Ana's POV

I woke up sweating and screaming as usual like every night. I sat in the same position as I was when I woke up and waited for my breathing to go back to normal. I went to the bathroom and saw my reflection in the mirror. I looked like a zombie, so I splashed water all over my face. Then I pulled a towel out of the cabinet and swipe my face with it. Then I went back to the bedroom and made the bed. I checked the time and it was 5 in the morning. I decided to go for a run, so I went inside the closet to put on my running gear. After picking my phone from the nightstand and headphones from the drawer, I left my room. The whole apartment was in deadly silence with only the sound of the clock ticking. Before getting ready, I had texted Tom about my present activity. Damon was waiting for me in the lobby when I got down from the elevator. He was my second CPO who was in-charge when Tom was on break.

'Good Morning, Miss Steele.'

'Good Morning, Damon. Where is Tom?'

'Mr. Scott was sleeping, Mam. So I stepped in for him.'

'Okay, Let's go.'

I turned and went outside the door which was opened by the Peter, the night doorman. Damon followed me out. We walked until the gates of Central Park and I started to jog slowly for sometime. Then I increased my pace and ran around for sometime. I stopped running when I felt my muscles started to ache. I put my hands on my knees and tried to catch my breath. Then I went to sit on a near-by seat when Damon joined me. We sat silently with me staring in the distance and he was analysing the area to spot any threat. I rolled my eyes mentally to that.

'Hey Damon, Why don't you go and buy breakfast from that deli we always order from and I will meet you there?'

'Are you sure, Ms. Spencer? I will be here with you until you finish.'

'Yes. You go , I want to be alone for sometime. I will be alright and I can take care of myself.'

'But Mr. Scott instructed me to be with you every time he is not available.'

'It's ok, Damon. I will talk with Tom.'

'Are you really sure?'

'Yes'

'Ok, Ms. Steele.'

Then he left towards the exit. I sat there for another 20 minutes and decided to get back home. I walked towards the exit for sometime and start to run once again. Then suddenly I crashed into somebody and lose my balance. I close my eyes when I am about to fall on my ass but I am saved when a pair of hands wrap around my shoulder and waist. This contact sent a familiar electric shock all over my body which I haven't felt in two years. I opened my eyes and find myself staring into a sapphire blue eyes. The man staring back at me was really handsome. He stared intensely into my eyes which made me feel exposed like he could see right through me. This made me angry so I pushed him away and he stepped back.

'Hey, Can't you watch where you going? You just bumped into me from no where and almost made me fall on my ass'. I snapped at him.

But the man was still looking at me the same way 'who shall not be named' looked at me the first time we met on that awful day at his office. I immediately put the thought of him away. I snapped my fingers in front of his face, bringing him back from whichever world he was in.

'Hello? What the hell are you staring at?'

I snapped once again. He tried to open his mouth to speak but nothing came out making him look like a dumbo. This irritated me.

'Fuck it'

I cursed and turned towards the exit and ran away. My mood was already shitty because I didn't have any proper sleep and this fueled even more. I kept running until I reached my building and Damon joined me at the same time. I stood in the lobby with my hands on the knee, breathing heavily due to the running. After my breathing was back to normal, I went to the elevator along with Damon and put the code. I took the package from Damon and went to the kitchen to place it on the breakfast bar. He went inside the security room to resume his position. I went to my room and sat on the bed to remove my shoes and socks. After removing, I went to the bathroom to switch on my shower. I left the shower running after setting the temperature. I went to the vanity to brush my teeth and then stripped out of my clothes. I got into the shower and sighed when the hot water hit my body. All the tension present in my body started to fade. I got out of the shower and pulled the towel from rack. As I was drying myself with the towel, my mind wandered to the man who ran into me in the park. I will admitted he was really hot and there was something familiar about him. I don't remember meeting him ever before today. The feeling I got when he held me in his arms was something I never thought I would feel ever again. I dismissed all of this thoughts and went into my closet to get ready. I wore a pant suit and minimal make-up and went downstairs to have my breakfast and coffee. My housekeeper went on a leave for a week to visit her sister in New Jersey. I prepared my Coffee and then eat my breakfast with silence. Alex went on a business trip to Japan and he will be back next week. Now I'm all alone in the house. My younger brother told he offered to come and stay with me but I told him Its fine, I like having the house all to myself for a few days. But he was still worried. After I finished eating, I loaded the plate and cup into the dishwasher. I went back to my room to apply lip gloss and take my bag.

...

My mood had improved compared to the shitty mood I was in the morning. I was able to sign 3 new talented writers. All the three were polite and professional. The story they had written was unique from one another. Jess came into my office and told me my mother was on the phone. I picked the phone.

