Bella's Choice (24 page)

Finally, he had had enough of her whining and interrupted her, “Do you know someone by the name of Anabella Anthony?” He couldn’t accuse the woman outright, so he had to ask subtly. That is, if his temperament would hold.

“The name sounds familiar, darling, but I cannot say that I do. Why?” she purred into the phone.

Someone had to have told her once that it was sexy, because she continued to talk in that manner. It always aggravated him no end.

“She is a swimmer, with the South African Olympic team.” He was abrupt.

“No, darling. I don’t watch sports. But forget about it. I want to see you today.”

“Not going to happen,” he growled softly, but instead asked, “Are you sure you don’t know her, or her father, Jason Anthony?”

“What is going on, darling, why all the questions? These names mean nothing to me,” she whined in his ear.

He sighed in relief. He knew her well enough to know that she couldn’t fabricate something like this; her selfish and self-centered ways had no room for anyone else, so he said his goodbye and disconnected the call.

Just then, his phone buzzed again and he answered it quickly. “Hi, Dad,” he greeted tiredly, brushing his hair back in frustration. The problem with it all was he still had no idea who was responsible for placing the letter in her room.

“Hi, Son. Listen, I need to see you today, as soon as possible.”

“Why, Dad?”

“It is in connection with Anabella.”

Aldrich frowned. “I can be at your place in half an hour.”

“Great. See you soon.”

They disconnected, and Aldrich jumped into the shower.

Twenty minutes later, he was on his way to his father’s house in Constantia, fifteen minutes drive from where he lived. He simply put his foot on the accelerator, and made it in ten. As it was Sunday morning, many people were still home, so it went quicker than the average morning traffic. As soon as he stopped, his father opened the door and welcomed him in. They hugged and walked straight to the kitchen where a prepared breakfast had been laid out at the kitchen table.

Aldrich could see the seriousness portrayed on his father’s face, had seen it since he’d arrived. He knew his father. Knew the relationship his father had with the Lord. When he acted and talked like this, it had to be important.

They ate in silence, and when they were done, Aldrich sat back and thanked his father for the pleasant meal. His father kept his rigid stance as he looked at him with concern etched on his face.

“Son, how serious are you about Anabella?”

“Very much. I asked her to be my wife, Dad, you know this.” He couldn’t help but feel cautious at his dad’s strange behavior. But nevertheless, he waited for him to explain.

“There is another man who’s interested in her, but his intent isn’t pure, and I feel she is in danger.”

Aldrich sat up straight and watched his father. Absolute shock was written all over his handsome features, his usually tanned skin, pale.

“Dad!”

His father held up his hand, stopping the flow of words he knew were about to rush out of him. “Money was exchanged, and I am afraid her parents might be a part of it.”

Shocked, he rose to his full height, the chair tipping halfway over before it returned to all four legs, but neither noticed it.

“Dad, I need to tell you about the threatening letters she’s received two days in a row.”

“What threatening letters?” Thomas asked, his face also a sickening pale color. It was always upsetting when he received word from the Lord, when it was confirmed, and the accuracy of it. He never knew if he should be happy, or fall on his face in pure humbleness. Since the time the Lord equipped him to listen to His voice, he’d been amazed―sometimes startled―when the facts and promptings concurred. Like right now. He gaped at his son in astonishment.

Aldrich told his father about the letters Anabella had received, and the wording the person used. His voice trembled under the strain. He had
to hold himself together for Anabella’s sake and be strong, although it rattled him more than he let on, but with his father, he could relax and let go of the bottled-up emotions. “Who would want to hurt her?” he asked when he was done, looking at his father with tear-filled eyes. “She’s an innocent, made a decision to turn her life around, and now this.”

“Tests are never easy, my son,” he said as he approached Aldrich, squeezing his shoulder. “You could have expected it. The law of attraction is working greatly to draw her into the lifestyle her parents live, and all of this just proves that she is under tremendous pressure. We need to pray for her safety, Son.” He smiled reassuringly at Aldrich; well he hoped he was as he felt shaky himself. Aldrich needed him now. He looked so vulnerable at that moment. His strong and in control son had lost it for a few seconds, but this was why he was here. To hold him up, and he couldn’t thank the Father enough for giving the timely word.

“Let us pray for protection for her and for you, and that these people will see the light.”

“Yes, Dad, thank you,” he said softly as he wiped the tears from his eyes, doing his best to be in control once again.

They prayed for the better part of the morning, and when Aldrich left he felt better. Relieved that whatever this was, it wouldn’t come to its fulfillment. He would see her tonight, and they would have a serious talk.

He had an urgency to get married as soon as possible, because then he could protect her. This only confirmed that they belonged together. He couldn’t forget the words
Roy had uttered at the airport. He had to keep her safe, and the only way would be to take her out of that house and provide a safe haven.

Anabella was getting ready for the party when her mother knocked on the door and walked into her room smiling.

“Honey, are you ready, the guests are here.”

Anabella couldn’t help feeling uneasy about her mother’s sudden change since her return, and tried hard to dismiss the uncomfortable feelings she experienced when her mother ventured close. She wasn’t looking forward to the afternoon’s party, and had no idea what to expect. The last time any birthday party had been given to one of them was when she was eight years old. Since then, nothing.

Her mother looked very classy in a pair of black slacks, and white lace top. Her long hair was pinned up on her head, except for a few wisps hanging around her face; she looked younger and beautiful to Anabella. Her mother had always been an attractive woman, but time had left its mark on her. Her once flawless skin was now hard from all the makeovers and unnecessary thick makeup.

