But Ana was still frozen at her spot… she was so afraid.
Christian's attention was solely directed at Ana, the world around him fading away completely. His focus was 100 % on her and only her at that moment, his heart beating wildly like it wanted to burst out of his chest. He was watching her every move. Her breathing, the way her heart rate had quickened, the look in her eyes, the way her knees were shaking… her body language was telling him more than words were able to.
Since he was ten years old, Christian had developed his senses; his hearing, eye sight and scent were very sensitive, let's say said senses were very heightened. It gave him the ability to smell, see and hear better— probably tenfold, compared to what other humans were capable of. It was the result of their family curse… all male descendants of the Niarxos family had those abilities. In time, Christian had managed to control those heightened senses, making him able to turn it off on command.
But at that very moment, Christian couldn't help it. He was using said senses to observe the young woman in front of him… Ana.
She was still frozen at her spot, making him wonder what she was thinking. Christian didn't know what was going through her pretty little head, but he had a feeling that it must be something big. From the way she was standing, Christian knew that if he didn't hold her up soon that she would sink to the ground.
For Ana, seeing him, clearly seem to be too much for her mind and heart to process. As Christian watched her, the wheels in his head kept turning. He never knew love—you know the kind of love you feel for one special someone. He never had those feelings, but his guts told him that these feelings that he had for Ana, was about to turn into just that— very soon. It frightened Christian though, but it also made him feel incredible.
At a certain point, Christian wanted to help Ana get through what she was going through at that moment, so he reached out to her. With his arm stretched out, the palm of his hand open, he looked at her with pleading eyes, asking her without words to take his hand.
'Take my hand. God, please. Let her take my hand in hers.' Christian prayed.
At that, a tear had escaped Ana's eye, knowing what he was asking of her. Ana wanted nothing more than to do as he asked, but she was torn. She knew that if she took that step, there was no turning back! Never before did she have such strong feelings for someone, until Christian came into her life. Fear struck her, when Ana realized that her past would probably haunt her always. But like Galya said; could she let Christian help her heal? She didn't know the answer to that question, but if she didn't take that chance. How will she find out?
Fear will always be there. Fear of getting hurt, fear to love again, fear to let someone into her heart, but fear shouldn't get in the way of what she wanted or needed. It exists so it can be overcome…
Suddenly, a sense of calmness took over her whole being. Knowing that Christian would be there for her to save her, to pick her up, when she needed him. She was still afraid, but at that moment, Ana decided to— to just take that risk…
While observing Ana, Christian at one point saw something in her pretty eyes. It looked like a spark of light, and in that moment, he knew that she had decided to let him in.
Ana slowly brought her hand closer to his. As the seconds passed, she brought her hand closer and closer… Her fingertips brushing against his, making an invisible force, a current go through both of their bodies.
'Grab my hand, please.' Christian prayed.
As their fingers finally collided, Ana and Christian's eyes both fluttered shut at the same time. It didn't matter where they were. It didn't matter to Ana anymore why he said Leila's name first. It didn't matter to Christian why Ana didn't visit him. All that mattered was the here and now.
She was here and he was here— together. No one said that life was easy, but if they just leaned on each other, life would be OK no matter what.
At one point, their fingers had locked together completely. They both opened their eyes, losing themselves in each other's gaze. At that very moment, Ana and Christian had an understanding, even though words weren't used… Words weren't necessary at this point, no not at all, because the strong connection between them was all that mattered.
XXX XX XXX XX
From afar, Galya watched the two young people. A smile crept on her face, knowing that everything was coming together in its place, like it was destined to be. The curse is real. And it can be broken. Deep in her heart, the old woman knew that the path that Ana and Christian just had chosen was going to be rough— really rough, it was going to be painful and very hard. Obstacles were going to make it very difficult for the two to heal each other, but… Galya had a feeling the both of them were strong enough to overcome all the obstacles ahead. One of the most crucial obstacles, would be his need to protect her. Galya knew that Christian was going to do everything in his power to protect Ana. Even if it meant, protecting Ana from himself and the curse. Even if it meant that he was going to let her go at one point to do so. Even if it meant, that Christian was going to sacrifice his own happiness for Ana. But they will overcome said obstacles; that much Galya knew in her heart. At times, Christian was going to have to pick Ana up, and other times the other way around.
It will be hard, but it will be worth it…
XXX XX XXX XX
Ana and Christian still had their fingers locked together, as tears welled up in Ana's eyes. She smiled through her tears and so did he.
Standing in front of each other, Ana whispered. "Do you know what I wanted to do, when I saw you in the hospital?"
He shook his head at that.
"I had the urge to— to kiss your hand and your cheek." Ana said, her eyes locked on his.
At that, Christian's heart skipped a beat.
He desperately wanted to pull her in an embrace, but instead he asked. "Why didn't you?"
"I was afraid. Afraid of so many things. Afraid that…" she began, but was cut off by someone.
"Sorry, sir. Sorry Miss Ana. But there's someone here who wants to see y…" Calinico began, but was cut off by a loud squeal.
"Aaaahh!"
At that, Ana and Christian both turned around and saw Kate jump up and down, clapping her hands.
"Ana!" she shouted and hugged her best friend.
