Chapter 17: Chapter 17



Annabelle POV.

When the knock came to my door this morning, I hadn't expected to see flowers, wine and an apology note from Charles. After the events of last night, I had researched meg, and to my disappointment, discovered she wasn't an agent or anything, just a waitress. It only meant one thing, Charles was just a fucker. And I didn't know why, but it made me see the gravity of my failures. If Charles could be swayed by a simple waitress, then I didn't do my job well.

It got me pissed.

So when I caught a glimpse of Robert as he passed behind the messenger, I knew I wasn't in my right mind because I pushed past the poor guy that came to deliver the gift and called out to Robert. I also wasn't in my right mind when I grabbed the wine Charles sent to me from the guy's hand and handed it to Robert as a peace offering for slapping him a day earlier. But I was definitely in my right mind when he asked me to breakfast and I accepted. Because that was when I saw the opportunity in my action.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Anna, Anna, Anna. I wish your mother could see you now, she'd be so proud." My inner thought mocked sarcastically.

I knew deep down that I didn't want to sit next to Robert for breakfast or any occasion at all. The only reason I did this was to test my theory with Charles. If he could pretend to like me, kiss me like the world was about to combust, and then grab another woman to do the same thing, then there was more to him than my father was letting on. I wasn't going to complete the job until I got the facts. Besides, I was still hurt that he tricked me into having some sort of feeling for him. He had to pay for that too.

"Babe, you sound like a psychopathic ex-girlfriend who is out for revenge." That annoying little voice in my head making her presence known.

I sighed heavily.

After the gift bearer left, Charles came knocking, he brought with him that amazing smile of his, and looked good enough to eat. But I gave him the cold shoulder, declined his offer for breakfast and slammed the door at his face.

The next time I saw him he was sitting at the restaurant table that was supposedly for two. He had already booked our table. Our eyes clashed and held for a moment. Apart from the fact that I was on a mission, I wanted him to feel the same way I did yesterday when I saw meg kissing him. I wanted him to feel like I would rather endure breakfast with Robert than spend a moment with him. Which was an obvious lie.

A waiter came between our silent war just as I sat down on my chair. Just three minutes with Robert and I was well on my way to suicide. The guy was irritating. We had absolutely nothing in common and honestly, I wasn't listening to a word he was saying. He was in the middle of a topic about his goldfish when I interrupted.

"Robert?" I called softly, no wanting to give away my agitation.

"I tell you that fish is crazy, I couldn't even....." He continued like I wasn't even there.

"Robert, I'd like to leave now," I said firmly this time.

He kept on going but was caught mid-way, "When I decided to feed it... Wait-- what did you say? You wanna leave? But we just got here." He said, sounding surprised. Wasn't it obvious that I was fed up already?

"Yeah, I have a business meeting in the next five minutes which is very important and necessary. I am so sorry, let's do this another time okay?" I said, sending him a false smile as I stood up and quickly walked out of the restaurant. I noticed he was following me and I hasted my steps. I walked into the elevator and quickly pressed for the 3rd floor. Before he could join me, the elevator door dinged closed and moved, and I smiled. I didn't need an escort. Especially one called Robert.

On my way to my room, I saw Meg talking to a guy, the very guy that was attending to Charles when I left. How had he gotten here so fast? Looking at him closely I remembered he was the guy that served I and Amy lunch yesterday. What was his name again? John? James? Yeah, James. I became curious and decided to eavesdrop on their conversation. I slowly moved closer with an intent to spy from the hallway, but then discovered that they were only a room away from my room.

Great!

I walked to my room, opened the door and entered, but didn't close it, instead I rested myself at the door hinges and listened.

I could make out their voices just as I heard James say, "What the hell were you thinking going to a client's room to seduce him last night? Have you forgotten that there are cameras everywhere? Why can't you stay out of trouble?" James asked, clearly frustrated with the situation.

"Oh please stop making a big deal out of this. My going to his room was a mistake. I was going to see Robert because he invited me to his room but I got the room numbers mixed up," Meg replied dismissively. She didn't give a damn at all. Brave girl, gambling with her job.

"So? Does that mean you had to kiss him? That is against the rules! You know when there is a media evaluation and that video is seen you will lose your job. Why are you so reckless?" James asked severely, his voice portraying an undertone of suppressed anger. Why was he trying so hard to protect her?

