Chapter 23: Never ForgetAaron has been looking for Annie, who has made a habit to disappear into hiding. Since the moment they managed to escape from Twin-Rivers, she was quiet and very withdrawn. Since it was already a pre-existing plan it was easy to effectively fall of the radar. The helicopter pilot dropped them off at the airfield where a small airplane was waiting. That pilot in turned dropped them off at a river-side town where a speedboat was waiting. Once they reach the ocean, a big yacht waited to dropped them off at this secluded island with only a few hundred habitants.“Annie…”He finally noticed where she was sitting today, close to the edge of the water. She seemed to be looking at people fishing close. Where he stood, he noticed such loneliness about her person. He looks at the small box the priest has given him. This has him tense as to who she would react once he gave it to her. The other problem he was facing, wondering if she was aware about her mother being alive
Chapter 24: Who am I?“Annie, we need to call my grandpa,”He carefully folded the paper giving it back to her. He starts to realize that maybe he didn’t meet Annie by accident. His grandfather was somehow involved. He stood and reach for the secure satellite phone he makes a point of keeping it close.“Aaron…I am worried.” She admits softly.“I am too but the only one who can here and now tell us the truth, is my grandpa.”“Okay,” she stood now beside him. She badly wants to touch him but feel afraid and somehow ashamed about her heritage.They both listens to the ringing of the phone. After a few rings the nurse answers. He requests a conversation with his grandpa but the woman told him that his grandfather was sleeping. He had a physical setback. This has Aaron instantly worried. The call was disconnected. Aaron looks at Annie a worried look in his eyes. “Something is wrong,” he said firmly.“I think so too. I don’t know the woman, but was that really his nurse?” she asked anxious.
Chapter 25: Mirror of IllusionsAaron keeps looking at each individual photo, as time passed, he can see the clear resemblance of his family line. He finally stood in front of the photo of his grandfather. There was such a serious look in his eyes.“Here drink this,” The priest handed him a brew-like coffee. “It will help to heal you more quickly.”“Thanks, now tell me about him?” his finger points to his grandfather.“Did he never talk about his bloodline?” the priest went and sit down at a nearby table. He points towards the extra chair for him to take.“No not really.” Aaron starts drinking from the brew. It has a bitter taste but it quickly warms his blood. He can feel the buzzing through his blood.“What do you know about your family Aaron?”“It would seem not much. Father, I was in a car accident. I suffered selective memory loss. It is only recently that I started remembering again.”“That is good but why do you sound uncertain?”“I haven’t spoken to my wife but in truth, I am
Chapter 26: Take my heart: Take my body“Annie, where are you?” Aaron seemed to be calling from somewhere in the gardens.“I am here, where are you?” she called back.“I am here but why are you hiding?” he sounded annoyed.“I am not Aaron. I am going to stand still then you follow my voice,” she called back.Annie stood motionless just listening. The only sound she currently hears was that of birds that seem to sing their own lovers’ song. She was so intent on listening that she didn’t even hear him approached. The moment that his strong familiar arms folded around her, did she realize his presence. She quickly turns around within the circle of his arms.“Where have you been?” she asked standing on her toes. She realizes they both were naked. A quick glance and she understood his body was already aroused. His mouth suddenly claims her in a heated kiss that ravished the depths of her mouth. It feels like he wants to rip her heart through the kiss. She equally joined him in what feels l
Chapter 27: Leap of Courage“Aaron we should leave here.” Annie whispers where she sits close to him. They have been making passionate love since they have arrived.“I know, I think they are giving us a sexual drug.” Aaron holds her close to his side. The only covering they have is towels. He can’t remember when was the last time they both had slept.It feels like time stood still. He suddenly stood holding his hand for her to take.“Where are we going?” she asked softly.“It’s time we talk to that priest.”“Okay,” Annie looks around, wondering where the sightless servant was.“We should stay in the middle of this path. I don’t want us being separate by rules.” Holding her hand tightly he starts maneuvering their way through what look like a maze. They have been moving a while when the opening just appeared.They stood there just looking at the grounds. The side of the mansion was settled against the hill. “How the hell is this possible?” Aaron looks around.“Do you know this place?”
