Chapter 17 Anna
Chapter seventeen
Anna
A
I’ve never lived more than twenty minutes away from my parents, so I had asked them if we could get together, but I never expected to be assaulted only hours ago.
The way Daniel touched me has me wanting to hide from the world, but I know I’ll regret not spending time with the people who have given me so much in this life.
My mom pulls my favorite chicken casserole out of the oven as I finish up the salad when we hear the front door open. “Hey, Craig! Thanks for inviting me.” I dropped the tongs to the counter at the sound of Daniel’s voice.
“Everything okay, honey?” My mother asks.
“Dad invited Daniel?” She cocks her head at me and gives me a confused look. This isn’t the first time he’s been at family dinners, being as how he and my dad have been practically inseparable since college. “I just figured with it being my last night here, we would be having dinner as a family.”
“Don’t be rude, Anna Laura,” my father chastises from behind me. “Daniel is family.”
I turn to see the two men standing beside each other and Daniel puts a hand to my dad’s shoulder.
“Oh, she isn’t being rude,” he says with a grin, “she probably just thought we said our goodbyes at the office today. Told you I wouldn’t just let you go, sweet girl.
” He winks at me, and it takes everything in me not to toss my cookies into the tossed salad ready to be served for dinner.
“Is supper ready?” He changes the subject. “It smells great in here, as usual, Kara.”
My mom smiles at my attacker, ever the gracious host. “Sure is, why don’t you two men go ahead and have a seat at the table. Anna and I will bring everything in.”
I help my mother take everything into the dining room, where my dad is seated at his usual place at the head of the table.
When Daniel is over for dinner, he usually takes the chair opposite him at the other end, but I notice that tonight he has chosen to sit in the chair directly beside my typical spot.
I drop the salad bowl to the table and go to sit in the space beside my mother, but Daniel speaks up. “I’m afraid I spilled my drink in that chair, Anna. But you’re welcome to sit in your typical spot. So sorry for the spill, Kara.”
“No need to be sorry,” my dad says on my mom’s behalf. “Anna Laura, why are you being weird? Go sit where you always do.”
Reluctantly I walk around the table to my typical chair and sit down beside my former employer.
Dad dishes out his serving of casserole then passes the dish to me.
As I scoop a spoonful, he stops me. “Anna Laura, give it to Daniel first. You’re likely to eat the whole damn thing.
It would be rude to invite a man over for dinner and then not have anything left for him to eat.
” My dad and his best friend chuckle and my cheeks flame.
“Craig,” my mom says, cutting her eyes at my dad, ceasing his laughter.
“Just a joke. Everyone’s so damn sensitive,” he grumbles and then digs into his dinner.
It’s September in the Bluegrass, so there’s talk about the first few football games and the fact that this could be the year the Wildcats bring home another national championship in basketball.
When Daniel and my dad are together the talk is always sports, but something else must be weighing on my dad’s mind.
“I just don’t understand it, Anna Laura. Why would you leave such a good job? Daniel was kind enough to give you that position and now you’re just leaving him high and dry.”
The kind man my father is talking about slides his hand over to my thigh and squeezes. The tablecloth covers the actions so my dad is none the wiser about how unkind his friend can truly be.
“Oh, Craig. She’s young and wants to spread her wings. Can’t say I blame her,” he speaks for me, rubbing his thumb back and forth across my soft skin.
My dad scoffs. “She’s thirty. That’s not young enough to be making dumb decisions with your life.
Anna Laura, it’s past time you grow up and start really living.
Daniel is a good man who gave you a good job.
You could have saved up and made quite the nice nest egg staying with his company.
In fact, Daniel, would you mind teaching Anna Laura some of the ins and outs of accounting?
She could go back to school and get her degree, then work for you in another capacity.
I bet a few long nights and some hard work is all it would take for her to figure out what she would need to do to succeed. ”
“I would love nothing more than to keep Anna around at the office. If she’s interested, I’d be willing to have as many long nights as necessary.
