We're back after quite the break.. I felt inspired again with this plot, so I wrote around 8000 words in this chapter.. Yea, I have my periods. But let's hope there won't be problems in the future and the story will be continued regularly.

  To avoid confusion, Kristin is the secretary that helped Anya get an interview with Mr. Bonner in one of the first chapters, and Jenny is Anya's sister. The rest will be explained further in the chapter ;) Hope you'll like it! Sorry for the cliff-hangy at the end, but it felt right ending it there after such a long chapter..

  Have fun reading!

***

Anya's POV

A week passed. A week, and I still managed to keep my job. However, Bonner didn't miss a day without reminding me that the assistant position was still opened, and a new chick could replace me any minute really. But, I wasn't the kind of girl that was easy. I didn't give up just like that. It was quite the war we had, with him giving me the hard assignments, and me using everything I had to make them happen. I had a few of the coworkers helping me out with some of Bonner's presentations, and I was starting to learn the whole computer thing. But I knew he was waiting for the slightest mistake.

The company wasn't really as bad as I thought it was.. The employees seemed very up tight, but they were kind. His secretary Kristin especially. When I first saw her, I thought she was this perfect blonde, a control freak and an ambitious competition. I wasn't really wrong, she was pretty hard to handle, but I guess I was lucky that she got to like me. I didn't spend time with her really, but when I did, it was really casual, and I lost the feeling like I was in a town where everyone hated me. I guess a lot of people didn't really care. Everyone excepted me well.

Throughout the few days I had been working there, Bonner didn't mention the uncomfortable subject once. Like he had completely forgotten about it. Did he? I mean I understood that we only had a boss-assistant relationship, but I felt like a fool overreacting to it a few days back. I fainted from the memory of it, and from the fact that I had gotten so caught up in such a mess that I created.

But Mr. Bonner showed himself like the control freak he was, only work, only schedules... That was everything he talked about. Every single morning, I would go to his office and read his schedule for that day, every meeting he had, every presentation.. I was there to basically make time for everything. I learned that I didn't have the right to tell him there was no time, because he always answered "Make time." Then every time I tried leaving his office, he would remind me that I wasn't supposed to do that until he says so, and that cold monotone voice would always have me glued to the floor, waiting for his next order, but the words that came on my mind were hard to keep to myself.

I was trying to get a permanent jog there. I couldn't allow myself to have those little breakdowns. I had to be focused all the time. And I guess it helped. When I got back in the hotel room I fell asleep immediately.

However, things started off a bit different. It was Monday. The busiest day really, where everything had to be the same it was when we left in Saturday. Well, that was at least what I realized, 'cause it was my second week there after all.. As always, I tried representing myself in the best way possible, and performing a small knock on his door, I waked in the office.

"Good Morning, Mr. Bonner." I heard myself say, and I was getting really used to spending mornings like that. It really became more of a reflex, and I didn't even mind referring him with 'Mr.' and speaking with that 'respect'. Everyone really did it, and I was his employee. A temporary one.. Still had to fix that.

I read his schedule, explaining through the lines.. "And finally you have a meeting with Mr. Bauer from 'Passions' at 6:30," That is wrapping this day up, I told myself. The rest was him giving me assignments, like making presentations for him, for his meetings, and then attending to some of them to write down the details, and the comments, and then make sure that everything was where it was supposed to me on his desk, and in his office, and then in my office... He always would come up with something, and there wasn't a minute of me just sitting down.. I liked it really. It took my mind off stuff.

"Good. I need you to add my lunch with Ms. Iz there. It was a last minted thing." He said without even taking his head up from whatever he was writing down.

I frowned slightly, and that curiousity made me scan his face even though it once again showed nothing. "Uh, Ms. Iz?" I watched how he looked up at me, and I swear I saw the corner of his lip curl. I cleared my voice, about to 'apologize' for my curious nature, but he interrupted me.

"An old friend. You can add that in the schedule, correct?"

I cleared my throat once again, and looked down at the schedule. "Yea." I said quickly. "If that's all, I'll be in my office." I mumbled, and looked up at him, just to find him staring at me for a few seconds. It wasn't that weird stare, it was kind of intense, like he was reading me, and succeeding in that. I didn't like it.

After a few seconds, he nodded his head. "Yes, that's all." So, I turned around and left.

