C127 Don't Need A Babysitter

Annabelle’s dream dissolved into an echo of her own scream as she woke abruptly.

A shadowy figure loomed above her, and her body reacted before her mind could catch up, sending her bolting upright with a sharp gasp.

Annabelle erupted in a panicked scream that she regretted immediately as it added to her about-to-split-open headache.

Antonia stepped back, lifting her hands in mock apology with a smirk that said she wasn’t the least bit sorry for scaring her.

Her head pounded as if a hammer were striking against her skull, and her vision swam momentarily before focusing on the face peering down at her with accusatory sharpness.

“You’re sleeping?” Antonia’s clipped tone stabbed through Annabelle’s haze, laced with disbelief and judgement.

Annabelle automatically shook her head slightly, her heart still racing from the shock.

Annabelle swung her legs over the side of the bed, wincing as her cold feet met the polished hardwood floor.

A dull ache in her back reminded her of how poorly she’d passed out the night before, and the faint metallic taste of regret lingered in her mouth.

The sunlight flooding through the windows as Antonia threw open the curtains was an unwelcome assault.

Annabelle hissed and shielded her eyes, the brightness intensifying the throbbing in her skull. Her voice cracked as she muttered, “What on earth are you doing here this early?”

Antonia ignored the question at first, surveying the room with her lips pursed.

Her gaze landed on the nearly empty wine bottle that had tipped over on the nightstand, a dark red stain trailing across the surface.

Her nose wrinkled in distaste.

“You’re drunk?” she demanded, disbelief colouring her voice. “How can you be drunk at a time like...?” She stopped herself abruptly, her tone softening into something almost condescending. “I mean... I didn’t even know you drank.”

Annabelle rubbed her temples, fighting the wave of nausea building in her stomach.

She was in no mood for Antonia’s passive-aggressive theatrics.

“Why are you here?” she repeated, her voice sharper this time.

Antonia spun on her heel, casting Annabelle a glance over her shoulder. “Dante’s not… around,” she said casually, though her hesitation was noticeable. “He asked me to, well, keep an eye on you.”

“Keep an eye on me?” Annabelle echoed, her voice rising as her irritation flared. “What, like I’m some sort of criminal who’s going to steal his precious belongings?”

Antonia winced, perhaps sensing she’d misstepped.

She turned back fully, her expression softening into something almost apologetic. “That’s not what I meant. Dante just wanted me to keep you company until he gets back. That’s all.”

Annabelle’s scowl deepened. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

Antonia sighed and folded her arms, leaning against the edge of the window frame. “Look, I know you’re still angry at me because of what I said last night. I was out of line, okay? I was dealing with some men who thought they could railroad me because I’m a woman, and I might have taken my frustration out on you.”

Annabelle blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected admission. “What kind of business are you in?” she asked cautiously, her curiosity piqued despite herself.

Antonia straightened, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “Get out of bed first,” she said breezily. “We have a lot to do today.”

Annabelle frowned. “We?”

But Antonia was already heading for the door. “I’ll have the staff make some honey water and bland food for you,” she called over her shoulder. “It works wonders for my brother. By the way, he sends his greetings.”

The door clicked shut behind her, and Annabelle groaned, flopping back onto the bed.

For a moment, she considered defying Antonia’s parting threat to return if she didn’t get up, but the idea of enduring her persistence won out.

With a resigned sigh, she dragged herself upright and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

When she finally made her way downstairs, her sour mood hadn’t improved.

The staff had indeed prepared the bland breakfast Antonia had promised, complete with honey water and painkillers.

Annabelle sat at the table, eyeing the unappetising spread while Antonia attacked a greasy plate of bacon and eggs that made Annabelle’s stomach churn.

Antonia glanced up and smirked. “You’d better drink that honey water and take the painkillers. Trust me, it works.”

Annabelle muttered something unintelligible under her breath but complied, grimacing as she downed the concoction.

As she began to feel a little more human, Antonia leaned back in her chair, casually launching into a story about her business ventures. “I’ve been travelling for months,” she said, a glint of pride in her eyes. “Visiting as many fashion houses as I can for my boutique. It’s going to be one of a kind. High-end and exclusive. The kind of place that sets trends, not follows them.”

Annabelle nodded politely, though her mind wandered.

There was something about the way Antonia spoke, the confidence in her tone, that reminded her uncomfortably of Dante.

“I’ve never failed at getting what I want,” Antonia added, her voice dropping slightly, as though she was speaking to herself as much as to Annabelle.

The comment made Annabelle’s stomach tighten, though she wasn’t sure why.

She pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the honey water.

Antonia’s tone brightened again. “I’d love to take you to one of my boutiques once it’s open. You’d look stunning in some of the pieces I’ve been curating.”

Annabelle felt a bit of excitement about that.

At least she would get some benefits out of this new babysitting imposed on her.

Before Annabelle could muster a response, Antonia clapped her hands together and said, “But first, we train.”

Annabelle stared at her, incredulous. “Train?”

Antonia nodded, her smile as infuriatingly composed as ever. “Since we’ll be spending some time together, I need to know your capabilities. If anything happens, I need to know if you can watch my back.”

Annabelle gaped at her, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Are you serious?”

“Completely,” Antonia said, her expression unyielding. “So eat up. You’re going to need your energy.”

Annabelle groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose as she wondered how her day had spiralled so far out of her control.