Chapter 6.
Sunday 23rd April.
"Anastasia I know you probably need to get back to work but right now it's just not safe for you to be out there while he is still roaming around. I would much rather you come with me and stay at my parents' home for a few days until we can track Hyde down. You can receive emails and phone calls from there and you would still be able to continue working, but you would be safe."
I try not to sound desperate but I'm a few minutes away from begging her to stay there.
"Okay, I'm not going to argue with you on it but I do need to call Kate and let her know where I'll be if I'm not going to be going home with her. She will be worried sick about me."
"Well I've already called Elliot and asked if he would be able to bring Kate to my parents this evening, that way you will both be together. I hope it's alright?" I pray she says yes, I wouldn't be able to function if I thought she was in danger, or hurting. If Kate was sent home I know jack would go after her to hurt Ana.
"Okay, well I guess you have thought of everything. Now sit down and eat, and for heaven's sake stop frowning, you'll end up with terrible wrinkles." I let out a chuckle, and wonder how on earth she can be so calm and laugh while there's a maniac on the loose.
"Alright if you insist. I'll have my driver take us to my parents after breakfast, if you need anything please don't hesitate to ask, Taylor will be more than willing to help."
"Great, I'll go pack my bag and get ready to go while you finish eating that breakfast. I want every crumb cleared when I come back." She flashes me a small smile and it take all of my self-control not to sweep her up in my arms and take her to bed. Instead I smile back and tuck into breakfast.
…...
Taylor calls at noon to let me know he is waiting for us so I call Ana and we head down to the lobby. We are greeted by bright flashes and paparazzi screaming our names. I know this is going to make headlines, I can see it now. People screaming over the new couple rumours, and wondering whether or not they are true. I can see she is startled so I no to Taylor and Sawyer who quickly navigate through the people standing outside and clear a path for us to escape.
"Wow. Do they follow you around everywhere to see who you are with? I mean I know they aren't here to snap a photo of me." She laughs and sits back, visibly relaxing as Taylor starts to drive away from the crowd.
"Ana, I have to tell you something, but please try not to get mad at me."
"Okay, what would I be mad at you for? You're not going to tell me we had some kind of quickie wedding last night while we were both drunk or something are you?" I can tell she's only joking but I can't help think about what it would be like to marry her.
"No as lovely as that would have been it's not that. I knew you were going to that event last night and well I sent one of my security men to drive you to the airport. I know I probably sound like a crazy stalker but I promise it was just to make sure you were safe."
"Oh. Well it does seem a tad like you are crazy stalker but, I guess I can forgive you. I mean having Sawyer drive us was much better than having to ride in the back of a dirty car with a middle aged balding man listening to sports."
"Wow, guessing by that very precise description I'd say you have had a very bad experience with a driver. I do hope Sawyer was nothing but nice to you both, he's new to my team but he seems like a great guy."
"You could say that yes. He was, he did look a little nervous when he saw us but he was fine when we got in the car. Maybe he was expecting someone else. Maybe someone a little more entitled or rude."
We arrive at the airfield and Ana is surprised to see we are getting on a helicopter, but as soon as we get seated and strapped in she is fine and she looks out at the city as we fly.
The smile across her face is infectious and I don't realise I'm watching her until she interrupts my thoughts.
"Christian, I know you said you weren't a crazy stalker, and I believe you but staring at me with a huge smile on your face is slightly worrying."
"Sorry, I was just looking. Appreciating the beauty is all." I notice her blush but she quickly turns her head back to the window and continues to watch as the city fades away beneath us.
"So, where exactly do your parents live?"
"Seattle, not too far from me. They do live in a pretty secluded area though which is why it's perfect when you need to escape the world for a while."
"Good, it sounds like you go here to escape a lot, or at least think about it. I could do with a few days off. Just to relax and spend time doing everything I love."
