Songs Unsung - Book One

Chapter Forty Five

Although it was over a month ago, I still wept when I thought of my peaceful home now a pile of ash on an empty looking lot. I knew it was materialistic, but my home was my haven - the place I could run to when I was scared in America. The place I escaped the evil clutches of Jessica's rampages. The place with walls that absorbed our laughter and tears over the years - the place where I could just be me.

I stood over the kitchen sink at my parent's house and looked out of the window above it - staring blankly into space as thoughts bounced around in my mind. Two soft arms abruptly woke me from my dreaming as they embraced me around my waist. I let my head fall onto Mia's as she leant hers against my shoulder.

"What's this for?" I asked with a smile although she couldn't see my face.

"I just love you!" she replied through a smile of her own before moving to make her way to the kitchen island bench and plonking herself on a stool.

Since the scary day that we last saw Antonio, Mia has been following me around like a lost puppy, hugging me whenever she has the chance. Our short chatter was broken with the entry of Chase into the kitchen. He was holding a piece of paper and wore a grim look on his face.

"What's that?" I asked as I dried my hands with the tea cloth, turning to smile at his entrance.

"Come over here" he said as he gestured to where Mia sat at the kitchen bench.

I studied the paper that headed 'Certificate of Title' skimming my eyes over it as I tried to digest the contents. 'Chase Harry Thomas' I read with a further page of gobbley gook I couldn't understand.

"What is it?" Mia and I chimed in unison as we looked at Chase puzzled.

"It's a Title Deed to a House I've purchased." He replied simply

With a crooked brow, I cocked my head in his direction. "What are you talking about nutcase?" I sarcastically wailed, flicking him a smile as I did.

He reached into his pocket and took out a set of keys before handing them to me. "I've bought a house for you and Mia to live in" he stated softly.

"What the hell?" I exclaimed looking at Mia who's face mirrored my surprised expression.

"Listen carefully" he continued, his tone now becoming serious. "I need you to consider changing your name. You can keep Annabelle, but your surname should change to something that is untraceable. With Antonio out there somewhere, I need to know you're somewhere safe and unable to be found"

After the firefighters had extinguished the blaze at my home and scaled the remains, no sign of Antonio's body was to be found. Chase and I knew he would be in hiding, licking his wounds just waiting for another chance to pounce when we least expected it.

"Hold on, what do you mean?" I asked as my heart sank into the pit of my stomach. "What about you?"

"Annabelle, this isn't the time to talk about me. I'm giving you a house, but before I do, I need you to consider what I'm asking of you. This is a big thing" Chase said sternly

I sat looking between both Chase's stern looking expression and Mia's shocked one. "Yeah.. I" I started with a slight shake of my head "Of course, It's the smart thing to do"

"Okay, that's settled then" Chase replied as he moved to walk away from Mia and I. "I need you to come up with a new surname and let me know by tomorrow. I'll get the documents drafted and we'll change the house into your name as soon as possible."

With that, he left the room leaving Mia and I to stare at each other under a cloud of confusion.

After a few minutes, Mia broke the silence.

"I can't believe he's gone and bought you a house" she said softly as the confusion continued to tick over in her mind.

"I know I should be all happy and excited but something's not right M" I replied turning to look at her in worry.

"I know" she replied simply. "I feel it too."