Chapter 6: A Question of Trust
Aaron 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 8: StrengthAaron has kept a close eye on Benji. He was quick to notice there was unspoken conversations between him and Annie. He approached the flamboyant man who makes a point of avoiding him. Its clear he wants to run the moment he notices him.“Benji…” he said soft but firmly. “You can run but I will ask my questions,” he said pointedly. His eyes search for Annie too, as she suddenly become just as elusive. He will have to remind her that her primary duty is to stay obnoxiously closed to him. “Make your choice Benji, run or talk to me.”“Oh fine, what is it?” Benji finally looked at him. His eyes did another serious inventory check about his appearance. He certainly can understand why his best friend were such a mess and he doesn’t even know the man. He just currently judges him by his male perfection doing extremely good justice to the clothes he has designed. He has yet
Chapter 9: HostageAaron making a point of avoiding the media. He certainly didn’t realize he would get this much exposure. His eyes have been searching for a very elusive Annie. He has questions but one thing was certain, he was going to make Benji allow Annie to go in his place. That man is liable to trap him in a physical situation.“Aaron, wait,” Grace was making a bee-line in his direction. He was instantly thankful for a very obnoxious reporter trying to interview her. He quickly slipped into the nearest door. It took him seconds to understand his mistake.“Don’t move,” the gun pointed directly at him. “Well; well, if it isn’t the man worth ten million. Move towards the window.”Aaron keeps a careful eye on both men. The second one seemed to be searching for something in the file cabinets.“Did you find it?”“No, watch that man.”“Here makes the call,” the first gun man said handing Aaron a phone.“Who should I call?”“Benji Bloom,” the man said impatient.“Why,” Aaron didn’t ta
Chapter 10: Being HumanAaron saw the flare of the gun being fired. It took him a moment before he realized the bullet hit the wall right behind Annie. The fear that gripped his heart has him paralyzed in shock. The certainty that he can’t lose Annie makes him move. The second bullet aimed directly at Annie hit him in the shoulder.“Aaron…” Annie screamed.“Stay where you are Annie,” the gunman orders. It was clear he was losing his patience.She blatantly ignores him reaching Aaron. The blood was oozing through his shoulder. Aaron gripped her hand stopping her from opening his shirt.“Don’t Annie,” he said through gritted teeth.“You are bleeding,” he tried removing his hand.“Focus Annie.” His eyes looked towards the gun man approaching them.“Make the call Annie,” his man pushed the gun right into her hand. “I will put another bullet into your boyfriend.” He warns.“Annie…make the bloody call.” Grace screamed from the floor.“What do you want from Benji?” she asked ignoring a scream
Chapter 11: Moment in Time Annie and Benji found themselves in the CBD of the city. They both were in their private world. Since the shooting incident; as it was quickly clear the Casey family have effectively shut them out of the inner circle. "Annie what are you thinking?" Benji reach out to take hold of her hand holding her. "I am not sure. Okay in truth I am a bit lost. Aaron was shot and the way that Grace bitch told the family; its like its my fault." "Why don't you tell Aaron who you are? This way no one can exclude you." Benji asked softly. "I want to but I also want Aaron to remember on his own who I am. These people will just claim I am a liar." Annie stop walking looking at their shared reflections in the mirror. It took a moment before she noticed people behind them. "Benji do you see them?" It took all her willpower not to turn around. "What's Luke doing in the CBD?" "Who is the woman he is arguing with?"Annie decide to fully turn around to face them.
