Chapter 9 The Past

Anna May

The first thing she noticed upon waking up, she was warm. Not the kind of heat that will make her sweat. This felt more like a security blanket.

She stared at the muscled arm --wide-eyed-- holding her tightly. Her legs tangled to equally muscled calves. She stiffened, remembering all the predators that tried to take advantage of her and her sisters. She began to hyperventilate. Shit!

"Shhh, baby girl. It's me." Alexander. She thought it was all a dream.

Anna sighed relief, finding comfort in his arms.

She remembered her nightmare last night and his comforting presence. Had shamelessly asked him to stay. He did and chased her fears away. She turned in his arms to face him and tilted her head and smiled. The light of the glorious morning streaming from the elegant contemporary Italian-styled windows.

"Good morning, Xander." God! He looked even more handsome in his five-o'clock shadow.

"Good morning, cara mia." He leaned down to kiss her forehead and her dreamy eyes fluttered. "Did you sleep well?" She nodded, her flushed cheek rubbing on his hard chest.

"How about you?" She propped her head on her shoulder to examine him better and gasped when he pulled her closer, burying his face on her neck, inhaling her scent greedily. He kissed the sensitive skin down to her collarbone and she couldn't help but moan in delight.

"It's the best sleep of my life, bella." He murmured on her neck. She felt hot all over, the tingles ran from her neck to her nipples then further down. He groaned, as if in pain. He kissed her forehead then her cheeks. She knew she was blushing again. From his reaction, he knew what she was thinking.

"Xander, I like this but don't you think we are going too fast? I mean, we only met yesterday." She nibbled her lips, suddenly doubting herself. This was insane. "I feel like I don't know you enough and I would like that to change before we go further."

They sat on the rumpled bed, his arms around her and they were staring too intently at each other. Gauging. Assessing. Trying to read each other's thoughts.

"Do you trust me, mio amore?" His voice was serious --gravelly and hot from sleep. She quivered and the butterflies in her stomach fluttered.

"Yes, I do. I feel safe with you. It's just that, this is a first for me. I am afraid, Xander." He knew she was not afraid of him but of this intense feeling. Of this crazy attraction. She was afraid to fall, he may not be there to catch her.

"You should never be afraid, baby girl. We go at your pace. I am not going anywhere. I am here to stay. Trust me?" How could she deny this man? He was sincere. She admired his straightforwardness. And he has given her the reins.

"Yes, I trust you," Anna whispered. Her eyes on his delectable red wine lips. He brushed his soft lips against her and she gasped. It was the softest of kisses. More like a promise. Like a butterfly's wings. His face was taut yet his stormy gray eyes showed warmth and devotion.

She smiled radiantly at him. He blinked several times, she giggled. He smiled back to dispel the tense moment.

"Tell me honestly, Xander. Is this your room?" He tensed, unsure of what to answer. She didn't plan to move to another room, she just wanted to know the truth.

"Yes. But you belong here." Was his defensive answer.

"Thank you for telling me the truth. Your sister was very clever." She moved out of his arms, ready to start her day. He eyed her warily.

"Cara mia," With lethal grace he got up from the bed, ready to take her in his arms. She guessed he was preparing for an argument for her to stay in his suite. She raised her hand, stopping him. She really can't think straight when she was in his arms.

"I will stay. I like it here." She squealed as he hugged her then spun her while in his arms. He peppered her neck with kisses despite her protests. " I need to go to the bathroom, Xander. I look like a mess." He set her down gently, a huge smile on his face.

"I think you are the most beautiful woman in the world." He whispered adorably. -God! Is she this lucky?-

"I think you are beautiful too. I mean...ah...extremely handsome." Oh, God! She did not just embarrass herself. Who tells an Adonis he was beautiful? It should be manly and handsome and gorgeous. Or whatever...

She squirmed in his arms. Ready to hid in the bathroom. He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead before letting her go. And she ran straight to the ensuite bathroom lest he changed his mind.

