Destined to Love

Chapter 2

Anya packed slowly, careful to wrap the set of Baccarat crystal that had never been used. For some reason, the right time had never arrived. She was alone in the four bedroom penthouse that she shared with Michael. Michael had spoken to her briefly, yelling at her to get out, to remove herself from his life. He had been understanding at first, almost comical in the way he regarded her new status with Chris, but it was clear that he was jealous and as a result had chosen every opportunity in the last week to hurl insults about her to her face or to anyone that had even the slightest inclination about what was going on. She had not complained nor fought with him. He had simply put his sunglasses on and walked out the door that morning with a finality that ended their relationship. Anya did feel guilty about their current circumstances in a lot of respects. For one, she wondered if they had ever really loved the other or if it all had been out of convenience. In any case, she was waiting for her mother to get there to help take some of the things she didn't want to keep or store any more. There was nothing to fight over, nothing that either of them cared about explicitly. Anya leaned against the post of the master suite taking in the view that was present from the wall of windows that encased the room. She wiped her tears slowly away, sorry that she had hurt them all in admitting her love for her best friend.

“Nana?” Anya’s mom, Monica called from the entryway of the Penthouse searching for her daughter whom she was sure despite the upbeat phone call would be in shambles. Anya had loved Michael, but everyone knew even before she did apparently that she loved Chris more. It had always been a matter of time in Monica’s eyes. Monica was a soft, dark skinned woman with cropped hair. She had hit the pop charts one hundred, seventeen times before she settled down to marry her husband Ivan Studi, son of famous Apache actor Wez Studi. Their family had always been in show business and it helped during times like now, where they needed to rally together, understanding the terrain that they lived and worked in.

“Mom? Mom, I’m in here, in…” Anya didn’t finish before her mom had run through the apartment pulling her daughter and only child into the kindest, warmest hug that ever was. Monica stood at least three inches below her daughter but her love for her allowed her to raise up and cover her.

“Are you okay? Where is Michael? Did he leave already? Where are you staying tonight? Don’t you want to come home with mom and dad?” Monica showered her child with attention and love, making Anya cry and laugh and pull away at the same time.

“No mom. I am staying out here.”

“You shouldn't move in with Chris right away…”

“I’m not. I have an apartment just outside the city, I will be fine there.” She swallowed as she and her mom moved into the white on cream living room that also overlooked the city. Monica had never liked heights and as a result she did not visit with her only daughter, preferring instead for them to spend time as family at their ranch in Napa Valley.

“Okay, I guess.” Monica swallowed putting her sunglasses on top of her head as she folded her arms leaning back as Anya closed the cream drapes and shielded her mom from the dizzying height and midday sun.

“Does Chris know, I mean…”

“No I haven’t told him yet, he just wants to be with me.”

“I know.” Monica paused biting her lips as she looked at her beautiful daughter lean into the soft leather couch.

“What’s wrong mom? Do you think, do you think I made a mistake? I mean up till last Saturday I was a happily married woman.” Anya tilted her head back whispering “God!” as her mother looked her over.

“I don’t think you were happily married. You have always been a happy person. And you were married, but happily married isn't a term that I would apply to you and Michael.” Monica paused seeing Anya roll her eyes and sit up. She smiled, reaching out to touch her daughter’s leg. Ivan had decided to wait downstairs until Chris got there. Monica and Ivan had been routing for Chris and Anya to get married since they had met Chris so many years ago. They had both seen the loss on Chris’s face when she had wed Michael but they had thought him ridiculous in never telling her how he felt. She had suspected that it had something to do with his father, whom they had interacted with over the years, she didn’t know why but she felt uneasy around Joseph Rogers or felt that his wife, Chris’s step-mom was very insincere.

“So I was happy and married but not happily married?”

“You know...you never looked at him the way you look at Chris.” Monica swallowed, daring to have the conversation that they had started many years before. Anya had confided in her about the crush that she had on Chris when she had brought him over to ranch that first winter that they had met. They had squealed about it like sisters agreeing that he was very cute. But that had all changed when they had decided to be good friends after they returned from Vermont to see his parents.

