Five

Annabelle’s POV

When I arrived I had asked the bartender if had seen Adrien after a brief description of how he looked and he had replied a swift ‘Yes’,he also informed me that Adrien had passed out in one of the rooms available at the club. I had rushed inside the room looking for Adrien but I couldn't find him. I turned to leave but I suddenly felt lightheaded and fell unconscious. I woke up a few hours later but I didn’t put much thought into what happened since I woke up still alone on the bed so I simply continued my search for Adrien who happened to have gone home already.I had gone to look for the bartender from earlier but he had disappeared with no trace and no one seemed to know who I was talking about,that must have been the day those whoring and defaming images were taken.

How naive of me to believe it was just mere coincidence but if there is one thing I am sure of is that Adrien will regret ever calling me a gold digging whore. He was going to regret treating me horribly and when he comes begging I would remind him of my number one rule ‘I don’t give second chances’

All of that will fall in place in due time though,for now my main focus is starting a new and decent life for myself and my little one,I will not cry over spilt milk anymore. It was time to put my business degree to use.

~~~~

I slumped down on the car’s comfortable seat, grateful that the plane ride was finally over. I have not been on a plane for three years now plus my childhood fear for heights,it was only a miracle I didn’t act up there.

“You must be Mum’s personal assistant,if I am correct?” I asked starting a conversation,she was young,probably in her early twenties,which made me wonder why Mum hired her,don’t get me wrong I have no problem with her or her age but hiring younger staffs was never Mum’s thing,she always believed the older ones had more experience,but it has been three years right,maybe even my own mother had changed.

“Yes I am” she answered with a bright smile as she started the car,

“What happened to her driver?” I asked wondering why Mum would send her when she has a driver,

“Ohh,he is running a few errand for Mrs.Oliver so she asked me to come pick you up” she replied,

“Okay,that makes sense” I nodded looking out the window, the cool Madrid air hitting my face was a perfect remainder of home,Madrid was always hotter during summer but we were approaching the festive period and the weather is much cooler.My sister and I had grown up here although we both had to move for college and then I got married to Adrien.

“I’m Annabelle,you?” I introduced myself wanting to get to know the young woman,maybe I would see what my mother saw in her to make such a change,

“Camilla,Ma” she answered politely,

“Oh no,please just call me Annabelle” I opposed,

“Okay,it is a pleasure to finally meet you,Annabelle,I have heard so much about you” she grinned,

“All good things I hope?” I asked,

“Yes,very good things” she answered with a smile,I nodded slowly turning my head back towards the window.

As we approached the famous Oliver’s Estate I sighted the large building before we even got there, taking a deep breath I muttered to myself,

“Home” the familiar feeling engulfing me, the loud ringing of my phone brought my attention back from staring at my own house in awe. Pulling it out from my purse, my heart dropped once I glanced at the caller ID,Adrian’s grandfather. I didn't have anything to say to him and knowing the nice old man, he would try to convince me to come back and that's not happening,

“You are not picking the call?” Camilla asked calmly, she was trying to show that she cared without prying too much, I guess Mum wasn't so wrong in her judgment,

“It is not important” I shrugged, turning the phone off totally. I placed it back in my purse, I would rather not be disturbed by anyone, not that I had many people who would actually notice my absence anyway.

~~~~

"We're here Ma'am”, Camila informed.

“Wow, this doesn't even look like the home I left behind one bit” I gasped taking in the brightly lit large mansion standing at the center of the wide compound, my parents had renovated so much, I wouldn't have found my way on my own,

“Well that is because you have been gone for three years without even a call” Mum’s soft voice came in and I felt my heart squeeze as she came to view,

“Mother” I cried out running into her arms, I hadn't realized how much I had missed her until now,

“I have missed you so much, I am sorry for everything” I sobbed on her shoulders relishing in the feeling of my mother’s hug once again after all these years,

“I missed you more my child, and I should be the one apologizing, if I had being a lot much calmer about your marriage you would have kept in touch”

"No Mum, you were only trying to look out for me and I guess you were right after all” I replied sadly pulling away a little so I could properly look at her, she hadn't even aged a bit, my father’s touch glowed so brightly through her,

“What’s wrong my child?, I knew something was wrong after your call last night” she asked with concern, filling her voice as she searched my face for only God knows what, bruises maybe?

“Come on Mum, we have enough time for long talks, right now I need to eat” I groaned quickly changing the topic, I don't think I can say a word about everything without breaking down,

“Hmm, if you say so, get her bags from the car” she ordered a man I had not noticed earlier, so many new faces, it was only three years,

“Is Dad home?” I asked as my excitement started building up at the thought of running into my father’s arms once again, I was always his little princess while Annie was Mum’s favorite, it was like they shared us without even realizing it but my sister and I were perfectly okay with it because in all we still revived immense love from the both of them,

“No darling, but he would be home in no time, he is aware of your arrival, he has been jumpy since I informed him you were coming home” she replied a bright smile on her face as she spoke about the love of her life, my parent’s love always made me dream and hope I would have a love like theirs bit I guess luck wasn't on my side for that,

“Are you sure you are okay?” Mum asked staring at me skeptically, I hadn't realized we had stopped walking until she spoke up,

“Yes Mum, why wouldn't I be?” I lied smoothly,

“Hmm, you zoned out for a minute” she said with disapproval and concern in her voice,

“Sorry Mum, you were saying?” I asked apologetically,

“Go freshen up while they set the table, okay?” she cooed,

“Okay Mum, I would be down shortly” I replied with a smile that definitely didn't reach my eyes but if she noticed it she didn't dwell on it as she turned her focus to the domestic staffs that were currently setting up the table, while I headed to my childhood room where all my memories lay.