Chapter 21

A tip of the veil

Thank you for all the lovely reviews they are very much appreciated. Like always a very special thanks to my beta Svart Jasmin. Real life is a bit of a whirlwind at the moment busy with work and moving house this week. I will do my best to post chapter 22 within the next two weeks. Thank you all so much for reading following, favoring and reviewing. Some of you made some very interesting comments, unfortunately, some were posted as guests reviews so I could not reply to them:(.

Anastasia

I look out over the water of Meydenbauer bay. In the distance, hundreds of small lanterns float over the water, illuminating it in their calm wake. The pale light of the bright full moon diffuses into countless silver speckles on the calm waters. It is an unearthly, magical sight to behold, and before my 'relationship' with Grey, I would have relished in the beauty of it all. But looking at it all now, it does not conjure up the same awed filled feelings I would have had before all this happened. These feelings of loneliness, anger, hatred, and sadness are so overwhelming that it feels like I am drowning in them. I don't know how to handle this toxic cocktail of emotions, but I know I need to put a lid on them soon before they destroy me.

I never in my life hated anyone before, not like this. Grandma Wilks, my mother's mother used to say; Hate is a deadly burden that eventually squashes the life out of those who carry it with them. I remember her telling me that after mom divorced Ray and married number three. I hated him so much for destroying their marriage. But grandma Wilks said that hating him would hurt me in the long run. In the end, we all get what we deserve, God will always balance the scales in due time. She would say and urge me to let go, and I did. When my mother divorced that sob six months later, I knew she had been right. She was a sweet, kind-hearted woman just like mom and for the longest time, I thought I was the same. But these feelings of anger and hatred that threaten to choke me have violently ended that illusion.

Yet, at the same time right now, I relish in the anger and hatred I feel for that vile woman that harassed and tried to ruin me. Maybe because I don't have to deal with the loneliness and sadness that hang as a thick cloud over my head. I still cannot believe what Kate has told me. Jose and Jimmy have both left the country and they did not even call me to tell me about their new jobs. Kate said they tried to contact me but were not able to. I don't believe her I had no missed calls from either of them. What hurts most though is that I thought they were my friends. How can Jimmy call Kate but not me? Anger and hatred are good, they give me strength if only for a little while. My mind slips back to the horrid encounter with the blond troll. Thinking back on how she cornered me makes my blood boil all over again. I barely feel the cold gush of the wind that has swept over the water. My mind is still reeling from the past events as it conjures up the memory.

"You! I need to speak to you." Two bony hands push me back into the dining room I tried to vacate after my conversation with Kate.

"Excuse me?" I say indignantly to the tall blond woman standing in front of me. I recognize her immediately as Grace's friend from the saloon. It is her! His abuser and she is bristling at me. She looks like an old, haggard Valkyrie that has had too many face-lifts and botox treatments.

"Kneel!" She sneers after slamming the door behind her. What the hell? Is she insane?

"Look, lady, I don't know what is wrong with you and frankly I don't care. But don't think for a minute that I will kneel down for you." I say and try to pass her. She blocks me and pushes me back. Fury courses through me. How dare she?

"I just knew that he would fail to train you properly. I guess it is on me to fix his failures again. That boy always managed to get himself into trouble. I spent years trying to help him out, teaching him control of his emotion and I am not going to let some mousy little girl destroy my work. I will never allow that." She murmurs that last part more to herself than to me and I blow up. Uncontrollable anger sweeps through my veins. This woman is one sick and twisted bitch.

"I am not a dog that needs training and don't even think for a second that I will let you touch me. You did not train him you fucked him up more than he already was. What you did to him has nothing to do with BDSM and everything to do with your own fucked up desires and he is too stupid to realize this. Well, I am not going to be dragged down in your sick games. I want nothing to do with you and you have nothing to say about me." I am practically shaking with fury.

"How dare you judge our lifestyle! You know nothing about me and Christian and what we have. I will order him to give you a good caning for your insolence. You will learn how to respect your betters come hell or high water. You fucked with the wrong woman, you dumb brat. I own Christian and you will soon learn that this will be very painful for you." She cackles like the old, deranged ugly witch she is.