The 'office' I had was really the kind of a all-windowed room, and Bonner's office was within it. You had to go through my office, to get to his. It was a big room, but it could get boring throughout the day, so I liked having things to do. Now, I had to make probably ten phone calls to re-arrange everything for today, because Mr. Bonner decided to have lunch with an old friend. And not tell me about it. Well, it was Monday, and I didn't see him yesterday, but still. He could've told that before I made his schedule.

So, while doing that, I had to put a few people on the line, and make up a good excuse why our boss had to rain check a few meetings, and it was really nerve wrecking.. I didn't like having to apologize in general, especially for someone else. I was starting to think that he was doing this on purpose just to get back to me for whatever it was. Maybe about that night. I mean, who knows what I did while I was drunk. I was unpredictable sober, not to start on what I was capable of doing while I was drunk.

I let out a loud frustrating sigh before I realized I was on the line with someone again, so I started that now familiar speech. As I talked, I looked around the office, the floor, like I was trying to concentrate on whatever it was to keep my anger to myself. Why did he have to meet that Ms. Oz, or Iz or whatever? Why was she so important? Maybe the man had a girlfriend, who knows.. He had the right for that, even though he seemed pretty scary and cold to be completely honest.

I looked up as I talked, and that window we had between the rooms, right on the side of his door, gave both of us a full view to each other. The door, thankfully, wasn't made of glass and the other side on the door was a wall, so he couldn't completely control my work. That was the whole point of it I suppose.

But, now I looked at him, and it seemed like he had sensed it. I was listening to this woman talk on the phone and I was focused, but then I looked at him, and even though he was on a pretty big distance, a glass between us, a door, and I could hear nothing from over there, he was still the one I focused on in that moment. I was with him every day for the past week, and I had enough time to remember his face, his voice, even get to know that cold attitude. The man was a closed book, honestly, but he had pretty perfect features. Sharp features. Not perfect. Well, close to that..

But like he sensed it, he looked up, directly at me. I felt a little confusion wash over me and realized I wasn't listening to the woman on the phone completely, but it took me another few seconds to break that intense gaze he seemed to hold over me. It wasn't like a warning look he gave me. It was different. I didn't quite get it, but he scanned me completely, and it was uncomfortable. Not always, but I didn't like it. However, I realized I was doing something similar to that, and looked down at he schedule, agreeing with the woman's offer.

I ended the call, and exhaled the breath that seemed like I was holding the whole time. He was annoying me, doing everything for me to get as much work as possible, like he enjoyed seeing me getting exhausted. It angered me. But at the same time, I would look at him, and kind of trail off with my thoughts. I guess he had that effect on every woman.

I looked back at his office, like a curious cat, but he wasn't on his seat. Before I could even think through that, his door opened, and I nearly jumped. I straightened up in the chair, and looked at him. He walked a few steps closer to my desk, and it seemed like I was carefully following his every move. "Did you change the schedule?"

I looked down at it. "Uh, yes, I just re-arranged you meeting with-"

"Good." He interrupted me. "Listen, my brother works as a real estate agent, and he found you a place."

"What?" I heard myself ask. Not because I was confused, but because I had trouble registering all those words at once. It was real shock.

He looked on the side, exhaling a slight breath like he was the one that was annoyed. "Kristin was looking for a roommate, and I know you are new here in town. So, I suggested you."

I closed my eyes for a second, my body slightly taken over that anger, but at the same time, my mind kept repeating that one question, did he really think of me? How did he even know that I hadn't found a place yet? He gave me a card, but I couldn't find anything available, or affordable last week. I only got the pay in Friday for the whole week, and I payed for the room in the hotel.

"You didn't have to do that." I mumbled, looking everywhere but at him.

"I know. But I need you closer to my place since you'll be my full time assistant." My lips slightly parted and the air I inhaled in that second, nearly made me choke.

He said that casually, taking a few steps towards the door. "Really?" I wasn't even sure why I asked that, but I did, and I just wanted him to confirm. If he needed me a 'full-time-assistant' it meant that I got the job. Maybe not just temporary.

"Yes. Kristin will tell you the details." He started opening the door, and in return I nodded my head, a smile appearing on my face. First good news in such a long time. I even forgot what I was supposed to do next. I shut off. "Now, come on, don't make me late for this meeting."

