Annabelle's POV:
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGFtAErbLr
"O My God! Cupcake, you look gorgeous!"
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHRGMi9p7U
"Mom, don't exaggerate things. It's just the beauty of the dress and your hard work." For the past two hours, Mom has put all her skill in makeup to make me FLAWLESS, which is impossible for my acne and open pore skin to accept.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nociGjFJP
What else does she expect from a struggling owner who needs to work her ass off to compete with the new budding competitor?
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWsE1L3ZZZ
"Nonsense, the dress is beautiful only because you wore it, dear." She said sweetly and opened the wooden drawer next to the dressing table.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34yl4H8Q5v
I was seated in front of the dressing table with a boring look.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgwgpgNZ2q
She took out a rectangle velvet box containing a diamond dainty pendant and a stud, the only valuable ornaments left with us after spending half of our wealth on our bakery.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AulxqPv9U
"It would be the cherry on top." She mumbled and made me wear the pendant.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRX3fs2A71
"Mom, won't you be coming with me to the party? Auntie Aleena asked if you'll be there when I make a visit to Blake's Mansion to finalize the order." I asked while fixing my lipstick.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4PRIS9shC
Uh, I have told her not to make it bold.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpg67GSl7H
"Don't! It perfectly fits you, Anna..." She smacked my arm and snatched away the tissue, continuing.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4quCYr8Zsf
"And about the party... No, I won't be coming. I promised Mrs. Frank to make a special Valentine cake for her hubby." I frowned at her silly excuse to miss her dearest friend's anniversary party.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QZ2khWhwO
"I don't think that's a valid reason, Mom."
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtHNLYyCnW
She just shrugged off my reply and took her purple handbag and black coat, wearing it over her soft green A-line dress.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vx5DyNgrJ
"Mr. Frank officially retired from his post last week and would be back from Paris tonight. She needs to give him a pleasant welcome party, so she asked me if I could help her with decor and cakes."
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec8lchUGWt
"Oh, then I would ask some of the staff to deliver the cake."
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8iSI0KwW9
"Nah, I need to give her a few pieces of advice before her little party with hubby begins. So I need to be there by 7."
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGzOhGhcFX
"7? Then who would drop me at Blake's Mansion?" I was rather anxious to know her reply.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdPrNQfvxE
Please don't say it's the flirting machine coming to pick me up for the party.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqciEZ5nawE
'Ding,' the doorbell of our little apartment echoed in the room.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGRb2VyDLD
"I think the answer to the question has arrived at the right time. Sweetie, I'll be taking my leave, and don't get into a fight with Jack, okay?"
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKGp7jT0ye
I groaned annoyingly and strode to the balcony area without giving her a reply.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9bwbqzBwd
Mom left the room and quickly reached the front door.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndTGNzY7Zg
I would have ignored and continued fixing her artwork on my face, but I don't trust my mom when it comes to chatting with Jackson; she might promise my hands to that jerk for a few cakes.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4slHd6Fm8
I take long steps towards the door and place my ears close to the door.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcY3ECpTic
I could hear his animated laugh from the opposite side.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ233JIx0OHY
"Auntie Anny, you look ten years younger. Are you the one coming with me as my date?" I could picture my mom's blushed face at his cheesy comments.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKAdjx04QZ
"Jackson, don't worry, I am not your date but your sweetie pie."
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuN6wP8Evz
Your sweetie pie?!
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgBuBWwSug
"When did I become his?" I whispered through gritted teeth.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LdXdOHt9I
Uh, the only thing mom and I get into an argument is when she ships him with me whenever and wherever she gets a spot to.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqPzpVt4lP
She considers him a sweet, loving, and innocent gentleman, but in contrast, he is a freaking playboy with the devil's mind.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFjqTmucyf
"My dear, I forgot to tell you something. I won't be coming to the party. I have an important appointment with someone, so I can't attend the party."
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfTmwzrXwj
"But Auntie... Mom would be sad if you miss the party."
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8ntfSuWJO
"I know, but I already promised someone to be there by 7. So please take care of Anna."
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjsV81z2Er
"With pleasure," he said enthusiastically.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUxE6YpLBk
I quickly left the door side and rushed to the balcony area with my phone fixed to my ears before getting caught eavesdropping.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK6qLZXT4E
I heard the opening and closing sound of the door, making me take a deep breath.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOUuFtUU6R
Okay, Anna, act normal; don't show your frustration, making the jerk boost his ego to the next level.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceeqhTol7P
For a few seconds, the room was pin-drop silent, making me frown.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OosbiBH9u
It's strange for Jackson to shut his mouth and be a good boy, especially when he gets a chance to irritate me.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMadYOSbecO
With a confused face, I turned back to see Jackson in a classic navy blue suit paired with a golden champagne tie and golden cufflinks.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzMd7MvYRF
Great! I should have sensed it earlier that my brutus mom would have betrayed me by sending him a pic of the dress we took earlier.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacvUVZ7THz
He had a small bouquet of red roses giving a sweet smell; his face twisted from a smirk to surprise in a swift.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAT4uwp4wx
"Wow... My love, you look stunning!" He said huskily and rushed in my direction with open arms. In a swift, I moved away and gave him a death glare.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjiQtvXAxJ
"Don't touch me," I said sternly with a poker face.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVZn47kSbx
"Okay... Okay, I won't touch you... Not yet, but how are you gonna save yourself from the hungry wolves tonight, my little deer?" He leaned against the wall.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq22sLaRc0B
"Well, if I could save myself from the biggest playboy in town, then they aren't a matter to worry."
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHch0ZIYds2
"Aw, you are so adorable when you get annoyed, sweetie pie!"
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNJwIMnkqq
If killing wasn't a crime, he would be six feet under the ground ages ago.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYT4TpVu5n
It's of no use to tell him not to use those cliche names on me.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOxu18KRLL
Ignoring his penetrating gaze, I grabbed my clutch and a small square white box Mom handed me earlier, an anniversary gift for the couple.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp9AKN6AwE
"Ignore me as much as you want, but tonight you would fall for me," he stated while sniffing the bouquet.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzukW4mut9f
"Wow, how romantic," I said sarcastically and strolled out of the room.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde8bODftjS
Jackson quickly pushed past me and reached in front of the front door, giving me a broad smile, showing his perfect pearl-white teeth.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH6TaeMGNN
"Let me be a gentleman for my lady," he said dramatically and twisted the doorknob, opening the door widely for me.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZnWMdNGld
"Thank you, Mr. Blake," I said with batting lashes and stepped out.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfAbco5BNM
Well, two can play the game.
ns 15.158.61.43da2
