Lahat ng Kabanata ng Sweet Temptation: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

(Anna's POV)For a second, I was completely confused."Isabella?"She immediately smiled politely.Before I could say anything else, Richard crossed the room and wrapped an arm around my waist."Good morning sweetheart."Then he kissed my forehead.I looked between the two of them."What is going on?"Richard sighed.The smile on his face faded slightly.And immediately, I knew I wasn't going to like whatever he was about to say."Anna..."My stomach dropped."What?""I need to leave for a short business meeting."I stared at him.The words took a few seconds to register.Then the disappointment crashed in hard."What?"His expression became apologetic. "I know.""Richard, no.""Anna—""No."I pulled away slightly."You promised me that there would be no work or business.""I know.""This trip was supposed to be just us. Our honeymoon vacation remember?""I know baby.""Then why are you leaving?"Richard sighed heavily.He looked genuinely frustrated."I honestly wasn't expecting this

(Alex's POV)I stared at my phone long after the call ended.The screen had already gone dark, but my mind was still replaying Anna's voice.I knew she must have felt terrible when I shunned her and asked her to mind her business when she inquired about Claire.Had I been too hard on her?Two days ago, I had been worried sick when she didn't show up for her lessons.I had called her but she wasn't taking my calls, and wasn't returning them either.I had been convinced something was wrong.Had she learned something about Jessica? Had Richard done something?Or did she simply need some space after everything that had happened between us?I had actually gotten into my car and was ready to drive to the estate to check on her myself when Richard called."Dad," he said in that excited voice that indicated he had good news. "I wanted to tell you something. Anna and I are going to the Maldives."I had blinked in surprise."Maldives?""Yes." He laughed. "I promised her a romantic trip when I

(Anna's POV)I woke up surrounded by shopping bags scattered everywhere on the bed I had fallen asleep amidst the mess, after crying and consoling myself last night.My stomach growled in protest, a cruel reminder that I didn't eat dinner before I slept off.Slowly, I sat up.My head felt heavy and my eyes were swollen from crying.I looked around.The room was a mess.Shopping bags scattered everywhere. Dozens of them.Some were on the floor, some on the couch and the rest on the bed.An entire day's worth of impulsive purchases scattered across the room like evidence of a crime.I dragged myself around the room collecting the bags one after another and carried them into the massive wardrobe.I shoved it inside and closed it, without bothering to arrange or fold anything properly. I didn't have the energy. The bags could stay crumpled for all I cared. None of it mattered right now. Out of sight, out of mind.Then I walked into the bathroom.The sight that greeted me in the mirror

(Anna's POV)"Another one?" I asked as Alex led me upstairs. "Alex, you being here is already the biggest surprise I could ever ask for.""This one's smaller," he said. "But I wanted you to have it."I hugged him even tighter as he carried me through the villa toward a room I hadn't used since we'd arrived.It was a second bedroom, separate from the master suite Richard and I had been sharing.He set me down gently in the doorway.And I gasped.Sitting in the middle of the bed was an enormous teddy bear, three feet tall, soft brown fur, a slightly lopsided smile stitched onto its face that somehow made it more endearing.Beside it, sat a bouquet of flowers in soft purple, their fragrance reaching me even from the doorway."Alex," I breathed.I crossed the room and pulled the bear into my arms, and it was exactly as soft and cuddly as it looked. I buried my face against it for a moment, laughing in pure delight."I didn't know what to get you," Alex said, watching me with an expression

(Alex's POV)The afternoon passed much faster than I expected.For the first time in a very long while, I found myself genuinely relaxed.No board meetings or endless phone calls with investors.Just peace.And strangely enough, that peace came from sitting across a card table from Anna."Read 'em," I said, watching Anna's face for any reaction.She set her cards down with a flourish, a triumphant grin already spreading across her face. "Full house."I looked at my own hand, a pathetic pair of sevens. I groaned, dropping the cards face-down on the table."That's six," Anna said, holding up six fingers with obvious delight.I looked up at her.She was trying very hard not to smile.I narrowed my eyes. "You cheated didn't you?"Immediately she burst into laughter."I did not!"I pointed at the cards in front of her. "Then explain how you've beaten me six times in a row."Anna proudly lifted her chin. "Natural talent I guess."I groaned dramatically. "You mean natural cheating?"She gas