CHAPTER 17.

    "AnniBerry... AnniBerry... AnniBerry..."

 Marchen called her name as he gently tapped her shoulders. AnniBerry's eyes flew open, and she gasped for air. Her breathing was rapid.

  "Calm down," Marchen said softly, patting her shoulder. "You were having a nightmare."

 She stared at him as though she had never seen him before, fear still evident in her eyes. Marchen gently held her left hand.

  "You're fine now," he reassured her.

  AnniBerry suddenly burst into uncontrollable tears.

"Not again... not again," she cried.

  Marchen carefully helped her sit up and wrapped his arms around her, gently rubbing her back in an attempt to comfort her. "It's okay, AnniBerry. Stop crying," he whispered. After a moment, he pulled back slightly so he could look into her eyes, but the tears continued to stream down her face.

  "Was it about the presence you sensed in the house?" he asked calmly.

  She slowly shook her head as she wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.

  "Have you eaten?" Marchen asked. AnniBerry nodded.

  "I know how to make really nice creamy pancakes. Would you like to try some?" he asked with a warm, genuine smile.

  For a brief moment, AnniBerry was surprised. She couldn't remember ever seeing Marchen smile at her like that, let alone offer to cook for her. The kindness eased her heart, and she nodded.

  "Yes, I'd love to."

  Marchen took her hand and led her to the dining table. Pulling out a chair, he gestured for her to sit.

  "Just watch me," he said.

  "Okay," AnniBerry replied with a bright smile.

  Marchen walked into the kitchen. He picked up an apron hanging on the wall and stared at it for a moment before putting it on. Then he began preparing the pancake batter.

  AnniBerry watched him with quiet excitement. She couldn't believe how gentle and caring he had been today.

 Then the memory struck her.

  Every time he became this soft after they were intimate, he eventually changed back into the cold, distant man she knew.

  The smile on her face disappeared instantly. She rose from the chair, intending to leave.

  "I asked you to watch me. Where are you going?" Marchen asked.

  Slightly startled, AnniBerry turned around.

  "I just want to get my phone," she replied calmly.

  Marchen walked over and placed both hands on her shoulders.

  "AnniBerry, just sit and watch me. I don't want you to be alone right now."

  He pulled out the chair again, and she quietly sat down. Marchen returned to the kitchen while AnniBerry continued watching him. A few minutes later, Marchen placed a plate of hot, appetising pancakes on the table alongside two glasses of wine. AnniBerry's eyes lit up at the sight of them.

  "Can I?" she asked, reaching for a knife to cut a piece.

  "Yes, you can," Marchen replied with a smile.

  AnniBerry cut herself a piece and took a bite. She paused, staring at Marchen with surprise written all over her face.

  "It's really nice, isn't it?" Marchen asked proudly.

  "Yeah, it is. It tastes just like my mum's pancakes," AnniBerry said with a smile.

  "Wow, what a coincidence," Marchen replied.

  The two burst into laughter. As they enjoyed the pancakes, the table was filled with laughter, light-hearted teasing, and cheerful conversation.

  "Do you usually have dreams like the one you had today?" Marchen suddenly asked.

  The smile on AnniBerry's face faded. Her expression turned pale and sorrowful.

  "Yes... I do," she answered softly.

  "When did they start?"

  "Since my parents died," AnniBerry replied, lowering her eyes. "I almost always dream about the way they died. It hurts... a lot." Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks. Marchen looked at her sympathetically.

  "Do you wish they had never answered that call that day?" he asked gently.

  AnniBerry's eyes widened in shock.

  "How did you know about that?" she asked, staring at him.

  "You told me," Marchen replied.

  "No, I didn't. I've never told anyone about that... except Merrilyn."

  Marchen tapped his foot nervously before forcing a smile.

  "Oh... not you. I heard people talking about it. You know how rumours spread. Maybe Merrilyn told someone, and it eventually got around." AnniBerry seemed convinced and nodded.

  "Yeah... I just wish they had told the caller they would check the shop the next day. Instead, they got into the car... and it exploded."

  She paused, struggling to hold back her tears before looking at Marchen.

