Page 274 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Aaron walked out into the lobby of the ballet studio and stopped short. “Wilhelm? Kurt?”

The distinguished Germans turned and smiled kindly at him. “Hello, Aaron,” Wilhelm said. “How are you doing?”

“Good...” He shook their hands, wondering why they were there.

“We thought we would catch you after rehearsal and walk over to your apartment with you. Anna...” He sighed. “Anna is ignoring our calls again.”

Aaron bit back a smart remark. He knew exactly why she was doing that. Kurt was being an ass and Wilhelm didn’t seem to care. But Aaron knew better than to rebuke his Elder. “Alright.” They walked outside and headed to his apartment. “Why aren’t you in Philly?”

“We do not have to be there until tomorrow and thought we would stop by and visit,” Wilhelm said. “I have not seen Anna since she got here.”

Aaron only grunted in reply. If you can’t say something nice...

“How is she doing?” Kurt asked.

“Okay. I think she gets lonely when she has to stay in the apartment all day. But Hugo went over this afternoon, so at least she has some company.”

“Hugo?” Kurt asked. “I thought they broke up.”

Aaron frowned. He knew how hard that had been on Anna. “Yeah, but they still dance together. Hugo’s having her dance in his new ballet and they’re practicing at the apartment so they don’t get behind.”

“Oh.”

They arrived at the apartment a few minutes later. Aaron unlocked the door and was surprised to not hear music playing.

Wilhelm looked around the room. “Where is she?” Wilhelm asked.

Aaron shrugged. “Probably in her room. Must have finished early. I’ll go get her.” And warn her about the visitors. Aaron invited Wilhelm and Kurt to sit down and went to get Anna.

He lifted his hand to knock on her door and heard something... unexpected. A moan. A moan from a man... and then Anna moaned, too. Who was she with? And how did he keep the Germans from finding out?

He winced as he knocked loudly. He hated interrupting something like that, but he didn’t have a choice. Anna didn’t answer and he knocked again.

“What do you want?” Anna called, her voice impatient and annoyed.

“Anna . . . I—Shit. Can I open the door?”

“No!” she yelled and then giggled.

Aaron took a deep breath and opened the door, and then gasped. Hugo was in bed with Anna, naked and on top of her. Anna’s pale legs and arms wrapped around his dark body tightly. He jumped inside and slammed the door shut behind him. Anna glared at him over Hugo’s shoulder. “Aaron!”

Hugo jumped and reached for the blanket. “What the hell are you doing, Aaron?”

“Wilhelm and Kurt are here,” Aaron said, closing his eyes.

Anna gasped at Aaron’s words. She had thoroughly been enjoying Hugo’s attentions when Aaron had barged in.

“Oh, no!” She glanced at Hugo, not knowing what to do.

Hugo grimaced. “The Germans, right?”

Anna nodded and looked over at Aaron. “Why? Why are they here?”

“Because you’ve been ignoring their calls.”

Anna rubbed her face. “Oh, this is not what I need right now.” What would they say when they found out that she’d been in bed with Hugo? She sat up, clasping her blanket to her chest and stared at her knees. Then she sucked in a deep breath and lifted her chin. They had no right to be upset. She was being discreet. If they had a problem with her being with Hugo, then... Well, that was their problem. She looked at Aaron. “I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

Aaron gave her a sad look and then nodded and left.

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