Annie's Story

Chapter Fourteen: Backlash

Chapter Fourteen: Backlash

Tears streamed down Annie's face as she stepped into the elevator. How could she have been so stupid to believe a billionaire would ever fall in love with a barista? What was she thinking? Cari was more his speed. She should have known it would come to this. She needed her friends.

'Hey, can you guys come over after work?' she texted Claire and Donovan. She waited for their reply. When she didn't get it, she texted the one person she thought would show up, no matter what.

'I'm really in need of a friend right now. Can you come over or at least text me back?' she asked Jake.

'I'm on my way,' Jake responded. Annie smiled. She wiped her tears with the back of her sleeve. She turned the television on only to see more reports about Markus' new love. She turned to a movie channel. Skimming through the channels, she found an older movie with one of her favorite actors and actresses. She was lost in the movie when the buzzer rang, startling her. She got up, not taking her eyes off the movie. She turned to see Jake's face on the camera.

Annie smiled and buzzed him in. She unlocked the door while still watching the movie. He came in the door with a bag in his hands. Jake stopped the diner before seeing Annie bringing her favorite meal and drink. She hugged him before he could even set the bag or drink down. He half hugged her, not wanting to spill the drink or drop the food. Annie stepped out of his way. Jake set the food and drinks on the counter.

"Come here," he said, opening his arms to her. She went to him, wrapping her arms around his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her on her head. "Are you okay? I saw what the news outlets were saying. Who is she? Do you know?"

"Yes," she said, beginning to cry again. Jake led her to the couch, sitting on the end near the sliding glass door. He held her hand, waiting for her to calm down. When she didn't seem to slow down, he sat back, pulling her to him. She laid her head on his chest, wrapping an arm around him. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly.

"Annie, who is this girl?" Jake asked. Annie sniffled.

"Her name is Cari," she said, wiping her tears.

"How long have you known her?" Jake asked.

"I just met her last week. From what they told me, Markus and she have known each other since they were kids," Annie said.

"He introduced you to her?" Jake said, shocked.

"Yes," she said. "We all had dinner together."

"That takes balls, a big set of brass ones," Jake said. "Have you talked to him?"

"He was here earlier," Annie said. "I told him off and told him to leave."

"Did he explain what is going on?" Jake said.

"I didn't let him," Annie said. She sat up, getting off the couch. She went to the counter, grabbing the root beer float. Taking a big sip, Annie experienced brain freeze. Her skin tightened around her head, and her eyes closed.

"Are you okay?" Jake asked, laughing at her facial expression.

"Yeah," she said, rubbing her temples. "I am ready to eat."

"Let's eat," Jake said. He sat beside her at the counter, pulling the food out of the bag. The Styrofoam container was still warm to the touch. Jake handed Annie her container, handing her the white, plastic silverware, and pulled his container out, grabbing the other set of plastic silverware.

"Thank you for bringing food with you," Annie said. "I didn't expect you to show up with it."

"You're welcome. I have always known how to make you feel better," Jake said, smiling.

"Food is always a way into my heart," Annie said, smiling. Jake laughed. Annie ate feverishly. Jake shook his head at her. When Annie liked what she was eating, she always ate it fast. Jake wondered if she even tasted it. Annie finished her meal. She stole a glance at Jake, watching him eat. What did she do to deserve someone like him in her life?

"Are you okay?" Jake asked her, catching her looking at him.

"Yeah," Annie said. "Just wondering how I got so lucky to meet you."

"Music," Jake said. "You were bored and took a chance walking into that bar that night. Then you fell in love and have never left."

Annie choked on the mouth full of the root beer float she had just sipped. Jake reached over and patted her back.

"Annie, what happened? Did it go down the wrong pipe?" Jake asked. Annie had tears streaming down her red face. She wiped her face with a napkin.

"Yes," Annie said, her voice cracking. "That is so embarrassing."

"Hey, I've choked on my saliva," Jake said.

"What?" Annie said, laughing. "I have never done that before."

"Yeah, try explaining that one to the four guys staring at you," Jake said. "They didn't even try to help or ask if I was okay, damn jerks."

"Oh my God, Jake," Annie said, holding her side while laughing. "You would have thought at least Thomas would have tried to help."

"No, that a**hole, was too busy laughing at me," Jake said. Annie laughed so hard she snorted. Jake's eyes got wide as he laughed. He had never heard Annie laugh like that before. Jake and Annie calmed down long enough to watch a movie before Jake said his goodbyes and left Annie to her own thoughts again.

***

Markus was outside Annie's apartment when he saw Jake emerge at midnight. He was staring at him from across the street. What were they doing in there? How dare she scold him for cheating when it looks like she was doing the same thing? He would fix this. She would not be friends with him anymore. Tomorrow, when Annie calmed down, he would explain everything to her. Maybe if he told her how he felt about her and Jake and explained how scared he was of losing her to him, she would understand that he never meant to hurt her.

He would profess his undying love and ask her to move in with him. Maybe then she would know that he loved her. He would make a promise not to see Cari again. Markus smiled as he watched her draw the curtains to her balcony and the light go out. He walked back to his apartment, knowing he would get Annie back.

***

Annie awoke feeling better than she had the day before. She reached over and turned her alarm off. Stretching, she saw the sun peeking in through the slit in the curtains. She sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She walked to the bathroom, turned on the shower, and undressed. The buzzer for her door went off. Confused about who would try to come in early in the morning, she wrapped herself in a towel and went to the camera. Markus was standing there with flowers in his hand. She sighed and buzzed him in.

She returned to the bathroom, redressed, and shut the water off. Markus knocked on her door. She opened it but didn't let him in. She stood in the doorway with the door partially opened. Markus put on his best sad face, eyes pleading and bottom lip quivering.

"Annie, I'm so sorry for everything," Markus whispered. "Can you ever forgive me for my behavior and actions? If you allow me to explain, I think you will understand."

"You have five minutes," she said. "I have to go to work."

"Can I come in?" Markus asked.

"Sure," Annie said, stepping aside. Markus walked into the small apartment and placed the flowers on the counter. He leaned in to kiss Annie, but she backed away from him. He backed up, knowing this was not the time for him to try to kiss her.

"Annie, I went to Cari's place that night because I thought I lost you," he began. "The way you are connected to that band made me jealous. It's an ugly trait, but I couldn't stop it from taking over. You are the love of my life. I have never met anyone like you before. Please, Annie, if you give me another try, I promise none of these recent behaviors will ever happen again. I love you so much it hurts."

"What you did was unspeakable. I told you I loved you, and you ran into another woman's arms," Annie said. "Why would you do that? Did it scare you?"

"Yes, it did," Markus said. "It made me realize I had also fallen in love with you. I have never been in love before, and I did the only thing I knew how to do, try to sabotage the relationship we have built."

"That is not what I want," Annie said. "If you want out, we can end it here."

"I don't want out, Annie," he said. "I came here to ask you to move in with me."

"What? After all the things that have happened between us lately, and you want me to move in with you?" Annie said, shocked.

"Yes," Markus said. "I would like to take our relationship to the next level. Please, Annie, tell me you will at least think about it?"

"I will think about it," Annie said.

"Great," Markus said, reaching for her. She reluctantly went to him. He pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. "I will let you get ready for work. I'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay," Annie said, watching him walk out her door to the elevator. Confused, Annie took her shower and headed to the café.