  "You know... I still believe someone murdered my parents."

  Marchen gave a faint smile.

  "You can't know that for certain," he said calmly.

  AnniBerry scoffed.

  "Then explain this to me. My dad received a call saying he needed to go and lock the shop because my mum had forgotten to. He told my mum about the call, and the moment they got into the car, it exploded... like a bomb. Three days later, when I went to the shop expecting to find it unlocked, it was already locked exactly the way my dad always locked it."

  Marchen remained expressionless for a moment before speaking.

  "Let's not talk about this today," he said quietly, ending the conversation.

  AnniBerry sat on her bed, hugging a pillow tightly to her chest. She couldn't sleep. The thought of someone coming into her room refused to leave her mind. Although she had locked the windows, she still didn't feel safe. She had changed into a short white nightdress she found among the clothes Marchen had bought for her. She couldn't sleep with the lights on, yet she was too frightened to turn them off. She lay down and closed her eyes, but every few seconds, she found herself glancing nervously at the window. After several failed attempts to fall asleep, AnniBerry picked up her pillow and walked into the sitting room. She lay comfortably on the soft couch, resting her head on the pillow. She scrolled through her phone, hoping to find something interesting to distract herself, but finding nothing, she placed it beside her and closed her eyes.

  "What makes this place safer?"

  Marchen's deep voice cut through the silence, causing her eyes to fly open. She found him standing right in front of her. Startled, she quickly sat upright.

  "I'm sorry. I just didn't feel safe in my room," AnniBerry said.

  Marchen looked at her and smiled. "Then come sleep in my room. You'll be safer there," he offered. AnniBerry thought about it for a few seconds. "Okay," she finally agreed. She picked up her pillow and walked into Marchen's room, with Marchen following behind her. She climbed onto the bed, and he lay down beside her, her back facing him.

  "I love what you're wearing, Anni," Marchen said.

  AnniBerry clutched her pillow tightly. "Thank you," she replied in a low voice.

  "Perhaps you'd like to face me," Marchen suggested.

  AnniBerry forced a smile. "No, thank you. I'm okay this way," she said.

  Marchen smiled. He got off the bed and walked over to her.

  "Stand up, Anni," he said.

  AnniBerry closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep so she wouldn't have to respond.

  "I know you can hear me," Marchen said.

  Slowly, AnniBerry opened her eyes and looked up at him with a frown. Marchen smiled before moving closer to her. Gently taking her hands, he helped her sit up. Then he sat down beside her. For a moment, Marchen and AnniBerry looked into each other's eyes. Marchen placed his palm gently on AnniBerry's face without saying a word. He leaned forward, intending to kiss her, but AnniBerry turned her face away.

 Marchen let out a smile. "Why?" he asked. "You don't want me to kiss you?"

 AnniBerry looked at him. "Yes. I don't want you kissing me or having sex with me," she said firmly.

 Marchen let out a devilish smirk. "Too bad, Anni. My not-so-little man seems very ready for you," he said.

 AnniBerry cautiously lowered her gaze toward him and noticed his arousal. She quickly grabbed her pillow.

 "I'm going back to my room," she said, trying to stand.

 Marchen caught her wrist, causing her to lose her balance and fall onto his lap. She looked at him with a shocked expression.

 "Anni, stop trying to run away from me, especially while you're wearing that dress," he said calmly, his voice low.

 AnniBerry looked down at her dress and realized it exposed much of her chest, covering only her nipples, and was extremely short.

 "Oh my God," she muttered under her breath. "I didn't even notice this." Marchen slipped his hand beneath AnniBerry's dress, exposing her breast. He caressed it gently, softly squeezing her nipple. AnniBerry let out a quiet moan.

 "I don't want to do this," she whispered, her eyes tightly shut.

 "But your body says otherwise," Marchen replied as he continued to caress her.

 He gently parted her legs and realized she wasn't wearing any underwear. Slowly, he ran his hand along her thighs, caressing them gently. As his hand reached between her legs, he slid two fingers inside her, and AnniBerry let out a sharp moan.