Beyond the Woods - Chapter Fourteen

I woke up in another room. My head was aching horribly and it didn't seem like the pain was lightening up anytime soon. Against my will I sat up to take a good look around. No one was in here with me. I got up out of the bed and headed out the door. I checked the entire guest rooms, my room, my parent's room, the kitchen, all the living rooms, and everything else I could think of but no one was here. I started to worry, where could they all have gone? I headed towards my dad's office but found no one. I searched around the huge room looking for any hints to where anyone was. Everything seemed in place except for his piano. Something seemed rather off about it. I walked over and sat down on the padded stool and placed my fingertips on the keys. It has been forever since I played, I wonder if I still know how. I began playing my father's favorite song, some old Bach skit, but one of the keys didn't make the correct sound as I pressed it. I tried again and it made the same squeaking noise.

This time I just pressed the key harder and I heard something shift behind me. I turned around just in time to see that the book case was rotating and opened down to an empty staircase.
"Alright this is way too much like the movies," I muttered.

I carefully walked down the staircase and heard voices in the distance. I came to a curved wall and when I peeked around, I saw everyone there arguing. I was careful and walked back up the steps but made sure to remain in hearing distance.
"Do you honestly think that they would take her? It is such a risk on their part?" I heard Camilla say.
"We knew someday this would be coming, I never imagined it would be so soon." I heard my mother say.
"It does not matter; no one is laying a hand on her. I will kill that monster and his whole clan if he even tries anything," Christian said with a loud angry voice.
"Are you sure that is what she saw?" James asked.
"Think about it father, that night she came late to dinner. No one would be that scared without reason. She woke up screaming and in horror. He wants to claim her I know it." Christian said.

Who wants me, the man in the woods? How do they know about him? Why are they continuing to hide secrets from me? I was becoming angry. "Send out the guards immediately we need to search for any evidence if he was in our forest. What were you doing in my daughter's room anyway?" My father announced. I felt my face get hot.

"It has been a while, someone needs to go check on her," Darren said. I heard chairs scout back and I pounded up the stairs, quietly as possible of course. As I made my way back into the office I pressed the key which shut the door, hopefully that would give me time. I didn't even try to make it back upstairs. I was already surprised that their speed didn't take them to me already. I went to the kitchen instead, in search for some Advil. My head was pounding harder than before. I searched through the cabinet, knocking over all the bottles in my way. I was making a mess but my head hurt too badly. Finally I found the bottle and swallowed down four tablets. It might have been too much but I needed them.

"Ava, are you feeling okay?" I heard Christian ask worriedly as he sat down on the floor next to me. It seemed like I was getting asked that question a lot lately.
"I've been better," I replied back. He set my head in his lap so I could lay down with a head rest. We sat there for a while as he played with my hair.
"What's going in?" I blurted out.
"Nothing everything is fine, why?" He was lying to me and I caught him in the act.

How could he lie to me if he cared about me? I was not a relationship expert but I knew for sure that a good relationship is not built on lies. I wasn't sure what hurt me more, Christian lying to my face or having this unbearable pain in my head.
"I thought, you would trust me." I said.
"Of course I trust you, Ava; I don't understand what you mean." He replied.
"You are lying to me Christian," I said while getting up and heading to my room.

I was dizzy which made it easy for me to lose my balance while walking. Christian came over to help me but I shooed him off. A few steps later I collapsed to the ground in defeat.

"Please just let me carry you," He asked worriedly.
"Fine," I grunted. He took me back up to my room and once we got there set me on my bed.

"I am sorry Ava love. I haven't been honest with you. I just want to keep you protected and away from any harm."
"Sometimes the best way to keep me safe is to make sure I know the truth. It hurts me when you lie to me, Christian. How can we ever be together if our relationship might be based on lies?" He looked heartbroken as those words came out of my mouth.
"I promise you, Ava Madelyn Grace, I will never lie to you again." He kissed my forehead and then looked back at my eyes. It gave me chills hearing him say my full name, good chills.
"Now that you have sworn and given me your word, please tell me what is going on." "I promise I will. Later tonight after I take you out," said Christian.
"You're taking me out tonight?" I grinned.
"Yes I am," he gave me that sexy smirk that I grew to loved.
"I think it is time you and I go on a real date and you see my other side besides my protective one."
"I agree. Guess you have need to leave then," I teased.
"Why?!" he said upset. I loved being a tease.
"Unless you want me looking like this on our date tonight, you better leave so I can get pretty for you," I said.

He leaned in and gave me a long kiss, "You always look stunning," Christian said before leaving my room. After he left I went mad, it's a good thing my headache eased up. What was I going to wear? I did the only thing I could think of, call Emma.