Annabel went straight to the point."I think he hurt his arm. Please, look at it for me." She requested.The doctor smiled. "Follow us, Mr. D. Ville," she said and Roland hesitated but when Annabel threw a glare his way, he had no choice but to do as told."I heard what happened and I'm sorry about that," The doctor said as she attended to him. Roland said nothing. All he knew was that he was going to put that person behind bars for a very long time. "Your hand is pretty swollen. Why didn't you come earlier, sir?" She questioned.Roland ran his hands through his hair. How is he going to tell her that, he was so worried about a particular person that at that moment, his own safety didn't matter to him. All he wanted was to save her, rescue her and make sure she was alive at all cost. He didn't bother about himself, he was ready to get hurt protectin
32.“I just hope they take it down very soon because I can't stay another minute seeing that crap.” She complained and sat down.Sasha blinked. “I don't think it's going to be taken down from there anytime soon, Anna. People are talking about it, and the only person who can order it to be taken down is Mr. Roland and I don't think he's ready to do that.” She giggled.“Why do I feel like you hate me so much, Sasha?” Annabel frowned.Sasha almost choked on her own saliva. What the heck was Annabel saying this time?“I don't understand.” She looked at Annabel.“Why are you always taking his side? Why dmid everything he does pleasant in your eyes?” She asked.“Because he means no harm.” Sasha answered.“I don't want to talk about it anymore.” Annabel sighed and looked away.Sasha shook her head and chuckled. She already knew that Annabel had a soft spot for Roland, and even though she always acted tough, there was that side to her that looked after Roland. She just couldn't wait for when a
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
157.6 MONTHS LATER…“Congratulations, Mrs. D. Ville, you're four months pregnant!” Doctor Preston told Annabel, and she shrieked in surprise.. “Are you for real?” She asked because it looked like a dream to her. She was pregnant for her darling husband; pregnant with his second child.Doctor Preston nodded and she beamed. He handed over the test results to her, and she took them with excitement laced in every of her movements. She stood up and picked up her bag.“Thank you so much, doctor Preston,” She walked out of the office. “Roland is gonna scream!” She twirled happily as she headed for her car.When she got there, she was surprised to see Jacinthe leaning on her car. It's been months, but she still recognized the lady.Jacinthe smiled and waited for Annabel to get to where she was.“Hi,” She waved at Annabel with a friendly smile on her face.“Hey,” Annabel smiled back. “Jacinthe.” She called.“Wow, I'm glad you still remember me.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ears.“
156.Annabel's eyes widened as Nadia fell to the floor in pain.Roland sighed, happy that the policemen were not dull doing their jobs. They rushed to where Nadia dropped the gun and picked it.Nadia looked at her bleeding leg, where she got shot, and screamed in tears. “All I wanted was for someone to love me! Is that too much to ask for? It isn't fair that people don't get what they want!”Annabel sighed in relief. For a moment there, she thought she was going to die on her wedding day. Roland held her hand as they walked to where Nadia sat on the floor in pain.She looked at Roland and covered her face in shame. “I'm sorry, I apologize for trying to hurt you.”Roland just looked at her. “I'll see you in court.” He said, and left with Annabel.She glanced her parents' way, and they just stared at her with tears in their eyes. There was nothing they could do anymore. She has to face the law. She was taken away by the police, and Roland turned to the people.“Let's not allow what happ
155.THE WEDDING DAY…“Gosh, Annabel, I can't believe this is actually happening!” Sasha screamed in delight as she watched Annabel get into her wedding gown. The feeling was out of this world. She was so excited and she wasn't even the bride.Annabel couldn't believe it was happening either. Her dream was finally coming true. She was getting married to the man of her dreams; the father of her child and the person who proved to be more than a friend and boss to her. She loved him so much and just the thought that she was going to spend the rest of her life with him sent tingles down her belly.Tears rolled down her cheeks as she turned to look at Sasha, who was bubbling with excitement. Sasha rushed to her and hugged her tight.“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!” Sasha exclaimed.Annabel chuckled. “You seem more excited than I am.” “You do not know the half of it. After everything you passed through, you deserve a happy ending my love. You deserve the joy that comes with this day and I'm really
