*GIANNA*

My doorbell rang again.I smiled knowing it must be my takeouts.

I couldn't wait to get those crispy chicken into my mouth.I opened the door and my jaw dropped seeing Jacob.

Seriously?!

And why the heck was my order taking so long?!

"Didn't I tell you to get lost just now?"I asked him.

I saw him fall to his knees.

"I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you just now.But please,Mr Lewis really wants you home.Please come with me."

I laughed.

It was funny watching him beg like this.I know Maxim must have probably reprimanded him on the phone and that is why he was here again,begging me.

I had no idea why Maxim was so determined to have me back in his house and frankly,I didn't care.

I had given him what he wanted.Freedom to be with Nadia without me begging him to stay faithful to me so why can't he just accept that?

Why can't he just go be with her?!

Does he seriously enjoy torturing me?

I recalled the times I tried to leave in the past.There was a time I stayed in a hotel for about a month,determined not to go back to him.

But he kept coming to see me,telling me he would change and that I had nothing to worry about regarding Nadia.

He always said that and then give me even more reasons to worry about his relationship with Nadia.

Now I was standing my ground,I wouldn't be persuaded by him or anything he does.

I didn't want him anymore.I didn't want the disrespect and pain that came with staying with him.

I walked back into my house and shut the door.

Not in the mood to eat anymore,I canceled my order and paced to and fro.

For two days,I noticed Jacob's car was still packed in front of my house.

Seriously?!

He was determined in taking me back,isn't he?

I decided to let him see how determined I was to get away from Maxim.

Maybe if he and Maxim sees that,they would finally leave me alone.

So I packed a small bag in hopes of coming back soon.I just needed to be a bit more far away from him for a few days,that would make him leave me alone and then,I'll come back home.

I slipped through the backdoor and travelled to Critport.

*************

*MAXIMUS*

My cellphone rang up and I quickly picked up,hoping to get some good news from Jacob.

It's been a week since I sent him to Bellbanks, this is taking too long. Has Jacob really not been slacking off?

"Jacob, what happened? Why hasn't Anna been brought back yet?" I shouted at him.

"There...there was an issue, sir."

I frowned, not liking the sound of that answer.

I struggled to control my anger, saying calmly, "What issue?"

"I...I noticed she hadn't left her house for several days. I was guarding her front door, not daring to knock because Miss Anna threatened to call the cops on me if I did. But her staying inside for so long felt abnormal. I immediately found some resources to figure out what happened. Turns out, a few days ago, she left through the back door and went to Crittport."

"You fool! How could you be so stupid! I told you to bring her back, not let her go further away!"

I was beyond pissed.

I hung up and got my new phone that I had just bought.

This was the fourth phone I was buying since Gianna left me.

I keep getting new numbers to contact her but she keeps blocking them.

I called her again with this new phone number just to hear that the number at the other end of the call didn't exist.

Fuck!

Did she change her number?

Why was she being so frustrating this time?!

I called my second secretary,Mila and ordered.

"Get the private jet ready.I'm going to Critport.And have our people find out exactly where Gianna is."

Anna has been naughty this time. I need to let her know my stance. When I find her, I must spank her hard.

I have to make her realize that because of her, I've missed out on a few billion dollars' worth of business. She needs to repent for her willfulness.

I hope we can eventually get past this, as I'm used to her giving me massages when I'm exhausted - that's the only reason I'll apologize.

*************

*GIANNA*

I had always wanted to visit Critport.I have so many good things about the place so I could consider this a vacation.

Maybe spend a month or two basking in the nice scenery and many exciting things to do.

I signed up with a tour group and so we had been doing so many exciting activities.

Today we had visited a flowery street.

This place was so unreal.Both sides of the street had so many beautiful flowers.I had to ignore the fact that most of the tour members were couples on a vacation.

I shouldn't be jealous of them or how happy they look.I didn't want to be in a relationship right now.I was working on finding myself.

**********

It was about 10:pm when I got back to the apartment I was currently staying at.

I didn't know how long I would be in this city for so I didn't want to stay at an hotel.

Instead, I rented an apartment for six months.I also felt this way would also make it very less likely for Maxim to ever find me.

