One Way Out

~Chapter 2~

"I'm home!", I yell.










"Mom, Dad?"










I hear a strong masculine voice call out to me. "Up here Anabelle!'










I decide to follow the voice. I walk forward, down the hall to make my way to the grand staircase. "Dad?", I call out again because I'm not sure where to go."In here Anabelle, in the study". The study? I should of known. My father works as a finacial examiner. He's always in the office. If he's not there, than he's not home. My mom works as an accountant for a bank. Financial District support my parents careers well,considering this house. It's a large condo-like building in Tribeca.










I make my way up the staircase to the second floor. I take the time to fully examine this floor. I've never payed attention to it because my bedroom was on the third floor of our builing. There's a bathroom and two rooms on this floor. My parents bedroom and the study. My bedroom is on the third floor as well as my sisters, Aniya and Nicki. There are the best sisters. When I first arrived, they welcomed me with open arms. Nicki showed me to my new bedroom without hesitating. The thought makes me smile. I love having a family. I've been with the Monte's for about two and a half years now. I always disliked the orphanages. How lucky am I?










The study entrance is in front of me. "Dad?" He's finishing a conversation with another business man. I stand at the door way waiting for the green light that let's me in.










"Well Mr.Monte, it was a pleasure.Glad to be working with you.", the man speaks.










"Please, call me John. We're partners now,and the pleasure is mine." My dad says warmingly. They then shake hands. He continues,"I'll have my daughter show you out. Nicki!!." Nicki comes and before I know it, they're out of my sight.










I'm standing right here. How come he didn't ask me? Welp, this is my green light.










"HI daddy! You look handsome today.", I hug him. "And you smell nice, is that a new cologne?" I ask like the sweetest daughter on earth. I even bat my lashes a little. "It's Clive Christian No.1 for Men. Very expensive. What do you want?"










Damnit! He always sees through the nice girl act. Might as well drop it, and get to business. Before I say what's on my mind, i bring up two topics. My name and the man.










"Dad, why must you call me by my government name?" I giggle like a child and he gives me a 'Are you kidding me?' face. I continue " I would much prefer if you call me Ana." My dad questions me all the time about why I rather Ana than Anabelle. " Why do you like the name Ana so much?" I look a little shock. I don't know if he can tell though. The question I usually get is why do I want that name. Not why do I like it. They sound like the same question but both have different answers. I answer "Well, Ana was a gift to me. It's very dear to my heart and holds a lot of childhood memories." I tear remembering my childhood. My Dad takes note quickly and changes the subject. "What did you wanna talk about, Ana, for real". He says it in a failed sarcastic tone. It makes me laugh and begin to speak again.