As Ana reached the hotel room, she took in a deep breath. Ana closed her eyes for mere seconds, opened them and clenched her hands into fists. She then opened the hotel room door, as her heart rammed wildly against her rib cage, not sure what she'll encounter in it…
A few minutes ago, Ana was able to convince the lady at the lobby to give her the key to Christian's hotel room. As she walked inside, her heart filled with regret and guilt. This was the last place she had spoken to him… As she walked towards his bed, Christian's scent instantly invaded her nostrils…
It was like he was just here not long ago. After searching for more than 50 minutes, Ana didn't find one single thing that could help her find him though. An unbearable pain gnawed at her heart, regret and guilt not far behind. Ana should've tried harder to get answers out of him the last time she had spoken to Christian. That was something she regretted now with all her heart.
She wished she hadn't backed down and wished she had stayed that evening. Ana had asked Christian a dozen times. Hell, she had even begged him to tell her what was going on with him. However, he kept talking cryptic and vaguely. Saying that she was in grave danger and that she should trust him.
"You should go now, Ana. Please." Christian said and looked at her with pleading eyes.
After that, he had shut her out completely and didn't budge.
As the seconds passed, the guilt ate Ana up from the inside out. Why?
Because that evening she did give up on the two of them. Ana did give up on their love, the moment she decided to walk out of his hotel room.
As she took those steps away from Christian that night with tears in her eyes, a thousand and one things went through her head.
That evening Ana thought that maybe they weren't meant to be.
Maybe, just maybe she wasn't 'Agathe' and maybe she had been stupid to believe she was the one who was destined to break the curse…
That evening, Ana gave up and now he's gone!
And right now, she felt so guilty and regretted her actions of that awful evening. Ana wished she could take that decision back… now she knows that she should've stayed with Christian. When he demanded that she should leave, Ana should have said no and stayed... but she did not.
As tears pooled in her eyes, on the verge of spilling out, Ana pulled the drawer of the night stand one more time. This time though, her fingers automatically searched the top of the drawer.
And there it was… An envelope!
It wasn't inside the drawer itself, but taped tightly above it. Ana had a little trouble opening said envelope, because of all the tape. Also, she was nervous about what was inside. As her heart pounded against her rib cage, Ana finally was able to open it with trembling fingers.
As her eyes landed on the contents of the envelope, Ana wasn't able to push back the tears anymore. A loud sob escaped her pink lips, as she saw the objects.
There were photos of her and Christian.
Kate or Elena must have been the ones who had taken the photo. A few were of her and Christian at the masked ball. She was in Christian's arms, as they danced... He was holding her like he never wanted to let her go…
And Ana was holding onto him, as if she was asking him to never ever let her go…
At that very moment, all her doubts vanished into thin air. More than ever, Ana believed that she's the one to save Christian from the curse. She believed with every fiber of her being that she was brought into Christian's life to save him and the rest of the Niarxos' line.
The road to true love is never easy. It's usually very hard, but when you're finally with the one you are meant to be, all the hardships you have left behind and will face in the future, will be worth it.…
Ana's mom used to say that to her, when she was younger.
At one point, Ana frantically wiped away her tears, and went through all the photos one by one… One was of her and Christian, as she sat on the swing in his back yard…
OK, who made that one? One was of them on their way to the mountains to look at the green marbles…
OK, Kate, Calinico, Elena or her dad couldn't have taken this one. Someone else must have taken it, while they were following them... But why? Why would someone do that?!
Ana didn't understand… who would do that? Who would spy on her and Christian?!
More importantly: why?!
As she flipped the photo around, Ana finally knew why Christian had pushed her away…
'Make sure Ana leaves Tinos or she will get hurt!' was written on the back of the photo.
With trembling fingers, she flipped all the photos around… the same threats were written on all of them!
As her brain processed those threatening words, Ana gasped and let the photos and the envelope fall to the floor.
She was still in shock, her whole body trembling, when her eyes landed on the rest of the stuff that were in the envelope.
A piece of paper(a page, torn from a book), a key and a marble necklace. As Ana read what was written on the piece of paper, a chill went up and down her spine… Oh God!
Was Christian associated with these people?! No.