"I know that you are one fucked up deranged bitch and that is frankly all I need to know. You fucked up Christian but don't think for a second that I will let you do the same to me. Now get out of my way or I will make you!" Her face reddens in fury and she lifts her hand up to slap me. Ray's self-defence lessons immediately kick in and I block her before slapping her in her face with all the strength I can muster. My hand makes contact with her cheek and the sting of the slap tingles on the skin of my hand. The sound of the slap reverberates through the dining room and her face is a picture of complete horror. Seeing her like this is extremely satisfactory but I don't dwell on it too long. I quickly make my way to the door barely registering Christian who is standing at the door opening stock still and completely stunned.

I was too angry and reeled up to go back to the party. I needed somewhere quiet where I could process everything that happened. The dock near the boathouse stood out like a bastion of peace drawing me in like a moth to a flame. I don't know how long I have been standing her now, all I know and feel is the turmoil of emotions that wreak havoc inside of me.

I hear something or someone rustling behind and I smell the faint scent of cigar smoke. I swirl around to see who dares to bother me. I am in no mood for company. I let out a sigh when I see Christian standing behind me near the shrubberies near the side of the manor house. The glowing tip of his cigar[HM1] eerily illuminates his handsome face.

"How long have you been standing there spying on me?" I sound petulant even to my own ears.

He shrugs his shoulders noncommittally before stamping out his cigar.

"A while." He replies soberly.

"Shouldn't you be fanning at your mistress' feet like a good little pet?" I spite and for a brief moment, fury passes his face.

"She is not my mistress! She hasn't been for the longest time I am no body's pet." He growls out.

"Well tell that to her because she thinks that she owns you and by proxy me as well."

"I am my own man; nobody owns me, not you and certainly not Elena. So we can put that nonsense to rest immediately. Elena is my best friend she tends to be overbearing at times." He replies apologetically.

I cannot help myself and let out a sharp laugh.

"Well, with a friend like her you don´t need enemies. That woman is vile Christian, the devil incarnate... Why can't you see that she is manipulating you?"

He holds up his hand stopping me.

"Enough Anastasia. You may not like her and I understand that, but you don't have to demonize her."

I scoff "She is doing that all by herself I don´t need to do that for her."

He sighs and runs his hands through his hair in exasperation.

"Look, Anastasia, Elena told me her version of what happened. She said you were rude to her." He begins tentatively and I scoff again loudly.

"I bet she did."

He moves towards the dock until he is standing in front of me. His hand softly brushes mine sending a tingle down my spine and in that moment I loathe the effect my body has on him more than I ever have before.

"Care to tell me your version?" He asks, not unkindly.

I want to tell him no because frankly, I am afraid that I will get so worked up again that no coherent word will escape my mouth at the same time I know I will never accept a no.

"She cornered me in your parent's dining room after my conversation with Kate. She demanded that I kneel for her like I was her submissive or something. I basically told her to go fuck herself and she went mental. Ranting and raving how you failed to train me properly and taking me over from you. I told her to take a hike again and she lost it. Tried to slap me but I blocked her and slapped her instead and stormed out of the room."

He lets out a low chuckle and gently strokes my cheek his hand feels hot to the touch.

"Her version was slightly different. She told me that you had been rude to her when she tried to have a normal conversation with you. She demanded that you apologize to her but I am guessing that is not going to happen anytime soon."

"I will never apologize to her, not even when hell freezes over."

He chuckles again.

"I figured as much. Look, Anastasia, I told Elena to back off. She will not bother you again, I promise you."

"Just keep that bitch away from me." I warn.

"I just promised you I would! Ugh look I am sorry she harassed you, I truly am. I made sure she won´t do it again. I don´t know what else you want me to say." He says sounding a little desperate and I decide to let it go.

"I´ll take your word for it." I murmur.

"Good, thank you. Now can we go back to the party? You still owe me a dance."

The anger I feel for him and that horrible bitch has subsided a little only to let the sadness come true again. I don't want to dance with him and act like everything is honky dory while I feel so miserable.

"I rather stay her and watch everything from afar. I don't feel like partying."

He runs his hands through his hair again and stares up at the heavens probably looking for some divine inspiration. I inwardly scoff good luck with that, I think sourly.

"What is it that you want Anastasia? I am trying to understand you. I know our agreement is not ideal but you promised you'll try. What can I do to make this easier for you? Tell me because I am getting a little desperate here."

What can he do? Let me go I want to tell him. But I don't I did promise him that I would honor our agreement or whatever this fucked up shit is. And the sadness I feel at this moment in a lot of ways has not so much to do with him. It is not his fault that Jimmy and Jose abandoned me without not so much as a word.

