MARRIED ACCIDENTALLY

CHAPTER 46

Vince’s POV

Annette stares wide-eyed at me.
Suddenly, she yawns and mutters. “I'm hungry.”

I don't know how to react. If I hadn't just told her I liked her and expected her reply, I would have jumped up and rang the bell for Christiana to bring in something for her to eat.

But I just sit there in perplexity. Wondering what this means.

Does it mean I have been rejected?

“Vince, I am damn hungry. Shit, I'm starved!” She pushes me away before getting up from the bed and running into the bathroom.

By the time she is back, I am already waiting by the door.

She raises a brow, and I manage to flash her a small smile before saying. “Let's go.”

An awkward silence fills the air as we drive out.

She has been indoors for a week now, so taking her out to eat and letting her see the beauty of the outside won't be so bad.

Even if I get rejected, and I succeed in getting her out of that little world she already created around herself out of grief, I would be glad.

We stop at a nearby restaurant after she breaks the silence with another announcement of her hunger.

I only spare her a quick glance before parking the car and stepping out.

She jumps out, too, stretching and yawning.

It makes me wonder if she is just being dramatic to avoid replying to my confession.

Before I can move, she jogs to the entrance and strides in. I follow.

When we take our seats, a waiter approaches with a small smile on his face. He takes her orders and turns to me.

I wave him away.

“Why aren't you ordering anything?” She questions, staring pointedly at me. For a moment, I want to look away, embarrassment creeping into me.

“Nothing,” I reply calmly.

“Are we back to that? You saying nothing to every question I ask?”

I don't know how to reply, so I remain quiet. The waiter returns with her food, and she digs into it without hesitation.

She eats and moans out in delight.

When she is halfway done, she glances up. “Are you seriously not going to eat?”

I shake my head.

“Why?!” There is desperation in her eyes, even though she doesn't stop eating. Not eating for almost a week is a lot. She can eat all she wants. “You're not going to tell me?”

Reluctantly, I answer. “It's nothing. I just don't eat outside.”

Her eyes bulge wide, and she starts to laugh. “Really? What are you scared of?”

I shut my eyes, feeling embarrassed again. “I'm not scared of anything, I…”

“Of course you are. Who on earth would be scared of eating outside for no reason?”

“Well, there is a reason.”

“Which is what?” I don't say a word, so she assumes. “Maybe you are scared you will be poisoned.”

She starts to laugh again, and I confirm my suspicion. Annette is doing all this to hide her nervousness, to avoid giving me a reply, and to hide her shock and surprise.

Well, I am as shocked as she is. I didn't know I was falling too hard for her. Too deeply.

It dawned on me so suddenly, shocking the hell out of me. I wouldn't have known this would happen so soon.

It is strange to me because I have never been involved with any woman. But what I feel for her is totally different.

Or am I wrong after all? Am I just assuming to like her because this is my first? Am I getting the wrong idea of how I feel?

“Ann,” someone calls from behind, and I recognize the voice as soon as Ann looks behind me and shifts her eyes back to me.

Mark.

“Hi,” she waves shyly at him, and he steps closer, stopping right next to my chair. My muscles flex as I grit my teeth in annoyance.

“How have you been? I have tried to reach you for days.”

I think Ann will tell him about her mother and everything that has happened, but she only smiles.

“I've been so busy with some stuffs,” she replies with a smile.

“Oh, how are you feeling now?”

“Much better as you can see.” She shrugs indifferently.

“Well, we have a trip tomorrow to Venice. Your first practical is going to take place there, followed by your first examinations. That was why I insisted on you coming the other day but unfortunately….”

“Really?” Ann cuts him short with excitement.

Finally, I glance up at him, but he pretends not to see me. Anger burns through my veins.

“I'd love to go, that's if I am still qualified, though. What time is the trip?”

“You can come. I will speak with Chef about you, I'm sure he wouldn't want to punish you with that. And the trip is at 9 am tomorrow. We should be back in 2 days.”

“Wow, that's great. Thank you so much, Mark.”

“My pleasure. See you tomorrow then?” He turns to me with a sly smile.

I swear I'm going to break his bones someday.

“Sure.”

“No more excuses?” I shift my attention back to Ann. She is supposed to feel offended at this point, but she is still smiling.

“Sure, Mark. Thanks once again.”

I shut my eyes and count the number of seconds it takes for him to disappear.

When I am sure he is gone, I flicker my eyes open to see Ann watching.

There is a different look on her face now. Soft. Pleading.

“Vince?” She calls. “You heard him. I should go, right?”

Am I supposed to say no?

I nod.

“Can I?”

This is it. This is my opportunity to say a loud no. That guy is obviously up to something, but I can't.

I don't want to upset her. Perhaps this is good for her to get back to herself.

So I find myself nodding intermittently.

She pushes her chair backward and shrieks with excitement.

“But on one condition,” I cut her excitement short.

She slumps back to the chair, waiting for me to spill whatever the condition is.

“I'm going with you,” I announce, and her eyes go wide in shock.