FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HEART.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

As those words sunk into his Mike he felt like he had just made Anna bring up something she wished buried.

  He gritted his teeth silently then made eye contact with her. Her eyes were holding back tears and Mike could see them because they were just like his. That element of sadness and regrets.

  Mike sighed. "I...I didn't mean to bring that up. I'm so sorry."

  Anna shook her head. "I understand. I understand why you want to know. I guess that you'll want to know because I know all about you."

  Mike looked around. He was aware of his surroundings because he understood the fame he and her heald. He couldn't make it an issue that they'll be swarmed with media.

  He grabbed her hand. "Anna, I'll take you somewhere else. We'll talk there because I don't trust this place, okay?"

  Anna looked around then nodded and allowed him to lead her to the car.

  As soon as thirty minutes passed she decided to question him. "Where exactly are you taking me?"

  "Somewhere I haven't been to in a very long time." He told her as he began to speed up. "Somewhere I think would help us both."

  He pulled out his phone and dialed his best friend.

  "Hello?" Wills said over the line "Mike?"

  "It's Mike." He told him "Hey, do you think that you could set up that garage roof?" "The garage roof?" Wills repeated quite stunned by his request "I can't remember the last time you asked for that, mate." Mike looked at Anna who's eyes were still teary. "It's important."

  "Guess I can't argue. I'll deal with it. Wills out." He hung up.

  The Bentley was soon heading down a forest path and Anna turned to Mike. "Where are you taking us to?"

  "Like I said." The Bentley slowed down as an huge authentic garage came into view. "Somewhere I think we both need."

  As soon as he parked beside it the lights came on and Wills walked out wiping grease off his arms. "The thing is fixed up." He told Mike tossing him a remote "If you set the forest on fire again I'll personally beat the crap out of you."

  Anna's eyes widened. "Again?" Mike spun "It was an accident I swear."

  Wills turned to Anna, "I guess I'll leave you to. I need to check on some cars later here so don't be surprised if you plan on using here and you see us." He hopped on his bike and soon disappeared.

  Anna sighed. "He's weird, but in a good way?" Mike shrugged "That's the way most of my lads are. Anyways, let's get to the roof, I think you'll like it up there."

  Mike lead Anna up to the big roof and together they sat there dully until Anna was now confused. "Don't tell me that this is the thing you're talking about?"

  Mike's smile appeared. "You lack faith."

  He pressed the remote and the lights in the garage went off for a brief moment leaving them in darkness then the roof lit up, more tham the inside, in neon pink. The glow seemed to make their skin glow as well, but the best part was that it brought out the stars. And they were beautiful.

  "Wow." Anna said as she looked at the night sky "I thought you said Saturn Rooms had the best view?"

  "I once believed that too." He told her as he laid back "But you have to learn to see the beauty in the basic, little things."

  Anna looked down at him. They were somewhat the same but he had some good in him.

  She sighed. "You brought me here to talk about my past." "I did." Mike said "But I understand if you don't want to. My issues are childish next to yours. But I have to be honest, talking about your problems actually helps."

  "His name was Lewis Deven," she started "He was exactly like you. Or the old you. He had girls around his fingers and always had issues where he was trying to break up with one. He was bad news to the girls who knew how to control themselves...but he was different with me"
  "Tender and calm, always putting me before himself. Always there to save me from the paparazzi who begged for gossip. And I can't lie and say that I wasn't liking it. It was the first time I had ever felt that way with someone. Girls advised me against it, and the phyco warned me to back off. But he still stood for me. Always there."

  A tear dropped from her chin.

  "And I was so naive and gullible. I couldn't see through the act. And that cost me. On a Thursday night he called me saying that we were going to somewhere nice and I agreed hastingly. So we're going through Paris and he suddenly pulls into a dark alley."
 
  "At first I'm confused and believing it's a suprise...I was so wrong. He beat me up, tied me off and tossed me in the boot, the next time I regained consiousnes I was in a building surrounded by different guys from different high schools and leading them was Lewis. They didn't listen to my screams or my begging. Just demanded for turns."

  "I was there for like four days until they traced my phone to the place and seeing my state they shot on sight. So Lewis Deven was dead in seconds..." She paused for a moment then continued. "I on the other hand was scarred for life. I couldn't sleep well, I was cautious of my surroundings, I always drove people away once I didn't have information on them. So my family decided to move here, to Manchester...then you come along. Reminding me every single detail of Lewis...that's why I was hostile. That's why I always hate the player type."

  Mike let there be silent for a few minutes. The story was a depressing one and he actually didn't believe he was hearing such but the thing was true. He was a constant reminder of that guy. And for that he felt bad.

  He sat up and grinned. "You're in luck." Anna turned perplexed by the cheerful attitude, "Excuse me?"

  "My buddy Wills has info on every single person he comes in contact with so he can do the same for you, Fred is a mountain of a guy so he being by your side will be great for security. Even his sister is a dangerous person. Max and Kim know this place as well as I do so there's no where on the map that anyone can hide from us. Owen...he's super crazy so anyone dumb enough to cross him is toast."

  Anna frowned. "Why are you suddenly telling me all this?"

  "Because," Mike said pointing to the stars "I might remind you of that sick player but I'll assure you that I'm Michael Arnold Roland, a guy who's gone through as much as any guy should. And I've left that life. You have my word that I'll protect you in this place."

  Anna looked at him once more. That feeling was gone. The feeling of disgust had left her and now she just saw a different guy. A better guy.

  Mike sighed. "Welp, best we start going or we'll be late." He turned and saw that Anna was now relaxing and stargazing. "Let's just chill here for a bit. What's the harm?"

  A smile appeared on his face and he dropped beside her. "Haven't used this place in months, hope you like it." He laid back. "It really does help your thoughts loosen up."

  Anna giggled. "So the player has become a philosopher?"

  He chuckled back. "Shut it, Deer."

  "I'm telling everyone in school your name is Arnold."

  "Don't you Deer?" He chuckled at the end of his bad joke and got a strong punch to the face causing him to fall back.

  "That's what you'll get everytime you mess with me." She told him and assumed her position once more.

  Maybe here could chase out the demons for good.