“What do you mean? I mean...I know what you mean.” Anya couldn't hide the smile that slowly crept to her lips at the mention of his name. They had spent an incredible week together. They had both been to see Michael, to talk to their publicists and to set meetings up with their agents. They wanted things to be kept as quiet as possible given the circumstance, they were two movie stars who had fallen in love. She knew he would be home waiting for her. She just needed him to understand that space was important in order for them to build upon the friendship that they shared while laying the foundation for what they wanted.

“I am happy for you sweetheart, but I am sorry that you have been sad.”

“I feel guilty.”

“Why? Chris told us that Michael has been cheating, sounds like grounds to contest that what's yours is yours what's mine is mine business that you got yourself into.”

“Mom, the pre-nup…”

“Was just ridiculous in the first place. Like he ever had anything that you wanted. Our ranch is deeded to you in name and soul and ten times the size of that precious minor estate that he was so proud of!”

“Mom,”

“No, he has crossed the line one too many times and we have always given him leeway, I just…”

“I just don't want you to feel like you are losing something baby. Cause you are not.” Monica stood up then putting her shades on, heading into the closet to make sure that her daughter was taking everything that she should. Anya remained seated shaking her head looking after her mother. Monica had never been a fan of Michael and Anya was sure, that it was taking a great deal from her mother to remain as calm as she was about the situation. If Anya hadn’t confessed her feelings about Chris to Michael, she would have never confirmed his extra-martial affairs. She would have never known just how broken her marriage truly was. If Monica, Chris or her father even had an inclination of what she had had to endure over the years…she took a deep breath then deciding to focus only on the good that was now in her life.

…

Chris pulled into the parking lot and smiled when he saw the bright red Ford Mustang with silver hardware parked near the elevators. Ivan leaned against it, casually smoking a cigar with a wide brimmed cowboy hat angled casually on his head. Chris parked his own black and white mustang and smiled. He had always imagined how cool it would be to have Ivan as a father in law and he was moments away from realizing that dream.

Ivan had starred in every modern action American-Indian drama for the last thirty years. He was a big deal and Chris looked up to him with great pride and pleasure. He and Anya had watched Tananda and Cheropweku at least ten times together. It was one of the movies that had helped Chris to choose his career as an actor and here he stood in front of a five time Oscar winner and ten time nominee.

“Ivan?” Chris got out of his car and approached the tall and dangerously built actor with his hand outstretched. Ivan regarded Chris seriously, pulling a tuft of smoke and then dropping the cigar on the floor to crush in under his black biker boots.

“You gonna take care of my daughter?” Ivan looked Chris in the eye slowly appreciating the respect that he saw there.

“Love and protect her with every breath and fiber of my being.” Chris inclined his head as Ivan slowly shook his hand inclining his head smiling.

“Been waiting to join you into my clan for fifteen fricken years now son. Awow!” Chris laughed as Ivan ducked low to punch him softly in the stomach.

“Slug Michael yet? That p***y?” Ivan frowned as he and Chris slipped their keys into their back pockets before turning towards the elevators.

“Jeez, I would love to. That fucker.” Chris grimaced, closing his eyes as Ivan nodded, pressing the button for the penthouse as they both shook their heads in mutual disdain.

“He did good to keep it a secret for so long. You gonna tell her? Cause if I catch that bastard, there won't be nothing left.” Ivan punched one first into the other flexing his mussels.

As soon as Anya had called her mother the previous Monday explaining to her that she was leaving Michael, Ivan had got to work to find out any dirt that they could in the event that there was a divorce battle and his little girl would be left hanging. He had found out inadvertently that Michael ran and illicit s*x ring out in Nevada, in addition to having a three year old son with a country singer in Alabama. Michael had gotten around a lot while his daughter had been a dutiful, respectful and honest wife to him from the start. The only speculation about Anya had been about the nature of her relationship with Chris, which up until the week before had been completely platonic. Ivan had only told Monica about the little boy, not having the heart to tell her about the dangers that their only child had been exposed to, but he had called Chris to find out if he had known anything about it. Chris had told him about the ‘PlentyGirlz’ black cards that were given out to men like him, actors like them but that he had never participated, he also didn’t know or want to know who was involved as long as it wasn’t Anya.