He left the office, leaving the door opened behind him, and I knew what I was supposed to do. I was chocked of course, and a little taken back, but his words were always clear. I took the little notebook, and left the room, trying to catch up to him towards the elevator. As always, I was supposed to take notes at the meeting, and write down the comments that the project got. But, after what he said about me actually getting his job, that super energy sort of hit me, and I could've hugged him right there. The man wasn't all bad.

He was waiting for the elevator, and I was able to catch up to him. I struggled a little with my heels, but I got there. I noticed how he glanced at me, but I stood straight and kept my eyes in front of me, even though it was somewhat hard to keep the smile off my face. The elevator door opened, and he stepped in, once again always a few steps in front of me. I, of course, followed up and took my place beside him. He would usually start naming things for me to write down, what I had to do, or what I had to remind him to do..

This time, he said nothing. I couldn't really contain the energy inside me, and I kept thinking that maybe the luck smiled at me. We weren't that cursed, like Jenny said. I stood still, slightly tapping my heel against the floor, and I found myself slightly glancing at him from the corner of my eye. Again, he would eye me, scan me, and I would get that feeling down my stomach. Those little chills down my legs. This time, I didn't. I didn't mind really, I was just glad that I got the job, even though I was still not able to make a mistakes. He was the boos, he could always fire me if he wanted to.

When we got down on the second floor, once again, Bonner was a smalls step before me as I followed. Mr. Dawson caught up to Ash, and as always didn't forget about me. He was like that. The complete opposite of Bonner. Positive and always smiling. It was weird how they were best friends. He asked me that 'How are you?' causal, yet always somehow warming to hear. He was slightly shorter than Bonner and when we walked, he was usually talking to me, asking me stuff and how I was holding up. People in the company were a lot more positive and didn't really care where I came from. That I was a Nelson.

However, I heard things about Mr. Dawson. He was sort of the ladies' man. Quite the flirt. And of course it wasn't really hard for him. He had really great physics. Bronze brown hair, a nice smile with sharp dimples on the side, and charming green eyes. Everyone melted around him, and surprisingly, I got the tingles in my stomach as well.. I guess he just knew how to make you feel special in some sort of way, unlike Bonner of course.

Once we were in the meeting room, I was about to take a seat next to Bonner, but Mr. Dawson kept me a seat next to him. Those little things made him look more thoughtful. He was working together with Bonner, and they were kind of the main managers in the company. He was my boss too, even though I was Ash's assistant.

And as always, the women in skintight dresses and the men in those expensive tuxedos started talking, while the assistants and secretaries were there to help out with the important notes, writing down and keeping quiet. That's what I did. However, it was hard to not think about getting real job there. I was halfway there. I could grin all day long, but I didn't want to really show it. So, I kept quiet and tried focusing as much as I could. On the voices. And faces. And Ash..

~

Ethan Bonner. Ash's brother... I met a complete opposite of him. Like they weren't even friends, not to start on brothers. And when I say the opposite, I'm not talking about their looks. But the whole thing was different. Personally, patience, posture.. Ethan wasn't easy, not even close to that, but he was different. I think everyone was different than Bonner, that made him special in some kind of way. But, I could tell Ethan knew who I was. He wasn't exactly happy with me being in the company with his brother. I was Anastasia Nelson. Bad reputation.

However, the man had good in his eyes. He didn't give me a cold, arrogant look.. Not once. Kristin and him led me in the house, and I was surprised that there was a low price on that. I mean, with the pay I was getting, I could pay rent and still have a lot left for the month. And since now I became Ash's real assistant, I was going to get regular pay. Each month. Like everyone else.

Kristin, once again, was really kind. She was one of those girls that had a high reputation around the company. Everything had to be where it was supposed to be. Great physics, perfect blonde hair, and a perfectionist. The house too was really clean and everything seemed like it was at the right place. She talked a lot, and already started showing me around, while Ethan already cleared things out about how much was it, and where I could find him, and contact him, and those other stuff. Then he left, and Kristin continued showing me around.

The house was pretty big. It was good for two people, even though I knew it could fit more than that. There was even a back garden. Bur Kristin needed a roommate, cause rent for houses like that was pretty high. It could be worked out with both of us.

"The backyard is better in the morning. We'll have breakfast there these days, you'll see.." She talked non-stop and I didn't really mind, but she didn't leave one thing unsaid. I felt welcomed.

"So, how long have you lived here?" I asked, popping down on the couch. That was white too. I was supposed to be very careful around here, cause Kristin was a perfectionist too.

