Chapter 10

I waved back at Mom as she smiled at us. I had opted to bring my small handbag along which carried my wallet which had my card, Mom's card and some change that tends to come in necessary. I had my lipgloss and lip therapy, a packet of facial tissues, my small hand lotion and cellphone in it.

"So, tell me about yourself, Melissa." Nolan softly urged as we pulled onto the road and drove off.

"I'm not sure what to share." I nervously laughed as I faced the road. I felt so awkward for some reason which probably stems from the knowledge that I was alone in a car with my overly attractive crush. It was both exhilarating and terrifying that my stomach was caught between doing happy flips and churning.

"Well, what will you be studying?" He asked.

"The bachelor of arts in English, Communication, History and Psychology." I beamed.

"Ahhh, beauty and brains. I like that." He playfully winked with a spark in his eyes. I'm not quite sure if it was caused by the light of the sun shining through his emerald green orbs, or if it was just my imagination.

"I suppose," I lightly chuckled," What do you do?" I asked.

"I'm an architect." He grinned at me with genuine happiness in his voice as he told me about what he did.

That is how the rest of our ride went. I shared some things about me and vice-versa. By the time we got to the salon, I'd say we were no longer strangers.

*****

Zane's POV

I poured the white liquid in my wine glass, fighting the urge to just chug the vodka from the bottle. At this point, I don't care about the taste, I just want the buzz that will help me forget this pain that haunts me, even a little.

Unfortunately deep down, I am very aware that one bottle won't do it. I would need almost ten just to feel a little buzz and probably ten more if not more, to feel tipsy. Let's forget about getting drunk. I've never gotten there before and probably never will.

My body painfully and furiously shook as I grabbed the glass and all but gulped the drink down until there wasn't a single drop left. My muscles were burning and my bones felt like they were breaking. My body was so hot it felt like I was about to combust into flames. The think layer of sweat that coated my skin made it seem like I had jumped out of the shower wet and I knew this was rendering me dehydrated.

A loud buzz rang in my ear and head that I weakly heard Liam whimper.

'Make it stop.' He weakly whispered almost as though speaking hurt in itself.

I wordlessly grabbed the bottle shakily and forcefully brought it to my lips. The pain of moving my arm threatening to tear me apart as my ligaments groaned in pain while my hand furiously shook. The bottle felt so heavy even as it was half empty. I finally managed to press the mouth against my lips, but it was too late. The bottle slipped from my hand and crushed onto the floor beneath me as my breathing grew even more rigid.

Stars started dancing in my vision as the pain increased, making it feel like my ligaments were burning and my muscles were burning in tension. I couldn't even feel myself as my vision turned black and my body fell from the chair onto the floor full of glass. The pieces of glass piercing my skin felt like I was being prickled due to the pain that was already embracing my body.

I could feel my body writhing on the floor as I slowly lost consciousness.

Please, don't let Grace see me like this.

*****

Anne's POV

I absentmindedly traced the mouth of the mug I had gotten as a gift from Mel while she was still in primary school. She was only in the third grade when she bought it, the Sweetheart saved up all her lunch money just to buy me this cup from school when they were selling them for Mother's day. I am truly the luckiest mother.

Mel is the sweetest and most understanding person I know and she has been so accepting of everything that sometimes I'm scared she'll lose it and snap one day and to be honest, it would be warranted.

It's s only been two months since I've known him and I'm already head over heels in love with him. If Mel knew that I'm not that one who bought this house or that I didn't move here for a job she would definitely lose it. But, I just couldn't help it. How am I ever going to tell her about us...and not just the little things, but the whole truth. All I do know is I need to tell her everything and soon.

The unexpected, but loud sound of my ring tone had me jumping up in my seat and spilling some now cool coffee on my thigh. I couldn't swallow the curses that I uttered under my breath as I placed the cup on the table, unfortunately for me, now I have a table to clean too. The dark brown tears of coffee that were sliding down the mug were shamelessly pooling around the mug on the glass table.

I carelessly grabbed my cellphone from where it shook on the table and swiped at the screen without looking at the caller ID.

"Hello." I grumbled as I got up and started the short walk to my bedroom.

"Thank the deities!" A familiar, timber but sweet voice sounded through the phone's speaker in relief, instantly making me feel calmer even as my heart skipped a beat. "I was so worried when you didn't answer. I thought something had happened to you."

"Hey," I absent-mindedly greeted again before shaking my head and responding," I'm sorry," I sighed," I had a little incident in the living room."

"An incident? Please explain." He requested, his voice thickening with barely hidden concern.

