Daniel's POV
Just a few minutes later the second knock came from the door. It must be Annabel. I stretched my shirt, swallowed hard, kept a long face and buried my face on my tablet.
Pretending to be busy. "Come in".
Slowly she stepped in.
She still looks as charming as last night. with her innocent look. Her dress perfectly clung to her body revealing all her perfect curves. Hair neatly slicked to a perfect bun. Her lips held just enough gloss, perfectly echoing the flawless glow of her smooth skin
I felt the urge to take her right here and right now.
"Mr. Stroke". She snapped me out of my thoughts. Her hands still crossed down at her back.
I jerked in confusion. "Well…" flipping my neck as I reached for a document on my table. "Looks like you are adjusting well. You already made friends for yourself". My eyes were still not meeting hers.
She remained silent for some minutes. "Yes sir". She finally said.
Yes sir?
Very funny. So she will keep pretending like she doesn't know I have questions about why she left withoutsaying a word.
I lifted my eyes, meeting her gaze for the first time. "Annabel what happened?". My voice became stern, my nails biting into my palms. "So, it's not enough that you left without saying a word. You have to block me too".
She gave a soft laugh, but beside it I could sense the pain in them. "I left without a word?".
Holding her elbows wide from her body, chest thrust out as she gave me a pointed look with her arms still crossed. "No Mr. Stroke… you are the one who left me. How could you?"
"How could you invite a girl to dinner and leave the next day? No message, no note. You just left a comment with your house staff to inform me that you left. You are cruel!". Her voice cracking, definitely fighting back some tears.
I stood up and walked close to her. "Hey, Annie".
My hands brushed her shoulders. "Look at me, I did not leave you. Something urgent came up".
Stepping away from her a bit, my hands still on her shoulder as I tilted my head. "So… we are now back to Mr. Stroke?". I questioned sarcastically.
She leaned closer. Our faces inches apart as her lips curled into soft smirk. "Mr. Stroke… we need to act professional".
Our eyes held for a beat too long. My jaw clenched slightly. I could feel something that I was not supposed to feel — something pulling me closer to her.
I wanted to pull back. I was trying to fight my monster.
But no, those eyes. She feels something for me too. I could sense it.
My heart fluttered.
Our eyes locked together.
Not ready to blink for once.
I moved closer, pressing my chest against her body as our breath mingled together.
My lips hovered around her, ready to claim her mouth and yet she was not pushing me away.
I moved in, her eyes drifting closed in surrender, inviting the kiss, but before I could reach her, the door opened and the spell shattered.
It was Stephanie.
Her face was tight. Her grip on the file was so hard that her knuckles turned white.
We tore ourselves apart as if burned.
"Stephanie, you don't get to enter my office without knocking". I gave her a sharp glare.
She did not flinch.
Instead, she moved forward, closing the distance between us. "Dan… If Annabel is a distraction to you. We can just fire her".
I saw the look on Annabel's face. She was fighting the urge to challenge Stephanie.
Then, I looked at Stephanie. Not entertaining her nonsense. "Let me be the judge. Now what brings you to my office?".
She rubbed her neck. Slamming the file she was holding on my desk. "Here, list of the Annual celebration dinner".
My shoulders dropped. I picked the file and assessed it. "Add the new staff". Handing back the file to her.
Her eyes widened in defiance. "What…the rule has always been senior staff only. Annabel just resumed today, she can't join us".
I shot a hard glare at her.
Enough to make her think twice before defying me.
She stiffened her shoulder. "Fine". She muttered. Picked the file and left.
My eyes moved back to Annabel who had been standing there watching the drama. She wanted to stop me from putting her on the list.
But I stopped her, even before she said anything. "Annabel, you will be attending the meeting and that's final".
Her mouth parted in defiance. But she quit knowing that I was never giving her the room to back off.
************
It's been weeks and finally the dinner celebration was about to start.
This has always been the only time the senior staff would come together without the weight of deadlines or the shadow of company talk hanging over them.
Tonight was different, just a celebration. Dinner, fun, and laughter flowing as freely as the wine.
No bad energy.
No tension.
Only the warmth of shared moments.
I have never been the type to attend the event. But tonight was different.
I just wanted to be close to Annabel.
The past week has been work. She never gave me the chance to be around her.
Always coming up with one excuse or the other.
The party had begun and I was yet to see Annabel.
My body sat in the hall, but my eyes never left the entrance, tracking every guest who walked in, each time hoping, aching, that it would be Annabel.
Just then she came in.
She wore a silver dress that flirted with her knees, the fabric hugging her curves as if the designer had crafted it with only her in mind. Her hair fell in loose waves, cascading over her shoulders, and her makeup, though bold—framed her face with flawless precision.
Seeing her lit up my face with a smile. I made a move to go and meet her. But something stopped me on track.
A man came from behind her. Holding her waist as if she belongs to her.
They were lost in discussion. Chanting and laughing like nothing else mattered.
And that was when it occurred to me.
It was the same man she was talking to over the launch the first day she resumed.
Lucian.
I had asked Brenda for details about him.
His father had called me pleading to find a slut for his son to work in my company. I had only accepted because of the smooth business relationship we had. Not knowing he is the one.
And now?
He's been getting distracted.
Why would he be all over Annabel?
My eyes burned with fury. I just wanted to go there and push him away from her.
No.
I was going to do so. I couldn't control myself anymore.
I made a move to approach them, but a voice called me from behind.
That's when I turned and my eyes met the least person i expected to see at the dinner.
My mother.