Though,I doubt he would be looking for me.

He must've given up now.

I opened the door of my apartment and took off my shoes.

As I turned on the light,I froze seeing a man sitting in a couch in the living room.

I rubbed my eyes and opened them again.

It was Maxim!

No.

I must be dreaming.

But why would I be dreaming of Maxim?

I hated him.

I didn't want to see him anywhere,not even in my dream.

But this couldn't be real.

He couldn't possibly have found me and worst be in my living room?

Nope.

Not real.

I closed my eyes and opened it and this time,he was standing up.

"Is this enough apology to you now?"He asked, his arms crossed around his chest.

And then, it dawned on me.

This man had really followed me here!

"Did you seriously break into my apartment?"

He shrugged.

"I could sue you for that!"I thundered.

"You wouldn't win against me,Anna.And will you finally stop blocking me?"

"Will you just leave me alone?"I asked,exasperatedly.

"Pack up and let's go home."He ordered.

I huffed.

He was just as arrogant and self-absorbed as ever.

"What part of 'we're over' do you not understand?"

Maxim walked closer to me.

"I'm sorry for what happened.I'll throw a bigger engagement party for you and we'll have a grand wedding.I believe you've thrown enough tantrums now.You have no idea how exhausting it is running after you."

I rolled my eyes."Did I ask you to?"

I moved away from him,keeping a good distance between us.

"Maxim,I don't want any engagement party.I don't want to be married to you.I don't want you at all.I want nothing to do with you.So leave right now."

"Are you seriously breaking up with me?"

"Didn't you get my texts?!Didn't you read it?When did you become so daft.I am not just breaking up with you now.I broke up with you the day you canceled our engagement party!We are done for life!"

I opened the door for him.

"Get out,Maxim.I don't want to ever see you again.I mean it."

*MAXIMUS*

I rubbed my temple feeling a terrible headache.

My stomach felt so empty and I was starting to feel weak.

I recalled that I hadn't eaten in two days.

The cold eyes Anna was giving me made me feel worse.

She had never stared at me like this before.

She always had this bright look in her eyes,those eyes were the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen.

But now, they look hostile, like beautifully boxed Barbie dolls that have suddenly jumped out, telling me that from today onwards, they will fight for their freedom.

I felt a pang of panic inside for a moment.

My intuition tells me that if I don't do something, I might really lose Anna. No, my neck is always stiff, I must enjoy Anna's massage when I get off work.

For this purpose, even if I don't admit that I was really wrong, I will ask for her forgiveness.

"Let's go home, Anna. I'm very tired now. I've been very busy, and I feel my physical condition isn't very good now," I said in a low voice, while Anna's lips remained tightly closed, her stern gaze unchanged.

My stomach ache became more apparent, and I immediately pulled her into my embrace, I couldn't let her leave.

With my chin resting on her frail shoulder, I groaned:"If.if you don't want to come home right now.We could spend the night here.I would hold you all night without any disturbances,you know how much you love being in my arms."I cooed.

This always worked.

She didn't like seeing me sick and she always tried to make me feel better.

And anytime she was angry about something,I just needed to fuck her brains out and she'll be over it.

To my surprise, she immediately shoved me away with great force.

She took a step back and roared.

"Since you don't want to leave,I'll leave."She thundered and turned around.

At that moment,I lost my equilibrium and fell to the floor.

My secretary,Mila ran up to me.

"Are you okay,sir?"

I looked up weakly and found Anna's eyes looking at me with concern. I knew she would never leave.

"Anna... I didn't lie to you, my stomach really hurts."

Mira's accusation of disapproval Anna said:"Miss Weston,don't you think you're treating the boss unfairly,he has barely eaten for two days,even at that,he got on the jet and we spent hours locating you."

I saw Anna rolled her eyes and then she brought out her cellphone.

"I've called the ambulance,they'll be here soon.Am I being fair now?"

She turned around again and Mila yelled.

"Aren't you going to come with us to the hospital?"

"I have no reason to."After saying that, she left the apartment.

I watched as she walked out of the apartment and darkness enveloped me.

*************

*GIANNA*

I didn't care about him.

I shouldn't care about him!

When I did, he didn't appreciate it.