I slump my shoulders and stare at the ground. He gently pushes his finger on my chin and lifts my head up I am surprised to see the concerned look on his face.

"Tell me, Anastasia." He presses on.

"It is silly; I don't think you will understand."

"Try me." He persists.

"Did you ever think you knew someone pretty well only to discover you did not know them at all?" I ask.

"I pride myself on being a good judge of character. So no I never had the displeasure."

I inwardly scoff. Good judge of character my ass if he was he would have dumped the Lincoln bitch a long time ago. I don't think he even has any other friends than that woman. I don't feel like talking to him anymore. He is too dense to understand or feel what it is like losing a friendship. I am pretty sure he has close to zero empathic ability hence I am stuck in this mess with him and he won't let me out. The familiar wave of sadness and dread I have associated with him comes back in full force again.

"Just never mind OK? I knew you would never understand. Can you give me a moment alone please?"

"No Anastasia, I am not going to leave you until you tell me what is going on with you." He snaps and I know fighting him is pointless and I break.

"You want to know what is going on? Ever since this arrangement, my life has been fucked up. You have stripped away my autonomy and turned me into your plaything, forcing to do your bidding. My friends have abandoned me and to top it all off my co-workers are gossiping about my every move. I feel miserable and alone and it is your entire fault." I am trembling and hot angry tears spill from my eyes. I expect him to yell at me, argue with me again but he doesn't. Instead, he gently wipes my tears away before pulling me into his warm embrace and I feel myself relax into him. I feel dazed and confused about not only his but also my own reaction. For some reason, I feel safe in his arms yet completely sickened by my own reaction to him.

"Oh, Ana I am so sorry. I truly am. But I cannot let you go. Lord knows I tried to forget you tried to accept your rejection. But I can't." His confession and apology leave me dumbstruck, confounded even. Is he sorry for forcing himself on me? For taking away my autonomy my life? It does not make any sense at all.

"Why did you do it Christian? You knew I didn't want you I told you a thousand time. Why did you persist?" I pull away from him and scan his face praying for an honest answer.

"I just want a chance Anastasia a chance to try and make you happy. I know you feel the attraction just as strong as I do. You promised me you would give our arrangement a try. Please, just give me one chance to make you happy that is all I am asking. And if I fail, I will try and let you go." His voice is hoarse and pleading, tugging on my heartstrings, only adding to the turmoil of emotions that I am feeling. I did promise him I would honor our arrangement; it is just so hard for me to do that. Maybe because he forced me or maybe because I feel so alone, lost, and isolated from everyone and everything. I hardly see Kate, and Jimmy and Jose have left the country without so much telling me. My parents are in Boston. I have literally no one but him. I want to hate him, be mad at him and hurl all kinds of abuse at him but I can't. He looks so vulnerable and hurt, like a lost little boy starved for attention and love. For the first time, I wonder why he is the way he is. What happened to him when he was a little boy? I know his birth mother died when he was young, but this seems to go so much deeper.

"I already told you I will honor arrangement. It is just hard sometimes. Especially now, it feels like I am all alone. I always considered Jose and Jimmy one of my best friends but I guess that feeling was one sided. They did not even bother telling me that they were moving out of the country. They told Kate but not me."

He looks uncomfortable for a moment.

"Maybe they left you a message?"

"No, I have no missed calls or voicemails." I reply sadly.

"Where did they move to?"

"France and Kenia."

"Well, there can be a list of reasons why their call might not have arrived on your phone yet. It could be that you have connection issues or a problem with your provider. Have you tried calling them?"

"Yes, I get a disconnected tone immediately."

"Well, that means there is something wrong with the connection. If you want I can have the tech team at GEH look into it. There is a reason why we are one of the biggest telecommunication companies in the world. In the meantime, use the land line at home to call them again." He offers and gives me a small smile.

"I can?" He looks puzzled for a minute.

"Of course." He replies almost offended.

"Thank you Christian."

"You are most welcome Anastasia. Now, about that first dance." I sigh and give him a little smile. In honor of our arrangement, I should grant it to him. I realize that I never really accepted honoring this arrangement for myself. I continued to struggle against it; I know for sure now that he won't let me go until the six months are up. Fighting him is so exhausting and in the end, it only gives me more pain and sadness. I am strong enough to survive these months, I know I am. I might as well make the best out of a bad situation.

