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Chapter eight
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When love strikes    Chapter nine
9AnnaThe grand ballroom buzzed with celebration, but my heart echoed a different tune. Feeling stifled, I slipped away, finding refuge by a moonlit fountain. Tears flowed freely, a silent release for the turmoil within."I can't handle this," I murmured into the night, my voice strained with emotion. "Marriage now? I can't. There's so much still to achieve the company. I had hopes, you know? Hopes they'd get it, that they'd wait until at least a while before the wedding."I heard footsteps come from behind me, I quickly wiped my tears away. Josie appeared, She settled beside me."Hey Anna, you don't look so good" she said. I was trying so hard to hold my tears. "I don't feel good Jo. Like not at all. I feel… ugh I don't even know the word""Annabel, it's fine," Josie reassured softly. "You don't have to go through with it if it's not what you want. Your dreams matter."Yet, my heart still throbbed. "Josie, he thinks I'm... he sees me as a whore. How can I marry someone who thinks
When love strikes    Chapter ten
Anna"Ugh, he is insufferable and annoying. I hope he gets hit by a bus," I muttered to myself, still seething from the fountain encounter with Davis. In front of the bathroom mirror, I angrily dried myself off and patted my wet hair, annoyance etched across my face. There was no way I could bear the rest of the night in this state. I needed to go home.As I decided to leave the bathroom, I accidentally bumped into someone. Strong hands caught me before I could stumble, and a voice with a touch of humor said, "Well, hello."I pushed back, offering an apologetic smile. "Sorry. Clumsy me."The stranger in front of me had an easygoing demeanor, with dark, wavy hair and a charming smile that hinted at mischief. "No harm done. I'm Alex.""Annabella," I replied, introducing myself. "But my friends call me Anna or Bell."As we exchanged named, a voice from behind me cut through the moment. "Oh, so you're friends now. I guess we aren't, since I shall call you your full name, Annabel."I tur
When love strikes    Chapter 11
11AnneWedding preparations were chaotic, anticipation filling the air. Mrs. Howard, set on orchestrating the perfect event, immersed herself in selecting the ideal location. Everyone seemed swept up in ensuring every detail was flawlessly arranged, except me.As the day approached, I found myself entangled in a web of decisions—decisions made for me. Bridesmaids' dresses, floral arrangements, ceremony details—all unfolded without my input. The illusion of choice made me feel like a mere pawn in a grand production.Now, at the wedding dress fitting, I stood before the mirror, twirling hesitantly. "Do we really have to go through with this?" I questioned, uncertainty lacing my words.Josie, my ever-supportive friend, adjusted a strand of my hair and sighed. "Anna, it's your wedding day. We have to do this."I frowned, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "But do we have to do it this way? Everything feels so... forced."Josie gave me a sympathetic look. "I know it's not th
When love strikes    Chapter 12
12DavisAnnabel let out a huge scream, "What? Why do I have to stay on the couch?"I calmly unfastened my wristwatch, placing it on the sleek coffee table. "Because it's my home, and I make the decisions."As I prepared to head into my room, Annabel intercepted, her tone challenging, "Do you have another room or not?"I paused, meeting her gaze. "Well, I do, but it's occupied. Tomorrow it will get cleared out, and I guess you can stay there."" Ugh fine, I will stay on the couch. How annoying" she said taking off earrings and dropping it on the table beside the chair. "And another thing," Annabel quipped, "I need to bathe."I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Three bathrooms, pick one. Just stay away from my master's bedroom."Her eyes narrowed playfully, a mischievous glint in them. "Even when we... you know, you didn't take me there either.."I chuckled, unable to resist the opportunity to banter. "Wow, I must be so good in bed that you can't get that day off your mind, Mrs.
