*******WARNING: This chapter contains a sex scene. *******104.That same night, after everything had ended, Roland took the members of the committee out to celebrate the success of the event.They sat round the tank stacked with assorted drinks and juices. Annabel wanted to go for alcohol, but Roland stopped her.“Come on, just for tonight.” She groaned.“Let the girl drink and have fun, dude. It's just alcohol, what's the worst that can happen?” Lucinda asked as she threw a glare at Roland, who couldn't believe she could talk to him so informally. Well, he was going to let her off the hook for the day, and he'll look for another day to punish her.Brian shuddered. “You do not want to know the worst that could happen. She turns into a blabbermouth whenever she's drunk. I remember the first day we both got drunk, she almost slapped Mr. Roland.” They burst into laughter. “Hey!” Roland snapped, but they laughed more.“I almost lost my job because of that, scratch that! I actually lo
105.Roland looked at Annabel, and she shook her head, signifying she had no idea what was going on or what the news was saying.Roland sighed and facepalmed. He knew this was all Carson's doing. That dude just wanted to throw things in the mud for him. Annabel already told him that Carson wasn't Olivia's father and that they weren't engaged, so what the heck was he doing right now?Why would he post the pictures of him, Annabel and Olivia when he was taking care of them and then call him out?Tears rolled down Annabel's cheeks. Roland sighed and pulled her into a hug. “I believe you, Anna. You already told me Carson isn't Olivia's father —”“But those dropping bad remarks about me don't see it the same way. They're calling me a cheat and you a jerk.” She replied.Roland grinned. Too bad how people that loved him yesterday suddenly turned against him because of news that hasn't been proven to be correct. A random freak just uploaded a photo, and now everyone believes he's right.“I'll
106.As Annabel and Roland arrived at the company, they came in contact with bees of reporters in front of the company. Some of the male employees were trying to stop them from entering into the company.When Roland stepped out with Annabel, the reporters crowded then, throwing different questions at them.“Mr. Roland, is it true that you stole Mr. Carson's fiancee from him?”“You and Carson are business rivals. Did he do something to you and you decided to take his faincee to get back at him?”Roland didn't answer them. He held Annabel's hand and started leading her but the news reporters kept stopping them and throwing different questions at them.“Mr. Roland, you just finished your company's outdoor event yesterday. What do you think as this news has affected your sales greatly?”“What do you have to say about your ratings that have dropped?”“Who do you think is responsible for this? Do you have any one in mind? Is it Carson and do you think it's because of that he went higher in
107.“How did it go?” Roland asked Ashton the moment Ashton walked into the office.“The reporters have dispersed, but some are still lurking around, waiting for when you or Annabel will step outside the company so they could ask more questions.” Ashton answered as he sat down.“That's not what I meant. I mean, how did it go with taking down the post?” He asked.Ashton looked around. Annabel was not in the office. “Where is Annabel?” “She said she wanted to use the employees' restroom for a while.” Roland answered.Ashton shook his head. There was no doubt she was probably crying herself to stupor in there. He sighed and looked at Roland. “The post was taken down, and so were the news, but I don't think the people are going to stop talking or posting about it anytime soon. When something of this sought happens, what we need to do is show them proof. Only the proof can quench the fire.” Roland ran his hands through his hair. “I understand, but how do we find proof?”“How about you ta
108.Annabel was thrown aback by the question. “What?” She muttered.“Who is Olivia's real father?” He repeated, and Annabel's heart dropped to her stomach. Why was he asking her a question she was desperately trying to avoid all these while?“What brought about this question?” She asked, trying to think of an excuse to give him.“We need to know her real father so that we can clear the rumors in the air. Ashton was able to bring the post down, but people are still talking about it, and it's no doubt that they're going to continue talking about it for a very long time.” He explained to her, hoping she would understand his fear.Annabel sighed. There was no way she was going to tell him who the father was right now. She'd have to wait for all these to be over. After that, she'd tell him by herself. For now, she had to think of a perfect excuse to give him. She thought for a while, and then something clicked.She looked up at Roland, her face teary. “He's dead.” She said, and Roland ga
109.“Please, come in,” He ushered her in.Annabel walked in, and he gestured for her to sit down. He sat facing her.Annabel wondered why he didn't say something to her, or didn't he see the news? Why was he acting normal like nothing happened?“You don't look good, Anna. What's going on?” Carson asked, feigning ignorance. He was going to act as if he knew nothing, that way, winning her over to his side would be easier.“Why should I look good when things are falling apart, Carson?” Annabel asked.Carson blinked. “Falling apart? What do you mean by that?” He stared at her, his expression clueless.“Wait, haven't you seen the news?” She asked.Carson shook his head. “No. Ever since my phone got stolen, I've been trying my best to get my old number back and freeze the accounts on that one that I haven't really had time to check what's trending. Hope there's no problem?” He inquired, looking at her, concern etched in his features.Annabel realized that maybe that's why she hadn't gotten
110.“Have you been able to reach her?” Sasha asked as she rushed into Roland's office.Roland had called her to ask if Annabel was home. She left work, rushed home and realized that Annabel wasn't at home. She had to rush to the company, for the fear of what she might do to herself by being traumatized by the news flying around.“No, I couldn't find her. Her line isn't going through either.” Roland facepalmed as he paced to and fro in the office.Sasha sighed. The door opened, and they thought it was Annabel, but it was Ashton.“I was unable to find her. She's nowhere around the company.” He facepalmed.“Where could she have gone?” Roland was becoming worried now. He knew how everything had affected Annabel and didn't want her to do anything regrettable to herself. He was damn worried about her and no matter how much he tried, he couldn't stop his fear.“I'll see what I can do and will keep searching.” Ashton glanced at Sasha before walking out of the office.“I just hope she isn't i
111.A day later…Annabel walked into the company and was shocked to see the employees all gathered, waiting for her. She looked around, wondering what might have happened this time around that made them stand in her way.Roland walked out of their midst with a smile on his face and approached her.“What's going on?” She whispered to him.“They're here to apologize to you, Anna.” He answered, the smile not leaving his face.“Apologize to me? What for?” She was confused.“Are you in this universe at all? Haven't you seen the news?” Lucinda asked.Annabel shook her head, and they showed it to her. Carson had made a public post, and cleared the air, telling everyone that him and Annabel were best friends and nothing was going on between them. He also informed them that he wasn't Olivia's father, and that Olivia's father died 5 years ago when Annabel was pregnant, so technically, Annabel wasn't a cheat, and she deserved a chance to love whoever she wanted to love.When Annabel watched the