Annabel's POV
The hallway lay in darkness, cold and unnervingly quiet.
My mind was already spiraling on how James got to be among the investors. I never, for once, thought I would be meeting him again after I heard he had left New York.
I kept moving sluggishly, exhausted from everything that had happened over dinner.
The way he leaned close to me, the nasty words he was whispering in my ear, and his disgusting arms wrapped around my waist as if I were all his.
Like he was here to claim me back.
I was almost close to my lounge when I heard footsteps approaching from behind. I didn't bother checking to know who it was until the sound kept moving closer, like it was here to hurt me.
My breath hitched, shallow and uneven. As I turned with full force.
But to my greatest surprise, not a single soul lingered in the shadows.
It felt like I was in a dream.
Just then, I turned at a fast pace toward my lounge, but before I could move further, a firm grip closed over my waist, covering my mouth as he dragged me into a darker room not far from the hallway.
I kept struggling until he finally released me.
Lifting my face, my gaze caught James's—a wide grin tugging at his lips as if he'd been expecting this moment.
I found my balance. "What the hell!" My tone grew louder.
He stretched his jacket, lit up his cigarette, and continued smiling in a way that pissed me off.
"Annabel, I need you to come back to me," he said bluntly.
My chest tightened at his words. "James, what do you think? Do you really think this is a joke?"
He laughed out loud. "Annie…" moving closer in slower steps. "you belong to me, and you know that."
I scoffed. "In your dreams."
By this time, he was already close, covering the space between us.
He leaned closer, brushing his lips against my face. "You can't throw away all our good memories because you just saw me having fun with a woman."
I tilted my head, arms crossed in defiance. "You call fucking my best friend having fun?"
He did not reply immediately. He just lowered his gaze. "You caused it, Annie."
The pain in my heart grew darker. "James Williams, how on earth did I cause your infidelity?" He remained silent. "Talk to me!"
His eyes bored into mine. "If you hadn't placed your rule of no sex before marriage, I wouldn't be chasing after another woman."
A rough gasp escaped my lips. "Is this the silly excuse you rehearsed? Have you been arranging this speech for me?"
Tears circled my eyelids, fighting to stream down.
He saw it.
With his hand, he brushed them off smoothly. "Annabel, I'm deeply sorry."
My laugh came out more bitter this time. "You're sorry?"
"So, you think a mere apology will cover up for breaking my heart? Do you really think sorry will rebuild the dreams I've crafted for years with you in the picture?" My tears rolled down uncontrollably.
He leaned closer, his eyes half-lidded. "Just give me another chance… I want to make things right this time. Let me in again." His lips brushed against mine, close to kissing me.
With furious force, I pushed him away. "Screw you, James," I spat, irritation lacing my voice.
He bent his face sideways, wiping off the spit before gently lifting his head.
His eyes were darker now. I could see how furious he was growing.
He threw the cigarette he was holding to the floor, crushed it under his shoe, and gripped my shoulders with full force. "Who do you think you are… huh?" he barked.
His voice was getting louder and rougher.
Fear grew in me. "James, let go."
As if he was under the influence of something strong,
James ripped the strap of my dress, running his nose along my skin.
I kept struggling, screaming, and fighting for my life when the door flew open with full force and Daniel barged in.
His hands curled into fists. "Let her go!" he yelled.
But James wasn't giving in. He kept ripping my dress until I was almost bare-skinned.
Daniel came forward, rolled up his sleeves, and gave James a hard punch, throwing him off balance as he finally released me.
James cupped his chin for a while. When he let go, there was a cut bleeding at the edge of his mouth.
He wiped it off and went for Daniel. With his own force, he returned the punch.
And just like that, they got heated up into a more serious fight.
I kept pacing around, trying to separate them. "Dan… you will kill him," I pleaded, holding his wrist.
But he pushed me away, and my back hit the ground.
Just then, Cassian rushed in. "Dan! James!" he called out, separating them.
They didn't stop immediately.
But after some back and forth, and with the help of Cassian, they were finally pulled apart.
I rushed to Daniel as he fought to steady his pulse.
Looking at him, I saw the mess he had become. His shirt ripped, dark circles of blood on his face.
James, on the other hand, was lying on the ground almost lifeless. He could barely raise a finger. It was clear that Daniel had really used his hands well.
With my hands, I wrapped Daniel's wrist. "Come, we need to treat your wound."
He turned to me, glanced at me with his dark eyes, then released his wrist from my grip with force and walked out of the room.
But I chased after him, intoxicated by the danger in his wake.