She couldn't do that. She wouldn't!

Yes, she wanted that contract so bad but she could never ask David for help. She didn't want to be indebted to him. And she would surely be indebted to him if he helped her get it.

Why David of all people!?

She almost screamed in frustration. What would she do?

She really needed that contract. Was almost even desperate for it.

But why through him?

She sighed and sat down on the bed. She would have to think of what to do and how to go around it.

She thought it through for a long time and decided that she didn't have any other option but to talk to David. She did have a choice not to but she couldn't even consider it!

She might just end up contacting him.

The bastard.

❤️❤️💎

"We may have discovered a way to put us on the frontline of getting the LV contract." Annabelle told Ingrid as they sat in the living room having tea,

Ingrid's forehead creased slightly. "Really? How do you intend to achieve that?"

Annabelle sighed for the umpteenth time since the previous day. "Through a VIP recommendation." She rolled her eyes.

"What VIP recommendation?" Ingrid asked, confused.

"Well John called and told me about an idea that had occurred to him." She started. "He said there was another way out in getting the contract and it was been recommended by someone who has some high influence and connections with the brand and he already had someone in mind."

"Well that's good news!" Ingrid grinned. "Did he tell you who the person is?"

Annabelle hesitated. It was now or never.

She looked away.

"David Maxwell." She said drily. "My ex husband."

She didn't look at Ingrid but knew the smile had been wiped off her face.

"David? Of all people?" Ingrid muttered, more to herself.

"Mum please don't worry." Annabelle said softly. "I'll get us that contract even if it means trying to reason with David to assist us."

"But my baby girl, I can't subject you to that..." Ingrid started but Annabelle interrupted.

"Muum, come on." She said. "I will do it. I have decided to."

Ingrid took her hands in hers. "But the company will be taking advantage of you and I don't want that..."

"Mum." Annabelle gently interrupted. "Just let me handle this okay? I will be fine."

Ingrid nodded hesitantly. "But if he mocks or insults you in any way, do not hesitate to withdraw and let me know."

Annabelle smiled and nodded. "Okay."

She never knew she would get so lucky. Being with her real mother was one of the best things that had happened to her.

That night, after she put the children to sleep, she pondered on the decision she had made, wondering for the umpteenth time if she had made the right one.

Well, it was already too late to turn back because her secretary had already set an appointment with him in two days.

She would see him again in two days. Two days!

She sighed wearily, she couldn't wait to get it over with.

❤️💎❤️

The D-day finally arrived and Annabelle strutted into the multi billion building of Maxwell Inc. in a formal but fashionable black designer gown that screamed bossy and sexy! With stilettos and an envious handbag.

She recognized most of the old employees from years back and also saw some new faces and didn't miss the way they all gasped at her, especially the ones who recognized her as David Maxwell's ex wife and former Vice President Of Maxwell Inc. as well as those who recognized her as CEO of House Of Ingrid.

She smiled inwardly. A lot of questions would be going through their minds as to why she was here. It had been many years.

She wondered whether Katherine Barth still worked with the company. She'd probably even be married by now with kids.

Her PA was supposed to go with her but she didn't want the lady following her everywhere like a bodyguard that she was not. She only went out with her whenever it was necessary.

As she went up the elevator that led up to David's office as directed by the front desk officer, even though she still knew where his office was located, she involuntarily checked herself out in the elevator mirrors.

Did David even still found her attractive? She knew she had changed a little as a result of the birth of her twins, tho that was years back and she had gotten her pre-pregnancy body back but she couldn't help but wonder...

She paused. Why would she even care about what David thought of her appearance?

She shook her head and took a deep breath as the elevator doors opened, then approached the grinning receptionist who looked overly happy to see her. So 'bimbo' Gloria was no longer the secretary? That was surprising because she had always acted like she owned David himself six years ago.

She looked at the young smiling secretary.

Yea she was smiling at her because she knew that she was the CEO of House Of Ingrid and wore designer outfits. What if she had come in rags, cheap clothes or as an ordinary secretary?

"Welcome ma'am." She said brightly standing up. "Please come with me."

