Hey everybody thanks for those reviews. Love it when I see each and every one of them. Updates are going to be a bit infrequent as I have huge backlog of stuff at work as I am an independent designer it's a lot of work to catch up on. With a little girl and a husband it's really a packed schedule. Anyway happy reading

Chapter 7

The whole day was spent with Kate as we roamed around the city talking and catching up. Kate was working for her dad now, and doing a special slot in his channel. It deals with interviewing people who makes a difference in the existing way of work. She was obviously doing a great job and was having a great fanfare also. She was waiting for confirmation on interviewing some construction big shot in New York who had made ecologically sustaining buildings a big hit.

"I am just waiting for the phone call and I hate to tell you Ana I will be gone for a week or so. I really don't want to leave you here with those nut jobs." Kate said sadly sipping her chocolate milkshake. "I am used to it Katie, I wish you would have come when I was there. We could have had so much fun." I assured her. "Talking about fun, where is this boyfriend of yours about whom I have never heard" Kate asked giving me a death glare.

It was my time to look sheepish, "I am sorry Katie, and I wanted to surprise you. He would be here tomorrow by noon". "Finally! I can't wait to meet him, well seriously I can't wait to see ray torturing him" Kate grinned. I joined her with a laugh thinking how protective my dad is. We reached back after dinner and I only remember hitting the bed.

The next day I woke up with a feeling of a thousand butterflies flying around in my stomach. Christian will be here today by noon; a fact by some reason seemed to make me giddy. Some corner of my mind tugged a bit thinking why he hadn't called me at all yesterday but I shoved it aside thinking he might have been busy. I hoped he would give me a ring before he comes.

I almost skipped down to breakfast, and gave a quick kiss to daddy. "Someone is really happy today" my dad singed. "Well well my boyfriend is coming today, I am ecstatic" I replied grinning. Leila rolled her eyes heavenward and Elena sniggered. "I hope he won't bail out on you Ana dear as another boyfriend did on Olivia's wedding" Elena said. Dad looked at her as if surprised "oh don't worry Elena, he will be here soon" I gloated hoping he will be.

We finished rest of the breakfast in silence which was broken by the ring of my mobile, I jumped up hoping it will be Christian but my heart fell down a bit seeing Kates' name flashing. "Hey Katie" I answered sliding back to my seat, "Ana I m so sorry, I am now going to board the plane to New York. I got that confirmation I was waiting for, I will be back by next Tuesday." She screamed over the noise of the airport. "Oh Katie, that's so bad. Humph guess I will have to attend the engagement party without you" I said cursing the horrible party Elena would throw this Friday already.

Leila and José was the 'it' couple for the settle media presently, and Elena was on board with anything to make it more popular. So when the witchy planner said about throwing an engagement party for the couple, it was planned as seriously as the wedding. There were already people in our backyard fixing up arrangements much to my dismay.

"I am sorry Ana; well make her day miserable for me. Bye girl I am boarding" Kate said and kept the phone. "I guess that little whirlwind won't be here for a few days" dad said fondly, he loved Kate as much as he loved me. "Thank god, such a mess that girl is. I am surprised how women like lady Kavanagh can raise such an oddball. She changes boyfriends like clothes and her behavior is too appalling" Elena said shuddering. Ray laughed and replied "oh come on Elena she is a good girl, her work is excellent I tell you. She is going to reach places that girl. She is a very well mannered child and as for relationships I don't know". He drank his juice and got up to go to work.

"I will tell you this Elena, Kate never fucked anyone who had a boyfriend like some people here. Gladly she knows how to count" I said and skipped outside leaving a glaring Leila behind. I went back to my room and checked all the arrangements, a section of my closet was cleared, bed newly made, flowers in vases and mini cooler stocked. I just couldn't pinpoint the reason why I was feeling this giddy thinking of Christians arrival, perhaps it's the fact I finally have someone over the house who is my boyfriend even if its pretend. I am so sick of seeing José and Leila snagging every other second, it's like they are permanently glued together.

