I'M NO PRISONER- CHAPTER #3

IN ANNA'S ROOM

ANNA POV

When I started regaining my consciousness, I discovered that I'm no more in the hospital but in my room in the mansion. Three familiar faces watching over me as if I'm going to evaporate, maybe I will just do that just for the fun of it. Douglass and his two grandchildren, Celeste and Samuel, are some of the few people who are close to me. However, I hate having them around when I'm like this! And now, it's even worse, I need to know what happened with that idiot but I can't ask directly since I don't want him on their radar list, that if he is not yet.

I smiled and sat. 'Come on guys! It's not like I'm dying! Why are you all here hovering around my head?'

'You are still burning so better stop complaining we are all worried.' The old man said trying not to look angry but I know he is.' It's just...' and before I continued, he busted like a volcano.

'Stop it! I have no idea what happened that made you try to escape while in this condition, but since you are in no shape to talk, we will have this conversation when you are better. for now, you know what's coming. We will take turns by your side until your fever goes down.'

'Grandpa we can take care of her me and Samuel!' Celeste intervened knowing too well I will not let it go.

My sweet Celeste a thirty-one gorgeous woman, five feet six inches, brown hair dark green eyes, gifted with a naturally lean body and yes, she hates exercising. I still don't know how they have grown so much this soon. But back to my problem. And yes, I snapped at the old man.'Oiy! Am I a child in front of you? I'm against the idea that any of you stays with me! I'm ok, I just need time to recover.' And he just ignores me again. He stood while addressing his grandchildren 'do as I said'.

I shouted trying to stop him in his track 'old man! stop ignoring me!'. 'I will do that when you get rid of your fever that's out of discussion'.

'I'm not staying here!' I said calmly, which got his full attention because he knew I meant every word.

'Yes, you will! And stop worrying me as you said, I'm not young anymore.' He left trying to impose his decision on me, why does he keep doing this while he knows full well that it won't work!

After Douglass left the room, his two grandchildren didn't stop smiling since watching us two bickering was one of the best pass time for them. And yes, I know they call us cold-hearted in our back not that is wrong.

Since an explanation is overdue, I'm the real owner of HAROLD ENTERPRISES; the HAROLDS are just the keepers for generations.

I looked at the two

'Can you stop feasting on my misery?'. CELESTE took the chance to sit beside me looking worried, but she managed to smile, I knew I look like shit but come on!

'You know he got a point! it's been more than a year since we last saw you, and here you are, in this miserable condition. None of us is able to accept that'

'I know! but I need time to collect myself, staying here, or being watched all the time won't help'

Samuel approached with a smile but it was clear that he was afraid of touching me as if I was going to break if he did 'Ann I'm glad you are alive. I will give you two sometime, but I will take over in six hours, is that ok with you?'

Samuel The young tiger of the HAROLD family thirty-six years like his sister a brown hair with dark green eyes, a sculpted body and a height of six feet three inches. He is the next head of the Harold family, so he couldn't help but develop a calculating personality. Still, I love him as much as I love the other kids. Well, I have to remind myself they are not kids anymore; fortunately, they don't take it the wrong way when I do!

'You really don't need to!' I said but he answered with a smile

'I want to! Celeste (he directed his words to his sister) If you need anything just call me, I won't leave the mansion'.

She smiled at him 'OK!'

When Samuel left the room, she approached me smiling devilishly. That was never a good sign.

'So, spill the beans, who is the hottie who was taking care of you in the hospital? I already know his name is Andrew'

'No One!' I said in the calmest way I could. As expected, she didn't buy it.

'Yeah, no one! (She said in a mocking tone) It was clear that you didn't want us to know about him, (she stared directly at my eyes) that's why you tried to leave the hospital. Grandpa said to not press the matter, but I just can't. You didn't see him! He was like a mad beast ready to jump Damien when he saw you in his arms. He didn't even pay attention to me and I was right beside him' she looked at me as if I have all the answers. I'm supposed to be his prey, so of course he would be angry if you take me from under his nose, but you all, don't need to know that.

'Ok, so you are saying the whole pack went to the hospital to retrieve me. And no, there is nothing of what you are imagining. There is nothing that can link us in any kind'

She beamed at me in excitement 'come on he is a hunk!' is he? Maybe yes, he is handsome in a way, Arghh, why is she pushing my mind in that direction?

'You better stop it! And I'm sorry, but even if you find him attractive, I can't allow you to contact him in any way, that goes for the others too, so please pass the message'

'Of course, I won't pursue him, it's a non-written rule in the sisterhood codebook' she said smiling.

'won't you stop?' it's getting annoying.

She turned her face with a pout 'God! (I could see her eyes rolling, she is mocking me again) Even my grandma wasn't this boring'

I smiled 'why do you always forget that I'm older than your grand grand grandmother'

'booooring!'

