Chapter 9
Chapter 9:
Rupert knifed the steak on his plate and chewed hard as fury brewed inside him. He didn’t deserve Annabel? What nonsense.
“That reminds me, Marcel. Your brother asked me to buy the car you have always wanted. He plans to give it to you. I think p>
“Come on, Rupert. I didn’t mean that. Can’t you take a joke anymore?” Marcel smiled awkwardly.
They had a nice meal. After walking out of the restaurant, Annabel and Rupert bid Marcel farewell.
“Bye, Annabel! I’ll visit you whenever I’m free p>
Annabel stroked his head again as they hugged. She waved at him. “Bye, Marc. Take care p>
She petted him as if he were Teddy, her Alaskan Malamute.
But in Rupert’s eyes, she was flirting with him. He grunted and got into the car. On the way back, he finally complained, “I see why you boldly said that you’ll never fall in love with me. You’re in love with someone else p>
Annabel looked at Rupert in confusion.
“In case you have forgotten, you are engaged to me now. Marcel is a celebrity. Many eyes are on him. Behave yourself. I won’t sit back and watch you dent the reputation of the Benton family,” Rupert warned in a serious tone.
Only then did Annabel realize that Rupert thought she loved Marcel.
How did his mind go that far?
“Also, I have to remind you that it’ll be very difficult to marry into the Brooks family. After all, you are two years older than Marcel p>
“Enough!” Annabel snapped. “Our engagement is just one of convenience. You and I know that we won’t end up together. That said, it’s none of your business whom I date or want to marry. Don’t tell me what to do p>
Rupert’s face darkened. He wanted to retort, but he bit his tongue when he saw her glaring at him. The rest of the ride was silent.
Annabel hadn’t denied having feelings for Marcel. Since she had behaved so defensively, Rupert assumed that she acquiesced to his suspicion. That annoyed him even more.
Rupert suffered from insomnia that night as usual.
Staying awake all night had been a thing for him since he was kidnapped and locked up in a dark room when he was thirteen years old.
He usually had panic attacks about that scary experience. But tonight, he was awake because he was thinking about Annabel.
Scenes of what had happened last night flashed through his mind. He caught himself wishing for her to be in his arms again.
At the thought of this, he grew more unsettled.
“She has no taste in men. What does she see in Marcel, who is merely a boy? Is she blind p>
With irritation, Rupert got out of bed and lit a cigarette.
The next few days were peaceful and uneventful for Annabel at work. However, she couldn’t help missing the life she had lived in the past. She had been a traveler, and whenever she wasn’t catching flights, she was lying in her bed and living the best life at home.
The anniversary ceremony for Benton Group soon came around. That evening, Annabel was forced to get styled and dressed in a cocktail dress.
The banquet was grand. The guests were all popular businessmen from far and near.
As the CEO, Rupert was busy exchanging pleasantries with many guests. Annabel was tired of meeting so many people, so she excused herself to the ladies’ room.