A promise

"Then marry her."

Richard's words stunned him. He was close to lose his temper on knowing about his plans for Anna. He could understand his fatherly concern for her, but the way of setting her up with anyone, just because he thought was right for her, flared him with unsettling emotions. He didn't know the way to reply him back as his proposal was extremely unexpected.

He undoubtedly had that deep love and affection for her but always kept a hold over his feelings thinking about her involvement with Ashton. Hence, he never dared to think of a lifetime with her, especially tying up with her in a bond named marriage. He was never against the idea of marriage as he had himself witnessed the special bond of his parents and other couples around him. But being a workaholic, he never really cared of being tied or committed to someone other than his work. Nevertheless, things changed when she came into his life. However, the thought of sharing a sacred bond like marriage with her made him edgy and giddy at the same time. Amidst all the thoughts, one question that bothered him the most was about Anna.

'Was she ready for such commitment?'

'Was she even ready to move on..... to leave her past behind?'

The answer that he got was as clear as daylight. It was a NO.

He looked at Richard who was expectantly watching him, awaiting for an answer. The mere thought of her being someone else's, especially without her consent, once again made him furious. By now, he knew her well enough to say that if she was somehow forced into such arrangement, she might have accepted it owing to Richard's wishes with all the emotional drama thrown over her. And it was the last thing that he ever wanted to do to her. His hands fisted hard to control the rage that was roaring inside him.

"Marry her?" He said mockingly in a bitter tone. "Without her wish? Without her moving on from her past? Is she even ready for this? And before proposing this idea to me, you already tried to throw it over her. Have you ever thought about its consequences?"

"Do you think she will move on..... on her own? She's wailing over my son's death since last three years Regan. Jack, Emily and me... We all have tried to make her understand that he's gone but I don't think she understands this fact. Had it been in my hands, I would have hold her securely in my embrace protecting her from every evil of the world. But I have failed in doing so. Previously, I was unable to protect her and lost my son too and this time again, I..... I just." He trailed off as his voice cracked showing his helplessness.

"I told you earlier whatever happened with Anna, it wasn't your fault. It was because of someone who wanted to avenge me and tried to harm her."

"Do you just consider her a fling then?"

He once again balled his fists on his accusation, trying to suppress his fury. "Earlier you said that you understand my gaze when I look at her. Does it seem to look like a casual fling to you?"

"Then why don't you agree to..... Don't you want her? Take your time Regan and just think about it."

"I want her with her will. Her happiness is what that has always mattered to me. I am not going to force her for something that she doesn't want. Even if it's me. And taking time to think about my answer, if a wedding is everything that can assure her presence in my life forever, then I certainly won't deny it. But I won't accept it either against her will. I don't want to force myself on her and I won't allow anyone else to do so... even if it's you."

Richard had no words to argue back to him. He could understand what he said was true but being her father, he just wanted her to settle down happily before his eyes. However, he was relieved to know that she was in good hands as he could not only feel Regan's love but also his thoughtfulness towards her. He only wished that Anna could see it too, to give her life a second chance.

He gently patted Regan's back and assured him that he would never oblige her to do something against her wish. Nevertheless, he also pleaded him to reconsider his decision about his proposal. Before retreating back to his place, Regan wanted to see her once. Hence, he took Richard's consent to have a look over her before leaving which he readily granted after giving him the directions to her room.

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Regan had expected Anna to be asleep as it was past midnight. However, when he entered her room, the bed was empty. He briefly glanced around the room which seemed a perfect replica of her personality. Simple yet elegant were the only words that came to his mind. It was cozy, wrapped under her exquisite fragrance which instantly pacified the turmoil in his heart due to the earlier conversation.

He wanted her happiness but couldn't stop pondering whether his denial was apt or not. As he stepped into the room, he saw a few photographs of her and Ashton that were the evidence of their true love which was shining through their eyes. The happiness that reflected on her face was something that he never get to witness. He could clearly feel the grief of her loss, understanding its effect on her as he himself went through the same turmoil a few days back when he almost lost her. The mere thought of losing her forever had made his heart gloomy with a constant ache that subsided only after she opened her eyes.

