Anna.

CHAPTER 9

Hey what are you doing?

Scared out of her wits Anna looked up to find Venice staring down at her . Anna told herself she had been surprised that was the reason why her heart was pounding and belly fluttering at the sight of him. You scared me.

That's not the answer to my question.

She stared at him momentarily lost he was supposed to be in his office working he nearly never came into her room he had always left her to her devices so what was he doing here today.

Venice surveyed the room in surprise the colours were too bright and a lot was going on at the same time. Hell what had she done to the room there was a green material tied in an attractive knots aesthetically placed over as the curtain the walls were polished with a green spray and what was that there were little faires on her desk with a sprinkle of tinkles on her bed and to complete the makeover her chair was moved from its position to a diagonal one facing the window. He stepped closer to her in the middle of the room the papers in her hands slipped off she hurried bent down to pick them up glad for the distraction she didn't think she could have stared looked at him another second without demanding why he have not been coming In to check on her like usual which was stupid and childish of her.

You have been busy.

She followed his eyes oh I was bored I hope you don't mind and these I was arranging the files in sequential order I saw them in my room oh I mean this room.

Venice stared at her as she blabed not hearing a thing but noticed every bodily movement. she was putting on a cotton short dress that swirled like a ballerina's and her hair was hair was tired in a calculated messy bun completed with escaped ringlet crowning her face. He continued to stare unable to stop himself his hands ached to touch those silky strands he quickly jammed his hands in his pocket so they wouldn't betray him.

Venice can you hear me?

Hmm change your dress and come out I want you to meet-

Huh I like this dress just fine and why do I have to do that.

it's a tad too small change into something presentable he continued struggling not to look at her bare long legs.

I don't understand you bought this dress for me and now you are saying it's not suitable? she still hadn't found a way to thank him for the clothes and this particular one she was putting on is a favorite of hers.

Right I didn't knew what I was thinking and it doesn't suit your one bit.

You don't have to be rude and no matter what you say I will not oblige to change.

Irritated at her stubbornness and that another male will see her looking like something out of a dream and pretty his voice harsher than he had intended he grabbed her hands if you wouldn't budge what are you waiting for? let's go see Lauren he has been looking forward to this meeting.

Colour drained from her face against her will shamefully she started shaking. I don't want to meet with anybody she said closing her eyes forcing the demons away. Venice please don't make me see him am scared he is probably se -sent here to catch me and this time I won't be able tt-

Before her eyes could turn red and have her fainting episode he pulled her to his arms and held her close gosh Anna listen to me I have known Lauren for a very long time. He is the detective I hired to find your mom and i have told you countless times Nothing or Nobody is ever gonna hurt you again okay? he will just ask you a couple of questions about your mom he murmured to her ears and kissed her forehead repeatedly he drew his face close to her their forehead met and held together breaths mingling.

Oh I don't know eyes still tightly shut not because of fear rather she didn't want to break away from her rock yet. she knew she was being foolish but didn't care.

I hate being so weak and scared but it's like I can't control my emotions she opened her eyes now Venice am really sorry.

sshh it's not your fault I should have been more assertive and k know you are not ready he replied cursing himself several for hurting her. I will tell him to come back next time no rush at all.

No she stepped away from the heaven of his arms she will stand on her own feet and be independent that will be what her mamas would have wanted. I am okay breathing deeply before she continued I want to answer his question and help.

Anna it's okay to be frightened you were badly shaken and you don't have to do it today.

I really have to if it will help in finding my mama then I am willing.

Are you certain?

Will you be present with me while he talks to me? she asked earnestly tearing his heart into tiny pieces.

Of course (every step of the way we are in this together) I will be present.

Then I am certain. I will quickly change she said running for cover because she had the urge to leap into his arms and never let go ever again.

I thought you didn't want to change.

You were right its too short and doesn't suit me. He stared after her how wrong could she be.

*Sometimes you have to be scared in order to be brave.