When love strikes    Chapter thirteen
AnneMy face still burned from the unexpected encounter with Davis earlier. Images of the not-so-subtle display of his anatomy replayed in my mind. It was hard to shake off the memory – quite literally. I mean it was so hard. Why was I even thinking about that? I scolded myself, attempting to divert my attention. I needed to focus on class. Economics is undoubtedly better than… well, you know.It was a meeting of the top five student. A project in economics. I needed to handle. After this i know I would not be coming back to this school again. I immersed myself in the lecture, desperately trying to bury any distracting thoughts beneath the weight of economic theories and graphs. The complexities of supply and demand were far more important than any personal distractions, or so I tried to convince myself.But still I can't help but reason that thick hard… oh God. Just as I began to regain some semblance of focus, my teacher disrupted the lecture with a question that snapped me bac
When love strikes    Chapter fourteen
DavisYet, as I observed her, an unexpected surge of protectiveness welled up inside me.However, why? She could handle her battles.I shook my head, attempting to remove the lingering sentiments. Ours was a marriage on paper, a deal sealed for appearances and family expectations.Yet, as Anna confronted the harsh realities of her world, I found myself entangled in emotions I hadn't thought I would be capable of.The air in the room grew heavier as I grappled with reconciling my logical detachment with this newfound concern for her wellbeing.She was my wife term that carried more weight than I initially acknowledged. Was it the responsibility that came with the title, or was there something else, something beneath the surface, that bound me to her?I couldn't pinpoint the source of this unexpected connection, but as she spoke about the challenges she faced, a subtle empathy emerged."I can't argue with the fact that it's a marriage of convenience," I shrugged, my tone carrying a hint
When love strikes    Chapter 15
AnnaWeary, I stumbled into our shared space, my mind cluttered with the weight of overdue assignments.A groan slipped out, evidence of the fatigue from juggling university tasks and this newfound marriage.Opting to wash off the stress, I shuffled to the bathroom.The water's calming flow offered a temporary break, but upon emerging, a subtle realization hit me. One room had transformed, stripped down to just a bed and a note.Approaching cautiously, curiosity got the best of me. The note, unmistakably Davis Howard's, had its share of quirks."This ain't a master's bedroom, but it's doable. Paint it, however - D."Reluctance pulled at my lips, a forced smile forming. His unexpected gesture had a hint of consideration, a quiet nod to my existence, an effort to make this setup a tad more bearable. Still, the messiness of our connection lingered.The smile vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by a lingering weariness. Davis Howard, a name synonymous with charm and schemes. I couldn
When love strikes    Chapter 16
Anna."Henry…" I said, my words laced with unease. Encountering my ex in front of me during this drunken moment was not the best idea.My heart skipped a beat as he stumbled closer, his intoxicated gaze fixating on my masked face. "Anna, damn… you look so beautiful with a mask on," he slurred, his words punctuated by the pungent scent of alcohol.A wave of discomfort washed over me as he pulled me into an embrace, holding me against his unsteady chest. "I miss you.""Henry, let go," I insisted, attempting to disentangle myself from his grasp.The weight of him being close to me felt suffocating, and the memories of our past together resurfaced in an unwelcome flood.He tightened his hold, his movements fueled by alcohol-induced recklessness. "Anna, don't you get it? I need you," he declared, his breath hot against my face."Henry back off!! we're over. You can't just show up like this," I protested, my voice carrying a mixture of frustration and fear.His grip on me tightened, and he
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When love strikes    Chapter 32
AnnaI stood under the warm water of the shower, allowing it to cleanse not only the physical dirt but also the emotional residue from what I had gone through. The water cascaded over my skin, creating a temporary place where I could release my pent-up emotions. I let myself cry, the tears merging with the running water, as if I could wash away the fear and helplessness I had felt. In the solitude of the bathroom, I faced the truth – Davis was on his way to confront Alex. That was the way he looked like, as of he was going to grab Alex by the throat and strangle him to death. I don't think he knew I know that he was in the mafia just yet because of the way he acted y telling me nothing. I wonder if I should tell him I know. My heart ached with gratitude and concern for him. The image of him leaving, his face determined and masked with a stoic expression, lingered in my mind. I couldn't shake off the worry, but I had to believe he would handle it. He always did. Like this marriag
When love strikes    Chapter 31
31DavisInside the car, windows opened as Anna felt claustrophobic. She rested her head on the head rest and I watched her sleep. My hands were shaking as I picked up the blanket to cover her. She had lost some weight. I felt bad that I was not able to find her on time. That she had to find me before I found her. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Anna was here, and she was safe now. As I pulled out of the barn's vicinity, I decided to make a call to Cameron, my trusted detective."Cameron," I said as he picked up, "I need information on an Alex, the one involved with Annabel's kidnapping. I don't have much to go on, but she mentioned the name. There is no surname so just find any Alex related to us or our business."Cameron sighed on the other end, "Alex is a common name, but give me a moment. I'll see what I can find."While waiting for Cameron to gather information, I glanced at Anna, her face serene in sleep. I felt a mix of relief and frustration, grappling with
When love strikes    Chapter 30
