Billionaire's Regret
Chapter 16:

Aaron unlocks the front door of his rumbling mansion close to the woods in Cape Cove. Only the locals knows there are two ways to reach the small town; first by aircraft or by boat. The more modern side of the town is land reachable. As he

step inside he found his senses assaulted by vague but disturbing memories.

The local cleaning crew he had hired did a fine job. His eyes landed on the wedding ring on the small table just inside the door. It is common knowledge never to touch the ring. He just looks at the heart shape of dust around the ring. Whoever the person is that cleans this little table always does this.

"Boss, where should I put the boxes?" Zac looked at the mansion. He knows Aaron well but he never even knew about this place. The man is all about international affairs that include everything expensive.

"Leave it on the porch," Aaron faced him. Since that moment almost two months ago in Switzerland he no longer trusts Zac. He had learned the hard way, keep the enemy very close.

"What else do you need?"

"Nothing, but you can go on break. I will call you."

"Are you sure Boss?"

"It was a hard two months on sea. We both need to rest. Do me a favor and don't tell anyone where I am."

"Sure." Zac look around. "This is a strange place."

"I like it. I would suggest if you are nervous to leave before sunset."

He said nothing just look at the black iron gates. Just inside the entrance of the grounds was a row of very creepy looking graves.

Annie climbed from the boat. Ricky and his friends told her that someone was living in the old haunted mansion. She looked into the woods feeling a bit nervous to walk down that road. It was the fastest way to get there. "This place looks creepy, Annie." Ricky looks around.

"I know but it is rather beautiful."

"You like things odd. I didn't even know people lives here." Ricky looks around listening. "I think someone is driving away."

Annie said nothing just reached for the small boy. His small hand slipped securely into hers. She watches him eagerly looking around. After a pause he smiles.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes mammy."

"Okay, let's go and explore."

Annie knew she was taking a huge risk coming here. The reality of the truth, he should know. Once he rejects them like he did two years ago, she will finally knows how to plan her future. She has been hanging in limbo.

Aaron stood looking at the ring again. He rarely visits here but when he does come around, he keeps looking at the ring but never touches it. According to the inscription within the ring, it does belong to him. 'Why don't I remember being married?'

The only answer he usually gets is the echo of his own voice. His hand reached out but as always he never touches it. In reality he feels fear and regret. About to close the front door when he heard the childish laughter of a little boy that seems to pull him back onto the porch. His eyes search until he noticed the woman running after the laughing little boy.

"Annie..." he said shocked. He tries looking at the boy but he was now running fast towards the teenager who catches him up into his arms. There seem to be such affection in that gesture that it instantly transported him back to his youth. There was no one to catch him. As he stood watching them he noticed that Annie has stop to just stood looking at him.

"Aaron..." she said softly. She just keeps looking at him. As the minutes tick off in her mind she wonders what he was going to do.

The moment she realized he was coming down the porch towards her she found herself walking towards him too. There was such a pull that she just has to obey.

"Annie, what are you doing here?" Aaron stood in front of her. He looked into her guarded eyes. The usual brief twist played around her mouth. This really puzzles him.

"Exploring but I didn't realized you were here. This place is haunted."

Aaron laughed looking up to searched for the boys.

"Where are they?"

"Don't worry they will be fine."

"Are they your brothers?" he looks curiously at her.

"No, I am an only child." She looks curiously back at him too. The words are hiding in her mouth but none slipped over her lips.

"Can I offer you something to drink?"

"Why not," Annie look behind her? She noticed both boys heading their way.

Aaron looks at her before they start walking towards the mansion. "While they are coming I am just going ahead to see if I have anything."

"Water will be okay too. They certainly have been running around since we step from the boat." She said carefully.

"I didn't hear a boat?" Aaron stops to look at her.

"You are aware of the lake just beyond the woods?"

"I am aware just never visit it."

"Why not," Annie asked openly puzzled.

"Annie ..."

"Is something wrong?"

"I own this place but in truth I am not completely sure about my memories." He rubs behind his head.

"What do you mean?"

"I am not sure and this isn't common knowledge but sometimes there is a piece of my past lost."

"Did something happen?" Annie feels a worry building inside of her. The man in front of her is completely different then the man who hired her as his mistress. "Mammy ..."

Aaron felt his neck ripping around when hearing that calling. He looks at the fast approaching boy running towards Annie his eyes intent on the boy with the dark hair and grey eyes. He noticed the boy was avoiding him taking concealment behind Annie. He quickly noticed her protective hand settling on his small shoulders.

"Annie..." he can't take his eyes off the boy. There was something about him. Aaron feels the fast approaching headache while he searches his mind. Just beyond the edge of his memory he senses something important that seems to elude him.

"Annie... who is he?"

"My son Leonardo,"