Hope

11. "What could your parents do to Elenor?"

Annabeth

It was probably one of the worse nights I've ever had working at the Landing Strip. A drunken brawl had broken out and somehow I got in the crossfire, one blow to the face and slash to the cheek later and, I was sitting in the back office. Jeff was seeing to my minor injuries whilst I took a break. "How you feeling?"

"A bit shaken up but, I'm okay. God knows how I'm going to explain this when I see my family tomorrow though." I sighed, wincing when he cleaned my cheek. "Easy, you got mugged and they stole your purse. I'll take it for you if you want." Jeff joked light heartedly.

I liked Jeff, he was a good boss. The girls here were and always had been his priority here. We were well taken care of so when things like this happened, he hated it. He wasn't good at deep conversations though so he'd mostly joke awkwardly. "Aw but, I like my purse. It's okay. My parents think so low of me, they'll think of their own story." Jeff sighed and shook his head.

Jeff was more like a dad to me than my dad ever was. I needed support, he was there. He'd always find room for me to work if I needed that confidence boost, though he would try to make me feel better about myself before I started work. He didn't want me to feel like I had to work as much as I did.

"You go and get some rest. Please stay off for the rest of the month. It shook you up and you need to recover."

"Still less traumatic than being with my family. My parents now want me to marry my fake boyfriend, whilst I've got strong feelings for my sister's fiancé."

Jeff's lips pursed and he nodded his head. His grey hair fell all over the place, like he was a lead guitarist banging his head in his performance. "It's one anyway, that fiancé is meeting me. I'll see you next month. You are not having my purse."

"Okay, doll. Stay strong and wear protection."

I rolled my eyes but smiled. "Will do, big daddy."

I dreaded seeing Richard, purely because of the knew markings on my face. A black eye was surely going to be evident in a few hours, my head killed and my cheek was stinging. "Anna? What the hell happened?" Richard hurried over when he saw me and cupped my unhurt cheek. "I'm fine, just got caught up in a brawl."

"Well, let's get you home and safe."

With Richard's arm wrapped around me, I felt like I had made the right decision by giving him a chance and trusting he would end the engagement. In his arms I felt safe and cared for. It was a completely new revelation for me but, I liked it.

Richard drove us to mine using my car since he got a taxi over and ran over to help me out of the car. Looking at my home I smiled. I missed being here. It was a four bedroom house, in a area full of families and neighbours who knew each other. It was a community and I loved it.  I was extremely close with the Herberts next door, they felt like family. "This is a nice place." Richard smiled warmly as I guided him to my lounge and dropped to the couch. He chuckled and joined me, bringing my legs over his lap.

"So, you wanted to see me tonight, angel?"

"Angel?"

"I'm just trying it out."

"I like it. Even if it is the opposite of what I am." I teased, enjoying Richard's soft touch moving up and down my bare legs. "I want to get to know you, Rick. There's clearly something special between us but, I don't know much about you and vice versa."