"Uhh, three months now?" She said unsure. "I in New York since I was 16. Then I started living by myself and after college, I got a job here. So, I moved in Richwood and here I am.. Three months later." She smiled. She had college and a great job and she was 24. I didn't get to go to college, but there was no need for that as an assistant.. It was a good job.

"Really? New York? What did you study?"

"Business. But, it has nothing to do with the job I have now.. Here I had to learn everything from the beginning."

I frowned slightly, remembering what the boss mentioned today? "Bonner mentioned something about me being his full time assistant today. That means.. What exactly?"

Her eyebrows rose and her eyes widen in realization. "Ah, right! I was supposed to give you all the information." She jumped up from her seat, taking her glass of water with her like it was a fancy glass of wine, and sat next to me. "So, being Mr. Bonner's full time assistant means basically being there all the time. 24/7. You'll wake up tomorrow at 6 am and you're supposed be at his house by the time he's back from his training." She turned around and took a few pieces of paper from the side table. "Here, these are the things you're supposed to do. He doesn't like having random people around his house, so his assistants are the ones making him breakfast, while he takes care of the rest."

I went through some of the things that were listed, and the schedule for every morning was written down perfectly, like a whole routine or something. "For each day, there's a different meal you're supposed to make him. And he's very strict about those stuff. He likes things being done his way." She sighed, slightly rolling her eyes, like she was actually annoyed from him. I think everyone was annoyed by Bonner at some point. "From there, his driver will take you guys to the company. And the rest you know."

I frowned slightly, analyzing the things that were written. Exactly what Mr. Bonner liked, and what he didn't. "He wrote this?" I said, slightly taken back, but the humor in my voice was recognizable.

"No, actually, his previous assistants made those notes, about everything that he basically likes, and that one," She gestured towards the paper I was holding. "That one was made by his last assistant Maria, before she left the job for a better one."

"Oh, goody." I sighed, still going through the few papers.

"Mr. Bonner doesn't know that I have that, and of course, I wasn't really supposed to give that to you. But, Maria gave it to me before she left, and I thought it would be useful." She took a sip from her water as I looked up at her. "I mean, you were supposed to figure it out yourself, but that could take a while, cause we both know that Bonner is really unpredictable."

"Thanks," I said through a slight sigh, a little taken back that she was already acting like a great friend of mine. We bonded quite a lot last week, and I was glad I got at lest a little luck in this town. "Though, I'm not quite sure if I'll be able to do all of this right.."

I heard her chuckle from the side. "Don't worry, you'll learn. I did, and I though I was the worst at working." She made that sound so casual, it actually made me laugh. I was supposed to learn too, but I was completely connected with Bonner now. Her job was easier, while I had to handle him 24/7. But I got what I wanted.

"So, what does Bonner train so early in the morning?" I found myself asking, like the words had slipped from my mouth unconditionally. I guess it got stuck somewhere at the back of my head.

"Ever since he came back to Richwood, Mr. Bonner has been very disciplined. He goes rowing very early in the morning. Every day.." Her voice slightly trailed off, like she was acting surprised by her own words.

"He is fit." And once again, I only heard my voice and couldn't control what I actually said. Did I say that out loud? Like a part of me spoke separately.

However, Kristin continued like it was just another regular subject. "I know." She said simply, meaningfully, and unlike me, the girl was very focused on her words.

But, every women would say the same as us. He had perfect physics, perfect genes, and a charisma that glued you to your spot the second he walked in the room. However, the cold and arrogant attitude were a different side of him. When he showed it, all the things I wanted to say to him were at the tip of my tongue, and I knew I could get fired for it..

I sighed loudly as I stood up, partly to relief myself from something I didn't even know was torturing me inside, and partly to get Kristin's attention back. "I'll go unpack, and then I'm going to bed. Looks like it's going to be a long day tomorrow."

"You need help?"

The generosity in her voice made me smile. People knew how to put on masks, but Kristin seemed really honest so far. "Thanks, but I don't think it will take long."

She returned with a smile, somehow seeming like she was about to continue, but stopped and finished with a simple "Good night."

I heard myself replaying with the same words, but it almost felt like there were way too many things on my mind for me to be there in that moment. I listened to the wooden stairs cracking slightly as I walked up, somewhat making me concentrate on my thoughts even more. Making me remember the real reason why I was back in Richwood. I was only a little girl when I left, but there were unfinished things that had to be done. My father screwed up a lot of things, but my mom worked way too hard for me and Jenny for those things to just slip away like that. And now I was close. I was so close to making that happen.

