His Saviour

The party was going in full swing after Stella cut her birthday cake. People were happily chatting, drinking and dancing on the thriving beats. Stella took Anna to introduce her to some of her friends. She could excuse herself from all the socializing when she got a call from Emily. She went to an isolated corner in search of a quiet place to have a proper conversation with her.

When Emily came to know about Anna being in a club, she was thrilled but became anxious at the same time for her being on her own.

"Baby girl I am so excited that you are out on your own. I know you don't drink but still... take care of yourself."

"Em..... I will. Don't stress yourself for I am leaving after a while. You know all of this is not me. It's just that I couldn't deny Stella."

"No ways Anna. Stay there and let yourself go for atleast once. You are not going home that too so early. I just wish that I could be there to thank that girl to drive you out of your shell. And after knowing that Regan is around you, I am relieved. Anyways.... I'll not take much of your time and do remember to click a picture of you in that beautiful dress. I want to see my baby girl dolled up glamorously. God knows if you would wear it again or not.

Anna rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Okay..... See you then, bye."

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Regan was sitting at the bar sipping on a drink. He was exasperated with the fact that Stella was not giving him a single chance to be around Anna. It seemed as if she was deliberately trying to keep her away from him. He could see how she became the center of attention in no time. The way she interacted with people, no one could say that she was not herself in the moment. He could see how she transformed herself into a different being completely contrasting to her real reserved personality....this was her who she always carried on the professional front. However, after spending so much time with her, he could easily through her false facade. He wanted to go to her and take her back to her world to let her be the real her but here he was sitting holding himself back doing nothing. He was frustrated with Stella, with himself and the girls that were surrounding him and drooling over him like a piece of meat.

He was dressed in a black jeans and jacket with a white round neck T-shirt underneath. He possessed that charming face and personality that stopped people in their tracks. His nonchalant gaze and a little smirk were enough to drive them crazy. He was used to that, especially female attention but somehow in Anna's presence, it was all uncomfortable and annoying to him.

When Anna returned to the lounge, she found Regan sitting at the bar. Before she could approach him, she noticed that he was not alone. A blonde girl with a glass of wine in her hand was standing across him chatting animatedly.

'Is she flirting with him?' She thought.

She didn't want to intrude but Regan's dead expressions of annoyance and rage didn't go unnoticed by her. She could see that he was ready to explode on her at any time. She chuckled on seeing his miserable state and decided to rescue him from the clingy chick who was not getting the hint to go away from him.

She went to him and said sweetly, "Hey baby!"

Regan snapped his head towards her direction. It would be an understatement to state that he was shocked. He wasn't sure if she was talking to him. He looked to and fro to check someone standing around him but to his surprise, he was the only one sitting over there.

"Anastasia?"

She understood his confusion and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Regan"

She then leaned forward and whispered in his ear.

"Just play along."

While saying so, she didn't even realize that she was standing too close to him. When she bent to whisper in his ear, her lips slightly brushed his earlobe and he stiffened under her soft touch. He gulped and closed his eyes but as soon as her words registered in his mind, he regained his composure and stood up. He looked at her in amusement and smirked giving a hint of getting her message.

"I was looking for you baby and I missed you so much." She purred again, moving closer to him while laying her hand on his chest.

"I was here to get you a drink love." He held her hand laying right above his heart.

"Oh! How sweet of you!"

The blonde standing across them cleared her throat to get their attention. Her eyes were wide ready to pop out at any time on their PDA. Anna shifted to look at her and frowned.

"Excuse me? Do you want something?"

"Who.....who are you?"

"His girlfriend." She declared without hesitation. "Is that a problem to you?"

Regan choked and coughed miserably. It was the last thing that he expected her to speak. Indeed she was the girl with many surprises. She never failed to amaze him with the different attributes of her personality. She rubbed his back and asked in concern if he was alright. He quickly nodded his head positively. She then turned to the blonde as if remembering something.

"Oh My! I am so sorry. How can I forget you? Regan is she the one you were talking about? My bad! How didn't I recognize your favourite sister?"

She then hugged her and continued. "You are his elder sister, right?"

"What?" Her eyes widened more in shock as she looked at both of them.

"My apologies. Of course you are... Same eyes, same hair color and..."

"Stop, stop, stop... Are you crazy? I am not his sister for God's sake. I..... I was just standing here when you came..... that's it. Excuse me please." The blonde flushed with embarrassment and left them.

Anna turned to Regan. Both of them looked into each other eyes for a good whole minute and bursted into a laughter recalling her funny expressions.

"So? Girlfriend huh?" Regan said between his laughter turning a bit serious.

"Nope! Your saviour." She said and they laughed again but this time they were not the only one as Stella and Drake too joined them for they witnessed the whole drama.