“Yes, Mother.” She looked at herself in the full-length mirror. Her makeup was done to perfection, highlighting her green eyes and high cheekbones. She planned to make an early exit so that she could meet Aldrich at his place. He was taking her to watch a new movie at the mall. The black pants suited her tall, slender frame, and the red tank top she had chosen showed just enough cleavage not to be shameful. Her long hair sat high on her head in a ponytail, her favorite style. It swept behind her as she turned around. With it, she chose silver jewelry to compliment the outfit. The small hoops in her ears moved slightly as she followed her mother out of the room.

“You look beautiful, honey,” Sandra said as they walked to the stairs, which spiraled down to the guests she could clearly hear. Lively chatter filtered through the air. A man’s deep laugh was floating upstairs. A woman’s shrill voice sounded excited as she stifled a laugh.

“Thank you, Mother.” she replied, and looked down at the people standing around in the foyer. Her father was the centre of attention, and the man she’d met when she got home from the airport stood at the bottom of the stairs looking up, watching her as she and her mother descended. Briefly, their eyes met before she looked away, aware of the man’s eyes raking over her body, and a smile of approval playing over his face.

The moment she stepped onto the tiled floor, she greeted him. He nodded with a huge grin on his face. The smile on his face told her that she was on the menu and a shiver ran down her spine. The idea flustered her, but she had no time to think about it too much. Her father, Roy, and Derek came to meet her, all looking handsome in their semi-casual clothing. For some reason all five in the family had chosen black pants, the only difference being their shirts. She welcomed the effort they had all made.

“Ah, here is my stunning daughter,” her father announced to no one in particular.

Everyone looked at her with mixed emotions on their faces; men with interest, and women with jealousy hidden behind make-believe smiles. One woman, especially, drew her attention. She was shorter than most women there and very blond, and the glare she gave Anabella was one of disdain and hate. Stunned, she looked at her. She knew for a fact she didn’t know the woman, but the woman’s animosity was apparent toward her as she clutched her father’s arm.

“Honey, this is Chaney,” her father introduced, and the woman smiled sweetly up at Anabella.

All, of course, a show, and in an even sweeter voice she said, “She is beautiful, Jason.”

Her father grinned as she trailed a finger down his arm, latching her fingers in his.

With absolute self-control, Anabella watched the woman, annoyed at her clutching behavior. She wanted to rip her hands away, but thought better of it. If her mother said nothing and her father was okay with it, who was she to say anything?

“Hi, Chaney,” she greeted, her smile forced, but the woman’s attention was again with her father. She sighed.

“Come, darling,” her mother called, pushing her subtly in the direction of the dining room.

They walked in, where more unfamiliar people were already seated. André held out a chair for her, smiling, and when he helped her to sit down, he promptly sat down next to her. His thigh brushed against hers, but she moved slightly away from him. He unnerved her completely. She couldn’t understand the man’s interest in her. His constant attention had been creepy from the start, now it had intensified and she wished she could get out of there. His face was familiar, yet she couldn’t place him.

His burning, lustful eyes were fixed on her, undressing her and with a grin on his face, as if he had a plate of food in front of him, he spoke to her.

“You look beautiful, Anabella.”

“Thank you, sir,” she replied.

His voice was familiar. She raked her brain, tried desperately to remember the man who obviously knew her very well. She took every detail in, his smell, which wasn’t too bad considering, and his appearance. Nothing rang a bell except for his behavior.

Her eyes met her brothers’, who were mostly obscured by the arrangement of red roses in front of her; they had a strange look on their faces. Their bodies were tense, and their eyes wide. They were trying to get her attention, eyes darting between her and the man next to her while they mouthed something in her direction. For a fleeting moment, it looked like warning signs, but she couldn’t be sure.
Are they trying to warn me?

Her mother appeared between them just before she could react. She was making sure that Anabella didn’t give them her attention. Maybe she was being over-sensitive. After the phone call, she had been very distracted, struggling to concentrate on one conversation. Aldrich had said that she had to be alert at all times, but there were so many things to watch for at the same time. He had demanded that she not go anywhere alone throughout the course of the evening. Once again, he’d offered to come, but she stopped him and said it was unnecessary. She couldn’t tell him that her parents didn’t want him there, something she was still riled up about it.

She’d been shocked at her mother’s boldness that morning. After her practice, she had stepped into the kitchen where Sandra cornered her about her friend. She told Anabella that the relationship was unacceptable to them, and that she had to forget about him.

Her mother knew nothing about Aldrich, and yet condemned him as her friend. She loved him, he was everything she’d ever wanted in a man. Not being able to see him again would shatter her. She tried to defend him, but her mother had shut her down every time she said something. Afterward, she’d had a long cry in her room.

Catering staff carried food in, delicious smells filled the spacious dining room, and she looked around the table at every one who was invited. Not knowing them, she watched with interest as they talked amongst themselves. They were all in good spirits, the tone animated and filled with an energy she enjoyed. This was the first time she was really meeting her parents’ friends, that she was dining with them even, and she found it fascinating. She could have enjoyed it entirely except for the man next to her, whose hand brushed up her shoulder every time he spoke to the person on the other side of her. He could have spoken to the woman next to him, who had tried very hard to capture his attention, but no, he had chosen to speak with the man to her left. This caused the proximity of their bodies to be too close for comfort. The closeness unsettled her and put her on edge.