"I guess I do owe you my first dance. You paid a fortune for it after all." He takes my hand and leads me back towards the party. A rendition of Frank Sinatra It's Got to Be You plays loudly through the evening air. Christian leads me on the black and white checkered dance floor and lowers his hand to my lower back, turns me around so I am facing him. He then pulls me against his chest and we start to move to the rhythm of the music. People are staring at us like we are some curiosity, it makes me feel uncomfortable and I almost stumble over my own feet. Christian pulls me closer and smiles at me.

"Ignore them. You are dancing with me." He says while moving us gracefully over the dance floor. It goes so smoothly and soon I am enjoying myself and forget the starring people. It is just him, me, and Franky. Like we are stuck in our own little bubble. The idea is disturbing. Soon the song ends, and we are interrupted by his father.

"I would love to have a dance with your date Christian." He says while smiling brightly at me.

"So do all the other men here dad." He replies annoyed.

"They are not your father." Carrick says good-natured and winks at me. Christian sighs audibly and scolds at his father.

"One dance. That is all you get." He snaps and storms off to the side of the dance floor leaving me a little stunned. Why on earth is he so angry?

Carrick takes my hand and smiles down at me.

"You must forgive Christian. He never brought a woman in public before, hence he is displaying some caveman tendencies."

I am baffled. Sure, I never saw pictures of him with a date before, but I never thought he had not taken anyone out before. The girl that killed herself in his apartment, surely he must have taken her out?

"He hasn't?"

Carrick chuckles.

"No, you are the first. I know there was a girl he was seeing but that turned into a disaster after he broke up their relationship." He is quite for a moment before continuing. "He never took her out, we only found out that he was seeing her after she killed herself. It shook Christian up badly. My wife and I never thought Christian would have any kind of relationship after that. Seeing him with you is the first time I have ever seen him so in love. It is a true delight to see him like this."

My mind is numb, unable to process all this information. Christian is not in love with me. All we have is some strange sex filled arrangement for his sick pleasure. The idea that he loves me or I love him makes me nauseous. Love has nothing to do with what we have or do for that matter. How can his father even think that? Is that the reason the girl in his apartment killed herself? That he force her into a similar relationship I have with him now, used her, and then dumped her like yesterday's trash? And she could not handle it? The thought is chilling and I need to know more.

"He never told me anything about her." I reply softly.

"He never told us anything about her either. Christian is a very closed person. Grace and I adopted him when he was four. Grace was the attending physician when they brought him in. He was severely malnourished, abused and traumatized. He did not speak at all. We only had a vague idea how is life must have been with his birth mother. We tried to coax him out of his shell but he remained mute until he was seven. It was Mia, our youngest daughter that made him speak again. He loved her instantly; he still does."

Once again, I don't know what to say. I knew that he had a rough early childhood but I never expected anything like this. My stomach contracts and my heart aches from what I just heard. Not talking for three whole years? Holy shit! This is all so confusing, and at this moment, I wish that I had never received all this disturbing information. I cannot afford to care for him. Getting through this ordeal unscathed means locking up my feelings and being dispassionate about him. Deep down, I want him to be an asshole to me so I can stay angry and aloof with him and keep him at arm's length. It keeps everything clear and once my contract is up, I can leave without feeling a sense of guilt or worse, loss. But I have no defense against this. The song ends and Christian immediately cuts in again.

Carrick chuckles again.

"Have fun son. Ana, it was lovely talking to you I hope to see you again soon." He bows gracefully and moves away leaving me alone with Christian again.

"What did you discuss with my father?" He immediately demands.

"He said he was happy because you appear to be happy. That he had never seen you like this before" I mutter absentmindedly still reeling from Carrick confessions.

"Did he now?"

"Yes."

"And did he tell you what he meant by that?"

"Just that you are a very closed person, that you never brought a date to these events. Not even the girl that killed herself."

He stiffens and glares at me.

"I never had a relationship with Leila. She was a submissive. I never wanted anything more from her than her submission." He growls.

"But you want the same from me. You made me sign that contract." I blurt out.

He looks at me bemused.

"You are different Ana. What I have with you is completely different from what I had with Leila."

"How so? She signed a contract just like I did. Did your force her, too?"

A scowl appears on his face and his eyes turn to slits.

