Chapter Four: Forbidden Love

Ronan's POV

My mother was restless on her chair. “Yes, for now that will do but what if she wants more. What if she forms alliances with the board members or tries to stage a hostile takeover?” her voice was sharp. “We need to find her now, before she finds out about the inheritance.”

Whitfield closed the legal documents and looked at us, something in his eyes looked like a pity. “I request to inform you that I have begun the legal process of searching for Ms Annabelle. Public notice will be published within the next 30 days.”

“Can you delay that a bit?” Macus asked. “Give us some time to find her privately first?”

“Well I can delay that for not more than 20 days.” Whitfield stood up from his chair. “I strongly advise you to use this time frame wisely. Once the announcement goes public, you will be dealing with corn artists and opportunists in the country claiming to be the missing heir.”

We left the lawyer's office. The ride back home was quiet. I didn't speak a word as we drove behind the company's car.

“We will find her, mother. I promise you.” I said to my mother, not sure that I'm convincing her or myself. “We will find her and deal with it quietly.”

“Ronan, deal with it?” Mother turns and looks at me with cold eyes that are colder than the winter. “Ronan, this girl is a threat to everything we have built, everything that we are. You can't just handle a threat like that. You will have to eliminate her.”

The way mother says the word eliminates makes my heart skip a beat. “What do you mean by that? What do you suggest, Mother?”

“I am saying we need to do whatever it takes to protect our family, to protect the company.” she reaches for my hand and held it. “your father betrayed us both. We don't owe his bastard daughter anything, except what we choose to give her.”

The silence that follows made me flinch internally. I don't like the idea of how my Mom used the word eliminates.

Flashback ends…..

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Annabelle's POV

I stood in front of my closet holding a black dress I last wore in my high school graduation four years ago. I was trying to decide on what to wear for the dinner date with Ronan, even though my mom just died 12 hours ago. Actually, the funeral home called and asked how to go about arranging for the funeral but how can you prepare for a burial with just eight hundred dollars in your checking account, so I told them I would call back.

My phone rang, Ronan's name appeared on the screen. For a second, I considered not picking up the call because I didn't trust my voice when I speak. I don't want him to feel the pain in my heart and the crack in my voice.

I stare at the phone before picking it up. “Hello.” I tried to sound confident but the word came out strained and hollow.

“Hey beautiful, I was calling to talk about tonight's dinner or would you prefer we do something casual?” Ronan's voice was calm and caring which made me feel an emotion in my chest that I couldn't let out.

“No no no, dinner is perfect. I could use a little distraction.” The word slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them and I felt a little regret about it.

“Is everything okay? you sound a little off.” There is a genuine concern in his voice and it makes me want to tell him everything.

I want to tell him everything so bad about the death of my mom, about the mysterious father who I never knew existed and how scared I am right now.

“I guess I'm just tired from working a long shift yesterday.” I hate lying to him but I'm not ready to explain that my entire life has been ruined and my entire world is about to collapse. “So where do you want to go for dinner tonight?”

“Uhm… There's this little Italian place called Marcello on the upper East side. I like the place, it's quiet and intimate. You know, it's perfect for actually getting to know each other better.” He then pauses, “Unless that sounds too fancy for you. I know I can be a little out of touch with normal places sometimes.”

I almost laugh out because he has no idea how out of touch he really was. The upper East side might as well be another planet from where I live, however I am curious about his world and honestly, I need something to focus on beside the fact that my mother took all her secrets to the grave and left me with the search for a mysterious father.

“Nevermind, that sounds lovely. So what time should I meet you there?” I asked.

“7:00 pm is okay? I can send a car to pick you up if you want.”

“That is kind of you but I will take the subway.” There is no way I'm letting him see where I'm leaving or the neighborhood where every other storefront is either a pawn shop or a check cashing place.

“Are you really sure? It's no trouble at all for me.”

“I am quite sure, 7:00 pm at Marcelo. I will be there.” I write down the address that he gave me.

After we hang up the call, I stare at myself in the bathroom mirror and try to figure out how to look like someone who belongs in an expensive restaurant. The black dress is simple but elegant and I have one pair of shoes that aren't completely worn out. My makeup skills aren't limited to drugstore mascara and lip gloss but maybe that's better than trying too hard and looking so desperate to impress someone, actually impress someone that I really love.