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 1: EchoAaron felt the shudders wrecking throughout his body. His frame coil in tension as the strength of fear left him breathless. As always, his mind was a blank canvas that he needed to color with knowledge that was always just fragmented pieces until his mind start drawing.His gut twisted as he felt the car start rolling. He tried looking but he only ever hears the screaming. Whoever was in the car with him he never knows. Breaking free of the nightly dream, he stumbles fall from his bed. His body was drenched in sweat.“Bloody hell…” he whispers as he grabs hold of the bottle of water. His whole body still wrecks with shudders.“Take a shower,” the voice comes from the corner of the bedroom.“Dammit grandpa,”“I take it that was a bad one,” the old man struggles to get onto his feet.“What are you doing here grandpa?”“I am hiding,” he said frankly.“Why,” Aaron gulps more water. It feels like his body was burning from within.“This is the only bedroom in this mansion w
Chapter 2: An Emotional CollisionAaron sits looking at his parents. Since the moment he has entered he felt an unseen tension building in the air. His hand still when his mother speak. The drumming in his ears at first made that he didn’t hear what she said.“Are you listening to me son?” she asked openly annoyed.“Excuse me?”“I invited a few potential girls over for you to choose.” His mother said now looking pleased with herself.“What for Mom?” he was openly puzzled.“You need a date. The fund-raising is very important to me.”“I am not going to attend Mom. I already told you.”“Aaron, you agreed to be one of the eligible bachelors for the night.” The rise in panic in her voice makes the anger boil within him.“Who the hell arranged this on my behalf mother?” his temper was building.“Grace said you agreed.”“I had enough of that woman and her meddling.” Aaron reached for his phone. He punched in a number now listening as the phone start to ring. As he sits there the knowledge s
Chapter 3: Forgotten“I want coffee,” Aaron yelled towards Barnard. He was furiously removing his jacket throwing it onto the nearest chair. “Don’t bring me that lousy coffee you usually make.” He now stood in front of his window.“Aaron, check your attitude,” Grace said firmly as she closed the office door.“Miss, come with me.”Annie keeps looking at the door with a puzzled expression. She slowly followed the man who gently touches her hand. They walked towards the back of the breakroom. She noticed several curious eyes watching her. The questions were silently whirling amongst them. One thing was certain once she managed to get out of this building, she was going to kill Benji. The strong wording forming in her mind has no outlet since she can’t even yell at the fool. She had thrown him with her cell phone.“What are you brewing?” she asked curiously. She didn’t even realize she has been looking at what Barnard was doing. Acting on impulse she grabbed a funky mug then placed it on
Chapter 4: Heart’s realizationAaron keeps his hand firmly on her bended elbow. He feels annoyance towards himself but seriously intrigued with the woman beside him. One thing was certain in his mind, he wasn’t going to let her out of his sight.“Barnard bring my own vehicle. I am driving.” He orders his driver.Annie fights for control as her mantra vibrates throughout her mind. She had three rules for three years. Now here and now she found herself at a cross-road. It had taken much effort but she managed to follow one of her dreams. She went for what she wanted, brave enough not to care if she risks losing all. Beside she already loss severely.“What are you thinking Annie?”Aaron still holding her looking into her very expressive face. “Don’t deny as I can see the invisible words being written in your mind.”“You are very intrusive in your behavior.” She tried removing her arm. He then simply adjusts his hold on her. The shock of his next move jolted her body into further awarenes
Chapter 5: Erotic Dreams and Scars“Aaron…” the soft voice called his name.“Hmm,” he whispers biting back a moan before shudders ripped through his body. His body moves into the curves of her body. “I love you,” he whispers without opening his eyes.“Aaron, we need to go,” her soft lips kiss the edge of his ear.“A few more minutes honey,” he wraps his arms tightly around her body. He can hear her heart beat galloping knowing she was suppressing laughter. “Kiss me,” he asked.“Aaron…” he feels her hand now pushing him flat onto his back. She settles herself on his stomach. The next moment gasps escape from his lips when he feels her lips settling around his taut nipple. She slowly starts licking his skin making the heat start burning within his groin.“Honey, what are you doing?”“Marking my territory,&
Chapter 6: A Question of TrustAaron steps out of his bedroom. He did a quick double take when he found Annie waiting outside in the hall for him. The funky woman has transformed into a smart professional, the black and white combination an excellent choice in his opinion. The various shades of color hair were knotted into a tight bun in the nape of her neck. A scowl faces over his expression making him impulsively step forward to tuck a wayward lock free from the bun.“Why did you do that sir?” she asked openly puzzled but secretly pleased.“I don’t like this new image,” he said openly annoyed.Annie allowed her quick eyes to wander over the business perfection of his image. This man in front of her was far removed from the husband she knew. A quick flash of memory him in casual clothes looking boyishly handsome with hair slightly longer.“What’s with the look Annie?”“H
Chapter 7: Love’s ReactionAnnie stood still, her mind suddenly actively remembering a moment in her past. Right from the first moment Aaron and she met, the trust and love was instant. She can see he was struggling but it was clear he doesn’t understand his behavior. She badly wants to tell him who she was but also knows he must remember on his own…“Annie, is that you?” Luke Stanton quickly approached her where she stood in line waiting for her order. The sudden disturbance of her memory line has her in a mood. She also instantly remembers how her friend felt the last time she saw him. A scowl of her face, she stood and watch the warmth and happiness washes over his handsome face. This reaction puzzles her. She quickly covers her emotions by looking at her watch.“Hello Luke,” she said softly. Her nervous gaze briefly looks towards the door behind him.“How are you?” Luke kisses bot
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
Chapter 35: Whispers in the NightAnnie found herself within a room with no windows nor does she hear any sound except those repetitive words the nun whispers into her ear. The tone of her voice insistent in the need for her to listen.“Do you see him?” she asked softly.“Who,” she can feel the fear vibrating in her throat.“The man dressed in gray prison clothes has been looking at the darken skies. The prison walls were high but he was curious whether it was just him that noticed the circling crows that decent down onto the walls. The birds with the beady eyes looked almost focused on him. He rubs his eyes a few times. It felt like his heart might break.”“What has him this sad?” Annie asked. She found her hands carefully rubbing over her stomach. It feels like the little one was in-tuned with her emotions.“Annie…” he whispered her name. He rubs over his face while shaking his head. The single sentence follows him like a shadow.“The baby is ours.” The words echo in his mind as he
Chapter 34: Attempted KidnappingAnnie slowly opened her eyes. She kept her body motionless as she tries to figure out what has disturbed her sleep. The bedroom was covered in shadows. Her breathing was deep and even. As the minutes tick away in her mind, her body start to relaxed.“Silly,” she mumbles to herself.About to close her eyes again when she heard a shuffling right outside the door. The sound of someone groaning made her shuffle into a sitting position. She tried her best to listen attentively. After a tense moment she thought she heard someone calling her name. “Hello?” she called but no one answered.It felt like hours passed before she decides to carefully getting out of the bed. Once she managed to slipped her feet into a pair of comfortable slipper boots, she reached for the blanket to wrap around her shoulders. She was patiently making her way towards the door.“Hello…” she calls again.“Aaron, is that you?” she stood in the hallway looking around. Everywhere she move