She Captured My Heart

Chapter 1: Cold Divorce

A gentle mist hung low on the ground, casting a mystical veil over the Earth.

The weather that Saturday morning in spring was so refreshing. Its beauty was one in kind and one could get lost by staring too much at it.

The beauty of the day was however lost to Annabella Whales who stood by the billowy curtains glancing at Nature's beauty through the window.

She has been awake all through the night without catching sleep. The beautiful sultry black flowing gown she wore last night still clung to her body tightly and except for her ruined makeup and tousled hair, One may think Annabel was going out for a special event that morning.

A sorrowful sigh escaped her lips as she began to reminisce about her sad love life story.

It has been three years, three whole years and yesterday marked their marriage anniversary but her cold-faced handsome husband, Louis Calvin did not show up.

The most painful thing was that Louis even refused to take her calls too. She was terrified because Louis had never slept out for once before, not that he was a perfect man but it was a nature with the Calvins.

Annabella knew where Louis spent the night yesterday. She has lived to condone this burden and pain just so she could remain Louis's wife.

The hard thing is that Louis can never love her no matter all the good wifey qualities she possesses.

This is the hard pill she needs to swallow every day.

Oh, Annabella wished she was Louis's lucky lady outside. That lucky beautiful, sophisticated, and rich lady exudes her imagination of what beauty, elegance, and class is

But, No.

No one can be compared to that lady for Louis Calvin. She was the queen leeching around him that he could never give up on.

To make matters worse for Annabella, Louis never spoke to her.

She lived under his roof as his wife but they never communicated. Annabella has always been the first to approach him for a conversation. He only says a few words when he needs sex from her as his loyal wife.

Their sex life was ever boring, although Annabella enjoyed it but something was shocking about it.

For three years of being married to Louis, he'd never for once refused to make love to Annabella even when he never loved her.

It was like a daily routine for him or more like the delicious meals Annabella made for him daily

But something was wrong.

Louis's heart was panting over another lady. A lady that he could give up everything for just to be with her.

She is Miya Roderick. The lady with beauty and class.

Flooded in deep thoughts, a surprising knock came on the door that made Annabella compose herself.

" The door is open" Her voice cracked with a hooked-up breath like she bumped her lungs obstructing her airways.

The door opened and Annabella's heart fluttered, virtually jumping out of her chest.

It was her husband, Louis Calvin.

Louis walked in gracefully to Annabella but with a pale face contorted in a mixture of despair and delight.

Moved like a rush of a mighty wind, Annabella stood up impulsively and hugged him closely to her heart.

They have never hugged each other once because of emotional detachment but that Saturday morning was different. At least, Annabella knew she would be getting an apology for last night from him.

Louis for once in his life allowed Annabella to rest on his heavy chest. He tried to run his hands on her back but felt cold and dropped his hands without reciprocating Annabella's hug.

" I couldn't sleep all night. I kept thinking about your safety" In his cold hands, Annabella let out the intent of her heart.

Louis felt her heart pounding in his chest. He pulled her off his body, separating from her with the one step he took backward.

Louis was always aloof with a cold face but something was different from his looks that day.

He cast a glance at his wife, running his eyes on the beautiful gown she wore. He guessed she waited too long for him last night and had to sleep that way.

" Did Mom and Dad come for the anniversary?" his pale face darkened as he struggled to talk to Angela, his flawless perfect loyal wife.

" No, Louis, I told them of our plans to celebrate this year's anniversary between ourselves as couples" Her response forced a nod from Louis. He knew her abilities in handling problems.

The frown on his face suddenly disappeared as if Annabella's response was a sign of relief for him. Louis knew Annabella may be thinking he suddenly appeared in her room because of sex.

But No, he was here for something different. Something he had never wished for all his life and today, he was going to get it from her.

Yesterday was their marriage anniversary but he didn't show up on this year's anniversary. This is backed up by the firm decision he made last night.

"Anna" he called, " We need to talk"

Annabella's jaw dropped. Louis has never called her Anna before with such a romantic tone. He certainly does not want sex. Does he?

"Yes we can... is it about last night? '' Her lips shivered in suspense.

