Chapter Thirteen

Annika’s POV

I was in my room arranging my stuff and at the same time packing some of my things that I might take back in case Andro comes out of nowhere to take me back to his place. He'd promised he'd do that, and I didn't want to take his promises that were similar to threat lightly.

A knock sounded lightly on the door and when I opened it, it was my stepfather at my door.

"How can I help you?" I asked him, eyeing him with disgust.

"I'm just checking up on you.” I raised an eyebrow.

"I'm fine. As you can see, I'm not dead. What else do you want?" I asked as it was obvious that he won't be leaving soon.

"Can you let me come into your room?" he asked.

"To finish what you started, right?" I asked rhetorically.

"I just want to explain myself," he said, his hands raised in the air.

"I don't give two cents about whatever stupid explanation you want to give. I'm just here for two days and it'll be best if you go the other way when you see me because I might end up killing you."

His mouth dropped open as I threatened him. He laughed lightly, probably thinking I was joking or maybe I was crazy.

I know he won't be thinking that once I suck his blood dry.

"I guess I'll leave then. Have a great night, my child." He tried touching me, but I shifted away.

"If you ever want to use that hand again, don't you try to touch me the second time."

His demeanor changed and I could smell his fear. Its scent wasn't heavy, and it was a sign that I needed to work more on messing up his emotional state.

Without saying anything else, he walked away, and I was about to close the door when my mother appeared in my line of vision.

"My dear."

I rolled my eyes, turned my attention back to my clothes.

"I don't think I was that dear to you when you started pimping me out to your husband," I mumbled under my breath.

She suddenly placed her hand on my back.

"Why don't you forgive mummy and let go of the past?"

"Let go of the past you say. Forgive you? Yeah, the Annika of then could actually forgive you but not this me, mother. You made your husband do unspeakable things to me. If you think my silence means defeat, then you're mistaken; I'll hit you both back when you least expect it," I threatened her.

"You have no evidence against us, Annika. You should drop it; there's no way for you to prove these things you've accused us of."

I brought my palm together and began clapping for her.

"One thing is, I'm glad you're finally revealing your true colors mother, and about the evidence—Don't worry, sit back, sip your coffee every morning because you don't know which prison you'll be the next morning."

"You will do no such thing; do you understand me?" she yelled, charging towards me.

"No mother, because all you're saying is nonsense."

"You will…."

"Get out," I demanded.

"What?"

"Are you perhaps deaf now, mother? Leave my room."

"This will be the last time I’ll tolerate such nonsense from you; next time, I'll take it up with you."

"And I'll be waiting." She turned to glare at me before walking out of the room.

Going to the police to file a report several weeks after the incident has happened wouldn't yield anything fruitful. No one would believe me. I was stupid back then to actually believe that my mother would stand up for me when I could've actually gone to the police to file a report and several tests would've been done immediately to prove him guilty.

I dropped into the bed and took my phone to call Galina to let her know I was back and I wanted to see her the next morning.

"Hello, who is this?" she replied, quite breathless.

"Who do you think this is?"

She squealed.

"Anni, is that really you?" she asked happily. I could hear Brad asking her if it was really me.

"Yes. Is Brad there?" I asked.

"Of course."

"Is he the reason you're breathless?" I asked, about to start teasing her.

"That's not the point right now, Annika."

"I can't believe I just cock blocked you, G."

She laughed. "Stop being silly. Where are you?" she asked.

"My mom's place but I won't be staying for too long. Can I see you tomorrow morning at the restaurant outside the school premises?"

"The one where they sell that badass chicken stew, right?" she asked.

"Yes, that one."

"Okay, babes. I'll see you later. Let me finish this really important issue on the ground."

"Go do your thing, G." I laughed and dropped the call.

I stood up to use the bathroom and get ready for the night. After I'd changed into my pajamas, I plopped into bed.

For several minutes, I couldn't sleep. I kept on turning and turning for what appeared to be a long time. I decided to text Andro and see if he was awake.

"Are you awake?" I hesitated a little before I hit the press button. What if he doesn't want to talk to me? What if he's asleep and I'll be disturbing his good sleep?

After minutes of thinking about it, I hit the send button and cringed as the message got delivered. Five minutes later, he replied, "No, I'm still wide awake. Can't sleep."

"Me too."

"Can I call you?"

"If you want to."

The next minute, my phone started ringing.

"Hey," he breathed out "Hey, Andro," I called out.

"Why can't you sleep, printsessa?" My heart fluttered at his new endearment, and I loved the way it sounded on his lips.

"I don't know. Maybe it's because I have a lot on my mind."

Maybe because I strangely miss you as well.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, and I shook my head even though I knew he couldn't see me.

"Annika," he called out when I replied to him with silence.

"I'm here," he whispered.

The tears I've been trying to fight for days came rolling down my face. I guess coming back here really did a number on me even though I've tried to act strong in the face of adversity.

"I don't know how to say it," I told him through tears.

Because I don't want you to see me as damaged.

"You can say it anyhow you want to, malyshl," he asked.

"Not on the phone. Not like this," I explained.

"What about now? Do you want to see me right now, Ann?" he asked, and I was puzzled.

"You know that's not…." he interrupted before I could say anything else.

"Do you want to see me?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Shit! I'm on my way, lyubov."

He dropped the call and I kept on staring at the phone.

What just happened?

He couldn't possibly come here at this time of the night, right? His house is far from here and making it here at this time is impossible, right?

I stood up from the bed and kept on pacing the room. Five minutes later, my phone beeped. It was a message from Andro.

"Open your window," it simply stated.

I opened the window as instructed and the next thing I saw was Andro climbing into my room as effortlessly as it seemed.

"Hey, gorgeous"

"How did you do that?" I asked as confusion set in.

"Climb through the window?"

"No, how did you get here so fast?" I asked.

He chuckled. "That's actually one of the perks of being an old vampire. You have supernatural speed as well," he explained, and I nodded.

He pulled me into his hand and made me sit on the bed with him. My back flushed against his chest.

"Talk to me, what's going on exactly?" he asked.

"I don't know how to say it," I replied, looking at my fingers and cracking my knuckles uncontrollably.

"Is it worse than being a vampire?" I nodded.

"Really?" he asked, feigning surprise. "I thought that was the worst thing in the world"

I giggled.

"Why did you come back exactly? Did you hate my place that much?" He was serious this time.

"No, it's not about your house, Andro. Yes, it was confusing, the whole feeling, the whole emotions I was feeling towards you and apart from needing a break to be able to think straight, there's something I need to do here," I said in one breath.

"The feelings you're talking about is because of the soulmate bond. It's normal and it's okay if you want to leave. This isn't something I'll force you into but if you know you want to stay with me, let me in a little," he asked, and I was conflicted.

Conflicted in between letting him in, trusting him, and also, running from him.

Why would I run when I was just like him? Why would I run when all I thought about was him?

When he touched me, I felt goosebumps all over my body. My name on his lips was the best thing I'd ever heard, and those sweet names he called me sent waves of emotions through my body and turned into a pool of wetness right in between my legs.

He gently placed a kiss on my shoulder and that made it known that running wasn't part of the options.