“We are gonna have to tell her.” Ivan nodded as Chris agreed, shaking his head knowing just as he did, that she would be devastated-especially about the child. Anya had always wanted children. They both wondered now if Michael had controlled her lack of conception in some way.

“Leave it to me. I will tell her, just later.”

“No time like the present son, we can't wait. If this s**t hits the papers and it will, we’re in for a rough one.” Ivan slapped Chris’s back as the doors dinged open.

“Baby girl!” Ivan’s voice boomed through the apartment bringing both her and Monica out of the gigantic walk in closet.

“Daddy!” Anya ran into her dad’s open arms smiling brightly, laughing when he spun her around.

“So, finally got rid of the sand roach? Not here right?” Ivan set his thirty four year old daughter down scanning the apartment as though he expected Michael to appear from some corner.

“No Dad. He’s gone.” Anya swallowed, smiling suddenly when she saw Chris standing by the doorway.

“Hi.” She walked towards him slowly making him shake his head, swallow and smile. She always made him nervous when she sauntered to him like that. He could feel his heart race thinking about kissing her again. He hoped she didn't kiss him in front of her parents because he was still learning to control himself. Instead she wrapped her arms around him hugging him and kissed him on the cheek.

“Aww, you two!” Ivan made kissing sounds as Monica tugged at him hopelessly trying to pull him away.

“What! I want to watch, that is my kid out there, you know these Hollywood types.” Ivan rolled his eyes as Monica glared at him and stormed off.

“Argh! Monica, gosh, I’m kidding, I’m kidding!” He walked after her, making Chris and Anya laugh gladly for the privacy. Chris kissed her softly pulling her closer to him so that she was pressed against him.

“How are you?” Chris smiled, making her blush. She actually felt butterflies looking at him. She swallowed wondering if that was what real love felt like.

“Good actually. I have been sad and then calm, then guilty all day.”

“Did he give you any trouble?” Chris held her hands then, watching her intently as she shook her head.

“He basically just asked me to get out. And then he left.” He sighed, sorry to see her upset but relieved that Michael had not flung any of his dirty laundry at her.

“Do you need this stuff? I mean, I have been shopping all night for clothing in your size…plus you know…”

“No, plus you know what?

“Maternity wear. I am sure, I put at least two babies in there.”

“Just two?” She rolled her eyes and walked towards the living room leaving him smiling.

“Baby girl?”

“Daddy?” Anya looked up as her dad approached them staring at Chris. She knew he loved Chris as though he were his son. They had trained together over the years in jujitsu and judo. They both collected oldies and both loved action movies. It was what had drawn her to Chris in the first place, he had just fit into her wild and loving home.

“Come stay with us for a week. We’ll cook, paint, I don't know...race a couple blocks. Just come give yourselves a break from the mundane.” Ivan grinned as Chris shook his head smiling at Anya and her mother. They were such a lovely family; it was the constant draw to them that made him love Anya more. Monica couldn't have been a better parent and wife and even now in her early fifties she was still very beautiful. Anya’s mother could have easily been her sister. She had double piercings, matching tattoos with Ivan and an obsession with ripped jeans.

“Dad!” Anya frowned as they all exchanged glances. She wasn’t sure what she wanted but she also didn't want to make Chris feel pressured into spending time with her family immediately. They never invited Michael anywhere and she suddenly felt guilty about the life that she had lived with him. Was it really like what her mother had said? Loveless? She swallowed, she knew it had been a marriage of convenience, but she was still very scared of leaving it, of leaving Michael.

“Hey, it's fine, when you are ready okay, no rush.” Chris moved over to her to kiss her on the forehead as her parents exchanged exasperated glances.

