The grand celebration - II

"Anna..... It's really beautiful dear. Thank you so much. You have not only painted us but also displayed our emotions for each other that can be seen through our eyes. You really need to know the meaning of love to fathom these sentiments. So, how do you.....? I mean have you been in love? Nathan asked curiously.

At the same time, Anna's phone rang. It was Emily. She thanked her in her heart and excused herself from there. Richard knew her state of mind and decided to let her be on her own to recollect herself while they all continued with their conversation.

She walked ahead in a daze and picked up Emily's call. But before she could speak anything, Anna cut her in and said,

"Em, can I speak to you after a while? I'll call you okay." Her voice cracked.

Emily understood that something was wrong with her. She anxiously asked her,

"Baby girl are you okay? Did something happen?"

"Em, nothing to worry about. I'll call you later." She disconnected the call and went straight to the restroom.

She stood there in front of the large mirror gazing at her reflection in a stupor. How could she not understand the love she saw in their eyes for it was the only thing that changed her entire self. Though he was not with her physically, she could still feel his presence all around her because their souls were connected. That's why she was unable to apart herself from him even after three years. Of course she knew the meaning of love that changed her life for she had experienced it herself... the pleasure of being loved by someone, the agony of separation and the distress thenafter. Yes, she loved him and still loves him with every breathe she takes because loving him was inevitable for her like breathing. Her head was hung down and her eyes welled up with tears. She didn't want people to see her vulnerability. She stayed there for some time. After recollecting herself, she splashed some water on her face and decided to go out to face everyone with the strong facade that she always carried, suppressing her broken self within.

Meanwhile, Regan too excused himself as soon as Anna went away to receive the call. There was an unuttered discomfort in his heart. He could not even bring himself to think about her answer. He was unable to understand the foreign feelings emerging in his heart. So, he went to the bar for a drink in order to distract himself.

After a while, she went back to Richard who was standing at a corner. He kissed her forehead and asked worryingly, "Princess are you okay? "

She nodded her head with a fake smile, "I am fine dad, don't worry."

At the same moment, they heard someone speaking from the stage. They went near it to have a closer look... It was Nathan who was holding a mike in one hand and a glass of wine in the other with Grace standing beside him...

"Ladies and gentlemen...

We feel grateful to all of you for your presence. Thank you everyone for your warm wishes on the special occasion of our anniversary. But it's not the only reason of this grand celebration."

He took a pause and his eyes searched through the crowd for Regan...

"Ah! There he is. Regan, my boy, please come here....."

Regan was sipping his wine when he was called on the stage. He stood up and immediately went to stand beside his father. Nathan continued proudly...

"Over these years, Knights Corporation has been advancing tremendously due to my son. Now, the Knights are going to establish their new chains of the most luxurious hotels in New York in partnership with the Watson Corporation of New York."

There was an uproar amongst the crowd with the announcement as everyone present over there knew about the fame and power of both the business houses. Nathan handed over the mike to Regan so that he could proceed further.....

"Good evening everyone....." He addressed all in his deep, confident voice.

"Apart from the celebration, this party is also meant for the official collaboration of the Knights and Watsons for their new venture. I would like to invite Miss Anastasia Prescott for signing the papers of the merger and to make it official."

Anastasia was caught off-guard with the sudden announcement of her name. She looked at Richard to which he simply nodded his head in approval. She went ahead to join Regan on the stage. When he laid his eyes on her, his feet involuntarily made their way towards her. He went to the edge of the stage and extended his hand for her to hold. She was baffled at his gesture.

She looked into his eyes and he felt that everything around him just stopped. He could see the hesitation in her eyes..... Then he heard her saying his name.

"Regan"

"Anastasia" It was his way of assuring her that he knew what he was doing.

Hearing the firmness in his voice, she subconsciously put her hand in his and went with him. She could feel the warmth of his hand passing through her cold one which put her doubts and uneasiness at bay.

She was standing beside him when he spoke again...

"It's an honour and pleasure for the Knights to collaborate with the Watsons. We are really looking forward to the venture and persevere our dreams together."

He then passed a pen to her to sign the final agreement. She took it and signed it off. The crowd erupted into a cheerful applaud congratulating them. It was a pleasant surprise for the media also as they were unknown about the biggest news of the business world. They swarmed the stage and pried onto them for more details regarding the merger. Because Anna always maintained a low profile and never directly interacted with the media before due to her distant nature, she felt agitated. But, she felt her heart at ease as Regan was with her who handled the media and their questions with ease.

"Okay then, that will be all for today. No more questions please as you can see it's also a private party of the Knights." Regan's assistant Nolan Hyde concluded the interrogation and came forward to escort them away from the media.

They were about to get off the stage when a journalist requested them to pose for a picture as the new business partners of the town. Nolan was about to turn down the request when he heard Regan.

"Sure"

Everyone present there was stunned as it was quiet unusual of him to accept such requests.

Meanwhile, Anna was perplexed at the sudden request and couldn't say anything. She was fiddling with her fingers thinking about the ways to deny them when Regan whispered in her ear,

"Relax Anastasia..... They are not going to kill you. It's just a picture." His close proximity sent shivers down her spine. She looked up to see him but his gaze was already fixed on her taking in her every action. They were looking into each others eyes when they heard the clicking sound of cameras. They simultaneously turned around and saw people smiling at them. Regan cleared his throat and said, "Can we?" She nodded a 'yes' and they posed for a picture.

On one hand Grace and Nathan were stupefied at Regan's all so gentle behaviour with Anna as he never showed any interest or his chivalrous side to any woman before and that too in business as he possessed an aloof and cold aura around him other than his family while on the other hand Richard was amused as he saw Anna getting comfortable with the Knights, specially with Regan who was nothing like he thought about him. He felt contented and positive for her being with Regan.

As soon as they get off the stage, they were congratulated and commended by various people. Anna was already exhausted when she heard an another announcement by the host which made her understood that the night was going to be too long for her liking.