Annie stood in Grace Jones's office. She has arrived early. Since she knows the schedule of her assistant and a small financial incentive from her, she has managed to gain acess. While she was alone she did a quick search hoping to find something what might explain why Luke Stanton was now dead. The only thing she did discover was a phone number that was covered in ink. She took a quick photo and forward it to Benji. The lock box was hidden behind a few ledgers. Where she stood she has an excellent view to the front of the building. She now watch Grace getting out of her car. "Okay lets see what you are hiding." Annie stood beside the window. On impulse she pulled a chair closer and sit down. She was curious how long it would take the witch to realize she wasn't alone in her office domain. Grace step from the elevator. She walked directly to Aaron's office. She was surprise when she found it locked. She immediately turn around furious eyes searching for the senior office man
Chapter 13: Heartbreak“Are you sure about this address sir?” Barnard looked around for a suitable parking spot. This area is the heightened spot for gay men denying the preference. He briefly looked at his Boss in the rearview mirror. His expression was set in stone. Once he has parked the vehicle, he climbs out to opened the backdoor.“Should I wait sir?” Barnard looked around. He noticed various men watching them curiously before they whispered behind their hands.“You can leave Barnard. I will call you.” Aaron steps out onto the pavement. He looked directly at the building with the red door. He simply chooses to ignore the men watching him like a hawk. The moment he approached the door it suddenly opened before he even rings the bell.“Aaron Casey?” question the big man wearing a formal black suit.“I am looking for Benji,” he said quietly.“Please enter sir. You will find him in the greenhouse.”“Thank you.” Aaron enters without looking back to a worried Barnard.Benji sits in th
Chapter 14: Hope and LoveAnnie found herself at the graveyard. The rain was pouring onto her head. She realized since her confrontation with first Grace Jones then Jenny Casey, she has made two powerful enemies. It doesn’t matter; she refuses to back down.Her eyes landed on the gravestone where her husband’s name was engraved. A deep frown marred her expression. The big question now, who did she bury? Why did the doctor lie to her? This is questions that needs answers. She needs help but her best friend was heartbroken.She stood there with a busy mind. The reality as she discovered, life constantly moves. It has taken time before she manages to accept that certain things will never be the same again. Life goes on. But now…her past as she thought it was has come full stop.“Aaron…”The sudden ringing of her phone startled her. The rain has stopped but she was drenched to the skin. She struggles before she managed to get her phone from her pants pocket. She didn’t recognize the numbe
Chapter 22: Run Away Annie found herself being bundled into a truck. The shock of instant pain immediately made her gasps. She scrambled to the furthest corner trying to make herself as small as possible. Her mind keeps whirling with questions whether Aaron was safe. She keeps cursing herself mentally for coming back to the cursed town. She suddenly sits upright when Anja joined her in the back.“I don’t know why you acting like a fool. You knew this day would come.”Annie didn’t answer her but keeps her eyes sharply focus on her sister. It starts to dawn on her that she looks mentally disturb.“Playing mute is not going to help. Victor likes his woman to be vocal. The first thing he needs to do if place his mark on you. We need to erase that fool’s fingerprints from you.”“Go to hell Anja,” she snaps.“I am already there. You don’t know what Victor is capable off but you will learn once he starts breaking you in.” she said with clear satisfaction. “I am curious Annie. How good is Aa
Chapter 21: Don’t hurt“Run, Annie, run,” Aaron was doing his best to block people trying to get out of the Bar and Grill.“Get out of my way fool,” Victor roars in anger. Each time he tried to reach the door, Aaron hit him with whatever he could grab. “I am going to make you pay. You didn’t die the first time but this time I am going bury you myself,” he warns ignoring whatever was hitting him and grab hold of him.Aaron managed to take one look over his shoulder. The fear runs through his body when he noticed people start circling Annie. This fear drives him into getting angry. “Let go of me,” he instantly fights the grabbing hands. In the scuffling he notices Victor’s foot. He quickly stomps hard onto the bridge of his foot. The man instantly howls in pain. He briefly loosens his hold. It was chance enough for Aaron to make a run for it. The moment he was out the door; he grabbed hold of some empty bottles on the back of a nearby truck. The first man who managed to reach Annie, wel
Chapter 20: I choose: We chooseAnnie stood outside the house. She knew she shouldn’t have come back. In her happiness to have Aaron back and him asking to visit Twin-Rivers she made a mistake in not telling him this wasn’t a good place. Her worried eyes looked towards the houses on either side of her property. It was clear there lives no one. She wonders if they managed to escape this town.She slowly walks to the edge of her grounds. The weed and shrubs were thick making it difficult to opened the now hidden gate.“Wait for me Annie,” Aaron quickly approached her. He has noticed she has been keeping a close eye on her watch. It was clear she was tense and on edge about something. “What are you doing?” he quickly helped her wrestle the gate open. “Is this a graveyard of sorts?”“It is, my family is buried here.”“I don’t understand the setting?”Annie turns around looking back towards her house. In her mind’s eye she can see her mother standing in the door. She was waiting for her da
Chapter 19: Don’t be Afraid“Annie, are you ready?” Aaron looked around the house. The place was big enough to raise an ordinary size family. He was curious about two of the bedrooms in the back of the house. The doors were locked and he has noticed that his wife avoids that part of the house.“I am coming,” Annie made her appearance in the doorway. The moment he was aware of her he looks in her direction smiling. The vivid memories of yesterday still very clear in his head.He likes the sexual woman hiding within her. He has quickly learned not to judge the versions she was showing the world. There certainly were hidden depths she was careful in how she reveals this to the world.“What’s with the smile?” she reached him. She quickly stood on tip toe kissing his chin.“Oh, just thinking about last night,” he pulled her roughly against his body before he quickly and thoroughly ravished her. The moment he let her go she bites back a moan. It also feels like her brain wasn’t functioning.
