Chapter 11: Good deeds

It took only a few mins for Annette to get dressed as she waited on the couch for Mr McKenney to arrive, then a few minutes after eight there was a knock. She went to answer it and found Mr McKenney was on the other side dressed in a simple black suit which emphasized his hot looks. But Annette was quickly reminded of his shitty personality.

"You look good enough to tag along." Mr McKenney said as he ran his gaze down her full length, his face devoid of emotions.

"Thank you." Annette muttered. She recognized the haughtiness in his tone, but chose to ignore it. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of making her evening any worse than it already was. She walked out of the room, and he followed closely behind.

"Won't you bring your jacket along?" He asked.

"No. I'm fine."

"Good. We will be having dinner with one of the investors in the company. So, I expect you to be on your best behavior. Except you don't mind being embarrassed." Mr McKenney warned as they walked down the busy hallway leading to the dining room.

"Yes, father." Annette said sarcastically while she rolled her eyes at him. Her face was all tightened up in a frown, but Mr McKenney's cared less.

"I'm not joking. If I lose this project because of your smart mouth, there will be consequences. Note that." Mr McKenney warned as they reached the restaurant.

"I will be on my best behavior. Don't worry, you don't have to treat me like a child." Annette muttered as they walked towards the receptionist's desk.

"Table for four under McKenney." Mr McKenney spoke and waited. The receptionist looked through the list of names and then came to a stop in the middle. She raised her gaze to them with a smile.

"Welcome, Mr McKenney, please, follow me." She said as she immediately, and led them to a table by the window. Outside, the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the city. When they got to their seats, Annette and Hudson both took opposite seats and the receptionist walked away after handing them the menu.

As they perused the menu, a familiar voice echoed through the air. "Mother, mother!" A young girl's excited cry cut through the background chatter, and Annette turned her head to see the same little girl she had helped at the market. A radiant smile spread across the child's face as she rushed toward Annette, her mother trailing behind her.

Annette's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the girl. Her eyes met those of the mother, and they exchanged a nod of mutual recognition and gratitude. The girl's arms wrapped tightly around Annette in a heartfelt embrace, her happiness palpable. "Thank you, thank you for helping me find my mommy." she chirped, her tiny musical voice filled with pure joy.

Mr. McKenney watched this reunion unfold, an intrigued expression on his face. When the mother finally reached them, she extended a hand to Annette. "I can't thank you enough for what you did that day." She said, her voice quivering with emotion. "You brought my daughter back to me when I thought I had lost her."

Annette's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she shook the woman's hand. "I'm just glad I could help. It's a moment I'll always treasure."

The man Mr. McKenney had been trying to strike a business deal with stood off to the side, observing the heartfelt scene. A glimmer of recognition crossed his face as he realized the connection between Annette and the mother and daughter.

He approached the table, a warm smile on his lips. "Is this the kind-hearted person you were telling me about, honey?" he asked, extending his hand towards Annette. "The one who brought our little Emily back to you?"

His wife nodded, a warm smile spreading across her face, lighting up her almond shaped emerald eyes. "Indeed, she is. Annette, meet my husband, Mr. Donovan."

Annette shook Mr. Donovan's hand. A mix of surprise and delight was evident in her expression. "It's wonderful to meet you, Mr. Donovan." She spoke. An unusual but captivating glimmer of light caught in her fascinating ocean blue eyes. McKenney didn't fail to observe.

Mr. Donovan chuckled, a twinkle in his eyes. "Life has a way of weaving its threads in unexpected patterns. I'm grateful for what you did for my daughter. My wife told me everything."

"You don't need to thank me sir, anybody in my situation would have done the same thing," Annette added, her lips curling into a sly smile as she cast a sidelong glance at McKenney, who had been so adamant in opposing her earlier. It seemed she had been right after all.

"Not everyone, Annette, not everyone." Mr Donovan said as he helped his wife and daughter into their seats.

"Thanks honey." his wife said as he placed a kiss on her husband's cheek.

"Thank you daddy." Emily said doing the same thing her mother did as she turned to Annette who was still in shock. She couldn't believe that the girl she had saved was the daughter of the man, who Mr McKenney was to meet. If they had left her, just as he had insisted they would. Annette thought to herself that this meeting wouldn't be such a happy one.

