Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Annabelle's POV

"Gran is doing well and will be released after one day. You realize, she needs intensive therapy and follow-up? " he asked and I nodded. I still couldn't understand where this conversation was leading.

"That's why I've decided that you and gran are coming with me to live with me in my house in New York. I don't have much time. I have to return in four days and you both are coming with me," He ordered. My mouth hung open hearing his words. I had no wish to move away from my hometown. Moreover, how could I live at his house?

"I can look after gran like I always have, Stefan. There's no need really to shift her at this stage. She's very attached to this house, you know it," I argued. I couldn't just leave with him. I had my students, and my dance studio to take care of. I had always lived here in New Jersey all my life. I'm settled here.

"It was different then, Rosy. Gran's condition isn't getting better. With age, it would get worse. Here you are alone taking care of her. In New York, her whole family is there to look after her. I have spoken to gran. She is willing to go if only you accompanied her," he said seriously and I nodded. There was no way I could object after the way he put it. Gran was the most important person in my life and I could do anything for her welfare.

It was true that in New York, Gran's whole family would be available. If Gran was willing, I could not object. I had to think of Gran's well-being first.

" I won't be able to come and meet her here often. A big hotel construction project is coming up in New York to keep us busy for the whole of next year. Apart from the hotels we have, we are also into the construction of mega hotel projects. If you both stay with me I would not have to worry. Martha and Ellie would also come along with us," he said looking into my eyes with a pleading look, wanting me to agree. It seemed he had planned it all.

"Alright, but what about my dance studio and the students here? I would have to refund them their money and close it down. That couldn't happen in 4 days, " I asked dejectedly. My dance studio was my dream project, the result of my hard work. The thought of closing it down broke my heart but I didn't show him my true feelings.

"No, why should you have to close it down? John and his wife would continue to stay as they do in the outhouse. They could look after the administration side. You could hire a good teacher. There is a 24-hour security service in the mansion, so let the classes continue. You could visit whenever you wanted to. In the meantime, just enjoy the profits," he suggested as if he had already planned out everything in advance.

I was dumbfounded. He really did have a solution to everything, like he really wanted me to go and live with him. It was only because of gran that he wanted you there, silly, I reasoned. Whatever the reason, I had to go because of gran and I had no choice but to agree.

"Fine, then, I really don't have any choice," I accepted, getting up to finally leave the study.

As I reached the door, he said, "I don't give choices. I would have kidnapped you to get you to my house, sweetheart,"

My eyes went wide with horror. Did he really mean that? I had no idea what I was getting into by agreeing to his plans. Deep in my thoughts, I hurriedly escaped from the study only to crash headlong into a grinning Tristan outside the door.

"What?" I asked when he kept on grinning and wiggling his eyebrows.

"You are bright red, Belladonna", he said grinning widely, "I heard what he said. I think he likes you more than he shows," he whispered, suggestively.

''You're wrong as always, Trissy," I said, turning and escaping with bright red cheeks.

Stefan's POV

I was glad that Rosy saw the truth in my reasoning and agreed to go with me. I was pissed off with Tristan for flirting with Rosy. What if she took it in the wrong manner and fell for him instead of me?

I was angry with them. Why couldn't she flirt with me instead? Why couldn't she smile and call me by those names instead? My blood boiled at Tristan's mention of a kiss.

I was glad to be able to kiss her again. I had become insatiable and I needed to kiss her again. I smiled helplessly at my condition.

I loved that she treated Tristan as her brother. The confession brought a grin to my face. Tristan peeped in at that time and caught me red-handed.

"What bro? You're really whipped with her, aren't you?" He commented with a wide grin, sitting down with his laptop.

I smiled at him. "Is it that obvious?" I asked him and he nodded.

"Too obvious. Well, it's time she knew how crazy you are for her," said Tristan.

"I'm planning to do just that," I confessed. I have planned out everything well and now I was just waiting for her to go home with me.

"Good. Now since that's sorted, let's get on with the Clark project presentation bro. I'm stuck with this," he said, helplessly flinging his arms.

"Yes, yes," I agreed as we poured over the work, eager to get it completed and done with.

I tried hard to concentrate but couldn't seem to get Rosy out of my mind. The kiss, and her soft body in my arms all were enough to stir a deep longing in my soul, a longing to make her mine. I knew I had to act upon this sooner for my own peace of mind.