154.Annabel tears rolled down in relief the minute Roland stormed through that door. She removed her veil and was about to run to him but Carson held her hand.“You are going nowhere, Annabel!” He snapped.“Let go of her right now, Carson. You do not want to see the other side of me.” Roland was vexed at how he held Annabel.Carson smiled. “I can't let go of her, Roland,” He pulled Annabel to himself and took a gun, startling everyone in the church.Roland was about to rush to them.“Don't you dare take another step else I'll shoot!” Annabel screamed.“Carson, don't try anything stupid, you'll regret it.” Roland lowered his voice, scared that Carson might shoot Annabel.Carson wasn't ready to let her go. This was his opportunity to finally get what he wanted right now that Roland was here.“I hate you, do you know that? Why do you keep ruining my plans and acting like a hero all the time?” He snarled. “I've tried my best to be ahead of you in all ramifications. I tried to surpass you
153.“What the heck did you just spit out of that ass you call a mouth?” Roland balled his fists. Carson had definitely grown wings to have the courage to talk to him like that. How dare the scumbag say he wanted to get married to Annabel? His Annabel? For what?Carson was happy that he had been able to get a reaction out of Roland. He knew the dude didn't like joking with anything that involves Annabel. “You heard me well. I would have invited you to our wedding but I'm worried that you'd turn everything upside down, so you're not going to be invited. But, I'll be lenient and give you a video of the whole wedding procession.” He laughed.Roland tightened his fists. “Shut up.” “Why should I?” Carson chuckled. “I'm just sharing my happiness with you and you're silencing me. I'm just happy that I'd be getting married to the woman of my dreams tomorrow—”“Shut up, Carson!” Roland snapped. He couldn't take it anymore. He wished he was with Carson now to reset his brain with a punch or sla
152.“I can't marry you now, let me out of here!” Annabel snapped at him but he chuckled and sped up.She couldn't believe Carson was behaving this way. Olivia was scared and held Annabel.“Mummy!” She called, her voice shaking.Annabel held her close to herself and quickly took her phone. She sent a text message to the number Sasha used to text her but it didn't deliver. With a frustrated sigh, she texted Roland, asking him for help. “If you think texting them the location of where I'm taking you will make them find you then you're mistaken. I suspected something like this might happen, so I already had my plans implemented and waiting for execution. Where I told you isn't actually where I'm taking you now, Annabel. Where I'm taking you is where our wedding will take place.”“Over my dead body will I agree to marry a monster like you. I saw you as a helper but you betrayed me. You have no conscience!”Carson laughed. “Hear who's talking about conscience? Where was your conscience whe
151.Roland sprung up from his seat and rushed to meet Sasha.“You said what?” He asked to be sure he heard her well the first time.Sasha tried to catch her breath. When her breathing was stable enough, she looked up at Roland. “Annabel is leaving the city with Carson and I have no idea when she'd be coming back.”Roland blinked. “What! Why?” He asked.“She said she wanted to go somewhere far away, rest for awhile and heal. She wants to forget about you and everything you two had.”“No!” Roland shook his head. “I can't let that happen, Sasha. Where is she now?” He asked, picking up his car keys immediately.“She should be at Carson's now. You have to stop her from leaving, Roland. I don't trust Carson one bit.” Sasha was scared for Annabel's safety.“Neither do I,” Roland said and rushed out.Sasha sat in the office with her palms on her forehead. She was already getting a headache from all these issues on ground.“Where is Roland?” Ashton asked the moment he walked in.Sasha sighed.
150.TWO DAYS LATER…“Nadia, how could you do something like that?” Mrs. Durand asked after the news about what Nadia did, got to her ears.It's been two days, Annabel didn't want to see Roland or anyone. Roland had been devastated over everything that happened and had refused to eat or drink. He was getting worse daily and no matter how much evidence they gathered, they'd always lose it.Nadia on the other hand was bent on making things worse for them. Roland's parents tried to talk to her but she refused to hear them out. She was indeed showing them the other side of her and it made them relieved that they didn't give her to their son in the First place.Nadia blew a bubble from the gum she was chewing and glanced at her mother. “I've done a lot of things, mum. Which one are you talking about?” She asked.Mrs. Durand couldn't believe how her daughter changed suddenly. Nadia wasn't always like this.“You framed Roland and you know exactly what I'm talking about. Meet Annabel and expla