Chapter 57: Improper Desire

"My clothes" Annabel wanted to ask who had changed her, but shame prevented her from speaking. Rupert cleared his throat, embarrassed. "Danica changed your clothes," he said. "You may thank her."

Annabel breathed a sigh of relief. Danica was the maid Rupert had hired. Rupert's handsome face softened in the orange light. "I also asked the doctor to examine you. It seems you have hypoglycemia."

"Oh. Alright" Annabel felt humiliated. Even her menstruation could cause her to faint. When had she become so weak? It was all Rupert's fault! She'd been up late caring for him the previous night, then ordered to finish meeting minutes and revise a plan, leaving no time for dinner. That's why she fainted.

"You'll be fine after some rest," Rupert said, checking his watch. "It's late. Go to bed early, and don't go to the company tomorrow."

"Thank you."

Annabel massaged her stomach; the pain eased.

The next day, Annabel woke at nine o'clock—late. She leaped out of bed, hurriedly packed, and rushed out. In the kitchen, she stopped short at the sight of a middle-aged woman working.

The woman, noticing Annabel, politely set down her work and approached. "Miss Hewitt," she greeted courteously.

"Hello. You must be Danica?" Annabel asked hesitantly.

Danica nodded and smiled. "Your breakfast is ready."

Glancing at her watch, Annabel apologized. "Thank you, Danica, but I'm going to be late for work. I must go."

Danica politely stopped her. "Mr. Benton ordered that you have breakfast."

"Oh. Alright, then" Annabel was speechless. Why would Rupert be so concerned? She sat as Danica brought her breakfast and a cup of brown-sugar ginger tea.

"Mr. Benton asked me to make this for you," Danica explained, gesturing to the tea.

Rupert ordered it? How did he know? The tea warmed her. After breakfast, Annabel hurried to the company, despite Rupert's instructions to rest.

At the office, she overheard two assistants chatting.

"Wow, Rory is so handsome!"

"Don't fool yourself. Didn't you see the interview? He said he loved a girl for two years. You don't have a chance." Rory? Annabel was shocked.

"Annabel, have you seen the top search result? Rory's back, and he did an interview!" Eve, her colleague, exclaimed excitedly. "He rarely gives interviews."

"Is that so?" Annabel replied absently. "And who is Rory again?"

"Rory! You don't know Rory? He's the most popular male star right now. He's really handsome, too," Eve said, turning to Annabel. "He's almost comparable to our president."

It was Rory. Annabel clicked on the top search result: an exclusive interview. Rory, elegant yet melancholic in his white suit and gold-rimmed glasses, was featured. The first half covered his new movie; the second, his personal life.

"Now, Rory, many viewers want to know about your personal life. Do you have a girlfriend?" the interviewer asked.

A faint smile touched Rory's face. "No, I don't have a girlfriend at the moment."

"Great news for your female fans!"

Rory's voice softened. "But there is a woman I love deeply. I'm waiting for her to accept me."

Annabel felt annoyed and turned off the interview. She and Rory needed to talk; his public statement was inappropriate.

She sat in a daze until Rupert approached. "Annabel, bring the Ice and Fire plan to my office."

"Right away." Annabel retrieved the plan and followed him into his office. He closed the door and sat on the sofa.

"You weren't feeling well. Why are you at work today?"

Remembering the previous night, Annabel felt embarrassed. It had been an accident. Smiling, she replied, "I feel much better. And this is a critical time for the Ice and Fire project. I didn't want to delay it because of my personal concerns."

"Alright." Rupert gestured to the seat beside him.

Annabel sat, maintaining a distance as she handed him the plan. "I revised it last night"

Rupert interrupted. "Did you see the top search today?"

Did he see her watch Rory's interview? "Sorry, I shouldn't have watched it during work hours," she apologized.

Rupert frowned. "Then you must have seen that Rory loves someone."

"So what? Why should that concern me?" Annabel retorted.

Rupert looked at her seriously. "Don't develop an improper desire for him. Remember who you are."

An improper desire? Did he think she desired Rory? Rory clearly desired her, but she had the right to keep that from Rupert.

After a moment, Annabel said sternly, "Don't assume anything malicious, Rupert. I don't have that kind of relationship with Marcel or Rory."

"That's good." A tinge of joy settled over Rupert. He leaned closer, his expression unreadable. "Remember, Anna. You are my fiancée."

Annabel's heart pounded as he leaned closer. She was only his fiancée nominally. She almost denied it, but instead said lightly, "Alright, then."

Rupert's lips were almost touching hers.