Lost Without You

8

They had driven for hours, racing amongst the light traffic until they reached a small dirt road.

David's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as the slowed down. They passed a long grove of trees behind a white fence. The grass was perfectly green. It was paradise.

They pulled into a circle drive, and Jenya's mouth nearly fell open.

Jenya had been raised as an Heiress. Her father was rich enough to have a large house and a handful of cars. She had been raised attending the Diederich's parties and Christmas events. She had seen plenty of rich houses.

But never before had she seen a house to this extent. The grove of trees hid the beautiful red bricked house. It was an elegant, extremely large home with polished marble, grey steps and a heavy, dark wooden door.

David walked up to the door and opened it, ignoring the butler who had his hand outstretched.

"Quickly, come with me." David, urged, starting to go up the extravagant staircase.

Jenya couldn't help but stare us she went up the white marble staircase. Her hand ran along the soft metal railing and watched as the crystal chandelier glistened in the soft light.

"What exactly does your family do, again?" Jenya asked, as the came to the second story.

"My mother's family was involved in many business, ranging from mining to government jobs. The biggest industry, though, is military supplements. Tanks, guns, missiles, aircraft carriers, private armies— you name it, we got it. We also invent knew technology." David said, like a practiced speech. "My father took over, since most everyone in the family has died. The house was built in 1860 and is remodeled every ten, fifteen years... I think. My father takes great pride in the house."

They came to a hallway, decorating with portraits of people. From decorated war veterans to elegantly dressed ladies, "This hall is where my family's history is laid out. When an individual turns eighteen, a picture is drawn up of them and out up here. Everyone but mother has one. Hers, after her death, was moved into my father's office. He did not want us to remember her, I guess."

David led her to a pair of large, burgundy doors, "I am not suppose to go in here, but I must know."

He pushed open the doors and walked in, hesitantly.

Jenya's eyes widened at the sight. The walls of the room were circular and lined from floor to ceiling with books. Furniture was arranged in the perfect, homey way.

"Why aren't you allowed in here? There are so many books, I doubt he has the time to read them all." Jenya said, running her fingers along the spine of the books.

"He doesn't let us in here because of the confidential documents he has. Also, this." David gestured to a painting on the wall.

It was an oil painting of a young girl, dressed in a emerald gown, with her back to the painter. Her dark curls cascaded down her bare back with a silky glint to them. Her face was turned back over her shoulder, a small smile growing on her red lips. She looked like a porcelain doll.

"She's breathtaking." Jenya muttered, staring at the all to familiar green eyes.

"It's Anastasia Diederich, isn't it?" He whispered.

Jenya nodded. There was no denying it, this woman was in fact the Anastasia Diederich.

"My father was heartbroken when she died. I remember her so well. She was so beautiful, especially when she smiled. She had a soft touch, so delicate. When the war broke out, we were walking through town and we got separated, my sister and I from my mother. We were told to go to Uncle Marcus's and so that's where I took Ana. My mother went to stop the soldiers from hurting us and that was the last time I saw my mother. Father came home and shut himself away." David said, staring at the picture of his mother.

Jenya walked around to the desk and picked up a picture of Anastasia and her son, smiling at the photographer, "I am so sorry David."

"She was the love of my father's life. He was the moon and she was his stars. There was no one more important than her to him. My father spent months locked away in here after her death. If it wasn't for Uncle Marcus and his wife, Ana and I would have surely died." David continued, clenching his fist.

Another picture on the Major's desk contained the same woman, dressed in a laced wedding dress, her hand laying gently on a younger version of the Major's face, "They were so happy."

"They were." David sighed and ran his hand along the desk, "My father swore she would be his one and only. He kept that promise. He never even eyed a woman."

"Until Mrs. Diederich." Jenya muttered.

David shook his head, leaning heavily on the desk, "Why would he keep this from me? Why would he allow me to believe that my mother was dead? Why could he just have told me the truth instead regretting me whole life."

"Ask him yourself."

~~~~
Lukas was still raging after seeing Jenya with that man, David. He felt sick at the simple thought of David's hands on her bare back.

They had disappeared so quickly, Lukas barely had time to stop Jenya and talk to her.

Ana had pulled him out of the ballroom before he could realize they were gone and took him to his room, "I am sorry about my brother. Had I know he would have been here, I would have disappeared while you were speaking with him."

Lukas gripped his hair as he continued to pace the room, "No, you should not blame it on yourself. Your brother was right, though, you are young and vulnerable. I just wanted to get back at Jenya... I did not even consider your age."

Ana shrugged, pushing her dark hair over her shoulder, "I understand. My mother died when I was small, which allowed me to grow up faster that I act older than I am. David is so protective over me because-"

A loud knock interrupted the two of them before Ana could continue on.

Lukas walked over to the door and opened it, "What?"

In front of him, Jenya stood in the dress from the dance, "We need to talk. Now."

She pushed her way inside the room, "Your Mother is David's Mother too. I didn't mean to find this out but I was in the study when the Major and your mother came in arguing. Worse came to worse and now Anastasia Diederich is also Anastasia... oh, hello Ana."

Ana sat at the edge of the bed, with her arms crossed over her chest firmly, "My mother is his mother? Do not be preposterous! My mother died when I was two."

"You have never even seen a picture of her. How could you know otherwise?" Jenya snapped.

Ana's face went white and her lips pursed together.

Lukas pressed his lips together, "Are you accusing my mother of having an affair?"

Jenya shoved a small portrait into his hands, "This is what I found in Benjamin Nagar's desk. David said it was his mother. She looks exactly like your mother, Lukas."

Ana stood and glanced over Lukas's shoulder, "What the hell?"

"That's my mother." Lukas whispered, his eyes growing wide.

"What are we going to do?" Ana asked, looking up from the portrait.

"I don't know."