"I do, it's hard to do anything for yourself when everyone's watching your every move. Sometimes it's nice just to get away. My parents aren't home very often, they spend a lot of time travelling and experiencing everything his world has to offer so it can get a little lonely at their place. You can have a few days to yourself while you're here, I promise even if the whole family is at home there are loads of places you can go for some alone time. I'll show you when we arrive."
…...
As we arrive at my parents I see Ana's eyes light up, she wasn't expecting the house to be like this. It's huge, I still manage to get surprised when I visit and I spent most of my childhood living in this house.
We go into the kitchen and I pour her a glass of water, I can tell she is still trying to take it all in so I allow her to spend a few minutes looking around while I help Taylor bring our bags into the house. When we get back inside I need to hunt around for Ana before I eventually find her in the main room looking through some photos that had been left out.
"You were such a cute child, what happened?"
"Ha ha very funny, I might have been a cute child, but let's be honest I'm pretty hot if I may say so myself. I'd choose that over being cute any day,"
"Well I won't argue with you on that one. I know we just got here and I should probably meet your family but I'm exhausted, could I go take a shower to wake myself or have a nap?"
"Yes of course. Follow me."
I know my parents won't be home for a few days and Elliot hasn't even left New York yet so it's just myself Ana and the security at the house until this evening. Not that I plan on doing anything untoward, I just want her to be comfortable and relaxed before she meets everyone.
"Can I have a tour before I shower?" her question pulls me out of my daydream and it takes a few seconds for my brain to catch up and answer her.
"Yes of course. We should probably start down here first and then make our way up."
"So obviously you have seen the main room. We don't tend to spend much time in there unless it's just a few of us that are here, most of the time is spent in the dining room or outside."
...…
"So that's it, there are a few places I want to show you but they look better in the evening so I can show you them later tonight or tomorrow. This is your room, there are fresh towels in the bathroom and extra in that cupboard over there, you can control everything in this room with this iPad. Lights, music, curtains heating. The door also locks just in case you want a little extra privacy. You have a balcony through that door if you wish to use it and I'm right next door so if you need anything don't hesitate to call for me. I'm going to go for a shower to freshen up as well, I'll come back in about an hour and we can go have something to eat. Sound good?"
"Yep sounds good and Christian thank you for this. God only knows what might have happened if I went home today. I hate to think that someone out there is looking for me and wants to hurt me. Thank you for taking care of me; I truly am blessed to have a friend like you." The word 'friend' is like a stab to my heart but I can't let her know that so I return her hug and gently squeeze her before leaving her room to go and shower.
On my way into my room I call my parents to find out when they will be back.
"Hey mom, I was just wondering when you and dad will be home. I'm staying at the house for a few days with a friend of mine and I would like for you both to meet her."
"Christian darling, your father and I are stuck in aspen, there's a storm about to hit and there aren't any planes flying out. It's much safer if we stay here until it's passed before trying to come home. I hope you will stay at the house until we come home, I would love to meet this friend of yours." I'm a little upset that they can't be home soon but I would rather they stayed safe than risk their lives trying to get home.
"Okay, of course we will stay here. I really do hope you can meet her. I have to go and call Elliot to check on him. Keep me updated on the weather and let me know if anything changes. Love you."
"Love you too darling." I hang up and dial Elliott's number; they should be here by now or at least on their way here.
"Bro, where are you?"
"Seriously Elliot, I called to ask you the same question. I thought you were coming to mom and dads today?"
"Yeah, we changed our minds. Mia is having a crisis and Kate has offered to help, were about to fly out to meet her. Sorry I forgot to tell you."
"Okay, well where are you going, do you have security?"
"Relax Christian, we are going to the Bahamas and yes we have security. You know what Mia can be like if she doesn't get her own way, it was easier to just go to her than listen to her moan at me for weeks to come about how I ruined her job or something."
"Fair point, okay just let me know when you guys arrive please, and ask Kate to call Ana or text her. She's a little worried about her since Hyde hasn't been seen since he escaped."