Like being snapped out of some kind of a weird hypnosis, I heard the door clicking as I closed them, and leaning back. I looked around the room for a second. Things happened.. Things changed in just a week. I was starting to stand on my own two feet again. I had a job, and I was able to continue my stay in the country. I couldn't leave Jenny alone, and Richwood was the perfect re-start to something that seemed like it didn't even end.

If I was going to do this, I had to be quick. If I wanted to start fresh, I had take care of things that were left unfinished. Tonight. I couldn't wait any longer, and just wanted t to be over with, and I would finally make peace with what my mom told me. She wanted this. And this was my chance.

Walking towards my purse, I took out my wallet, cause that was where I kept the important stuff. It seemed like I never lost anything that was put there, so that was the holy little bag I had always with me. And the money too, but it didn't really get filled with that for the past few years. Now with Jenny having a somewhat safe future, I had to make sure it was still that way.. Even when she would finish college, I was the one left responsible. I couldn't take mistakes. Not now.

Taking out that little key that somehow meant so big, I flipped it through my fingers, fixing my eyes deeply on it. Like I was studying it, scanning it, even though I was simply getting lost in my own thoughts once more. I have to do this, I told myself. Can't delay it any loner.

Exhaling a deep breath, I once again went through all the things I've been through after leaving this town. After losing my mom. After being left with my uncle... Jenny and I were starting to somewhat stand on our own feet. We had to make the best of it, and continue down this path.

Before I could convince myself not to do it, I was already rushing down the stairs, and coming up with a story for Kristin. I had people helping me out, and I had to lie to them. I had to keep a distance between myself and everyone I met, everyone I somewhat felt close, all because of my father. Of what he did ages ago. Of what my mother taught me. And it was easier this way. I never got attached to people, because I knew they would leave one way or another.

"Hey, I'm gonna get some stuff from the market for tomorrow morning." I made a slight gesture with my hand, and the facial expression I did unintentionally, convinced Kristin that I was just getting ready for my 'new chores' as Bonner's full time assistant.

She nodded her head in understanding, and before she could say anything, I was already closing the door behind me. The house looked really good from outside. And at night, with all the pretty lights, the simple white architecture made it look kind of prettier. Modern I guess. But with both of us leaving there, it made it an affordable home.

My feet were carrying me on their own. It's like someone else, some invisible force was taking control over my legs, my whole body, and I refused to think. About anything really. About the whole situation. I just followed my instincts. And right now, my instincts told me that I had to get my ass over to that old house, of course if it was still there, and find the book my mother told me to get. Even though that wasn't her last wish, I felt uncompleted. Like I said my goodbyes with her, but I didn't have peace inside. It was years ago when she died, but I remember each of her word and advice. I wasn't letting her down. Nor Jenny.

I was walking down the dimly brightened streets, the blank silence swallowing every breath I took. At that time in Richwood, not many things could be seen or heard. A few voices, a person or two passing by me. I had a little memory of the place, but I could remember the frozen yogurt place -- now near Kristin's house; the one saying 'Fresh & Frozen' with large red-pinkish letters on top, was my favorite place to visit. It was still there.

The thing was, the little path beside it was a short cut to our old house. It was a relief that it still existed.. The town hadn't changed much since my father ran away.. I was just hoping it was the right night to get it over with and finally get that rock off my chest..

So I walked and walked in the cold silence, only listening to my own breaths, to my own silent thoughts. They were mixed in my brain, and a thousand thoughts came per second, but they were all unfinished, and disappeared just like they came. Confusingly fast. But I was focused on something else. I needed to get this done, and something urged me to do it tonight.

After work, Bonner's brother, Ethan picked us up. On the way to the house, I saw the yogurt shop. Things clicked, and I figured out that the shortcut was close. Then, something kept urging me to just do it.

Ethan was an estate agent, and surprisingly, the numbers Bonner gave me on the little paper were his. I looked for a few apartments on my own, but everyone I contacted either had a way too expensive offer, or was simply full.. On the other hand, I went through only three or four apartments, 'cause I didn't have the time to look too much. I would wake up before 7 am, and come back to the hotel in 8 at night. Bonner had fazes, so he sometimes gave me extra work that had me staying in the office longer. I couldn't complain. I was learning. And I started to get it.