"Leila was a willing sub. I never forced anyone into a 'relationship', for lack of a better word, with me before you came along. All my previous partners have been very willing in spite of what you might think. Quit making me out to be some devil." He seethes and strengthens his hold on my arms to almost painful. I can handle the way he is now much better than when he is vulnerable because it reminds me what he really is and hardens my heart towards him.

"I am sorry." I mutter not wanting to anger him further.

"You should be." He mutters petulantly. "You bewitched me, Anastasia. These feeling I have for you; they scare the hell out of me. They make me do things I never dreamed of doing."

His words scare the hell out of me. He told me before he had feelings for me but I don't dare to contemplate on what he means with that. Feelings should not be part of the relationship we have.

"You are in love with me?" I blurt out.

He looks at me surprised, pained even.

"I am incapable of loving anyone. I don't know what these feelings are I have for you. All I know is that they are deep, alien and troubling."

"Then let them go. Feelings should have no part in our arrangement."

He scoffs loudly.

"Your naivety is both frightening and disarming Anastasia. If I could let them go, I would have done so a long time ago. They are a plague for both of us. Like I said I cannot let you go, Ana." He sounds sad, ashamed even.

The song ends and he leads me off the dance floor effectively ending our conversation and leaving my feelings in disarray again. The rest of the evening is spent talking to other guests and watching the firework display at midnight. I am incredibly tired when we finally get home. Christian excuses himself, saying he has some work to do. He does expect me to sleep in his bed like every night I have been here. I am just glad I have some time to myself even though I am too tired to think about everything that happened today.

The weekend goes by in a blur Christian has spent most of his time hauled up in his office, and I took the time to explore the house and the meadow surrounding it. I enjoy being her on my own without him. It gives me time to think and process all that has happened, and I have come to the conclusion that whatever happened to him as a child should not concern me. After the contract is up, I will be gone from here and he will no longer be my problem. Being attached to him or developing sympathy for him will only hurt me in the end.

Monday morning comes all too soon, and Christian makes small talk with me over breakfast. It is another novel thing he has been doing since the ball and it's unsettling because it seems such a normal thing to do. I have to keep reminding myself that nothing about this situation is normal.

When I get to work, the entire department seems to be in disarray. Emily is going through boxes of paperwork that seem to have dropped here from the archives.

"What's going on?" I ask a stressed Emily.

"Mr. Grey has ordered a complete audit of all his companies. It is freaking insane. We all had to come in an hour earlier. Didn't Miller call you?"

"No, he didn't. I just thought we had to be in at 9." I say a little miffed. Why didn't he call me?

Emily shrugs. "Well, maybe he forgot you." She says but does not sound convinced of her own explanation.

I walk towards my desk and boot up my computer to check my work schedule. It all fun relatively light work. It makes me feel bad I want to help out preparing for the audit. An uneasy feeling creeps over me. Christian! He must have interfered! How dare he! He knows how hard I have it already. That people are gossiping about me behind my back. This will only add fuel to the fire. They will all think I am his girlfriend and that he is giving me preferential treatment. I am so furious at him I want to storm up to the twentieth floor and really give him a piece of my mind. But I know it won't help. I quickly go through my tasks so I can go and help out Emily. Who is extremely grateful for all the help. The task is time-consuming and soon we are engrossed in the work.

"Miss Steele." Sawyer calls me and I look up from my desk.

"Here. Mr. Grey insists that you eat. It has been way past lunchtime." He says handing me a Chicken Caesar salad and some garlic bread. I have been so busy that I hardly have noticed the time. I am shocked to see that it's already 13:30. I should have figured that Grey was keeping an eye on me, I think sourly.

"Thanks." I mutter and take the bread and salad from him.

"You're welcome." He nods and walks away. I feel people staring at me again and it's making me feel uncomfortable. I take my food and move to Emily's desk offering to share my lunch with her which see gladly accepts. It is nice talking to Emily; she is so down to earth and genuinely friendly. It is past five when we are done for today and Sawyer comes to pick me up. Christian is already in the car when Sawyer opens the car door for me.

"Good evening Anastasia." Christian asks good humored.

"Good evening." I murmur.

He grabs my hand and gently rubs it.

"How was your day?"

"Fine. Busy the audit you ordered has the entire department in a twist." I pause for a second not knowing if I should confront him about what happened today. "Did you ask Mr. Miller to take it easy on me?"

He looks confused for a moment.

