Chapter 6
/-Thomas-/ “Honey, you've been staring at that woman for almost twenty minutes now, what's so special about her?” Alisa asked.“What can I say? She is quite interesting,” I shrugged and she stopped filing her nails. Her eyes narrowed at me and I chuckled. “Come on, you know what I mean.”
A frown crossed her face.
“I don't, tell me.”
I knew where this was heading. Alisa was an insanely jealous person, even when there was nothing to be jealous about.
“She is the CEO of Lumina Luxe, Annabelle Delagdo,” I started and she rolled her eyes.
“Oh, the spoiled heiress of a billionaire empire. Tell me something I don't know,” she huffed.
“Maybe, but Lumina Luxe doesn't belong to her father. It is her company and you can't deny she has been doing quite well,” I stated.
“With her father's influence, it'd be a shock if the company folded. Her family has already built a name over the years, so it would be a piece of cake for her to own a company. So what makes her interesting?” Alisa asked.
“I recently approached her for a partnership and she rejected me, saying her company chose LuxeGlow after careful consideration,” I huffed and her jaw dropped for a second, before she burst into laughter.
“Did she really say that now?” She asked amidst laughter. “Just as I thought, she is indeed a fool. LuxeGlow might be our business rivals but they are nothing compared to us. Their daily stats are nothing compared to ours.”
“Exactly my point! She didn't even give me an explanation. The little brat just blurted in my face that Damian's company was better than mine,” I chuckled, then dropped my tablet and stood up.
I walked to the bar and took out a drink and two glasses. After pouring, I offered one of the glasses to Alisa.
“I am going to crush her. By the time I deal with that arrogant little shit, she will understand that the business world is cruel and not one of places her father's influence and power can control,” I said.
Alisa got up and wrapped her hands around me.
“I am so going to enjoy watching her crash to the ground,” she chipped in.
I took another sip of my drink.
“Daddy! Mommy!” The door opened immediately and the little human burst in, running towards us with an excited expression.
“Attend to your son, Lisa. I have important things to deal with,” I told her, dropping the glass on the table.
Just as I made to leave, I felt his little arms wrap around my legs. I stiffened immediately.
“Daddy, Mr Quin helped me fly a kite. It went so high in the sky. I couldn't reach it anymore and…”
“Lance,” Alisa called softly. “Come over here and tell me all about your kite.”
“But I want to tell Daddy too…” he argued and I found myself losing my patience rapidly. I tried my best not to let it show.
I was well aware that the servants’ eyes never left us. One wrong move and we would have the media chewing us out the next day.
“Don't be stubborn, Lance. Get over there,” Alisa insisted and his hands unwrapped around me. My clenched fists opened and my tensed shoulders slouched in relief.
I walked away from him and headed upstairs. Just as I prepared for work, the door opened and Alisa walked in.
“You know you're going to have to do better than that, right? You can't even hide your hatred for him!” She crossed her arms.
“You know why, Alisa. That little boy is going to destroy everything we both have laboured for. Forgive me for not jumping for joy when he shows up,” I scoffed.
“Not for another twelve years,” she tucked my arm gently. “For now, he is just a boy and knows nothing. The media knows nothing either…”
“But the maids do!” I hissed. “And the freaking lawyers too!”
“It would have been suspicious if we just fired everyone at once. Come on, Thomas, don't be so paranoid. When the time comes, we'll know what to do about him,” she assured me.
“I'm going to pick up Blair from school. You can keep that one by your side,” I said and she chuckled.
She took sexy strides towards me and wrapped her hands around me. I lowered my head, taking in the sweet taste of her lips.
I was ready to lift her when she broke away from my touch.
“Not so fast!” She teased, stretching her hand. “Your credit card?”
I raised a brow.
“I'm getting charged for kissing my wife now?” My lips twitched in amusement.
“No, you are getting charged to keep your wife beautiful. I already booked my appointment, so I'm expected to meet with the doctor tomorrow. I need to get a few things ready before then,” she said.
A puzzled expression settled on my face as I racked my head to recall any discussion we had about going to the hospital.
“Come on, darling, don't tell me you've forgotten that I'm going to get my nose and lips done,” her tone held amusement as she noticed my struggle.
“Right! I totally forgot. I didn't think it was tomorrow, though. Didn't you just mention this last week?” I asked and she looked at me like I was the dumbest person she'd ever met.
“Fine, whatever,” I shrugged. “What do I know about beauty anyways? As long as you remain this gorgeous, you can have all the surgery you want. You are afterall the face of SkinGlow. I wouldn't want you to fall below standards.”
“That is not even possible, love. You've seen the way other models struggle to live up to me? It's going to be that way for a very long time,” Alisa said confidently.
“Definitely! Let's just hope the stupid doctor doesn't ruin your pretty face. I'd sue him for everything he's worth,” I stated, grabbing my wallet from the bed.
I took out the credit card and handed it to her.
“Make me proud, honey.”
“You bet I will!” She winked.
“Tell Blair I love her, alright. I might be back home late so don't make her stay up, alright?” Alisa added, planting a kiss on my lips.
“Why would you be coming back late?” I frowned.
“You know, girl stuff. I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?” She planted a kiss on my lips and walked out.
My frown remained. What girl stuff would keep her out so late?
