Chapter 84: Anna (Family)

Honestly, it actually is." June replied with head bowed. 

"What happened to her baby?" Simon asked Anna.

"She lost him. The baby came with a congenital anomaly and was small for date as well. I think there was more that she didn't want to let me in on it. It was a real struggle for her. But I'm glad she walked through it like a true queen that she is." Anna added. 

"I'm happy for her as well." Said June.

"How are you here at Acubana?" Simon asked turning to June. "You should be preoccupied with your wedding preparations." He added.

"Oh please." June started. "I'm not the first to ever have a wedding and I'm not going to be the last. I can't kill myself over a wedding ceremony that won't last more than few hours. I didn't bargain for that." June replied with a charming smile.

"I know right." Anna cut in smiling. "Just try to run through all preparations so far. Just to be sure there won't be any surprises on Saturday. You still have a couple of days. Just have them put you up to date with the preparations. You don't need to stress yourself to get the details." Anna told her.

"Uhmm, I think that's a great idea. I will do just that." June replied picking up her phone which was already blowing up with calls. "I need to pick this." She said looking at her siblings. "I'll be right back." 

June walked out of the sitting room to pick her call while Anna turned to her brother to ask the question that have been bothering her for a while now. Simon had told her that he wanted to get help with his addiction and had also confessed that Paige was making it easier for him to beat it but since he said this, she's been wondering a lot within herself and she felt she can at least open up, now that she has the opportunity. Cause she might only get to see him again during June's wedding and maybe briefly after.

"Can I ask you something brother?" She asked adjusting in her seat.

"I'm all ears." Simon replied finally dropping his phone.

"I don't mean to intrude nor do I mean to be rude. But I'm just curious and that is only because I care about you so much." She said. "When you said Paige's presence was helping with your addiction, you meant it right?" Anna asked.

"Every word of it." He replied looking straight at his sister.

"How? I've been thinking about it so much and it's not making sense to me. How does she help you. Paige is your employee and you barely know her. How do you become so dependent on someone that much?" She asked in need of an answer.

"I don't even know Na." He replied. "I can't explain it. Most times if I try to think about it, I feel so strange. I can't help but ask myself what the hell I'm doing. I am attracted to her in every way. Her presence alone is enough for me." He concluded.

"Why don't you tell her?" Anna asked worried. Let her know exactly how you feel Si. She might not really understand how she makes you feel. Tell her the things you've done for her. Let her know the extra mile you've gone just to ensure her safety. She need to know." Anna stated.

"She never asked me to do anything for her. Telling her all these might make her feel that I'm trying to blackmail her into a relationship with me and I wouldn't want that. If Tedson is the one she want, then I should respect her choice and decision. If I really love her, I will respect her decision." Simon told his sister who couldn't hide her shock. To Anna, Simon was making no sense at all. Frankie is not in any way a suitable choice for Paige. She remembered Gracia's encounter with Frankie and she shivered in fear. It finally dawned on her that Paige was willingly stepping into the lion's den.

"If you truly love her like you claim, you should fight for her." She told Simon. "You do realize that Frankie isn't such a nice person judging from Gracia's experience with him, don't you?" She asked. "Si, I'm not saying that he will behave the same way towards Paige." She added not giving him the chance to reply her previous question. "All I'm saying is judging from Gracia's experience, Frankie is not so good with relationships. Though Gracia was a long time ago, we know all that. But, Paige need to be careful. We need to tell her about Gracia at least. Don't we owe her that?" Anna asked with a confused look.

"Na, we shouldn't interfere in her relationship, that is if they are in one. Paige isn't a baby and I promise to keep a close eye on her and interfere only if there is a need to." He replied.

Anna nodded in agreement. It was okay that he was keeping an eye on Paige. She wouldn't be able to bear it if any hurt came upon her. This was because Paige was no doubt a very nice person and she can't imagine what her brother's fate will be if anything happened to Paige. "How are you? Really, how are you coping? Did you finally get a therapist." She asked in a hushed tone.

"I've been doing great. I've been practicing abstinence since the last week of last month." He said shrugging. "It's been a bit easy with a loved one like Paige around. But last night was the worst night I've ever had since then." He confessed unashamedly. Baring himself to his younger sister who have been almost everything for him since the first day she entered the world. "The sleepless night was severe. The incessant urge, the need for a feel of Euphoria, the body weakness and others that I can't seem to remember to add." Simon said. "Everything came at once. It was hell for me. But I pulled through. So, that should be a good sign." 

Anna held her brother's hand with worry lines written all over her face. "I do not know exactly how you feel, nor what you are going through and I can't even pretend that I understand your pain and your struggle. But I'm just happy that you have us, your whole family and we'll never let you bear the burden alone." She said almost in a whisper. "I love you Simon and I will always be there for you. No matter what." She reassured him squeezing his hands gently. "You are not just my brother, you are my best friend and you've been there for me since I can remember. I know you can do whatever you set your mind to and I can't wait to see how far you can go to achieve your dream brother." Anna added with a weak smile..

"I'll be fine Na." Simon started, patting her on the shoulder. "I'm having my first therapy session today." He said with a short laugh. "I don't know what it's going to look like. But I really want to do this."

"Let me come to Galvile with you." She pleaded. "You need to be close to your loved ones. You don't have to do this alone. Let me come with you and keep you company." 

"I'll be fine. The fire fighter you reported me to insisted on coming around on Wednesday." He said with a genuine smile. "I thought you didn't like Aunt Bridget. How come you reached out to her?" He asked.

"Oh well," she started with a funny laughter. "Your Aunt is one hell of a human. I just wanted to be sure that you were okay and I know how much the both of you love and respect each other. She literally insulted me indirectly when I called her. Not like I wasn't expecting it though but damn, she's got a rotten mouth." Anna complained.

"I'm sorry you have to go through that." Aunt Bridget is like that no doubt. But most times, she doesn't mean it. It's always a defense mechanism for her." Simon reassured Anna.

"I really don't care. It's not like our paths will be crossing everyday." Anna replied. "If she's coming on a Wednesday, then I can come with you today. I'll leave once she arrive. Si, I'm not taking no for an answer. Where are you going from here?" She asked.

"Oceanview for my session and the ranch later." He replied.

"That's great then. I'll be at the ranch by evening. I'll just quickly make some calls and some arrangement for my absence." She told him.

"What about Emily? Is she going to stay alone? You need to stay back Na. I'll be fine. Do not worry." He reassured her. "Just stay back and take care of Emily. We don't want her getting worried and imagining the worst. I'll be fine."

Just as Anna was about to say something, June walked in on them shouting on top of her voice.