"See you at breakfast, baby girl!" She groaned, locked the bathroom behind her, and grimaced --examining herself in the mirror. Her skin was so flushed, her amber eyes glowed and alight with excitement. She knew she no longer looked like the beauty queen she once was. However, she had never felt so alive. But...

Anna's happy thoughts wittered at the memories suddenly assailing her, dampening her mood.

She was barely 18 at that time  --at the peak of her career, the youngest female ever to be crowned Ms. Universe. She was invited to all the glamorous events in the world. For almost two years she had graced the runway of Milan, Paris, Tokyo, and Dubai. All under the protection of her manager, her talent scout, her best friend. George. Her heart clenched at the thought of her.

The invitation to the New York Fashion week came 3 months before her 20th birthday. All the big names in fashion. They were so excited. All expenses paid. They were promised $100,000 by the end of the week. She had a name. The title --exactly what the sponsors needed to boost up the event. They even signed a contract. The first few days were fine but then disaster has struck. She lost her friend after that. It also ended her career in the modeling industry. Moreover, she had lost all the money she saved for her sisters. All because of that one man.

***

Alexander was waiting at the foot of the stairs. She blushed at the intentness in his gray stormy eyes. She had dallied in the luxurious bathroom and almost fell asleep in the bathtub.

His impatience made her grin. Instead of waiting at the foot of the grand staircase, he met her halfway, taking two steps at a time. Her hand gently clasped in his, he guided her down the steps with his other arm around her waist.

"Xander, people are staring." She looked up at him, he smirked, holding her more securely. She could hear whispers from his staff and some of the maids were giggling.

"You are beautiful, cara mia. That's why they are staring. Come. Breakfast awaits." Everything in this mansion was glamorously impressive. So elegant.

"This place is huge." More so in the morning light.

"Do you like it?" She looked up at him. Her brows knitted. Puzzled. He was seriously waiting for her approval. If she said no will he change the design? "If you don't like it here, we will buy another house, baby girl." That answered her question. Was he for real?

"No! I like this one, Alexander. Jeez, please don't give me a heart attack so early in the morning." He shrugged, kissed her hair then sat her to his left at the breakfast table. She gaped at the various dishes in front of her. "Are more people joining us?"

"I believe Baxter has outdone himself. I have never seen him so enthusiastic." Speaking of which. The prestigious-looking butler appeared seconds after Alexander took his seat.

"Good morning, mia regina. Do you want tea or juice?" What was with all the bowing?

"Good morning, Baxter. I will have cold orange juice, please. No pulp." She was rather fond of the elderly gentleman. He bowed once more in her direction. Really?

"And he forgets about me. Tsk. Tsk." Xander murmured in mock disappointment while he prepared her plate neatly. Two hot pancakes, with lots of Nutella, and mixed berry compote. Yum. She licked her lips, eyeing the plate.

"Never, sire. I have your black coffee ready." He left but not before bowing once more.

"Why does he always bow, Xander?" She could not go another minute without asking.

"To show respect, mio amore. He is just excited I finally brought a woman home." He gazed at her while she took her first bite to make sure she was content. Which she was. This man was amazing.

"Technically your sister brought me home," She answered cheekily. He raised his brow. Amused. Wow, he was not brooding today, unlike yesterday. "That reminds me, where are they now?"

"They will be down in a minute." She watched in fascination as he filled his plate with bacon, eggs, ham, and various sausages with 5 slices of French toasts. Man, he could eat. Judging by his muscles he must spend a lot of time in the gym. She eyed her plate --these were serious calories. Maybe she should hit the gym as well. She gazed longingly at the juicy German sausages.

"Can I taste your sausage, Xander?" Her eyes widened in alarm when he choked on his first bite. Shit! She got up and poured him a glass of water. Helping him drink it slowly and pat his back.

Laughter filled the room. Great peals of laughter by one woman.

She glanced up --hearing Alexie's mirth. She was laughing so hard Michael has to hold her up. Anna shook her head. "It's not funny, Lex. Your brother couldn't breathe."