So, I guess Ethan was the one that did all the work. And speaking with all honesty, if it wasn't for Bonner, I wouldn't have even contacted Ethan myself, and this wouldn't have happened. I was thankful. He was a strict boss, and a very cold person, but he helped me out. I guess he just wanted an assistant that was focused only on work and not on personal problems, so he fixed it.

I heard the dry leaves crunch underneath my feet. It sort of snapped me back to reality. It was pretty dark around,m cause there weren't enough street lights, but the lights from inside the houses made it a bit better. I had to go through the little park that connected the two streets. It wasn't really a park, it was just a lot of trees and paths through the leaves that people made trying to make a shortcut. It took around 20 minutes drive from the old house to get to the frozen yogurt shop, and I would say around 5 more to Kristin's house.

Now, it felt like I was walking for hours, but it was probably around 20 minutes, cause that how much it usually took. To be honest, I thought it would be like 5 minutes through the shortcut, but it took me obviously a lot more than that. At some point m, I thought I was lost. I thought that maybe this was a different short cut near a different yogurt shop. But then I saw the yellowish house, and I knew I was close to the place. I was on the right way.

The house was specific cause it had curved stairs from the outside, and a lot of flowers in the garden. When I was little, whenever I passed it, I remember telling my mother how much I wanted to live in that house. However, ours was around 5 minutes from there, on the next block. It was a large house with not as much windows, but somehow it always had a good lighting. The front garden was like a park, even though now one really took care of it. It was sort of separated from the others, and there was this weird silence whenever I was there. Guess that's what my father's whole idea was.

As I walked, I tried remembering how it looked like. Even though I was young , I would never forget the sight of it. The last sight of it.. When my parents were in the rush because the law and the whole town was after my father. My dad was pulling me by my hand and almost running towards the car, while my mom was carrying Jenny. I remember her telling me that it was all going to be alright while I asked and asked and asked why we had to leave home. In that moment, just like it was yesterday, I remember turning around and looking back at the house. I always thought that I hated the house. It always seemed cold and not enough girlish for my age. But in that moment, I knew what it felt like to leave home. I felt like that was where I was supposed to be. That was where I was born, and I was watching it over my shoulder as we rushed towards the car.

That picture, that whole day was carved in my brain, and it was the whole opposite of a blur. I was scared, but I remembered every second of it, every thought and every feeling that went through me in that moment. I remembered my mom's face, the fear in her eyes, and my father just trying to make things better I suppose. I never thought that he did something wrong till that, because he was always a good father to me. And after that, my mom tried protecting him, but I was old enough to know that it was his fault for us leaving America. This town.. Home.

The rest of that day was a blur. It wasn't even a blur, it was just darkness. I remember getting on the road and feeling scared, but that's where my memories end. The next thing I knew, we were in England, and when I woke up, I was with my mom and Jenny in the new apartment. My dad came a few times after that, and I didn't understand why mom kept forgiving him. But, she was like that. Till her last day, she forgave. I turned out to be the complete opposite.

I blinked a few times, and the pictures disappeared in my head. The memories -- gone. Just like that. I realized I was already out of the shortcut and now walking down the street. It was empty. Everyone was at home, and it wasn't even that late. My flats made that annoying slapping sound against the cement. I was getting close to the little curve, but the trees blocked my view. So the garden was still there. I felt myself pushing my feet to go faster, to get there faster. My eyes were wide as I was trying to figure out if the house was still there. And as I took the little left, as I took a step into the front garden that still wasn't surrounded by a gate or anything, I stopped.

A large, gray house stood proudly before me. Heavy wooden doors, and a few large windows on the front. It felt like I had stopped breathing. I stood there, frozen to my spot and stared at the old house. It didn't look that old, but my father loved the architecture. He loved everything kitsch, and that's what it was. Too much, too expensive., too everything. He was living his Glory days until he was caught.

I took a few steps towards it. There was that silence again. Nothing changed. No one put the house down, because my father was the only owner. Taking a few steps around the house, I felt like my knees were getting weaker. My legs were barely holding me, not because I walked for so long, but because the memories suddenly flooded me. Rounding the side, I tried concentrating on what I was doing, and not on what this place actually represents. Home.. Well it used to.

