35. Anastasia
Anastasia
I never thought I’d see myself in a newspaper actually smiling.
My parents hand it to me over the breakfast table.
The picture is of me playing my violin, but not in this house.
They’ve chosen to show me in Philadelphia, playing for me and Rhett.
It’s a beautiful shot, and below it, the moment Rhett kissed me and made us feel like the only two people in the world.
“The media is going crazy for you selflessly charming the people with your talents on Christmas Eve,” a spokesperson from my father’s press team, Sheila, says from the side. “And as a couple, you two are making headlines everywhere and blowing up on social media.”
None of it is real. At least ... their version of what they saw.
The media will always have pictures, but they can tell a hundred stories.
They don’t know mine. They never will. But still I smile, because I know the real story of a broken man and a lost woman who found each other through the most unlikely of means.
I know she abandoned everything that night to go to him, and that though he didn’t know it, he was waiting for her to come.
I know she fell in love on Christmas Day, a gift that arrived, as all do . .. inevitably, and then suddenly.
“Thank you, Sheila,” my father says kindly, dismissing her after she’s updated him.
Rhett has headed to the gym as I was requested to breakfast with my parents. We’ve been back from Philly for three days.
“My dear, I have to ask,” my father begins. From his tone of caution I know what’s about to be addressed. “I know this all started as a ruse you were forced into with your personal guard, but is there something real going on now?”
I set the paper down, not liking how he makes it sound like it would be a bad thing. “Of course not,” I say.
Rhett and I discussed this on our way home.
While I’m not sure what exactly is between us yet, at least for him, what we both agreed was that we couldn’t stop the physical attraction.
Didn’t want to stop that. But my parents can’t know, and this confrontation is proof we were right.
My father wouldn’t keep Rhett as my bodyguard.
It would be a conflict of interest. He can’t stop us from seeing each other, but Rhett won’t risk losing his position at my side, and worse, it would open up the possibility of someone noticing when he doesn’t return to any secret service unit. I wouldn’t be able to keep seeing him.
“I’ve seen you two together. And leaving the Christmas party for him and this?—”
“You were largely in favor of this charade,” I snap.
My anxiety makes me sharp, suddenly daunted by my future.
I can’t see one without Rhett, but what if he needs to see it without me?
If not because of his lost love, then because being near me after this post will always be a danger to him because of who my father is.
With Rhett’s real work, being close to the president’s daughter comes with the big risk of exposing everything he’s built.
Rhett Kaiser is a hero, but our society will always paint him as a villain.
“Yes, and I trusted him to remain professional.”
“He has been nothing but,” I defend. “There’s no one who would take my safety more seriously than him.”
My father’s face softens as if he agrees but also won’t let go of his suspicions. “I wouldn’t object to your feelings, Anastasia. But in your best interests, his position could not stay.”
“He’s done nothing. We’ve done nothing,” I say, hating how it stings that I can’t be open about him and I have to lie to my parents.
I push the newspaper away. “That was nothing more than a press move when we noticed the cameras, so you’re welcome.
‘ Newly elected president’s daughter and swoon-worthy boyfriend sway voters’ hearts ,’” I make up sarcastically.
“Rhett lost someone dear to him years ago and needed a friend that night, or is that not allowed either?”
“Of course it is.” My mom finally speaks. She tries to smile, but her expression is a near wince too, as if the lie of what Rhett and I have done is all over me.
“I have a few things to do before semester starts back.” I excuse myself, and while they look inclined to protest, they let me go.
The moment I’m alone I don’t know how I feel. Sad that I have to hide how much Rhett means to me. Scared that the person I’ve fallen for could leave me for his own safety.
Shadow follows at my heel as usual. I don’t go to the gym to find him like I planned to do after breakfast. I head to the cinema room, turning on some thriller movie in an attempt to distract myself and calm my reeling thoughts.
Pitifully, I lie in the deep two-seater seat where Rhett kissed me for real for the first time.
I must have dozed off, because the thing to jerk me awake is the silence.
The projector has auto powered off. A blanket is draped over me that I didn’t take out myself, but I’m alone aside from being comfortably curled into Shadow.
Was Rhett in here? I can’t understand the tightening in my stomach and the sudden wave of fear that overcomes me.
Shadow becomes alert to my urgent pace as I storm from the cinema room.
I have to find him. This unexplainable need to see him speeds my pulse.
It’s irrational, and I’ll slap myself for becoming this desperate, pining idiot for him the moment he’s in front of me.
I knock on his door, waiting only a few seconds before I enter.
He isn’t here. Shadow paces the room as if checking for him too, but he whines at Rhett’s absence.
We check the gym next, then the kitchen, then the pool.
By the time I arrive at my father’s office something terrible is growing within me.
I don’t knock, unaware and uncaring that he isn’t alone, and for a second hope blooms that it’s Rhett he’s talking to.
It isn’t him. The flicker of hope snuffs out like a candle when I find Gregory Forbes in the chair opposite my father, and both of them snap their attention to me with my intrusion.
“Have you seen Rhett?” I ask through my drying throat.
My stomach clenches worse at the falling look on his face.
“I thought he’d have the chance to tell you before he took off. He said there was a family emergency and I granted him the leave,” my father says sorrowfully.
“When?”
Oh god, what’s happened?
“A couple of hours ago.”
“Did he say who? Where?”
The shake of my father’s head sends the world spinning as I scramble to think for myself.
“Don’t fret, Ana,” Gregory says, standing and buttoning his suit jacket. “We have already replaced your personal guard in the meantime in case Agent Kaiser requires more time to deal with his family issues.”
Family issues. The only blood family he has is a cruel and vile monster. Did he finally get to Rhett? My expression must give away my terror, because my father stands, concern pinching his aging face.
“I’m sure all will be well soon with him. He’ll return,” he assures me.
“Okay,” I whisper.
I don’t like the way Gregory smiles. Knowing.
I leave without another word and practically run to my room.
Finding my phone on the nightstand, I tap it desperately.
My heart withers at the blank screen. No message from Rhett.
I don’t hesitate to call him. No answer.
Not even a ring. Dread slicks my skin as I pace my room and try again and again.
Beep beep beep. Near frantic, I try Allie. Same with her.
What the fuck is happening?
Remembering I should still have Rhett’s location app, I try clicking onto it, but nothing loads before it crashes and kicks me back to my home screen. I grip my phone tightly, resisting the urge to throw it, because I need it in case he calls or texts.
Shadow grows as restless as me, and all I can do is bend and assure him with pats, but he isn’t so easily soothed either.
I cross the hall to Rhett’s room, at a complete helpless loss for what to do.
I climb into his bed and Shadow joins me.
My brow scrunches at his teakwood scent with a hint of mint that envelops me from his pillow as I curl into it.
He’ll be okay. He has to be. Something urgent pulled him away, and it must be serious for him not to have told me before he left. But he’ll come back to me and explain it all, and it will all be okay.