“It's fine, it's fine.” Chris raised a brow and smirked, picking up one of the boxes that had been labeled delicate. No doubt he was accidentally going to drop it on the way down to the car. He didn't want her taking any baggage into her new future, whether it was with him or not.

“Chris,”

“Let me take this down to the car first. Give you guys a moment.” Chris turned back to kiss her gently on the lips. They could all see plainly that he was hurt. Anya groaned loudly making him grin as he entered the elevator.

“What's wrong honey? Don’t you want to spend time with your dad?” Ivan frowned as Monica punched him lightly on the arm.

“No, I think she wants some time on her own. Maybe just you and then if you want Chris can come up later in the week. But staying on your own when the s**t hits the fan is not an option baby.” Monica walked into the closet and rolled out the suitcases that had already been packed. Maybe Chris was right, she should just leave all of that stuff behind. She had noticed that Anya had been careful to pack only the things that had sentimental value to her. The beautiful mermaid wedding dress still hung in the cupboard. The beautiful Louboutin shoes and silk scarf still hung under a spotlight. Monica had offered time and time again to house it for her, but Anya had always refused. Now she understood why, it didn't belong in her home or with them.

Chris walked towards his car shaking his head. Had Anya gone crazy all of a sudden? She had spent most of her marriage lonely or on the phone with him, always moments away from being with him. Why was it now, when they could have everything together, she was choosing solitude? He shook his head and frowned hearing a car screech into the underground car park. He groaned when he caught a glimpse of the red Mercedes speeding towards him. The car halted inches away from him blocking him, so that his own car couldn't reverse if he wanted to. Chris ignored him, popping the trunk to place the box in there. He had changed his mind about dropping it when he realized it was the crystal that he had bought in there. He didn't believe that she had ever used it. Chris walked to the side of the car intending to pull out a couple of bags that he had brought over just in case she had run out. Her evening wear from all of their red carpets were yet to be packed.

“Thought I would catch you here. Always sniffing around my wife like a god-damned dog! Wouldn’t f*****g leave us alone! Don’t think I don't know that you were plotting this from day one!” Michael slammed the door to his convertible as Chris scratched his beard frowning. Casually he folded his arms leaning against the side of the car frowning slightly. While Michael worked out every morning and was very muscular, he was no match for him. Chris could drop him in one minute flat, had the man gone mad?

“Is she still there, there are some things up there I don't want her...wait a minute. Is that ole papa Ivan’s car? Hell you fuckers couldn't wait to get me out.” Michael turned, intending to take the elevator to the penthouse but Chris realizing his intentions raced in front to stop him.

“What are you thinking there? We came to you to talk civilly. You didn't want to.”

“What's there to say you’re taking your b***h…” the word hadn't left his mouth completely before Chris swung at him hitting him squarely in the right eye.

“Mother fucker!” Michael rushed headfirst into Chris’ stomach only to have Chris raise joined arms to slam down on him over and over again. Only when Chris had backed him into his precious car did Michael roll over telling him to stop. He loved his Benz, no one was allowed in that car besides him, it was his private space. Not even Anya.

“What do you think your girlfriend is going to say about this shiner you gave me huh! You son a b***h!” Michael swore as he glanced at his swelling eye in the rear view mirror of the car.

“I don't get you Michael. We were drinking beers till last Saturday, hanging out having lunch weeks before…”

“You weren’t f*****g my wife then!”

“I get that.” Chris swallowed nodding, trying to hold his temper. He had considered Michael a friend, it was why he had kept his feelings about Anya buried. It was why he didn’t want Michael to go up stairs and face Ivan.

“It's not like you were faithful….”

“That's not the point. I wanted her because I knew she would be the one to hold unto our vows...it's...I need some things up there.” Michael turned to leave but Chris held onto his blazer shaking his head.

“Not until she leaves, she won't be taking much anyway. Whatever it is, it can wait. Unless you want to run into papa bear up there.” Chris licked his lips raising his eyebrows daring Michael to take on the Hollywood legend.

