Chapter 8

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The restaurant is quiet. It's just past one o clock. Christian and Anastasia enter the restaurant. Christian smiles at the hostess, who greets them with a return smile followed by a hello.

"My brother will be joining me shortly." Christian says.

The young woman escorts Christian and Ana to a nearby booth. Christian sits down, Ana next to him. The woman hands four menus to Ana who sits them in between them.

"I'll direct your brother to the table when he arrives." The woman says before giving one last nod making her way back to the front of the restaurant.

"Thank you." Christian smiles. He takes a deep breath.

"It's all going to be okay Christian." Ana reassures him. His nerves start to panic.

He hasn't seen his brother for thirteen years, the last time he saw him, his mother was picking him up from the police station. Hardin holding his mothers hand when she signed the release forms at the station. His brother being escorted down the hall by an officer. The officer removed the handcuffs from Christians wrists and his mother moved towards him and wrapped her arms around him. Hardin stood there, confused at what he was seeing. The man he looked up to, his older brother was being detained by a police officer. Hardin wanted to be a police officer when he grew up, he knew that their job was to put the bad guys in jail. Was Christian a bad guy? His own brother?

Hardin clears his throat before speaking, bringing Christian out of his deep thoughts. He snaps his neck up to see his little brother standing before him. He looks so different, he's no longer the eight year old boy, but an adult. He wears a black leather jacket and black jeans.  The woman next to him is beautiful, blond hair and grey eyes. She wears a teal colored dress. Ana gets up and greats herself.

"I'm Anastasia. I'm Christians wife." She smiles taking the woman's hand.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Tessa. Hardin's girlfriend." Tessa smiles, returning Anastasias handshake.

Hardin and Christian stare at each other.

Hardin and Christian stare at each other

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"Christian." Hardin says. Christian tries to find the words to speak, but forgets what he was going to say.

"Hardin it's good to see you. I've missed you brother." Christian says. Hardin winces at his words.

"Why don't we give the boys some time to talk. We can grab another table and get to know each other." Anastasia says to Tessa. Tessa smiles Anastasia in agreement.

Hardin squeezes Tessas hand tighter as if to say 'don't go'

"I'll just be over there Hardin I promise. Talk to your brother. And please behave." Tessa says giving Hardin a kiss on the cheek.

Hardin relaxes his jaw and takes a seat. He looks at his brother, who is sitting across from him.

"What did you want to talk about Christian?" Hardin asks, getting straight to the point not wanting to make small talk.

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