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Chapter 18: A Gift
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2022-09-17 14:09:55Related chapters
Waking Up to Love Chapter 19: My Gift to You
John rubbed his tired eyes as he stared at Erin across the desk. The story she'd just told him caused everything inside him to cringe."Why would she tell you this?""Because.Because she knew I wanted you.""As I said I love my wife.""I know but she told me you wanted me too. I thought you wanted it." Erin's eyes filled with tears and she looked down unable to meet his eyes. "Erin listen I'm not sure what she was thinking but the only person I'm interested in is my wife. Gather your things and move down to floor two."Erin scuttled out of the office closing the door behind her and john cupped his head in his hands. He did not know why Isabel would have done something like that, but he had to figure it out fast because she was more dangerous than he'd ever thought possible. He grabbed his keys and headed out needing to get home quickly. ***"Oh, My God!" Melissa exclaimed as she pulled the intricate Saint Laurent bag from i
Last Updated : 2022-09-17Waking Up to Love Chapter 20: Upper Hand
John unlocked the car and slid inside. He had been gone longer than he'd anticipated but he wanted nothing more than to get home to Anna. Erin's revelations made his skin crawl and he had a feeling that leaving her alone with his mother, his sister, and Isabel was a bad idea. He had a bad feeling that he had desperately underestimated Isabel. He headed out of his building's parking garage and caught 40 on his way home. He passed the entrance to the Biltmore Estate and knew he was only miles away. He thought of Anna and sped up. Life had not always been easy for her but somehow she had become one of the strongest women he knew, he was so damn proud to call her his. He wished his mother and sister were easier on her. "They had better remember the conversation we had earlier." John thought as he pushed the pedal down even faster. His mother and sister had promised to try but something about the look they'd exchanged as he was leaving to find Anna made him nervous. John jumped out of
Last Updated : 2022-09-17Waking Up to Love Chapter 21: My Dear Cousin
Anna stomped up the stairs and held in the angry tears until she reached her room. She went into the bathroom and washed her face. She stared into her own blue eyes and realized that she really didn't care anymore what any of them thought. She was tired of trying to impress everyone else. "What am I doing with all of these type clothes in my closet?" Anna asked herself as she drifted into her walk-in closet as she tried to calm down. Row upon row of designer clothes that were too flashy for her simpler tastes. Row upon row of neihman Marcus clothes, Jimmy Chou shoes, and ball gowns that she would never pick for herself or want to wear hung with price tags still on. "Well, maybe Jimmy Chou's are something I'd wear." She said with a smile as she looked at the black high heeled beauties. "The rest is not me, it's like an alien took over my brain when I was shopping." She ran her hands quickly through her hair and decided that she didn't look a total mess. She grabbed her purse, determi
Last Updated : 2022-09-17Waking Up to Love Chapter 22: Shopping Trip
"Stupid moron," Anna screamed out loud in the leather interior of her Land Rover even though she wasn't sure who she was screaming at. She slammed her hand on the steering wheel as she realized she was crying. She had always felt like she wasn't good enough and the constant barrage from Melissa, May, and Isabel had beaten her down. Her insides felt raw. She wiped angry tears from her eyes. She didn't really want to talk to anyone, she wasn't sure if what she would say would make sense so she switched her phone off. She turned off into the downtown area and found the first available spot. She laid her head on the steering wheel realizing she had driven the miles without realizing where she was going. Shopping had been her excuse but now she knew she needed to get out before she did something she would regret, or go to jail for. Anna locked her car and began to walk aimlessly. She realized that she'd spent her whole life trying to impress someone. Whether it was her aunt and uncle, Isa
Last Updated : 2022-09-17Waking Up to Love Chapter 23: Old Enemies
Her old classmate from school Seline stood with hands-on-hips as she watched Anna turn and took at the dress. "What did you just say?" Anna asked with a growl as she turned to confront her. Seline swished her long black hair behind one shoulder and gave her a smile that didn't quite reach her brown eyes. Seline's family had earned their money through lumber and they had been wealthy for generations, a fact she never failed to rub into everyone's face. She had been vicious in high school and had made Anna's life hell. "Oh, darling do you not hear well as well as not read well? I guess you can't expect any less considering how you grew up." Anna turned to face her and glared right back at her. "I can assure you that I can hear and read just fine. In fact, I happen to have a college degree thank you." "Do you?""From an online school right? Nothing like my degree." Seline said with a smile."From where Mommy and Daddy bought it for me university?" Anna asked seriously. Seline sputte
Last Updated : 2022-09-17Waking Up to Love Chapter 24: Childhood Bully
Anna quickly changed into her own clothes and brought the beautiful dress out and handed it to the waiting sales assistant. She stepped as far as possible away from Seline and Anthony, she did not want to get mixed up in that drama. She searched through the racks and found several other outfits that fitted her new personality. She even found a beautiful pair of Dolce and Gabanna shoes to match the dress. She took them to the counter and laid them on the pile thinking that maybe retail therapy wasn't such a bad idea. "Then go, if you don't want to be here." Seline's voice hissed loudly in the quiet of the store. "Don't be a child," Anthony said angrily as he pulled away. "You are embarrassing yourself," Anthony said with a snarl as she tried to grab his arm again. "The only reason I don't want to talk about the wedding is because I don't want to marry someone who is so cruel."Anthony's steps drew closer and Anna looked at him and smiled hesitantly. "I'm sorry for her behavior, I wi