“She isn’t that good in bed anyway, trust me, it's no loss to me!” Chis tightened the hold on Michael's jacket as Michael tried to pull away. Michael had known that the two had always had feelings for one another, but he had never expected his marriage to be broken because of it. Why couldn’t the two of them just have a private affair like everyone else? What was the need to be bonded in marriage or special union?

“Get outta here for an hour, trust me, we will be…”

“She never figured out that your ole man is a KKK! How’s that for stupidity? She just adores your father, what are you thinking Chris? To have my wife as some kind of sacrifice for your ritualistic s**t!” Michael yanked his jacket away, breathing heavily suddenly becoming rather angry.

He had left his home feeling free that morning, but as he drove around he realized that he hadn't wanted to be anywhere except near Anya. He had wanted to come to apologize and try to find some way to work things out. He had been a terrible husband and had done unspeakable things to her, but in his own way, he loved her and wanted her to continue being by his side, supporting him as she always did. He also realized that with the digging the media would do surrounding the reports of an impending divorce someone was bound to find out about all the s**t that he did. Regardless of what it was that he had done...he loved her and he hadn’t intended to nor did he truly want to hurt her.

“What the f**k are you talking about?”

“Tell her why you never dated. The moment I took one look at the way you look at that girl I knew someone was keeping you from her. FYI your papi. You kept your love a secret for a good reason Chris, don’t f**k it up now.” Michael turned as though heading to his car as Chris stepped away from the elevator only to double back and reach the pad of the elevator.

“Touch that button and I will tell her about your little love child in Alabama.” Chris tensed as Michael walked up to him flaring anger.

“You just do that!” Michael turned and jumped into his car and sped off waving a middle finger at Chris. Chris only shook his head pressing the button on the elevator for himself. Would he have the heart to tell her? Despite her lack luster marriage, she loved Michael, she would be devastated that someone who else had given him a child. He smiled now suddenly relived that that was the case. Any children that she had should have always been with him, not anyone else. In that he grinned, he wanted seven children with her, four boys and three girls. He couldn’t wait to tell her.

“Where were you? Did you get into a fight with someone?” Anya touched Chris’ cheek as he came back into the apartment. His clothes looked disheveled and his stance was just a little tense. Her parents were ready to leave and had convinced her to follow them on the drive down.

“Just clearing out my car a bit. Are you going to take the jeep?” Chris moved past her to pick up her handbag.

“We’ll see you guys down stairs.” Monica winked at Chris as she and Ivan rolled two suitcases out.

“Let's sit for a second.”

“Sure.” Chris raised his brows and smiled. Michael had been right, Anya loved his father. She called him Big Papa Jo. She always remembered his birthday and sent a card and gift regardless of where she was on the planet. Joseph had always been cold about it, but Anya had insisted that it was just his style.

Anya smiled as Chris took the seat opposite her, letting her have her space.

“I do want you to come with me. I want you to spend time with my family as always.”

“But?” Chris looked at her wringing her hands pulling at her lovely long curling hair. Always so beautiful. She had worn her hair short for many years. Since her last romantic comedy she had been letting it grow out. It was wild and curly and had all the shades of brown that hair could possibly muster. He had spent hours staring at it, touching it caressing it and when she wasn't paying too close attention to him, smelling it.

“I’m scared.” Anya swallowed, bending her head as Chris groaned.

“Don’t you think I know that love?” Chris moved now so that he knelt in front of her.

“I am technically still married to him.”

“But you have always been mine. You have always been my wife, been the woman that I came home to. We share our lives together, everything revolves around us. Don’t…” Chris paused as her head touched his and made him smile. She was always such a happy person. Could he truly hurt her? Would he marry her?

“Let’s elope?”

“Nope. I want papa Jo and my folks to walk you down the aisle.” Anya smiled a bright loving smile as Chris hugged her.

“I will hold you to that. I want to be the only person in this world responsible for making you happy, for making you smile.”

“Chris, I…”

“So are you driving down there on your own or…?”

“No. Of course not, after a speech like that I can only ever be anywhere with you.” Anya laughed, hugging him as he raised her up. She loved Chris so much, she just wanted to hold on to him and be with him forever.