Chapter 2

ANNABELLE’S POV

“Sorry, sweetie, no chance you’ll be seeing Mr. King today,” Killian's assistant said very rudely. She looked at my clothes and saw that they weren't high fashion brands in addition to the fact that I didn't have an appointment so she dismissed me easily.

I’d come to King Pipelines, Killian's company right after work, hoping to talk to him. Sandy had told me Henry, who worked at the company, would be leaving early to take her to a doctor’s appointment. I didn’t want him to see me and tell our friends.

I asked her to give Killian a call and assured her that once he hears it's me, he would want to see me so the assistant did that. “Sorry to bother you, but Miss Annabelle Steele is here without an appointment. "She says it’s urgent but won’t give me any details?”. She hung up the phone and said “Mr. King can’t see you today.”

“Tell him I’m not leaving until he does,” I said, trying to sound calm. She sighed and repeated my words into the phone. When she hung up, she slammed it down. “He says he’s in a meeting that’ll last for hours.”

“That’s fine. I’ll wait.” Three hours went by and I was still waiting. “I need to use the restroom,” the assistant told me with a snide expression on her face, then stood up and grabbed her makeup kit. As soon as she left, I rushed toward Killian’s office. It wasn’t hard to find, it was the biggest one. Through the glass door, I saw him and another man deep in conversation. The other man, tall and blond, had his back to me. I didn’t hesitate; I pushed the door open. Killian didn’t even look at me. The blond man spoke in a smooth British accent. “Stocks are up, but the media still hates you.

“Get to the point,” Killian snapped. “How do I fix it?” “Short of changing your personality? No clue,” the blond man said with a smirk. “Try harder, or I’ll throw you out myself,” Killian growled.

The man sighed and said. “People don’t like you, and the people you fired told the press, and now the company’s a mess.”

“I’ll donate money to charity or Sponsor something,” Killian muttered. “ It's Too late for that. You need to do something more .” The man replied.

“Mr. King?” I interrupted their conversation, my voice louder than I expected. Both men turned to look at me. The blond man looked amused, while Killian seemed completely unsurprised. “You’re interrupting,” Killian said coldly. “Sorry, but I need to talk to you. Privately please.” I said in a pleading voice.

“No.” Killian replied

“It’s important, it won't take much of your time”. I said this time with a frown on my face.

“Not to me. Which Steele sister are you? The loud one or the annoying one?” Killian asked. I clenched my fists. “Annabelle. The annoying one.”

“This is Mr. Darryl, my lawyer. Just talk.” Killian replied with a bored expression on his face. The lawyer grinned as if he were enjoying the show. “I’ll leave you two to it,” he said, gathering his papers. “Have fun, Kill.” The moment he left, Killian leaned back in his chair and flipped an hourglass. “You’ve got five minutes. Go.”

I spilled everything about Thomas, the debt, and the threats. Killian listened without a word, then nodded. “You explained all that in under three minutes. Impressive.” The door suddenly opened, and the assistant rushed in, wide eyed. “Mr. King, I told her not to”

“Leave,” Killian snapped. She fled the room immediately. “Now, why me? Why not your friends?” Killian asked. “I don't want to disturb them because they have their own problems to worry about also, Sandy is pregnant and I know how much she worries about me”. I replied

“Why not Daniel Sterling?”. Killian asked again. “He’s scarier than you and I don't think it's a smart idea to borrow money from a ruthless man like him”. I replied with a haughty tone.

Killian smirked, leaning back in his chair. “And your useless husband? Where’s he now?”

“I don’t know. Trust me, if I did, I’d have chased him to the ends of the earth.” Made him pay for what he did.

“How will you pay this loan back?” Killian ran a hand over his jaw.

“Slowly.” “I’m a pre-K teacher. I also babysit and tutor. I’ll work until I pay every penny. You have my word.”

“Your word means nothing. I don’t know you well enough. So, why should I help you?”. Killian asked with a bored expression on his face.

Why do people help others? Because it’s a decent thing to do. But Killian King wasn’t decent. He didn’t care about rules. I opened my mouth, searching for an answer.

“Thirty seconds, Annabelle.” He tapped the hourglass.

“Because you can?”

“I can do a lot of things with my money.” He yawned.

“Because it’s right!” I blurted.

“I’m a nihilist.” he said

“I don’t know what that means.” I said angrily.

“It means right and wrong don’t matter to me.” His voice was cold. “I have no morals.”

“That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard even for you Killian.”

“Really?” He smirked. “The saddest thing I’ve heard is about a woman whose husband vanished, leaving her to be trafficked or killed.” he replied

“Exactly!” I pointed at him. “If something happens to me, it’s on your conscience.”

“I don’t have a conscience.” He tossed a newspaper aside. “And whatever happens is on you and the fool you married. Not me.”

“Marrying Thomas wasn’t a mistake. I loved him.” I sounded pathetic, but he had to know I’d loved my husband once.

“All middle-class girls marry for love.” He checked the hourglass. “I personally find the whole ordeal boring and predictable.”

“Killian .” My voice was soft. “You’re my only hope please.” If he refused, I’d have to disappear, leave my family, friends, and life behind. He adjusted his tie. “I don’t give anything without getting something in return. So, unless you tell me what I gain from giving you three hundred thousand dollars, I’m saying no. Ten seconds.”

I felt cold, angry and completely humiliated. I held back my tears refusing to let him see me break down.

“Five seconds.” He tapped the hourglass again. “Make your offer, Annabelle.”

Did he want my body? My pride? My soul?. I wouldn’t give him any of that. Not for Gerald. Not for him. Not for anyone.

“Goodbye Annabelle, have a nice life. Whatever’s left of it, anyway.”. He said then turned his chair toward the window, ignoring me.

I walked out of his office trying to hold back my tears. I didn't want to give his assistant the joy of seeing me cry. I spent the bike ride to my home crying bitter tears. My last chance was gone and I have no idea what to do.