Anna rubbed her arms together. She took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh scent of roses and lilies that surrounded the large garden as the cool breeze swept through her dress and swept her hair back. At least lunch went well without anyone killing each other. Anna survived thirty minutes on the same table with Juliana and she didn't get to hear her whine about how much she hated Anna, and how much of a murderer Anna was.

She was almost sure dessert was going to be almost pretty okay too.

The garden was the only place she needed to be. It was her favorite place in the mansion after the swimming pool. Anna looked at the tiny golden bench beneath the oak tree. That was her favorite part of the garden. Memories of how long she'd just sit there with her eyes glued to her books occupied her mind and then there was Andre, Anna could not help but remember the number of times she read him a book while he listened himself to sleep on her legs, right under the tree. Everything used to be so beautiful.

Memories.

Anna knew that was all they were ever going to be.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

Anna shook a little at the sound of Sophie's voice. She had to admit, Sophie took her off guard completely. She forced a smile on her pale lips like everything was fine. She watched Sophie walk closer to her with her smile widening even more.

"Sophie." Anna said almost in a whisper.

"Hey."

The smile on Sophie's face dimmed a little when she noticed how faint Anna looked. She was closer now.

"Are you okay?"

She leaned closer to Anna gently placing a hand on Anna's shoulder.

"Yes." Anna's smile crooked a bit.  "I'm just a little bit tired that's all."

Sophie exhaled

"You know, just because you have special powers doesn't mean you should not be worried about your health Anna, you're not indestructible. You need to rest and stop working so hard."

"No-I know... Its just..."

"Mum?"

Anna stared at Sophie. She wasn't even sure how to answer that, of course Julian's attitude towards her bothered her but she was used to it already. It wasn't exactly why she felt so bothered.

"You don't have to let anything mum says get to you Anna, really. She's mum, the only person she likes is herself."

Anna chuckled faintly. She could remember Sophie's exact same words in Stefans' voice.

"Take me and Stefan for example, it's been over ten years and she still hates him. You should have seen the way she glared at him when we got in."

Anna walked slowly to the bench, not exactly sure if a smile was appropriate. She had to sit a while and Sophie joined her.

"I can see you took my advice." Anna watched her make herself comfortable right beside her. "with Angelo I mean."

Oh.

Anna exhaled and then turned back to looking at the tree.

"We just decided to give us a try."

"A try?" Sophie scoffed.

"Anna, look at him."

Anna turned to the house. She could see Stefan and Angelo standing right outside, laughing their hearts out while they held on firmly to their champagne flutes.

"You did that."

Anna didn't take her eyes off Angelo. Watching him laugh like that warmed her heart. She had never seen him that excited, it was almost as if he knew. She felt her heart skip a beat as she watched him turn slowly in her direction. It was almost as if he knew she was starring right at him. She watched the smile on his face widen as he raised his champagne flute at her a little bit for a toast.

"Anna, life's too short to deprive yourself of your own happiness, you don't owe anyone an explanation for wanting to be with who you want, after all you did save his life."

Anna paused for a minute. She slowly turned to look at Sophie with her eyes widened. She wanted to believe that Sophie hadn't just meant what she thought she did. Sophie scoffed. She rolled her eyes.

" Come on Anna, I know you healed Angelo."

"W-what?" Anna stammered for a while. "No I didn't."

"I'm a doctor Anna, not a fool. People with conditions like Angelo's, don't just get healed overnight. It was a miracle, and we all know one other group of people beside the heavens capable of making miracles like this happen."

Anna was getting really comfortable. There was no way on earth Sophie could have known. She could have sworn she was really careful.

" I didn't even have to run tests to know it was Atian blood you used to heal him. "

Anna let out a nervous scoff.

" Sophie, I - I." She didn't know what to say. She had her entire thoughts hazed and she was reddening all over.

"Trust me Anna if I thought what you did was a bad thing, if I had any intentions of telling anyone, you'd be at the NSS headquarters by now."

Sophie explained, cutting her off so she didn't have to think too much about it.

"I'm not your enemy Anna, I understand how making this decision to save his life must have been hard for you, trust me. I understand what could happen if anyone found out. I know the risks so well."

For the first time Anna slowly let herself exhale, looking into Sophie's eyes as Sophie slowly reached for her hands. She had just met this woman. How sure was she that she could trust her?

Maybe it wasn't a bad idea to actually talk to someone that understood about it.

" You saved my brother's life Anna and for that I and my family will forever remain indebted to you."

"Sophie-" Anna exhaled.

Does anyone else know?

Anna wanted to ask her so bad-

"Don't worry, I took care of it. I made sure no one can ever trace what happened back to you. I've got you Anna, I know you don't really know me and you have no reason to believe me but I mean it but your secret is safe with me." Anna scoffed. "Not all humans are awful. There are humans that care about your people the way you do. "

For some reason, Anna believed Sophie. She wasn't scared anymore. For some reason she felt it was okay if Sophie knew, if someone on her side knew. She turned back to her hands. They weren't shaking anymore.

"Are you going to tell him?" Sophie asked.

Anna shook her head slowly trying to push back the tears in her eyes.

"I can't."

Sophie inhaled for a second.

"it's okay. I understand." She squeezed Anna's hands.

Anna sniffed, fighting so hard to hold the tears in her eyes back. There was no way she was going to let her tears ruin her make up, not few minutes to desert. Anna cleaned her eyes quickly. She turned to Sophie and squeezed her hands.

"Thank you." She mouthed forcing a smile on her lips. She felt so relieved.

"it's okay" Sophie mouthed too.

"Come here."

She stretched her arms for a hug and pulled Anna close then hugged her.