Last Updated : 2022-09-17Waking Up to Love Chapter 25: To the Rescue
"Excuse me?" Anna said as she turned to Seline and stared her down "How dare you say something like that. I've never stolen anything in my life." "Right.""Miss we need to check your bag just in case." The scowling manager said with an indecisive look "There has been an accusation and I do need to check." "I'm trying to pay for all this merchandise not steal it. That's what this card is for." Anna said incredulously motioning to the card. "It's probably stolen or maxed out, that is a lot of money to spend for someone who had so little," Seline said thoughtfully."Stay out of this!" Anna said growling at Seline. "You don't know anything.""She'd pretty defensive for someone who's not done anything." "Well, I am sorry," The dark-haired manager said looking ashamed for the first time "but I have to check your bag please." Anna knew she'd done nothing wrong but she was damned if she was going to give Seline the satisfaction of her having the cops called on her. She opened her bag an
Last Updated : 2022-09-17Waking Up to Love Chapter 26: I'm Okay on My Own
Anna stopped outside the door and pulled John to a stop. She took his face gently in her hands and kissed him. Her mouth moved over his and she deepened the kiss running her hands through his hair not caring who saw. She pulled back breaking the kiss. John leaned in trying to follow her departing lips and she smiled as he opened his eyes and stared at her curiously."What was that for?" "Trying to be my knight in shining armor." "Well if I knew that was going to be my payment I would do more of it." He said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Hey are you okay?" she asked smoothing her hands over his shoulders. "You look like somethings bothering you." "Nope, just some things I have to take care of.""Can I help?" "I love that you asked that," John said with a nip to her lower lip. "You constantly amaze me.""Are you sure?" "Positive, now I think there was some mention about lunch? How about the Biltmore estate?" Anna smiled and nodded as they walked away and slid ins
Last Updated : 2022-09-17
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Waking Up to Love Chapter 78: Epilogue
Six months later Anna still woke up screaming. The counselor said that as time went by and with therapy that the trauma would fade. Anna stared into the mirror and could almost see the bruises that had encircled her neck for two weeks after the accident. She ran her hands over her neck and shivered as the memory of that rainy night came back to her. The times when she woke up screaming were awful but thinking about them while awake was worse. Tears began to fall slowly and she tried to shake them off. Isabel had been damaged in many ways but she was the last member of her family she had and now she was gone. Anna knew she shouldn't cry for her but found herself doing it anyway."Princess, please don't cry," John begged as he slid the door open and wrapped his arms around her. He sat behind her on the bench in front of the mirror encasing her with his body and she leaned back with a sigh."I know I shouldn't but I just can't help it when I think about it.""I'm so sorry, I wish I could
Waking Up to Love Chapter 77: Just in Time
Their screams echoed on the buildings around them as they began to go over the edge. Anna mourned the loss of the life she'd wanted, the one she'd wanted so badly that she'd traveled back in time. Darkness began to swallow them as they started over the edge, but suddenly Anna was jerked back. Isabel's eyes went wide as Anna was jerked away and she lost her grip on Anna. The hand grabbing Anna's shirt was a solid link to safety and Isabel realized this as her hands slid free and she fell into darkness. Anna was pulled back and she saw John's strong hand had been the one holding her. Anna collapsed into John's arms as Isabel's screams died away into the darkness. The thud of her hitting the ground was loud despite the thunder and lightning and in that moment Anna curled into John as the horror seeped into her bones."Anna are you alright?" John panted as his arms wrapped around her as they both slid down the wall to sit in the rain. "It's you I'm worried about, seeing you laying there
Waking Up to Love Chapter 76: The Best Laid Plans
"I don't have anything else to say to you, John already said it all." Isabel laughed, "Wow you are better at pretending than even I thought, how is it not killing you that John and I were in your bed together?""You weren't "Together" John explained it all and Melissa admitted it. ""Amateurs," Isabel said with a grimace as she looked at Anna and shrugged. "I should have done it myself but I needed a little help. The biggest mistake I ever made." Anna found the pulse at John's throat and breathed a sigh of relief. He still didn't stir but she'd been feeling around his head while Isabel was gloating and the large bump behind his left ear was scary beyond belief. She had to do something."No the biggest mistake you ever made was trying to come between us. John loves me and I love him. Nothing is going to change that." Isabel laughed and stood snuffing out the lighted tip of the cigarette she was smoking. "I think I can change his mind. He is so accommodating, isn't he? Allowing me t
Waking Up to Love Chapter 75: Fatal Attraction
