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I arrived at my father's mansion just as the sun was beginning to rise, casting a soft pink hue over the otherwise drab area. I didn't want to take any chances with Anthony, so I made sure to arrive early, hopefully before he had. My heart raced as I stepped out of the taxi, my eyes scanning the area for any signs of trouble.
My gaze landed on a group of men who were just getting into a car and driving away. I instantly felt a pang of panic—what if my father had changed his mind? But then I saw him standing by an Audi parked nearby, his attention focused intently on something under the hood. I felt an immense relief when I realized he was safe.
As I walked past him, I noticed the way his muscles bulged beneath his sleeveless shirt. The thought of tracing those muscles with my fingertips sent shivers down my spine. Anthony had always had that effect on me—making me both considerate and inconsiderate simultaneously.
Just a week ago, I had been considering ending things with him because the relationship wasn’t going where I had wanted. But now, as I watched him work on the car, I knew that I couldn't let him go. He was mine, and I was selfish enough to want him all to myself.
I waved at him, and he looked up briefly, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips before he went back to his work. I admired the way he was being so careful and methodical.
I cracked open the door to my father’s office. My father sat at his desk, his attention solely focused on the papers before him. James stood behind him, in his usual position, arms crossed. I cleared my throat, trying to get my dad’s attention.
"Dad, I'm about to leave," I said, my voice carrying a hint of frustration. He dismissed me with a wave, not even bothering to look up from his work. I could feel James' intense gaze on me, but I refused to meet his eyes. I wasn't ready to show him how angry I was at him. There was no time right then. I needed to get Anthony out of there first.
As I walked out of the room, my eyes caught sight of Tank. I took a moment and speak with him before heading out to meet Anthony.
Finally, I slid into the passenger seat of Anthony's car, feeling a wave of relief as we pulled away from the mansion. We planned to head to the same city we had visited earlier that month in order to make the story about needing to meet with the investors plausible.
"You good?" Anthony asked, his eyes flickering towards me briefly.
I let out a sigh, my frustration still bubbling just beneath the surface.
"Yes," I replied, trying to sound convincing. "And you?"
He managed a smile before returning his attention back to the road.
"I'm good."
Suddenly, an idea struck me. "Anthony, can we stop at the store down the road?" I asked, the enthusiasm in my voice surprising even myself.
"Of course, ma'am," he replied, increasing our acceleration as we headed toward the store.
As Anthony parked the car, I jumped out and practically raced toward the store. My heart was pounding with excitement, and my mind was spinning with all the possibilities of what the trip had in store for us. I knew I needed to cheer up Anthony and make it memorable, so I made my way directly to the wine section. I grabbed two bottles of my favorite vintage for myself and a container of juice for Anthony. He was driving, but I didn't want to exclude him from the party.
Feeling giddy with anticipation, I made my way over to the paper products section and picked up some plastic wine glasses and paper cups. I was in the mood to celebrate, and I wanted to make sure that we had everything we needed to do so.
As I made my way back to the car, my arms full of beverages and glasses, I felt a rush of exhilaration. I smiled and waved at Anthony, who was looking at me in amusement.
As I climbed into the car, I turned up the music, blasting my favorite high-energy Latin tunes. I poured myself a glass of wine and started gyrating in my seat, feeling the music coursing through my veins. Anthony just chuckled and shook his head in disbelief as he continued to drive us to our destination.
The scenery outside the car window whizzed by in a blur of color and light, and I felt like I was on top of the world. The sun was shining, the music was blasting, and I was surrounded by all my favorite things. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the moment.
We finally arrived at the same hotel as before, and I felt a sense of relief and accomplishment. The towering building loomed above us, promising a temporary refuge from our troubles. As I stepped out of the car, I turned to look at Anthony, hoping to see the same happiness I felt within myself. But instead, he appeared distant, lost in thought.
I reached out to take his hand, hoping to bring him back to the present moment and lead him toward the entrance. The reception area was beautifully decorated with elegant chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. The receptionist greeted us with a warm smile, and I felt extra appreciative of the kind gesture.
We inquired about room availability, and after a few minutes, we were handed a key. I led the way, holding Anthony's hand tightly as we made our way toward our room. The hallway was quiet, with only the sound of our footsteps echoing off the walls. The room was minimalistic yet cozy, with a large king-sized bed in the center and a small balcony overlooking the cityscape.
I felt a sense of contentment as we settled into the room. It was just the two of us, with no commitments or distractions. I turned to Anthony, hoping to lift his spirits, but I could see the exhaustion etched into his face. I wanted to take away all his troubles and help him sleep soundly that night and not worry about the future.
As the night drew near, we sat there in comfort, in silence. The only thing we had talked about since arriving was Amanda. He had told me she was safe but gave no details. But I was glad to know she was okay. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm light across the room, and I felt grateful for this moment of peace and quiet. I leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Anthony's forehead, hoping to convey all the love and warmth I felt for him.
Chapter seventeen
Anthony
As I lay in bed in the dimly lit hotel room, the silence was broken only by the soft sound of Laura's breathing. The early morning light had yet to filter through the thick curtains on the window, and the room remained wrapped in a cocoon of darkness. I reached for my phone and scrolled through the messages I had received from Christine's friend at the boarding school, still marveling at her kindness.
The pictures of Amanda that she had sent me were both heartwarming and heartbreaking. In one photo, she was sitting on her bed, surrounded by a pile of stuffed animals. She had a slight smile on her face, but there was a sadness in her eyes that I couldn't ignore. In another photo, she was playing with some of the other children in the dormitories. They were all laughing and smiling, but Amanda's smile seemed forced, as if she was trying her best to fit in.