" No, Annabella," his lovely tone changed." Let's get divorced " he stopped breathing as if he too regretted this.

He stretched the brown envelope in his hands to her, " Here are the divorce papers. Sign them"

The lump in Annabella's throat melted, her feet and hands trembling to the paper Louis just handed her.

" Why are we getting divorced? You don't want this marriage again " she managed to muster up and say, masking her brokenness with a feigned confidence and composure.

Louis itched his head. " C' mon Annabella, you know this marriage is an arranged one by our parents. We don't belong to each other" His cold voice sends goosebumps on Anna's skin." Please pack your stuff and leave. Miya has moved in already.

" It's okay, Louis, I will sign the papers and leave immediately. '' Tears tried to drop her eyes but she held on strong, not letting the tears pour out in Louis' presence.

The fact that Annabella accepted to sign the divorce papers without objecting or even begging for a second chance made Louis want to question the love she has for him.

He glanced at Annabella as she stood signing the paper and his Adams apple thrust down. Miya has moved in already yet the pain of losing Annabella lunged on Louis's heart like an onslaught.

However, he wanted this to happen. He was happy that he was going to be with Miya, the lady he cherished.

" I will drop you off at your uncle's if you finish packaging your load," He said to her as her hands ran deftly with every one of her belongings.

" It's fine, Louis. I will drive by myself and don't worry about what Uncle Logan will say because I'll always cover up for you" She replied without turning to face him.

" Okay," he nodded and slammed the door to go downstairs and help Miya with her bags.

Shortly after twenty-five minutes, Annabella staggered from her room upstairs with two big boxes.

Her face was swollen with tears but she tucked her face to the floor and walked past Louis and Miya, leaving with the shattered pieces of her life.

Getting to the car, she saw Louis running towards her as if he was about to tell her not to leave again.

" Anna," he called.

Immediately, Annabella stood numbed on the spot.

Louis drew Annabella close and kissed her lips short." Thank you for being a good wife to me all these years but it is over between us now" He pulled out from her and disappeared into the house.

Anna's tears fell as she watched Louis.

Broken, she dragged her bags inside the car and drove off to a cold lonely street. The journey of her life was just about to begin.

Chapter 2: Fate

The streets were cold that morning as Annabella drove past. She kept thinking about her upended life but more so, where to go.

Logan, her uncle will certainly throw her out if she comes back to him.

A thought trained her mind and she swerved the car to the route that would determine her fate.

It took One hour to get to her destination. She dragged her bags out of the booths and knocked on the door of a magnificent, elegant mansion.

Momentillary, the door swung open and Annabella fell to her knees with tears in her eyes.

" I'm sorry uncle, please forgive me for the foolishness of my past" Her eyes welled up in a pool of tears.

Logan Montego, Annabella's uncle, was shocked at Annbella's sudden appearance back at the old mansion.

He did not glance at her a second time before slamming the door against her.

Such a big disappointment she is to the whole family and her late parents.

Not too long again, Annabella knocked on the door and this time, her persistence paid off.

Logan opened the door and just when Annabella thought he would send her out again, he hugged her, dragging her bags inside.

In the house after a shocking welcome from Uncle Logan, Annabella narrated her ordeal with Louis Calvin to her uncle on the dining table.

Logan listened; supporting Annabella with his unwavering love that looks kind of suspicious.

Uncle Logan is not this kind. There must be something backing up his actions.

Searching deep into Logan's dilated pupil for clarity of doubt, Annabella dropped her cutlery abruptly.

There was a reason Annabella chose to come back to her Uncle's house after all that transpired between them three years ago.

Logan has her lifetime inheritance and Annabella is here to take it back from him.

" Uncle '' Her thin voice struck apprehensively. " Can we talk?" she masticated the last pancake in her mouth and swallowed it.

Logan looked up from his plate to embrace the scowl on his niece's face and he suddenly knew she was struggling with uncertainty within.

" Anna. What is bothering you? I am your uncle please tell it to me " he urged, shifting his food a mile to get Annabella's attention.

A pin silence engulfed the dining area as both Uncle and niece gazed at each other, eyeball-to-eyeball like there was a long-time feud between their consciences.

