Billionaire's Regret
Chapter 14:

Aaron enters the hospital room; uncertain as to how Annie might react towards him. He instantly stops when he realized she wasn't alone. A quick observant look and he realized both mother and daughter shared the same good looks... one beautifully mature and the younger one feisty with a slow; shy look of embarrassment. "Hello..." he steps closer.

Hanna had been watching her daughter. She quickly noticed the changing of her attitude. She turned to face the person talking slightly behind her. She just knew he was the reason for her current behavior. "Who are you?"

"Aaron Casey ma'am," He steps forward.

"Hanna Black," she took the offered hand. Her eyes slowly study the young man in front of her. It was apparent he was a very handsome mature man. "It's quite clear you are the type of man woman would follow around," Hanna observed honestly.

"I am not so sure ma'am," he answered solemnly. He wasn't in the mood to be careless with his answers.

"You don't need to be, son. In my youth I would have been crazy about the likes of you. You might not see it but..." Hanna was thoughtful a moment.

"What am I not seeing ma'am?" Aaron looked and asks curious.

"Son; you are handsome. You look like a woman's dream. That's suddenly enough of my opinion." Hanna looked at her ring finger. She finally looked at her daughter who watches her quietly the look in her eyes concealing something which immediately has her curious, as Annie never hides things from her. She looked again at the man now another thought in her mind...

"How do you feel, Annie?"

"Better Mom this certainly wasn't my intention to reverse rolls."

"I know, sweetheart."

"How did you know, Mom?"

"I just knew. You are never late. The chill was just there in my heart." Hanna confesses.

"You; at least are clearly in good health." Annie slowly shifts into a sitting position.

Aaron and Hanna both moved instantly to try and make her more comfortable.

"Mom..." Annie looked into her face, a brief look of uncertainty flashing over her contours. The sometimes brief but always present; bitter twist played around her lips. It was gone again...It's like a constant phantom. "What is it?" Hanna inspects her face looking for any form of discomfort.

"Well...this isn't how I intended you two to meet." She said hesitantly. Uncertainty mingled with a touch of fear briefly in her eyes.

"I wondered about the presence of this young man. So; you know him?" Hanna starts to have very specific suspicions.

Hanna looked at Aaron who watches Annie with a concealed look of carefulness. She silently realized something was brewing just beneath the surface between these two.

"Mom...Aaron and I...well; we are in a relationship." Annie openly gathered her courage and looked directly at her mother; then at the silent man watching her.

"How did the two of you meet?"

"I flatten him," Annie said with another look of embarrassment.

"What do you mean?"

"Well Mom; I kind of run him over." A quick quirk played around her mobile mouth.

"Sweetheart, you are not making sense." Hanna looked between her daughter and the man who seemed to enjoy the conversation.

"Ma'am...Annie is being funny."

"Call me Hanna." The older woman said slightly annoyed.

"It would be my pleasure."

"Well Mom; Aaron and I just started a relationship."

"Oh; okay." Hanna looked pointedly at her daughter. This statement a huge surprise since her child lives like a professional nun. She turned her head and watch Aaron poured a glass of water; he seems very thirsty as he starts to drink. "You know Mom; I truly appreciate the fast help; it's just..." Annie seemed to search for words. "The rescue team was a bit inconvenient." Annie bites the inside of her mouth.

"What the hell are you talking about? They saved your life." Hanna looked confused at her only child. "Did the cold make you lose some of your senses?"

"In a manner... yes. But then, I had my very first bodily fill of quick exploring hands roaming over my semi-naked torso." She said in her most innocent tone of voice.

Aaron just register what she said suddenly choke on the water and another round of quick burst of choking before he managed to sit the glass down. "Mom... do give Aaron a couple of slaps on the back. It would seem he needs a bit of help." Annie suddenly burst out laughing. It quickly turned into tears.

"Annie..." Aaron found himself on the bed beside her. He wraps his arms around her shaky frame. "It's okay. You are safe now." He said in a soothing voice. Privately he found himself in a dilemma. The women he usually choose and dated were never emotional. It was all about the game of hunting, but he did thought Grace were different.

Hanna sits in the corridor of the hospital. She has a very curious expression on her face. Her whole attention was focused on memories of Annie. While she was pregnant with her only child, those nine months were difficult. There were times beside the road that she nearly lost her child. These memories and what her idiotic husband nearly did usually make the blood boil within her.

"I stop you Thom Black but you did managed to leave psychological scars within Annie. I will never forgive you for that." She whispered softly to herself.

"Good day, Frau Black."

Hanna curiously looked at the young woman who suddenly stood beside her. She quickly noticed the expression of concern.

"Hello, are you talking to me?"

"I am. You don't know me." Doris sits down on the empty chair.

"I certainly don't my dear. You however seem to have something to say. Now tell me, how may I help you?"

Hanna quietly decides she like the girl's open expression.

"I currently work for Miss Annie. How is she?"

Hanna now focuses her attention on the girl beside her. She clearly senses an open honesty about her.

"How long,"

"Since your arrival here in my town as Mister Casey asked me to look out for her and help wherever she needed me." "Is he also living with Annie?"

"No, Frau Black." Doris said sincerely.

"How well do you know him? And before you say, yes, I know he is your employer but I am curious about your opinion." "Mister Casey is an honorable man. I work for him nearly five years but he is barely home."

"What do you mean?" Hanna frowned.

"Frau Black, as long as I know him; no woman ever stayed in the town house. I sometimes see him barely twice a year." "Curious..." Hanna was filled with questions but decide not to ask the girl but go directly to the man.

"How is Annie?"

"My daughter will be okay. Thank you for caring."

"May I visit her?"

"You may. Aaron is with her currently."

"Okay, I will wait my turn. Once he leaves I will visit but for now I will give them their privacy." Doris settled in her chair beside Hanna. "I am glad you are back to healthy. Annie was constantly worried."

"I know. Truth was I personally felt helpless when I saw her patience with me. It took all my courage to match hers." Hanna admits solemnly.

"Frau Black, I judge your progress by the expressions on her face. Annie was very excited this morning knowing she will spend the evening with you."

"Instead, we have reversed roles and she was in hospital. Now that I know about Aaron, it's time Annie has her own personal life. I am just waiting on the doctor to give permission. I want to go back to Cape Cove. I miss my house and few friends."