Annabelle smiled back and followed her into David's vast office. She noticed that his office had changed. Some renovations and new furnishings had been made.

"Please make yourself comfortable madam," the secretary said gesturing to a beautiful couch and table set up at one side of the office. "Mr Maxwell will join you shortly, he's currently in a meeting."

"Really?" So he wanted to make her wait!

"Yes, sorry about that madam." The Secretary said.

"It's fine." She went over to one of the couches and sat down.

"What would you like to have ma'am, tea or coffee?" She asked still smiling.

"Tea will do." She replied politely.

"Okay." The Secretary hesitated. "I'm so glad to meet you in person Madam. And I love your outfits!"

Exactly what she had thought!

She smiled at the fangirling secretary. "Thank you."

***

Ten minutes after her arrival, she set her tea cup down and stood up to check out the paintings that intrigued her.

She was lightly brushing her fingers on one particular painting, lost in it's beauty when a heady cologne filled her nostrils.

"Beautiful."

She sharply turned around at the sound of his voice to glare at him.

"The sight of you caressing that painting with so much passion and admiration had made a beautiful picture that I could have taken a photo." He said then gestured to one of the seats at his table. "Sit."

She rolled her eyes at his ability to change topics then walked over to the seat and sat opposite him as he made himself comfortable in his own seat.

"I must confess that I was surprised when I was told you wanted a meeting with me." He smirked. "So tell me why you're here, I do not have all day."

Annabelle gasped inwardly. The nerve of him! Why was he so annoyingly arrogant!? He was making this difficult for her.

She decided to go straight to the point as he wanted. She looked away.

"I need your help." She said in a rush with withheld breath.

There was silence and she looked back at him again.

"I said..."

"I heard you the first time, I'm listening." He said, the smirk still on his face.

"Blast it!" She swore. "Can't you at least be polite?"

"I don't see where it's written as a compulsory rule in business." He drawled.

She made to give a harsh comeback then thought better about it and held her tongue. She was here to ask for a favour after all. She took a deep breath.

"There's a contract my company is pursuing." She started. "A contract with Louis Vuitton. Our company is perfectly capable of handling what the contract entails but the problem here is that there are so many competitors which could make it slightly difficult in rolling the ball to our Favour. This is where I - we, the House Of Ingrid need your help. We need you to please..."

"Put in a word or two for you, am I correct?" He interrupted.

She blinked. "Well, Yes."

"Too late then." He said drily and Annabelle's heart began to beat in horror.

"What do you mean Mr Maxwell?" She asked nervously.

"A friend of mine Laila, already asked for my help in getting that same contract." He said with an expressionless face.

Oh no please!

"Laila," She whispered. "As in 'The Laila Textiles'?"

He nodded. "Yes. So going back on my word after giving her a promise wouldn't be so honorable of me, would it?"

Annabelle swallowed. This wasn't going as she had hoped it would.

"Isn't there a way you could help us too? I understand that Miss Laila already asked for your help but there has to be something you can do. Please."

"Other opportunities will definitely come, Annabelle." He said. "This isn't the last time LV will be releasing a collection."

"But this will be the biggest of all their collections for the year and even the next!" She almost screamed.

He shrugged one shoulder. "I don't see how that's a problem of mine, Miss Rowland."

She sat forward. "David please." She almost whispered, her voice lacking strength. "This contract is really important to my mum, myself and the company as a whole. It's something we are all looking forward to and I know you know we have all it takes but for the right connections."

She took a deep breath knowing that she would surely regret what she was going to say.

She looked away.

"I - I'll do anything you want in exchange for your help."

That seemed to have the desired effect as she looked back up at him. His eyes had lit up in sudden interest and intrigue.

"You will do anything?" He asked with a smirk.

She nodded, looking away again, scared of the price she might have to pay.

"Well isn't this my lucky day." He said, his smirk widening. He looked at her for a couple of seconds which seemed like hours to her and she found it difficult to breathe.

"Your body."

She looked up sharply. "What?"

His eyes pierced her.

"I want your body, Annabelle."