Moving further, he saw a door that led him to the patio where she was standing looking at nothing in particular. She was lost in some thoughts with her back facing him. The night was dark but the surrounding was illuminated with faint lights. He had just wished to see her once before leaving. But he couldn't step back after finding her. She was so lost in her world that she didn't hear his footsteps coming in her direction. When she didn't react to his presence behind her, he gently laid his hand on her shoulder to bring her out of the reverie. But as soon as his hand came in contact with her cold skin, she abruptly turned around and flinched taking a few steps back.

The hasty movement caused the photo frame in her hand fall down breaking it into pieces. While she was perplexed on finding him standing behind her, he was grief stricken on watching the terror and panic in her eyes which clearly stated the fear that she was trying hard to hide with her smiles and indifferent behaviour since she was discharged from the hospital. Then and there, he had wanted to hold her tight in his arms to assure her that she was safe and he was there to keep her away from all the harshness of the world.

She had expected him to leave by then as it was quiet late. She was indeed terrified thinking about the worse, not expecting anyone around her at the late hour in her room. The incident was still fresh in her mind due to which she freaked out. Before she could ask him about the reason of his presence in her room, he apologized.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's..... It's okay. I am sorry too, I shouldn't have reacted this way. I thought you might have already left as its too late and you said you were tired." Saying that she bent down to collect the pieces of the picture frame that she noticed after a few seconds. Though she was stopped midway when Regan held her hand.

"Let me."

"That's alright. I will....."

"Please Anna."

"Okay." She said softly and stood up.

He carefully collected the glass pieces and picked the frame that contained her picture with Ashton. His movements were careful, though a piece of glass cut his hand and he unknowingly groaned in pain.

"Regan?"

She instantly bent down and saw blood dripping of his hand. "Oh My God! It's bleeding."

"I am good. That's alright."

"No it's not."

She held his bleeding hand and stood up with him leading him to her bed to make him sit on it. She hurriedly brought a first aid box from her bedside table and started treating his wound. He knew her discomfort on seeing blood, so he immediately asked her to let it be as he was alright but she didn't pay any heed to him.

"Fine...Atleast allow me to pick up the frame. It has your picture with Ashton."

Her hand stopped working on hearing his name and she looked at him who already was intently looking at her.

"It's fine. That's just a picture frame. I'll pick it up later. This needs to be look after first." She gently said and continued her work.

His heart swelled with happiness as she prioritized him over her memory with Ashton. Though he couldn't stop himself from asking her.

"I thought it was important for you?"

"It is."

She looked at him and lightly smiled. "It is a long lost memory which is imbibed in my heart. That doesn't mean it's not important but I can't leave you in pain to pick up those lifeless broken pieces."

He couldn't help but the edges of his own lips curled up. Inspite of his harsh words and obnoxious behaviour earlier, she was sitting beside him, tending his wound, leaving up the most important part of her life for him. Somehow her actions filled him with hope and his wounded heart too got relieved under her soothing touch. She didn't say much, but her expressions were enough to state that she still cared for him and that was more than enough for him. He came out of his thoughts, when he heard her soft yet reprimanding tone.

"It's done. You should have been more careful. What if the cut was too deep? Next time please take care."

He nodded his head with a light smile on his face. She lowered her gaze, frantically looking here and there not knowing what to say further. After looking her for a few good seconds, he took his clue to leave as it was already too late. However, he was stopped by her when she called out his name.

"I wanted to talk to you. If you can give me your few minutes."

"I am listening."

"Thank you." She uttered gently.

He frowned on hearing her not getting what she meant.

"For.....for saving me that day. I had a vague idea of you coming to my rescue. But.....but Emily called me today to check if I was alright and filled me with every detail of how you were constantly besides me and took care of everything. You could have left but you stayed.....I also wanted to apologize for my indifferent behavior since the last couple of days. I was too rude to you."

"I deserve that. The way I behaved, you have every right to stay upset. And about staying beside you or saving you...May be I am too selfish to leave you."

She looked at him with various questions in her eyes not understanding the implications behind his words.

"I made a grave mistake of avoiding and leaving you once Anna. I am not going to repeat that again. Because this time what I am saying is directly coming from my heart without any questions, reasons, hesitations or expectations."

He carefully held her hand that was laid in her lap making sure to not startle her again. He gently placed it on his chest above his heart to make her realize the truth behind his words.

"I won't leave you. Ever. It's a promise."