'Hey Mum'

'Ana Darling, How are you?'

'I'm fine. You?'

'Me too. So Are you free for lunch?

'I have to check with Jess. Wait a minute'

I called Jess and asked her my schedule for the rest of the day. She told me it was free.

'Mum, I'm free for the rest of the day'

'Why don't we have lunch together? It's been a week since I last saw you'

'Okay. Do you want to go outside or Want me to come there?'

'Lets have here. Your dad and brother are home today'

'Okay. I will be there at 2'

'Okay baby, I will see you then. Bye'

'Bye Mum'

I hang up and called Tom to get the car ready , we are going to my parent's place.

I took my bag and left my office.

'Jess, I'm going out. If anybody calls, tell them to call me later. You can have your lunch.'

My parents lived in a condo in Upper West Side. It took almost 20 mins for us to reach due to heavy traffic. Tom dropped me in front of the entrance and drove away to park the car in the visitor's parking behind the building. The doorman opened the door and I went towards the elevator and smiled at Julie, the receptionist who smiled back. My name was in the list of people who had direct access to go to my parent's house instead of stopping in the front desk. I pressed the button for 5th floor and stared at the door. The door opened with a ping. I went towards the apartment and rang the bell. My mother opened the door and rushed out to pull me into a hug. It made me relax and bring a peace to my mind. After a few minutes, she pulled back; held my face and kissed me on the forehead.

'Ana darling'

'Hey Mum'

'Come on let's go. I have something to show you.'

'What's it, Mum?'

'Wait till you find out'

I hung my coat on the rack and placed my bag on the table next to the rack before I followed my mum into the dining room. As soon as I entered, my baby brother leapt to his feet from the chair and came running to me. He pulled me into a bear hug.

'Hey, sissy'

'Hey, Ash.'

'I missed you.'

'I missed you, too.'

Then he pulled away.

'When did you come?'

'Last night'

'Why didn't you tell me that you were coming home?'

'It was last minute. Mom called and told me to come.'

'Why, Mom?'

'Let's eat first and then we'll talk. By the time we finish eating, Alex will be here.'

'Okay.'

'I made your favourite Pasta carbonara and Tiramisu'

'Thanks, mum.'

We eat the lunch while we discussed about things that happened in our life since we met last time. Alex came when we were starting the dessert.

'Hello everyone. Looks like I have come at the correct time to eat my favourite dessert.'

My mum got up to welcome him properly with a hug and kiss on both of his cheeks.

'Hey son, how are you?'

'I'm fine, mum.'

Then he saw Ash and came to him to give him a hug and a pat on his back. He kissed me on the cheek and sat next to me. He and my dad started discussing about business until we finished eating.

I asked my mum. 'So what is that you wanted to tell us, mum?'

'Yeah that. So this Saturday, there is going to be a fundraiser for helping the abuse survivors. Me, along with other foundations have organised this event. I want you three to attend it with me.'

'Mum, you know I don't like going to these events where I have to mingle with all the snobby people. But don't worry I will still donate without attending.'

'No, Ana. I know you don't like it but you are attending this. You don't have to talk to anyone, just stand by my side.'

'Please mum, I don't want to come. I rather sit at home and go through my manuscripts.'

'Please Ana, do it for me. Boys, tell your sister to come with us.'

'Common An, I will be with you the entire time. If you feel bored, I will keep you entertained.'

'Yeah sissy, we have never been out together before. I think it's time for us to rectify it now. Don't worry, I will be with you too.'

'Dad, you too tell her.'

'Sweetheart, Just accept the invitation. We want you there. If you don't like it, we won't force you to attend it again. Look your brothers will be there with you. Even Ray told he will attend. We won't leave you alone any moment. Your mum will be really happy if all her children are there with her. '

' Yeah baby, this will be the first time we all will be together. If you don't want to walk the red carpet, it's fine. You can enter from the back entrance where there isn't any media people present, okay? '

I felt conflicted. I don't want to go but I don't want to disappoint my family either. After some time, I made my decision.

'Fine, I will come. But if I feel uncomfortable or bored, I'm leaving. Okay?'

My mum came and hugged so tightly.

'Okay, baby. You can leave when ever you want. Let's go shopping tomorrow, we need to find you a dress.'

'Mum, I don't want to go shopping.'

'No, you are coming with me. I will call your assistant and clear your schedule after lunch. I want some daughter time. We haven't done it before.'

'Okay fine.'

So everyone around me where happy that I will be going with them. Little did I know that my life was going to change in ways I never thought would be possible again.

Sorry for taking so much time to update. I was really busy with college work. I promise I will try updating frequently from now on. I hope you will enjoy this chapter.

XOXO

Niharika