Christian still had Ana's hand in his, so he reluctantly let go.
After Kate got out of Ana's embrace, she turned to look at Christian, smiling widely. "Who is your gorgeous 'friend', Ana?" she asked and raised her eye brow.
"Oh! Uhmm, Christian, this is Kate, my best friend. Kate this is Christian, our host." Ana said, introducing the two.
At that, Christian shook Kate's hand and welcomed her. Kate was acting her usual self; talking like a chatterbox, telling Christian how beautiful Tinos is. He listened to Kate, but now and again he caught Ana's gaze and just… stared into her gorgeous, sparkling eyes.
Ana also listened to Kate, and answered the many questions she had for her. But she also couldn't help searching and catching Christian's gaze now and again. At that, Ana's stomach did their infamous flip flops, while her cheeks reddened a bit.
"OK, what's going on between you two?" Kate asked all of a sudden.
At that, the 'spell' between her and Christian broke. "Huh? What? What do you mean, Kate? What are you talking about?" Ana asked, almost tripping over her own words, while she nervously ran a hand through her shiny hair.
At that, Kate's eyes darted from Ana to Christian and then back to Ana, while raising an eyebrow. "I don't know, it's kinda hard to explain… But I get this vibe… like this sexual tension between you two… it's giving me goosebumps!" Kate replied without any shame.
"Kate!" Ana exclaimed, while giving her best friend a look— Ana was not amused.
"What?! I am just an objective bystander, and that's what I am noticing. Just stating the obvious here!" she retorted.
Christian began to chuckle at that, while Ana placed her hands on her hips and furrowing her brows.
"Don't frown like that, Ana! It's gonna give you premature wrinkles." Kate simply stated.
"Kate!" Ana exclaimed, warning her with her eyes, while dragging her best friend away.
At that, Christian burst out into laughter, while following the two, his eyes landing on Calinico.
The older man shook his head at that, and smiled. "Oh. It looks like Ana's friend is going to make their visit much more interesting, sir."
Christian smiled at that, and followed the two young women out the museum.
~ The next day ~
At the moment, Kate and Ana were lying on the beach, enjoying the sun and sea.
"So… where's Christian?" Kate asked, while looking over at her best friend.
Ana had her eyes closed and her sunglasses on.
Ana let out a breath and replied. "He is at the villa, but also working part time."
"Working?! But he is still walking with crutches! Why does he work?! Shouldn't he rest in bed?" Kate asked, a bit outraged.
"That's the downside of owning and managing a huge empire. No matter what, you have this responsibility and obligation to keep it standing." Ana said.
"That sucks!" Kate replied.
"Yeah, I know." Ana said, and sighed deeply.
"So… he has invited us to have dinner tonight?" Kate asked, very excited.
"Yup." Ana answered.
"I love his house. It's like from a fairy tale." Kate said, her voice dreamy.
"Yeah, I like it too." Ana softly said.
"So... you do like him, don't you Ana?" she asked.
"Yes, I do."
"Then why don't you… do something about it." Kate suggested.
Ana laughed and took off her glasses." I need some time. Some more time, OK?"
"OK." Kate said, not wanting to press the matter, while looking up at the clear, blue sky.
Suddenly Kate sat up and exclaimed." I so want you to break the curse, Ana! God. That would be amazing. You having the power to liberate the Niarxos clan from their family curse."
At that, Ana sat up with a start, her brows furrowed. "What? What are you talking about?"
"You know, what Calinico told me about 'the curse' and that you look like Agathe. I don't believe in curses and stuff, but I can have an open mind about it." Kate simply said and nodded.
"Oh, come on. Curses? Really, Kate?" Ana said in a mocking voice.
"Yes, curses really! Oh, don't be like your dad, saying that curses are not real. The way Calinico summed it all up, makes me believe that it could be possible. "Kate replied.
"Oh, come on." Ana replied, attempting to convince her best friend otherwise.
"Yes, I wanna believe. Don't you? Agh! Maybe I'm just eager to believe, because I'm a hopeless romantic. I've gotta admit though, it would be awesome and badass if in the near future I can tell stories to people about my best friend who was tangled in some real life curse, and that she broke it! Oh, come on, Ana. Admit it, wouldn't that be awesome?" Kate said in one breath.
Ana doesn't know why or what Kate said or maybe the tone she had said those words, but that made something in Ana's head click! All of a sudden Ana was reminded of something… Christian?! That night of the attack! That night when she was attacked by that creepy man. Between the time that he pushed Ana against the tree and the time that she lost consciousness, she... she heard a beast or was it a wolf growl… but before that growl, Ana thought that someone said a name... was it Jeremy? No. Jordan? No. Yorgi? Or... Yorgos?
'Who in the hell is Yorgos?!' was what went through Ana's head at that very moment.
Note: Ooooh! Will Ana put 2 and 2 together?
Will she ask Christian or Calinico about the name? Boy, it's gonna get messy if she does, because Ana is still in the dark about Christian's cousin.
What did you think of the chapter? I hope you enjoyed.
Tell me what you think, and thank you in advance!
And of course, I cannot say it enough, THANK YOU for the reviews and AWESOME support, you all! Till later chapters…
J
