Hope Pov
I just stand there like I'm frozen in time. I'm not looking at him, I have pictures and magazine covers of him. I'm studying her ... every feature,I just can't help but feel ... and I'm suddenly snapped out of my thoughts when he speaks.
Christian POV
I see how intensely Hope is looking at Anastasia, I wonder for a moment how much Lelia has told her. "Ready? We have dinner reservations and then we will be staying the night at The Plaza . We will leave first thing in the morning weather permitting."
Hope Pov
I nod my head and we all head to the car it was an awkward quite ride to the restaurant.
We enter Anthony's a little Italian restaurant that's still nicer than anything I've been too. We sit in the rear corner table. I personally don't like being around crowds so the rear table suits me fine. But then a thought enters my mind of "maybe he's ashamed to be seen with me ." I'm wearing a long sleeve black shirt under a grey hoodie, dark blue jeans and sneakers. I feel out of place, I don't belong.
Christian POV
The waiter comes and I order for the table like usual. I look at Hope and she is just fidgeting with her fingers looking down. I look at Anastasia and she mouthing " talk to her". So in a brilliant CEO moment I ask "How you like the weather?"
Hope Pov
"Okay, I guess" The food arrives at the table and I began to take a few bites. My mind going 100 miles a minute, I'm thinking how is this going work? I just don't fit in.I want my mom she should be here with me and with him.
Christian Pov
" Why don't you tell us something about your self." I want to ask her so many questions. Where they have been all these years? How did they get by financially? What happen with Lelia that made her take her life? What's the reason why she don't like to be touched? As much as I want to ask her , I can't, I don't want her to shut down if she does I may never get those answers.
Hope Pov
"There not much to tell, um I like to sketch and do various types of art work,My mom taught me some, did you ever see any of her work ?"
Christian POV
"Yes i did , she was talented." I can see Anastasia a bit uneasy but she's really trying to make Hope feel comfortable. I don't know what I do without Anastasia by my side I give her a reassuring smile.
Anastasia Pov
I know Lelia was a trouble person but just hearing about her brings back a lot of emotions and memories.
"So Hope, have you always lived in New York?"
Hope Pov
"No, we moved around ."
Anastasia Pov
"Where ?" Christian mentioned a few place but I just want her to open up and be comfortable with us.
Hope Pov
I'm annoyed is this a trick question to see if I'm a liar ?
"Why are you asking questions I'm sure you already know the answers too." I say as I'm giving her a glare.
Christian POV
"I won't tolerate you being short with Anastasia. She is just trying to get to know you, just like I am." I stated with a little more force than I probably should .
Anastasia Pov
" Christian it's okay, I think we are all exhausted, it's been a long day. Why don't we head to the hotel it's getting late."
Christian Pov
"We leave once Hope finishes, Hope eat , you have barely touched you food."
Hope Pov
"Im not hungry . Can we just leave already."
Christian POV
"Fine, just this once."
Anastasia Pov
Once we arrived at The Plaza I showed Hope to her room " I put some pjs on the bed and some toiletries in the bathroom. If you need anything let me know."
Hope Pov
" I think I can manage."' I just want her to leave me alone. She is acting like she cares.
I take a quick shower and looked at the pj's Anastasia layed out on the bed. I toss them to the side and grabbed an old t shirt and sweatpants from my duffle bag instead,throwing them on and climb into bed. I fell fast asleep, I'm so tired the lack of sleep had really cought up with me.
Flashback "No! Please ! It hurts ! 1.2..sobs.. 3 ! I'm screaming. No! """
Christian POV
Shit! I hear Hope screaming she having a nightmare . I get out of bed quickly waking Anastasia up as i move her out of my arms. We both go running into her room, I open the door and just seeing her stops me in my tracks. She had this look of pain and fear on her face as she flail her arms. Anastasia instinctively grabs her to wake her and then I hear a "smack" . Hope had hit Anastasia on her face. "Are you okay?!"
Anastasia Pov
"Im okay Christian "
My cheek stings and Hope jolt up her eyes searching the room for something..someone..I'm holding onto her arm.. "Hope you are safe, you had a nightmare." Trying to reassure her, I know it take Christian a few minutes to gather himself after a nightmare.
Hope Pov
I had a nightmare,it felt so real. I jump up and See Anastasia and Christian in my room. I notice the redness on Anastasia face. "Let go of me!! Don't ever touch me! It's not my fault , you should've left me alone!"
Christian
"Anastasia please go back to the room, I need to talk with Hope." Anastasia for once does not argue and leaves the room. I must have said that in my Dom voice as soon as Anastasia walks out and closed the door. I notice Hope scoots back on the bed holding onto to the covers she is looking down, She is scared of me. " Hope I'm not going to hurt you, look at me ." She hesitated but slowly looks up.
"I have nightmares too,I don't fault you for hitting Anastasia that want not intentional. However your attitude towards her seems to be and that needs to change now. Why don't you tell me what the nightmare are about? "
Hope Pov
Christian eyes, his voice all of a sudden scare me. They soften once he starts to talk. I don't want to tell him about my nightmares so instead I flip it and ask "What are your nightmares about? "
Christian POV
I take a breath " I didn't have it easy ..." I tell Hope about my mom and the pimp and how I was with my mom too when she died. "Hope the social worker had mentioned that the Rescue crew that transport your mom into the hospital . Believed that you might have been a patient they transported before , that you were attacked. "
Hope Pov
That wasn't me " I'm trying to hold back my tears "That wasn't me" I said it again maybe if I say it a thousand times I start to believe it too. That it didn't happen again.. there nothing I can do to change what happen. No one can help me .
Christian POV
The tears and look in her eyes as she said that wasn't her , Now I'm sure someone had attack her... my daughter .
I feel enraged my fist are clinched. I see she is looking at me and started to breath rapidly. She's scared again, "Hope, I promise you I'm never going hurt you. " Before I knew what I was doing , I grabbed her and was hugging her tight ."
Hope Pov
For a moment I breath and I feel safe in his arms but
No, I can't tell him anything, he will know how used And worthless I'm , what if they find me again. "Please I whimper let me go" I steady my voice "I already told you twice and I'm saying it for the last time that wasn't me." I push away from his arms "Now please leave me alone "
Christian POV
I know she not telling me the truth, I don't want to push her anymore. Flynn is definitely going have his hand full with Hope. "Okay try to get some sleep ." I went back to my
Room to find Anastasia up waiting for me . "Oh Anastasia, someone hurt her, she was the one Rescue transported. Why won't she talk to me ."
Anastasia Pov
I wrap my arms around Christian "It's going take a while for her to trust . We just have to be patient. She's a lot like your Christian."
Thanks for the reviews I'm trying to improve my writing to make it easier to read. Thanks for your interest .
Hope you all have a Happy Holiday.
