Chapter 3 Made a grand return
Two years after divorcing Alistair, she was in London.
"Congratulations on winning this award Miss Xia. Do you feel like saying something?" the host asked with a smile.
Annabelle wore a perfect light-yellow gown that day. Her long curly hair was falling round her shoulder. She lifted the delicate crystal trophy and curved her lips, "Yes I do. First of all I must thank my mentor and all my supporters. This award not only belongs to me, but also to all the people who support me, thank you!"
Her speech was calm and to the point.
The host continued, "As we know, this award is a great achievement and an acknowledgement of you hard work! What are your plans for the future?"
The question threw Annabelle off guard. She recollected herself and responded, "Actually, I have decided to return to my home country. I plan to work for the Yunrui Corporation."
Her response threw the audience into a commotion.
The Yunrui Corporation was a rising star in the past two years. In merely one year after becoming a public listed company, it had unequalled results and had the potential to be one of the hot upcoming companies in the world, but its future was still up in the air. Annabelle could have her pick of jobs in London; why was she packing her bags and leaving all of that for a job in an upstart company that was still finding its feet.
Annabelle didn't say anything more and left the stage.
The next day, at ten o'clock in the morning, Annabelle was dragging her suitcase through the airport of her old hometown, wearing a pair of large sunglasses in an attempt to cover up her face. However, her slender figure and her outstandingly fine temperament still caught a lot of attention.
Annabelle took off her sunglasses and took a good look at her old hometown. A sense of nostalgia washed over her.
At last, after two long years, she was finally back!
Taking a breath, she went out with her suitcase.
She got the key to her rented house and moved straight in. It took her half a day to tidy up the place to her liking. She had become independent and headstrong after these two years.
Just as she finished tidying up the room, her phone rang. "Hey Annabelle, are you back?"
It was Dorie on the phone, a childhood friend of hers. Dorie was her best friend, a person she considered closer than a sister.
"Isn't it convenient that I just finished packing and now you give me a call?" Annabelle rested on the sofa and tried to rest.
"Sorry my love, I was just got free." Dorie said coyly.
Upon hearing her sweet voice Annabelle couldn't help but giggle, "Alright, you are forgiven."
"When do you plan to start working?" Dorie asked.
"Tomorrow."
"Great! I'll buy you dinner tonight, let's go celebrate!"
"OK!"
"Catch ya later, bye."
"Bye."
Ending the call, Annabelle reclined on the couch and treated herself to a little shut eye. She was exhausted from all the travelling and quickly fell sound asleep. Annabelle's rest was interrupted by a sudden call. She answered drowsily, "Hello?"
"Miss Xia, I am calling from the HR department of Yunrui Corp. Can I confirm that you will commence work tomorrow?"
"Yes I will." Annabelle confirmed, waking up immediately.
"Perfect! Please proceed directly to the HR department upon reaching the company building tomorrow morning. See you at 9:00."
"Noted. Thank you."
Ending the short conversation, Annabelle did a lazy stretch and checked the time. It was already nighttime.
Just when she was about to give Dorie a call, her doorbell rang. She stood up, gently tidied her dress and opened the door.
"Annabelle!!" Dorie pounced on her as soon as the door was opened, full of exhilaration.
Annabelle was happy too, "I thought you would be busy again!"
"Even if the sky falls, I would have still made it tonight! Let's get going, my treat!"
Annabelle nodded with a satisfying grin, she quickly put on her sneakers and followed Dorie out the door.
Dorie and Annabelle were having a great evening filled with great food and even better conversation. Then, almost out of the blue, Dorie asked, "Annabelle, aren't you afraid that you will run into Alistair?"