"Of course, I'll let her know."
I envy him so much, he can go and do whatever he wants whenever he wants and not have to worry about being followed. I put my phone on the bed and go for a shower, I make sure I'm quick about it because I know Ana will be hungry, and my own stomach is growling.
…...
Ana.
"Kate it's amazing. You would love it. My bedroom is huge, I'm pretty sure the closet I have is the same size as my entire bedroom in the apartment."
"I'm so jealous, but Elliott's sister had a bit of trouble at work so I offered to help. So tell me about the house, I want the details."
"Well it's insane. The living room is amazing, the windows are floor to ceiling and the view is spectacular. There's a piano and a huge fireplace, all very neat and clean. There are 2 separate dining areas, one of them looks out to the back of the house and you can see the water, it's beautiful. There's another huge sitting room again with a massive fireplace. I want to just curl up in front of it with a hot chocolate. And my room wow."
"That sounds amazing. Please tell me about your room, you sound so shocked about it."
"Yeah, it looks out onto the water and I even have a balcony and a fireplace. Well two actually, I have one in my bedroom and one in the bathroom. As if that wasn't spectacular enough the bathtub is a dream. I can relax in the bath and look out onto the water. Honestly it's beyond anything you could imagine."
"That sound amazing, I'm kind of jealous of you now."
"Yeah right, you're going to the Bahamas. Anyway to finish off the rest of the house, there's a huge wine cellar and I mean huge, like the size of our whole living room kind of huge. A pool and a Jacuzzi, a tennis court and a games room with a pool table. It's the definition of a dream home."
"Wow that does sound amazing. Well I have to go Ana, but please enjoy yourself and take some time off. Don't stress about work and just relax, you deserve it."
"I will Kate; I need some time to refocus on myself again."
"Exactly, but behave. I don't want to come home to a broken-hearted or pregnant best friend." I chuckle with her comment and say goodbye. I wrap myself up in a towel ad go back into my room and just look out at the water.
I begin to imagine what it would be like if I opened up to Christian, I wonder if we could work. Before I realise it I'm practically planning our wedding in my head. I smile to myself and throw on the pyjamas that have appeared on my bed. I know Taylor has been sent out to get me clothes, so I guess we are here for more than a few days.
Monday 24th April.
Christian.
I drag myself out of bed and go to check on Ana, as I come closer to her door I can hear her coughing so I gently knock.
"Come in." She sounds dreadful and I can tell before even looking at her that she's ill.
"Ana are you alright?" Stupid question Grey. Stupid question.
"Not really. I've been up all night vomiting and coughing. It must have been something I ate."
"Strange we ate the same things yesterday and I'm alright. Can I get you anything...?"
Just as I say the words I'm alright I feel my stomach turn and I run for the toiler, making it just in time. I feel her hand on my back, usually I would flinch or get pissed that someone was touching me, but it's comforting so I allow her to continue to rub my back.
After spending the morning puking we both decide that a day with movies is a great idea.
"We don't have a good TV downstairs apart from the cinema room, but to play it safe maybe we should stay near a bathroom."
"I agree, the only other good TV in the house is the one in here so it's a movie day in bed by the looks of it." When I suggest movie and bed her cheeks go bright pink but I try my best to ignore it.
…...
Ana.
After picking out a few movies to watch we get settled on top of the bed but before I get comfortable I decide I want to lie in front of the fireplace to stay warn so I shuffle down the bed and sit on the floor, within a few seconds Christian is beside me and he wraps the comforter over both of our legs.
I know how he feels about me so I try not to get too comfortable but halfway through the second movie I start to get tired and I can't help myself as I slide myself down and put my head in his lap. He doesn't startle or react to it and just starts to stroke my hair as I drift off into a blissful sleep.