'So why don't you get me the updates on the past year?'

She turned toward me excited 'You know...' What the…Why did she stop talking?

'What again? Did those old bones tell you not to talk?'

'He said he needs to talk to you first!'

I smiled; I know she can't resist telling me 'Come on just talk. You know all he wants is that I get some sleep, but we know all too well that the only way is that I lose consciousness and I can't control that.so start!'

She smiled back at me 'will you take the fall?' when she saw she won't get an answer she started like usual. My sweet little bird Celeste.

'I know you will know all of this from the M-bank later, but listen (she looked excited) Samuel got a girlfriend last year she was sweet and beautiful and all, but you know what? They broke up in two months'

I asked worried 'why?'

Her eyes and smile just got wider with excitement 'This is where it gets exciting, this time he said she was too sweet for his taste' she started laughing.

'This is like what? The seventh? He is already thirty-six and he doesn't know what his type is? But again, your grandfather was like that too'

She dismissed my words with her hand 'Naah! I think you ruined him! (She says as a matter of fact, is she kidding me?) he certainly is looking for someone who can kick some ass, hell I want a man like you too!'

'Are you stupid? Where did this come from?'

She smiled again while holding eye contact with me 'maybe! But again, not really! you were here for us while growing up. You filled the holes that grandpa couldn't fill, so, it's only natural that we look up to you!' Oh GOD this is getting out of hand.

'You know it's not healthy to get attached to someone like me, neither take them as a partner'

She smiled nervously 'We know! it's just who would hate someone who would protect them and be beside them no matter what'

Are we still talking about the same subject?

'Now it's clear we are not talking about Samuel, so what's up? Just tell me I can go and break his legs!'

She started laughing I know you will! (smiled) but no I'm not dating'

'Do you miss your father?' I said and I knew I'm fishing in muddy waters.

'It's not that!'

'Celeste, you know that I can get him back anytime you want, you just have to tell me. Douglass, no matter how stubborn he is, he can't refuse a direct order' She just leaned and surprised me with a kiss on my cheek, I immediately wiped it 'Gross!'

She smiled 'You Freezer, when will your heart warm up!'

'You know I don't do "feelings"!'

She showed one of her gentle smiles 'I know! Thank you! But neither of us wants to risk what we have now by bringing him back'

'Then what is going on in your little head?'

'I really missed you! (smiled) can I hug you?'

This silly cat, that's why I can't treat them as adults,

'Don't even think for a second that these casts will stop me from keeping you away!'

She pouted 'Freezer! No wonder you are relationship free all this time'

'You know I will just ignore you so stop it and move to another update'

'Da.. (Her bracelet rang it was none than her grandpa) Yes Grandpa!'

'Don't tell me you are still chatting'

'Take care of your business and let me be, old bones'

'Why are you making things difficult for me? Should I come and babysit you myself?'

'You know I will make you talk work so your choice!'

He just ended the call since he knew I meant what I said.

I smiled at Celeste 'so where were we?'

She seemed surprised 'I didn't imagine he would give up this easily!'

'It wasn't that easy for him, he knows that he can't control me, so he weighed his choices'

'Damien is still holding on his wedding until your return so make sure you recover quickly so we can celebrate'

Well, that's a surprise, not a good one at that. I hate it when they hold their lives for me, 'He shouldn't have! What if it took me more time to come back?'

She smiled at me 'he would have waited even if he is dying to marry Penelope, he is one of us and was raised under your wing so of course, a wedding without you, won't be complete it goes for all of us', These guys! They are incorrigible.

'What if I can't come back? and you have no way to know what happened!, what if I don't want to come back?'

She looked at me concerned but still smiling 'Then make sure to come back!'

'You know I can't promise such a thing. Never did and never will!'

'What if you found the one to spend your life with? Will you do the same to him?' Now this is getting on my nerves, she knows too well I hate this subject.

'I don't have these kinds of conversations for a reason! I might lose my temper and hurt you, and you are not someone who can control her tongue. Should I remind you each time?'

Now she is grinning 'Come on, I'm your little cockroach, (pouted with pleading eyes) at least this time don't ignore me, please!'

I inhaled deeply then exhaled 'There is no exception, if that's what you are asking about. that's how my life is'

Now she looks concerned about my love life, why does she and everyone else keep ignoring my age? 'No one would be able to live with that!'

I started breaking my casts devices while Celeste could only stand in astonishment 'Don't try to make sense of the way my life is'

She looked worried 'what are you doing?'

'Leaving'

She started panicking 'Why? Is it because of me?'

'No! If you remember, I already told your grandpa that I will leave, but he ignored me' I put my feet on the floor and tried to find my balance but it seems I'm really in deep shit. Poor Celeste approached me and tried to hold my arm, but she remembered that it was broken.