When I slightly released the key from my clenched fist, I felt a little burn on my hand. It was slightly carved in my skin from how tight I was holding it. I found myself stopping on the back door. The back yard was the same too. Nothing has changed. It surprised me. But I was too focused on whatever was going through my head to really be aware of my surroundings that much. I looked through the little glass, but all the lights were off, and noting could be seen. So I pushed on the knob.

It didn't open. Of course. I had a key however, but I never thought that my parents thought of locking the doors, or even taking something from the house. But I guess it made sense that my mom gave me this key. The book she wanted me to take was 'Pride and Prejudice'. I didn't know why, or how it got to this, but I knew that my mother loved that book. She always said that I was too young to understand it, but there was something about it that made her read it over and over again. On her last birthday in the house, a few months before we left, my dad got her the 1940 edition. She said it was the best gift she ever gotten. I guess she was just in love with that novel, but she was right. I didn't really understand why.

Now, that was the last thing she told me. To go wherever life got me, but if I was ever back home, to get the book she left. I had to do it. I didn't know how long I would be in Richwood, so I was ready to do it.

My heart skipped a few times when I pushed the key through the lock. I turned once, and it felt like my hands just went numb in that moment. I thought that maybe it wouldn't work, but the door unlocked. I stopped. I let go of the key and the knob, and stared at the door wiggling my fingers. That was the only thing I could move on my body. My hands were so cold, I barely felt them, and my my burning eyes were the only thing I was aware of.

A few seconds passed.. I mentally shook my head as I blinked a few times. I had to get it together. I clenched my fist once again before placing my hand over the knob and pushing. It opened.

I suppose I was still in shock, and I still got surprise when I actually took a step in. It all seemed too easy. Nothing was this easy for me. It scared me. I was just expecting the moment for something to go wrong, but at the same time, I didn't let myself think much. I wanted this done.

I took in slow breaths. I was holding onto my dress, like I was trying not to touch anything with it. It was a summer dress, and I didn't want it getting in the way and making noise. Even though the house was empty, there were neighbors. However, something seemed off. It felt like none of this was real. The room smelled like there was dampness in the air and unused, and the darkness was so think that I had to touch around with my hands to make sure I wouldn't crash into something.

However, the little light that somehow got though the windows was enough for my eyes to adjust and get at least some perspective. The kitchen was the same. At least it seemed that way. I always hated this room with dark marble floor, a bar made of granite and a crystal chandelier that was definitely more appropriate for an opera house than kitchen. The classy look my father always held and his well polished manners were just a camouflage for a man that was born poor and had the need to be surrounded by wealth and fortune to feel important.

He was Richard Nelson. If the house wasn't in a complete kitsch style, it wasn't a house for him.

I knew where the doors were, so I could orientate myself well enough. Walking slowly, I found myself in the hallway. The stairs were right beside me and I walked as fast as my legs could go.. No light touched this area, and I didn't want to try and turn on the lights. Firstly, cause they wouldn't work after so long, and secondly, if they even did work, people would know that there was someone inside. I didn't need that at that point. I just had to get this over with.

I supported myself with the handrail, but it sort of surprisingly distracted me when I felt no dirt on my hands. However, I didn't think it through. I didn't think about anything in that moment. It was like I had never left the house, and the somewhat strange things that came across my way, everything I noticed in the darkness, I couldn't concentrate on them. I was too focused on getting into the bedroom. That's where the book was supposed to be. Or wherever, I was ready to go through every room if I had to. I just wanted to find it. My mother said that everything, all the answers I was looking for my whole life were there. In that book. In that exact book.

I exhaled slowly, taking step by step. I tripped against one of the stairs, and releasing quiet cuss, I took out my phone. The dress had those modern pockets on the sides that I never liked, but were always useful.. It wasn't a classy dress, but it was some of the little things I owned, and it was the most comfortable thing to go around in.

Turning on the flash, I continued slowly. I thought of this before, but I refused to add any light, cause I didn't need attention from people around. The whole town was cursing this place for the past 10 years. God knew what they would do if they found out a Nelson was back in it. The large windows in the second floor illuminated the hallway enough for me to see that nothing had really changed. In the heavy silence of the empty house, I listened to my own breaths, my own steps as I walked towards the bedroom.

