Annabel frowned and her heart skipped. “Okay, it scares me when conversations start like that, but do tell…”
He smiled and was about to speak but then he caught sight of his mother signaling to him from the door, it seemed like she was about to leave.
“Please give me a minute,” Maxwell said as he ended the dance and Anna sighed in relief. They both walked off the dance floor and then he left her behind.
Maxwell walked up to his mother, she was standing alone but he knew she must have her security waiting for her around the corner. “Mother… are you leaving?”
“Yes Son, sorry to disturb you, but it is getting late and your father won't have dinner unless served by me,” she replied with a small smile.
“Mr. Forbes is never going to change, is he?” Maxwell scoffed.
“Not everyone gets a redemption arc in life, but don’t worry about that. Dave… I can’t describe to you how proud I am of what you have accomplished here. I always knew you were destined for greatness but such power attracts the worst and corrupts the best. I want you to be careful soon, there are a lot of people here who wish you ill, they speak bad of you behind your back.”
Maxwell smiled. “Mom, it is the nature of man to envy success, if there is one thing I learnt from father, it is to see everyone as the enemy. But I thank you for looking out for me, you are not even an hour back in my life and you are already doing all the work, thank you for your concern.”
Mrs. Forbes smiled. “Whether you believe it or not, it is the duty of the mother to look out for her son. I have failed before, I won't fail again, Dave.”
Maxwell nodded, it felt good to hear such words or reassurance but he still believed deep within him that being emotionless and loving no one but himself was the only way to stay safe in this wicked world, he had been around long enough to know that anyone can betray you, so even with his mother back into his life, he still had his reservations.
“Before I leave…” Mrs. Forbes stated as her eyes turned towards Anna, Mr. Blackwood looked in that direction as well and right on time to catch her taking a glass of wine from a waiter.
“I don’t know the relationship between you two but she is a nice girl, Dave. Do well to take care of her, it is not easy to find her kind, they are a rare gem.”
Mr. Blackwood chuckled. “Mom! You have only known her for what? Like one hour? Isn’t that a bit too early to decide?”
“What can I say? A woman knows a woman, just be careful. Now come on, give Mama a big hug.” She demanded and spread her arms.
Maxwell was almost tempted to say he doesn’t do hugs, but he guessed if he could accept his mother back into his life, then he could break a few more rules as well. He went closer and hugged her tight.
“I have missed you, son.” She whispered.
Maxwell could feel their hearts connect, he had built up the idea that he had no heart in the past few years but it took a single hug from the person he loved the most to tear down that fallacy, his heart still works just fine.
“I missed you too mom,” he muttered.
After exchanging goodbyes, he walked her to the driveway and then returned to the hall.
** **
** ** Anna’s POV ** **
Disregarding MB’s instruction, I took a glass of wine from the waiter. As much as I did it to spite him, I also needed it to relax my nerves. I was nervous as Jimmy was nowhere to be found, and his number wasn’t going through. I didn’t want to leave the hall in case he came back.
I was about to take a third sip from the glass when someone took it off my hand, I turned to him with furrowed eyebrows; of course it was me nemesis, he is never going to let me be.
“I said no alcohol, Miss Owl.”
“But you don’t control me here today, do you?” I retorted and took the glass right off his hand.
I was about to drink from it but he grabbed it again and I groaned. He didn’t seem scared by my intimidating face, maybe it wasn’t as intimidating as I thought it appeared.
“You seem stressed,” he said with a smile. He snapped his fingers and a waiter came running to him with a tray of orange juice. He grabbed one cup and handed it to me. “Here!”
I hesitated before taking it from him. “That is no way to treat a guest, Mr. Blackwood, or should I call you Forbes?” I replied, purposely trying to tick him off. He wasn’t the only one who knew how to be annoying.
“That name is dead to me, and if you think I would get upset, today is a wrong day, you should try again some other day.” He chuckled.
“Ugh!!” I growled and washed down the juice in a rage.
“Are you going to tell me why you are stressed?” he queried.
I was about to respond when Jimmy walked into the hall, I sighed in relief and pushed the empty glass to Mr. Blackwood.
“Don’t bother, I think it is time to go.” I smiled at him.
He grabbed my arm immediately. “Don’t be in such a hurry, would you do me the favor of cutting the cake with me?” he asked.
I opened my mouth but I couldn’t find the words, I turned to Jimmy and he smiled at me. I guess he wasn’t angry, so everything was alright?
“Fine, let's be done with it.”
Everything that followed went smoothly, I stood beside Mr. Blackwood as he cut his cake and then the party began to round up with music and dance. It was time to go, I walked to Jimmy who took my hand with a smile.
“Is it time?” he asked.
“Yeah, unless you wish we stay longer.” I giggled.
“No, I have had so much to drink, we better leave before I embarrass myself.” He replied and I laughed; I was glad he had fun as well, I might not have had time for him but he still knew how to have fun without me.
I was scared to bid Mr. Blackwood goodbye in person and so I sent it over a text message. I thanked him for everything and said I will see him at work. I know we have our differences but he made me evening.
As Jimmy and I walked out of the entrance, I turned back to have one more look at the house and I caught sight of MB standing on the inner balcony, looking down at the grand hall. He smiled at me and I smiled back with a small wave, then I left with Jimmy.
We had just driven out of the estate when jimmy looked at me, the car had been silent all the way here but I felt something was amiss.
“Anna, I want to ask you a question.” he finally broke the silence.
“Yeah?” I muttered, my heart racing inside my chest.
“Is something going on between you and your Boss?”
I froze, my heart stopped beating for a few seconds and I felt goose pimples all over my skin. I was done for, I knew that this was the end.
!