Billionaire's Regret
Chapter 17:

Aaron stood on his porch just watching as Annie and the boys disappear through the woods. His very instinct was to follow but he was uncertain as why. The throbbing headache just behind his eyes was driving him crazy. He needs to reach

out to someone but he doesn't know who.

Reaching into his pocket to retrieve his phone. He quickly searched for her number and dialed with his heart in his throat.

"Hello," the soft voice suddenly pulls on his heartstrings.

"Annie..."

"Is something wrong?"

"Did you left already?"

"What's going on Aaron?"

"I am not sure. I know we had a verbal agreement but do you mind listening as a friend?"

"Do you want me to come back?" she asks uncertain.

"If you don't mind,"

"Okay," the line went dead.

Aaron went into the mansion. He suddenly looks around the place. It was clear there were no woman here for a very long time. The thought suddenly made him stood motionless.

"Where did that idea come from? I never took women to any of my homes." He said out loud.

The sudden brief knock made him turn around. He quickly moves to switch on a light before opening the door. A kind of physical shock went through his body. He quickly and vividly remembers touching her body just after the accident. He suddenly recalls how skinny she also felt.

"Hi Annie," he holds the door wider. Now very surprise he realized she wasn't alone. The little boy managed to make him invisible behind her.

"I hope you don't mind. I couldn't let him go alone on the boat with Ricky."

"No come in." he found himself looking curiously at the boy who looks right into his eyes. He senses a kind of challenge. The boy slipped his little hand into Annie's. "Are you hungry?"

"We are." Annie brushes over his head.

"Good." Aaron watches every gesture. It keeps making him remember his Mom doing that until the last day in hospital. The very familiarity of the situation puzzles him.

Annie took her son and slowly start going deeper into the mansion. She found herself walking in the not so distant past. Memories of a brief but happy time between the walls of this old rumbling place. The day she learned the second best news was also the day Aaron made her leave. She never knew the reason for the fast drastic change in behavior.

"Mammy, I am hungry."

"I don't have much son but I could whip us something to eat. In the meantime, can I offer you both a glass of milk?" he looks at mother and son very hopeful. "Thank you."

Aaron quickly pours the glasses and handed it to Annie. "There is no television here. The only thing I have connected to the world is my computer. Or what do you suggest Annie?" he look rather goofily towards her for advice. The knock on the door puzzles Aaron instantly.

"Are you expecting anyone?"

"No, I didn't tell anyone I am here."

"Okay, please wait in the living room."

Annie simply nods her head and called Leo to follow her. She was worried.

Aaron opened the front door. He was instantly annoyed.

"What the hell are you both doing here?" he demanded.

"I am still your finance Aaron." Grace Stevens can't believe where she was.

"No you are not. Zac take her back to the city. The point of me getting away from people is not for you to bring them directly here" He said with barely controlled anger. "Enough Aaron I want to talk with you."

"I have nothing to say." He moved to close the door in her face.

"Aaron this is about Annie Black. We really do need to talk."

"No we don't. But if you insist make an appointment for when I am back in the city. This here and now is my private time. I don't want either of you here."

Aaron slammed the door close.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes." He said shortly.

"You don't look okay."

"Annie, excuse me a moment."

She watch him disappeared into the office. Just shrugging her shoulders she quickly went into the vast kitchen. The ingredients that she found were enough to make fast but delicious pasta. She looked towards the office door that stood partly opened. "Mammy, I am hungry."

"I know my son. Here let me help you to sit at the table." While helping her son her attention is with the man in the office.

"Aaron," Annie slowly pushed the door opened. She looked around the door. "Are you okay?"

The moment she fully steps into the office she found him where he lay on the floor. A moment too shock to move wondering why she didn't hear anything.

"Aaron..." she quickly leaned down beside him. She quickly searched his head the warm blood cloying on her hand when she pulled back.

"What the hell?"

She found his cell phone. Instantly relief when she found it has no password. She urgently speed dial a random number.

"Boss..."

"Help me,"

"Who is this?"

"Annie Black. Something happened to Aaron. I need help."

"I am coming." The line went dead.

"Aaron..." she found no other injury except for the blood behind his head.

Annie found herself being pushed aside by Grace Stevens. She lost her balance and landed on the floor. She quickly scrambled out of the way. Her legs pulled upside as she circles her arms around she could only watch as Aaron was taken from the office by Grace and Zac.

"What the hell did you do to him?"

Annie didn't answered just looked wide-eyed at the doctor who saved and cared for her mother. It was clear she was furious and of the opinion she did something.

"Mammy,"

"Leo,"

The little boy placed his arms around her neck.

"I am okay Leo. What do you have in your hand?"

"The ghost gives me this."

Annie took the memory stick. "What do you mean Leo?"

"They came through the wall. The ghost told me not to scream."

Annie managed to get onto her feet. She just knew she should leave right now. The front door stood opened. About to leave when she look into the darkness wondering how she would reach her own home. The people just stood suddenly there close to the gate. It was clear now that she couldn't leave.

"There they are mammy. He said we should stay here." Leo said slipping his hand into hers.