Author's note: Bonus chapter! I need to show you how grateful I feel for all of you, for your reviews, favorites and follows. I saw on Facebook that a lot of writers I like are writing lest because they feel no one reads their stories. I think sometimes we are more interest in the story, that we forget that there are people who expend hours writing, that's why your comments encourage us to keep going. I have a lot of free time in my hands right now, so I plan to keep the constant updates and a few bonus chapters, so I won't abandon the story. Let me know how you feel, and I try to respond to your messages and reviews.
Chapter 6
Ana and I are in the SUV on the way to my apartment. She still has some tears running down her face, I can see her in the reflection of the window. I want to comfort her, but I don't know how, I really need to work on my social skills, she already said she is interested in being my friend, I should be able to say something that will make her feel better.
We get to Escala and Taylor is with us in the elevator.
"So, you live in the penthouse?". Ana is the one to break the silence.
"I do. I really liked the place when I bought it, but now it just feels kind of lonely".
We reach the penthouse and Taylors ask us to wait. I know he is going to check the place, even though Reynolds was here watching.
"Why is he checking your apartment?".
"Is just a precaution. A year ago someone got inside. Since then we have to implement other security protocols".
Stupid Leila, she really messes me up. I look like a paranoid.
After Taylor give us the all clear, I lead Ana to the kitchen. She looks at the place in awe. I know is aesthetically pleasing, I bought really nice and expensive things, but they don't make me feel good anymore.
"Can I get you something to drink? I have really good wine, or maybe a beer? perhaps you want something stronger?".
I know I need something stronger.
"I will love something stronger", she says and I turn to my bar to see what can I offer her.
"But maybe a drink wouldn't be the best for the baby, you know". And she giggles.
How stupid am I? Of course she can't drink! Well, at least I make her smile.
"Shit, I'm so sorry, Ana. I don't know what was I thinking. Let me check the fridge, I'm sure I have something whit out alcohol in it".
She walks to the window.
"I have juice, ice water, some ginger ale…".
"I'll take the ginger ale, it helps me with nausea".
I turn to look at her and she has one hand over her belly. I really haven't been paying attention to her belly, ask me about her ass and I can probably talk about how perfect it is for an hour, but she doesn't look pregnant to me.
I get our drinks and go to her.
"Do you want to sit outside? I have a sitting area in the balcony".
"I don't think I can handle it. The heights and I don't get along really well".
We sit on the couch and we can still see the beautiful view from here.
"I never really asked you, but how far along are you?".
"Well, at my last doctor appointment I was 10 weeks, and that was two weeks ago, so twelve. I don't really feel it yet, like the changes in my body. But I wish I could say that about nausea. Those are real".
"You don't really look pregnant".
"I don't know when I'm supposed to start showing, the doctor said every woman is different".
And then, there was silence. It's not awkward but is there.
"I don't really know how to thank you for everything you've done for me. I know Elliot asked you to, but I really appreciate it".
"You don't have to thank me for anything, as I said to you, I really want to be your friend. I don't have many friends and don't tell him, but I think Elliot is my best friend, so you can see why I really need another, so technically you are helping me".
She smiles again.
"So, you're saying you are the one who should be thanking me?".
"I guess I should".
We laugh at that. Ana's phone starts to ring and she answers it.
"El?…you're already done?…yes, that good… if you're sure I can keep my stuff there, then yes, take everything there, I think I have most of my clothes on Christian's car, I'm going to need to go and look for my computer and a couple of things I'm going to need, but I can come back for the furniture and my books later…Can you pick me up? That way I can go with you and look for my stuff…oh, really? Ok, I'll wait for you here. Thank you", Ana hangs up the phone.
"El said they're finished, he's going to come with some of the bags so I can look for some stuff, while the other guys take my things to storage", she tells me.
"Well, I hope he doesn't forget to take your bed to his place, you can't keep sleeping in his couch".
"I didn't sleep in his couch last night, he convinces me to take his bed. That's one of the reasons why he wanted to go pick up my things, so we bout could sleep well tonight".
"I'm glad to know my brother remembered his manners".
"He did. El is really good to me. But he won't be taken in my bed to his house, I just want to pick up some close and a few items I will need to work for now. The rest of my things can stay here until I come back for them".
"Come back for them? Where are you going?".
"I'm going back to Montesano".
Fuck me.
"What? Montesano?".
