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"Tyler." I said.

He looked up at me from the lunch table and smiled one of his charming smiles. "Oh, hey Ana, what's up?" I gestured for him, with my head to follow me. He got up, getting the hint and walking in step along side of me. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah." I smiled reassuringly. We parked ourselves at a table that was near the back, pretty much secluded. I pulled out my phone and began to type… 'Tyler you are really sweet and one of the nicest guys I have ever met.' I showed him and he smiled, not only that but he even started to chuckle a little. I furrowed my brows together and stared at him until he put on his serious face again, well as serious as Tyler could possibly get, which if I must say, isn't all that serious.

"Ana, stop." He smiled. "I already know where this is going, and to be honest, you didn't need to drag me all the way over here, away from my food, just to tell me that you want to be with Christian."

I went wide eyes, completely shocked by his revelation. "What?" How did he even know about Christian, I mean I didn't think I was that obvious. Was I?

"Oh come on Ana, I knew you liked him, I just didn't say anything."

"Well, why?" I asked.

"I don't know. I figured you'd make up your mind on your own, besides I'm not looking for a serious relationship." He smiled and held my hand. "I mean I like you, I really do. Your smart, kind, very interesting, and you make me laugh, but if you want to be with Christian than that's perfectly fine with me. I'm not mad." He tilted his head. "Actually I'm far from it. I'm really happy for you. You deserve to have what you want and to be happy. I've known Christian a long time and I think you'd be perfect for him. You are the first girl he's actually taken any interest in."

Okay, this conversation is definitely not what I expected. Tyler has just proven himself to be an even better person than I already thought he was. I don't think I have ever known anybody to be so selfless. I hold so much admiration for him. 'I really don't know what to say. I wasn't expecting that. Tyler I have so much admiration for you. You're a good friend and when the time comes and you're ready, you will be a great boyfriend.' I showed him my typed out thoughts and watched as the smile grew on his beautiful face.

"Thanks Ana that truly means a lot coming from you." He smiled and patted my hand. "I bet you my girlfriend is going to be like a model or something." And now he's back to the joking. "Don't you think so? If I'm as good as you say." I managed to laugh a small laugh in spite of the situation.

'You could have any girl you want, Tyler.'

"I think so too." He stood up and leaned down to kiss my forehead. "Thank you for the amazing dates and your companionship." He was about to walk away before I grabbed his hand and pulled him back.

'Wait, we're still friends right? I mean we'll still hang right, I don't want to lose that.' Tyler, besides Mia, was one of the few people I clicked with around here and became a really good friend instantly, losing that would really hurt and I hoped to God I didn't mess that up. I don't know where I would be without him, Mia, Adrian, and Christian.

"Of course Ana. We will always be friends and do stuff together." He smiled. "You, me, and Adrian, the three musketeers." I let out the breath I was holding as he revealed his answer. I instantly felt better about this whole conversation and the choice that I made. I had feelings for Tyler, but they weren't as strong as Christian's. I think I'm more on the 'love' side when it comes to those gray eyes and copper colored hair.

"Good." I said.

"Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go finish my Chicken Teriyaki and flirt with that cute red head." Tyler wiggled his eyebrows at me and I managed not to laugh. He will always be the flirt.

I stood after I watched him leave and made my way to the restroom. I guzzled down three bottles of water in the last three periods and now I really got to go. Opening the door and quickly went into the last stall and did my business. You know when you hold in your pee for too long and then when you go it takes a while for it to come out? Well that's what happened to me and boy did it feel good once I let it out. once I finished my business I flushed and went to wash my hands. Unfortunately for me, Mimi walked in…

Great.

"Well if it isn't Ana." She scoffed and leaned against one of the sinks with a smug smile on her face.

I ignored her.

"So not only can you not speak, but you're deaf too?"

I ignored her.

"Fine, go ahead and ignore me." She turned to face the mirror and began to 'pretend' to fix her makeup. She had absolutely no reason to be doing that. No, she just wanted to torment me because she has nothing better to do with herself. "You know Christian asked me out the other day. I wasn't sure if I should say yes or no though. What do you think?" She looked at me like she was seriously asking me for an answer. I know Christian didn't ask her out. She's just being a bitch. "Well I think I might say yes, you know, I heard Christian was good with the girls." And now I really know not to believe her. Tyler just told me he was never interested in any of the girls and was surprised that he was taking a liking to me. Mimi really fucked up right then, because if she didn't say that then I might consider her words to be true…maybe. I would ask Christian about it first just in case. I looked at her a smiled. She was getting a little annoyed because I wasn't taking her bait and you could tell. I continued to not acknowledge her as I walked past her and let my hands dry under the dryer.

