Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Annabelle's POV

I checked the time, it was 5:30 in the evening. I might have slept for an hour. Ecstatic and refreshed, I decided to go down for some coffee before getting ready for my first date. I wondered where Stefan was, I was already missing him. I went down for coffee. Julian was sitting with gran and sipping coffee, with Arielle on his lap playing with a brand new little pony soft toy that he might have bought for her.

"Anna look, too light," squealed Arielle kissing her pony called Twilight.

"Yeah, she's so pretty," I said to make her happy.

"Anna, so what's up?" asked Julian, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

"Nothing's up," I said matter of factly.

"So, the first date, huh?" He winked knowingly.

"It's just dinner," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Stefan asked you out?" Gran grinned happily as I nodded at her.

I took my coffee from the coffee maker and came back and sat with everyone.

"So go, get ready for your date. What are you doing here?" Julian said with a smirk. What was with these brothers and their teasings? It was their favorite pastime it seemed.

"It's just dinner, Jules," I said for the second time to him.

"Yeah, yeah, no wonder bro is so busy preparing all afternoon for it," he said, winking as he got up to rinse his cup. So that's what Stefan was up to the whole afternoon? I was so happy knowing our date was as important to him as it was for me. I tried to hide my grin from Julian and gran.

"Aww, he is?" Gran said happily.

"I wanna go with Anna, pwetty please, " Arielle begged with puppy dog eyes.

"Honeybunch, we are going to your granny and gramps house now. We will have lots of fun there. Let's go pack your favorite toys," said Julian to an excited Arielle.

"Gran, I'm taking Arielle and Beth to mom and dad's place for a few days," Julian stated.

"Yeah, that's alright. I might also join her later if Anna comes with me." Gran said, looking at me.

" I can't go, gran. I just got a teaching job at Happy Feet. It's a dance studio nearby. I start this Monday. Why don't you go, gran? You'll love the change," I suggested with a smile.

"That's wonderful news. Congratulations dear. Are you sure you won't have a problem if I went? Asked gran, hopefully. I knew she wanted to go. Without Arielle and with me at work, she would get bored at home all alone.

"Not at all, gran. You should go and enjoy yourself, " I said, kissing her cheek and going to the kitchen to wash my cup.

Ellie wheeled Gran away to her room to get her ready to go with Julian. She would also be accompanying gran. Julian went upstairs with Arielle and Beth to pack. I went up to my room to get ready for my date.

I took a soaking bath, cleaning my body well with my vanilla and strawberry body wash. I washed my hair with my refreshing strawberry shampoo. I dried myself and then blow-dried my hair. Wrapping a towel around myself, I emerged from my en-suite.

I selected a simple black and nude sheath dress, embellished with sequins, with a sleek silhouette, off the shoulder with short sleeves. The dress was embellished at the sides with a zipper at the back. I brushed my hair and tied it up into a French twist and fixed it with a matching nude hair comb but a few stubborn strands escaped, much to my dismay. They flew around my face, and however much I tried to tame them, they nevertheless stuck out. After a few futile attempts, I just left them.

I didn't have much expertise with makeup, as I rarely used them, so I just used a foundation, an eyeliner, a lip gloss, and added a dash of Guilty by Gucci, my favorite signature perfume. Pushing my feet into 2.5-inch black pumps, I was ready to go. I didn't choose my high stilettos considering that I didn't know where Stefan was actually taking me to.

There was a soft knock on my door after a few minutes. I hurriedly opened the door, expecting Martha, while stuffing my mobile into my small black clutch. He took my breath away in a fitted white dress shirt whose first 2 buttons were left open. He had paired it with dark blue figure-hugging jeans and a dressy silver watch with Chelsea boots. His hair combed neatly was slightly damp from a shower. I was only expecting Stefan 15 minutes later and since I didn't hear him in his bedroom, I had thought that he hadn't returned yet.

"I'm not Martha, but I can help you dress up," He smirked, leaning forward, his face inches away from mine. His scent was already creating havoc with my senses.

"No thanks, I'm already dressed as you can see," I said, moving from the door to allow him inside.

"Aah, I can see. You're looking ravishing," he complimented me, checking me out again from head to toe, taking in all the minute details. I could feel myself blushing to the roots of my hair, my head all mushy under his intense gaze.

"So are you," I complimented him, shyly, without thinking. I took him in minutely. My gaze traveled the length of him. Looking up, I found him smirking at me. He had seen me checking him out. I was too embarrassed to meet his gaze. I turned to my dresser to avoid looking at him.

He laughed out loud, coming towards me from behind. He came close to me, and stopped, placing his hands on both my arms he came closer. I could feel my back brushing against his hard chest. I stared at him through the mirror and he held my gaze with a smile on his face.

"Am I ravishing too?" He asked, lowering his head to drop a kiss on my shoulder, still chuckling. I realized what had escaped my mouth and I facepalmed. Oh, God! Did I say that of all things?

"N-no, I meant you're looking good as well," I stammered, really embarrassed as goosebumps erupted on my shoulders where he kissed.

"Thank you. Let's go?" He asked softly, releasing me. I was relieved that he let it go.

"Yes, " I turned around and he extended his arm for me to hold as we went out. We went outside the house to his car.

He held the car door open for me, helping me to my seat. After fixing my seat belt, he went to his side and slipped inside, starting the car and effortlessly driving out of the mansion.