Annabel's POV
I woke up the next day feeling awkward.
Daniel had slept in another room.
After I told him I was a virgin, his expression changed immediately, and I couldn't stop wondering why.
Then guilt washed over me, knowing that I had almost slept with my father's son. I just don't understand why I chose to sign this contract.
But after Daniel had given me the option of being his submissive, I couldn't resist it.
Even though I tried to fight the urge to have something intimate with him, I couldn't. I just needed his touch, I wanted to feel him inside of me.
Maybe get him to love and trust me before revealing the truth to him.
I just can't afford to lose him just because my father woke up one day and decided to marry his mother.
There should be another way.
Just after I had gone to the next room where Daniel told me he would be sleeping and didn't find him, I presumed he had left for work already and decided to get prepared too.
That was when Brenda's email came through.
I opened the message, trying to make sense of it all.
Two days' trip to California for the funding of my evergreen dating app?
Why the sudden change?
The rule was that I had to work longer for the Stroke Development Company before they would push my app.
Why now?
Seems Daniel loves getting me off guard.
I swiped my phone to the call log and dialed Lucian.
I just wanted to know if he got a message too. His app was supposed to be funded as well, if I'm not mistaken.
The phone rang for the second time, yet he did not pick up. Maybe he was busy.
Without trying any longer, I decided to get ready, but on my way to the shower, my phone rang.
It must be Lucian.
When I got to the phone, it was actually him, just like I predicted.
"Hi, Lucian."
His voice came in immediately. "Annie… you are not at work yet, are you okay?"
"Uhm… I'm very fine."
He exhaled warmly, giving a sign of relief. "So, are you not coming to work?"
My voice cut him sharply. "I'll." I narrowed my eyes, tilting my head while I rubbed my hand on my forehead. "Lucian, I just called you to confirm something."
"Okay…" His voice came out low with a worried tone.
"I got an email about an update on my app funding…" I let the words hang before continuing. "…I'm just calling to know if you got an email too."
"Hmmm." He went silent for a moment before continuing. "I never got a message. Annie, I don't think my app will be sponsored by Stroke's team."
"Why?" I asked, even before he finished.
His voice came out rough, with pain written all over it. "We should be asking Mr. Stroke. He clearly took me off the project."
My fingers clenched the phone so tightly the screen almost cracked, every word dripping with frustration and disbelief.
How could he?
This is totally unfair.
Lucian's app deserves to be rewarded as promised.
When I got to the company, I did not bother going to my office or doing any other thing first. I simply marched to Daniel's office.
I pushed the door open in fury, not minding if I was breaking any rule.
His office smelled like leather, expensive cologne, and something uniquely his.
He seemed to be busy discussing a work issue with Brenda.
Daniel lifted his head sharply, locking eyes with me. His brows shot up in surprise. "Annabel, are you okay?"
His dark eyes drilled into me, sizing me up.
But I still did not say anything. My clenched fists and tightly entwined fingers trembled with barely contained rage.
I was ready to explode.
And he saw that too. As if something pulled him, he eased his shoulders immediately. "Brenda, we will continue later."
"Alright, sir," she said and left us immediately.
Daniel stood from his seat and moved to his desk, sitting just on the edge, his arms folded, before he broke the silence. "Ms. Annabel Green, can you tell me why you barged into my office in that manner?"
My eyes dropped. "I got an email".
He tilted his head. "And…?"
"The email says we will be going on a trip to California for my app funding this weekend."
His eyes were still glued on me, waiting to hear the reason for my outburst.
He relaxed a bit. "So? I thought you were supposed to be happy."
Easing my shoulders, before I spoke, "I'm…actually," then glared at him, my anger blazing. "But Lucian… he was supposed to be on this trip too."
He let out a heavy sigh and stepped closer, closing the distance until we could feel each other's breath.
"Annie… you look worked up for such a little issue. Is there something you are not telling me?" His eyes searched mine.
I cleared my throat. "I… uhm… there is nothing going on, and you know that. I just feel like it's not fair."
He leaned closer, his lips brushing my skin. "So what is fair?" He dragged his tongue on my ear.
But I stepped back, snapping him out of whatever was going on in his mind.
"Mr. Stroke, this is so unfair to Lucian, and you know it."
He growled, running his hand roughly through his hair. "Annabel!" he yelled. "What's wrong with you? Lucian this, Lucian that. Can I get my own moment for once?"
He crossed his arms and whispered, "If you feel sorry for him, then do the funding for him." Then he pulled away, stretching his shirt. "We both know how he got this job, he was not qualified. His app did not meet our standard, yet I took him in because of the business relationship I have with his father."
His words struck me.
As much as I was angry, he was right.
Lucian had only gotten here through his father's influence.
My voice went soft and low. "Can't you do something to help him?"
His eyes alone told me all the answers I needed.