I shook my head, unwilling to give it much thought. I'd just pick up Blair and stop by the office.
There was so much to be done. Like dealing with a certain arrogant heiress.
Chapter Twenty Three/-Annabelle-/We had focused on finishing our food after we realized that we wouldn't find any answers anytime soon.I just had to be patient and let Damian find out more information about her.A sigh of satisfaction left my mouth as I sprawled in my seat, my hand rubbing my belly. “Wow, when was the last time I ate this many hamburgers?”Damian, who had long finished his two burgers, was watching me in amusement. “Do you always eat like this?”My heart fluttered at the small smile on his face. “No. Just when I'm stressed.”“Hmmm.” That same look passed across his face.I sat up. “You called me out here for something. What's up?”He threw me a grin, his teeth sparkling under the lights in the restaurant. I ignored the flip of my heart. “I've gotten information about Sarah that could not only hurt her but also throw her entire family in jail.”I blew out a whistle as I straightened my spine, awe filling me. “That right there is the Damian I know. Remind me not to e
Chapter Twenty Two/-Annabelle-/Taylor Swift's voice wafted into my ears from the background as Damian sat at the table with me.My gaze lingered on his muscled chest, which was covered by a black T-shirt. I ignored the butterflies in my stomach that came alive at the sight of him, only realizing just now that he too was staring at me. Watching, even.Heat rushed to my face, and I blinked vigorously. “Stop looking at me like that,” I let irritation mask the fluster in my voice.He peered closer. “You don't look so good. Did something happen?”“You would not believe what happened.” I waved to the waiter, catching his attention.Damian raised a brow, his piercing eyes studying my face as if I were a math textbook or something.“God, I'm so stressed, I could eat twenty whole burgers.” I sighed in frustration, wincing at the pounding in my head.Something flashed in Damian's eyes.I threw him a concerned look. “Again, why are you staring at me like that?” It wasn't that I had a problem w
Chapter Twenty-One/-Annabelle-/My appetite was nowhere to be found, and I glared at the food before me.“I'm pretty sure the sushi was not the one peering into your car,” Frankie said in a teasing tone.I transferred the glare to him while he stole a piece from my plate.“What? You're clearly not eating that,” he said, wide-eyed, with his chopsticks in mid-air.“Who the hell was that woman?” I said, more to myself than to him. “What was she searching for in my car?” “I'm sure it's something you don't have to worry about, Anna,” he chewed on. “You said you could eat a whole elephant earlier, and now you're here with a whole lot of food in front of you, and you won't eat. Come on. Don't let one bad thing stop you from enjoying the good things in life.” His eyes softened as he spoke.I released a sigh. “You're right. I shouldn't let it bother me.”Three beats passed.“But what if she's somehow linked to those threats I keep receiving?” Frankie released a groan. “I'm serious, Frankie.
Chapter Twenty/-Annabelle-/The feeling of unease in my bones didn't go away even as I studied the ongoing projects for the next line of products my company was releasing. Normally, immersing myself in work made me forget my problems.I let out a sigh of frustration when I caught myself reading the same line ten times in the past minute. I just couldn't concentrate.I was grateful when a knock came on my door. The distraction was very much needed.“Come in,” I called out, frowning when Frankie's head bobbed into the office. That was definitely not the distraction I needed.He gave a small smile before letting himself in and taking the seat in front of me. “Did you have a fun night?”I narrowed my eyes. “Do you enjoy having a big mouth?”His eyes slightly widened as confusion filled his face.“You told Gerald about the drinks we were getting and about Damian, who happens to be nothing more than a friend and a business partner,” I said through gritted teeth.Frankie shifted where he sa
Chapter Nineteen/-Annabelle-/My head pounded like my brain cells were having a party or something. I let out a curse. I shouldn't have drunk so much.My heels clacked against the tiles as I headed to my office. It was ten in the morning, and despite my put-together appearance, I was a mess inside.As I tried to settle into work, a message from Gerald popped up. Confusion graced my face when I scrolled up and saw the many messages he had sent me last night after Frankie left. Then, I remembered that I had turned off my phone after that threatening message was sent to me.Gerald: Frankie told me you were at a bar with your business partner.I raised a brow as I scrolled down.Gerald: Why aren't you responding to me?Gerald: I hope you aren't doing what I'm thinking.My hand fisted on the table as I read on.Gerald: Why aren't you responding to your texts, Anna?Gerald: If you're cheating on me, Annabelle, I swear to the goddess…My blood boiled as I took in the last message. First off
Chapter Eighteen/-Annabelle-/It was official. I hated Sarah with every cell of my being. First, for making Damian hurt, and next, for daring to blackmail him.We were sitting side by side at the counter, the soft piano music still playing in the background. Damian's eyes were glazed over, proof that the alcohol was beginning to get to him.“Why would she hurt you like that? After everything you both shared together?” My hands were fisted on the counter as I glared at my drink.“People change when they realize they can't get what they want.” He took another sip of his drink. “I don't blame her. Anyone in her position would probably try to do the same thing.”I gave him a look of disbelief. “Not everyone, Damian. There are good people out there,” I said softly.He snorted. “Everyone wants power and riches. Some people's level of zeal is just higher than others.” He scowled at his drink, his eyes intense.Silence settled between us. “What does she want you to do?” It was the one questi