Let her enter your heart

Anna didn't want to talk about it but she couldn't ignore Richard's questions. So, she decided to answer him honestly.

"He was nothing like what I heard about him so far. Indeed, he is intimidating but he was all chivalrous and gentle. Someone who was easy to talk with."

Richard was amused to hear her as he did not expect her to hold such high regards for him. Even he was worried about her dealing with him though it was pure business because he did not want Anna to suffer personally or professionally as she had already beared enough heart ache. Although he was not much in action on the professional front, he did know about Regan who was known to be all conceited and ruthless in the business world whereas she was sensitive and benevolent.

Anna also informed him about the invitation of the anniversary party that the Knights gave her and their intention to officially announce the merger between the companies. He readily accepted it as he himself wanted to ensure that she was going to deal with the right people.

After talking for a while, they decided to call it a night. Anna went to her room and halted beside the table where an enlarged picture of Ashton was kept. She took it and kissed his picture. She lovingly said, "Hi, I missed you..... I know you were with me Ashton. You know what? I have accomplished the first step towards your dream...our dream. Please stay by my side like always. I would need you at every step. I promise, I'll make our every dream come true. I love you." A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. She stood there for a while and later went into a deep slumber. After a long time, she felt that she was going to sleep peacefully without any nightmares. However, she did not understand the reason behind it that whether it was her illness or the satisfaction of taking a successful step towards the fulfilment of his dream.

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

The next morning, Regan woke up with a heavy headache. He groaned in pain. "Why the hell did I drink so much?"

"Because you were out of your mind. I told you to be careful but you wanted someone to get out of your system so badly that you forgot the consequences of downing the shit into your system. Here, take these pills with the juice. You will feel better."

"Drake, about yesterday..."

"Reg... we are going to talk about it. Get fresh, I am waiting downstairs." Before he could speak, Drake was out of the room.

He took a hot shower which helped him to subside his headache. All the memories of the previous night came back to his mind where he blurted out almost everything about Anna to him. He left out an audible sigh for he knew that now it was impossible for him to avoid the questioning gaze of his dear friend. He went down where he found Drake cooking something in the kitchen. He sat across the kitchen counter waiting for him to fire him with his questions but to his surprise he said nothing. He served him some pancakes and scrambled eggs. There was an awkward silence between them till they finished their breakfast. Finally, Regan decided to speak.

"Drake your silence is killing me. You can ask me whatever you want."

"Do you like her? " He did not want to beat around the bush. So he directly asked him.

"What?"

"I asked you a simple question Reg. Do you like her?"

"No... No, no, no. I mean how can you say that? I have met her a couple of times only ."

"Then why is she all over your mind? I saw you..... the way you were looking at her in the meeting yesterday. You were different Reg."

"It's just that she is different. That's it. She was unwell yesterday. I mean she was having a little temperature. I..... I just held her hand to confirm my suspicion when she hastily pulled her hand and..... and I felt bad..... rejected. I..... I was just trying to help."

After hearing him, Drake's eyes were as big as saucers. "You did what? You were freaking worried about her. This is not you. Where is my friend?"

Regan glared at him on which he rolled his eyes. "Okay, jokes apart. I know she is affecting you Reg..... and don't try to deny it."

He shrugged his shoulders, "May be because she was good with mom and dad? May be because she was not intimidated by me like others? Or she was all sassy with Mr. Benc? I don't know exactly. But I want her out of my system. No one can have such an effect on me. You know I don't believe...."

"Reg... give her a chance. I know you since a long time. No girl has ever caught your attention as she did. I can see that your heart yearns for her, already. "

"Drake please... You know I am not into these kind of things. It's probably because I had given her too much attention to play with my mind. But now it's not going to happen anymore." He brusquely stood up from the chair to go back to his room when he heard him again and his steps halted.

"And what about your heart? I know you don't do love. I know you consider it as a shit. I am not asking you to go and instantly fall in love with her Reg. But I want you to give it a shot. Everytime, you follow your instincts, your brain... but this time, let your heart decide what does it want. Let her enter your heart if it wants her to be. It can be a mere infatuation but at least it will be easy for you. She will not muddle your tranquility. You know what? You were pathetic last night."

"Besides you are insanely in love with your work. I don't want anyone or anything to affect your remaining sanity as I don't wish to lose my best buddy. " He said mischievously to enlighten the tension.

He just nodded his head as he was still bemused over his thoughts and reactions towards Anna. He never thought of being intrigued by someone who was nothing but a mere stranger to him but had turned his life upside down without even knowing it. He didn't listen anything that Drake told him later as he was adamant to behold his line of thinking and decided to stay away from her.

"Miss Prescott, you are really toxic for me. I'll make sure to stay away from you atleast till I clear my mind from all this crap. "