Annette's abrupt awakening was accompanied by a racing heart, a lingering effect of the nightmare that had gripped her during sleep.
Shaking off the remnants of the unsettling dream, she gradually acclimated to the soft morning light filtering into the room. Raising her arms above her head, she stretched in an attempt to dispel the residual unease.The wristwatch resting on the nightstand caught her attention, and a glance revealed that it was already 8 AM. Memories from the previous day surged back, the tension-filled confrontation with Jane at the forefront of her mind.Annette winced as the memory replayed, a throbbing ache forming between her brows. Another headache was starting to take hold, a predictable response to the stress.With a heavy sigh, Annette reached for her phone, her intention to call Jane and apologize for her rude behavior the day before. Regret filled her as she scrolled through her phone, noticing the absence of any message or call from Jane. She hesitated, wondering if Jane would even answer her call after the way she had treated her.As Annette was about to dial Jane's number, when a piercing scream cut through the air, causing her heart to race with pure fear. The voice was unmistakably her sister Cassie's. Panic surged through her veins as she bolted out of bed and raced towards the source of the scream – the kitchen. With each step, thoughts of worry and fear flooded her mind.Annette's eyes widened in shock as she reached the top of the stairs and saw her sister Cassie lying unconscious at the bottom. Fear gripping her, Annette hurried down the stairs. Questions raced through her mind. How did Cassie fall? Could it have been her sleepwalking?Annette knelt beside Cassie, her heart aching as she noticed a trickle of blood from a gash on her sister's forehead. Beside her, a shattered vase lay in pieces, likely having fallen during the accident. Annette's hands flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp as tears welled up in her eyes."Cassie! Oh no, Cassie!" Annette cried, her voice trembling as she gently shook her sister, hoping to rouse her. The tremors of anxiety intensified as she worriedly looked for any sign of response from Cassie.Annette frantically searched for her sister's pulse on her neck, her hands trembling and blood-stained. Despite her shaky hands, she managed to fumble with her phone, attempting to dial 911. After a few seconds of struggle, she finally dialed the emergency number."Hello, 911. How may I help you?" the voice on the other end asked. Annette, taking a deep breath to steady herself, found her voice."Please, I need an ambulance! My sister fell down the stairs, she's unconscious and bleeding from her head. You have to hurry!" Annette's voice trembled with desperation."Calm down, miss. May I have your address?" the operator inquired, and Annette quickly provided the information. "An ambulance will be with you soon. Don't let your sister fall asleep.""Okay, I will try to keep her awake," Annette replied before the call ended. She cradled her sister Cassie's head in her lap, urging her to stay conscious. Her heart raced as she gazed down at her injured sibling, feeling helpless and terrified while waiting for the ambulance.Minutes later, the distant wail of sirens grew louder, bringing a glimmer of hope to Annette's chest. She prayed that the paramedics would arrive in time to save Cassie's life. Amid her worry, Annette couldn't shake the thought that something might have triggered Cassie's sleepwalking again, a memory from when their parents had passed away.The sound of wailing sirens drew closer, and relief washed over Annette as the ambulance arrived at the scene.Paramedics rushed into their apartment, their professional demeanor calming Annette's frantic heart.They quickly assessed Cassie's condition, stabilizing her neck and carefully lifting her onto a stretcher.Annette watched with a mixture of anxiety and gratitude as the paramedics worked efficiently to tend to Cassie. They checked her vitals, applied bandages to her head wound, and administered oxygen to ensure her breathing remained steady. Annette followed closely, explaining what had happened as best she could while fighting back tears.With Cassie secured on the stretcher, the paramedics loaded her into the ambulance, and Annette climbed in beside her. The vehicle's interior was a whirlwind of activity, but the medical team's competence reassured Annette. She held onto Cassie's hand, whispering encouragement, as the ambulance sped towards the hospital.Upon arrival at the emergency department, Cassie was swiftly transferred from the ambulance to a hospital bed. Annette remained by her sister's side as doctors and nurses continued the assessment. They conducted scans to check for any internal injuries and stitched up the wound on Cassie's head. Annette felt a sense of gratitude for the medical professionals working diligently to care for her sister.As Cassie's condition stabilized, Annette had a moment to catch her breath but her moment of relief was crushed when the doctor told her Cassie needed surgery because she had a brain bleed which could be fatal if not attended to properly before the price of the surgery was not covered by their insurance.As the doctor walked away Annette fell to the chair in the waiting room and she cried into her hands, Why did this happen now? Where was she going to get the money from? They barely had enough to feed and pay the bills. So many questions stormed her head, and she was terrified that her sister would die if she didn't have this surgery and Annette would rather die than allow anything happen to her little sister.Annette's mind raced as she staggered towards her sister's room, overwhelmed by fear and worry. Physically and mentally drained, she felt like she had exhausted all her options and was desperate for some sort