Forgotten Promises

CHAPTER 5: ANASTASIA

He definitely caught me off guard. I tried to resist but couldn't. I kissed him back and he deepened the kiss, which I responded to by running my hands through his hair. I moaned as he gently and slowly pushed me against the wall. I couldn't explain how, but his hands knew exactly where to touch. I quickly broke the kiss before I was unable to stop myself.

“We can't.” I whispered underneath my breath. He pulled me closer to him and kissed me again. Damn it, my eyes were closed in pleasure. He could tell I was enjoying this and also failing in trying to resist him. “Stop! Please Nathaniel.” Then I pulled away, thankfully he stepped back, his eyes filled with desire. "This is just going to complicate things Nathaniel because things are not the same, a lot has changed.” I rested against the wall, trying to catch my breath.

“I am sorry Anastasia! I should not have kissed you without asking you first.” He paused and took another look at me, closing the gap between us. "Although, to be more honest, I am not exactly sorry. I can't even explain what you do to me. I just know that I want to always be around you, talk to you and …”

“Friends.” I interrupted. He looked away and I gently caressed his face. “Let us start with being friends okay? I need you to get to know me again and I need to get to know this version of you”

“Version of me?" He asked, a bit confused.

"Yes Nathaniel. This version of you that doesn't remember me… that isn't in love with me.” I said avoiding his eyes.

“You're still in love with me, aren't you?’’ He asked with a puzzled look on his face as I avoided his eyes.

“That's not Important. I am here to help you get better and that's all that matters.” He figured I didn't want to have the discussion, so he nodded in agreement. “How about we go for that walk round the estate?” I asked, happy that he did not push further.

“Perfect. First you have to tell me what had you all worked up earlier, I mean during breakfast. I believe friends tell each other things.” He teased me.

I hesitated a bit before responding as I didn't think it was a good time to talk about it. “It's my brother and that's a long story for another day. For now, you only need to focus on your recovery”

Somehow, he could tell whatever the details were, it really had me worried, I have always sucked at hiding anything from him. As if he knew I needed it, he pulled me into a hug and whispered, “Everything is gonna be okay. I'm here for you Anastasia.” I nodded in response and hugged him tighter. It was the best feeling I've experienced in a long time.

We were about to leave when a text popped up, I could see him staring at his phone screen. “It's from my mother.” He said, and read it out. ‘I need to see the both of you NOW. Please, it's really urgent.’ He showed it to me and I agreed we would go see her before we took the walk.

We found her pacing in the library where she told us she'd be. “Is everything okay?" I asked, she looked really unsettled. We were asked to sit and she kept staring at the document in front of her before she finally managed to speak.

“We have a big problem Nathaniel. We might lose everything if you don't step in as the executive director as soon as …”

“You can't be serious.” I interrupted her and got up. "Eunice, he is still recovering for goodness sake. How can you even bring this up now? It's barely been one month since he came out of coma.” I was really upset while Nathaniel sat there clueless about what his mother said.

“He can handle it, Anastasia. He has to take back what's his before he loses everything.” She whispered even though he could hear the both of us.

“Can you both stop talking like I'm not here?" He said, raising his voice calmly. "What is the problem mother and what do I need to do?"

I laughed hysterically. "There you go again Nathaniel!" Even though he probably didn't know what I meant by that, it suddenly made him uncomfortable. I could tell because he wouldn't stop shaking right foot. “You know what? I don't need to hear whatever you have to say to him, I'll be in my room."

“He needs you Anastasia. We need you!" Eunice quickly said before I could storm out.

“Pardon? How exactly do I come in? I don't understand." I asked standing akimbo, suddenly ignoring Nathaniel.

"For him to step in, he needs to be married. It's part of the prerequisites and some traditions established by the founders. I'll go into details much later, but we need you.” Eunice said almost like a plea.

“Why me? Nathaniel can get any woman he freaking wants? Why does it have to be me?"

“Because you're the only one I can trust, especially in his condition. He needs the right guidance that only you and I can provide. Since he needs to get married before he can assume his rightful position, there's no other person to do this but you Anastasia, please…”

“Mother, I think this is too much to ask …” Nathaniel was trying to say when she interrupted him.

"Not when they are trying to take everything from us. Everything we worked for. They took your father's life, they tried to take yours. I'm sorry if I'm being selfish, but I can't fold my hand and let those bastards take what's ours.”

"So, this was why you wanted me here all along. You had this all planned out.” I could tell Nathaniel saw the betrayal in my eyes as I spoke because he had a concerned look on his face. Then I shook my head and looked at him. "I'm sorry Nathaniel, but I can't do this.” Then I turned to his mother. “You're unbelievable, Eunice." Then I walked out and his mother followed me.

“I can get your brother Adams out of jail. He can have a fresh start, just one call and it is done.” In shock, I stopped and turned to look at Eunice in disbelief and scoffed, then I looked at Nathaniel who was shocked to know I have a brother who was in jail. He slowly shook his head just so I understood that he knew nothing about all of this. Without another word, I stormed out, tears running down my face.