CHAPTER TWO

“Sir, I have a boyfriend, so I would have to politely decline,” I reply, my voice firmer than I felt.

Yeah, Daniel might not be the best man alive, but I’m loyal to him. He’s been with me through enough, at least that’s what I keep telling myself. Lately, though, he’s been more of a weight than a wing.

The moment those words left my mouth, I saw the change in Mr. Addams. His jaw tighten, his nostrils flare slightly, and he gives a low grunt that make my stomach twist.

“This would benefit us both,” he said, voice low but controlled, “If you’re ready to be smart about it, you have until the end of the week to decide.”

Give or take more 48hours, very generous much

Typical Derek Addams, calm and completely used to getting whatever he wants, not even caring to ask why I said no, or he just didn’t think my reasons mattered.

All he cares about was results. Control. Power.

And for some strange, unsettling reason… me.

I don’t even know why he wanted this marriage or maybe he needed a distraction or needs to secure a deal or an image to maintain, But whatever it was, I was sure it had nothing to do with love.

“Yes, sir,” I reply, forcing a professional smile. “Am I still needed for the Rek’s meeting that’s scheduled for thirty minutes from now?”

He gives a curt nod, his piercing eyes never leaving mine. “Obviously, prepare the conference room and you have less than thirty minutes which is already counting.”

“Okay, sir. If that’s all, I’ll be on my way out.”

“Hold on,” he interrupts just as I turn for the door. “Get me a cup of coffee, my usual, before you start your setup.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, suppressing the sigh that threaten to escape. “Of course, sir.”

He doesn't even look up from his desk as I leave, I swear sometimes it feels like he lives to test my patience, but he pays me, too well to quit. So, I made the coffee just the way he liked it, black and bittter, just like his personality and drop it on his desk before heading to the conference room.

The meeting drags on longer than it should have.

Two hours turn into an three till two hours meeting become four .

Mr. Addams has this obsession with perfection that borders on torture, like every detail has to be flawless from every figure, every projection, every comma in every report picking apart proposals with the precision of a surgeon and the emotion of a robot.

I actually start to pity the representatives from Rek’s and the poor men look like they want to evaporate into thin air. But as long as his attention isn't on me, I was fine. I stay quiet, taking notes, keeping my head down and trying not to breathe too loudly.

But of course, fate hates peace.

“Miss Alex,” he say suddenly, turning his attention to me. “The client’s third-quarter supply chain, give me the breakdown.”

I freeze. My mind goes blank and words fail me as the silence that follow is so loud I can swear I hear someone’s pen drop making my heart race.

Think, Bella. Think.

“Sir…” I stammer. “The project proposal outlines that they want us to serve as the main supplier for their glass bottle production and distribution line.”

He holds my gaze for a few seconds that feels like forever before he nods slowly. “Good. Make sure the revised draft reflects that by morning.”

“Y-yes, sir.”

“That’s all for tonight,” he says finally, standing up and straightening his suit. “Miss Alex, drop a copy of the finalized documents in my office before you leave, lock up after and Goodnight, everyone.”

The entire team sigh in relief as he leaves the room, gathering the files, my hands still slightly trembling, I make my way upstairs.

Just as I reach the elevator, my phone buzzes. A text from him.

‘ Mr. Addams: I’ll be expecting your decision soon and don’t take too long and goodnight, Annabella.’

I frown as he never use my first name. That was… weird.

Shoving the thought aside, I decid to finally make the payment for Mom’s surgery. It was late, but the hospital would process it first thing in the morning, I open my mobile banking app, typing in my password, and wait.

A second later, my blood runs cold.

The number staring back at me made no sense.

‘My account balance: $0.00.’

I blink, thinking it was a glitch. Refreshing the page and try again. Same result.

My heart drop into my stomach. “No, no, no, this can’t be happening”

With trembling fingers, I scroll through the transaction history and there it was.

A large withdrawal, cleared two hours ago. Cashed out with my signature.

My knees nearly give out that I grip the elevator railing to keep from falling with my breathing shallow. The app blur as tears well in my eyes and I check again, praying I’d misread something but it was all there in black and white.

It was emptied with every single kobo I had saved for months, every sacrifice and every late night with every skipped meal all gone.

I don't even realize I’d step outside until the night air hit my face and the city lights blur through my tears, I must have walk aimlessly for a while, numb, until I find myself outside the nearest branch of my bank but It was closed. Of course it was.

Desperate, I call the bank’s helpline and it takes everything in me not to scream when the customer service officer confirmed it.

“Yes, ma’am,” she says softly. “A check was cashed today under your name. Signature verified. Recipient, Mr. Daniel Samson.”

Her voice fade after that and I don’t even remember ending the call just standing there, frozen, the phone heavy in my hand.