Chapter Eighteen

2 weeks had passed since Dylan had left. There had been only one call from him saying no one should worry but after that he never called.

Although he said everything was fine over there, Anna couldn't help but get worried. She was missing him she soon realized.

Anna had been doing her therapy diligently like a good student although, sometimes when she couldn't take it she would threaten Jason and he would immediately yield. They became quite close and she found out about his one year in prison, he had been driving recklessly and then destroyed a company farm worth millions…Anna couldn't help but tease him about it sometimes.

Although Jason had told her that she was making progress, she didn't believe him because she wasn't feeling any improvements so she decided to push herself harder.

"Don't tell me you are expecting to walk in just two weeks Anna, you need to give yourself a break" Jason said staring at the girl who was panting heavily.

"20 more" Anna said ignoring Jason, Jason rolled his eyes "You kids these days, always thinking you can do anything he sighed before standing up.

"You're calling me a kid when you're just eight years older than me" Anna scoffs making Jason chuckle.

"Go rest, even I am getting tired. Remember if you push yourself too hard....it won't end well" Jason patted her head before walking away.

Anna's hair that was tied into a bun loosened and it fell, covering her shoulders.

Feeling irritated Anna tied it back up "He thinks too lowly of me. tch!" Anna glared at Jason's back with a pout on her lips. She really knew she could do it but he thought too lowly of her.

Anna stared at her reflection in the mirror and sighed, it had been 2weeks since he called. She wondered if he was okay. She was beginning to worry about how much Dylan had been occupying her thoughts these past few days, she almost couldn't think of anyone or anything else, it kind of scared her.

Anna stared at her long hair and sighed again "You are making things harder for me" she said before reaching for the scissors in front of her.

Of course she has been considering this for a long time now so she had no problem with doing this.

It was not just cutting her hair for her, it was cutting off her past, cutting off all the pain from before. She would officially start afresh. Anna took a deep breath, stared at her long hair one last time before she began to cut.

....

After taking a shower, Anna felt refreshed and better than a few minutes ago.

After putting on her clothes she soon left for Dylan's house. It had become an everyday thing for her, after she was done with her exercises she would go spend the day with Sholana and Ella. She enjoyed spending time with them, Sholana had a lot of good stories sad she was like an older sister to her.

....

Anna smiled before knocking on the door, Li Chen was the first person she saw and he was carrying Ella in his arms.

Anna's eyes widened as she stared at the duo, Li Chen said he disliked children so why is he....now....maybe she was wrong but she noticed how he had been distancing himself from Ella so she assumed that he wasn't fond of kids.

"Uh.....Ella said she needed an assistant" Li Chen quickly said, although Anna could see how eased he looked, Something she hasn't seen since she met him.

"Serious Chen is my magic assistant" Ella said smiling brightly.

Li Chen stared at Anna with wide eyes.....he knew there was something different about her.

"You...." He couldn't even find words

"Holy Ella! What happened to your hair?!" Su Chen quickly ran out, he stared at Anna's hair intently before rubbing it.

Anna laughed at their shocked expressions, they were acting like she killed someone. Anna walked in and also got the same reaction from Sholana as well.

"Why....." Shola stared at the girl dumbstruck, what the hell!

"Aunty Anna....you look even cuter than before!" Ella said running her hands through Anna's now short length hair.

Her hair that reached her back before was now rested on her chin.

Anna smiled at the girl, "thank you Ella"

Su Chen continued staring, he couldn't take his eyes off "You look like a doll" He couldn't help but say. The hair framed her face perfectly, it made her big eyes look bigger…she looked more like an animated character than a person.

Anna glared at him, but she actually didn't care anyways. When had she ever cared about her looks.

"But this style, it just suits you perfectly Anna. It brings out your beauty" Shola said shooing Su Chen away.

Anna almost laughed out loud, 'beauty?'

"Y...yes Anna, you look gre....nice!" Li Chen said scratching an itch on his head that didn't exist. The tips of his ears turned red but fortunately no one noticed.

"Thank you Li Chen" Anna said before going straight for the kitchen. She felt happy about their reactions though, it meant she looked better, she also felt better, her confidence building….she couldn't help but wonder what Dylan would think of it.

Sholana made brunch, calling all of them to the dining room to eat.

.....

After eating to their fill, Anna and Shola went to the back garden while Su Chen and Ella decided to continue their magic practice.

Li Chen immediately left as he realized he couldn't stay in the same room with Anna without turning red like a tomato.

Anna stared at the flowers she had been taking care of for the past 2weeks and a smile appeared on her face, this was actually her favorite part of this house. Although the house was not as big as a mansion, the back garden was much bigger and spacious than the house itself.

While busy admiring the flowers, Anna noticed Shola sitting quietly in the corner, her smile was no longer there and her eyes showed worry.

"Are you thinking of Nathan?" Anna asked staying next to her, Shola nodded lightly but didn't say a word. Anna understood how she was feeling, who wouldn't be worried about something like this?

"You know what I'm most afraid of?" Shola suddenly asked, Anna shook her head slowly

"Losing him and also for Ella losing her father" Shola sighed, she wasn't sure what she would do if such a thing happened

"Nothing will happen don't worry"

Shola turned to face Anna, looking her in the eyes "That's what you think but, there's a chance Nathan will come here terribly injured or.....he could even be dead!"

CRASH!!

Both Anna and Shola got startled and quickly turned around.

"D...daddy is dead?" Ella asked with a shaky voice, there was a broken vase in front of her and her eyes were filled with tears.

Of course she knew what death was even at that age. It meant she could never see the person again.

"E...Ella, that's not what I meant..." Shola walked up to the girl holding her shoulders. Although she tried to console her, she was already crying and she soon walked away angrily.

"Ella" Shola sighed, she should have just kept her mouth shut.

"Ella wait!"

"Leave me alone, you are a liar! first you say daddy is dead now you say its not true?"

The girl stopped walking and turned around to glare at her mother "I thought you said daddy was going for business? why are you saying he is dead?...I want my daddy! call him and tell him to come right now!"