Always on the Run

23. The phone call

'Ello! Here is the next chapter of AOTR. I hope you enjoy and I also hope you're all keeping well. Thanks for your support as always. Happy reading! :)

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With a sigh, I flop back onto the soft bed and close my eyes. There are so many things I should be doing but I just can't be bothered. I'm still in shock. I just agreed to marry Nadeem. I mean let's face it, how the hell am I ever going to talk Prisca around? I'm doomed. It all seemed so easy when I was talking to him but now that I'm alone I've started doubting myself.

Groaning, I punch the mattress then open my eyes and stare up at the ceiling. How am I going to get this to work? Damn me and my big mouth. I should have thought about it before mentioning it to Nadeem. It's no wonder he looked so petrified. I just hope I don't let him down. He deserves to be with the girl he loves.

Sitting up, I swing my legs to the side of the bed just as there's a knock at the door. Sighing, I let my feet touch the floor and stand up. I'm not in the mood for visitors, especially if it's Prisca or Nadeem. I want to forget about the looming marriage for a little while.

I open the door and see Toby standing there with Anais. Toby looks panicked and Anais still won't look at me. This is getting silly, why the hell won't she acknowledge me?

"We just heard," Toby says. "I'm so sorry, Rese. We need to-"

"Come in," I interrupt then step to the side.

Toby looks at me in surprise. "You...you're not angry?" he stammers, looking at Anais then back at me.

"I'm furious," I say honestly, "but not at you."

His brow creases in confusion but he steps inside nonetheless with Anais following. Once the door is closed I turn around to see them huddled together like two children knowing they're about to be disciplined. Before bringing attention to the elephant in the room I decide to ask the one thing that has been bothering me most.

"Have I offended you, Anais?" I ask outright.

She gasps and looks up in surprise, her eyes wide. "Why do you say that?" she asks timidly.

"Come on, Anais. Ever since we met you've been avoiding me."

Her eyes are as wide as plates now and she's literally trembling. Furrowing my brow I look at Toby in question who also looks guilty. In the end he sighs then leans in and whispers in Anais' ear. When he pulls away she looks up at him in question and he nods.

"Well?" I ask impatiently, placing my hands on my hips.

Anais hangs her head then after a few seconds looks up at me with big, brown, watery eyes. "Toby says I can trust you," she says softly, "is that true?"

I look at Toby who's looking at me pleadingly then glance back at Anais and nod. "Of course you can."