After I finished, I wiped the excess water droplets on my jeans, still ignoring Mimi.

"Maybe, I'll even sleep with him."

Okay, now that is where I draw the line. I didn't show her that her words affected me, but that was uncalled for and very slutty of her to say. I don't understand how people can stoop so low when they bully people. Its rude, disrespectful, and a low blow. I looked up at her and let a devious smile curl upon my lips. "Fuck you, Mimi." The look on her face was all the satisfaction I needed. I abruptly turned and walked out of the bathroom, leaving her shocked and immobile. That was he very first she has ever heard me speak. I never wanted to talk in front of her and why? For a perfect moment like this. It was priceless and I will forever cherish her surprised facial expression. I think it's burned in my brain and will definitely look back on it and laugh.

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He kissed the sensitive spot beneath my ear, sending shivers down my spine and an electrical current that made every nerve feel like a live wire. His skin was so warm and he smelt good, like lavender and cologne. I took a big whiff and sighed happily. "Did you just smell me?" He pulled back and I was suddenly staring in to stormy gray eyes. I nodded slowly and bit my lip. "Why?" he said breathlessly.

"You…" I leaned in and kissed the base of his neck, "smell," I kissed him there once more and said, "good."

"And you're going to be in trouble if you keep kissing me like that," he growled out, but there was a seductive tone behind it.

"Sorry." I whispered.

Pulling away we both took big sighs and he said, "Do you want to practice?"

I did. I love when Christian teaches me how to speak. It makes it seem more special and a little intimate between the two of us. The way he taught communication to me was easy and easy to pick up. Sure he wasn't a teacher or anything and didn't have a certificate stating he had the ability to do this, but it was surprisingly easy to learn and I found myself enjoying it a lot. But right now, I don't think I want to learn. I just want to be with him, in every way. Even the ways I don't fully understand. I stared into his eyes and came up with an answer. "Kiss me."

"You want me to kiss you?"

I nodded slowly and whispered, "Yes."

"But what about…" I put my fingers to his lips.

I shook my head. "Shut up." Christian has the tendency to talk too much when he doesn't know what to do. "Kiss me." To make him get on board, I bit my lip. It had the affect I desired and he leaned in to press his lips against mine. They were soft and moist, rubbing against mine in a way that made different parts of my body pay attention to the situation at hand. His tongue snaked in my mouth, making the sensations heighten. I recently told him about the conversation I had with Tyler and I never thought I would see Christian so happy. He couldn't keep his hands off me since we got to out secret meeting spot. Not that I'm complaining, I love the feel of his hands and his lips, touching the surface of my skin. As his tongue slowly circled in a seductive dance with mine, I lifted myself up and pushed him back. I straddled him, keeping our lips connected and our touching vibrant.

He pulled away sooner than I would have liked and tucked some loose tendrils behind my ear. "You're beautiful." He whispered softly and gazed into my eyes. "You wanna know something?"

"Hmm." I said.

"I don't think I've ever been happier than I am right now." He kissed my lips softly. "In this moment."

"Me…" I sighed, trying to get the word out, "either."

Christian narrowed his brows and after a while he returned his eyes to mine. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything." I responded.

We both sat up. "What was it like for you? When you were young."

I tilted my head and pondered on his question. I reached into the back of my memory, way back, where I dare not to go, where I haven't been since the memories had been made. I knew my childhood was the best, but it wasn't the worst. Sometimes I can't even remember my childhood, as if they were purposely being blocked or hidden away. Only the parts that seemed to be significant, I was able to remember. I grabbed my phone and started from the very first memory that came to mind. 'I remember when I was little. I had a mom and dad, like everyone else. I recall the moments when my mom would hug me, I remember her smile, the smell of her hair, like strawberries. My remember my dad would sit me on his lap and tell me how much he treasured me, he'd take me to work with him and I recollect the times I'd play on the floor in his office while he had meeting with many different men and women. It was different then. I was loved. And then…everything changed. My mom left, my dad lost his business and he became violent and angry. He'd cry a lot too. When mom left he began to abuse me. It started out with spankings here and there but then it grew into something more.'

