Annabelle's POV:
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"O My God! Cupcake, you look gorgeous!"
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"Mom, don't exaggerate things. It's just the beauty of the dress and your hard work." For the past two hours, Mom has put all her skill in makeup to make me FLAWLESS, which is impossible for my acne and open pore skin to accept.
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What else does she expect from a struggling owner who needs to work her ass off to compete with the new budding competitor?
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"Nonsense, the dress is beautiful only because you wore it, dear." She said sweetly and opened the wooden drawer next to the dressing table.
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I was seated in front of the dressing table with a boring look.
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She took out a rectangle velvet box containing a diamond dainty pendant and a stud, the only valuable ornaments left with us after spending half of our wealth on our bakery.
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"It would be the cherry on top." She mumbled and made me wear the pendant.
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"Mom, won't you be coming with me to the party? Auntie Aleena asked if you'll be there when I make a visit to Blake's Mansion to finalize the order." I asked while fixing my lipstick.
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Uh, I have told her not to make it bold.
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"Don't! It perfectly fits you, Anna..." She smacked my arm and snatched away the tissue, continuing.
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"And about the party... No, I won't be coming. I promised Mrs. Frank to make a special Valentine cake for her hubby." I frowned at her silly excuse to miss her dearest friend's anniversary party.
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"I don't think that's a valid reason, Mom."
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She just shrugged off my reply and took her purple handbag and black coat, wearing it over her soft green A-line dress.
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"Mr. Frank officially retired from his post last week and would be back from Paris tonight. She needs to give him a pleasant welcome party, so she asked me if I could help her with decor and cakes."
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"Oh, then I would ask some of the staff to deliver the cake."
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"Nah, I need to give her a few pieces of advice before her little party with hubby begins. So I need to be there by 7."
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"7? Then who would drop me at Blake's Mansion?" I was rather anxious to know her reply.
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Please don't say it's the flirting machine coming to pick me up for the party.
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'Ding,' the doorbell of our little apartment echoed in the room.
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"I think the answer to the question has arrived at the right time. Sweetie, I'll be taking my leave, and don't get into a fight with Jack, okay?"
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I groaned annoyingly and strode to the balcony area without giving her a reply.
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Mom left the room and quickly reached the front door.
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I would have ignored and continued fixing her artwork on my face, but I don't trust my mom when it comes to chatting with Jackson; she might promise my hands to that jerk for a few cakes.
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I take long steps towards the door and place my ears close to the door.
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I could hear his animated laugh from the opposite side.
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"Auntie Anny, you look ten years younger. Are you the one coming with me as my date?" I could picture my mom's blushed face at his cheesy comments.
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"Jackson, don't worry, I am not your date but your sweetie pie."
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Your sweetie pie?!
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"When did I become his?" I whispered through gritted teeth.
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Uh, the only thing mom and I get into an argument is when she ships him with me whenever and wherever she gets a spot to.
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She considers him a sweet, loving, and innocent gentleman, but in contrast, he is a freaking playboy with the devil's mind.
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"My dear, I forgot to tell you something. I won't be coming to the party. I have an important appointment with someone, so I can't attend the party."
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"But Auntie... Mom would be sad if you miss the party."
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"I know, but I already promised someone to be there by 7. So please take care of Anna."
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"With pleasure," he said enthusiastically.
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I quickly left the door side and rushed to the balcony area with my phone fixed to my ears before getting caught eavesdropping.
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I heard the opening and closing sound of the door, making me take a deep breath.
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Okay, Anna, act normal; don't show your frustration, making the jerk boost his ego to the next level.
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For a few seconds, the room was pin-drop silent, making me frown.
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It's strange for Jackson to shut his mouth and be a good boy, especially when he gets a chance to irritate me.
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With a confused face, I turned back to see Jackson in a classic navy blue suit paired with a golden champagne tie and golden cufflinks.
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Great! I should have sensed it earlier that my brutus mom would have betrayed me by sending him a pic of the dress we took earlier.
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He had a small bouquet of red roses giving a sweet smell; his face twisted from a smirk to surprise in a swift.
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"Wow... My love, you look stunning!" He said huskily and rushed in my direction with open arms. In a swift, I moved away and gave him a death glare.
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"Don't touch me," I said sternly with a poker face.
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"Okay... Okay, I won't touch you... Not yet, but how are you gonna save yourself from the hungry wolves tonight, my little deer?" He leaned against the wall.
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"Well, if I could save myself from the biggest playboy in town, then they aren't a matter to worry."
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"Aw, you are so adorable when you get annoyed, sweetie pie!"
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If killing wasn't a crime, he would be six feet under the ground ages ago.
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It's of no use to tell him not to use those cliche names on me.
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Ignoring his penetrating gaze, I grabbed my clutch and a small square white box Mom handed me earlier, an anniversary gift for the couple.
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"Ignore me as much as you want, but tonight you would fall for me," he stated while sniffing the bouquet.
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"Wow, how romantic," I said sarcastically and strolled out of the room.
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Jackson quickly pushed past me and reached in front of the front door, giving me a broad smile, showing his perfect pearl-white teeth.
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"Let me be a gentleman for my lady," he said dramatically and twisted the doorknob, opening the door widely for me.
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"Thank you, Mr. Blake," I said with batting lashes and stepped out.
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Well, two can play the game.
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