Love Twist

Four

ANNABEL's POV

Feeling the softness of the surface I was lying on, I immediately opened my eyes in confusion. I could have sworn I slept off on the couch waiting for Greg last night. "How did I get to the bed?" I asked myself silently.

I froze, my heart racing, as I heard faint sounds and movements. I swiveled my head to see the door on my right swing open. Greg stepped out of the bathroom, catching my gaze.

For a moment, I was disoriented. "Do I sleepwalk now?" I thought to myself, confusion etched on my face.

Greg's voice broke the silence, and I felt a jolt of surprise. "Oh, you're awake!" he exclaimed. "Did I wake you?"

"What are you doing here?" I asked but before he could continue, reality hit me almost immediately – I was not in my room back home. I was in Greg's penthouse.

"How did I...?" I trailed off, trying to recall the previous night.

"I stopped by to check on you, but you were already asleep on the couch," Greg explained. "Sorry, I had to take care of work-related issues and it took more time than I thought."

"It's fine," I said still puzzled about how exactly I got to the bed, I must have been so exhausted that I can't remember.

"But how did I get to the bed exactly? Sorry, I don't remember."I asked eventually.

"I helped you to the bed since you seemed uncomfortable on the couch you were on."

"I don't recall," I admitted, curiosity turning to unease. "How did you...?"

"I tried waking you, but you were out cold," Greg said. "So I carried you to the bed."

I felt a surge of frustration and anxiety. I sighed and got out of bed and retreated to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me. I was so frustrated that I couldn't remember any of it. The fact he carried me without my consent brought back a very bad memory, a memory I try so hard to forget every single time. I was so pissed.

Fuming, I grabbed the door handle and stormed out of the bathroom. "In the future, please refrain from touching me without my consent," I asserted, my voice trembling with emotion.

"I didn't touch you inappropriately," Greg said looking at me surprised. "I only carried you from the couch to the bed cause I felt you weren't comfortable." He explained.

"Just leave me next time. I was fine the way I was." I said even more frustrated than before. Is he trying to justify his actions? Does he do that to other girls? Well, I'm not like other girls.

Greg locked eyes with me for a moment, then inhaled deeply and exhaled with a sigh. "Alright, I'm sorry for carrying you-'touching you without consent' like you said." His words were laced with resignation. "It won't happen again."

Without waiting for my response, he turned and left the room. His departure left me questioning.

Was I too harsh? The emotion on his face didn't suggest anger, but rather hurt and disappointment.

"Did I overreact?" I asked myself, uncertainty creeping in. "What did I do?" I wondered. "Was I wrong to set boundaries?"

"Get ready and meet me at the reception." He said, poking his head through the door. "I'd be waiting there," he continued, and left the apartment afterwards, leaving me speechless again.

I picked the pillow close to me, placed it across my face, and screamed into it.

******

"You are here. Alright, let's go." He said standing as soon as I got to the reception.

"Are we going somewhere?" I asked Greg as I got to the reception.

"Where are we going?" I asked again as I followed behind him.

Greg ignored my questions, his silence fueling my anxiety as he kept on walking while I trailed behind him. He opened the door to a sleek Rolls-Royce.

"Get in," he said almost immediately.

"No, I won't" I replied, digging in my Crocs. "Not until you tell me where we're going."

"And shouldn't you change clothes? Don't you need some clothes pending the time your luggage arrives? He said, smiling afterwards which caught me off guard.

I was surprised but pissed that he didn't tell me beforehand. "Don't just assume I'd follow and do as you say. You don't own me and I don't work for you either." I said staring straight at him.

Greg's expression faltered, and he hesitated. "I honestly didn't mean it like that. I just wanted to help you," he said, his tone conciliatory.

"Don't assume I'll follow you blindly," I asserted interrupting him as irritation crept in. "Discuss things with me first. Don't treat me like I'm yours to command."

"Fine," Greg said as his eyes locked onto mine, sending shivers down my spine. "I'm sorry. Please, get in." He added.

"I'll only agree to go on this trip if you accept that I will pay you back for everything," I said, folding my arms across my chest.

Greg nodded curtly. "Alright, suit yourself. Will you get in now?"

"Alright fine," I said relented as I settled into the passenger seat. The garage doors opened as Greg slid into the driver's side, and we glided out.

******

A few minutes into the drive. "Why are you driving yourself? I asked, breaking the silence. "Doesn't Daniel usually handle that?"

Greg's gaze remained on the road while he spoke. "Dan's running an errand for the company at the moment. Would you have preferred him driving instead of me?"

"What! No! I bristled. "I just wondered why you are on the wheel driving yourself since he works for you," I said defensively.

I could see him smirking but he didn't turn to look my way which frustrated me. I was expecting him to say something but he didn't. His phone buzzed again. It has been buzzing incessantly since we got in the car and yet he is refusing to pick it up.

"Aren't you going to answer that?" He looked at me before looking back to the road. "Your call, I mean" I pressed.

"No need. Don't worry about it."

"What if the person has something important to tell you?"

"I know what they want to say, it is business. I'll return the call later," he replied, his tone dismissive.

The remainder of the ride was silent.

Fifteen minutes passed before he pulled up at Pringle of Scotland. "Here we are. Let's go."

We stepped down from the vehicle and headed inside the clothing store. I was taken aback by the deference as I noticed the security and attendants bowed to greet Greg.

Still in shock at the level of respect he was being showered with, an average-height, light-skinned male with an attendant's clothing and store tag came towards us.

"Good morning Mr. Reynold. I'm glad you could make it. I have the necessary preparations as you requested." He said in one breath.

"Thank you." Greg nodded as he replied. "Well, Annabel is the one you would be rendering service to today." He added as he looked my way.

"Oh yes, of course." The attendant turned to me. "Miss Annabel, I assure you, our selection is Scotland's finest. Trust me, you would love every piece of clothing as I hand-picked the pieces myself." He continued as he signaled to two other attendants to come forward.

"This isn't the time for sarcasm," I thought as I fumed inwardly. "I bet he has this planned all along from the start. I never thought he would be this sneaky, I'd get back at him."