Chapter 4

Chapter 4: A Friend Indeed

Annah left the restaurant and walked straight to her friend’s place. The situation was no longer a simple one and she couldn’t continue analyzing it by herself. She had to talk to someone and Rita was all she had.

Growing up without her parents had left Annah scarred but she never let it get to her. She could survive on her own.

Rita, her best friend use to be her roommate until she suddenly made it big. Annah had tried asking her but Rita only smiled and said Annah could not do the things she did for money. All Annah could remember was waking up from her operation and finding out that Rita was very rich now.

But they still talked about their work and relationship –well mostly, Rita was the one who talked about relationships. Annah had zero experience.

“Good morning,” Annah greeted the gatekeeper who was more than happy to welcome her into the private apartment.

“Welcome miss, your friend is home,” the old man told Annah.

Annah thanked him and proceeded to take the elevators. She had always wished at the back of her mind that one day Rita would offer her one of her spare rooms to stay but that never happened.

Rather than lose hope, Annah still held on tight. Rita was her best friend, one day, she would surely invite her to stay with her.

The elevator’s door dinged open and Annah stepped out. She walked to Rita’s door and rang the doorbell.

After a few seconds of waiting, the doorknob moved and it opened, revealing a blonde woman in nothing but red lingerie.

“I already told you to move the goods to the warehouse, what is wrong with you?” she screeched into the phone.

Her fake lashes landed on Rita. Her frown was still there but she soon smiled and hugged her friend.

“Annah!” she exclaimed. “What a pleasant surprise!”

“Hey, Rita!” Annah responded. They hugged one another and Rita ended her call.

She pulled Annah by the hand and led her to her sitting room. “So what’s up? How are you?” Rita asked as soon as they settled.

She seemed agitated and Annah wondered if she had taken any hard drinks again.

“I am fine. I just really missed you,” Annah said.

Rita ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. “Oh, Annah. Sometimes you forget how busy I am. I have told you that before you come to me, you need to give me notice unless it is an emergency…” she trailed off.

She was struggling not to sound rude but her impatience was getting the best of her. She had calls to follow through with her workers. One of her boyfriends was coming over as well and Annah’s presence was ruining a lot of things.

“I am sorry Rita, I know you have told me this but I don’t have anywhere to go…” Annah began. “You are the only one I have. If I don’t come to you with my problems, where else will I go?”

“Oh boy!” Rita sighed and got up. She walked to her bar and picked up two glasses. She poured milk into them and topped hers with whisky as flavor.

She brought the glasses to the couch, where Annah was, and handed one to her.

“Now, tell me, what is it?” Rita asked as she sipped her drink.

Annah rolled the glass of milk in her hand and looked at her friend. “I think I am going crazy Rita,” she began and Rita dropped her glass.

“What do you mean?”

“You know Connor Richards?” Annah asked.

Rita’s eyes sparkled and Annah thought of it only as recognition. “Who doesn’t know Connor Richards in this city?”

Rita’s breathing changed and she drew closer to Annah as the question caused turmoil in her heart. “Connor Richards is everywhere! What about him?” she asked Annah.

“I don’t know… but I had a dream… well more like a nightmare and in it, I saw him. I saw Connor…” Annah said.

Rita’s features were turning paler as the description continued.

“I couldn’t recognize him in the dream but when I woke up, he was everywhere… Rita, it felt so real. I think there is something wrong with me,” Annah concluded but this was not what Rita wanted to hear.

She came closer and held Annah’s hands, “Tell me, what did you see in the dream. What did Connor say to you?” she asked.

Annah got up and pulled her shirt. Rita frowned as her eyes settled on the bruises on her body.

“What the hell happened?” Rita screamed.

“I don’t know… In the dream Connor raped me… he even said some crazy things… like I was having his baby? Imagine, me… a baby? He said I had his baby three years ago and I should return it…”

Rita’s eyes enlarged and she almost dropped her glass of milk and whisky. This couldn’t be happening, she thought to herself.

Before Annah could look up at her, Rita smiled, covering up her panic.

“I am sure it was just a product of your imagination. The guy has been trending in the news for days now. There is no big deal. Just relax Annah,” she said.

“Rita, I thought of this same thing too. I felt I was only imagining him and everything but how can we explain these markings on my body and between my legs? I haven’t been with a man in years but Rita I swear I felt my pussy clench and it was wider than its usual size like I truly had sex! It’s crazy!”

Rita let out an awkward laugh and then made Annah pause. She looked at her friend and wondered what made her laugh because she couldn’t see the amusement in her predicament.

“I am sorry Annah...” Rita said. “Look, I am sure there is a perfect explanation. You probably fingered yourself all night. You know how deep you sleep when you complete a story-”

“But Rita I didn’t complete a story… I am battling with one currently!” Annah cried out.

Rita’s face turned serious again and she got up from the couch. “I am certain it is just you. Come on! Do you think Connor Richards will rape you? The man has enough money to buy a thousand women, and besides, I think if Connor wants you, he wouldn’t come to you in dreams,” she said.