Anna pulled away from John and stretched. She walked toward the desk and picked up the papers staring at them. "you know you don't have to do this?" She said as she turned to face him. "I know I don't, but you deserve it and I want to share everything with you, the good and the bad. I want to share all parts of our lives. I've felt like that for a while and having you come work at the company helped but I still didn't feel right.""Why didn't you tell me?""Have you seen our lives in the last few months?""I know right?" Anna laughed as she put the paper down. "It was like the universe was against us."John came and put his arms back around her and pulled her to his chest tucking her under his chin. "We have too much going for us to waste time worrying about the universe. ""How do you do that?" "What?""Make it all sound so logical.""I have to because how else am I going to convince you to stay with me." "I already said I would stay." "But what if you change your mind? All I can
Waking Up to Love Chapter 74: Equals
Anna turned the corner and bumped into John. She'd agreed to come to the office to talk but she hadn't expected him to come out of nowhere. It had been two days since the airport and she wasn't any closer to deciding what to do. She'd had nightmares about it the last two nights and couldn't focus on anything. John had called and asked her to meet him at work and she'd agreed because she needed to move forward somehow. "Anna it's so good to see you." His hand reached out for hers but she pulled back. John flinched, never realizing how much a simple gesture could hurt. He wanted to hold her, to make her believe in him and his love with nothing more than the strength of his love but he knew she wasn't ready for that. "Is it?" She asked looking anywhere but at him. "Anna if you will just listen I know we can make it through this. Look at all the crazy we have dealt with so far." Anna nodded knowing that he was right, but she just couldn't shut up that nasty little voice inside her own
Waking Up to Love Chapter 73: Get Out
John walked slowly inside, trying to keep himself from hitting them. He wanted more than anything to hit them all. All three of them had worked hard to ruin his life and he was holding onto his temper by a thread. He sat down and leaned forward putting his hands on his knees. He rubbed his eyes with his hands hoping that he had the strength not to act on the anger burning inside him "Why are you here? Was I not clear when I told you to stay away from me and Anna?"Melissa sniffed, "I knew you were not serious. So I let myself in." "Mother, you are not listening! Get it through your privileged head, I want you to stay out of my life. You have probably ruined any chance I have with Anna."Melissa looked at him in shock. "You were serious? I thought you were just angry, I know how you get.""Let me set you straight once and for all. I love Anna, I would give up anything and anyone for her. You three harpies are like a plague on my life. I want you out of it.""John, why are you being s
Waking Up to Love Chapter 72: Making Hard Choices
John's face fell as she spoke. Anna wanted to reassure him it would all be alright but she wasn't sure it would be. She was so tired of fighting what now felt like fate. She just couldn't figure out why she'd been given another chance if this is how it was going to end. "Please stay a few days, at least let's talk it through." He begged, unashamed."Will it make a difference John?" Anna asked as she wiped tears from her eyes. "It's as if the universe is conspiring against us." " I never took you for the type to give up so easily.""Easy? Do you think this is easy? I feel like my insides are being torn out.""I know," he said softly putting calming hands toward her "I just want you to fight for us.""I've been fighting for us since the day we met and I'm tired, John.""So you're just going to get on a plane and disappear?" "Are you going to grab me again if I try?"If I have to."Anna smiled at that but sighed and turned fully toward him. "I guess I could give it a few days, but I ca
Waking Up to Love Chapter 71: Please Stay
Melissa paced, her heels clicking on the neutral linoleum on the floor. She viciously rubbed her arms wrinkling the expensive fabric of her shirt but she didn't seem to notice. "I'm not sure what you want me to say.""How about the truth?" I know it is a foreign concept to you but I really need you to tell her.""John is there any need? Why don't you let her go, you have Isabel now.""Mother! " John screamed "stop it, I don't "Have" Isabel, tell her the truth!" His hand slammed his hand down on the small table and it jumped and almost toppled. Melissa turned and looked at John in shock. "How dare you talk to me like that?""Easy!" John shouted, "I refuse to let your lies end the most important thing in my life."Melissa gasped as the anger in John's voice vibrated around the room. "Fine," She said in a huff as she turned to face Anna. "John doesn't "Have" Isabel." "What does that mean exactly?" Anna said as she stood and stepped toward Melissa. "Well, It means that John and Isabel
Waking Up to Love Chapter 70: Leaving Asheville
Anna sat nervously at the gate, she'd told Bess she didn't want anyone to wait with her but now she was regretting that decision. She stood and walked over to the window watching the plains taking off and landing and felt more hopeless than ever. She had grown to love Asheville in the time she'd lived here. Even before the original timeline, she grew to love it. Now watching the skyline from the wall of windows at the airport it was as if the skyline of the city was waving goodbye. Her heart ached but she turned away. They called boarding and Anna grabbed her bag and went to wait in line. She kept her head down wanting to shut the world out. She kept to herself and didn't' talk to anyone because right now she didn't want to interact with anyone. Anna felt like she was stuck in her own world and she liked it. Heartbreak was a good companion when your world was falling apart. Anna was about to hand her ticket in when she heard her name being called."Anna!" "Anna wait!" the voice screa
