CHAPTER 13: A WARNING FROM ANNIE
1150 Words
Debbie’s breath caught in her throat.
Annie.
Walter’s fiancée.
Her grip on the phone tightened.
How did she get her number? And why was she calling?
“Debbie, are you there?” Annie’s voice was smooth, almost amused.
Debbie forced herself to speak. “Yes. What do you want?”
Annie chuckled softly. “Relax. I just want to talk.”
Debbie’s stomach churned.
Why did she doubt that?
“I’m listening,” she said cautiously.
There was a brief silence, then Annie spoke again—this time, her tone sharper.
“I wanted to remind you of something important,” she said. “Walter and I have been together for seven years. We’re getting married soon.”
Debbie swallowed hard.
She knew this already.
So why did hearing Annie say it sting so much?
Annie continued, “I know how women look at men when they have feelings for them. And I see the way you look at Walter.”
Debbie’s heart skipped a beat.
Had she been that obvious?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Debbie said, keeping her voice steady.
Annie let out a small laugh. “Oh, come on. Let’s not play games. I’ve been in this position before. Women like you always think they stand a chance. But let me be very clear—Walter is mine.”
Something about Annie’s words sent a wave of anger through Debbie.
She had no right to talk down to her like this.
Clenching her jaw, Debbie exhaled slowly. “Is that all you called to say?”
Annie hesitated for a moment. “No. I also wanted to give you some advice—”
“I don’t need your advice,” Debbie interrupted coldly.
Annie clicked her tongue. “Oh, but you do, sweetheart. Walter is a powerful man. If he ever decides to… play with you, don’t mistake it for love. Because in the end, he will always come back to me.”
Debbie’s fingers trembled around her phone.
Annie wasn’t just warning her.
She was threatening her.
Debbie swallowed back the lump in her throat. “Thanks for your concern, but I can handle myself.”
Annie hummed. “Good. Just remember—stay in your lane, Debbie. Because if you don’t… things could get messy.”
Before Debbie could respond, the line went dead.
She slowly lowered the phone, her heart hammering.
Her chest felt tight, her emotions all over the place.
Annie’s words echoed in her mind.
“Walter will always come back to me.”
Was she right?
Was Debbie just setting herself up for heartbreak?
She shook her head.
No. She wouldn’t let Annie’s words affect her.
She had a job to focus on.
And she refused to let Walter—or her feelings—get in the way.
But deep down, she knew the truth.
It was already too late.
The Next Day: Walter’s Struggle
Walter sat in his office, staring blankly at his computer screen.
For the past twenty-four hours, he hadn’t been himself.
Ever since he kissed Debbie, his mind had been a complete mess.
He couldn’t sleep.
He couldn’t focus.
He couldn’t stop thinking about her.
And worst of all?
He wanted to do it again.
He groaned, running a frustrated hand through his hair.
This was a disaster.
He was engaged.
He had a life planned with Annie.
But with Debbie… everything felt different.
Raw. Intense. Real.
He slammed his laptop shut, standing abruptly.
He needed a distraction.
And as if on cue, his phone buzzed.
Annie.
Speak of the devil.
He hesitated before answering. “Hey.”
“Hi, love,” Annie’s voice was sweet, but he could sense the edge behind it.
She was testing him.
“Are you busy?” she asked.
Walter sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Kind of. What’s up?”
Annie hummed. “Nothing much. Just wanted to remind you about our dinner plans tonight.”
Shit.
He had completely forgotten.
“Right. Yeah. I’ll pick you up at seven,” he said quickly.
There was a pause. “Good,” she said. “Oh, and Walter?”
He frowned. “Yeah?”
She chuckled softly. “I had an interesting conversation with one of your employees last night.”
Walter’s blood ran cold.
Debbie.
“What did you do?” he asked, his voice low.
Annie laughed. “Relax, I just gave her a little reminder of her place.”
Walter’s grip on his phone tightened.
“You had no right to do that, Annie,” he said through clenched teeth.
“Oh, come on,” she said playfully. “I was just looking out for you. We wouldn’t want anyone getting… attached, now would we?”
Walter’s jaw locked.
He knew Annie was territorial.
But this?
This was too far.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he muttered before hanging up.
His hands balled into fists as he leaned against his desk.
Damn it.
Annie was making things worse.
Now, all he could think about was Debbie.
Was she upset?
Did she regret the kiss?
Was she… hurting?
He exhaled sharply.
He needed to see her.
An Unexpected Visit
Debbie had just finished sorting some files when there was a knock on her office door.
She turned, expecting a colleague—
But her breath hitched.
Walter stood there, leaning against the doorframe.
Her heart skipped a beat.
He looked… different.
Tense. Frustrated.
Their eyes locked.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then—
“We need to talk,” Walter said.
Debbie hesitated.
After Annie’s call, she wasn’t sure if she even wanted to.
But before she could respond, Walter stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
“Annie talked to you, didn’t she?” he asked.
Debbie folded her arms. “So what if she did?”
Walter sighed, rubbing his temples. “I didn’t ask her to do that.”
“Didn’t you?” Debbie challenged. “Maybe she’s just protecting what’s hers.”
Walter flinched.
Her words stung more than they should have.
“It’s not like that,” he said.
“Then what is it like, Walter?” she snapped. “You ignore me all day, then suddenly show up saying we need to talk?”
Walter ran a hand down his face. “I don’t know what the hell is happening between us, Debbie. But I do know that I can’t stop thinking about you.”
Her breath hitched.
His gaze darkened.
“And if you think for one second that what happened between us was a mistake…”
He stepped closer.
His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
“Then say it to my face.”
Debbie’s pulse raced.
She opened her mouth—
But no words came out.
Because deep down, she knew the truth.
It wasn’t a mistake.
And Walter knew it too.
- Writer