" Uncle Logan, what I want to say may be difficult but please forgive me" She begged in advance, her voice firm to her decision.

Logan chuckled" Please go ahead, Anna," he said with ease in his face.

" Okay" Her voice stilled." I came back here because of the Voss Group. Uncle, please, I want my inheritance back" She suddenly stopped breathing in fear. She could see the killing reaction on Logan's face.

Annabella knows that Logan will not release the company to her. He has been the CEO since her parents' death.

Three years ago, Annabella was obstinate. Instead of claiming her inheritance, she gave it up to marry Louis Calvin.

The look on Logan's face after Annabella made the outrageous demand made his countenance tint from glow to a grimace.

He shifted his food back to himself, holding his fork to pork the pancake inside his mouth in a sly easiness.

" You want your inheritance back?" his hoarse voice struck as he buried his face.

" Yes...Yes, Uncle" Annabella not knowing what to expect. She could not understand the expression on Logan's face. It was eerie and monstrous and at the same time peaceful.

" I will hand over the company back to you" Logan sips his fresh juice, lifting his head.

Annabella's brows furrowed. Her uncle is not kidding. Is he?

" You will hand over the company to me?" she asked for confirmation, her eyes scanning deep into Logan's face for his true motives.

"Yeah," his answer wasn't just impulsive or spontaneous. It was a premeditated response and he meant it.

This was beginning to freak Annabella out. Logan can't just play around with such an important discussion, right?

" Are you being serious, Uncle?" She asked him again with curiosity plastered all over her face.

" I'll find a way today to hand you the company's documents. Tomorrow, both of us will be going to the company so you can see things for yourself" he paused.

Annabella excitedly rushed from her seat to give Logan a warm hug.

" Thank you, Uncle. I promise never to let you down like I did three years ago" She chuckled and turned pale momentarily as she suddenly remembered Louis Calvin, the man she gave up her career and life for.

Logan shifted his empty plates away and sipped the last juice in his glass before turning to face Annabella.

" Anna," he called. " I can only hand over the company to you on a condition that you must agree with. It has to be our little secret too" His face wrinkled from the smile that just snickered his face.

Annabella was right. Logan can not just hand over the company to her with such ease. She knew something must be fueling up his actions.

" What is the condition, Uncle?" She mustered up to ask, her breath sinking from inside.

Glancing at her, Logan took a deep breath before saying, "Marry my friend's son, Romero"

This was the price Annabella needed to pay to be the CEO of Voss Group.

Logan knew that the reason for the arranged marriage was something deeper than what Annabella could comprehend. It was even more deadly than poison itself.

" I will never try such, Uncle Logan" Annabella stood up and left.

Logan glanced at Annabella as she stomped out and a sinister smile snickered his face, his heart yearning in anticipation of what would become of his niece.

" Annabella, I love you" He muttered and gave a scorn.

Logan knew it was time to draw the battle line between himself and his niece.

The Inheritance Annabella was demanding was in Logan's custody forever. It would take blood and water for Annabella to win against her uncle.

" We will see how this will go between you and Romero, Anna," Logan said and walked away.

Chapter 3: Decision

The next morning in the old mansion, Annabella woke up with dark lines beneath her eyelid.

Since yesterday, her rest has never been peaceful. Getting a cold divorce yesterday from Louis Calvin, her ex-husband, and now, her uncle wants her to marry a stranger she doesn't know about.

Standing from bed, she sauntered downstairs, but she bumped into a strange figure in the living room.

Gripped by fear, Annabella took some steps backward watching the figure in the living room. His features were rough-hewn and masculine with a dominating irresistible charm.

" Who are you?" Her voice struck from afar uninterruptedly scrutinizing the man's demeanor.

The young man looked up from the book he was holding, narrowing his eyes to Annabella who was standing ghost-stiff on the stairs.

" I am not here for you so don't mind me" he replied and flipped to the next page of the book in his hands, focusing more.

His response did not sit well with Annabella.

He sounds dominating or what Annabella could not just spontaneously figure out. How can a stranger like him feel so relaxed in her uncle's living room?