"Oh come on! Nothing happened. I seduced him and failed because he didn't want me. He dumped me in the corridor and slammed the door to my face. The guy is a jerk." Meg replied like it was a normal thing to call clients jerks. She continued, "Look, I sincerely don't want to get into trouble. If you could help me again I'd owe you one."

"Meg you already owe me a million. I am begging you not to do this again. This is the very last time I'll cover for you." James said just as his pager went off. "I have to go, a clients meal is ready." He stormed off, quickly rushing to the elevator and away from sight.

"Thanks, James!" Meg yelled after him.

I stepped fully into the room and quickly shut the door. To avoid Meg from seeing me while she passed.

I couldn't believe what I just heard! Charles resisted her?

Wow. I had truly fucked this up.

I needed to fix this. I needed advice on what to do and Rita was amazing at giving advice. Moreover, I was supposed to call them up with details anyway. Walking to my bedside table I picked up my laptop and sat on the bed, quickly putting a call through to Rita. I waited patiently for the call to pull through and a lively looking Rita popped up.

"Hi, babe."

My answer was a defeated sigh. She frowned her brows and looked at my expression carefully before asking, "What's wrong, babe? How are you?"

When I didn't say anything but just slumped my shoulders, she continued, coaxing softly, "Speak to me love, I am here. What happened?"

After a moment I knew it was time to spill. So I blurted out everything that happened from yesterday up until this very moment. Leaving out the fact that I researched Meg and reported to my dad.

Sending her a hopeful look, I waited. She was silent for some time and I guessed she was thinking about my foolish emotional actions. I felt bad for lying to her. In truth, she considered me as a best friend. Even though I portrayed the same, I knew the truth deep down.

"Hmm," Rita final groaned, "At least you have realized the foolishness of your actions and that's a start."

Using her hands to form gestures she continued, "Communication is everything Anna, you have to always remember that. Always be sure before you take action okay?"

"Yeah okay," I replied. Then asked, "So mama, what do you think I could do to salvage this situation. Should I apologize?"

"Of course you should apologize, but in this situation, I have a feeling that apology might not be quite enough, you need something more." She said as she bit her bottom lips. When Rita bites her lips it means she was in the process of cooking up something extraordinary. "Okay, so here's what you are gonna do. But first, you need his contact. Do you have his contact?" She asked, looking at me expectantly.

I looked like a dare caught in a headlight.

"No," I answered like I wasn't sure and was asking a question. Which only led her to believe I did not have his number.

Rita sighed.

"Okay, you know what? freshen up, Look nice, go knock on his door, apologize, then ask him on a date. It's a start. You have one hour to do this. Now get your ass off that bed and get moving." Rita said, smiling at me to encourage me.

"Okay, okay, okay! I am moving mum!" I exclaimed as I stood up to get ready.

It took me over an hour but Rita was with me all the way. When I was done, she said her goodbyes and told me to call her immediately it was done.

I stepped out of my room and went to Charles room. I knocked on the door once, twice and on the third knock, I began to worry. Why wasn't he answering? I was about to knock again when a voice interrupted me.

"Hello Miss, are you looking for Mr Harrell?" He said. I turned to discover that it was James speaking.

"Hello, James. Yeah, I am, do you by any means know where he might be?" I asked him hopefully.

"Sorry ma'am, Mr Harrell checked out today. Thirty minutes ago to be exact." James said slowly.

"What?" I said as dread set in. He couldn't leave, it meant final failure on my part.

"Yes ma'am he left, but he said I should give you this card whenever I see you," He handed the card to me and muttered, "Please excuse me," Before walking away. Leaving me with Charles business card and the crazy thoughts that were running through my head.

Not only had I encouraged that fool called Robert, but I had also fucked up my contract.

"Congratulations, Annabelle! You have done an outstanding job," My subconscious mocked.

I walked into my room and locked the door, feeling more determined to set things right now more than ever! I picked up my laptop and sent an update on the new development to my boss, then to Rita and Izzy.

When I was done typing the update, I clicked send then went to my browser and typed Charles Harrell. After getting all I could, I went ahead to hack homeland security.

I was going to do things my way from here on out.