"My dad lived in Montesano. His house is there, his workshop, all of his things. He let me every single thing when he died. I haven't been there in six months. My dad died last month and I haven't been there to see the house and take care of all of his things. I don't have a job anymore, I don't have a house, I have a baby on the way and a lot of decisions to make".
"That's not going to change no matter where you go. I'm sure Elliot will let you stay with him for as long as you need. You can even stay here, I have a lot of rooms, you can decorate as you wish, or I can help you find your own place".
I'll do anything in order for her to stay, I need to know what these feelings are.
"El said the same thing, he even offered your house and your parents house. And I thank you bout, but I need to do things my own way. I need to take care of my dad's things and figure at what to do with my life. I need to do things by myself, and especially think and decide about the baby. I need some quiet place. I'll be fine there".
"Won't you be alone?".
"I will, but maybe that's a good thing for me. I'm always with someone, I been so afraid of being alone, that I was with the wrong people. That's the main reason I was with Ethan in the first place".
"So, we became friends and now you run? I must be doing something wrong…".
I understand why she wants to do all of those things, but why does she feel she has to go?
"We are friends, the fact that we won't be living in the same place doesn't mean we won't talk to each other often. Here, give me your phone".
I handle her my phone and she saves her number, then asks me to put my number on her phone.
"There, we can message each other".
I smile at that.
"Sir. Your brother is on his way up". Taylor interrupts us.
"Thank you, Taylor". He goes back to the security office and my brother walks out of the elevator.
"Hey, guys".
"How did it go? Was everything fine?", I ask Elliot.
"They pretty much ignore us while we take everything out. But when I was leaving Kate start to say some shit about me been only interested in Ana and playing with her. But she said she'll forgive me, that she and I should be together. I think that family its nuts. By the way, Sawyer saved Ethan's face. I was so ready to punch him, he kept talking about Ana and the baby on my way out. I don't think he's going to let this go, Banana".
"I know, I felt the same. On my way out I saw his face, I know he is going to keep insisting. I guess it's a good thing that I'm leaving".
"I think that's a reason for you to stay. What if he decides to go look for you in Montesano? You'll be alone", I say to her, hoping she'll reconsider and stay here.
"I doubt he'll go that far, besides, neither Kate or Ethan ever went to my dad's house, they don't know I'll be there, so I'll be fine".
"She has a point, dude. If she stays, they're going to look for her at my house. If she goes, she can have the peace she needs to think".
My stupid, stupid brother.
"My only concern it's your car. Ana, you can't take it to Montesano", Elliot tells her.
"The fuck you say? That is my car, I will take her. I'll need Wanda there".
"Your car it's not going to make it! It's so old! how long does it take you these days to get it to start?".
Ana stutters and looks pissed. She even pouts.
"Then how do you expect me to get there?".
"You can borrow my jeep".
"I can't do that, you have to work".
"You can take one of my cars", I interrupt the discussion.
"What?", Elliot asks.
"I have a lot of cars, Ana can take one. They are really safe, so you shouldn't have any problem with them. I saw your car, and I agree with Elliot, you need to be safe on the road".
"Thank you, Christian, but I can't take one of your cars. It doesn't feel right".
"Why not? What it wouldn't be right, it's if you go on your car and it broke down in the middle of the road, then Elliot and I would have to go get you, assuming you don't get in an accident. So, you can take my car, or I can get you a new one. When do plan on leaving?".
Surely I can get her a new car Monday morning, she can pick the color and I can make sure she has every safety item it will need.
"I want to get on the road today, I was planning to go for my things early and go. I still have a lot of time to get there at a reasonable hour".
Today?
"Why the rush?".
"I really need to think. I know I maybe sound stupid, but I feel everything it's happening so fast. I need to be away from Kate and Ethan, focus on myself".
"I think it's a good idea, Bro. I mean, I hate for her to go, but I prefer to know that she is in a safe place, over me looking for her around Seattle. We talk in the morning and I get her reasons".
"But, you'll be alone there".
"I'm not afraid of being alone for a time. Besides, I'm going to look for a job there, I really don't have an opportunity for a job here. I'm pretty sure I can go to neither the media or publishing places in Seattle".
"I can help you get a job here. I'm a big thing around here".
"I know, and I appreciate it. But, I'm a strong and independent woman, I haven't been that lately, I really need to find that part of me. I can depend on anyone".
I think she can feel my anxiety to the idea of her going away because she takes my hand.
