67.“Do you know him?” Annabel asked but he didn't answer her.She couldn't understand his sudden change of mood when she mentioned Roland. She tapped him and he gasped, looking at her.“Are you okay?” She asked and he nodded. “By any chance, do you know Roland D. Ville?” She asked.“Of course I do. Who doesn't know Roland D. Ville, the business tycoon?” He said that last part through gritted teeth.“I mean personally.” She replied.He smiled at her. “Let's forget about that. I just remembered something and that's why my mood changed.” He lied, knowing that she had noticed his mood.Annabel nodded innocently and continued eating. They talked about other stuff and laughed, forgetting about Roland in an instant. When they were done, he bought some things for them to take home and also the things he had promised Sasha, ignoring Annabel scoldings because he had bought too much.He dropped them at home and pecked Olivia's forehead while his guards took what he bought for them inside.“Than
68.The next day, Annabel returned to work but was surprised to see Noel in the office with Roland. She thought she had gotten it over with with this woman, why was she here again?A frown found its way to her face immediately.She walked to her desk and took a seat, ignoring them. It wasn't her business so she'd stay out of it.“Good morning, Annabel.” Roland greeted with a smile and Noel frowned. She felt that employees should show high level of respect, and didn't like how aloof Annabel was. And the worst part was that, Roland was okay with it. She folded her hands, determined to talk about this and shame Annabel.“Is this how you treat your employees in this company, Roland? This is not like you.” Noel smirked.Annabel only rolled her eyes. Roland cleared his throat. “She isn't just an employee, Noel, and I'd appreciate it if you strictly focus on why you're here in the first place.” Annabel didn't know when a smile found its way to her lips. She looked at Roland and he winked a
69.That night…Roland paced around his room, lost in thoughts. He wondered how and where Annabel got to know Carson?“Could it be in California?” Roland asked no one in particular as he paced to and fro.He and Carson had never gotten along. They were best friends right from when they were kids, but when things worked out for Roland, Carson always got mad and that soiled their friendship.Roland was smart and was the type to always take risk, making him excel higher and better than the rest.Carson always lagged behind and started distancing himself from Roland. He refused to answer Roland's calls and always did everything he could to sabotage and jeopardize Roland's efforts.Roland endured it all until the day Carson said they were no longer friends. He made it clear to Roland that, he didn't like that things were going well for Roland and he was stuck. Roland offered to help him but he refused and cut off their friendship, becoming rivals in business with Roland. Because of Roland,
70.They all waited in the reception as the doctor attended to Noel. Ms. D. Ville pulled Roland to a corner when the waiting was becoming unbearable.“How are you going to fix this mess?” She asked.Roland raised an eyebrow at her. What was his mother talking about this time around? “Why are you acting as if I'm the reason why all these is happening? Why are you making it look like it's my problem?”Mrs. D. Ville sighed. “You're the reason why this happened, Roland. If you had accepted this girl, she wouldn't have gone back to a lifestyle she gave up.”“Can you hear yourself speak, mum?” Roland couldn't believe his mother wanted him to accept a drug addict as a wife. “She's a drug addict. How could you suggest such a person to me?” He questioned. “She's no longer one, Roland. Your rejection triggered whatever happened today.” She placed her hand on his shoulder but he moved away from her.“Your desperation for me to get married is getting out of hand, mother. I have already said it a
71.Annabel was in the kitchen, but it was obvious that her thoughts were elsewhere. She couldn't help but wonder what was wrong between Carson and Roland. Why did they frown at the mention of each other's name?“Annie?” Sasha called and she turned. Sasha walked to where she stood. “Shit! It's burning!” Sasha exclaimed, quickly switching off the electric cooker.Annabel facepalmed. She was so lost in thoughts, she forgot she was frying eggs.“What's the problem? You look bothered. Did something go wrong between you and Roland or…” She trailed off.“I'm just bothered about Roland and Carson.”“What's wrong with them?” Sasha started dishing the almost burnt eggs into the plates.“I think they know each other and from the look of things, they totally don't like each other.” She sighed.“They run the same type company. There's bound to be jealousy and hate here and there.” Sasha smiled, taking a tray from the cupboard.Annabel turned to face her while leaning on the counter. “I know there
72.“I know it's going to be hard but—”“But what, Carson?” She interrupted. “Do you expect me to just nod my head, walk to his office and be like, “Hey, Roland, I'm not working for you anymore. I quit!” because you say so?“ She couldn't believe he would tell her such a thing.“I know why I'm saying this, Anna. Roland isn't someone you should be around.”“Let me be the judge of that.”“Anna, you're not understanding me. Alright, if you're worried about where to work after quitting, the grand opening of my company is this week. I'll employ you and make you my manager, I'll give you whatever you want, Anna. Just leave Roland.” He sighed, hoping she would get his point but Annabel wasn't seeing things from his perspective.Annabel shook her head. “I can't believe you're saying this to me, Carson. I wasn't expecting this. Because you two are at beef with each other doesn't mean you have to drag me into it.”“Roland is not a good person. He's a playboy and can hurt you. It's only a matter
73.Next Day…“Good morning, Annabel. Here's Mr. Roland's schedule for the week.” The secretary smiled as she handed over the files to Annabel.“Alright, thank you so much.” Annabel took them with a smile and walked into the office.She settled down and started going through them. One particular schedule caught her attention.She looked closely to be sure she was seeing right. “An invitation to be a guest in CS Haute Couture Company?” She blinked. “That's Carson's company. Why did Carson invite Roland when they're not on good terms?” She was still wondering when the door opened and Roland walked in.“Come on, Mr. Roland, it's just for a night.”Annabel turned to see Jessica pleading with Roland. With a smile, she stood up to welcome them but they were engrossed in their argument.“Jessica, I can't do that. It's not her job and besides, I don't think she'd agree to something like that.” Roland facepalmed.“That's why you're her boss. You can talk to her and she'd help us get it done. P
74.Carson paced forth and back in his study. He didn't even know which emotions to express at the moment. He was angry, frustrated and disappointed at the same time.Angry because Annabel stood up for Roland without batting an eyelid.Frustrated because Roland was still like a pest, who ate everything in sight and now he was about turning his own friend against him.And disappointed because Annabel turned down his offer.He thought it'd be easy to persuade her; he thought it was a piece of cake since they were obviously friends and had gone through so much together, but she turned him down and decided to continue working for Roland. Sometimes he felt like tearing Roland to shreds.He groaned and slammed his fists on his study table.“I still can't believe Annabel turned your offer down like that. I was hoping she'd think about how much you've helped her in the past and at least, make a decision. What's with Roland anyway?” Liam asked.Carson didn't even know what to say. All that kep
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