And just as their lips were about to collide, she felt so dizzy and it went dark before her very eyes…
The second Ana blacked out, she fell into Christian's arms. He held her tightly and carried her to the couch. As Christian cradled her in his arms, he watched Ana and instantly felt a gnawing pain in his heart. God! She had completely stolen his heart. At that moment her lips were parted slightly and her heart was beating at a steady pace— Christian's eyes fluttered shut as he listened closely to that beautiful sound. The beating of her heart made him calm down, whenever he was on edge, it sounded so beautiful in his ears and yet he had to let her go. He wasn't allowed to keep this beautiful person… he had to let her go. At that, he listened to her wonderful heart beat one last time. As a huge lump formed in his throat, Christian felt an awful feeling cutting right through his heart. …
And even though he wanted to be selfish and desperately wanted to keep his whirlwind with him… he couldn't! The letter he read earlier, reminded him that Ana couldn't stay… As Christian took in the features of her face one last time, he caressed her pretty face. At that moment, Christian was aching to brush his lips onto hers, but he denied himself that act…
At that, he wrapped her in his arms again and stood up. Aftario had arrived with the limo, so he carried her out the front door. As he placed Ana inside the car, Aftario furrowed his brows, wondering why she was asleep around this time of day. 'Or was she unconscious?' he thought.
At that, he looked at Christian." Sir? Is Miss Ana alright?" he asked, genuinely concerned.
Christian only nodded at that, so the young man turned around and started the car without asking any further. He knew better than to be nosy, especially if it didn't regard him at all.
As Christian's eyes landed on Ana, he wondered why fate had to be so cruel. Finally, the woman who was destined to break 'The Family' curse arrived in Tinos and was willing to help him and what happens? He received a letter with threats!
Christian knew that the situation was very serious, so he decided to follow their instructions. He couldn't bear it if something awful ever were to happen to Ana. He loved her too much and needed her to be safe...
*FLASHBACK*
At the moment Christian was reading the letter for the tenth time, while Calinico walked towards him." Sir, what… what are you going to do?" he asked worriedly.
Christian let out a breathy sigh at that, and locked eyes with the older man." Ana cannot stay in Tinos anymore. She has to go home immediately." He whispered, his voice trembling.
"Who could have send you the letter, Sir?" Calinico asked, his brows furrowed.
At that, Christian shook his head." I don't know. I really don't." he replied, the tone of his voice sounded like he had given up.
Calinico looked at his boss at that." Sir… maybe it would be better if Miss Ana stayed, so you…" he began, but Christian cut him off.
"No, Calinico! I am not going to take that risk! It's Ana we are talking about, OK? I would rather follow their instructions than do my own thing, risking…" Christian said, his voice breaking, and covered his face with his hands. He then continued after a few moments." I can't risk it, Calinico. I would never forgive myself. No! My decision is final! She must go home…" As those words left his lips, it broke his heart into bits and pieces.
At that, the older man nodded, knowing that his boss was right.
"Sir, I am so sorry. And you were so close… Miss Ana was about to help you and try to… to break the family curse. And now…" Calinico said, his eyes welling up. He loved Christian so much and it pained him that he wasn't able to do more for his boss.
At that, Christian placed a hand on his shoulder." It's OK, Calinico. We… uhumm… I will be fine. I…" Christian replied, while attempting to swallow the huge lump in his throat.
"I am so sorry, Sir. You love Miss Ana deeply, don't you?" he asked.
Christian nodded at that." I guess it wasn't meant to be…" he replied.
"I am going to miss her so much." The older man stated, his voice trembling, while a tear escaped his eye.
"Me too, Calinico. I'm gonna miss her too." Christian whispered at that.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
When the limo came to a halt, Christian instantly looked out the window. They have arrived. At that, Christian traced Ana's face one more time with his fingers, lingering while taking in her beautiful features one last time. After that he took her in his arms, stepped out of the car and carried her towards the hanger.
It was then, when Elena and Calinico walked towards him.
"What happened to her, Christian?" Elena asked, genuinely concerned for Ana.
At that, Christian looked at his best friend." I wasn't able to convince Ana to leave… so uhmm… I put something in her beer." He began, and sighed deeply and then continued with his explanation." She was out within minutes and here we are now."
Elena's eyes widened at that." Christian, you drugged her?!" she shouted, and clenched her small hands into fists." What were you thinking?!"
She couldn't believe that he did that to Ana, shaking her head, as she gave Christian a disapproving look.
"Elena, I had no other choice… she wasn't cooperating. I'm sorry, but Ana left me no choice. She was being her stubborn self and was determined to stay here. Aagh, let's just bring her to safety, OK?" Christian said and walked towards the helicopter, while carrying Ana in his arms like she weight nothing.
