Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Annabelle's POV

After a tiring day, we left the zoo and started for home at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Arielle fell asleep on the way, clutching her favorite stuffed toy, a pink raccoon which she called, "Berry".

Stefan kept his hand on my thigh, sending warm tingles and goosebumps all over me. I tried to remove it many times but he kept placing it back like he actually owned me. In a way, he did own my soul, so after four futile attempts, I let him. I looked out of the window to hide the deep blush that crept up my neck and spread all over me.

I was acutely aware of his hand caressing my thigh. With his eyes on the road, and a mischievous smirk he kept his torture on till we pulled up through his gate and into his garage.

Before I could jump out, he caught my wrist, pulling me onto his chest as he leaned closer and whispered into my ear, "Be ready by 7 o'clock, for our first dinner date, " and gave a soft peck at the soft spot behind my ear.

I closed my eyes. My breath hitched as soon as his lips touched my skin and I just nodded. I couldn't stop the stammer, "W-where are we going?"

"Surprise darling. Dress up for me, " he just said as he released me. It wasn't a request, a statement actually which made me roll my eyes.

Stefan carried Arielle to her bedroom and Beth followed to change and tuck her for a light nap. She was too exhausted to do anything else. I went up to my room to freshen up quickly and rush out before Stefan came into his room. He would surely come into my room.

I rushed out of my room and crashed into his hard chest. "Oww", I staggered ready to fall from the collision, but his strong muscular arm caught me, holding me by the waist. He held me flush against his torso and I could feel every muscle of his body.

"Running away from me?" Stefan chuckled.

"Yes, you beast, I don't want you barging into my room through that connecting door," I glared at him.

He laughed heartily, throwing his head back and looking so happy that I couldn't take my eyes off him. "Seriously, beast? " he sobered and looked into my eyes, his eyes going a shade darker as he whispered, "I look far from a beast. Do you want to see how I look, from head to toe? I'm all yours darling."

I went red with embarrassment, God, didn't he have any shame!!

"Just get lost," I said, pushing him and escaping down the stairs to gran's room.

Gran noticed my flushed state as I entered her room. "Who's chasing you, dear?" She chuckled, keeping her book down and straightening up on the bed, with comfortable cushions for back support.

I calmed myself and smiled at her. Kissing her cheek, I sat down on the bed next to her, hugging her sideways. "No one Gran. Stefan was teasing me, so I ran away from him," I explained.

Gran smiled indulgently at me."You've made that boy so happy," she said and I smiled shyly.

I considered her statement. Maybe she was right. I wasn't sure why everybody thought so, I hadn't done anything extraordinary. He blackmailed me to agree to a dinner date with him. We are not even together, although I really want to be, I need some answers from him before that. Maybe someday I could gather some courage and confess my feelings to him.

"So, how did your zoo trip go?" Gran asked as I released her and sat on the bed beside her, holding her hands.

"We enjoyed it a lot. I never had such a good time, ever," I admitted truthfully. My last fun outing was 12 years ago with Pops, when we went out for a picnic and fishing at Lake Carnegie, in the northeastern corner of Princeton.

"I'm glad that you enjoyed it, Stefan and Arielle also went out for the first time. He had been promising that little girl but never could take out time. In fact, he was hardly ever home, always immersed in work. I wonder if that boy ever took a break before," Gran said smiling with excitement. I absorbed the news. I was glad that Stefan took out time at last for Arielle.

"Oh, great. I'm glad that we went. Do you want to check out some of the pictures that we clicked on? Stefan has the rest though, " gran nodded excitedly as I opened my picture gallery on my iPhone to show her.

We checked out the pictures together for some time. Gran loved all of them, especially the selfie that I took of the three of us, with Stefan holding Arielle and me. We looked like a perfectly happy family. It was my absolute favorite and the wallpaper for my phone.

Gran felt sleepy after some time and Ellie came in to tuck gran in for a short nap. I left her to rest and went upstairs to my room. Stefan wasn't there, Martha said that he had gone out when I was with gran. It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon, so I decided to call up Kayla and catch up. It had been a few days and I wondered if she was able to manage it all.

After a chat with Kayla, I was quite satisfied with the way things were going on at my dance studio in New Jersey. There was a lot of time at hand before my date, so I decided to read.

The shrill ringtone of my phone woke me up. I might have dozed off while reading.

"Hello," I answered tentatively, seeing an unknown number flashing.

"Hello, can I speak to Ms. Annabelle Carter?" Said a sweet female voice.

"Yes, speaking," I confirmed.

"I am calling from Warner and Parker's, who owns the dance studio "Happy Feet". You are selected ma'am to join our studio in the capacity of Senior Dance Instructor from the 1st of next month i.e. this Monday. Please report to the studio without delay at 9 o'clock in the morning. We have already sent you a detailed email regarding this." Informed the voice. I couldn't believe my ears. I was selected and would start working on Monday.

"Okay, thanks. Yes, I'll be there." I confirmed, doing a happy dance in my head.