Chapter 12: Chapter 12
Annabelle's POV
Martha served lunch and I took a plate and heaped food onto it. I was very hungry and had a healthy appetite. My hectic morning dance classes didn't allow me to put on extra weight, so I loved my food and food loved me. It was a simple spaghetti and meatballs dunked in a gooey sauce, Caesar salad, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.
Stefan came down and picked up a plate, served himself, and sat opposite me, wordlessly. He was on a work-related call with Tristan, so we ate without saying a word to each other. He finished his food and with a nod towards me, left for his room still talking to Tristan over the phone. I helped Martha clear up lunch and clean the table. We did the dishes together as we chatted.
"Martha let's vacuum gran's room in her absence and have it ready for gran. What do you say?" I asked her.
"That's a good idea, Anna. Let's get started with it in an hour, " she said, beaming at me appreciating my help.
I went to my dance studio to check the paperwork and also decide on the next morning's classes. I don't have anyone to help me currently but soon I would have to as the work had become too much for me to handle all on my own. I was too busy to notice that an hour had gone by. I suddenly remembered my offer to help Martha clean up gran's room. Wrapping up, I rushed into the house to help Martha.
She was waiting for me with two vacuum cleaners in her hands. Stefan had gone back to the hospital and it was 4 o'clock already. We vacuumed the curtains, and walls; moved furniture, and cleaned till everything was sparkling clean. Exhausted, we took a coffee break, satisfied with our handiwork. Gran's room looked clean and fresh, ready to welcome her back. We sipped coffee as we relaxed and waited for Stefan to return with an update about gran's health.
"Thank you, Anna. Now I can relax. This work was pending for a long time," said Martha, sipping her coffee.
"You could have told me before Martha. I would have helped you. Promise me that you will always ask me for help in the future?" I asked her.
"Sure Anna. Next time onwards, I'll ask you whenever I need your help," Martha promised.
We discussed the other pending work that we had to complete as we finished our coffee.
Suddenly the main door flew open and in walked the two brothers, Stefan and Tristan while Martha and I stared at them with surprise. My eyes flew to Stefan's and my heart skipped a beat seeing the way he was gazing at me. Did he feel as overwhelmed as I did after that passionate kiss? Was he affected by the kiss in the same way I was? I wanted to know how he felt but seeing his emotionless face, I had no idea what was going on in his head.
Stefan's POV
I couldn't forget the kiss. It stirred a fire in my soul and I felt the urge to kiss her again and again. I knew I had to answer her questions but I was not in the mood at the moment. I didn't know how to face her without wanting to kiss her again and again. Why was I so attracted to her? Every time we came within a few feet of each other, I could feel the strange electric charge in the air. Why? Why was it that I never felt like this with anyone but her? There were so many unanswered questions that I need to think over but I was scared. Scared that if I got more involved with Rosie, I might be in deeper sh*t than I already was.
Thankfully Tristan called to discuss the upcoming Clark project for our hotel construction venture and I extended the call throughout my lunch with Rosy.
Tristan was arriving here as he needed help with the Clark project reports and the presentation. I was not happy with this situation as I wanted to spend a few days alone with Rosy and try to win her over but I couldn't say no to him. He needed my help and I would help him always.
After lunch, Nurse Ellie called to inform me that gran had gained consciousness. Her bone density report had also arrived and the doctors wanted to discuss her treatment with me.
I quickly got ready and left for the hospital. Rosy was busy at her dance school and I didn't disturb her.
Gran looked better after her rest. She talked to me a lot, asking about Arielle. She had never seen Arielle. I tried to coax her to shift to New York with us. She agreed only if Rosy too accompanied her. I knew then what I would have to do. I would have to work hard and convince Rosy to shift with us. She was stubborn and I would have a tough time convincing her but it was worth the effort.
Tristan joined us and we spoke to the doctor about gran's health. She would be released a day later but her fracture would take a few months to heal completely at her age.
Gran went off to sleep and we headed home. "How's Annabelle, bro? Is she talking to you?" Asked Tristan. He knew everything about my past encounters with Annabelle from gran and really wanted to see me happy.
"Just talking. She hasn't forgiven me yet," I explained to Tristan.
"Don't worry bro. She'll come around," he reassured me.
"Hope she agrees to shift to New York with us else gran won't go," I confessed.
"Reason it out with her. I'm sure she'll agree," he reassured.
I drove back, crossing my fingers that Rosy saw my reasons and agreed to shift with us. I would take her to my new home in New York. We reached gran's house and I mentally planned how to convince Annabelle.