My chest tightened by the thought that this was once my home, and the fact that I could remember almost every part of it made it strangely worse.. I kept exhaling sharply to get that heaviness off my chest, but it hardly worked. I knew that the bedroom was made equally tasteless as the rest of the house, with heavy furniture, goldish shades and the whole prospect was my dad's idea. My mom never fitted in the place. She loved the pastel colors, and it was obvious that she never had a word in choosing anything from this place.

I walked slow, just in case I got confused and forgot where I was going. But the opposite happened. I felt.. unusually disoriented. Like the 12 years had never passed, and like my parents were still somewhere, in their bedroom, or some other room of the house.. I closed my eyes for a second, and tried pushing off those thoughts. Memories could make you feel insane sometimes..

At the far end of the hallway, the big wooden door were where I was supposed to enter. It surprised me seeing the same colors, the same carpets, even the same wallpapers, but I was glad that all the things were where they were supposed to be, 'cause if the police ever took them as some kind of evidence, I wouldn't be able to find what I was looking for. I still prayed that they were there. Who would need a book as evidence anyway..

As I got close enough, I realized that the door were slightly opened. But even though my stomach turned unpleasantly in that moment, I continued going. Whereas that my family left the house 12 years ago, the place wasn't supposed to be owned by no one. If my father was still alive, then the house still belonged to him.

If he was dead, he owned nothing, and the place could be sold. And as far as I knew, he was still wandering around rainy London, going from a pub to a pub and finding a cure in alcohol. I guess it was the best way to bare with my mother's lost. And I hope abandoning his children helped a bit too.. He did say that I reminded him awfully of my mom, so I guess that was his excuse to leave.

So according to all of those facts, of all of those years after us leaving the house, I thought the place was empty. However, the second I walked through the bedroom door, I was proved wrong. Across from me, from the large bed was heard a slight cracking, the sound of sheets being moved... In that horrifying minute, my heart dropped, and I froze on my spot; my phone directed straightly, and the flash lightening the figure on the bed..

The mild light illuminated a pair of palely silver eyes of no one but Ashton Bonner. My boss. I was terrified from the sudden conclusion that I wasn't alone, but at the same time that shock took over my body, and I stood glued on my spot.

He was naked. The sheet around his body was lowered and eve though the light illuminated him as a shadow figure, it was enough for me to see how every muscle on his stomach was flowing from the light into the dark. The white sheet exposed the fit tight muscles on his torso, and a muscular hip on the side. His dark hair was unkempt on top of his head, messy and glowing against the light, and his sharp features, the high cheekbones took my attention as always. It's like I just realized that I was staring at my naked boss.

He supported himself with his elbow as he tried keeping his body straightened, and glanced directly into the light. "What do you want?" His voice was husky and filled with that cold rasp, but his eyes held no fear.

Why didn't I think that someone could be staying here? Why didn't it occur to me that maybe that someone staying here could be my boss? Why him?

Even though I was there completely frozen on my spot, not even aware if he knew if it was me or not, I kept trying to come up with a lie good enough for Bonner to believe. I broke into his house. In the middle of the fucking night. But how the hell was I supposed to know that?!

He furrowed his eyebrows, trying to look deeper in the light, and it sudden came to me that I was blinding him with the flash. He couldn't see who I was. What took me by surprise was him turning towards his nightstand, glancing at the clock, and murmuring to himself, "Fuck, I only slept for an hour."

Even though he wasn't talking to me, the brutal coldness in his voice chilled my bones, so I wanted nothing else but to get the hell out of there. I turned off the flash, turned around, and rushed down the hallway. The darkness swallowed me immediately, but I tried orienting myself. I wrapped my fingers tightly around the handrail of the stairs, but before I could fly down the stairs, I felt a tight grip around my wrist of my other hand, pulling me backwards.

I couldn't see anything but my life flashing before my eyes. I didn't know what I was supposed to do at that point, all I knew that I was in the hands of the coldest and the most mysterious person I had ever met, and neither less, he was my boss. And I had broken into his house. Unintentionally. I had the need for someone to save me, desperately wishing I knew what I was doing before I walked in there..

But I guess all I could was say goodbye to all the luck that came across my path through the past week..

***

  Hope you guys had fun reading this chapter! The story continues after so long! Have so much planned for these too, so let's hope the other stories won't keep me as busy..

  Comment what you guys thought of this chapter, and maybe tell me what you guys think will happen next? Will find out what Bonner might do after catching Anya in the next chap!

  See ya soon! Kisses, :*