Accounting can be long, hard work, but I have no doubt she would be amazing at it.
” As he talks, Daniel dips his hand into the gap between my thighs, causing a light gasp to escape me at his movement.
My mom’s eyes flash over at mine with what I think is a knowing look, but then she quickly averts her gaze and goes back to her meal.
“Well then, it’s settled. Now thank Daniel and we can put all this leaving business behind us.” I look over at the man my father wants me to thank and see the biggest shit eating grin spreading across his face.
“Dad, there are a few problems with that scenario,” I calmly explain and Daniel squeezes my thigh again, this time even tighter and with his nails digging into me to the point I think he may have drawn blood.
“First of all, I’ve already accepted the position at the cybersecurity firm and they’re expecting me to move in tomorrow and start on Monday. ”
My dad waves his hand in the air before taking another bite. “You’re not set to sign that contract until Monday and people change jobs all the time. That’s an easy fix.”
“Well, there is the issue that I have no interest in being an accountant.”
“Young lady, you don’t seem to have an interest in being much of anything. Now accounting is a good job and will provide you with a good, steady income. You see how successful Daniel is and that could be you some day.”
“Money isn’t everything, Dad,” I mumble.
He huffs, “You only think that because you grew up accustomed to a certain lifestyle. When you’re struggling to get a mortgage, you’ll see that money is a lot more important than you think.”
“Well maybe the man she marries will take care of her,” my mother steps in trying to resolve things, but just making me want to groan. She means well, but she also grew up with the belief that you married for provisions and not so much love.
My dad shakes his head. “I wouldn’t count on that. Men with money don’t marry women that look like her.”
I should be fucking pissed, and a part of me is, but I can’t help but think of the gorgeous husband of mine I haven’t spoken to in over a month. The husband who is obviously financially loaded if he can book a suite at an upscale hotel in Las Vegas. Unable to hold it back, I let out a snort.
“Men aren’t exactly attracted to that either,” Daniel adds to the conversation.
I keep quiet for the remainder of dinner and Daniel keeps his hand on my thigh, every now and then bringing it up higher as a silent reminder to how he touched me earlier in the day.
My favorite meal has been tainted with tonight’s conversation, and I’ve never been so glad to see the last bite of it eaten and dinner officially over.
After dinner my dad and Daniel escaped to the living room to watch some documentary about the infamous Kentucky and Duke game from the nineties. They watch it just about every time they get together and every time, they get mad at the result as if it’s the first time they’ve ever seen it.
My mom and I are in the kitchen washing dishes and cleaning up.
“I really am excited for you, honey,” my mom says to me as I take the dish from her to dry.
“I know your dad and Daniel are close, but I also know it’s important to harness your independence and see what you can do without relying on your parents. I’m proud of you.”
I smile at her. “Thanks Mom, I really appreciate that. And I am really going to miss you so much.” I look over to see my mom wringing her hands, a sour expression on her face. “What’s wrong?”
“Has Daniel done something, honey?” Her tone is hushed, and she glances into the living room as the man in question sits with his best friend.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s just that you looked so uncomfortable at dinner. I saw you tense up multiple times and I noticed he was eating with his left hand. Daniel’s right-handed, Anna.”
I stay quiet, drying the dinner plate in my hand with more focus than if I were facing off in an Olympic sport.
“Anna, was his hand on you during dinner?” I nod.
“Did you want it there?” I shake my head.
“Honey, please tell me what’s going on.”
I desperately want to tell her the truth.
I want to confide in her about the messages and videos he’s sent me over the past year.
I want to have no doubts that she will stand up for me when I tell her how he touched me against my will this afternoon in his office.
I want to tell her everything, but I don’t, because the man she’s asking about walks into the kitchen with us.
