The next morning, around 7 a.m., Annabelle woke up to a strange room.
She remained on the bed for a few seconds, still feeling groggy. As she looked around the unfamiliar room, the events of the previous day slowly came back to her.
She had signed a marriage contract with Jason Grayson.
And she was now in his house.
Annabelle sighed and got out of bed.
After getting ready, she picked up her bag and headed downstairs.
When she entered the dining room, she saw Jason already seated at the table, almost finished with his breakfast.
She was slightly surprised.
It was still early, and she wasn't used to seeing people eat breakfast this early.
The only person she knew who did was her grandfather.
"Good morning," she greeted as she approached the dining table.
"Hmm."
That was all Jason said.
He finished the last slice of bread on his plate, drank a cup of water, and stood up.
Annabelle watched him walk away without saying another word.
She shook her head and sat down.
So much for having a conversation with her husband.
She quickly ate her breakfast.
She had a meeting by 10 a.m., so she couldn't afford to waste any time.
Immediately after arriving at the office, Annabelle remembered that she still hadn't told her father about the marriage.
She picked up her phone and called him.
"Good morning, Father."
"Good morning, princess."
"Father, did Grandpa tell you anything?"
"Tell me what?"
"About my marriage."
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds.
"Marriage? No. Why are you asking, princess?"
Annabelle took a deep breath.
"I got married, Father."
"What?"
"I got married."
"To who? You got married even though I'm not in the country?"
"Grandpa knows about it. I got married to Jason Grayson."
There was another silence.
This time, Annabelle noticed the sudden change in her father's voice.
"The same Grayson?"
"Yes, Dad."
"I don't agree to this marriage."
Annabelle frowned.
"Why, Father?"
"It's a long story, but I don't agree with it."
"But Father—"
"I'm sorry, Ana. When I get back, we will discuss this properly."
"Father—"
The call ended.
Annabelle slowly lowered her phone.
Her father's reaction left her confused.
He had never been the type to interfere in her decisions. As long as she was comfortable with something, he usually had no problem with it.
So why was he suddenly against her marriage to Jason?
And why did he sound as though he already knew something about the Grayson family?
Annabelle stared at her phone for a moment.
There was clearly something she wasn't being told.
But what?
She pushed the thought aside.
She had a meeting to attend.
A while later, Annabelle left her office and drove to the location of the meeting.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly.
By the time the meeting ended, she was already preparing to leave when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Hey, Ana. What are you doing here?"
Annabelle turned around.
The moment she saw the man standing behind her, a smile appeared on her face.
"Kel?"
Kel Trenton smiled back.
He had once been her business rival, but somehow, their constant competition had eventually turned into a close friendship.
"And why didn't you tell me you had arrived from your trip?"
Annabelle folded her arms.
She was genuinely annoyed.
This man had left the country without telling her and had now returned without telling her again.
"Relax, Ana. My plane landed not long ago."
"Then why didn't you call me?"
"I had to come here for an emergency inspection."
He pointed towards the man standing beside him.
"You can ask my assistant. He'll tell you the truth."
Annabelle turned towards the assistant.
"It's true, ma'am. One of our buildings in America collapsed, so Mr. Trenton had to travel there immediately."
Annabelle's expression changed.
"A building collapsed?"
Kel nodded.
"It wasn't planned. I had to leave immediately."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want you to worry."
"You could have at least told me."
Kel smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry."
Annabelle sighed.
"Come. Let's talk."
She grabbed his arm and pulled him towards a private room.
Kel laughed as he followed her.
"You're still the same Ana."
"And you're still annoying."
They entered the private room and sat down.
Annabelle looked at him seriously.
"So, what actually happened?"
Kel's playful expression disappeared.
"There were some problems with the building before I left. We thought they had been handled, but apparently, they weren't."
Annabelle listened carefully.
"I had to go there myself and make sure everything was under control."
"That must have been stressful."
"It was."
Kel leaned back in his chair and looked at her.
"But enough about me. What's going on with you?"
Annabelle raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"You've been acting strange since I saw you."
"I haven't."
"You have."
Kel gave her a knowing look.
"Something happened."
Annabelle looked away.
She wasn't sure if she was ready to tell him.
After all, how was she supposed to explain that she had gotten married less than twenty-four hours ago?
And to Jason Grayson of all people?