Patch ups - II

Regan went to a corner with a can of beer in his hand. His mind was occupied with her words.

"If you had the slightest idea of what he did to me or said about you Anna, you wouldn't have encouraged me to give him a chance. Or you still would have?" He muttered to himself.

"She still would have said the same words to you... without a doubt."

He didn't need to see the face to identify the source of voice that brought him back out of his reverie. It was Drake.

"I can see that you have suddenly started understanding her better or is it too a part of your lies to hurt me if it wasn't enough earlier."

"You know me better Reg. I would never hurt you." He exasperatedly brushed his hand through his hair.

"Then why did you do that?"

Regan questioned him without hiding his bitterness. He was least interested to know the reason behind his actions because he could not bring himself to forgive him for what he did or said. He knew that Anna was too kind to forgive and let go off the things said for her, even if she knew about them. But he was not like her. He was known to be cold and ruthless for a reason as he never believed to forgive or forget, especially when it was about the few people who were important to him and she was the most precious person to him, the dearest to his heart which didn't allow him to let go off anything just like that. If she had awakened the softness that he never realized to possess in him, then the truth was that it was only for her. He was still the same rancorous and conceited Regan Knight for others who showed no mercy to those who even think off to mess with him. However, her every word affected him to see the things from a different perspective and he realized how true she was. As she had said, he needed a closure for his peace of mind and therefore he decided to listen Drake for once and all. However, he didn't expect it to be so soon.

"When you told me about Ashton for the first time, I felt as if I had heard about him before. The next day, immediately after I reached Seattle, I started investigating about him and that's when I came to know about his absence in Anna's life. The news about his death had left me shaken with the upheaval of how difficult it would have been for his family, especially Anna to bear his absence in her life. That's when I decided to go deep in the matter and when I found the truth, I decided to keep it away from you as long as possible."

Regan clenched his teeth on hearing him, knowing about how long he was kept in darkness by his dearest friend. He was more enraged with himself as he blindly trusted him with every word he said. He was about to leave as he was on the brink of losing his temper and he didn't want to create a scene in front of the people around them who were leisurely conversing with each other at a distance with happy faces. However, the next words that came out from his mouth stopped him from walking away, revealing an another unknown aspect of Anna's life making him understand the reason behind her vulnerability.

"His death was not natural Reg."

He turned around to look at him perplexed with his words. "What?"

"It wasn't some unfortunate accident."

"What do you mean?"

"He was brutually murdered. He was in Seattle with Anna when this uneventful tragedy happened..... taking away his life. It all happened in front of her eyes. She witnessed the whole..." He didn't continue and rubbed his hand on his face as he was yet not ready to tell Regan everything, especially like this. However, he knew that he need to complete what he started, so he continued.

"They were head over heels in love with each other. He was her everything. His death left her dispirited and depressed but she gave up her everything for those he left behind. She took over Watson Corporation and the rest is history. She gave up her own dreams for his sake even in his absence. It has been three years since he died Reg... but she is still mourning over his death. She has still not moved on. She agreed to merge with us because it was Ashton's dream project. In all these years, she has worked strenuously to make it big for him, just as he once wished. Her life starts with him and ends at only him. I know it was wrong of me to hide these things from you but after knowing about her I thought it to be a wise decision. I came to know how broken she is and I didn't want her to break you. I thought she would never accept your love which would leave you heartbroken and to protect you from that pain, I hide the truth. It was wrong of me to speak against her character, to accuse her of.... She is too good and innocent for all the things she has suffered through but I just lost it when I saw you depressed due to her and did everything to keep you away from this mess. I know I should have talked to you but..."

"But you kept your mouth shut to protect me from the so called pain of rejection? Did I tell you that your betrayal is more painful than the truth Drake? Do you know for how many days and nights I was restless thinking that I was doing something wrong? Do you know how I bottled up my feelings and constantly fought with my mind and heart? Do you know how I mistreated her to go away from her? And do you know how I felt when I held her lifeless body in my arms thinking about the worse that could have happened that day?" He hissed in anger.

"I am sorry Reg..." Drake desperately tried to reach him but Regan took a step backward.

"You have no idea how hurt I am right now and it's not because of her. It's because of you Drake. Probably, I always knew that it won't be easy for me to win her heart but still I couldn't stop myself from falling for her." He took a step forward and put a hand on his shoulder. "Do you know why?"

Drake shook his head and he sighed.

"Because she makes me happy. Her presence is all that I need in my life. After what you told me about her, I don't know if she would ever fall for me but even if that never happens, I'll make sure that my own love would be enough for both of us to live. I don't know if I can ever forgive you but I need my friend to find my happiness that's only with her. I can live without her love but I can't live without her. Would you be able to help me with this? Can I trust you again Drake?"

"You are certainly changed. I didn't know you would even think to hear me again." He held his shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. "I have made several mistakes earlier but you have my word Reg. I have always wished for you to be happy and if she is your happiness, I would do anything for you to get it. I just want my friend back. I am sorry....I am really so..."

Before he could continue with his apologies, Regan hugged him tightly to realize that he indeed missed his buddy. He had not yet forgiven him completely, but he knew the purpose behind his actions. He knew he was one of the important people in his life and he didn't want to lose him.

He was still in his thoughts when he saw Anna looking in his direction from the distance with a contented smile on her face. His own face lit up with the happiness that he felt on being the reason of her happiness but at the same time, his heart ached on recalling Drake's words. He pulled away from him and headed towards her direction.

Anna was sitting with everyone when Regan came and held her hand making her to stand on her feet.

"We need to talk."

Having said that, he took her with him leaving everyone behind them baffled on his sudden action.