“Every time I watch it hoping somehow the ending will change. And every time we fucking lose.” My mom lets out a nervous giggle, and Daniel takes another step in my direction.
“I guess I’m headed home for the night. Thanks for dinner, Kara.
Anna, you probably need to head home yourself. Let me walk you out.”
“Oh, no, that’s okay. I think I’m going to stick around here just a bit longer.”
“The hell you are,” my dad says coming into the kitchen. “I’m ready for bed and after making the dinner you requested, I’m sure your mother is tired, too. Stop making things difficult for everyone and let Daniel walk you out.”
“Now Craig, we don’t know how long it will be before we can see our only child again.
She’s going to be busy with her new job and all, so I think it’s okay for her to stay a little longer.
” My mom gives me a weak smile, as she tries to save me from being alone with the man she now knows has been taunting me.
“That’s her decision, Kara. Now I’m tired and it’s time we all call it a night.”
Tired of fighting with him and not wanting to make things worse for my mom, I give in to my dad and say my goodbyes.
Daniel places his hand at the small of my back as he guides me through the house and out the front door.
Once we’re in the driveway, he grabs my wrist and spins me so that I fall into his chest. A hand wraps around my neck, and he tugs me to him, placing his lips over mine, refusing to stop even as I try like hell to pull away.
“You really are so fucking difficult,” Daniel says, moving his hand from my neck to the back of my head and forcing me against his lips again. This time his tongue tries to find entrance and when it pushes past my lips, I bite down until I taste his blood in my mouth.
Daniel pulls back, but an evil chuckle rises out of him.
“Oh, sweet girl, if you like it rough, you just had to say so.” I manage to pull away from his hold and rush over to my car, slamming the door and locking it so he can’t get to me.
Daniel just stands outside my door and laughs.
“Oh, Anna,” his muffled voice comes through my window, “always playing hard to get. I left you a little care package so you can remember me.” He jerks his head in the direction of my passenger seat where a neatly wrapped gift has been placed. “I’ll see you soon, sweet girl.”
My breath comes out in pants as I sit in my car and watch Daniel climb into his Jeep, then drive away.
Once he’s out of sight, I finally allow my body to relax, and I head for home.
On the drive to my apartment, I can’t help but think back to the man who kissed me so differently mere weeks ago.
I may still be mad at him, but I can admit that I miss Keaton, and the comfort his arms gave me is exactly what I could use right now.
I park in the apartment garage for the last time and get ready to head inside, but my eye catches on the box in my passenger seat. I swear if there’s a fucking head in there I’m going to be so pissed.
I hate to compliment anything about Daniel, but the box really is beautiful, trimmed in black with a gold bow around it.
I lift off the lid to find a thick, veiny dildo inside, along with a note and a picture of me with Daniel Brenner from last year’s holiday party.
I open the note and read the scratched writing I recognize as belonging to my former boss.
I will never let you go.
Anna
I just made it here! Love you both!
My phone rings through my car’s speakers and I roll my eyes knowing exactly who is on the other line.
“Anna, it’s your mother.”
“I know, Mom.”
“We just got your message. I’m on speaker with your father here beside me.” It should be annoying, but I can’t help but smile at her full report.
“I just wanted to let you know I made it. I’m about to go into my new place.”
I look out at the guesthouse at the end of the stone path. The white siding pops against the black roof and shutters and it looks so sparkly clean. The place is so cute, and more than enough space for me, but compared to the mansion beside it, it may as well be a shack.
“We love you so much, honey. Have a great first day of work and know that we are so proud of you. Tell her, Craig. Tell her how proud you are of her.”
I don’t expect my dad to say the words my mom is trying to force out of him, but I wait for him to come on the line anyway.
“Anna, it’s really brave of you to pack up your life and start somewhere new. I think a fresh start is good for you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” He may not have said he was proud, but his words mean a lot just the same.
I hang up with my parents and look back at the guest house where my new life will begin.
Here’s to fresh starts.