Annabel's POV
A fierce voice jolted us awake.
"What the hell?"
It was Daniel.
How on earth did he find us here?
Fear took over me. I could sense his anger boiling as he shook his head in disbelief and left angrily.
I looked at Lucian, who was staring, lost in everything. Then down to our bodies—half naked, just the duvet barely covering us.
I was just in a bra and panties. Lucian was just in boxers, with nothing on his chest.
"What is going on?" I asked, like answers were going to fall down from heaven.
I could remember us entering the room together, but how on earth did we get on the bed with no clothes on?
The alcohol had knocked us out, and we had been sleeping until Daniel entered.
So, how did we wake up naked?
With a faster pace, I searched the room. And there it was, my dress. Dressing quickly, I went after Daniel.
I found him at the entrance of his car.
"Dan... just give me a moment to explain," I pleaded.
But the dark glare he gave me was enough to push me away.
I stepped aside as he slammed the door and his driver drove off.
Nothing made sense to me.
Because how did I end up naked on Lucian's bed when it was clear that he was a victim too?
Someone must have planted this.
But who?
That's the biggest question. I have no answers for now.
What I needed was to convince Daniel that nothing happened.
********
First day of the week. I should be thinking about just work.
But only one thing was on my mind, to see Daniel and clear any narrative he had about me.
I was tempted to visit him during the weekend, but that might not settle well with him.
Long day at work. Loads of files to attend to. Activities here and there, but no glimpse of him. Not even his shadow.
Was he avoiding me so badly that he had to skip coming to work today?
The second day. I prayed and hoped that he would appear. And yes, he did really show up.
To torture me more, he pretended not to notice me.
I held it together, looking for a better time to be with him alone. But he gave an order through his secretary not to allow me to enter his office.
On my way to lunch, I noticed him pass by. Maybe this was a better time to talk to him, I convinced myself.
I ran up to him."Mr. Stroke," I called out, but he did not turn. He kept moving like I was splashing water on a dry rock, deaf to just my voice.
At last, I got up to him and held his hands, but he pulled away.
My face was already pale from the weekend's stress. "I know you are mad at me, but please, can you hear me out for once?"
He laughed dryly."Huhhh… What other explanations do you want to give?" He did not stutter.
Then his eyes bored into mine. "That I found you naked in a man's bed? Or maybe you want to blame it on alcohol again?"
"Annabel, I understand that you don't like me, but messaging me to come meet you only to see you flirting with your little boyfriend... You crossed the line this time."
My voice cracked with emotions over the allegations layered on me."It was not what you think," I managed to say in a lower voice.
He moved closer to me, his face inches away from mine.
"So what should I think?" He hovered his lips on the shell of my ear.
"I just wanted to ask…Does Lucian fuck well?'" he whispered.
I couldn't bear his words anymore. Tears were already flowing down my cheeks. Then I placed a hard slap across his face.
My eyes widened, surprised at my own action. My heart was rising and falling with no control.
I could feel other staff watching the drama we had displayed, but I didn't give a fuck anymore. Let the worst happen.
If firing me was their biggest threat, I could live with that.
Daniel cupped his cheek, not moving. I had expected him to react, but he remained still.
Meanwhile, in tears, I ran off from the scene.
I stopped at a canteen nearby and decided to take a seat. Then, after I felt calm, I brought out my phone and messaged Lucian.
Annabel: Lucian, please can you meet me at the canteen outside.
His response came immediately.
Lucian: Right away.
I put my phone to sleep and waited for him to appear.
He came not too long after.
"Annie, you don't look good... I saw what happened inside."
I dismissed his question.
"Lucian, please, I need your help."
He nodded and waited for me to go ahead.
My gaze pierced his.
"The hotel from that night. Can you take me there now? I'm convinced maybe we will find answers to our questions, at least from the security footage."
He did not protest at all. "Fine, but at least you need to answer my questions."
"What?"
He looked at me, searching if I was going to tell lies or be real with him. "Mr. Stroke... is anything going on between you two? And why was he that angry?"
My throat went dry. "No... nothing is going on between us."
Well, I don't know if I was lying to him or to myself. Because a part of me is beginning to feel something real for Daniel. It is no longer about revenge.
It is something I'm not willing to accept.
Because what if he doesn't feel the same? Or what if he finds out that we are actually family?
Lucian's brows drew together, confused. "But I'm just wondering, how did he find us?"
"That's what I'm yet to understand. He mentioned that I messaged him to come over, but I don't remember ever doing so. And that is why I need your help, Lucian. Just take me to the hotel, please."
He gave my hand a light squeeze. "It's fine, we will get to the root of this."
We arrived at the hotel. Unlike the last time, there were not many people hanging out, probably because it was a weekday.
We both walked to the hostess ushering people in and demanded to see the manager, which she did.
We got to the manager's office.
With excessive pleading and Lucian's connection, he gave in.
Just with a phone call, one of his security men entered with a drive in his hand.
The manager brought out his laptop, inserted the drive, and played every video from that day.
Just then, the moment of truth. I was right all along.
Before our drink was served, the waitress left our drink.
While a lady in all black—masked, with a face cap entered and injected a substance before we were served.
Who could it be?
It was clear that anyone who did this planted everything. The drugged wine, down to messaging Daniel.
And then Lucian and I miraculously went half naked, even when it was clear that we had nothing intimate that night.