Chapter 61

Chapter 61
Aaron found a table to sit down. The waiter has carried a fresh new glass of whiskey to his table. He quickly placed an order of food just now realizing it was a while since he has eaten something.
“May I join you?” Grace stood near the second chair.
“I am not in the mood for any of your games.” He said moodily.
“I am not playing games, Aaron.”
“Just leave me alone. Go and have a heart to heart with that bastard Zac.” He reaches for his whiskey. He took a huge gulp allowing the liquid to burn down his throat. He places the glass down with a smack. It was quickly clear she wasn’t about to move.
“What do you want, Grace?” his expression full of displeasure.
“I want to apologize,” she said softly.
“Excuse me?” he was openly surprise. But just as quickly he narrowed his eyes.
“You heard me. I made one hell of a mistake with you. I truly regret this. I hereby formally apologize for my behavior.” She slides a note towards him. “I am done playing games.”
Aaron reaches for the note and read the address. He then looked up towards her. The questions clear in his eyes.
“You will find your son there along with your mother.” She said softly.
“Why are you helping me?”
“I don’t know. I just suddenly realized I am done with these power games.” Doctor Grace Stevens stood up and walked away.
Aaron carefully placed his hand over the note before slipping it into his pocket. He stood up and went back to his hotel suite. The moment he closed the door behind him he found the briefcase of Heinrich von Bergh waiting there in the middle of the floor. He shrugs his shoulders deciding he wasn’t going to touch it. He searches for his phone calling Mathew.
Annie Black and her publisher Aura enter the restaurant. She quickly noticed a fast-approaching Doctor Grace heading her way. There was an intent look in her eyes that holds her own attention.
“We need to talk,” she said reaching for her arm.
“You can wait,” Aura said pulling Annie’s other arm.
“Stop this. I am not a rope.” She shook herself free. She then faced Grace having the instinct she should listen. She walked briefly away from Aura. “What’s going on?” she asked softly. “Does this have anything to do with my mom?”
“No, Annie.”
“You look so serious.” Annie reached out to touch her arm.
“Do you know where Aaron’s hotel suite is?” she asked urgently.
“I do, why? Did something happen?” Annie was now openly worried.
“You should go to him immediate.” Grace said softly.
“Annie, the meeting is running late. Can’t whatever this is wait?” Aura asked impatient.
“No, you go ahead. I will join you in a few minutes,” Annie said distractedly.
“You better not disappoint me, Annie.” Aura turns and enters the restaurant.
“Go, Annie.”
Aaron was about to leave the suite when he found a worried Annie in front of the door. He quickly pulled her inside. “Are you okay?” he asked quickly.
“I am not sure. Grace Stevens told me to find you. Did something happen?” she searched his face.
“I am leaving the island. Are you coming with me?” he asked softly.
“Leonardo…” she said quickly.
“I know where he is.” He said watching the color drain from her face. She reached out to grab hold of his arm. “I am not lying. I already arranged for Mathew to come and pick us up.”
“Let’s go. I had enough of everyone around us.” She suddenly said firmly.
“Good,” Aaron reached for her hugging her tightly. “Let’s go.”
They both slipped out of the hotel. They walked briskly towards the nearby water. His eyes search the water until he saw the signal from the Mathew. “We need to swim, Annie.”
“I know,” she was already stripping her clothes from her body. She follows him into the ocean. By the time they reach the boat, both were tired. Mathew helped them both on board. Their tired eyes look back towards the beach.
Aura stood there, arms crossed.
Doctor Grace Stevens waved her hand.
Aaron looked at his wife sleeping beside him. Once they climbed from the boat, a small plane was waiting. He feels a kind of fear around his heart. He made serious mistakes with the woman beside him. He has a son who doesn’t readily knows him.
“Are we there yet,” Annie slowly opened her eyes.
“Almost, tell me, how do you feel?” he watched her move into a sitting position.
“I am tired and worried. What if this was just another part of the game to test us?” she reached for the water.
“I don’t know, Annie. But we will know in half an hour.”
“Okay,” she reached for his hand holding on tightly. Once the plane land they descend nervously, not sure what to expect. As they stood beside the plane, Mathew walked towards a black SUV. After a brief conversation he gesture for them to come closer.
“It’s time for the truth.” Aaron said softly.
Annie holds tightly onto his hand as they walked closer. The nearer they come the more she starts to frown. There was something very familiar about the apparent older man. She suddenly let go of Aaron’s hand running towards the man. He caught her just in time before she falls flat on her face.
“I don’t understand,” her eyes full of questions and uncertainty as she looked at the man she never called ‘dad’ again.
“It’s a long story. Let’s talk at the beach house.” Thom Black opened the back door allowing her to stumbled inside. Aaron said nothing just joined Annie.
“Grandmamma, what’s happening?” Leo and Billy watch the older woman curious.
“It’s a surprise. Just be patient.” She said with a smile.
“I heard a plane land, aunt Hanna. Who is coming?” Billy was worried. The day Thom and Hanna Black arranged guardianship over him, he left Cape Cove with them. HE wasn’t certain why but he quietly senses they all might be in hiding. He didn’t care as he had people who genuinely cared about him.
“Are your bags ready? You can’t leave anything behind. We won’t be coming back to the island.” She said with a brief smile but her eyes focused on the sand road just up the slight curving hill.
“We are ready, aunt Hanna. I double check Leo’s things.” His eyes now also focused on the road. He can hear the vehicle fast approaching. He instantly recognized the driver, uncle Thom. He was now curious who was in the back.
The moment that Annie recognized him, the vehicle has barely stopped before she jumped out running full speed. “Leo…” she screamed.