Maxwell wakes up feeling disoriented. He is confused as to why he was in that room, what happened? He could barely remember any of it. Most of all, why was he half-naked?
He grabbed his phone on the blanket immediately and checked the time, it was midnight. He also noticed that he had missed over twenty phone calls, mostly from Annabel. As he tried to remember what happened, he felt a sharp piercing pain in his head.
“Arrgh!” Max groaned and rubbed his temple.
He got up from the bed and quickly, eager to find out what had transpired. Was the party over? He didn’t remember getting drunk so why does it feel like he had a hangover?
Mr. Blackwood put on his shirt and rushed for the door, but as he dragged the handle, he ran into Annabel who looked like she was about to walk in, there was anger and rage in her eyes.
“Annabel, what happened?” MB asked almost immediately.
Annabel scoffed and walked past him into the room, she was fighting the tears in her eyes. She stared at the bed to confirm her suspicions and the tears fought even harder.
“I should be asking you that, why would you do this to me, Max?” she asked as she turned back to face him, tears rolling down her eyes.
“I am confused. What is going on? What did I do? Why are we even here?” Maxwell queried, the confusion eating him up.
“Yeah exactly, why are we here? Are you serious right now? Don’t even think of denying it, Linda sent me everything, I saw the pictures and videos.” Anna yelled, not even trying to keep her voice down. Good thing the rooms were sound proof enough to hold their conversation.
“What pictures? And what has Linda got to do with any of this? You are scaring me, Anna. Why are you crying? Did something happen at the Party?”
“How would you know when you vanished hours ago to go have a good time with your ex? Don’t act like you care!”
Maxwell froze, his eyebrows furrowed. “Sorry, you said what?”
Anna huffed and wiped away the tears on her face. “Okay, let's do it this way, then.” She muttered as she took out her phone. “Take a good look at this, tell me if you recognize anyone there, maybe I am the blind one.” She said as she pushed her phone to him.
Maxwell took the phone from her and viewed the photos, his brows creased even further with what he saw, he looked lost.
“Why so silent now? I can't believe you would do a thing like that to me. No, it is not that you slept with your ex, I mean… you have every right to sleep with whoever you want, it is not like we are married or even in a defined relationship, but why tonight Max? Why would you do this at my birthday party? I never wanted this party, it was all your idea!” Anna screamed.
“You planned the whole thing, and then in the middle of it all, you disappeared to have sex with your ex! Could you not at least respect the fact that both our parents were here? Could you not respect my friends if not my feelings? Why would you do this to me, Max?” she cried profusely, dragging his shirt.
MB sighed and shook his head; he stared at the phone one more time before looking towards her. “Anna… This is wrong. I swear I have no idea how this happened, the last thing I remember is walking into this room.” He said calmly.
“What do you mean you have no idea? Are you still going to deny after I showed you the video proof of you moaning to her.”
“I know, I just watched that video, I am confused as well but I want you to believe me when I say I have not wronged you in any way. This wasn’t me, Anna.”
“Why should I believe you?” Anna fired back.
Maxwell’s expression changed immediately. “Wait… Do you really not believe me?” he asked softly.
There was silence between them as Anna turned her face away from him. Maxwell sighed, disappointment evident in his tone. “If you really don’t believe me, then I don’t think this thing is working, there is no need to go ahead with it.” He muttered softly, before he turned to the door and walked away.
Abandoning Anna back there, Maxwell stormed to his room in a rage. He was feeling so many emotions at the moment, pain, betrayal, anger, guilt and regret. There was no doubt that it was him in that video, but he barely remembered any of it. The only explanation that made sense was that Linda had drugged him, and he was not going to let her get away with this.
But forget about Linda and her attempt to ruin his relationship, what about Anna? That was a woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and yet she didn’t trust him. so it was the video over his word? If she didn’t trust him enough to believe him even in the face of such evidence, then maybe they were not meant to be.
His head was still spinning and his body smelled like that disgusting lady, he needed a bath to get rid of her scent. He took off his clothes and tossed it on the bed, then Maxwell walked into the bathroom, he turned on the shower and let the cold water drip down his body.
Maxwell thought back to his words. Did he overreact with the way he spoke to Anna? Was he too mean? He understood that she was in pain and wasn’t thinking straight but he was also hurt by the fact that she thought he was lying.
After the shower, he stepped out and got changed into a nightwear, he was walking back to the bed when Anna walked in. She looked at him with teary eyes and then ran to him and hugged him.
“I am so sorry, I am sorry Max,” she pleaded in tears. “I was just so angry that I said all that without thinking, I know the circumstances are difficult but I trust your love for me, I am sorry for doubting you, please forgive me.”
Maxwell sighed and hugged her back slowly, he rubbed her back as she cried on his chest. “Anna, I know the situation is conflicting and this is difficult for you to accept, but I promise you that I did none of this with intention, I remember taking a drink and feeling dizzy. The Servant had informed me that you wanted to see me in that room and that was the only reason I left the party and went there.”
Anna broke the hug immediately and stared at him. “What? I didn’t send such a message.” Anna denied the accusation.
“I know Ann, it makes sense now. Linda had planned the whole thing, she set me up, I knew that she had something up her sleeves when she showed up here today.”
“And I should have let you throw her out, this is all my fault.” She cried.
Maxwell cupped her face immediately. “No, listen to me Anna, this is not your fault, you are just too innocent for the world. Anna, I love you and I would never do anything to hurt you. I understand if you feel insecure about Linda due to our past but it is you I choose, don’t listen to whatever she says to you. It is you I love and want to spend the rest of my life with, Annabel Joseph.” He stated with full conviction.
“Really?” Anna asked with appealing eyes.
Maxwell let go of her immediately, he rushed to the shirt that he had taken off and dipped his hand into the breast pocket. There was a sign of relief on his face when he confirmed that it was still there.
“Look at this, Anna.” He muttered and rushed back to her. “I was going to show you this tonight at your party.” He announced, waving the ring in her face.
Anna’s jaws dropped at the sight of the diamond ring in her face. “Max?” she muttered, shock written all over her face. He went down on his knee before her immediately.
“I know tonight was messed up Anna, but that has not changed my feelings towards you. I want to wake up every morning next to you, share my best memories with you, and raise our child together. Please marry me Anna, be my wife and never part from me.” He proposed.
Tears rolled down Anna’s eyes, she felt a rush of emotions flood though her as she muffled her tears. “Maxwell…” She tried to speak but he cut her short.
“I know Ann, it is too sudden but I am sure this can work. I understand if you need time to think about it, but please don’t end what we have, nothing would make me happier than…”
“Yes!” Anna put an end to his long speech as she extended her fingers. “Yes, I will marry you, Maxwell Blackwood.” She stated without doubt in her voice, her mind was made up, this was her future, this moment right here was everything she dreamed of.
Maxwell’s eyes widened in surprise, “Really? Yes? You will be my wife.” he asked like he didn’t hear clearly the first time.
“I will be whatever you want me to be, Maxwell Blackwood. I cannot live without you or watch you be with anyone else, so yes I will be your wife, Mr. Woods. Please marry me!” she demanded, tears of happiness rolling down her eyes.
TBC!!