" How did you get in here?" She calmly asked after running a full scan on him that he was a responsible young man.

That was how Annabella was. She can read people's moods by scanning them with her eyes.

" You don't seem to get tired of seeking attention" His words were succinct but powerful without a trace of friendliness in them.

Annabella swallowed hard and walked down from the stairs flattened in defeat. It was just hard reading his personality, especially from his unfriendly voice that contradicted his congenial looks.

As Annabella approached him, he shrugged at her aura that seemed possessive of everything around him.

He scoffed.

" You are not a thief. Are you? Do you want to see my uncle?" Annabella asked him and he sighed, taking the book off his face again.

" Pretty loquacious lady" he muttered to himself, palming his head from Annabella's inquisitiveness.

This action irked Annabella already. In her heart, she has given him a code name ' The arrogant man'.

His words and attitudes always deflated her like a balloon but she was going to let him keep defeating her.

" I will call the cops on you if you don't tell me how you broke in here" She threatened in her fragility and he cast a cold gaze at her.

Turning back, Annabella's gaze catches a glimpse of Logan walking out from one of the rooms downstairs.

" Doctor Romero, sorry for keeping you waiting " he giggled

" You know him, Uncle Logan?" Annabella asked her uncle, surprised.

" Yes, this is Romero Remighton, a general surgeon in Stanford Hospital" Logan introduced and Annabella froze within.

A general Surgeon? She kept staring at Romero.

She could see him cringe at her inability to read people correctly as he sat dominantly on the couch.

"Mr Logan, I came here because of the new mandate of ARGSON. Uncle Edwin told me you know about it" Romero cast a curious gaze at Logan.

Logan winked at Romero, signaling him to quit the conversation because of Annabella who stood by them listening

" Ummh, Doctor Romero, please meet my niece, Annabella Whales. She is the lady I told you about '' He said and looked at Annabella" Anna, this is Romero Remington, the young man I want you to marry" he introduced, smiling progressively at them.

The two young adults glanced at each other at once and Annabella turned her eyes back to her uncle.

" What? Him?" She protested wanting to decline immediately but suddenly remembered her inheritance.

She already hated Romero because of his arrogance and besides, she was not interested in marrying any man again.

Why is this too hard for her Uncle to understand?

" You don't have an option, Anna. Remember?" Logan bombarded Annabella and her tantrum dropped.

Romero was not surprised to hear what Logan said. They have discussed it before in ARGSON but he was just meeting Annabella for the first time.

He scanned her from heads down. She was beautiful and alluring just as he wanted.

But something is wrong somewhere. Annabella looked too innocent and naive like some frail hedgehog.

Looking at her and remembering the mission ahead cursed Romero's heart to flutter.

But he has a plan.

Standing up from the couch, Romero walked gracefully to Annabella in the place where she stood.

" Hi, Miss Annabella" He extended a friendly handshake to her but she bluntly refused to shake him.

" It's okay, Doctor Romero. We are getting married anyway so no need for the formalities" She snapped laconically.

" C'mon, Anna, show some courtesy to your husband," Logan interrupted.

The way Uncle Logan spelled the word ' husband ' made Annabella spiteful.

"He is not my husband even if I would marry him" She snapped. " Please excuse me, I'll be in my room now, uncle" She walked out.

No need to be dramatic. The case is simple. Annabella has decided to marry Romero and divorce him after one year of their marriage when she gets her inheritance back from Logan.

Shortly after Annabella left the living room, Romero slumped on the couch to face Logan. No woman has ever intimidated him the way Annabella just did.

" Mr Logan, I am marrying your niece right away" replied Romero.

Logan smiled faintly. He was glad Romero accepted the deal without objecting.

" I'm glad you are Romero. ARGSON is proud of you" he smirked.

Romero glanced at Logan with a face that suggested betrayal and stood up to his feet to leave.

He shook Logan's hand and said to him" We are striking this deal now! "

With hands clenched firmly against each other, Logan glanced at Romero.

" No betrayal, Romero, And remember the rules of the game"

" I don't betray people, Mr Logan. You will see the results soon" With this, Romero stood to leave with another backed-up plan.