Her care and concern

Regan was on a call when Anna came out of the room. He was walking to and fro massaging his temple. As soon as she saw him, she stopped in her track and observed him. He looked pale with some kind of pain. She gradually went to him and stood behind him. She was about to inform him about her presence when he suddenly turned around and cut the call. Both of them did not realize what happened until she faltered back a few steps to enhance the gap between them and was about to stumble down. But before anything bad could happen, he held her securely from her waist. She was baffled for a moment but soon came back to her senses whereas he was once again lost in her ocean blue orbs. She cleared her throat to ease the awkwardness and said, "Ummm..... Thank.....thank you and sorry for this..... I didn't know that you would turn around and I..... I Ummm..... would lose my balance."

"That's okay... I am sorry too as I was too busy on the phone to register your presence."

"It's fine. Shall we go now?"

"After you."

She nodded her head and walked ahead. It was the first time when he once again noticed something different in her. Her hair... She had long hair which he always noticed to be either tied in a ponytail or a bun. But today her long waist length locks were left loose waving freely in the air. He desperately wished to move his fingers freely into them to feel their softness. He didn't know why and how a simple thing about her affected him so much. Back then when he came, she looked like a teenager and now... She was dolled up in an elegant white dress which barely reached her knees. She looked no less than an angel to him.

Earlier he had met several girls who were quite beautiful and charming but he never spared a single glance to them. He was like a mighty prince who was an off-limit for most of them. He never cared to notice anyone the way he did her. Her every action and movement left a deep impact on his soul which he never bothered to ignore. He didn't understand that why his heart beat erratically around her. Whatever it was... he felt good and he wanted to feel more of it. He was blindly following her when she again stopped in her track and said reluctantly,

"Ummm..... Regan I really don't mind going with you but can we take my car?"

He came out of his line of thoughts when he heard her. "Why?" He asked in confusion.

"Actually I don't know how to drive. So I guess, it would be a trouble for me to return back... We can go in my car with the chauffeur so that I can return back with him."

"You don't know driving?" He was surprised at the little revelation. "Well, don't worry about that. I'll come to drop you back."

"No no..... It's not needed. You already have to travel all the way from your home to pick me up because of my mistake. I don't want to trouble you more."

"It would not be a trouble Anastasia. So let's go now." He announced and opened the car's door for her to get in. Earlier he came to her place with his chauffeur but as soon as she went to change, he messaged him to leave the car for him. For the first time, he simply wanted her for himself without anyone around them to know her better.

Anna nodded and slipped into the car. Soon the engine roared and they were on their way to his place. She had nothing to talk with him other than business so, she kept her gaze outside the window to observe the beautiful scenery while he stole frequent glances at her as he could not resist her charm especially when she was sitting so close to him. He badly wanted to initiate a conversation but did not find words. Suddenly, he started rubbing his temple once again as it started throbbing in pain.

Eventually, Anna noticed it again and frowned. The whole ride was silent but still his heart pulsated with pleasure by her mere presence. Soon they reached his parent's home and Anna was warmly welcomed by Nathan and Grace.

"Welcome honey... You don't know how happy we are to have you here." Grace cooed and hugged her and so did Nathan.

"Thanks and sorry"

They frowned on hearing her apology but then something clicked to Nathan and he said patting her head, "Anna..... Regan told us everything. There's no need to feel sorry dear as we understand your reasons. But let them not affect you okay. I am glad that you overcame your fears and came for the dinner otherwise I don't know what she would have done to me? You know husbands can be the best punching bags for sour moody wives." He said and winked which made her giggle while Grace glared him furiously.

Regan was happy watching her getting along with his parents so easily. They went to the living room and sat leisurely talking over random things.

"Oh my... What kind of a host I am? Honey, what would you like to have?" Grace asked out of nowhere.

"Thanks Grace..... I am good." Then she thought something and said, "Ummm..... Actually a cup of strong coffee will do if you don't mind." She said bashfully.

"Sure dear"

After a while, she was offered the coffee that she asked for. Instead of having it for herself, she passed it to Regan which surprised him a bit. He looked at her in confusion.

Understanding his questioning gaze, she said, "Ummm..... It's for you. It will help to ease your headache. Have it. You will feel better."

Regan was taken aback by her gesture. 'How did she know about it?' He asked to himself. He indeed had a headache due to the previous sleepless night and the chaos in his heart for her. Her every action surprised him. He could not stop himself from smiling as he realized that inspite of the silent car ride and a few exchange of words, she noticed his pain.

He took the cup of coffee from her hand and thanked her whereas Grace and Nathan gawked them in surprise over their sweet chemistry which was quite hard to avoid. They exchanged their glances and smiled. There was silence once again. It was Grace who spoke now.

"Anna...There's still some time for the dinner. Regan, why don't you give her a tour of this place after finishing your coffee?" Before anyone of them could deny, she spoke again, "Honey..... you would love this place. It was my wedding gift by Nathan. Go and look around."

"Thanks Grace. But that's really fine. I am okay over here."

"Let's go Anastasia." Regan stood from his place before she could deny further. His tone was soft yet demanding. He walked ahead of her without waiting for her response while she found herself following him silently. Indeed, she was not intimidated by him but she didn't want to get into an unnecessary argument over a little thing in front of his folks. So she decided to go with him.