I showed Christian what I have written so far and the look in his eyes was what I feared. I think it was pity, but I'm not too sure. I don't want his pity; I don't want him to feel sorry for me. I got out of that situation and that's all that matters. I won't play the victim.

"Why? What made him turn on you like that?" His voice was shaky and I could see that he was getting a little angry.

I started to type again. 'He started using drugs. A lot of drugs.'

"Oh, I see." He narrowed his brows and looked at his hands. "What was it like?"

'Scary at first, but after a while I learned that if I did what he said then everything would be easier. Of course it wasn't easy but I found comfort in my books. It made everything seem okay.'

He gave me a small smile. "That's why you read." It wasn't a question, but a statement of observation.

"Yes."

"I think you're brave." He came closer, leaning over me until my back was against the ground. He lied on top of me and kissed each one of my cheeks. "My brave Ana."

"What about…you?"

"Me?" I nodded. "How about we save that for another day. I would very much like to kiss you right now." Oh, now he wants to kiss me? Right when we are getting somewhere. Typical. I let him get away with it this time, but only because he is an excellent kisser.

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Antagonist Point of View

She sat in her black car, with tinted windows that didn't give a person the slightest view of a silhouette. The object of her affection gave her specific orders to follow her daughter around and make sure she maintains the same schedule. Everything looked to be precise and she couldn't wait for the moment to get her hands on the key to her desires.

There were doubts in her mind. She didn't want any harm to come to her own blood and although it may not seem like it, she loved her. When she found out Bob abused her, she couldn't be even more happy to find out he was dead, shot in a drug deal gone bad. She knew he was never smart enough to steer clear of trouble in the first place, but he was smart to stash away over five million dollars. That money was going to be hers, even if she had to use her own daughter to get it. Not knowing how the whole situation will pan out made this even more crucial. There was no way of knowing if her daughter knew about the mischief Bob has been getting into or even if she was aware of the fact that his drug dealing days weren't recent and went back as far as before he came into her life. This was going to be a tricky and delicate situation, needing to be handled cautiously.

She didn't even know where the money could be, where he put his excess drugs, or where to even start. The only common concept was to take Ana. She has to know or maybe it's suppressed in her memory. There's got to be something positive that will come out of her child. And once she has the money, she could take Ana and build a new life for the two of them. In her mind, she thought it would be a great start. She could give her what she wanted and not have to worry about money problems like she used to, not having to worry about Bob and his stupid drug deal or the danger he could put them both in. Every day there are regrets that seep into her mind, consuming her with the thoughts that haunted her for years, them being 'How could you leave your daughter behind?'

The sound of her phone ringing pulled her out of her thoughts. "Hello?"

"What do you have for me?" The sound of her love's voice gave her the chills. It was deep, serious, something she loved so much.

"She seems to have the same daily routine as usual." She sighed and rubbed her eyes. "I'm getting tired of just sitting here while she does god knows what with that boy."

His unfathomable chuckle vibrated her ear through the phone and traveled down her body, making her toes curl. "Seems like she's a lot like her mother. Just one more day and then you can take her." The seriousness was back in his voice. "I was calling because I may have news."

"I'm listening."

"Bob, may have at three places he hid the money. His old business, the house, and a secret warehouse that he's been doing drugs out of. He claimed it to be his own."

"You can cross off the warehouse. Bob would never keep that much money hidden in an unstable manufacture building. It would either be at his old business building or the house."

"The building hasn't been overtaken?"

"No, Bob owned that building. His dad owned it before him and was given to him when his father died. The house too."

"That makes a lot of sense and a great place to stash money. He didn't use it as anything after his business flopped?"

"No, not that I know of."

"Then that's what I need you to do next. Scout the building and if you can get inside than go for it. Call me if you find anything at all."

She sighed, getting frustrated with all these stupid errands. "Okay, see you after." She ended the call, not waiting for his reply. Taking a deep breath, she started the engine and shifted the gear to drive. She pressed the gas, making a small turn around and left the school, heading to her dead ex-husbands old building.

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