Friends!

When Regan's eyes landed on Anna, his heart filled with warmth at the sight. She was holding a baby in her arms and talking to him animatedly. The edge of his lips instinctively curled up. He instantly reached her in a few strides when she was still playing with the baby unknown to his presence behind her.

"Anastasia?"

"Regan? Did you finish your prayer?"

"Hmmm... So shall we leave now?"

"Yeah" She kissed the baby's forehead and handed him to his mother and said, "He's such a sweetheart."

"Oh! Thank you." The lady chortled and then turned to Regan, "Seems like you don't have kids yet. I am sure your wife will be an amazing mother to your kids. You make a lovely couple." She winked and left them without even glancing back.

On one hand, Anna was mortified by her words. Before she could correct her, she left and Anna's face turned crimson at the mere thought of her describing them as a couple. She didn't understand where did it come from but she could not meet Regan's eyes and constantly looked down to avoid any eye contact with him.

On the other hand, Regan could not stop himself from grinning broadly at the lady's words. 'Wife', 'Baby'..... The words sounded so appealing to his ears. However, he noticed Anna being flushed with embarrassment and felt himself falling for her even more.

It was obviously awkward later on. The car ride back to Watson Corp was awfully silent for Regan's liking. Nevertheless, he could not wipe the constant smile that lighted up his face and kept stealing frequent glances at Anna. She didn't know what to say or do after the weird incident, so she kept her gaze outside the window.

When they reached the Watson Corp, Richard greeted them both. Anna immediately went to him and asked anxiously, "Dad? You are still here? Everything okay? You should have gone home by now."

"I was caught up in some work Anna. I was just leaving. Anyways, how were your meetings? Did you finalize something?"

"Not yet, but we would talk about it and let you know." Regan answered him instead.

Richard nodded in understanding and then as if he remembered something, he turned to Anna and asked, "Princess... did you invite Regan for the party?"

"Ummm... No dad. I think Jack said only family and friends so..." She whispered. Regan was perplexed about what they were talking.

"Of course he is a friend princess, and friends are no less than family." She looked at him questioningly.

"Regan....Son, I am sorry for this. Actually, we are having a baby shower party for Emily and you being a good friend of Anna are also invited. It's tomorrow and you have to come."

"Sure Richard." He readily accepted it. Richard immediately left after the little conversation leaving Anna in an awkward situation again.

'What is it with everyone today? First that lady and now dad. I think I would die in embarrassment.' She thought.

"Don't worry Anastasia. I would not let you die. " Regan said in an amused tone.

"Huh? Did I say that loud?"

"Indeed" Regan said and the whole passage echoed with his carefree laughter. Anna didn't know where to hide her face. She instantly covered her face with her palms and mumbled, "It's so embarrassing. I am sorry for earlier and about what dad said. I really am. Please don't get offended by all of this."

Regan stopped laughing and looked at her with a loving gaze. "Can you be more cute?" He asked and took away her hands in his to look at her face which turned beetroot by now.

"Anastasia, look at me." He commanded softly.

When she looked at him, he said, "I don't know about the lady at the church but I agree with Richard. Certainly the bond we share is not just professional. Indeed we have become friends without us realizing it. Don't you think so?"

Once again, it was hard for her to comprehend his words and she bit her bottom lip. She was amused on hearing him as she thought he would never like such things and statements for she was aware of his ways in business. He never liked to derange his professional relations with his personal life. 'So now what has changed?' She thought.

As if he could understand her unsaid words, he continued, "Don't stress yourself. I can never get offended by you. I know...I have said before that I don't muddle my professional and personal life and I still believe in it. But with you it's different Anastasia.... from the beginning. The way we met was different. You saved my father's life and then.... everything else. Don't you agree?"

She nodded her head.

"So?"

"So?"

"What do you say? Are we friends?"

She thought about what he said. Definitely it was all different and the bond and trust they shared was more than professional. She wanted to deny him but the way he talked and made her understand everything, she couldn't. She was always an introvert and after Ashton's demise, she was never into making friends or even socializing, but with Regan, everything was different, just like he said. She couldn't find out a certain term to define what they share in between, so she eventually accepted it.

"Yes, we are." She said in a low trembling voice and released the breath that she was holding without knowing.

Regan grinned on hearing her and said, "Finally! Anyways it's late and we should leave now."

"Okay... but can you leave my hand please?" He looked down and noticed her small hands in his. The mere thought of leaving them was unsettling for him. Nevertheless, he released them but instantly missed the warmth.

"So.... Ummm... See you at the party tomorrow." He nodded and she left.

Regan drove back to his penthouse but his mind was occupied with her thoughts. He recalled the first time when he held her hands and how she roughly pulled them from his grip. But today, he felt something changed. She unknowingly let him held her hand. It showed that indeed they came a long way from where they started and now, how their relationship became better which filled his heart with indescribable pleasure and aspiration.

When he reached his penthouse, it was already illuminated and he easily guessed about the uninvited guest.

"Hey buddy! Welcome to my new place."

"Welcome buddy? Did you get hit by a rock on your head or someone beat your arse Reg.....?"

"What?"

"Of course, you being all so sweet without your smart mouth. It's amusing."

"May be because I am in a good mood?" He went to the mini bar to fetch himself a drink. "Would you like some?"

"Anything light will do."

"Hmmm....."

"Well then... may I know the reason of your good mood?"

"I don't think its hard for you to guess." Regan passed the drink to Drake and went to the large French window near the bar which gave him the glimpse of the city, illuminated with several lights like his heart.

"Anna?" Drake asked.

"Who else could be?" He was still looking outside, holding a drink in one hand and the other tucked in his pocket.

"What about her?"

He sighed and said, "It has been a very long day for me. I never thought it would end like this, making me feel so happy, especially when it started with something horrible... atleast for me. You remember? You told me to give it a shot, to listen my heart for once." He turned around and asked.

"I do.

"I did that today. I realized something and it hit me hard. I realized that I was fighting and running away from something which was never in my control. I was fighting with my feelings for Anna. Since the day, she came into my life.... there was a constant conflict between my heart and mind about her. But I guess.... my heart win this time and I have no regrets about it. Not anymore."

"Reg..... What are you saying? You know it's not..."

"I have fallen for her Drake." He said with a smile. "I know it's crazy. The person who never believed in love and all, considered it a bullshitt...I don't know when? where? how? I.....I just feel its right. I am irrevocably in love with Anna."

Drake's eyes widened at his confession and all he could utter after listening him was a few words which shocked Regan.

"Back off Regan. Leave her."