A Plaything For CEO Blackwood

# 127 Anna Announced the Engagement

Anna and Maxwell split ways when they arrived at the airport; while Max headed for the Forbes mansion in the SUV that was waiting for him, Anna got into a car waiting to convey her down to Jennifer’s office.

Anna left the noise and chaos of JFK Airport behind her as she walked out into the bright Nevada weather. With a happy smile on her face, Anna slid into the cool leather seat. As the car pulled away, she looked out the window and was fascinated by what she saw.

It was Las Vegas, a place she had never been to before. The tall buildings and fast-paced life of New York City were gone. In this area, the scenery was mostly made up of huge casinos with crazy themes and lots of neon lights. She would see a huge copy of the Eiffel Tower one minute and a pirate ship with sails flapping the next. In the best way possible, it was too much to take in.

In contrast to Manhattan's crowded, narrow streets, these roads were wide and smooth, making it easy for cars to move along. The warm breeze made the palm trees sway slowly. It was very different from the empty, concrete jungle she was used to. Unlike New York, where pollution fumes are always present, this air was surprisingly clean and dry.

As people went deeper into the city center, there were more and more bars. Huge hotels with names like "Caesars Palace" and "Bellagio" rose from the desert floor, each trying to get people's attention with flashy shows of wealth and fun. Anna was amazed by how big everything was.

She couldn't help but think of the difference between the two cities. New York was a place that never went to sleep because people were always trying to reach their goals and follow their dreams. Las Vegas, on the other hand, seemed to be all about pure, unadulterated fun.

The car finally stopped in front of a bright, tall office building. Anna stepped outside and stretched her legs. She felt incredibly excited. When she pushed the glass doors open, she was in a sleek, cool lobby. A nice receptionist met her and pointed her in the direction of the elevators. Her phone rang as she climbed to the floor where Jennifer worked.

It was Maxwell's message, just "Missing you already" with a heart emoji. She quickly typed back, "Me too, love," with a smile. “Have a nice day!"

As the elevator doors opened, Anna saw Jennifer right away, standing out there in the hall, waiting for her. Jennifer ran over to her with a big smile on her face before she could even say anything.

She yelled, "Anna!" and gave her friend a tight hug. “Welcome to Las Vegas,” she said warmly.

Anna laughed and returned the hug. "It's great to be here! For sure, it's...different. How is Marshall? Hope you guys had a nice trip home last night?"

“Hey! Not out here.” Jennifer muttered as she looked around to see if they were alone. She quickly dragged Anna into the confinement of her office walls.

“Okay, forget about Marshall, let's talk about you. I couldn't help but notice how excited you sounded when we spoke over the phone, so I believe you have something for me, spill it.” Jennifer asked with a smirk.

Anna giggled. “At least offer me a bottle of water before you request a gossip.”

“Ha, forgive my manners,” she replied as she grabbed a bottle of water from the freezer in the office.

As the two friends got together, they discussed happily. Jennifer, ever the gossiper, was very eager to hear of Anna’s bedroom experiences from the previous night, but Anna on the other hand was more interested in sharing the news about Linda.

“Suits her right, she deserves it. Now stop stalling, tell me what happened between you and Maxwell last night,” Jennifer laughed, the curiosity eating her up.

“Hey, I am not asking to know how you and Marshall spent your night, you are so nosey.” Anna joked. “But if you really want to know what happened between Maxwell and I, then you need to pay more attention to my fingers.” She smirked.

Jennifer was confused at first, she had to take closer looks at Anna’s fingers for a few seconds before she noticed it. “Oh my God! He proposed??” she yelled.

“Yes! And I said yes!” Anna squealed in excitement. “We are getting married!” She broke the news.

“Yes!! Finally, I have waited so long for this!” Jennifer screamed, genuinely excited for her best friend. she didn’t care that they were at her workplace, what is her father going to do? Fire her?

“So is it going to be Mrs. Forbes or Mrs. Blackwood?” Jennifer asked excitedly.

“Haha, Mrs. Blackwood sounds more original, we already have a Mrs. Forbes, I think I want to be different.” She laughed.

“I am so happy for you, Ann. It was just a year ago that you met Maxwell, and you thought your life was ruined by meeting this guy, but look how it has played out. Fate has really played a silly game on us.” Jennifer said with teary eyes.

Anna smiled and nodded, feeling emotional with Jenny’s words. “I know right? No one knows tomorrow after all, sometimes we need to take that one big step without worrying about what the future holds, I can't stop thinking about it. How did I go from being a Plaything for CEO Blackwood, to his most respected Wife-to-be?”

“Come here, give me a hug.” Jennifer grinned. “Then we can talk about my fee as your Chief bridesmaid.” She joked.

Anna laughed and hugged her heartily, it was a beautiful moment for the both of them.