AnnaCool shadows wash over my sweaty skin, disguising me as I moved through the corners of the abandoned warehouse courtyard. The night sky was beautiful, stars danced and twinkled. I could have loved to enjoy something like this, happily lie under the stars and let the night air cleanse my tired body and overworked muscles. But unfortunately that was not it. I needed to escape. I do not know how much time I had left before Hades would notice that I was taking too long in the bathroom or when an alarm would sound. I scanned my surroundings of any sign of Alex or his guards. There was none. I sighed in relief before moving through the darkness again. Frogs sing in the distance as my feet crunch the sand. I had no idea where I was or where I was going, so I just followed the lamplights that illuminated the pathway ahead. The ominous shadows seemed to play tricks on my senses, making every rustle of leaves or distant creak an unsettling echo.As I cautiously advanced, the distant h
When love strikes    Chapter 29
AnnaHe was a psychopath. That's the only conclusion I could draw from the way he acts. Leaning on the table, cleaning his gun, all while I felt weak and disorientedThe room felt tight, I don't know what date or time it was. It felt like weeks though. I haven't seen the sun in a while, the only decency he had given me was to be able to use the bathroom but I was followed by one of his workers. A lady. There was no escape route though, just a right cubicle. The lady was strong muscular and always had a baton. I felt weak whenever I was with her. Weak and useless. My throat was parched, and my tongue felt dry. I muttered, "Thirsty. I am thirsty."Alex gave me a look then he mockingly laughed, his amusement evident, and he replied, "Sorry, darling, I can't hear you."I took deep breaths, gathering my strength. "I said I am thirsty."He looked at me with a twisted grin, saying, "Okay... so? You do know I won't give you anything until you accept my deal.""Why?" I croaked, my voice
When love strikes    Chapter 28
DavisMy phone's persistent ring pierced through the atmosphere, interrupting the hug Marie. Irritated, I picked up the call, a curt "Who is this?" escaping my lips."It's me, Josie. I really need to speak to you. Can we meet up?" Josie's urgent voice pleaded from the other end, and for a moment, I hesitated. Thoughts of Annabel clouded my mind, but I steeled myself against the potential storm of emotions."If it's about Anna, I don't want to hear any explanation," I asserted, my tone firm, attempting to shield myself from potential heartache.I was ready to hang up but then she quickly said, "Please, just listen to me. I have proof, and I tell you, that person is not Anna," Josie's words cut through the uncertainty, freezing me in place."Really?" I asked, pushing Marie's hand away that was touching my face. "Really Davis. Please let's meet up. I will show you everything" "Okay," I replied after a moment, my voice colder than intended. "Where do you want us to meet?"Josie relayed
When love strikes    Chapter 27
DavisI sat in my office, the bright daylight filtering through the windows, casting shadows across the room. My feet tapped incessantly on the floor as impatience gnawed at me. Anna had promised she'd come home last night, and I needed to clear the air between us. There were things that needed to be said, questions that begged for answers.And maybe tell her to stop involving herself in whatever she was doing and know why at least she had to involve herself in what she was doing. I glanced at my phone, frustration building as I tried calling her again, only to be met with the automated message that she wasn't reachable. Annoyance pulsed through me. Why say you're coming home and then disappear? Why leave me in this state of worry?Just as irritation crept in, my phone rang. I seized it, hoping to see Anna's name, but disappointment settled in when I saw it was Liam calling. I groaned and answered, "What is it?"Liam's voice carried a tone of urgency. "Have you seen what's trendin
When love strikes    Chapter 26
AnnaHe didn't pick up. My best guess was he didn't want to talk to me. Which I understand.I looked down at my phone, I had left him 15 missed calls just to explain myself. But nothing.I was in a hotel room. Too scared to face Davis. To face those judgmental eyes before I could even explain.I didn't know why I cared about what he thought of me. I mean, I shouldn't, right? Still, I can't get over the fact that he might hate me more.To him, I was just a girl trying to save her mother's company, but he didn't know my secret or my other job. Now he does, and I have to face his tune.No one knows of my secret. Nor even my dad or my best friend. Just me. Now I am frightened to know the way Davis woikd act knowing that this was who I was. My phone buzzed, breaking the silence in the room. It was Davis calling. I hesitated before answering, unsure of what awaited me on the other end."Annabel, where are you?" His voice carried indifference. "I... I needed some space," I muttered, avoidi
When love strikes    Chapter 25
AnnaI sat on my bed, my feet tapping anxiously on the floor. I found myself biting my fingers excessively, a nervous habit that betrayed the turmoil within. My father remained unconscious, his fate hanging in the balance, and the weight of the impending decision loomed over me.The fact that Davis had left without a word, perhaps without even seeing me, added another layer of complexity to the already tumultuous day. His absence resonated in the silence that enveloped the house, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the weight of the secrets I carried.The call I awaited would connect me to the clandestine world I had immersed myself in – a world of shadows and dangerous transactions. As I glanced at the clock, each passing moment heightened the tension, the unknowns of the impending mission casting a shadow over my already troubled marriage.In the solitude of my room, I grappled with the conflicting emotions – the sense of duty to my father and the clandestine life I led, against
When love strikes    Chanter 24
24AnnaI rushed through the white hallways of the hospital, the sterile environment a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions churning within me. My hands fidgeted nervously, the rhythmic sound of my footsteps echoing my anxiety."What has he done again?" I murmured to myself, the weight of past missteps haunting the present. I couldn't shake the fear that my father had delved into another bout of reckless behavior. I hoped against hope that it wasn't another borrowing spree to fuel a gambling addiction. I couldn't handle another debt from my father's end, especially not now.As I neared the reception desk, the tension in the air grew palpable. The nurse behind the counter looked up, her expression a mix of sympathy and formality."Mrs. Howard?" she inquired, confirming my identity.I nodded, my voice tight. "Yes. How is my father? What happened?"She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "He's in critical condition. The police are here. They would like to speak with you."Dre