I walked to the library and took a new book and curled up to read it, after what felt like a few hours I heard someone come in, I looked up and saw it was José. "Hey José, what are you doing here?" I asked surprised to find him alone. "Ana, nothing I just came to see what you are doing. It's almost evening and you never made it to lunch. I just wanted to check you were fine" he replied with a smile. Wait a minute! Evening? But New York flight lands by afternoon and it's almost time for Christian to reach home. I check my phone to see it was 6 in the evening, I had completely lost track of time immersed in the book. There were no missed calls or messages from Christian. A small tendril of panic and fear grew in my mind, has he ditched me?

"I got lost in the book" I whispered. "You were always like that give a good book and Ana will be gone. It was something I loved about you. You were wise enough to understand and appreciate a piece of writing" José laughed fondly. I blushed, "remember once you asked me to get ready to go for a show, and I forgot to be ready as I got caught up in a book. You had to help me iron my hair and you almost burned it and I had to cut an awful lot" I said giggling over that happy time. "Oh don't remind me that, you fought with me for a week" he replied laughing. We both stared at each other lost in memories

"José baby" Leila called from outside the library, I looked away from him "what are you doing here, I searched for you everywhere" she said looking at me oddly. "I just came to see what Ana was doing, she missed lunch right" José said holding Leila's hand and getting up. "You go down baby, I will be there in a minute" Leila said kissing him for a whole long minute.

"Now you listen to me, I do hope you know how to count. Don't think I haven't seen all those puppy dog glances you keep throwing my guy. You are pathetic, he doesn't want you Ana he has me" Leila sneered. "I don't know what you are smoking Leila I don't want him either. I have a boyfriend…" I was cut short on my reply "ya about your boyfriend, where is this imaginary creation of yours. Oh there he is" she pointed to the tall shelf in the room "hi Ana's boyfriend, which one is it, shake sphere or Dante? You look so good. Yes Ana books are the only company you will ever get, because people have a life and they all are not losers like you"

"I am surprised Leila that you know the names of at least two authors. I may die of shock really. Jose' came to me not the other way around, and well if he wanted to hangout with someone other than a person trying to suck his brains off, I can't say no can I?. Now about my boyfriend, he will be here today and when you see him I sure hope you remember your math Leila or else I won't be held responsible for what happens" I replied and walked off taking my mobile.

I lock my room and frantically try Christians mobile only to hear an automated message saying he can't be reached presently. I sit down on my bed head spinning wondering what I should be doing. I never seriously considered the fact that he would bail out on me, and I am stuck in this hell hole. I bragged on having a boyfriend and now I have no one to show to Elena. It would prove her point of me making up imaginary guys and she would possibly make me end up in an asylum.

I paced in my room, only to keep on trying Christian's number again and again. Suddenly I heard a knock and I ran to the door expecting it would be someone who came to say I have a guest, I open the door to find dad. "Annie come down for dinner. Why haven't your boyfriend arrived yet? "I stuttered searching my head for a convincing lie, "he...uh...he had some unexpected...hum meeting. He will be here tomorrow" I managed and it sounded dumb even for my ears. Dad looked at me puzzled and nodded, "come down Annie" he closed the door and left.

I groaned and sat down on my bed, wondering what to say to Leila and Elena. It was Olivia's wedding all over again. I decide to chicken out of facing them at dinner, I got up and ran out and gladly found dad getting down the steps. "Daddy, I am not feeling well, I am skipping dinner and turning in. good night" I said and ran back not even waiting for his reply. I locked my door in and stripped and got in to the shower. I felt the hot water calming my nerves; I needed to think a plan.

I decide to tell everyone the truth that no boyfriend would be coming at breakfast; I would say we broke up yesterday as he said he cheated on me or something. I could make up an emergency meeting back in New York in few days and return just for the wedding. Yes I feel guilty leaving my dad, but my sanity was important too. I changed and got on the bed, and suddenly I felt all alone. I was feeling rejected again, I thought about Christian and wondered how he could do this to me. If he wasn't going to show up why he sent all those sweet messages, why did he agree for all this? I knew the answer already, for him it was all for the money, he would have got it somewhere else so why should he play the role of a pathetic girls boyfriend. I wiped a tear and soothed myself to sleep. After failing to do so, I got up and took a pill with sedative for relaxing myself and slept.

I woke up slightly light headed and sat up on my bed, the last night came rushing back to me and the prospect of facing all of them in the morning was as scary as living in a horror movie. I glanced at the bedside clock to see it was 10. I jumped up and checked my phone to see no messages or calls from him, and my heart crashed again in disappointment, I had to follow the plan that I have made up. I brushed my teeth and showered quickly, and wore a blue summer dress and ran down.