As realization hit her, Ana gasped for air, and felt a panic attack coming up. She laid herself down on the bed with her eyes closed. It took her quite a while, but as her head had processed all of her findings, Ana decided to act. She opened her eyes, sat up straight and began grabbing all the objects from the floor that were in the envelope. Christian, the love of her life, was still missing.
And she had a gut feeling who had taken him, after the conversation she had with Elena.
However, she didn't have any proof that he was responsible for Christian's disappearance. Ana was a very good lawyer and knew more than anyone else that you cannot go around accusing someone of a crime without having actual proof.
She had to gather solid proof first. The person she had in mind had a very good reason to harm Christian. He had motive.
Of course in Ana's career she had seen that most people even killed for less. In this case, was greed this man's only motive?! After all that Christian had done for the man?
She doubted that greed was his only reason… there had to be more. However, Ana didn't have a clue what could drive the man to an act so hideous and evil.
As a sigh escaped her lips, Ana contemplated what to do next. In her hands was solid proof that someone had indeed threatened Christian. However, Ana was unable to tie these photos and letter to the man she was accusing of kidnapping Christian.
She inspected every item once more, but still no connection to Adon. Crap! Damn it! At that, Ana huffed and walked out the hotel room and locked it on her way out.
As she slid behind the wheel of her car, Ana decided to get some actual proof from Mr. Papadakis himself...
xxx
It was 10 in the evening, when Ana walked into the apartment building. She knocked on the door and heard him mumbling.
Then the door swung open." Ana? What a pleasant surprise!" he said, as his eyes raked over her whole body." What are you doing here so late?"
Ana almost wanted to throw up; she was so disgusted by him at that moment. But luckily she held herself back.
"Agh, I'm so sorry to disturb, Adon. But I needed some company." Ana said, and smiled shyly at him." But if you are too busy, I understand. OK, I will go now. Sorry to bother you so late."
Ana was just about to turn around and walk away, but then he grabbed her, making her stop in her tracks. As she felt his fingers grip on her upper arm, utter disgust and also fear struck her. However, she was able to mask it.
"Don't go. Please stay." He said and looked at her with pleading eyes.
xxx
Thirty minutes later, Ana's host had dozed off on his couch. Adon had been trying to kiss her several times, but she avoided him tactically.
When she was sure that he was out, Ana got up from the couch. As her eyes landed on the man, she once more had the urge to throw up.
When he offered her a drink, Ana accepted it. And when he wasn't looking, Ana had slipped a drug into Adon's drink.
"Kiss him?! Ewww…" she whispered, and looked at the man with utter disgust.
Ana then looked around the apartment, and searched for something… Anything that would help her to find Christian. And also something that could connect Adon to Christian's disappearance.
It took Ana 45 minutes to go through his apartment, but still she hadn't found anything! Crap! She was still busy searching the place, when the phone rang. Ana let it ring, so the answering machine took over after a few rings.
As she listened with undivided attention, Ana furrowed her brows, attempting to place the voice on the other line.
That voice though… it was a woman.
It was so familiar. However, Ana couldn't remember from where she knew that voice! God! Ugh!
Plus, Ana didn't understand a single thing, because the woman on the other side of the line was speaking Greek.
Shit! Now Ana wished so badly that she had paid attention, when Christian had tried to teach her his language.
After the woman hung up the phone, Ana suddenly had an idea. She was going to play the message and record it on her cell phone!
She had pushed the button already, and wanted to record, when Ana suddenly heard Adon move on the couch.
"An… Ana? Whe… where are y…?" she heard him say incoherently.
Shit! Her heart leaped at hearing that, and without hesitation, Ana grabbed her handbag and bolted out of there…
After Ana left Adon's place, she went home and decided to let her body and mind rest. Her head felt as if it was about to explode, the events of the day and her findings so tiring. However, she had trouble falling asleep, tossing and turning in bed.
And went she finally drifted off, Ana dreamed of him...
Ana's dream xx
Ana woke up with a start, her eyes instantly darting around the room. She heard a voice and knew that it was Christian's.
"Help me… Ana…" she heard him say, whispering.
She immediately jumped up and searched for Christian. As she walked out the room, Ana saw him standing in the middle of her living room.