Chapter 28: AmbushAnnie enters the boardroom in Crown Towers. She carries a few files and the laptop where she places it at the end of the table. She looks curiously towards three other personal assistants working for senior partners. She recognized the two older women but the newest one was clearly dressed with the intention to distract any man who might be looking into her direction. Instinctively she just doesn’t trust her. She shakes her head going back to what she must do.Her phone vibrates within her pants pocket. She quickly reaches for it. A smile spread over her face when she heard him. “Hey honey, you, okay?”“I am. Do you need anything?”“I need you.” He purrs over the line.“This is a professional environment. You can’t be saying things like that to me,” she whispers. “I missed you this morning.”“I know, I am sorry. My grandpa needed me to run an errand. I must say I found it odd that he insisted I do it. But I have noticed he was acting very odd. You did notice the dif
Chapter 29: HeartbeatAnnie closed the bathroom door behind her. The moment she dropped that bombshell in the boardroom, the place erupts into chaos. An unexpected feeling of nausea overcome her that she rushed into the nearest bathroom to vomit. The moment she lifts her head again she looks into Anja’s face reflected within the mirror. The looked of pleasure on her face was disturbing to say the least.“What…what are you doing here?” Annie managed to asked past the shock.“I am here for what’s mine.” Anja said looking directly at her stomach.Annie instinctively placed her hands where her baby was growing.“You are insane,” Annie moved towards the door.“I might be that should be your warning. Don’t test me.” Anja reach with the intent to touch her stomach.“No,” Annie slapped her hand away. “You don’t touch me.” She quickly pulled the door opened and rushed into the hall. She caught sight of her furious mother-in-law heading her way.“Annie…” Anja called as she followed her. “You bet
Chapter 30: Tender loving careAaron slipped from the warm bed. He quickly pulled on a bathrobe. He briefly stood looking at his wife still fast asleep. He bends down and carefully kisses her on the mouth before softly brushing over her stomach. A smile around his mouth as he slipped out of the bedroom. He went down to the kitchen, finding cook busy with her morning preparations.“Good morning, sir.” She handed him his usual mug of specially blended coffee.“Morning Martha,” he walked to the back door opening it. The cool morning air washes over his face. He enjoys this early morning as it gives him time to think. His eyes look at the rugged beauty of the mountains. This house was built within the mountain. Even from this backdoor, he has a good view making it possible to see who might be coming.“Do you want breakfast sir?”“I would like that.” He said grinning with her a moment. “I will take my breakfast with Annie.”“I will make the arrangements sir.”“Thank you.” He closed the bac
Chapter 44: Fire with FireAaron looks at the kissed bruised lips watching the single tear streaming from beneath the bandage eyes. His desire for her knows no bounds but he has trust issues.Annie,” he said hoarsely. He kissed her again. He can feel her lips trembling beneath his. He carefully captures her tear.“Tell me his name,” Aaron looks down at the trap young woman between his fingers; his eyes dark and the feelings of cruelty singing in his heart. All he feels now was hatred and fury forcing him to forget the taste of her kisses or the delicious nectar from her body.“You better give me a name Annie Saint-Claire,” he lessens his grip around her neck. He coldly watches her trying to catch her breath. “I am going to kill you if you don’t give me a name, “he talks right in her face.“Aar…Aaron,” she said hoarsely.“I am not the father,”“You are,” she whispers.“I think you need to know who I am,” his hand slipped behind his back removing the silver dagger. “Maybe if you bleed y
Chapter 43: Secret Lies (Between Lovers)“Sit down Annie Saint-Claire Casey,” his voice was cold and harsh in tone.The big room has a chill that cut into the bones. She shivers before she stumbles with searching hands out front hoping to touch a chair. It was clear she has lost her cane back at the junkyard.“Sit your ass down bloody hell,” the chill in his tone making her shivers.Annie feeling weak and shaky managed to find the chair and sits down carefully. She can hear him moves around her almost like a cage animal. Her hands carefully circle around her too slim body. Just a couple of hours ago he held her passionately then he just up and left after that call.“I want answers. You better tell me the truth.” Aaron keeps circling.“What do you want from me?” Annie delves deeply into herself to find the sudden calm. She is blind but certainly no one’s pushover. Her mom always said know your enemy and adapt according to the situation you find yourself in.“Who the hell are you really
Chapter 42: Question of Pride“Annie, where are you?” the voice clearly annoyed.The blind woman startled into awareness of her immediate surroundings. Her hand nervously caresses over her flat stomach. Just hearing his voice makes her heart beat fast with uncertainty. She can’t believe the drastic change her life underwent the moment she re-married Aaron. Her husband has turned into a complete stranger. Her hand nervously brushes across her eyes. A vengeful act from Victor. He made certain she won’t ever forget.“Annie, answer me.”“I am in the bathroom.” She answered nervously. She listens as the door quickly opens. She instantly smells his male essence the moment he stood behind her. As always, she immediately feels the quickening of her pulse.“Is something wrong Annie?” Aaron allows his heated eyes to wonders over her naked perfection. He caught sight of her reflection in the mirror and noticed she has currently removed the bandages from her eyes. Looking into her sightless green
