Chapter 7 – Ann's Past Part II

"I hate him, I hate him," Ann sobbed into Liam's shoulder. When she got control of herself, she continued.

"Mother and I both hated him, and I refused to call him my father, from then on I refer to him as he." Ann looked pointedly at Liam, making sure he knew what she was talking about.

"I didn't know why we put up with him; perhaps it was because we had nowhere else to go. One day, almost a year after his trip, a merchant came knocking on our door. He was away on some business trip as usual. The merchant told us that we had two weeks to pack and leave.

"Mother and I were bewildered, and she demanded to know why. The merchant held up a contract and told us that our estate was sold, and he was to inform the Lady and her daughter to leave.

"Mother was fuming of course. 'How dare he sell the estate without telling us! When he comes back, I'll give him a good talking to,' she paced while I watched her, worried. I was worried because I knew his temper. Mother would never win any argument because he was never reasonable and resorted to violence. If she tried to argue, she would end up hurting herself.

"So we waited for his return, Mother trying to be brave and me trying to hold her back. We packed like the merchant told us and got ready to leave, because the estate was already sold."

Ann paused and took a sip of warm water.

"But he never came back. He just disappeared. We discovered too late that his stuff was gone. At first I was elated to be rid of him. There would be no more nights shivering of fear and no more pain, both physical and mental. It would be just the two of us.

"Then I was afraid. Where would we go? Mother's parents were deceased, and her other family members lived far away. I knew that Mother would never ask our neighbours and friends because she still had her pride as a lady. I also wondered what would we do for money? Father took the money from the estate as well as the most precious jewellery. The furniture and decorations were sold with the castle; therefore they belonged to the new owner. He didn't leave us a penny."

Ann clenched her fists and fought back angry tears. Liam watched her silently, he didn't know what to do or say. He realized that by asking her to tell him her story, he was making her remembering painful things that she may never want to bring up again. So he spoke up, "You don't have to continue if you don't want to."

Ann shook her head, "Since I'm telling you my story, you might as well know everything." She closed her eyes and continued on.

"Mother was so brave. I admire her a lot. She took charge of the situation. When we had to leave, we rode our horses to the nearest city, Meran. At the market there, we sold our horses and personal items such as Mother's jewellery that he didn't take and our fancier dresses. With the money, we could at least afford a few nights' housing and food. Mother wanted to sell my flute as well, since it would bring a lot of money. But I argued that my flute was a gift from my best friend and I could not bear to sell it. In the end, I won, but I had to promise to let her sell it if we desperately needed the money.

"Mother found work at a small restaurant in Meran as a waitress. I was only ten, but I had to work too because Mother's job wasn't enough for us to eat and to pay the rent of our small house. My first paying job was to run small errands, such as getting ingredients from the market, helping the cook stir the soup, bring messages, etc.

"We lived there for two years. Since I was older, I sometimes washed the dishes in addition to my errands. I was somewhat happy. I was rid of my fear of him, and I finally made friends my age.

"One day I was out in the market doing some errands, I spotted someone that looked awfully familiar, but I didn't pay much attention. That night, I was in the kitchen when Mother went to take orders. I saw her stop dead and her back stiffened. I walked over to her and asked her what was wrong. She didn't say anything, just stared at something. Before I could see what she was staring at, she whirled around back to the kitchen and pulled me with her. She said something to her boss, he nodded, and we left the restaurant. Mother pulled me into our small bedroom and stared to pack. She told me to pack as well. I was bewildered, but I knew better to ask questions as I saw the determined expression in her eyes. When I finished packing, I dared to ask Mother what was the matter.

" 'He's here,' she had whispered, 'We have to go tomorrow morning.' At the time, I didn't realize what was going on, but the urgency in her voice told me to do what she said.

"The next morning, true to her word, Mother and I left Meran on foot. I didn't know where we were going, but I trusted Mother. We didn't use the road, instead, we used the small trail in the woods parallel to the road.

"It took us five days to get to the next town. When our spirits were low, I'd play my flute. Somehow, the music was able to sooth us.

"The town, or village rather, that we came to was called Wates. Within a few days, Mother was able to find us a job at a small inn. I became acquainted with the village kids, and I found them really nice.

"Unfortunately, we had to leave again after only seven months, because of him. So it was like that for the rest of my teenage. We'd go to a place, find a job, and when I finally settled in and made friends, we had to leave again because of him.

"I don't know why he keeps on following us, but he somehow always finds us, and we have to leave.

"And today, I discovered that he is here. He is the guest of honour, the Duke of Ashcroft. Yes," Ann said to answer Liam's confused look, "He is now a duke, with tons money and countless mistresses."

"Wait," Liam interrupted as something hit him, "Does this mean you have to go soon?"

Ann nodded and said softly, "I don't want to, but I'll have to, for Mother's sake if not for my own. She is so brave, my mother. I have to protect her the way she protected me."

Liam nodded understandingly. He didn't want her to leave anymore than she did herself. He had become quite attached to this raven-haired, fiery-eyed girl. It seemed to him the she had always been confident and self-assured, but the way she looked now was completely opposite. There was pain in her eyes, and tears trickled down her cheek.

Ann saw him looking at her and knew what he was thinking. She had put up a fiery and confident exterior to hide her true feelings, her fears. She had to. There were things that she didn't tell Liam. It was always hard for her to leave a place because it took her a long time to make new friends. So she finally decided when she was thirteen that since they were going to leave anyway, it was better not to make friends at all, that way, it would save me the pain of saying goodbye. She was always alone, with her flute and her drawings. Those kids thought her weird, so they shunned her. She didn't care, she didn't need any companionship, or she thought she didn't. The more they ignored her, the more she hated people. But inside, she was hurting, she was longing for someone to understand, but she didn't know why she chose Liam.

"I hate the man who is supposed to be my father," Ann whispered. Because of him, Mother and I were driven out of our own home. Because of him, we had to move all the time and I shut myself from companionship. And because of him, I have to leave again.

Liam looked at Ann, his heart went out to her. She had been through a lot, and he felt guilty that he had taunted her.

She looks so sad, yet she is so brave and beautiful, thought Liam.

Before he knew what he was doing, he lowered his face towards her and their lips met.

~*~

yeah yeah...i know i'm evil Muahahahaha (i love my evil laugh!) at least i didn't take that much time in updating.

now for my reviewers, THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!

naughty little munchkin: i know their relationship is developing quite fast, but it's part of the story, trust me.
Brink1: i'm actually planning to weave sleeping beauty in here, but it's not gonna be what you expect. they will go on an adventure in the next chapter or so.
kaio: no, ann's dad didn't kill her mom, but you'd already know that since you read the chapter
EvenSong: well i updated sooner than the last time.
Olenochka: yeah i know i'm evil *flashes bright fangs*
Amadea: here you go
cyjj: thanks