Starting Over Anderson || ✔

Ten: Unexpected Danger

The sun fades slowly into the horizon, the vast earth gradually covered by bleak darkness in its absence.

I've always loved watching the sunset. It marks the ending of a day and the dawning of a new night. To me, it's the most beautiful scenery in the world, especially when shared with the person you love the most. Isa and I used to watch the twilight in our backyard every day, plastic chairs pulled out and angled perfectly for the best view possible. We would talk about the happenings of our day, keeping no secrets between us. Occasionally, Brian would join us. It's times like this when I miss Isa the most.

When I'm watching the night fall, but with another person instead of my sister.

Chris notices my sullen expression and asks me about it. I don't think twice before telling him. I'm getting the hang of this, this sharing my thoughts with the psychologist thing. It gets easier every time I unveil a piece of me. And I feel lighter, free.

"I'm sorry," he says. He holds my hand in comfort as we cruise through the trees, Vena purring steadily. He doesn't know the whole story, yet, but he knows that Isa has gone on to a better place. "Your sister would have been very proud of you now."

I doubt that. She probably wouldn't approve of Aaron and the boys, but I nod anyway.

It takes another half an hour before we reach the club. It's built on the fringe of the trees, the whole building in a golden hue. It's due the lights surrounding the club, giving off a sophisticated feel. It has five stories, a bright blue pool glistening on the far right of it. Chris drives past the main entrance and into the basement parking for guests. It's extremely high class, I start to question if I'm even allowed to be here with my lowly status.

Chris leads me up into the grand ball room. Everyone is there already, their attire prim and proper. I suppress the urge to double-check myself, feeling greatly under-dressed. I see a few people my age and eye their clothes jealously. They all look so pretty and handsome. It's not hard to see that every one of them come from money. I'm so small in comparison.

Chris squeezes my hand, asking if I'm alright with his eyes. I take a big breath and follow him as we weave through the crowd spilling around, chatting with each other with drinks in their hands. He has a hand around my waist, guiding me along and lending me some energy. We approach a woman by the banquet table and she smiles once she sees us. She looks so much like the boy beside me that I don't need to inquire to know that she's Dr Eva Lockwell, Chris's birth mother.

"Mum," he greets, enveloping his mother in a hug. I stand to a side, a tiny smile gracing my lips. It's fascinating to see a grown man so affectionate towards his mother. Dr Eva Lockwell hugs him back and then turns to me, beaming widely.

"You must be Jenna Maxson?" She holds out a gloved hand.

I shake it. "Yes, ma'am. It's an honor to finally meet you."

She laughs, the sound like wind chimes to my ears. "Likewise, darling. Ryan has told me so much about you."

I raise an eyebrow. "He has?" I look at the said boy and find his cheeks go pink. He's so easily embarrassed, I find it inexplicably adorable.

"Might have let some things slip," Chris mutters and coughs awkwardly.

We exchange some words with Dr Eva (who has humbly requested that I call her by her first name) before Chris excuses us to get some food. Somehow, his hand finds mine as we make our way to the food station. I don't remove them, it feels safe in his hold. I feel safe.

But the feeling doesn't last very long. I'm trying a slice of blueberry cheese cake when I see it. A flash of red hair.

My fork hits the floor in a loud clank. Thankfully, the music in the background masks the noise. Only Chris notices the fork and he picks it up for me. "What's wrong, Jenna?"