Zack:
The tension was so thick it literally could be felt in bones. We are all currently sitting in my parent's living room with an unexpected guest, Cassandra Monroe , Ana's aunt from her father's side. She had some kind of badZ blood with my parents as she believes they are manipulating Ana so, they could get a hold of Ana's future and everything that come under Ivanova's name.
She somehow managed to get hold of Ana while she was waiting for me to pick her up.
When I reached there she started to throw a bloody tantrum like a fucking five year. Now here we all are.
" Okay enough of this, Cassandra why are you here?" Ana finally decided to break the silence.
" Oh! Honey, what are you saying I just missed you . Can't I just come to meet my sweet neice". Liar.
Ana smiled sardonically . Damn. She might be a sweet angel for those who she loved and cared for but to others she will not hesitate to rain down hell.
"Or maybe you have come because your third husband had enough of your adultery and kicked you out of his house. Since you are basically penniless and in few months I am going to be eighteen and I will have fully access to Dad's company and your greedy self wants your hand in it . I mean isn't it true you are always obsessed with my parents money". Ana countered.
It's no hidden fact that after her graduation she will gain authorized rights on 'IVANOVA ENTERPRISES' and after she was get trained for the next few years until she is fit to take over the company.
By now her aunt face is tinged red with embarrassment. No longer the bitch could hold her happy face facade , it was fuming and like an angry bull she charged towards Ana and before she could sink her nasty paws on my girl in a flash I grabbed her and twisted and pushed her on the floor. No one hurts my girl and get away with it.
"Don't you ever think of it again ". The bitch was crying on the floor holding her twisted arm which has now swollen. Good riddance.
A small hand wrapped around my wrist brought my attention back to Ana . Her melodious voice was soothing me . " Shhh it's okay Zack , I'm okay. Your Ana is okay ." Damn right fucking mine , all mine.
"Zack yo-" My dad's words are cut off by me . " Call the guards and make sure this trash stay hundred fucking meters away from Ana ". I looked at bitch who was still on the floor whimpering and clutching her hand in pain. I bend to her level until we were eye to eye. " Next time I make sure to break every single bone in your body ". From the corner of my eyes I could see my dad shaking his head in disappointment and ...anger? Does he really think I would let this old hag go that easily.
I grabbed Ana's hand and asked her to come with me. I want her , no , I need her right now to calm my inner demon.
_____________
" Go to your room and take a shower, I will go and prepare dinner for us." She looked a bit dazed as if could not point where was she. I watched her going upstairs to her room till she was out of my sight.
After changing into some joggers and a wife beater , I headed towards kitchen but halted in steps when I saw Jesse there . Jesse has been working for me for seven years and is in his mid forties. He is like what you call superintendent of the house and I trust him blindly.
" Jesse you could go home now , I will tell the driver to take you to your home it's pretty dark outside." I had actually texted him about my plan today .
"Are you sure. I don't min-"
" Yeah I am positive. Don't worry . Okay "
" If you say so. Tell Miss Anna 'Hi' from me".
For a closed off person he had always a soft spot towards Ana. His relation with ladies in general is a big No. Despite that he is always lovable towards Ana , showing concern in a parental way.
I just nodded to him and he went off. Okay now time for master chef skills.
Roughly forty minutes later beef stroganoff is ready. It is a Russian cuisine and ever since she has learnt about her lineage, she has taken a liking towards the said cuisine despite her parents being a permanent immigrants to here, L.A. says it gives her a sense of belonging.
The soft pitter patter of footsteps indicated Anna is coming.
"Hi."
"Hey, did you have a nice bath"
"Yeah! Wow, it's smells really nice here."
"I cooked your favourite. Take a seat."
Throughout dinner she was awfully quite. She was hardly eating anything her plate. This was not her, by now she would have stuffed her face in her food.
I cleared my throat catching her attention.
"Baby girl , why aren't you eating? Don't you like it? I have exactly made it the way-"
"Zack." I was stopped when she called out my name.
"No, it's really tasty no doubt in that. I am really not feeling that well . I think I should go to bed now".
I knew she was lying. Something is very wrong with her. She looks pained. Not the physical pain but the type of ache where your heart feels heavy and soul restless.
For what I don't know.
When I looked straight in her eyes, she immediately diverted her lovely orbs away from me and released a shaky breathe. It was as if she had an epiphany of something she shouldn't have and couldn't bring herself what to do.
"Okay." My voice flat as a wooden table.
She kissed my cheek , mumbled a small goodnight and dashed to her room as if someone attacked her.
'I know Ana that you knew. The chase begins now. It's all for you'.