Bella's Choice (30 page)

When the session came to an end, Anabella promised the counselor that she would see her more as her schedule allowed. The issue of forgiveness was a hard pill to swallow.

Mrs. Smit excused herself and left, leaving the two alone.

For a while, they just sat there staring out the huge windows that framed the manicured gardens, holding hands as each worked through the episode in order to find closure, their thoughts in turmoil.

Anabella watched Aldrich. He was bent over, staring at the carpet. She knew this had affected him deeply. His face betrayed his guilt, and she kissed him softly on the cheek. “This was not you fault, Aldi.”

He looked at her, his blue eyes dark with emotion playing behind them.

She gave him a reassuring smile. “You aren’t to blame. My parents were the culprits. They knew what they were doing, so they are the ones who must carry the blame. I think I even expected what happened from them, although I didn’t want to think about it at the time.” She shuddered as years of memories flooded her mind. They hadn’t once had any consideration for her or her brothers, or what this could do to them. They must account for their actions, after all, this was their doing. She refused to allow Aldrich to be dragged into it, refused to allow him to feel guilty for things he couldn’t prevent and were out of his control.

“This was not your fault,” she whispered again, closer this time, leaning in to assure him of her own feelings.

He hugged her fiercely. “Bella, I have never been as scared in my life as I was last night. Maybe it isn’t something a man should admit, but the ordeal shook me into reality. I cannot understand what your parents were thinking. I was never brought up in that manner, but I want to assure you that I love you very much, and that I will protect you no matter what. You know this, yes?”

“Yes, love, I know this. I have no doubts about us. I love you so much, you are my whole life,” she declared.

Holding her hands he asked, “When do classes start?”

“I think the twenty-fifth of February, why?”

“And you don’t want to go home, right?”

“No, never,” she replied shaking her head.

“And your next meet?”

“The beginning of February, the Midmar mile,” she answered, still in the dark.

“I’d like you to come to my home, all right? Tomorrow, when you are up to it, I will take you to my beach house. There is an Olympic size pool you can practice in. We will have to get you some clothes as well.” He gave her the most beautiful of smiles.

“Oh, Aldi, you are so good to me.”

“That’s because I care.” He placed a delicate kiss on her forehead.

At first, it used to frustrate her when he did that, but now she accepted it as a sign of his affection and devotion to her.

“You are really okay with all of this?”

“None of this was your fault, sweetheart, so of course I am. Don’t ever doubt my feelings for you.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I love you, you are my life, and I am not planning on going anywhere.”

She nodded, and he kissed her briefly on the lips, letting it linger. Slowly, she parted her lips inviting him to deepen the kiss.

When he finally let go, he smiled at her still closed eyes. She was living in the kiss’ moment, savoring it. He cleared his throat while enjoying the sight, knowing that if he didn’t stop now they could be seriously embarrassed. As if in slow motion, she opened her eyes and then smiled dazzlingly.

“There you are, my sunshine,” his gentle voice filled with love, and dimples appeared on her cheeks.

“Hi.”

They both chuckled as he let her go.

“Your brothers brought your car back, it’s parked in Mr. Richter’s garage.”

“My brothers?”

“Yes, they told us what happened last night; they were really concerned about you and the mess your parents created. They also told us that they moved out of the house last night.”

“Really?” Again her eyes flooded with tears thinking about her brothers, because just like her they had a lot of scars, too. They had been sucked into that world, and had been a part of it for a long time. She believed they had enjoyed it at first. What young teenage boy wouldn’t love to have the opportunities they had? Having inhibited sex with your parents’ blessing was a dream come true, but it had affected them nevertheless. The things they had learned and done would always be with them. She wondered if they’d continue to partake in the lifestyle they grew up with and participated in. She had no idea. But the mere fact that they were finally away from the oppressive hold was a major breakthrough, and now they could make their own choices and move forward.

“Yes, they did.”

“I will call them tomorrow and talk to them. Can we go now, Aldi? I am so tired,” she said, trying to stifle a yawn.

“Yes. The doctor has given you a prescription. I have it with me. We can pick it up on our way. Let’s say goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Richter. Seeing as they haven’t slept, they could surely enjoy a quiet evening.”

With that, they stood and walked to the kitchen leisurely with Aldrich supporting her every step of the way. They found the older couple reading the newspaper while the late afternoon sun streamed in.

Anabella walked to them where they were seated at the table, and when they noticed her, stood up. She couldn’t help herself as a lump formed in her throat, her admiration for them both reflected in her eyes as she held their hands and said softly, “You are the parents I never had. I learned to be responsible just by watching you. The influence you have had on my life is something I can never repay. I love you both so much. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being there for me, for being the people I could run to when I needed love, when I needed to be cared for, and for the being the people who always made me feel safe.” Anabella held them close, crying and kissing them both on their cheeks. The moment was filled with appreciation and gratefulness.

