Author's Note: Happy New Year Everyone !!!
Annabelle sat inside her car parked in front of the hotel she was lodged in. Her expression almost defeated.
No one knew better than her how shocked she was when she heard that Marudas Inc had reached out to Colossus. They've started making their move even before she could gain a footing and the trust of the man whose aid she needed. Then what would happen should they learn of her plans?
"Damn it!" She cursed, pushing on the steering wheel last if it was at fault.
Everything suddenly began spinning faster than she could grasp, and her breath nearly came out in rags, the more she thought about it.
"There are four days until the party, Miss Maraudas. If you can give me something much more… needed, I'll be more than inclined to assist you." Cassian said.
"Something you need?" Annabelle had asked, and Cassian gave a curt hum.
"As long as it is something needed, no matter what it is, I will forsake Marudas Inc's proposal and give you the power to crush them and the protection you so much desire," he added.
"W…what did they offer?" Annabelles asked once more, and Cassian grinned.
"Telling you that will be cheating. Think of something. It wouldn't matter if it's the same thing they offered me. I could easily say to the Marudas that someone else presented the same idea to me before they did," he shrugged casually, almost amused at how her brows pulled together when he said that name. "You are a brilliant woman, Miss Marudas, I believe you will think of something if you truly want our unusual relationship to last and progress."
Those were Cassian's words to her after revealing Marudas Inc's visit and their last exchange until she left Colossus.
Just when she thought she had made the right decision, the marudas were right there to stand in her way already. Just what is she supposed to do to get rid of that family?
Just thinking about it hurt, and even more so because some part of her still saw them as family. Still hoped that everything would just disappear like a forgotten dream and life would return to normal.
"Am I a fool?" she muttered, placing a hand on her forehead. Falling back, her gaze fixed on the roof of the car. "What exactly do you want, Cassian Quinn?"
Two days to the Marudas' banquet, Annabelle received a call from Judas asking to meet.
With much hesitation, Annabelle drove to the meeting point, an expensive restaurant. She was taken to the booth where Judas was, and after a knock, she entered.
Judas sat as elegantly as ever. His posture is as impeccable as always, but…
He was not alone.
Beside him sat a man in a tailored suite, his dirty blonde hair turning whiter due to age. His presence there baffled Annabelled and made her stomach churn.
His dark brown eyes roamed her body as if taking note of something and then stopped on her face. His expression relaxed, and a small smile formed on his lips as if pleased with what he had seen.
Annabelle nearly gagged at the sight, but she maintained her cool.
"You are finally here," Judas said, his expression showing his displeasure at her late arrival. "Sit and let's begin," he ordered.
Annabelle arched her brow. Why was he acting as if he still had any authority over her? She wondered but still complied and sat down. Whatever it was, she'll know soon enough.
"This is Mr Whyte," Judas introduced the other man.
Annabelle's eyes met the man's, and he smiled at her again. She frowned.
"It is quite the pleasure to meet you in person, Miss….Annabelle," he said with a grin and a mischievous spark in his eyes. He extended his hand for a handshake.
In the past, Annabelle was someone he could only hear of and see from afar, but today, here he was, sitting in the same room as her, and not only that, he was even going to…
His thoughts were interrupted by Annabelle's curt words and crisped tone.
"What does he have to do with me coming here?" Annabelle asked, irritation evident on her face.
Both Judas and Mr Whyte frown. Clearly displeased.
Mr Whyte looked at his still outstretched hand left hanging, and his brows pulled even further together. He retracted it back to his side.
"You were not raised to be this disrespectful, Annabelle," Judas said, his tone laced in warning. "We discussed this before. Mr Whyte is a suitable partner for you."
Annabelle already saw it coming from a mile away but hearing it from Judas' mouth directly had her face contorting in disgust.
But….
She smiled.
Her gaze alternated between Judas and Mr Whyte.
"Is that so?" she asked.
Seeing her smile, Mr Whyte smiled as well thu ming she had finally come to realise who he was and would behave. "Of course. Why else would I be here?"
Her lips pressed onto a thin line, hands fisted at her sides, her teeth grounding against each other as she tried to control her temper. She couldn't erupt. Not here. Not for them.
"Mr Whyte has his business overseas and has agreed to partner with us, but with your marriage as the only clause," Judas added.
No word ever comes out of his mouth that is not business related, Annabelle thought as she glared at him.
"I don't mind getting married instantly. That way, things will move faster and smoothly," Mr Whyte added, his eyes almost sparkling the more he looked at Annabelle.
Once she was his, that temper of hers would be tamed, he thought.
"It is time you repaid the family for raising you all these years and…" Judas said but was rudely interrupted by Annabelle
"It seems arrogant delusions do run in the blood," Annabelle uttered, and Judas paused, glared sharply at her but she didn't flinch. "Did I ever agree to be your adopted daughter?" She asked, her tone sharp and gaze defiant. "Did I ever agree to your arrangements, Chairman Marudas?"
Silence fell and Mr Whyte looked at Judas, his gaze pointed, and annoyance growing.
"What makes you think you have any authority over me anymore?" Annabell continued. "You talk about paying back, what have you given to me for all of my labor?"
"Mind your words, child," Judas growled, his patience far out of the window.
"It seems she'll require more time to accept this marriage arrangement," Mr Whyte said and Judas hummed and nodded. Mr Whyte rose to his feet, patted his suite, his gaze on Annabelle."I will leave for now. I'll be expecting your answer soon. Perhaps, at the party as initially agreed."
The audacity!
Annabelle looked at him as if he had grown two heads. Didn't he hear a thing she said? Was her protest only said in her mind?
Judas stood up next, his case in his hand, his gaze stern as he looked at her.
"Don't make a foolish decision just because of your pride and anger. I want an answer in two days" he said and walked away.