I should follow him to the hospital?

For what?

I wasn't a doctor.

I was going to work so hard to not be shaken by him ever again.

How dare he remind me of how much I had loved being in his arms?!

Granted,the sex was good but he had been using that to his advantage for so long.

Because he knew how easily I melted to his touch,he would always use sex to avoid talking things out with me.

But that wasn't what I needed.

I deserve a man who loves me,a man who respects me, a man who would always put me first.

I had thought that one day,he would.

But I know now that I had been deceiving myself so I was never going to give me any chance to hurt me ever again.

***************

*MAXIMUS*

The doctor said I had passed out from intense stress and malnourishment and I needed a good rest and good food for now.

"Sir,have some."Mila said,bringing a plate of porridge close to me.

As I tasted it,I almost threw up.

"What kind of porridge is this?Where is Anna?"

"She.she left you at the apartment after calling an ambulance for you."

I swallowed.

I thought she was bluffing about not coming with me to the hospital.

She really left me there?

What if I had died?

I recalled the times I was hospitalized in the past, she would make me good porridges and keep me entertained by singing,telling jokes or reading one of her novels to me.

I never told her how I liked her company.

Should I have told her?

Back then,I felt like letting her know how much she meant to me means showing weakness.

But now that I had swallowed my pride,I had apologized to her countlessly but she still won't forgive me.

Why was she being so difficult?!

I moved away from the porridge and closed my eyes.

Her attitude and her words at the apartment haunted me.

I had never seen this side of her before.

"You need to eat,sir."Mila coaxed.

I sighed and opened my eyes.I had no choice but to force the porridge down my throat.

Why won't Anna forgive me already?

This was so frustrating.

"Where's she right now?I hope our people didn't lose track of her."

"No,sir.I got info some minutes ago that she had just arrived in Mayfair.She went by train."

My jaw dropped."Does she intend to keep running from one city to another?!"

"I think she enjoys you chasing after her or something.Mr Lewis,you have really lowered yourself to."

"Shut up and get out!"

Mira left the ward in fear.

I didn't need anyone to remind me of what Anna had turned me into right now.

I was someone people held at high regards.No one dared to cross me but this woman was making me chase her from one city to another.

Why is she running away from me?!

I need her in my life!

My cellphone rang out.

I stared at it to see that it was Nadia.

Nadia and I had grown up together,you could call her my childhood friend.

Her mother and my mom were best friends.She lost her mother when she was ten and after that,my mother took good care of her,especially because Nadia had chronic asthma.

Her father was always too busy with work and as I grew and took over my family business,I could understand him.

Being the head of a company wasn't an easy feat and you've got to keep it running.

When I was twenty-one, my mother passed and made me promise to always look out for Nadia as she always did.

And since then,I tried to,whenever I can.I see her as my little sister.

"Hello,Nadia."I began.

"Maxim,where are you?"

"In Critport."

"I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow,can you come with me please?"

"I can't."I replied.

Even if I made a promise to always look out for her,there were still some times I had turned down going to see her for her medical concerns.

I was a grown man and I had other priorities.I had already explained things to her and she had said she understood.

"Why? Is it because I did something wrong?" Nadia began to cry. She was sorry for always causing me trouble, but she had to because she didn't trust anyone since her mother died.

I sighed and whispered:"I can't go back to Meloria just yet.I came to see Anna.We're having.issues."

Lord knows I hated having issues with Gianna!

I just wanted her in my house,looking all pretty and happy for me and being completely submissive.

My body grew warm with need imagining her on my bed.

How can she still make my body sing with desire right now?

"I heard about the cancelled engagement.Is that why she's upset."

"Yes."I breathed.

"How could you cancel your engagement party on the same day,Maxim?That's very mean of you.I've warned you countlessly to always treat her well."

I was in the process of closing a deal and I had been expecting a call for the meeting any moment at that time.

That deal fetched me billions of dollars.

When the call came on the engagement day,I just couldn't decline or make the investor call back later.

My business rival might have snatched that investor so I had to go meet up immediately.

Work had always come first to me and I thought I just needed to shower Anna with gifts and organize the engagement party again,then all will be well.

I didn't expect this will lead to her actively running away from me.