Challenge

Both male and female stared at each other coldly, the aura emanating from them was enough to make anyone feel uneasy.

Annabelle thought of her Uncle, thought of the document he had presented to her then also thought of what this man before her had just said. She had no resolve, spitefully, she agreed.

"Fine, get off me before you choke me with your scent." Annabelle muttered softly

For a moment, Dominic's eyes dilated but then it was only a fleeting moment as his cold expression returned back to it's place.

He released her and Annabelle rubbed her aching wrist with a look of despise on her pretty face.

Dominic ignored the look and went ahead to take his seat, Annabelle followed him, her cold gaze drifting to Mia and Josh who forced a smile to their faces.

"Sit." A deep, dominating voice cut through her mind and she snapped her gaze to Dominic who was already seated like the king of an empire

She sat opposite him, brushing her long hair back as it was beginning to sprawl on her face.

Dominic watched all her moves with blank eyes, but he was studying her, trying to figure out what she was thinking and how to deal with her but Annabelle just had a blank look too and it was therefore hard to figure her out.

"So.... I'm guessing you're the almighty boss the pretty lady was talking about?" Annabelle questioned and Mia blushed in delight earning an eye roll from Josh.

"You know me so I don't need to introduce myself to you. Let's get down to business." Dominic said and sat forward

"I want you as a nanny for my kids, you get paid a million every month for good service and review."

Annabelle's brows creased

"Review from who? The government?"

"My kids." Dominic replied calmly

Annabelle sighed as though a big load had been placed on her shoulders.

"Mr Clifford, I'll be sincere with you. We both know that you've done thorough research on me and you also know that I have no work experience...." Annabelle paused for a reaction which she got cause Dominic had a frown on his face

"So I don't understand why, or is it that your blind to see that I'm not fit for the Job?" Annabelle continued, dropping the last sentence like a bomb

Mia's breath hitched and Josh loosened the tie around his neck as if seeking air.

Dominic however remained silent.

Interesting. He thought. No one, absolutely no one would even dare to talk to him this way, everywhere he went, every turn he took, he always gain the respect and recognition he needed and it all came effortlessly.

It was known that a lot feared him and his power, it was even rumored once that Dominic owned an underground organization but it was never proved to be true.

But here was this lady, this insignificant female. She dare to challenge him, such guts and fearlessness.

It intrigued him but also triggered something primal, deep inside of him.

She thinks she can handle him but now he's more determined to break her, to show her who's the boss here.

He leaned forward with a smirk and Mia thought

"You have no choice Miss Wallis, you're right though. I had to make research on the said chosen lady and I must say, I'm starting to loss faith human nature. Think about it, One million a month or else you want to start working in a meager restaurant just to pay rent in the house you live with your uncle and I assure you, life could get very hard for you." Dominic finished and relaxed back finally satisfied with the look on Annabelle's face

Annabelle was as red as a fresh tomato, her palm tightened in self anger and her blue eyes snapped back to both Mia and Josh who moved backwards, avoiding her gaze as they took a sudden interest in the marbled tiles.

So they saw the document.

"Don't mind them, they're just doing their jobs." Dominic said and Annabelle's gaze snapped back to him.

There was something in his voice, it was taunting, mocking and also a challenge. Her anger rose and she stood up, already fed up with all this.

Without saying anything, she began walking out of the room.

"Don't run gangster, it'll only haunt you more." Dominic's voice made her halt but she didn't turn back.

Without turning back she said, "I've been running all my life Mr Clifford, you don't need to tell me how haunting it could be." She said and proceeded to twist the knob of the door open.

What she didn't expect was what would or what was behind the door.

Just as she pulled the door open, she came face to face with two kids, identical boy and girl and down to earth cute as fûck.

Her eyes widened, same with the kids who continued to stare at her as she stared back. Her lips parted but no words came out.

"Miss blue." The little girl squealed and jumped on her, Annabelle who wasn't expecting it lost her balance and fell on the floor with a groan while the girl giggled.

Annabelle blinked in confusion, her arms still around the girl who was seated on top her.

"Um.....what the fûck?" She muttered unintentionally

•• THOMAS'S HOUSE••

Thomas didn't need to ring the doorbell cause he knew Annabelle would busy be sleeping or lazing away on her room.

He opened the door and went in, he stood and looked around. It was silent, strangely silent.

"Annabelle!" He called but got no response

He sighed and began climbing the stairs, he reached Annabelle's room and listened for a while, there was no sound of the TV. He knocked softly, calling out her name but got no response.

"Annabelle, I'm coming in you twerp!" He snapped and turned the knob down, the door opened and he stepped in.

She wasn't in bed and the shower wasn't on.

What! Annabelle didn't leave the house even if there wasn't any grocery or foodstuffs in the kitchen. She rather starved and waited for his arrival than go through the stress of going out and she didn't have any friends to visit.

He brought out his phone and tried calling her, the phone rang but what was strange was that he could hear it ringing.

He rushed back downstairs and saw the phone on the couch. He paused to catch his bearings as he thought of possible places she could've been.

Sigh

Calm down Thomas, Annabelle is capable, she might seem like a sloth all the time but when she set her mind to something she wouldn't let go even if all hell was let loosed.

Thomas therefore relaxed and went ahead to have his bath before he would prepare for dinner.

Annabelle would surely get hungry and be home by then.