"Oh My God! That was hilarious guys." Drake yelled through the music.

"Indeed it was. I didn't know you got that into you. But you said right. You were certainly his saviour." Stella agreed.

Anna shrugged. "I guess it's Emily's effect that came over me somehow. When she would come to know about this, she would be proud on herself." She giggled on her own thoughts.

"Well then, I would love to meet her someday."

"She would love that too."

-------------------------------------------

"Anna?"

They were still laughing when a deep warm voice called out her name and she turned around. It was Chase.....Chase Anderson, Ashton's best friend. He was the last person that she ever expected to meet for he was the one... the only one of all who accused her for Ashton's untimely death. She was already broken but his words shattered her heart into bits and pieces. After accusing her for something so big, he disappeared from their life and never contacted in the last three years. And here he was now standing in front of her after all those years. She didn't know how to respond him.

The smile on her face faded and she whispered, "Chase?"

He gave her a warm smile and engulfed her in a hug. She stood there like a statue, having no idea of what to do. Regan instantly stiffened on seeing a stranger so close to her. He could see her discomfort and decided to intervene. He went to her and gently pulled her to his side.

"Anna? Are you alright?"

Instead of speaking, she simply nodded her head in a 'yes'.

Chase saw Regan and smiled again. "Can I talk to you Anna?"

She was still in a daze. Regan looked towards her in concern. "You don't need to if you don't want."

She lowered her gaze and took a deep breath. She was not ready to bear Chase's venomous words or the hate in his eyes for her again. But she knew she wouldn't be able to avoid him forever. Whatever he said in the past was somewhat true which she truly believed in the depth of her heart. It was just more heartbreaking to hear it from someone else.

She met Regan's eyes and said softly. "It's okay. I know him."

They all left her alone with Chase to have a word. After they left, he stood there looking at her petite frame looking down feeling more guilty than he ever was. He realized it a long ago that whatever he said to her wasn't right. Ashton was his best friend since childhood. Who would other than him may know that she was the light of his life and he would have done anything and everything to protect her. He would have died a hundred times more to keep her safe from the cruelty of the world. They both were each others world. But the blow of his death was so vicious that he hurt his most treasured possession. He hurt and blamed her to be the reason of his death and left her and his family to deal on their own to never look back. Later when he realized his mistake, it was too late as he was not ready to face the people who were once more than a family to him, especially Anna who he claimed to be his sister. He later shifted to Georgia owing to his family business and recently came back for some personal reasons, least expecting to meet Anna at such a place. He very well knew that clubbing was never a part of her lifestyle. However when he spotted her talking and laughing with her group, he couldn't stop himself to approach her.

"How are you Anna?"

Her eyes brimmed with tears but she managed to look into his eyes.

"Good. What about you?"

"I am pretty good too." He paused for a second and continued. "I am sorry Anna. I sincerely apologize for all the things I said to you in the past. I can't take my words back, can't erase the pain that I caused you but I have realized how wrong I was to accuse you of something that wasn't your fault. I am sorry. Forgive me please." His voice cracked.

She didn't know what to say. She was not someone who would hold grudges even for enemies. He was Ashton's best friend. How could she not forgive him? She gave him a weak smile.

"How are Aunt Jane and Uncle Austin?"

He smiled on hearing her.

"Typical Anna. You haven't changed a bit, have you? Always thinking about others before yourself. Mom and Dad are doing great." He held her hand and admitted sincerely. "Thanks for forgiving me Anna. It means a lot. You have taken away a big load from my chest and I couldn't be more thankful to you."

"Dad and Emily would be ecstatic to see you again."

"Me too. But I think after what I have done, I am still not ready to face them. However, I would meet them one day... I just need some time. I hope you understand."

"I do."

"Well how's your life now? I know you don't like to attract media attention but I can still know about you from the tabloids. I am so proud of you Lil Sis..... You have become a big name in the business and I know you'll do great in the future too."

Anna was shocked to hear the old endearment from his mouth. A tear escaped from the corner of her eye which he instantly wiped.

"Don't Anna. I don't know what that man would do to me if he would see you crying. He is already giving me enough deadly glares." He said jokingly to lighten her up.

Anna turned around to find Regan looking intently in their direction from afar. She chuckled and said, "It's not like that. He's just too... Ummm...concerned and protective."

"I am genuinely happy to see you move on. I can see how much he likes you and care for you."

She frowned on hearing him. When his words registered her mind, she instantly shook her head with widened eyes.

"It's..... It's not what you think. He just cares for me. We...We are business partners and.....and friends."

"You are still as naive as before, aren't you? He likes you Anna. Anyone can see it. Don't let him go. Trust me he is all that you need. Thanks for giving me your time. I'll take your leave now."

He hugged her once again and left, leaving her in a mess to understand his words.