Aldrich stood back, allowing them this time, knowing he would do all to help this couple with whatever they might need.

Mr. and Mrs. Richter were speechless by her words as unhindered tears rolled down their faces. This acknowledgment from her meant much to them. They each returned her kiss before they released her, walking with her to the door.

“You and Aldrich are always welcome in our home, Anabella, never forget that,” the older man finally said.

She couldn’t help but give them one last quick hug before they left.

The Richter’s watched as Aldrich picked her up and placed her in his car, the tenderness he showed toward her comforting to their own hearts.

With one last wave, the BMW sped away toward the city. Afterward, Mr. Richter held his wife in his arms and comforted her as she allowed the tears to roll down her face. Anabella’s words had buried themselves deep in their hearts.

When they arrived at his house, he accompanied her to the spare bedroom, helped her to get comfortable on the bed, made sure the curtains were drawn, and gave her something for the pain. Gently kissing her, he moved away when she stopped him.

“Don’t leave me, please.” Fear was visible in the emerald depths as she stared at him, only now showing how she really felt. She was badly shaken and until now had covered it with smiles. Now that they were alone, however, it just wasn’t possible. She needed his assurance and his comfort.

“I’m not leaving you, Bella, but I do need to make a quick phone call, take a shower, and then I promise I will return as soon as I’m done, all right?”

She nodded and relaxed against the soft mattress, dozing off almost instantly, yet still aware of his movements in the apartment. Until, that is, she fell into a deep sleep.

The minute André stepped into the sports club he frequently visited―already unsteady on his feet―he saw a young woman sitting at a table with a few people he knew. The woman was familiar, but he couldn’t place her. Sure that this was something he could rectify, he stumbled on, greeting the many familiar faces. There wasn’t a woman in the club he hadn’t had a fling with over the years, he usually tried them all.

This blond was new to the club and maybe he could forget his sorrows between her ample breasts.

“Come join us!” the young man called the moment he noticed him, waving for him to come to the same table where the blond sat.

“Hi,
Leon!” he called out in a slurred voice and staggered to the table, and upon losing his balance he landed on top of the blond.

She frowned in displeasure over this unknown klutz and then something about him registered. It was the man who had been on her mind constantly since they’d bumped into each other that morning.

“André, meet my sister, Annie. She is visiting from Gauteng.”

“Please to meet you, Annie,” he said, and then frowned. Why did she seem so familiar? His mind was in a fog after his failed meeting with Thomas, after which he’d gone back to his office where he calmed himself down by drinking the rest of day away.

“Come, let me help you,” Leon suggested, pulling a chair closer.

He plopped into the plush seat.

Everyone started talking at the same time, ordering more drinks. He couldn’t help but notice that the young woman watched him warily before she said, “You don’t remember me, do you?”

“No, sorry, but I don’t,” he answered coyly, his eyes raking over her body, taking in every detail with appreciation. “But we can remedy that,” he said lewdly.

“I’m not that kind of woman, Mr. Herbst.” Annoyance painted her voice in irritation.

“Oh, really?” He raised a brow with a smug smirk. He was not used to women who refused him. “What kind are you, then?”

“The kind you aren’t used to,” she emphasized very clearly, and then turned to answer a question someone else asked her.

He had just been dismissed, as if he were a young kid. André had to admit that he was intrigued. Not many women resisted him, excluding Anabella Anthony, and his face paled. Uncomfortably, he cleared his throat. Phasing out the rest of the conversation, he shifted in his chair and took a gulp of the golden liquid from the glass before him, placed there by the waiter only moments ago.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, her attention now back on him.

Her eyes were filled with intelligence and care, the third time he’d seen that from someone that day. The crease on his forehead deepened and then it hit him; she was the woman he had bumped into in front of Hagin Construction. He took another sip and stared at her, suddenly agitated with all of this. “Are you following me?”

“No, Mr. Herbst, you bumped into me, remember?”

“Yes, of course, how rude of me. Did I apologize?”

“You did.” She took a sip from her sweating glass.

It had to be a soft drink, because he didn’t smell alcohol on her breath as they were seated right next to each other. He grinned as she continued.

“But, I see you are not yourself.”

“Stop interrogating the man, Annie,”
Leon interrupted.

“Of course,” she said and sat back, a soft smile playing on her youthful face.

She was a beauty all right, and he leaned forward, intrigued. “So, what would it cost me to make you the kind of woman I like?”

She flushed with anger. “Excuse me, Mr. Herbst, but I think your remark is way out of line.” She picked up her glass and left the table. He chuckled softly, taking another sip as he watched her swaying hips in the white pants.