Chapter 18: You are mine“Annie…” Aaron framed her face before he kisses her tenderly. All his fears and uncertainty were revealed within the kisses they shared knowing now they are husband and wife.She slowly opened her eyes still feeling drowsy from his intimate exploring of her body. They took time to familiarized each other about the changes in their bodies.“Hey,” she said as a soft smile plays around her mouth. Her own body acknowledging that she missed being touch. “Did you know I once knew your face long before I knew you name. It was a girlish dream that become a reality.”“My Annie…I always knew there was something missing.”“I know the feeling.”They play around in bed keeping their arms wrapped around the other. This silliness was making them both feel comfortable with the other.“I want to stay there in bed, is this okay Annie?”“I want that too,” She quickly settles against him again. It was like her body can’t get enough of his touch. She lifts her head looking into hi
Chapter 17: Second Chance“Annie, where are you?” Aaron enters the house in Twin-Rivers. They have been here two days. The moment they booked into the local bed and breakfast, the owner instantly recognized Annie. Her reaction still puzzles him. The news about her return spread like wildfire.“Annie…” he calls again. They didn’t even unpack when the lawyer made his appearance. They were handed a key with strict instruction to sleep here their first night. Annie didn’t want to take the key, so he took it on her behalf. Since then, she was very withdrawn.He was worried, the tension and arguments from his mother, the verbal accusations she randomly thrown at Annie, was uncalled for. It was clear his marriage to Annie, it seemed to have rattled especially his mother. This made him simply pull Annie from the mansion. This town enters his head so he insists on coming to her hometown.“Honey,” he went in search of her.“I am in the bedroom,” she answers.This made him smile. Apart from her
Chapter 16: Discovering“Aaron, what are you saying?” James Casey looked startled and shocked.“Where is Annie?” he demands.“She is outside,” he begins. “Aaron, I don’t understand.”“I am married.” Aaron looks around for his clothes. He hates it when ever he wakes in a hospital someone has removed his clothes. He found the items, wrinkled and muddy but he doesn’t care. He quickly pulled on his pants then his shirt.“Why is there blood on your shirt son?”“It’s nothing. I just want to get out of this building.”“Okay son, my car is outside.”“Annie…” he calls stepping into the hall.“Aaron,” she quickly approached him. Jenny tried grabbing her arm but she simply side-stepped her.“I am here.” She said softly.“Let’s go home.” He took her hand entwining their fingers together. Now purposefully they start walking towards the exit of the hospital. They found Barnard waiting for them.“Where too sir?”Aaron helped Annie into the back of the vehicle. Again, he reached for her hand. He need
Chapter 15: Forgotten PastAaron slowly opened his eyes. Everything looks black around him. The longer he looks the more he starts to noticed the glimmer of a light at the end of a very long tunnel. He tries to move but it was quickly clear his body feels too heavy to get up.He slowly moves his head wondering if he was alone. He noticed the bright moon shining through the open curtains. The sounds of the waves slowly sooths the tension in his body.“Doctor, he is awake.”He frowns when he recognizes the voice of his mother. Again, he tries getting up. Something caught and draw his attention. His eyes now fixed on the door. He can feel his heart starting to beat faster. He was curious to see who might be stepping into the bedroom.“Aaron…”His annoyance was instant when he heard the male voice. Instinctively he realized the voice was supposed to sound feminine.“Focus on the light,” the man said.He feels like hitting the man. He doesn’t want him around. There was supposed to be someo
Chapter 14: Hope and LoveAnnie found herself at the graveyard. The rain was pouring onto her head. She realized since her confrontation with first Grace Jones then Jenny Casey, she has made two powerful enemies. It doesn’t matter; she refuses to back down.Her eyes landed on the gravestone where her husband’s name was engraved. A deep frown marred her expression. The big question now, who did she bury? Why did the doctor lie to her? This is questions that needs answers. She needs help but her best friend was heartbroken.She stood there with a busy mind. The reality as she discovered, life constantly moves. It has taken time before she manages to accept that certain things will never be the same again. Life goes on. But now…her past as she thought it was has come full stop.“Aaron…”The sudden ringing of her phone startled her. The rain has stopped but she was drenched to the skin. She struggles before she managed to get her phone from her pants pocket. She didn’t recognize the numbe