Page 46 of Journey to Love

Her breath is unsteady as she continues, each word laden with the weight of her past. “I didn’t realize he was the Marcus, that Caleb was talking about,” she confesses, her voice trembling.

I nod in understanding, giving her the space she needs to unravel her thoughts. “I know him,” she adds, her tone heavy with the weight of memories. “He’s Paul’s cousin,” she breathes, the name hanging heavily in the air. “When I saw him, I thought that maybe Paul was there and I panicked. I haven’t seen him in two years, and he hasn’t tried to find me, at least I don’t think he has.”

Her words linger, revealing the lingering scars of her past and the haunting fear that still grips her.

I envelop her in a comforting embrace, feeling the tension in her body slowly ease as she leans into me. With a gentle touch, I stroke her hair as she speaks, her voice laden with vulnerability.

“I know it’s irrational thinking he might be there, but when I saw Marcus’ face, it was like seeing Paul’s face. I got scared, and frankly, I’m more scared now that he’s seen me,” she confides, her words trembling with fear.

“It’s not irrational, Anya,” I assure her, my voice soft but resolute. “Paul put you through a very traumatic ordeal, and it’s natural to feel panicked in situations like these.”

I hold her closer, offering silent reassurance as she grapples with the lingering shadows of her past.

Anya's voice trembles with anxiety as she expresses her fears. “Yeah, I guess, but what if he finds me? What if I see him around now?” she asks, her eyes reflecting the haunting possibility.

“I would never let him hurt you,” I assure her, my tone firm with resolve. But her next words reveal a deeper layer of concern.

“That’s all well and good now, but you don’t live here. What am I supposed to do when you're not here?” she voices her apprehension, her vulnerability echoing in the quiet of the night.

Her words strike a chord within me, stirring a sense of responsibility and determination. I take a moment to gather my thoughts, fully recognizing the weight of her worries.

“It's true that I can't always be here physically,” I admit, my voice laced with concern. “But we can brainstorm together and come up with a plan. We can ask Lana or your grandparents to help too,” I suggest, offering avenues for support. “You are a lot stronger than you think. You can get through this, and I am always a phone call away when you need someone to talk to.”

She smiles but I can tell she isn’t convinced, “thanks” she says softly then goes quiet.

I pull her closer, my heart aching to ease her fear. "I promise I'll always be here for you," I whisper into her ear, my voice soft and reassuring. "Let's not think about it tonight. Let's just focus on being together and enjoying our time here. We'll figure out a solution tomorrow."

I can see the uncertainty still lingering in her eyes, but she nods slightly, her trust in me shining through the darkness. We sit in silence for a few moments, holding each other tightly. The sound of her phone breaks our silence, and Anya looks down at her screen. “It's Lana,” she says, and I nod, giving her space to take the call.

As she speaks with Lana, I observe her demeanor, sensing a shift in her tone when she hangs up. Anya takes a moment to collect her thoughts before addressing me. “Listen, Jacob,” she begins, her voice unsteady as she searches for the right words. “I appreciate everything you've been doing for me... I just need some time to process everything.”

“I understand, Anya. I'm here if you need me,” I reassure her, offering my support.

She manages a smile, her nerves palpable. “I'm sorry to say goodbye like this, but I just want to sleep.”

“There's no need to apologize. We'll talk later,” I assure her, cupping her face gently in my hands.

“Okay... will you text me when you get home?” she asks solemnly.

“Of course, baby,” I respond softly, planting a tender kiss on her lips. Anya wraps her arms around me tightly, promising to call me in the morning before we part ways.

I give her one last hug and kiss before getting into my car, watching her until she's safely inside her grandparents' home.

JACOB: I hope you have a good night and I’m here if you need me!

ANYA: Okay, thanks. Goodnight Jacob, have a safe trip home!

ANYA

I'm lying in bed, feeling kinda bad about how I said goodbye to Jacob. He was so sweet and all, but my head's just spinning right now, and I needed some space. So here I am, staring up at my ceiling, trying to calm down and get some shut-eye. But sleep's playing hard to get tonight. Guess I'll give Lana a call, I told her I'd get back to her after she rang while Jacob was still here.

"Hey, sorry about earlier, I wanted to give Jacob a proper goodbye," I say apologetically, hearing Lana's voice still groggy with sleep.

"Ooo, a proper goodbye, huh?" Lana teases.

I laugh at her attempt to lighten the mood. "Not like that," I reply, shaking my head.

"Sureee," she retorts in a playful tone.

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