Ana closed the gap between them and looked up at him." Christian?" she said, her voice more of a plea.
Christian looked down at her with sad eyes." You didn't come for me. I needed you, but you didn't come, my whirlwind."
As a loud sob escaped her lips, Ana managed to say." I didn't know where you were."
"It's OK. I'm with you now." He whispered, while caressing her cheek.
Ana nodded, as a tear rolled down her face." Yes, you are here. We are together again." She said softly, her voice breaking in the end.
Suddenly they weren't in her living room anymore!
They were on his private beach in Tinos…
Ana furrowed her brows and asked." Christian? Why have you taken me here?"
Christian locked eyes with her and pointed out." This is where I saved your life. R'member?"
She nodded." Yes, I know but why are we here?"
"Because you are forgetting me…" Christian accused.
Ana shook her head at that." No! I'm not, I could never forget you, baby." she replied, and held onto him tightly.
Christian's eyes bored into hers, like he wanted to say. 'Then show me.'
"I love you." Ana whispered.
She cupped his face, softly brushing her lips against his. Ana poured all her love in that one kiss. Like every other time, his lips against hers, made Ana's head spin wonderfully. She moved her lips slowly, savoring every feeling, like she wanted this moment to last forever…
At one point, Ana had her hands in his hair, tugging on it real hard as they deepened the kiss. She was showing him that she could never forget him. Ana kept on kissing him with so much passion, leaving them both aching for more. Their lips began to move faster, leaving them both breathless...
At a certain point, Ana locked her fingers around Christian's neck, whimpering softly." Christian, we are in the open." She said, her voice a plea and a warning at the same time.
All of a sudden, they weren't on the beach anymore. As Ana's eyes fluttered open, she noticed that they were in Demetrios' bedroom.
"My baby boy." Christian said, as tears rolled down his face.
"Christian, I'm so sorry about your son." Ana whispered, while grabbing his hand gently.
He looked down at her, but said nothing. Suddenly someone grabbed Ana and forced her out of the room. Christian was looking at her and attempted to reach out to her, but he wasn't able to grab her hand…
Instead he looked at her, like he was powerless to do anything." Ana."
"Christian!" she sobbed, but it was no use.
He was gone and the last thing Ana saw was a symbol.
The symbol!
xx End of Ana's dream xx
Ana woke up from her confusing dream, her sheets and pillow covered with sweat and tears.
"The symbol…" She whispered, as a lonely tear rolled down her cheek.
Now she remembers… The symbol that she saw in her dream was the same as the one on the piece of paper that she found in the envelope.
Up until now, Ana hadn't found anything yet that could lead her to Christian…
She had stumbled on a dead end and was at the end of her rope. But this is it. This symbol was the solution and it was then, when Ana knew that she had to go back!
Why? Ana remembers what a cab driver told her during one of the times she went sightseeing in Tinos. The old man told her of a secret society. Only men born in Tinos and the other islands around it, were allowed to join.
"The wealthiest families were involved, and they had centuries old traditions they still lived by. They call themselves: The Phoenixes. Once in, no man could unbind himself from said secret society." He had told Ana.
Then the old man showed Ana The symbol on a knife he owned.
"My grandfather gave it to me." He explained." And I have to keep it safe."
Ana had looked at the man with wide eyes. However, he then laughed wholeheartedly and apologized.
"Sorry, madam." He said, and smiled at her." It's just a story… a legend we tell tourists. It isn't true at all."
Yeah, the old man probably thought it was a legend, but her gut told her otherwise. Ana suspected it to be real and true.
That's why she had asked Galya once about it and the older woman had confirmed Ana's suspicions. The secret society was indeed real…and their traditions true.
It was as real and true as the curse on the Niarxos' family…
So as much as she feared it, terrified of what she'll find there, Ana knew she had no other choice. She knew she couldn't find Christian on her own.
She needed help desperately…
As much as it made her skin crawl, Ana decided at that moment to go back to Tinos. She had to try to have a meeting with them… At this point, she knew that no one else was capable of helping her find Christian— not the authorities, not her father, not even Calinico.
No one, but the Phoenixes…
The moment Ana arrived on the island, she felt like she had come home.
