CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO:
"Come on let's get out of here." Christian says and we make our way to the car. However, before I get into the car I take a good last look at the bar and my heart breaks for my father. I wish things could be different. With one last look behind me I get into the car.
Once I'm sitting inside Christian pulls me closer to him and kisses my head. "Is it alright if I ask now?"
I nod my head.
"How are you feeling?" he asks the question I know he has been avoiding asking. I know he is trying to give me some space.
"I'm worried about my father." I admit wishing I hadn't agreed to the trip to London already. "Perhaps I shouldn't go to London with you and stay with him."
"I think he just needs time right now. I paid one of the bartenders to take him home. He will be safe."
"I know you're right and thank you for doing that, but it doesn't make this easier. I want him to be okay. I know it's going to be a while until we can both be alright again."
"How about for the rest of tonight we don't think about that?"
"That sounds good to me." I fake a smile and lean my head back. "I still want to go to London with you." I whisper to Christian and he smiles at me. "Will you show me the city?"
"Of course baby."
I weakly smile at him again and turn my gaze back to the window. We stay quiet for a while until the quietness gets to be too much for me.
"Do you believe in Heaven?" I let the words leave my mouth needing to know his view of this subject.
"What?" he asks confused.
"Do you believe that our souls get to rest in a peaceful place?"
"To be honest yes, I believe we all have a different type of Heaven. One where our loved ones can meet us at when they are ready. I think your mother is in a beautiful place right now waiting for the day you two can see each other."
As I listen to Christian tears form in my eyes and I can't hold it in. I wrap myself around him as best as I can in this car, "I love you so much."
"I love you too Anastasia."
"Thank you for the beautiful words." I kiss his cheek.
"Anything for you sweetheart." Christian inserts the key to the engine and we leave this awful place.
Christian opens the car door for me as we arrive back at the house. I'm feeling worried for my father. I have never seen him in this much pain before, but he has never gone through something as hard as losing the woman he loved. I attempt to make up a plan to help him through this awful time. Yet, I come empty handed. I'm going through the same thing and I don't know how to help myself.
"He is going to be fine." Christian tells me as if he can read my troubled mind, "He needs time and you know he didn't mean what he said."
"You're right. I'm just really worried." I whisper. My family has forever been destroyed and I'm afraid for what the next few years will mean for me and my father. My mother was the one who kept this family strong.
"I know you are and I understand. However, you need to let time heal the wounds."
I go to say something but a single yan escapes my mouth instead and Christian takes my hand squeezing it tightly, "Lets get you inside and to bed."
"Great, but..." I stop myself.
"But?"
"I'm starving." I admit feeling embarrassed.
"How about we make Luca hit a mcdonalds? Maybe a greasy burger?" he laughs and it is music to my sad ears.
"He won't mind?" I ask feeling like we are intruding into Luca's life.
"He won't mind, don't worry baby." He kisses my temple.
"Great...I'm starving." I admit feeling embarrassed. "I think I will have a strawberry milkshake too."
"I'm glad you are getting your appetite back." he smiles at me.
"Come on Mr. Smiley let's get inside." I stick my tounge out at him. It has been a long exhausting day. All I want to do is take a hot shower, eat and sleep. I patiently wait behind Christian as he enters the key into the door. However before we can even enter the house a shadow coming from the side of the house scares me.
"Christian." I call his name before he walks into the house in the hopes that he will tell me I'm imagining things, that the lack of sleep is not making me see what I think I'm seeing. Yet, soon the shadow becomes clear and I'm surprised at who is standing in front of me.
"Paisley" I ask shocked.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you." She says and I can't help but notice how different she looks. She is definitely not the happy, bubbly girl I remember.
"What are you doing here?" I ask curious.
"I was wondering if we could talk?" She asks me.
"How did you know I'm staying here?" I ask needing to know how she found out.
"I followed Christian's car from the funeral home." she whispers. "I just need a minute of your time."
"I'm not sure that is a good idea right now." I angrily spit out.
"I tried calling, but you aren't answering me." She whispers again and she seems troubled.
"Can you blame me? After what you did, I don't really have anything to say to you."
"Please Anastasia."
I stare at her and I want to say no. Yet, I nod my head in agreement.
"Come in." I tell her but Christian looks at me with a worried look not moving from the spot he is, which is blocking the entrance. I know he worries about her.
"Anastasia are you sure this is what you want or need right now?"
I touch his hand and nod, "It will be fine."
"Fine, but I'm staying in the room."
I love that he has not left my side since my mother died and even though we had problems he has been able to put them aside to be here for me. But I need to do this alone, "How about you go see about the McDonald's."
Christian doesn't move, "Anastasia-"
"Please." I say and that finally makes him leave.
"Have a seat Paisley." I tell her and I'm surprised at how calm I am being. I think after losing my mother I know that life is not guaranteed and you should not live with resentment.
"Thanks, this house is amazing." She sits on the couch and I sit on the opposite side. "Anyways first of all I'm sorry about your mom, I know I can't possibly understand what your going through-"
"Thanks." I quietly say not wanting to get into that right now.
"If you need anything let me know," She tells me and that irritates me.
"Paisley please stop acting as if you are my friend." I hiss, after all she did betray me.
"I was your best friend Anastasia." she sadly tells me.
"But you aren't anymore." I add.
"I know and that hurts me. I want to explain everything to you."
"Actually I'm really tired. I think this was a mistake-" I stand up and I see Paisley panic. "I need you to leave now."
"No. I'm not going until you listen to me." she raises her voice and that has Christian rushing into the room.
"You heard her, you need to leave now." Christian tells her, but she isn't moving.
I walk past her in my way to the stairs needing to get to the room not wanting to deal with her anymore.
"Henry had a sex tape of me and him." paisley blurs out and I turn around horrified.