I smiled at her 'Don't worry (I broke the cast device on my leg) I'm used to handling worse than this!

The moment I tried to stand, I almost fell, not that I didn't see it coming, but I'm wondering if I shouldn't take this chance and just jump from a cliff or something, I'm sure I won't resist that much. I regained my balance and stood properly.

I headed directly to the wall beside my bed head, the instant I put my hand on it, a door to my home opened. Yes, I don't live here. Hell, this room is barely considered mine, sure it's minimal the way I like, but they made sure that each and every one of them put his touch, saying it was too bland for a girl, not that I hate the thought but I prefer my sanctuary where no one is allowed.

I might use portals but they aren't that common, to be precise it's not a technology from here so sharing is a bit hard.

'Tell the old man to not disturb me for three days. The next morning, I will be expecting him to bring the updated report'

'Are you sure you will be okay alone?'

CELESTE POV

I knew I shouldn't bring that subject up, but I couldn't help it. It pains me like everyone else to see her like this "broken" we do love her but we know it isn't enough to keep her going. And none of us is ready to lose her. Her attempts to end her life are supposed to be a secret but I have my ways to keep myself updated, and since I knew, it hunted me. Not that talking will push her to find someone, but is it bad that I want her to feel happy?

She looked back at me and smiled 'Take care, Celeste!' she went through the door and it closed after her, leaving no trace behind. The moment it closed, I hurried to my grandpa's study to inform him, she is in no hell in a condition to stay alone.

IN DOUGLASS'S OFFICE

My Grandpa started talking 'That character of hers! She shouldn't stay alone in her condition, even if you infuriated her! (He looked surprised as he realized something) I never saw or heard of her getting angry this easily!'

'She insisted that she just needs some time alone and that she told you but you ignored her!'

He stood 'Maybe I should go check on her!'

'What if it really makes her angry?' I said trying to persuade him to leave her alone as she wants.

'You don't know her enough as I do! I'm certain something is going on. You can go, Celeste, I will handle it from here' he said decisively.

DOUGLASS POV

When I stepped through the hidden door to Anna's room, I found her collapsed on the floor. That got my whole world spinning, she knew she was in no condition to move or stay alone, but she was so desperate to do that, why? Is she about to collapse? Will we even be able to manage that this time? I'm at my seventies and I feel sometimes exhausted from this life so how can I get someone who lived in hell for centuries to keep going?

I ditched my can and bowed to inspect her condition; she was burning and bleeding all over.

Without wasting any time, I called for her medical team and granted them access to her room.

AFTER A DAY IN ANNA'S ROOM

When Anna started opening her eyes, I was the first person she saw. I didn't budge from my place since the intervention of the medical team but she doesn't need to know that.

The moment she realized that, she is back in her room in the mansion, and was once again; attached to medical equipment, she sat despite her lack of balance. I waited until she sat properly to talk; I knew that trying to help her or touching her now would just trigger her anger. And that's the last thing we need right now.

'How are you feeling?' I said trying to decipher the look in her eyes.

'Why did you bring me back? I was clear that I needed some space' I'm sure I won't be able to keep her here.

'I found you collapsed in front of the door'

She lit up angrily in my face 'That's none of your business! You shouldn't have followed me'

'Don't I know that look?' I said trying to get her to talk to me before she decides she will just ignore me and go.

'Again! That's none of your business!'

'It is my business! As long as I'm alive and I can reach you I won't let you commit such stupidity!'

'I'm exhausted all I want is some space! Why can't you get this simple request?' she said tiredly.

'Because I'm afraid of losing you! Can't you see that?' I know that my eyes are teary right now but how can I control my emotions, while she is clearly breaking apart.

'I'm not killing myself so stop bugging me'

'Tell me it didn't cross your mind!' by the look in her eyes, I knew my guess was right on spot.

'It did! but..'

I interrupted her 'No but, I won't leave you alone' I said affirming my stance.

Surprisingly she smiled at me, and the next moment to my horror, she vanished. For a second there I really hoped she would count on me, on us, but who am I kidding, this girl never counts on anyone but herself.

I immediately stood and went to the wall to get to the door but no reaction, it was clear that she revoked my access. So now, I have no way to get to her. My next move was to page my Grandson SAMUEL. This one came running.

After he knocked on the door, he entered the room.

He looked at me surprised when he noticed that Anna wasn't in her bed 'where is Anna?'

'I want all the sensors back up and running, we shouldn't miss her if there is even the slightest hope of contact from her'

'I'm on it! But really, you shouldn't have brought her back, she was clear about wanting to stay alone! It's not her first time'

'Anna is mentally unstable; God knows what's going on in her head!'