Billionaire's Regret
Chapter 19:

"Where are you?'

Annie nearly drops the tray with the light breakfast when she hears his voice. It was clear he sounded very alone. She steps into her bedroom. He was struggling to get off the bed. "Don't Aaron," she said urgently. She quickly approached the bed.

"Where am I?"

"You are safe. Get back into the bed."

"Are you sure?" he looks with feverish eyes at her.

"I am. Now get back in the bed. I want you to drink the juice I have here." She keeps her voice soothing. The memories of a shared past want to intrude. But she wasn't ready to open that door. "Who are you?" he asks softly.

"I am Annie."

"Do you love me?"

Annie looks into his eyes. She can see the uncertainty. She smiles gently before reaching for the glass of juice. She very carefully helped him to drink then about to turn away when he suddenly very firmly grabbed her arm. "Don't trust anyone." He whispers.

"Who are you talking about?"

"I am not sure. Something is wrong." He slipped down on the bed. He then turns his back and closed his eyes.

Annie step into the kitchen. She wordlessly took the mug of coffee from her mother.

"How is he?"

"I thought the fever has broken but something is still puzzling him." Annie reached for her tablet. "Annie who is this man really?"

"You know who he is Mom."

"He can't possibly be the same one that you knew a couple of years ago. People never tend to stay the same."

"I know Mom. Aaron has changed but deep down I think he is still the same man." She looked out the kitchen window seeing her boy playing in the backyard.

"Okay Annie. This is your life and choices."

Aaron stood in the hallway. He listened to them talking. He tries his best to understand the conversation but nothing makes sense.

"Hello," the small voice talks directly behind him. "Why are you standing here?"

Annie quickly made her appearance.

"What are you doing out of bed?" she looked between the big man and small boy.

Aaron brushes with his hand across his face. He looks at her but there was no harshness just puzzlement. "I am hungry," he said.

"I am hungry too mammy."

"Well then let me fix the problem." She laughed softly ruffling her son's hair. When she looks up she noticed a single tear streaming down his face. She just reached out to touch his arm using her body to conceal his vulnerability from the little boy.

"What's your name?"

"I am Aaron and you?"

"I am Leonardo," the little boy holds his hand formally to be shaken. "Annie tell me about you." Aaron asks where he sits beside the table.

"What do you want to know?" she pours him another mug of coffee.

"My questions might be intrusive. I just can't seem to connect the dots." "Ask whatever you want to now."

"Are you married?" he looks at the boy climbing the tree outside.

"I was once."

"What happened?"

"I am not sure. I could never figure it out." Annie looked directly at him. It would seem his general expression is puzzlement. "What do you mean?"

"Aaron I was blissfully happy one day then just suddenly divorced."

"I am sorry Annie." He reached out to touch her hand. It was clear he regret his questioning. "I didn't realize I was touching a nerve."

It's okay. I just never really talk about my past." A quick bitter yet sorrowful twist plays around her mouth. It was gone again.

"Does the boy know about his father?" Aaron looked at how agile he seems to move around within the tree.

"No we lost contact until recently. The truth is he isn't aware that he has a son."

"I see." Aaron left the kitchen going outside.

The phone rings in the corner of the kitchen. She moved to answer, her focus outside. "Hello,"

"Annie,"

"Who is this?" she frowns trying to place the voice.

"It's your dad."

"What do you want?" the anger was instantly in her voice. "How did you get my number?"

"I am outside. We need to talk." Thom Black said nervously.

"I don't want to talk to you. Leave me alone or I will call the police."

"Annie this is important. Just one conversation and I will leave you alone."

"Fine where are you?"

"Hi," Aaron looks up into the tree. "Aren't you afraid?"

"No," the laughter sings between the leaves.

"You are brave. I am just going to sit here under the tree. I don't feel brave at the moment."

Aaron look at the well kept backyard that has a playground for the boy. Since there clearly seem to be no man in the picture he wonders who design and build this. "I like this."

"Mammy made this for me. I have to leave soon." The boy sits down beside him.

"Where are you going?" Aaron found it curious that such a young boy seemed to live apart from his mother.

"School," he said simply. "Miss my friend. I miss mammy more."

"Why don't you stay here then?"

"Bad man,"

"What do you mean Leonardo?"

"They hurt mammy. They wanted to steal me. Mammy protect me."

"You Mom are brave." Aaron looks towards the big kitchen window. He noticed that Annie has been watching them. She now moved away from the window.

Annie slipped through her gate. She slowly walked down the street until she reached the public park. She just stood there looking for the man she once called dad. The sudden sound of empty cans being collected made her look to her left. "They are watching," the man said bending close to her.

"What are you talking about?" she makes a point of looking towards the man. It took a moment but she managed to recognize her father. Time certainly wasn't good to his appearance.

"What do you want from me?" she crosses her arms.

"I want to make amends." He stood looking at her now.

"It's too late."

"Annie I made mistakes. I paid for them."

"I don't care. I don't want you in my life." She turned away.

"That man you are hiding inside. There are very dangerous people looking for him. He should leave."

"What do you know?" she now faces him directly.

"Aaron Casey has people looking for from him. The intent is to do damage Annie. You should distance yourself from him."

"Stay away from me." She walked back to the house. She noticed a parked van in the perfect position to spy on her.