"Annette, have you seen my doll. I named her Abby. She had a twin, called Aimee. But I lost her." Emily said as she handed over her Barbie doll to Annette.

"Oh sorry about the loss, Emily. It must have been pretty difficult to get over it." She said, turning the doll over in her hands. "She's really pretty. My little sister has the same one. She loves Barbie dolls so much."

"Oh my God! She does?" Big, almond-shaped emerald eyes stared up at Annette, filled with wonder and awe.

"I love Barbie, too." She turned to her mom, patting her on her lap. "Mother, tell Miss Annette how much I love Barbie too. Tell her I have so many of them… mother?" She trailed off because her mom wasn't listening. "Mother, can I share my toys with Miss Annette's sister?"

Finally, Emily was able to get her mom's attention. "Yes, love. I agree that you have so many Barbie toys, and yes, you can share them with Aunt Annette's sister. Only if you'll Miss Annette brought her along." She glanced up at Annette and the both chuckled. They continued discussing Barbie dolls with Emily, while the men talked business.

As the evening progressed, the men rounded up their business talks and the table engaged in a lively conversation, sharing stories and laughter. The connection between Annette's act of kindness and the successful business deal became clear, each thread of their lives interwoven into a beautiful tapestry.

As the dinner came to an end, Mr. Donovan raised his glass in a toast. "To chance encounters and the kindness that brings us together. Thank you, Miss Zachary. Because of you, I would be working with Mr McKenney. He should be grateful to you, because I planned on rejecting him again. "

"Thank you sir, you won't regret it" Mr McKenney said his gaze meeting Annette who quickly looked away. Although he owed her both a heartfelt apology and his deepest gratitude, she knew he could never provide either of them. She knew him too well.

It was time for the Donovans to leave, because Emily was getting sleepy, and Mr Donovan himself, had a meeting or two to attend before midnight. They all rose to their feet.

"Thank you once again, Annette," Dana said as she pulled Annette into a hug. "Take care of yourself, maybe one day we will get to meet again."

Emily waved at Annette. It was obvious she was tired.

"Bye dear. It was really nice spending time with you, little one." Annette took hold of her little hands.

"I hope you're okay with the policies, man. " Mr Donovan said as he shook Mr McKenney's hand.

"Yes sir. It's favorable, I must say." Mr. McKenney replied with a crooked grin. He and Annette watched as the Donovan family walked out of the restaurant, heading to their rooms.

With hands in his pocket, he turned to Annette, seizing her up with his gaze. "I think you disobey in a good way." He chuckled. " It worked out in my favor, after all. Good. But don't you dare disobey my orders next time. I would make sure you pay for that, big time." He threatened.

Mr. McKenney said as he led her back to her room without uttering a simple 'thank you' to her for helping her secure such a nice deal with Mr Donovan. How rude he was! Annette mumbled to herself as they walked through the hallway.

As they got to her room, Mr. McKenney held her by the wrist, drawing her to a stop, just as she was about to turn the key in the lock.

Confused and visibly furious, she queried, "What?"

Mr McKenney replied with a question, "Where do you think you are going?"

"My room, obviously." Annette answered.

"You've forgotten the rule of the contract, I see. Now, would you get your ass down to the other room with me? You can do whatever concerns you in the morning."

Annette must have forgotten she was going to spend every single night on his bed. It was the most irritating part of the deal. Now, she was going to face it. It's what she signed up for, wasn't it?

"I have to get a few things first."

"Toss me the key." He got the key from her, unlocked the door and let himself in. " Come In and grab a few properties then. You have no excuse."

Thoroughly embarrassed, Annette shuffled into the room, her feet dragging behind her, in a show of obvious displeasure. She went straight to her wardrobe, glad she was yet to unpack. All she had hanging there was her silver evening dress and her jacket. The wardrobe was devoid of any lingeries, and she felt self- conscious exposing herself to Mr McKenney's experienced eye. Her cheeks flushed red at the prospect of it.

"Seems you're taking so much time. Have your keys." He threw her the keys. "I'll be in my room waiting. And I do not like to be delayed." He walked out, leaving the door slightly opened.