"She's going to be fine, Bro, don't worry. I plan to visit her often, you can even come with me if you want, and she'll be coming often too, her doctor is here".
I feel so frustrated, but I can't think of a reason for her to stay here. After more talk, we go down to the garage to pick Ana's bags from my SUV and for me to show her my cars. I offer her one of my SUV's. She doesn't want to, but I don't really give her another choice.
We take all of the bags from my car and put them in hers while she checks the things Elliot brought. While she does that, I'm thinking of a way to propose her to take Sawyer with her.
"Christian, I want to thank you for helping Ana and me so much. I know you really didn't have to, but thank you", Elliot puts his hand out and I shake it.
"You don't have anything to thank, Elliot. I don't know why, but I really care for Ana". I feel really awkward confessing that to my brother.
"I can see that, Bro. I think you're going to be a really good friend to her, but I also feel you have another kind of interest in Ana".
He looks at me and I refuse to look at him. How does he know? Is he jealous?
"Don't get me wrong, I think you and Ana can be really good together, but under other circumstances. She needs to figure out what to do with her life, and most important, her baby. You can't interfere with that. And you need to found your self again, you're like a lost dog on your personal life. I love you, bro, I will do anything to see you happy, but Ana is important to me too. She's alone in this world, I won't see her or her baby suffer. So, if you plan on something more with Ana, it's going to have to be serious and respectful. I'll do for Ana what I never did for Mia".
I finally look at him. I can see how serious he is. I turn and look at Ana, who's still looking through the bags.
"I'm sorry. I don't want you to feel like I'm trying to steal Ana from you".
"Steal her? Bro, she is a person, don't let her hear you say that", he laughs but becomes serious once again. "I love her like a sister. I don't know her for long, but I was there when she lost her dream job, when someone attacked her, when she felt so lost that she made bad choices, when he lost her father and now, when she is about to become a mom, even if she doesn't accept it yet. I want to see her happy as much as I want to see you happy".
"I want to see her happy more than I want to be happy. But I have to be honest with you, I don't know what I feel for her. I saw her over a year ago in my office and I was captivated by her beauty, I use to think of her all the time. Now that I'm close to her, I want to really get to know her. I don't feel ready to promise her the world, but I can be her friend".
"Well, maybe that's all she needs right now. Just, don't fuck it up, because if you do, I'm going to have to explain to mom why she will have only one son and one pain in the ass daughter".
"Speaking of the pain in the ass, are you ready to see Mia tomorrow?".
"Nope. I don't really plan on going to dinner tomorrow with the family. She hasn't apologies to me yet, did she apologized to you?".
"She hasn't. But mom called me, she said if we didn't go tomorrow, we can forget about them. So, yeah, I'm going. I'll try to avoid her, that's why you need to go, Lelliot, you can't leave me alone with her".
I use his nickname, I know he won't let me down.
"Fine".
After we shake hands on it, Ana comes close to us.
"I think I have everything, can you help me put it in the car? I'm not supposed to be carrying a lot of things".
Bingo!
"How do you plan on uploading the car once you get to Montesano?".
"I haven't thought of that".
"I can go with you, Banana!", Elliot says and smiles to me, I know he's trying to avoid dinner tomorrow.
"Elliot, we have dinner with mom tomorrow, you haven't seen her in a long time, right? I was going to propose Ana took Sawyer and Reynolds with her. They can drive and help her with the bags. They are part of my security, can check her place and make sure she'll be fine".
"I prefer that, I don't want Elliot missing out dinner".
"Perfect, let me get Taylor", I smile and Elliot looks like he will punch me as soon as Ana goes.
I tell Taylor the plan and 20 minutes later Sawyer and Reynolds are ready to go with Ana. Elliot helps Ana with the bags.
"Why are you taking your Game of Thrones DVDs?".
"I have to prepare myself for the next season!".
"What is Game of Thrones?", I ask them.
Ana looks at me with horror.
"Bro, if you want to be her friend, you're going to have to keep that comments to yourself. Game of Thrones is just the great show ever. You need to watch it".
"You really do".
I apologize and make a mental note to get that show.
Ana and Elliot hug each other, then Ana comes to me and extends her hand. I guess Elliot told her about my problem with touch.
"Thank you for everything, Christian. I hope we can talk often".
I take her hand and pull her to me. I just hug her and give her a kiss on her forehead.
"Goodbye, Ana".
"Goodbye, Christian".