The Silk and Steel

Chapter 7

Anya, her heart still racing, quickly composed herself.  "Zander, this is Aiden," she said, her voice regaining its usual composure.  "He's actually here for Emily, his sister.  She couldn't make it today, so Aiden came in her place."

Zander, still confused, nodded slowly.  "Right, Emily," he said, his eyes still lingering on Aiden.  "Nice to meet you."

Zander, his brow furrowed in confusion, nodded slowly.  He couldn't quite understand the tension in the air.

Aiden, his back turned, his face contorted in a grimace, listened to their conversation.  His mind was racing, a storm of anger and possessiveness brewing within him.  He wanted to grab Zander, to throw him against the wall, to make him understand that Anya was his, that no one else had the right to touch her.  But he couldn't be brutal in front of her.  He couldn't risk scaring her away.

He turned on his heel, his jaw clenched, and walked out of the boutique without a word.

Anya, watching him leave, felt a wave of relief wash over her.  She turned back to Zander, her facade crumbling.  "He's gone," she whispered, her voice trembling.  "I'm so sorry, Zander.  I didn't want to involve you in this."

Zander, his eyes filled with concern, looked at her, his face a mixture of confusion and worry.  "Anya, what's going on?  Who is that man?  And why did he look so angry?"

"Don't mind Aiden, Zander.  He's probably just not in the mood.  Let's just forget about him."  She forced a smile, trying to distract herself from the growing sense of unease that had settled over her.

She turned to Zander, her voice softening.  "Why are you here, love?  What brings you to my boutique?"

Zander, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and determination, took a deep breath.  "I just got a call from Spain," he said, his voice a little shaky.  "My father wants me to come home.  He's planning to propose to a woman, and he wants me to be there for the engagement.  He wants me to fly back immediately."

Anya, her heart dropping, felt a wave of sadness wash over her.  Zander was the only one who truly knew her, the only one who had been there for her through thick and thin.  He was her best friend, her confidant, her rock.  And now he was leaving, leaving her to face the challenges of her life alone.

"I'm so sorry, Zander," she said, her voice barely a whisper.  "I wish I could be there with you."

Zander, his eyes filled with understanding, reached out and took her hand.  "I know, Anya.  But I'll be back soon.  And I'll be back for you.  I promise."

Anya, her eyes welling up, nodded, trying to hold back the tears.  "Maybe I'll fly back to Spain this week," she said, her voice thick with emotion.  "I need to see my parents anyway.  It'll be good to get away for a while."

Anya, her mind still reeling from the events of the day, closed her boutique early and went straight home.  She felt exhausted, drained, and a little bit lost.  She had been so focused on her work, that she had forgotten to take care of herself.

She went straight to her room, her movements automatic as she put away her things, her mind still replaying the scene of Zander leaving, the look of sadness in his eyes, the weight of his promise to return.  She needed to escape, to find some peace, to clear her head.

She went downstairs, her stomach rumbling with hunger.  She cooked a simple dinner, her mind wandering as she chopped vegetables, her hands moving mechanically.  She ate quickly, her appetite gone, her thoughts consumed by the events of the day.

She went back upstairs, her body aching for a hot bath.  The warmth of the water soothed her muscles, easing the tension that had been building in her shoulders and neck.  She closed her eyes, letting the steam envelop her, trying to relax, to forget her troubles.