"No, I did not ask him to do anything regarding your work. I promised you that I won't interfere with your work and I find it offensive that you think that I broke my word." He says tersely.

"I just thought.."

"You thought wrong." He snaps before continuing in a more conciliatory tone. "Why did you think I would break my promise to you? Have I given you any indication that I would do that?"

"Uhm, no not really. It is just that Mr. Miller called everybody in at 7:30 this morning except for me and when I got to work this morning only nice easy tasks where on my work schedule. It set me apart from my colleagues and I know they are still gossiping about me behind my back. I don't want to be regarded as the 'lazy princess'. " I try to explain my feelings as best as I can.

"I see. I don't know why Miller did this. But I will talk to him and order him to treat you like anyone else."

"Thank you."

When we get to the mansion dinner is already waiting and Christian talks about a telecom company he is taking over and that he might need to travel to New York after Christmas. He expects me to accompany and assist him.

"What about my internship?" I ask a little irritated so much for not interfering with my work.

"What about it? You accompanied me to Italy this is exactly the same thing. When I need extra assistance I am free to ask any employee I want for that assistance. There is nothing abnormal about that."

I realize that he is kind of right. I did go to Italy with him and debating this with him has no use and will only antagonize him.

After dinner, he excuses himself telling me he has some work to do. I am in no mood to read and decide to indulge in some channel surfing before taking a long hot shower. The shower door opens and a cold draft of wind chills the damp skin on my back. I turn around and stare right into Christian"s eyes. The look in his eyes is feral and intense. He is stark naked his penis stands long and erect against his perfectly sculptured abdomen and he is breathing heavy making his chiseled chest heave. I desperately try to swallow down the lump that has formed in my throat. He takes the washcloth from my hand and squeezes some bath foam on it.

"Turn around." He hoarse whispers and I tense up when I feel his cock pressed against my thigh. I know he is very much aroused and we have not had sex in weeks. He promised me he would not initiate anything until we knew each other better and I felt more comfortable with the situation but right now I am not sure if he will keep his word.

'Relax Anastasia. I just want to shower with you. I am not going to try and have sex with you." He says tersely.

"You wouldn't?" I reply sounding surprised even to my own ears.

"I told you I wouldn't yet. Not until we know each other a little better and you feel a little more comfortable with our arrangement. Truth or dare remember?"

Right truth or dare. Does he expect me to ask another question? I turn around and look at the small round scars marring his chest. Carrick's words from last weekend invade my mind. What happened to him before he got adopted? Is whatever happened to him part of the reason why he is so fucked up now other than what that horrible woman did to him? I realize that I really need to know this, maybe if I do I will be able to understand him better and it will make this entire ordeal easier for me to handle.

"Truth or dare?" I ask hoping he will bite.

He chuckles a little.

"No Anastasia, It's my turn now I believe you asked me a question already the last time we played this game. I want to know more about you."

"Me?" I shriek. I don't want to talk about me he knows enough already.

"It's only fair. Quid pro quo Anastasia."

"There is not much to tell." I say a little defensively.

"I'll be the judge of that. So what is it going to be Truth or Dare."

I could just pick dare but I already know that I won't like what he will let me do. I sigh and look away from him.

"Truth." I whisper and he smiles at me.

"When your stepfather and mother divorced you went to live with your mom and new step dad only to return to your stepfather in Montesano eight weeks later. Why? Remember Anastasia be truthful with me like I have been with you." He warns and my stomach plummets.

Anything but that question that forces me to deal with those dark six months my mother married that asshole. I suppressed those horrible memories for years and right now they are coming back in full force. Ray took care of everything and saved mom and me without question or hesitation or obligation. He never judged or questioned mom; he was a rock when we both threatened to drown. He never made me talk about what happened but here I am in front of a man demanding to know this deep dark secret and who is by all accounts a similar monster like number three was. The irony of it all is almost painful.

"Well?" He asks impatiently.

I sigh and knowing that lying to him is not an option. He will probably know if I do that. He told me the painful truth about him and that bitch troll I think I owe him just as much courtesy. I sigh again and mentally prepare myself.

"Alright... I'll answer your question." I finally reply desperately trying to reign in my raging emotions that are threating to overwhelm me. "Stay strong Ana. Stay strong!"

Like always we (My beta and I)try to do or best to rid this of all grammar and spelling errors sometimes we miss things. Our sincere apologies for that.