"You want to taste his sausage? It is very funny, Anna." She furrowed her eyebrows. She couldn't find anything wrong with her request.

"Just drop it. I don't want his sausage anymore." She grumbled. And like a switch, she went laughing again. "Are you ok, Xander? Do you need more water?"

"I am ok, cara mia. Don't hate my sausage. Here, open your mouth." She took a small bite and another. Yum. She liked it. It was juicy and spicy.

"That tastes good. Thanks!" Finishing the whole piece, she went back to her plate.

"So you like my sausage now, baby girl?" The too innocent question made her narrow her eyes at him suspiciously. He knew something she doesn't. Was there a punchline somewhere?

"Yes, I like your sausage, Xander. So stop laughing Alexie." She growled and went back to her delicious pancakes. These people... Hmmph.

***

Christ! It was almost lunch break. She had only finished ten presentations and required at least twenty more by Saturday. Typing furiously on  MacBook Air, she didn't notice Alexie come in.

"Let's take a break, sissy. My husband and brother are still in a meeting. Let's go out. You need to relax."

"I can't, Lex. The training week will start on Monday. I will only have five more days to finish these." Was she stress on her third day at work? Nope. Not happening.

"You have a team, Anna. Let's go find them. You are not doing all the work. Do you want my brother to throw a tantrum when he sees you like this?" God forbid. She rolled her eyes and got up, bringing her things with her.

"I take it you like your new office?"

"Your brother is full of surprises." The huge office space was adjacent to Xander's, with no walls  --basically sharing his office. Aside from that, huge bouquets of roses kept coming the whole morning and there were also boxes of imported chocolates in one corner. She guessed he was really serious when he declared he would court her.

"This is your new team, Anna." She was jolted from her daydream upon reaching another conference room on the same floor.

She scanned the eager faces in the conference room. Jesus! These ladies were super stunning. Like all the angels at Victoria's Secret fashion show gathered in one group. She suddenly felt insecure. Why does Xander want her? She shook her head --it was not the time for that.

"Hi, ladies!" She waved shyly. "Thank you so much for assembling on such short notice. As you all know, I will be conducting lectures and training to all division heads, executive directors, and our very own CEO."

"Alexander Northam will be there? I'll make myself available for the big boss." Barbie one commented. Eyes dreamy. She frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry. Don't mind me." She glanced at Alexie, she was seriously glaring at Barbie one.

Then Barbie two put her 2 cents in. "I would be happy to do anything, I mean just about anything if the big boss will be there. I mean goddess, hmm." Barbie's eyes were glassy, obviously imagining. Seriously? Can she bash the lady's head in?

"Jenny and Susy, you will be assigned to another task. Please leave the room." Alexie finally snapped. They looked at her, eyes wide. The barbies scurried out of the room, scared. She gave her friend a grateful smile. Jealousy was a new thing for her and she couldn't believe the violence the unknown emotion did to her feelings.

God! She needed to concentrate better and forget those ladies vying for her boss's attention. She cleared her throat and focused.

"By the way, I'm Anna Greyson, your new training manager. I will assign a topic for each one of you for the PowerPoint presentation and portfolio. Don't worry, you no longer need to research. It's all in here." She handed out big brown envelopes to each one of them.

"Ms. Greyson, can I ask you a question? I'm sorry. Can't wait anymore." She nodded at the woman to address her. "I mean my daughter is a fan." Shit! How old was her daughter? She doesn't look a day over 25.

"Um...sure Ms..." This couldn't be happening.

"Abigail. You are more beautiful now than four years ago when you were crowned. My daughter and I were in Thailand and attended the pageant. I am so happy to meet you at last!" This was not her fault. The lady was kind and she doesn't know her past. Everybody was listening now, including Alexie.

"Thank you, Abigail. Say hi to your daughter for me?" She glanced nervously at Alexie. She was really curious.

"Can we take a selfie? I need to brag about this. It's not every day that you get to take a picture with a supermodel and Ms. Universe 2015."

Oh shit! So much for being incognito.

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