At that, Elena and Calinico walked next to him without saying a single word. When Christian reached the helicopter, he gently placed Ana in it, and looked over to Calinico." Please make sure she boards the plane safely, OK? I trust you with her life, Calinico." he said, his voice trembling heavily.
At this point, Christian was on the verge of breaking down, but desperately attempted to keep it together.
Calinico nodded at that." Of course, Sir. I will keep her safe till she is with her father. Aren't you coming along?" he asked.
Christian shook his head at that." No… if I don't let go of her now… I uhumm, I won't be able to... later. So please make sure she gets to her father safely, OK? Will you help him, Elena?" he asked, his voice pleading, while Christian's eyes darted towards his best friend.
At that, Elena nodded, while silent tears pooled in her pretty eyes.
As Christian felt a gut wrenching pain through his whole body, he dipped his head and placed a soft kiss on Ana's forehead one last time and then walked away from her, without even looking back just once.
Tears had rolled down his cheeks, as Christian reached the limo. When he stepped inside, he felt like he wanted to scream and tear things apart, but miraculously he kept his emotions in check.
As a sigh escaped his lips, Christian heard his phone ring. When he saw the number on the display, he closed his eyes for a few moments and answered it…
xxx
Ana woke up by smelling something sweet. She smiled and opened her eyes slowly…
"Christian…" she murmured.
But the second Ana realized that she wasn't at his villa anymore, she jumped up and frantically looked around her surroundings. At that, she realized where she was at the moment.
'I'm on a plane?! WHAT?!' was what went through her head.
As Ana turned around in her seat, she saw her dad and best friend. There were only a few people, as they were flying in business class she noticed. At that moment, Mr. Steele saw the panic in her eyes and immediately walked towards her.
"Sweetie… Ana. You're awake! How do you feel, hon?" he asked.
At that she grabbed him on his upper arm and gripped tightly." Where are we heading, dad?" she asked, as her tears began to flow.
"We are going home… to New York, sweetie." He replied, his brows furrowed.
At that, Ana began to sob uncontrollably and got up from her seat." But… I… I wanted to stay… in Tinos! With Christian…" she uttered, while loud sobs escaped her pale lips.
Kate immediately rushed their way, when she noticed how Ana was reacting at that moment.
"Hey, what's the matter, Ana?" she asked concerned.
"But, Ana. You told us that you wanted to go home… right?" her dad asked, confused.
At that, Ana shook her head furiously." Yes, I did. But that was before… before Gal…" she tried to explain and let herself sink to the floor.
As Ana thought back on her last encounter with Christian, she realized something huge!
"He… he doesn't want me there… he doesn't love me…" Ana whispered, as tears rolled down her face.
At that, Kate and Mr. Steele looked at each other totally confused, because they didn't understand what she was talking about.
Kate helped her best friend up at that, and led her towards her seat. Ana was still sobbing, as she sat down and felt her heart breaking into pieces… Christian, why?!
"Ana, here drink some water, sweetie." Her dad said, and handed her a glass.
At that she accepted it, her hands shaky. Ana drank her water and attempted to calm down, but it was no use. She felt a gnawing pain in her heart and closed her eyes.
"Ana. What's going on? Your father and I don't understand… we thought that you wanted to go home with us." Kate asked, while looking at her best friend.
At that, Ana's eyes slowly fluttered open, and saw that her dad and best friend were waiting, expecting some kind of explanation from her. Ana did want to tell them the whole story, but decided not to. They would never believe her was what she thought…
"I… I am so sorry, but I can't talk now. Can we just focus on the flight home, please?" Ana said firmly, so the duo in front of her understood that she was refusing to talk about it now.
"But…" her best friend began, but Mr. Steele cut her off gently.
"It is fine, Kate. Ana's right." Mr. Steele said, while he looked at Kate with pleading eyes.
At that, Kate let out a deep breath and nodded. She decided to let this topic go. For now…
"OK, I'm going to freshen up, now." Kate remarked, and walked towards the restroom.
At that, Ana adjusted her seat, and attempted to lie down in it.
While her eyes fluttered shut, Ana thought.' He really wanted to get rid of me.'
But why? Didn't Christian care about her? What has she done wrong?! She couldn't understand why he let her go… As Ana felt her whole world crumbling around her, her fingers automatically landed on her golden rose pendant, brushing it lightly. She shook her head, feeling rejected and hurt. The pain that Ana was feeling at the moment, was so unbearable… Christian… Why?!
Note: Oh, no! :(
Who sent the letter though?!
Well, this was the chap.
Tell me what you think? REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! ;)
Thanks a lot, you guys. Till the next chapter.
J