In the dining hall only Elena, José and Leila was there. "Where is dad?" I asked puzzled "oh morning honey, he had to go early for work, you know Ana he was a bit crushed that he couldn't meet your boyfriend yesterday. He suspects you may be lying to make him happy. Well I know it's true but I didn't want to cause him pain" Elena said hardly hiding her sneer. "ya Ana where is this mystic boyfriend of yours who will make me forget my José "Leila asked laughing.

My blood was boiling with rage and I shouted, "Enough! Yes I don't have a….." the rest of my voice was drowned in a heavy scuffling noise from the foyer, we all got up and was moving to the foyer, when a person dressed in black leather jacket, a black snuggly fitting t-shirt and jeans came running in. Leila dropped her spoon with a clatter and licked her lips involuntary, Elena looked puzzled and José stumped. Before me stood my own male perfection, my savior and my gate to victory. He came and stopped in front of me and I unthinkingly took a breath. His scent filled my head that sweet yet masculine flavor filled my heart and my face broke into a big smile. He looked lost for a second and smiled his famous panty dropping smile. He closed the distance between us and lifted my chin with his finger, my breath hitched automatically. He looked into my eyes for a moment and sealed his lips on mine and kissed me like his life depended on it and I floated away somewhere.

Christian's POV

Hoolllyyy shiittt! Her house was huge, I thought as I drove my car, an R8 into the driveway. In a corner of my mind, I wondered for the 100th time if I was doing the right thing. My life had changed in 2 days, but yet here I am keeping my word to some girl I hardly knew. I just couldn't stand to see her sad, which was bound to happen if I didn't come. I parked my car and took my small bag, a guy dressed in suit came out, " I am Roland, the in house security head. Your luggage would be attended by the servants. Please follow me inside". 'Yes sir!' I saluted him in my mind and followed him inside the house, it had a tasteful furnishing somewhat Victorian.

Suddenly the guy's radio crackled, "Roland come in" a disembodied voice said, I could hear a women's voice in the background which was making my skin crawl. "Roland here" he said back to the set, "el and lie on attack to Princess, I repeat el and lie on attack" what the fuck did that mean! I looked at him and rolled my eyes "dumb bitches. I will be there" Roland said gritting his teeth. "Roger that" and then I heard Ana's voice through the set, she was screaming in anger. I had never heard so much authority in a women voice other than my moms.

"Enough!Yes I don't have a…." shit shit shit she was going to say she didn't have a boyfriend, I ran towards the room inside cursing myself for not informing her I will be late. My life had taken a swift turn, but that didn't mean I could act like an irresponsible person; because of my small mistake she was digging her own grave. I ran towards the dining hall hoping I was going the right way, I knocked a few things on the way hopping she would stop speaking hearing the noise.

I sprinted to the hall, and there she stood, In a beautiful blue summer dress that made her eyes look more deeper and prettier, her hair hung loose and just as beautiful it was that day. Not a hint of makeup to be seen and she was wearing a simple diamond stud in her ears. She looked like a princess itself, a sculpture by god, and a goddess in all virtue. I saw her stare at me as if she was dreaming. I saw 3 people standing behind her, a blonde lady hidden beneath all those extra layers of makeup, a brunette who I guess was the blonde's daughter, and she was eyeing me up like I was candy and a Hispanic young guy who looked as if he wished me plain death.

I walked forward and stood in front of her, I took a long breath and her sweet and mouth watering scent filled my head. She was so innocent and I couldn't help but stare at her, then she smiled and hell my heart hurt. She was worth everything and I knew that moment that I did the right thing coming here. I smiled back at her and lifted her chin with my finger to look at her eyes. It was powder blue and it was like the ocean, calm, blue and deep. I got lost in it for a moment and I couldn't bear it any longer. Without thinking I pressed my lips against hers and kissed her hard, after a heart beat she kissed me back. In all the 28 years of existence my heart knew what it like was to be contend and I knew I would be forever if I had her.

Ok that's a wrap! Hope you guys liked it and it was worth your wait. Please let me know your thoughts.

Rachael XOXO