Knowing about her love - I

After the butler left, Anna stood up and said, "I think we should go inside. They must be waiting for us." She walked ahead with Regan following her behind in a daze. His mind still lingered over the mention of that 'someone' who she said was close to her heart.

Anna knew that he would need time to process her words and realize the truth behind them. She was really grateful to him for all that he silently did for her without realizing it. She wanted to lessen her guilt of constantly pushing and running away from him. She often noticed his scrutinizing gaze which held so many questions which she never intended to answer. However, she was thankful to him for being thoroughly collaborative with the merger, he even helped her with Mr. Benc. She remembered how he stood for her against him. His concern over her ailment or her wail did not go unnoticed by her. Today, he even gave an exclusive statement of them sharing a professional relationship only. She knew his methods and noted that it was unusual of him to do so but still he did. Now, how can she ignore it as she didn't know about him but the clarification meant a lot to her. However, she never responded to his advances, she could never deny that he has always been considerate and solicitous towards her and she truly appreciated his gestures and considered him as a good soul. She could not keep all these things in her little heart and wanted to vent out everything. So, she decided to talk to him with an open heart so that he may not get hurt by her closed nature as it was the last thing that she would ever wish for anyone around her. She was not much expressive about her thoughts or feelings but she had the urge to let him personally know that she did acknowledged his efforts.

They reached the living room together where everyone greeted them with a smile. Anna found some new faces sitting with Grace and Nathan. They were chatting leisurely.

"Hey Reg... How are you doing?" It was Drake. Regan's chain of thoughts was broken by his ever so energetic voice.

"Same as yesterday Drake." He rolled his eyes and answered. He decided to let go of this matter for a while. He then looked over to find Stella sitting with Grace. She came to him and hugged him. She then shifted her glance to Anna and smiled, "Is this Miss Anastasia aunt Grace?"

Grace nodded her head in a 'yes'. She went to Anna and engulfed her in a friendly hug. Anna was taken aback by it but managed to keep her calm. "It's so good to finally meet you Anastasia. We were just talking about you. I must say you have cast a spell over uncle Nathan and aunt Grace as they could not stop themselves from talking about you."

"Oh....." She turned crimson and was unable to say much after hearing her.

She chuckled at her response and said, "Well, let me first introduce myself Anastasia. I am Stella..... Stella Parker."

"My girlfriend." Drake came beside her and said cockily. She smacked his shoulder playfully and blushed.

"It's a pleasure to meet you and please call me Anna."

"Okay..... Anna it is then."

Stella and Drake were dating each other since an year and were much in love. She became a good friend of Regan too in a short period. She often visited Grace and Nathan and coincidentally today, they came to catch up as she returned after a month long trip to London. However she was surprised after hearing about Anna. Stella was quite loquacious. She and Anna instantly clicked due to her vibrant and easy going personality.

"I think my girlfriend is not going to leave your girl that soon. So stop gawking at her and let's have a seat." Drake bumped Regan's shoulder impishly and whispered in a low tone only for him to hear.

"Hmmm...."

The table was laid with a scrumptious dinner. There was Cobb Salad, Jerky, Fajitas, Chicken Fried Steak, Cioppino and Buffalo Wings with red and white wine. Anna took a brief look at the dinner table and was overwhelmed with the efforts made by Grace. As usual, Nathan sat on the headseat whereas Grace sat beside him on the right. Regan was seated opposite to her while Drake and Stella sat beside her. Anna was still looking for a chair to sit when Regan stood and took out a chair for her beside him.

"Anastasia please have a seat." She was about to oblige when they heard Stella.

"Anna..... Why don't you come here and sit with me and aunt Grace?"

"Okay..... If Drake doesn't mind."

"Of course not Anna. Please come."

Regan was dumbfounded on the sudden changes. He glared at Drake furiously on which he smiled sheepishly and 1shrugged his shoulders helplessly.

He sat beside Regan and said in a whisper, "I don't know why does she act so dumb sometimes? I am sorry Reg. I think she is too happy to find a new friend in your Anna and oblivious to your feelings... that's why she is unknowingly giving you a hard time."

Regan didn't reply him but his mind subconsciously halted on the two words that left his mouth. 'Your Anna', 'Mine?' He thought. Nothing sounded more perfect than it.....ever.

The dinner was going smoothly. The men were talking about business while the women were talking about random things. Anna shared about her involvement in various social activities which impressed them all.

"So Anna..... We all know about your love for painting as you have already showed us your skills. What else do you like to do? I mean owing to this project, you might have to travel frequently to Seattle. So you know... you can catch up with Stella and can do your favorite things together." It was Drake who asked this question out of the blue.

"Ummm..... Besides painting, I love to read and I sometimes play piano."

"Oh My! I am sorry Stella. You have nothing to share in common with your new friend. As you see Anna... her favorite pastime is shopping. She has nothing to do with art and literature." He said playfully and earned an angry glare from Stella while the others laughed heartily until Stella's eyes caught something.

"But you can spend your time with Regan then because he too loves to play piano since his childhood. He is a master in it." It was Nathan this time.

"Oh!" She said and glanced at Regan who was already looking at her. They shared a smile and resumed with the dinner.

Anna was about to pass the bowl of Buffalo Wings to Stella when she noticed something and her eyes gleamed in anticipation.

"Oh My My! Anna? " She squealed excitedly.

"Anna what's that on your finger? Is that a ring? Oh My God! Are you engaged?"

Anna was astounded on her unexpected question while the rest were shocked. Regan choked on his drink after hearing her and curiously looked at her finger which was indeed jewelled with a diamond ring.

He felt as if the world stopped around him. The question that was messing up with his heart and mind, which he was dying to ask her since they returned from the garden was about to be answered. He once again felt the same queasiness which perturbated his heart.