of miracle."I really need a miracle right now," Annette muttered to herself, reaching her sister's room."I need to text Jane," she whispered as she sent the message, hoping Jane would respond soon.Despite their recent fight, she knew she had to contact her best friend Jane for support.Lost in her thoughts once again, Annette was jolted back to reality when the nurse entered the room, checking up on Cassie for the third time that day.Annette watched as the nurse tended to her sister, monitoring her temperature and other vital signs. Feeling a mix of frustration and anxiety, Annette couldn't help but find the nurse's silence irritating. However, her focus quickly shifted back to her sister's condition and the weight of her concerns.The door swung open, revealing Jane as she entered the room and went to Cassie's bedside. She held Cassie's hands in her own, paying no attention to Annette. Gently examining the injury on Cassie's forehead, Jane shook her head sadly."What happened to her?" Jane's gaze turned angrily towards Annette."I don't know. I was just waking up when I heard her scream. I found her unconscious at the foot of the stairs," Annette explained.Jane leaned in, whispering softly to Cassie, "What happened, little one?" She planted a kiss on Cassie's forehead before shifting her attention back to Annette."What time was it?" Jane inquired as she settled into a chair beside Cassie's bed."About 6, I guess," Annette replied, verifying the time on her phone. "Yeah, it was six.""Hmm," Jane mumbled, her gaze lingering on Cassie with a sorrowful expression. Annette understood that Jane was hurting, but she was trying to stay strong."Jane, talk to me, please," Annette pleaded, her eyes fixed on her best friend."I'm still mad at you, but Cassie is more important right now. So tell me, what did the doctor say?" Jane turned towards Annette. "Will she be alright?"Annette sighed in frustration, holding back tears that threatened to escape. "He said she needs $10,000 for surgery because she had a brain bleed from the fall," Annette managed to say, her voice catching.Her shoulders slumped. "But where am I supposed to get that kind of money you pay for the surgery, Jane? Everything just keeps getting worse every day." Tears welled up in her eyes once again.Jane's heart ached for her distressed friend, so she enveloped Annette in a comforting hug, murmuring soothing words until her tension ebbed. "We'll figure things out, Annette," Jane assured, breaking away gently from her tear-streaked face. It was difficult to stay upset with Annette's evident distress.Annette's voice wavered as she spoke, capturing Jane's attention. "Jane, I never meant to hurt you last night. I'm truly sorry."Jane's empathy prevailed as she responded, "I understand, and I'm sorry too."Annette's expression grew serious, her eyes searching Jane's for any sign of resistance to what she was about to propose. "Jane, even though you're against it, we have no other option but to save Cassie. I need to accept the CEO's offer."Jane's eyes met Annette's, her reluctance palpable. "I know, even though I hate the idea, we're backed into a corner. We can deal with the aftermath later."Resolute, Annette nodded, her gaze lingering on Cassie. "Alright, I'll give him a call."Minutes later, Annette returned with an inscrutable look on her face. Jane couldn't help but ask, "What did he say?"Annette's voice was measured as she relayed the CEO's response. "He wants me to meet him in person.""Go, I'll stay with Cassie.""Thank you, Jane. I'll be back soon," Annette said, embracing Jane briefly before placing a tender kiss on Cassie's forehead. She left the hospital, heading to the CEO's residence, ready to accept the uncertain path that lay ahead.Annette's heart raced as she approached the imposing black gate. The sight of it was more intimidating than she had anticipated. It was hard to believe that someone like McKenney Hudson, who exuded confidence and power, would feel the need for such security measures. As her delicate fingers brushed against the gate's smooth surface, she found solace in the realization that even someone of his stature could succumb to paranoia. It was a humanizing thought that eased her nerves.As her hand connected with the buzzer beside the gare, time seemed to slow down, and she was enveloped in silence. The rhythmic ticking of her wristwatch was the only audible sound, each second passing by with a sense of anticipation. She cursed under her breath as it dawned on her that she had forgotten to check with the person I talked to whether McKenney wanted me to come immediately because it was quite late in the day. The possibility of an awkward encounter loomed before her as she stared at the gate towe
"Are you here to accept my proposal? That seems to be the only reason you'd visit my home. Unless, of course, you're here to beg for your job back – though that's not happening. If that's your intention, please leave. I have better things to do," Mr. Mckenney stated, taking a sip of his whiskey while closely observing Annette's actions."I'm not here to beg for my job. It was clear that I wouldn't get it back after being fired, Sir," Annette responded, maintaining her composure despite his unsettling gaze."Ah, so you've come to accept my proposal then? But remember, you were quite vocal about not wanting to be seen as a 'whore'." Mr. Mckenney remarked, a slight grin playing on his lips."I want to make it clear, I would never have considered your proposal under ordinary circumstances." Annette emphasized, her mind drifting back to her little sister lying in a hospital bed. Drawing strength from her sister's situation, she pressed on while facing the insufferable man before her. "Coul