** **

The imposing Blackwood mansion loomed before Maxwell, a familiar yet distant sight. Today, though, he wasn't returning as the prodigal son, but as the protector, the one taking charge. Inside, a flurry of activity greeted him.

His younger brother, Simon, and Abigail, his younger sister, stood nearby, her blue eyes holding a mix of anxiety and hope. He found his mother, Maria, in the grand living room, a look of relief etched on her face.

"Maxwell," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for doing this. I didn't know how we were going to manage, I didn’t want to tell you before but things were really getting out of hand."

Maxwell offered her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Mother. I'll take care of everything. You just focus on having fun, you have done your best raising us."

Maria squeezed his hand. "Take care of your brother and sister too. They need you now more than ever, I trust you can secure their future, be a better man than your father."

Just then, a petite figure materialized from the doorway. It was Agnes, their childhood nanny, her hair now a soft silver, but her eyes still twinkling with the same warmth Maxwell remembered from his youth.

"Maxwell," she croaked, her voice raspy with age. Her hand, gnarled and veined, reached up to cup his face. "So good to see you reunited with your family, especially while I can still breathe." A dry chuckle escaped her lips.

Maxwell knelt before her, his heart swelling with a mix of emotions. "Nounou," he said, using the childhood nickname, "You are not going to die anytime soon, at least not until you attend my wedding." He winked at her, the playful gesture bringing a smile to her wrinkled face.

Agnes let out a hearty laugh, the sound surprisingly strong for someone who claimed to be on the verge of death. "A wedding, you say? And who is this lucky young lady?"

"Her name is Anna," Maxwell said, his voice softening. "She brings the best out of me."

Agnes nodded sagely. "That's what matters most, my dear boy. You have our blessings, and of course I will be there to attend it. Why would I miss a chance to go to Paris?" she laughed.

Maxwell smiled, he then stood and kissed her cheeks. “Good, just what I wanted to hear.”

As they walked outside, a black bulletproofed car pulled up through the driveway, Old Forbes had just arrived from a meeting.

The old man looked around the Front Yard, a bit of confusion on his face. He ignored the younger kids standing ready to get into the car and he walked to Maxwell.

“Does anyone mind telling me what is going on here?” he queried.

Maxwell sighed. Even though he never spoke about it with his father, he told his mom this morning and he expected that she would convey the message to him.

“Peter, I…” Maria tried to speak but Maxwell cut her short.

“Mother, can you guys please give us some minutes alone.”

The ladies nodded and walked away, leaving the father and son alone.

“Mr. Forbes, I am taking Simon and Abigail to stay with me in New York City, they will start the next phase of their lives there. I already have plans to put Simon in charge of my Bar while Abigail registers for UNI in one of the prestigious institutions in the City.” He announced.

Mr. Forbes scoffed. “And no one thought it was important to seek my permission first?”

Maxwell chuckled softly. “Nope, they are both of legal age now, they can make their life decisions without you.” he replied coldly.

“What? Is that how much disregard you have for me? Did you also influence your brother’s decision to elope because I am starting to see a pattern?” Mr. Forbes accused.

“No father, unlike you, I am not controlling, I let people make their own decisions.”

“So you think I am controlling because I want the best for my children? The only reason you are who you are today was because I was controlling as you have put it. Don’t forget that you are only successful today because of me.”

“Instead of finding ways to justify your wicked ways, I think it is much easier for you to admit that you were a bad father.” Maxwell fired back.

“Was I? Does a bad father want the best for his children? Does a bad father give them the best education?”

“No, but a good father is not demanding and controlling, he isn’t toxic and hateful. You say you made me but I could have been as good as dead in those years, do you know what I went through? I was fucking trafficked and even had to get involved in illegality to survive. Yes I scaled through, but what if I ended up dead in the streets or locked up for life? What if I didn’t succeed? Would you still take credit for my failure? Tell me Peter, tell me!”

“Fine!” Peter shouted. “You are right! I was the worst father, my intentions were good but my method was bad. I am sorry for throwing you out on that bridge, I am sorry for not listening to your ideas, I am sorry for being mean and heartless. Is that what you want to hear? Well you have heard it, I am sorry son, all I wanted was the best for my children, that is all I ever wanted! So forgive me if I was not the father you deserved, forgive me if I am not the father I thought I was, forgive me Son.” Mr. Forbes said, breaking down as emotions swept through him.

Maxwell stood there frozen, tears formed in his eyes as he stared at his old man. He had always told himself that he would never forgive this man, if only he knew that it would take one genuine apology to melt his heart. All he needed to hear was the magic word “Sorry.”

Maxwell embraced his father immediately. “Thank you Father, that is all I needed to hear.” He muttered to himself.

TBC!!