I lightly giggled and shook my head at the worry wot of a man, but that's what made my heart melt most of the time. His compassion and care makes him him and I love that about him.

"Honey, please calm down. I accidently spilled some coffee on myself when the phone rang. It was cool, don't worry so aside some wet pants, there was and is no harm done." I reassured him.

"I'm happy to hear that," He sighed in relief," So, how is the moving coming along, my Love. I wish I could help." He guiltily sighed.

"We're almost done, plus we got some help unloading from the neighbours. They seem really nice." I chirped, hoping to cheer him up some as I walked into the currently white room. I would be repainting it soon though.

"Oh? Are you by any chance referring to males?" He asked with very audible curiousity and slight jealousy.

"Calm down, Alpha," I laughed as I made my way to my closet which I had recently packed. "They are males, but don't worry, they are young."

"I know they are," He grumbled like a petulant child. "Nolan and Little Grace."

"You know them?" I asked, a bit surprised.

"Of course, this is a tight community, my Love." He sighed.

"What about Zane, Nolan's brother?" I curiously asked as I pulled out one of my few sundresses.

"Yes," He said in a thinking tone," He recently returned."

"Yeah. You know, I'm charmed by little Grace. Isn't she just the cutest?" I happily squealed at the image of the adorable toddler. She made me miss having a baby around, in fact, she reminds me of Mel when she was around her age. The girl was so shy.

"She is," He lightly chuckled, but it sounded more like a deep base than a light chuckle. How manly. "I can't wait for the day you and I have our own children." He said with such softness and yearning that it made me smile.

"Me too." I reciprocated as I placed my phone on the bed and stripped out of my clothes, letting them pool at my feet before pulling on the plain white, ruffled dress.

"Have you told Melissa about us? About everything?" He gently asked, but you could hear the slight anxiousness lining his tone.

"Sort of," I weakly whispered as I picked up my clothes and made my way to the hamper to dump them in there."I told her about you, but not about everything. I don't know how to even start and a large part of me is scared that she will finally snap after this." I sighed as I poured my worries out there into the universe.

"I understand, Sweetheart," He quietly said, but anyone would hear the slight disappointment in his voice and damm did it cut at my heart. He is such a lovely guy, he doesn't deserve all this crap from me especially considering how sweet and caring he always is to me. He treats me nothing less than fragile China wear, like a queen.

"I'm sorry, Dame." I guiltily whispered, knowing very well that he could clearly hear me. This man deserved much better than me.

"Don't you dare apologise for something like this and don't you dare think I deserve better than you. I get to choose who I want to spend my life with and I choose you Annabelle Bailey." He firmly growled. Instead of tremors of fear running through my body at his firm and hard tone, I felt warmth seeping from his words and into my heart. My eyes burned with unshed tears as I let his words sink in.

"I love you so much, Dame." I choked out as I sniffled from the tears. This man knows how to make me feel worthy, to make my heart soar with joy. He was my it just as I hope I was his. Talking to him made everything official and made my decision feel even more grounded and more solid because deep down, I knew it was the right one.

"I love you even more, my Love. More than any word can describe." He sweetly reassured.

"You know, I want you to meet her." I softly smiled at the phone as if I would suddenly see him on the screen.

"Are you sure?" He nervously asked, while clearing his throat. "I mean, won't she think we've moved too fast? I mea-"

I couldn't help myself as I broke into a fit of giggles at the panic of the man on the phone. The same man who was as hard as steel towards me a few seconds ago is now as nervous and soft as cotton candy. He's just too adorable.

"Sure, laugh at me, my Love." He playfully egged me on. I could even hear his pout from the phone, which had me breaking out into a full on laugh.

"Mom!" The familiar sound of my daughter calling filled my ears, making me tense up for a second.

"Duty calls," I sighed in contentment as I relaxed from my laughing fit. "How does this weekend sound? Dinner at 6:30?"

"Sounds lovely," He agreed," I'll bear a few gifts."

"Knowing you, you will even if I ask you not to." I pouted.

"Sweetheart, I want to. I really want to and besides, a guy needs to offer a piece offering, right?" He mused.

"No, Honey. You don't," I disagreed," Anyway, let me go tell her about our dinner plans for Saturday. Don't go overboard with the gifts." I sternly stated.

"No promises, my Sweet," He lightly chuckled, "I love you."

"I love you too." I smiled before hanging up with a very stubborn smile on my lips. It's been a whole week since I last saw him and I'm embarrassed to say, I miss him like crazy.

"Mother Darling! Where are you?" Melissa bellowed from wherever she was.

"I'm coming, Honey!" I called out as I started towards my daughter with one thought in mind.

'I hope she takes this well'.