"I wouldn't dare. I am merely stating a fact."

What an interesting lady Alistair thought while hiding his smirk. The lady stood fearlessly before him, arousing even more of his interest and curiosity.

And Annabelle immediately regretted her actions. She had caused too much unnecessary attention! Now she felt like she was thrown into the lion's den without any heads up. Face hot as coal, her icy fingers pinched tightly on her dress.

Annabelle tried to compose herself, "If there is nothing else, I shall now head back to work." She quickened her steps without waiting for an answer.

"Hold on for a moment," Alistair's alluring voice came from behind.

Annabelle froze instinctively. She shut her eyes.

Why did I stop!? I should've ignored him and walk away!

It was inexplicable, but it was hard for her to not listen to him!

Alistair rose from his chair slowly and strode towards her.

There was a deafening silence and Annabelle can hear her own heart pounding rapidly. On the surface she seemed expressionless but underneath she was on pins and needles, so tensed that she couldn't move a muscle.

He has an overshadowing build. A dangerous air around him that invaded her space and was slowly constricting on her.

She had thought about thousands of possibilities of them meeting but never like this!

Did he recognize her?

Alistair stared intensely at her. His eyes had the same clarity as a mountain stream and gleamed with vigor like two magnificent gems. He came closer until he was almost touching her.

Annabelle was startled and she backed up terror-struck to the wall. Alistair continued to corner her by moving his arms over her and pressed them onto the wall, leaving her no room to escape.

His action was aggressive and provocative.

"What... What are you doing!?" Annabelle's attempt to appear calm was not working. She completely panicked under his pressuring presence.

Even after two years, he remained unchanged! Just as ignoble and lecherous!

Alistair was satisfied to see her breaking under his pressure. He had the charm to stop women in their tracks and he was accustomed it. The sudden pause in their natural expression followed by overcompensating with a nonchalant gaze and a weak smile. And of course, the blushing that gave their feelings away. His domineering attitude makes him even more attractive.

"What do you think I will do?" Alistair smirked smugly.

"Mr. Mu, you are being very inappropriate. What will people say?"

A savvy woman too. Quick-witted and able to get out of a tight spot, Mu thought to himself.

He paid no heed to her displeasure and stared even more intently at her face.

"Annabelle..."

He mumbled her name repeatedly, frowning deeply as he tried to comb through his memory.

Annabelle felt a trembling weakness in her knees. She breathed shallowly with outmost care, in great fear that he might recognize her. His next question completely caught her off guard and left her petrified.

"Why do you feel so familiar... Do I know you?"