Chapter 55: Don't Be So Cruel To Me

"We're leaving now," Rupert announced.

Rory's inability to take his eyes off Annabel irritated him. After saying goodbye to Rory, he took Annabel into the private dining room.

She sat down and asked, "Do you know Rory?"

"We were neighbors," Rupert replied indifferently.

"Do you have a good relationship with him?" Annabel asked.

Rupert narrowed his eyes, frowning suspiciously. "What? Are you interested in him?"

"Of course not," Annabel denied. "I have a friend who's a fan of Rory. I didn't think you knew him. Since you do, perhaps you could help get his autograph."

"Really?" Rupert scoffed.

"Yes," Annabel nodded, despite knowing his displeasure.

Frankly, there was nothing between her and Marcel, but Rupert believed otherwise. He constantly reminded her she was his fiancée. What if he discovered Rory had been pursuing her for two years? "What would you like to eat?" Rupert asked, handing her the menu.

"Order whatever you like. I don't mind," Annabel said, returning the menu.

She was preoccupied with thoughts of Rory.

Rupert took the menu and ordered a long list of spicy dishes without hesitation.

Annabel was stunned as she listened to him list them to the waiter. These were her favorite dishes! As far as she could remember, Rupert disliked spicy food. She'd never seen him eat it before.

"Do you like spicy food?" Annabel asked in surprise.

"You have an injury on your hand. I think you should eat something less spicy," he said.

"No, I don't like it," Rupert said with a careless shrug.

"Then why" Annabel's jaw dropped as the dishes arrived.

"I ordered them for you so you wouldn't say I'm inhuman," Rupert said with a faint smile.

Annabel was speechless. Even though the dishes were her favorites, she had no appetite. Her mind remained fixed on Rory's sudden return. Had something happened at Star Entertainment? That seemed unlikely; she would have known.

"Sorry, I need to use the restroom," Annabel said, standing up. She felt a sudden stomach ache.

Rupert nodded, frowning. He sensed something was wrong with Annabel, especially after her repeated mentions of Rory.

Meanwhile, approaching the restroom, Annabel saw a tall figure. It was Rory.

Wearing dark sunglasses, he leaned against the wall, a cigarette between his fingers. Surrounded by cigarette smoke, his handsome face held a sad expression. But the moment he saw Annabel, he extinguished the cigarette. He knew she disliked the smell.

"Annabel, why are you avoiding me? Why didn't you answer my calls or emails?" Rory asked, sadness in his eyes.

"Sorry. I've been busy and haven't checked my emails," Annabel said with a smile.

She knew the emails' contents without reading them: numerous love letters from the past two years. She wasn't interested in him romantically. He was a good colleague and friend, but nothing more. He simply wasn't her type.

"Really?" Rory asked, frowning.

Annabel nodded hurriedly, then asked the question that had been bothering her. "Aren't you supposed to be abroad? Why did you come back? Business? Or something personal?"

"If I didn't come back, you would become someone else's wife," Rory said bluntly.

Seeing the woman he'd loved for two years, Rory was overwhelmed with emotion. Two years ago, Kelly Group faced a financial crisis, threatening its entertainment company. Rory was depressed. He met Annabel, then studying in France, who was interested in the entertainment industry. She invested in Kelly Group and established Star Entertainment. Publicly, Rory was the founder; only a few senior executives knew Annabel was the mastermind. She encouraged and supported him, saving Kelly Group and launching his acting career.

These memories stirred Rory's emotions. He stepped forward, looking into her eyes. "Annabel, are you engaged to Rupert?"

Annabel sighed. She didn't know how to explain it. She'd made it clear they weren't right for each other, but he'd refused to listen, saying, "Even if you don't love me, you can't stop me from loving you."

After a moment, Annabel said slowly, "It's complicated. Let's make an appointment to talk."

"I need an answer. Are you engaged to Rupert? Yes or no?" Rory insisted.

"Yes," Annabel nodded. Her engagement to Rupert was for three months; it hadn't expired. She wasn't lying. She didn't want to give Rory false hope. Since he and Rupert were friends, he'd give up, right?

Rory was deeply hurt. "Why? Is Rupert better than me?" he asked sadly.

"No. I just think he and I are more compatible," Annabel explained. "Rory, I've always told you we're not right for each other."

"No!" Pain flashed across Rory's face. He grabbed her shoulders, looking into her eyes. "Annabel, please give me a chance. I'll prove I'm more suitable than Rupert!"

"Rory, let go of me!" Annabel scolded, but he held her tighter.

"Annabel, don't be so cruel," Rory begged, his voice trembling. Annabel threw his hands off. "We're not compatible! Why can't you understand that?"

Meanwhile, Rupert, having waited a long time, went to the restroom. From a distance, he saw Annabel and Rory standing together in what appeared to be an intimate embrace.