An hour or so later I wake up to the smell of food and my stomach growls. I lift myself form my spot on the floor and venture downstairs to see what the smell is, to my delight its pancakes. Most people would prefer to have soup when they feel sick but my go to be sugary snacks.
Standing in the kitchen is Christian, flipping pancakes and looking pretty proud of himself. I help him finish cooking and we both sit down to eat our dinner and then take some popcorn and chocolate back up to our spot in the room to continue watching films.
As we get comfortable again I decide it's time to open up and just as I got to start speaking he interrupts me.
"Ana, I know we havent known each other that long but I feel drawn to you. I can't go a single day without thinking about you, and that day I had to tell you to leave was so hard for me. It broke me; I couldn't eat or sleep for weeks. I missed you; I missed your infectious smile and laugh. Hell I even missed just knowing you were safe."
"Christian, I missed you too. I know you said you weren't ready for any type of relationship and I'm glad, because I've had time to think. There are a few things you should know about me if we are to remain friends or even move further in this relationship.
"Okay, go ahead tell me anything, or ask me anything."
"Okay, well it's a long story, and I haven't had the easiest life. When I was younger my mom was diagnosed with cancer, it was so scary. I was only 9 years old and the thought of losing my mother frightened me. She was in hospital a lot, so her husband at the time was looking after me. One night he came home drunk and he was telling me how it was all my fault, my mom wouldn't have gotten sick if she never had me. He hit me a few times but I ran from him and he was too drunk to follow me so he just passed out. I knew he was lying and I knew it wasn't my fault. Sometimes people just get sick."
"Ana I'm so sorry."
"It's alright, anyway it got worse after that, he started to drink more and more but then my mom started to get better and she was able to come home. Everything went back to normal, he acted like nothing happened but I was glad, I didn't want my mom to suffer anymore. Four years passed and life was good again but then we received the news that my mom's cancer had come back and it was worse this time. I was terrified, not of losing my mom but being left alone with Patrick. My mom got so sick we couldn't even visit her for a while in case we made her worse. That's when he started to get really angry with me. Calling me names and hitting me every day."
I take a break to catch my breath and think about telling Christian my mom got better and that was it, but I've never told anyone any of this, and it felt good to get it out.
"One night I was asleep, he came home drunk. I could hear him calling out for me and then I heard his buddies shout my name as well. They all laughed as the came up to my room and forced their way in. Patrick hit me a few times then told his buddies to have a go, they did. They spit at me and kicked me. Then two of them held me down, Patrick took of his belt and started hitting me with it. I was screaming so loud but he didn't stop. He told one of his friends to 'stick it in' and I had no idea what he was talking about."
The tears escape my eyes and Christian wraps his arms around me.
"Ana, you don't have to tell me anything else if you don't want to."
"No, I do. I need to. Anyway Patrick's friend unzipped his pants and pulled it out. I started screaming uncontrollably and used all of the strength I had to try and shake free of the hands that were holding me down. I got lucky, our neighbour heard me screaming and ran to her window, she saw what was happening and fired her gun. The men scattered and tried to make a run for it, but they were all so drunk they kept tripping over one another. My neighbour came running over and took me into her house while she called the police."
It feels so good to get it off of my chest and I continue to tell him the rest.
"Living in a small town meant the cops got to the house pretty fast. All of the men were convicted of assault and sent to prison. After that I never saw Patrick again. My mom got divorced as soon as she was healthy and we moved house. That's when she met Ray."
"Ana. I can't believe you have kept this to yourself for all this time. I want you to know, that as long as you're here with me you are safe. I won't let anyone came near you or hurt you again."
I smile because I know he is telling the truth, I also realise that I'm falling for him. It takes every part of me not to tell him that, but I need to find out about him first.
...
Okay guys, very long chapter for you there. I hope you are enjoying the story so far, it's only going to get more exciting from here on out.
The house I described to you guys can be found on Zillow.
719 96th Ave SE,
Bellevue, WA 98004
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