123.At school, it was lunch break and the kids were busy eating their food. Olivia walked into the cafeteria with Winter and was about to take a seat when she saw Sebastian sitting all alone.“Sebastian is all alone. Let's go and keep him company.” She smiled at Winter, but Winter frowned.“Why? Isn't he the kid everyone is calling dull?” Winter asked.“He's not dull, Winter. He's just shy.” She answered.“How are you sure he is just shy? Look at him.” She pointed at him. He was busy scribbling in a book instead of touching his food.Olivia shook her head. “My mummy told me that no child is dull, and I shouldn't look down on anyone.”“My mummy asked me to stay away from people I feel are not in the same class with me and that Sebastian is not in the same level with me. I can't make friends with him.” Winter scoffed.“But that's not right. Everyone is equal and should be treated equally. Because you're smart doesn't make him dull,” Olivia was disappointed at Winter. She had no idea Win
124.Mr. Davis blinked as he watched Roland. He wanted to say no to any form of deal, but his greedy nature will not let him.“What deal?” He asked.“I'm glad you asked,” Roland smiled and rested his hand on the desk, staring straight into Mr. Davis' eyes. He knew how scared of him the man was, even though he loved to hide behind the toughness and all that. And he was going to use that fear against him. “You and I know that you're still owing me a lot of million dollars, am I right?” He asked, referring to what Mr. Davis did to him in the past.Mr. Davis cleared his throat and went mute.“Am I right?” Roland asked again.“Y… Y… Yes.” He stuttered.“Good. If you let Sasha go, and she comes to work for me instead, I'll forget about your debts and won't call the police on you. You'll be a freeman.” He led down the conditions, knowing that the older man won't be able to resist it.Mr. Davis couldn't believe Roland was about to give up such a huge amount of money because of Sasha. He wante
125.When they were done setting Sasha's office, she followed Annabel to Roland's office and met Ashton there.Roland had already told Ashton that Sasha would be his assistant manager and immediately his eyes met with hers, he smiled and stood up to wake her.“Welcome to D. Ville's company, Sasha. I'm excited to work with you.” He said.Sasha smirked. “You'll be more excited when we start working together, Ashton.” She smiled at him, meaning something that was totally different but Ashton didn't seem to understand her.Annabel knew what she meant and chuckled.“Please, show her around the company.” Roland urged Ashton.“Sure. Please, come with me.” He led her out of the office and Annabel smiled as she watched them.She was more than happy that Sasha was finally free from her father's grip. She turned to face Roland, who was busy staring at her.“Roland,” She called and he blinked. “Yes?” “Were you staring at me?” She laughed.Roland knew he wouldn't be able to deny this one. He was
126.The day seemed to go by faster than Annabel expected, and Nadia made sure to spend most of the time with them. Annabel wondered if the lady had nothing to do and just wanted to be a pain in the ass. Her joy was evident when Nadia finally left.She sighed and tucked a strand of her hair behind her eyes. She was getting off work early that day and wanted to pick Olivia up from school by herself today.“I'll be leaving now,” She said to Roland after arranging her desk.Roland pouted. “Why? What are you going home to do anyway? It's not that Sasha is leaving yet.”“Sasha is coming with me. I want to be the one to pick Olivia from school. It's been a while.” She smiled at him.Roland nodded, since it had to do with Olivia. “Tell her I'll see her soon, okay?” He said and she nodded.She walked to where he sat and pecked his lips. “Bye. Don't miss me too much.” She chuckled.Roland smiled. “Oh, before you go, I forgot to tell you that Nadia would be following us to the karaoke tomorrow n
127.What Nadia told Annabel instilled fear in her, and her mood spoiled instantly. Roland walked into the room and dropped the drinks on the table before sitting beside Annabel. He noticed that Annabel wasn't looking too cheerful and held her hand.“Are you okay?” He smiled at her.She forced a smile and nodded. “Can you sing for me?” She asked.“I don't think you need to ask him to sing for you. He'd have to do it by himself,” Nadia smiled warmly at her, and Annabel commended her acting skills. The lady was a real demon. “You see, back when we were together in school, Roland used to have the best voice in class. Girls literally trip just by hearing his voice, but not me, though. I'm not a softie.” Roland chuckled. “Come on, Nady, you literally told me you were moved by my songs.”“I wasn't in my right senses then,” She denied immediately and looked away. Roland just shook his head. “Anyway, go and sing, let's hear you. I need to know if your voice is still intact or if you have a fr
128.“What did you just say, mum?” Roland stood from where he sat and walked to where his mother stood. “You want me to meet Nadia's parents and pick them from the airport? As their errand boy or as what? Don't they have a chauffeur?” He asked.Mrs. D. Ville rubbed her forehead. “Come on, Roland, it's just a kind gesture. What's wrong with picking up your best friend's parents from the airport?” “Are you calling her my best friend now, mum?” He snickered. “I can't believe you. Why has she become my best friend all of a sudden? Weren't you referring to her as daughter-in-law before? Tell me, what happened?” Roland asked, knowing fully well that his mother didn't mean what she said about Nadia being his best friend.“You're overreacting unnecessarily, Roland. Just do as I asked of you, okay?” She wanted to touch him, but he moved away.“What if I refuse to do it?” He folded his hands.“Then you'd be disobeying me.” She frowned.“I want to disobey you.” He said and was about to walk awa
129.Roland brought Nadia to the office and made her sit down. Mrs. D. Ville had seen them walk into the elevator and followed them.Nadia was still crying when she walked in.“What happened to you?” She asked, rushing to where Nadia sat down.“Mum,” She called, pretending to choke on her tears.Mrs. D. Ville cupped her cheeks. “What's the matter, sweetie?” She asked.“I don't know what happened to Annabel and just wanted to calm her down. She slapped me in the process.” She answered, placing her palm on the side of her cheek.Roland sighed and left to get an ice pack from the store.“Annabel did what!” Mrs. D. Ville snapped.Roland returned with the ice pack and bent to help Nadia. He placed it on her cheek and she winced.Mrs. D. Ville faced Roland. “What did I just hear? Annabel raised her hand on Nadia and you did nothing?” She yelled at him but he said nothing and just focused on placing the ice pack on her cheek. He was also wondering why Annabel would do such a thing. He knew h
130.After Annabel walked away, Roland walked to his office, expecting to see her there, but she was nowhere to be found. What alarmed him was that her handbag which was on the table was no longer there.He went into the suite but couldn't find her there either.Wondering where she had gone, he tried calling her, but she wasn't taking his calls. He became worried and quickly rushed to Sasha's office, hoping to find her there.“Sir,” Sasha quickly stood up when he barged into her office.Roland looked around and was disappointed that Annabel wasn't there.“Are you okay?” Sasha asked.He sighed and walked to where she stood. He figured she was Annabel's best friend and should know where Annabel was.“Please, do you know where Annabel is? Did she tell you she was going anywhere?” He asked.Sasha was confused. “No. I haven't seen her since this morning. What's going on? Did something happen between the two of you?” She asked.Roland ruffled his hair. “I only asked why she slapped Nadia, s
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