JUST YOU BESIDE ME

CHAPTER 01: ANNA

The sound of rushing waters in a river just behind this huge building I’m staying at, and the brightness of the sun made me squint yet smile, and a combination of fresh air in this windy, secluded area in the countryside made me feel calm and less sad about my situation. I’ve always thought that a woman in her twenties should discover the world and experience all the great things in life. It is the stage where freedom should be enjoyed to its fullest and happiness is a priority. But that’s not the case for a sickly twenty- four- year- old woman like me.

I inhaled the fresh air of the countryside to make my head clear of any negative thoughts. This empty roof top is like a haven compared to the stuffy room in this run-down building I’m confined in. Here, I see tall trees, green leaves, the beautiful and clean river, and enjoy the wind and sun from time to time. I gripped the railings tightly and closed my eyes. It feels good.

The door to the rooftop caught my attention when it suddenly swung open. I smiled faintly when I saw the young nurse who had been assigned to me for over a month standing by the door, with her head bowed low, almost crying.

“Nurse Elen, what’s wrong?” My soft voice turned hoarse after hours of not talking.

“Miss, your family came. They’re looking for you.” I nodded and took one last glance at the view before heading in first and the nurse followed.

Maybe she got scolded by my brother. I know mom and dad could never make anyone shiver in fright unless they’re really mad. They’re the softest and sweetest people I know, but my brother is their complete opposite. He’s so possessive, overprotective, and overly serious that it’s impossible for others to talk to him. Poor nurse Elen. I’m sorry, it might be my fault.

I made my way to the empty hallway. It’s quiet, it’s cold…. It’s sad. I am alone on this floor and everyone else is not allowed to come. I am isolated but I have gained friends who are confined in the wards downstairs. They’re all nice but leaves pretty fast.

When we arrived in my room, which looks more like a high end condo, which contradicts the overall appearance of the building, I cleared my throat because of the heavy atmosphere that greeted me. Mom and dad look tired and stiff, while my brother looks grim which made him look scarier.

“Long time no see?” I awkwardly said. It’s been a month since they visited me, so its shocking to suddenly see them here, especially with such a gloomy atmosphere.

“My baby, I missed you!” my mom hugged me, followed by dad. My brother just watched us and prompted me to get closer.

“Are they treating you well?” he said in a low voice. His arms were crossed, while I stood idly next to him. He’s so tall compared to my petite frame, so I had to look up slightly to see his face.

“Ofcourse Liam. Nurse Elen here takes good care of me and the doctors are kind too.” I hope he regrets being rude to nurse Elen. Yeah, she’s good, so you should apologize.

“It’s good that they’re doing their job well.” He eyed nurse Elen and used his hands to shoo her away. The poor nurse nodded and left, giving us privacy. Still rude as ever.

When we were left in the room, he hugged me tightly and whispered how he missed me and how much he wished for my health to be better. Liam, my older brother, is five years older than me. He manages most of my family’s businesses, so he is a really busy man. Others might see him as serious, rude, and emotionless, but he’s the softest person at heart. He is there every time I feel sick, he protects and takes care of me. I just hope that someone can see this side of him too, and that person will stay with him forever happily. For many years, all he did was work and carry the burden of taking care of a sickly sister, so it should be time for him to take care of himself.

“I missed you guys too, but there must be something important to discuss?” I asked as a matter of fact. That’s the only reason why they took time off their busy schedules to visit me.

“There’s a commotion in the company these days. Someone has been laundering the company’s money for illegal activities and it’s still being investigated,” Liam said with a hint of anger.

“What?! It has never happened before, so who could it be?” It must be someone new, or someone who knows the company’s ins and outs. I never expected such a huge problem.

“We’ve got suspects yet still uncertain. For now, you need to be safe, so I assigned a bodyguard for you.” I shockingly looked at Liam. He just looked at me intently to prove how serious he was about this. When I looked at my parents pleadingly, they diverted their gaze so I sighed loudly to let them know how pissed I was.

“I don’t need a bodyguard, Liam. I’m always here, and only authorized people have access here, so why do I need a bodyguard?!” Its not like I have somewhere else to go. I’m already locked up here and now I can’t even have my own privacy?

“Just put up with it for awhile until I settle everything. It’s final, so don’t waste your energy protesting.” No…..

“I’m sorry Anna, but I agree with your brother. We found out that someone had been tailing him, so we were concerned that someone might be spying on you here too. We can’t let anything bad happen to you.” My father said to try and console me, but it didn’t work. I am upset. Yes, I understand them, but I hate it.

“But I can handle myself just fine, guys. Chill out, who would try to hurt a weak, sickly girl like me? It’s not even worth it since I know nothing about our business!” It’s true. I studied business, homeschooled, obviously… but never actually tried practicing it because I’ve been stuck in this hospital for six months already. Besides, I have my own job. Well, its more like a past time than a job, but still, using me against them won’t work and the bad guys must be thinking the same. They should realize that.

“You can’t change my mind, Ana. The bodyguard’s already making his way up here. Just bear with it until everything’s settled.” Liam said.

“How long will it take Liam?”

“A month? A year? A decade? I’ll finish this as soon as possible, so just deal with it for now.” His voice was stern. He usually talks like this when he doesn’t want to argue. Whatever, I’ll try dealing with it for now.

Still trying to plead my way out of this nonsense and asking for my parents to reconsider and to help me convince Liam, my ever serious brother shushed me harshly, which made me grumpier. I sat on my bed in silence with my arms crossed. Not long after, we heard two light knocks on the door. Liam strided to the door and there stood a man that made my lips dry, eyes wide, but my mood turned sour.

A proud, domineering, and smart looking man suddenly appeared in front of me. He greeted my family and scanned the whole place before landing his green eyes staring intensely at me.

I felt my heart beat faster and I was dangerously almost had trouble breathing. He walked towards me with his head up high, dominating the place with his presence. I gulped and tried to look away.. yet I couldn’t. My eyes are glued on him, and it feels like he's pulling me in with his deep, expressive stares.

Then, I suddenly remembered. He must be the bodyguard my brother hired. I desperately tried to crash my admiration and replaced it with something negative. I don’t know what to feel, but it should be negative. There’s nothing to admire about the guy hired to watch my every move and take away the little freedom I have. Right…

“This is Jaxon Ken Moore. He’ll be with you 24/7” my brother said. The bodyguard nodded and held his arm out.

“Just call me Jax. Your safety is my priority, Miss Anna.” He said without breaking eye contact, which took my breath away. Even his voice is so unbelievably manly that it brought tingles through my spine.

I shook his hand and inhaled sharply to avoid stuttering. “A-Anna. Annaliese Kennedy.”

I almost grabbed my inhaler when he kissed my hand. God I was caught off guard!