The next day, the triplet requested to get to the academy earlier than the day before. The morning sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm glow on the house.Anna had left the house earlier than usual despite how late she had arrived at the house the night before.“Are you sure she has gone to the office?” Nat asked Rosa as she sipped a cup of coffee.“Yes, she did say I should tell you and Mr. Fisher to meet her there,” Rosa responded.“When did she get home last night?” Nat asked.“It was way past midnight,” Rosa answered.They were standing in the kitchen where Rosa was preparing breakfast. Nat set down her cup on the kitchen counter as she wondered what could have made Anna leave so early.She wondered if it had anything to do with the letter from the day before. After a little thought, she shrugged it off.“The kids are going now; can I serve them the sandwich?” Billy asked, walking into the kitchen.“Yes, please, thank you, Billy,” Rosa responded.As the kids had their br
Anna's eyes narrowed at him, her heart beating as she asked, “Who are you talking about?”The party became like a distant memory as she focused on what he was going to say.Gideon shrugged and responded, “I mean your friend, I believe she was called hmm, Lily, was it?”Anna's breath caught in her throat as she realized who Gideon was referring to. Memories of Lily flooded back, making her heart ache.She tried to keep her voice steady as she moved closer to him and asked, "What about Lily?"Anna searched his eyes, unable to read his expression as she waited for him to respond.Gideon smiled at her mischievously and said, “What else, apart from the fact that you both were friends?”Anna wanted to grip his arm, to hold him and squeeze out everything he knew, but she had to hold herself. Drawing too much attention was not going to be a good thing.“Is that all?” Anna asked.“Should there be more? Or are you ready to tell me what I also want to know?” Gideon asked.Anna stared at him, the
Simon stood before her, his pupils dilated, his breath coming in short form as his darkened eyes stared down at Anna's lips."Simon," Anna called out, her voice barely above a whisper.Simon's face was unreadable as he hid his thoughts behind a carefully guarded expression, making it difficult to tell what he was thinking.Simon looked up slowly from her lips and into her eyes, narrowing them as he whispered."This seems to be the only thing that can shut you up."Anna's eyes clouded in anger with that. She never wanted to give him the impression that he affected her in any way."Maybe a slap across your chin would joggle your memory again." Anna responded, squirming against his hands, her chin raised in arrogance.Simon's face broke into a smile, his lips curling up in mockery as he threw his head back and laughed."Let me go, Simon," Anna snapped and pulled her hands from his grip.She felt her heart beating against her ribs as she tried to maintain her composure."You know what? I
Michael glanced behind him, his eyes narrowing momentarily at Simon's back before turning away."Why don't we go say hi to them?" Michael asked."To whom?" Anna asked.Around them, a group of familiar faces were laughing and chatting animatedly. The party felt just like Michael had explained it to be before."The Crawford, of course," Michael responded."Hmm, no problem," Anna concurred."How did you know they were from the Crawford foundation?" Michael asked."I think someone in the group had on a shirt with the Crawford name, looks like it's protocol or bodyguard or something," Anna mumbled.They walked towards them where they stood amidst a group of guests with Alicia there also."Oh, it's lovely to see you, Emma, and I'm glad Mr. Crawford agreed to approve my invitation this year," Alicia stated with a chuckle.The Crawford Foundation was an influential organization in the community, and having their approval was a big deal for Alicia."I hope we can continue our partnership with
Simon turned around to see a representative of the Crawford Foundation walk into the hall. He turned back slowly to face Anna, seeing the smug expression on her face."I would advise you to think twice before starting a fight with me, Anna," Simon warned, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.Anna raised her right brow at him, stepped towards him, and said, "I don't take advice from you, Simon Parker."Simon stared at the challenge in her eyes as he thought about all he had on his table since she came back to town.Her eyes drew him in, challenging every part of him. He felt his breath catch; a pull he had never felt for her all those years ago pulled him strongly.The rest of the room fell away, becoming nonexistent as they got wrapped up in each other."F*ck!" He mumbled under his breath, his voice husky.To think he was getting attracted to the enemy was an understatement, and despite trying to prove that he wasn't, he could not deny the fact that his body wanted her."You won
“Are you alright?” Anna asked, looking up at him in suspicion.David looked at her, cautioning himself as he looked back at her.“Yes, absolutely, I am fine. Sorry, I just got distracted by something,” David said, forcing a smile.“Oh, okay,” Anna responded as they finally unclasped their hands.David smiled and offered, “Do you want to walk around with…”“Hmmm, I should go look for my date. I guess I’ll see you around then,” Anna said, stepping away.“Hmm, sure, that’s fine, I’ll see you around,” David responded.Anna turned and walked away, her stiff shoulders relaxing slightly as she moved further into the crowd."Hi, Anna," someone called out, stopping Anna.David watched her go, his eyes narrowed in confusion. There were a lot of things he wanted to ask, which he couldn't quite say to her. He turned around to go look for the one who could give him the answer to all the questions."Isn't that Simon Parker?" Someone in Anna's group said, looking around the room."Yes, it is; he loo
Anna’s heart skipped, beating against her rib cage as she stared ahead. It all flashed before her eyes again.“Anna? Did your dress get stuck?” Michael asked, looking back at her.Anna blinked, looked at him, and shook her head as she replied, “No, humm, I just…”She looked ahead again, and he was gone; the space was empty, and for a minute she was not sure if she had really seen him.Michael looked in the same direction, his brow squeezed in puzzle before looking back at Anna.“Sorry, I think I was lost in thought,” Anna responded.“Ms. Howard over here,” someone called out again, walking over to interview them.Before Anna could move, someone approached her with a mic, wanting to interview her.“I don’t think you can escape this one,” Michael whispered as he stepped to her side.“Hello, Vectra, you look really gorgeous in that dress,” the interviewer said with a warm smile as she pointed the mic in front of Anna.“Thank you,” Anna replied, smiling.“You’re not looking bad yourself,
Simon looked up at the building behind him, the crease on his face deepening in anger.“What the h*ll?” Simon grunted and dialed William’s number.“William, how did this pass you by?” Simon asked.“Huh?” William mumbled over the phone.His voice sounded like he had just been dozing off to sleep.“William?” Simon called out strongly.“Simon, you know some of us sleep, right?” William responded, still sounding sleepy.“How did Anna find out about the Crawford bid?” Simon asked.“What? Anna?” William responded suddenly, sounding instantly alert.“You tell me,” Simon snapped.“What… at… I… I don’t know; how am I supposed to… wait,” William stuttered, then stopped abruptly.“What?” Simon asked.“Do you think that is why she is going to the party tomorrow? The Alicia party?” William asked.“Damn it, William, why does everyone choose this time to mess with me!” Simon shouted.“Or she does not know and was only invited like every other person.” William suggested.Simon raked a hand through hi
Anna placed her hand on his chest and pushed herself away from his strong grip. She raised her hand and slapped him across the face.The sound echoed through the street as Simon felt the sting of it, his eyes darkening in anger.“Don’t you ever put your fr*aking hands on me again!” Anna snapped.“Or else what?” Simon asked, his voice ice cold.“You won’t like what I will do to you.” Anna shouted,Her breath came in short form as she tried to put all she felt into her anger. Not wanting to feel any other thing but her anger.In a blur, Simon grabbed her again; he spun her , slamming her back against the car and pinning her in place.He was so pissed off that he refused to listen to his inner voice, which was telling him to let her go.“What exactly can you do?” Simon growled.The tension between them was thick, crackling with intensity as they both stared each other down, neither willing to back down.Simon's hand pressed against the car, his eyes burning with a dangerous fire that mad