Chapter 41: Don’t be afraid“My soul has been searching for you. Your soul and mine are one,”“We appear and disappear within each other. I close my eyes, even though you are miles away, I can feel you in every breathe I take. We are always meant to be as one.”The phone ring precisely six o’clock that evening. Annie keeps looking from her finger towards the ringing instrument, as her mind was also occupied with the words ringing like truth in her memory. The moment the phone stop ringing, someone suddenly knock loudly on her door. She simply stayed in her chair not moving. She can’t believe the drastic turn her life suddenly turned. There was a missing piece of the puzzle that currently are her life. She instinctively senses something was very wrong. It almost felt like she was part of some type of emotional game.“Annie, open the bloody door. I know you in there,” yelled Victor. This man in her life also leave a huge question in her heart but she can’t seem to find the answer.She k
Chapter 40: Annie and Victor (Mind Games)Annie carefully closed the bedroom door behind her. She briefly looked back inside. Aaron Casey was still unconscious. She senses a familiarity with the man but doesn’t know why.The moment the phone ring, it felt like she would jump out of her skin. She quickly moved to answer, almost afraid the man would wake in the bedroom or that the caller might realized she wasn’t alone.“Hello,” she said carefully.“Annie, its Victor.” The man said firmly. Something in his tone of voice made her straighten her posture.“Is something wrong?” she asked hesitantly.“I need you to go to the house. A package would arrive and I want you to personally take control of it.” He instructed her.“What is it?” she was hesitant leaving Aaron Casey behind.“You will know it when you accept the package. Now go. Oh by the way, why weren’t you at the shop?”“I closed earlier.”“Why, is something wrong?”“No, just felt like being alone a moment.” She lied hoping he would
Chapter 39: MisleadingAnnie quickly locks her little shop just at the edge of the town. She feels strangely nervous with the sense she was about to hear something bad. This thought has been plaguing her the whole day. She briefly rubs over the scar just behind her neck.She always trusts her instinct, as it is a powerful feeling of wisdom. She has quickly learned it doesn’t matter if she didn’t understand the moment. The truth will always be revealed.She hastily makes her way towards her small apartment. The swirling mist was thick tonight. The moment she shut the door behind her, a sense of relief settles around her.“What a day,” she talks to herself while putting on the kettle.She quickly recharges her phone. As she was about to go and take a shower the ringing of the landline startled her.“That’s weird. Who would be calling that line?” She stood where she was just looking at the phone that keeps on ringing. Her heart rate has escalated, the nervousness from earlier back full f
Chapter 38: CapturedSix months…Annie stood in front of the window. She views the people moving around down in the street. There was such heaviness in her heart. The brief knock on the door didn’t even make her turn around. She just keeps her eyes on the moving people. She has been trapped in this apartment since the disappearance of Aaron and their children.“Annie,” the firm voice of her mother-in-law startled her.She quickly turns around, crossing her arms over her chest. This was an instinctive reaction of self-protection where this woman was concern.“What do you want?” she asked soft her eyes fierce.“I want you to follow me.” Jenny said annoyed.“I don’t want to.” She said stubbornly.“You don’t have a choice. You either follow me on your own or I am going to get the guards to drag you into the street.” She warns clearly ready to implement her threat.“Why the hell can’t you just leave me alone?”“Follow me, now.” Jenny said approaching her. She grabbed hold of her arm and st
Chapter 37: Claiming his wifeAaron has carefully helped Annie into the bathtub filled with warm scented water. Once he was certain she was comfortable he then starts to arrange several fragrant scented candles around the tub. It creates the illusion of peace."Do you want something to drink, Annie?""I don't want to spoil the atmosphere but I would like some ice minted tea." she asked with a soft smile."Your wish is my command." A quick message to cook who was alert for any type of request. He asked her to arrange various foods and fruits too."How do you feel?" he bends over her kissing her naked shoulder."Peaceful. The water certainly was a good idea." she closed her eyes leaning back. Her baby bump gently floats above the water.Aaron stood a moment just admiring his wife. He can't believe it won't be long before he is a dad. This beautiful woman has made him very happy. He sometimes wonders if it wasn't for Benji Bloom and his antics, would his path have crossed with hers again
Chapter 36: Annie’s Admission“Annie, where are you?” Aaron quickly enters the bedroom. Since the attempted kidnapping, she actively chooses to stay in the bedroom. It was only he and cook that enters. It seems like she was paranoid about people around her but he has the sense there was more to this then what she was telling him. The thing that worries him was the fact that she mumbles Victor’s name in her sleep. He doesn’t want to question her as she was near her due date.“Honey,”“I am here,” she calls from the small balcony.“Isn’t it too cold out here?” he questions joining her. He noticed she wrap herself and the baby in warm blankets.“I like it here.” She said softly.Aaron looked towards the snow-covered peaks but decide not to say anything. He carefully joined her on the benchlike chair. His arm slipped around her shoulder making her nestled again him.“How do you feel?” he nuzzles her hair.“Anxious,” she admits softly.“Why,”“I am not sure.”“Do you want me to call the do