As Annette stepped out of the house, heading towards the car, Mr. McKenney had instructed the butler to prepare it for her. She settled into the comfortable seat, her mind still processing her recent actions. She knew it was morally questionable, but she felt she had no other choice. The weight of guilt would likely stay with her, yet the relief of having secured the money for Cassie's surgery was undeniable.Just as she closed the car door, her phone chimed with a notification. Annette pulled it out and saw a credit alert of $50,000. Her eyes widened in astonishment, her heart a mix of emotions. Tears welled up as she realized Mr. McKenney wasn't joking; he had indeed fulfilled his promise to credit her account by the time she reached the car. Despite his questionable character, he had proven himself trustworthy.As the driver left the mansion, a text arrived from an unknown number. Opening the message, she immediately recognized the sender.Mr. McKenney: Greetings, my lovely Goldiloc
Mr. McKenney reached for his phone and dialed Annette's number. As the phone rang on the other end, he waited patiently. After a brief pause, Annette's voice came through, "Hello?""Good afternoon, my lovely Goldilocks," Mr. McKenney's warm voice greeted through the phone. "I hope I'm not disturbing you.""No, not at all. How can I assist you?" Annette responded, though her lack of genuine interest was evident in her tone."I wanted to let you know that everything's ready for our upcoming trip to Greece," Mr. McKenney's enthusiasm was evident. "A car will pick you up from your place in two days and take you to the airport.""I understand. I'll prepare accordingly, Mr. McKenney," Annette's response was composed, her voice lacking emotion."I must say, you could show a touch more enthusiasm about the prospect of spending extra time with me, considering I am compensating you," Mr. McKenney chuckled. "I assure you, Goldilocks, it's going to be an enjoyable experience. Ensure all your trav
Annette checked her watch nervously, her things packed and ready by the door. She looked out the window, scouring the street for any sign of Jane's arrival. The minutes passed by, and her uneasiness rose with each passing second. She took a long breath, attempting to calm her beating heart because if Jane didn't arrive soon, she was going to be late, and she wasn't in the mood to argue with Mr McKenney.A few minutes later a familiar figure dashed around the corner, waving when she saw Annette through the window, causing Annette's face to light up with relief as she ran to the door and flung it open just as Jane arrived at the front steps."Jane, you're late!" Annette exclaimed as she drew Jane into a tight hug."I'm sorry I was held back at work," Jane said with a smile, warmly reciprocating the hug. "I would've been there longer, but George said he'd cover for me so I could see you off.""I love that man," Annette murmured, taking a step back and smiling from ear to ear. "He is God
A few hours later, Annette and Mr. McKenney arrived in Greece, captivated by the ancient ruins and the stunning Mediterranean views. As they strolled through a bustling market, a distressed child approached them, tears streaming down her face. She spoke in a mix of Greek and broken English, clearly lost and separated from her mother.Annette's heart went out to the child. In a gentle voice, she switched to fluent Greek, a language she hadn't revealed she knew, and asked, "Ψάχνεις τη μητέρα σου;" The little girl's eyes widened in surprise as she nodded eagerly.Mr. McKenney, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow at Annette's sudden linguistic prowess. "Annette, you speak so fluently. You speak Greek?" he asked, both impressed and slightly puzzled.Annette nodded, her attention still on the child. She spoke with the little girl, calming her down and finding out her mother's name and description. With this information, Annette intended to seek help from the market's security personnel.Howev
It took only a few mins for Annette to get dressed as she waited on the couch for Mr McKenney to arrive, then a few minutes after eight there was a knock. She went to answer it and found Mr McKenney was on the other side dressed in a simple black suit which emphasized his hot looks. But Annette was quickly reminded of his shitty personality."You look good enough to tag along." Mr McKenney said as he ran his gaze down her full length, his face devoid of emotions. "Thank you." Annette muttered. She recognized the haughtiness in his tone, but chose to ignore it. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of making her evening any worse than it already was. She walked out of the room, and he followed closely behind."Won't you bring your jacket along?" He asked."No. I'm fine.""Good. We will be having dinner with one of the investors in the company. So, I expect you to be on your best behavior. Except you don't mind being embarrassed." Mr McKenney warned as they walked down the busy h
She gathered her essentials into her night bag, her heart racing with anticipation. Just minutes ago, Mr. McKenney had informed her that she would be staying in his room for the night, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of nervousness and excitement. While she knew and understood what she had signed up for, her nerves were all over the place.She carefully folded her favorite silk pajamas, the ones with delicate lace trim that she knew he would appreciate. They slipped into the bag with a satisfying rustle. Next, she added a toothbrush and toothpaste, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as I imagined sharing a bathroom with him.Contemplating whether to bring a book, she decided against it and left it on the shelf, opting instead for a quick snack if she got hungry late at night or just to distract herself if he made her stay up with him while he worked.Just as she finished packing, her phone beeped with a message from Mr. McKenney, confirming that he was waiting for her. The e