Tinos…
In her opinion it seemed so long ago, when Ana had first set foot here. As she breathed in the fresh air, her eyes automatically fluttered shut. She let out a breathy sigh and looked over the sea and beach from her balcony.
Ana had checked in the same hotel as before. As she watched the people below and the inviting sea, her fingers traced her golden necklace.
"Christian…" She exhaled.
Ana never thought it was possible to love someone so much. What she was planning to do, showed how much Christian meant to her.
She grabbed her coat and handbag, before walking out the hotel door. As she walked out of the elevator, Ana heard her phone buzz. She reached for it and saw Elena's name on the display.
"Damn it. Crap! " She muttered under her breath.
At that, she shook her head and decided to ignore the call. Ana was determined and knew that Elena was only going to be in her way. And she knew damn well that Elena and Calinico wouldn't agree on her plan.
Two hours earlier, Ana had called Galya, asking her where she could find the Phoenixes. At first Galya refused, but Ana convinced her otherwise.
"I need their help finding Christian, Galya." Ana pleaded." Please help me?"
The older woman then agreed on giving the address to Ana in person. Galya knocked on her hotel room door half an hour later and had given Ana the address of the secret society.
As she walked out the building, Ana immediately jumped into a cab and gave the young man the address.
"Miss, are you sure about the address?" the driver asked, his brows furrowed.
"Yes, the address is correct." Ana replied firmly, with a serious look on her face.
"OK then." He said, while shaking his head and began to drive.
It was 4 PM, when they drove into a dirt road. From the hotel, it was a 2 hour drive to their destination. They were far away from the city by now.
"OK, Miss. This is as far as I can go. This is private property. Are you sure about this?" the young man asked, genuinely concerned.
"Thank you, kind sir. But this is me." Ana replied and paid the man.
"Miss, should I wait for you?" he asked with a worried tone in his voice.
"No, Sir. I'll be fine. Don't worry." She replied and stepped out the car, leaving the young man confused behind.
As Ana walked down the path, her heart kicked up two notches.
"Ugh, Anastasia Steele. What have you gotten yourself into?" she muttered and went up the hill.
She was in the middle of nowhere, scared and didn't know who or what she was going to face. However, Ana staggered on, because she needed to find Christian.
No one will get in her way!
Ana then took the first path on her left. It was very narrow, but very well taken care of. Red roses were blooming and she heard birds chirping close by. After walking 30 minutes through bushes and trees, she saw an open field.
"Finally." Ana said softly, as a small smile graced her face.
As she reached the end of the field, a huge building came into view.
"Oh, God. Wow." Ana whispered.
The building was old and looked so mysterious, almost like a castle. There was a symbol above the huge, wide front door.
"The symbol." She breathed.
It was a symbol of 4 phoenixes. It's The symbol of this secret elite organization.
As Ana reached the wide gate, two armed tall, large men walked towards her.
Her heart rammed against her rib cage, as she saw them closing in on her. Her head told her:' Ana run!'
And she indeed wanted to run, Ana did. However, she was determined and stood her ground even though she was scared out of her mind!
"Madam, this is private property. You aren't allowed to be here!" the first man growled.
"I know. But I'm here to meet Parthenios Niarxos." Ana said, her voice trembling heavily.
The second man stood all up in her face and growled." He doesn't get visitors here. If you want to contact him, call him at the office!"
Ana shook her head furiously, as her heart pounded against her chest, her palms all sweaty.
"No, I need to speak with him here." She said firmly, while looking the big man straight in the eyes.
"You need to go now." The first man ordered, as he towered over her small frame.
Ana sighed deeply and with trembling fingers she pulled out the key and the marble necklace from her handbag.
"Look, I have this." She said and showed the two men the objects.
As their eyes landed on the two objects, their eyes widened in shock.
"Where did you get those?!" the second man shouted, and tore the key and marble necklace from Ana's grasp." Woman, answer the question!"
And even though Ana was terrified, she gathered all her courage, her whole body shaking like a leaf, and looked him straight in the eyes, ready to reply.
Note: OMG! Will Ana be able to convince the security to let her inside the building?
What do you think of the chapter, you all? ;)
Thank you all for the amazing support and the reviews! :)
J
