Narrator's POV
'Timing.' It's everything when you are dealing with more than you could handle. Some people are born to be perfect at it, and some learned it; growing up. And Emily falls under the second one. She has her part of chaos, secrets, and imperfections to deal with, and she was getting perfect with it so far, but as the saying goes, 'There are no secrets that time does not reveal.' Her relationship with Zach was just the way she wanted, Always. She was excited to be with him, and she was planning a future that she has dreamed about since forever. She was confident and relieved until now. Until she saw Anna and that too with her daughter, this is bad news for her plans with Zach, and she would not let that happen at any cost.
And again, with the topic, 'timing.' Her ally was awaiting her, and the timing was not perfect at all. There was plenty of punishment she could use to vanish her baggage for an ally, and one of them would be death. She can't take the risk to let it be loose when the universe is playing against her. All the way to her secret meeting, she was calm, as if it was not her first time, and trust me, It wasn't.
"You're late." A voice said as soon as Emily stepped down from her car.
"You know who you're talking to. So, better watch that filthy mouth before I shut it for you by myself." Emily screech through greeted teeth.
"That's where you are mistaken, Emily. In our case, you need me, cause I know all your dirty little secrets that are not so little."
"Have you seen the iceberg, darling? You just know the tip of the iceberg, but don't you worry, I will show you the remaining part soon." She smirked.
"Don't try anything funny, Emily. I'm not silly anymore, after working with you; I know, how dirty you could go for the thing you want. I have seen it, before and I'll not be surprised if you have planned something like that for me." Now, Now. It was Emily's turn to be cautious.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"I have some videos of yours, where you have explained your plans to me, and some are from our secret meetings. Cut short, they are enough evidence to ruin your, happy ever after with Zach. Now handle me the money I asked you with a smile." And she did, she gave the money to her ally, who left right away, after dropping the bomb on her head.
"I have a job for you. Have mailed you the details, destroy the videos, and eliminate that person, make sure it looks like an accident." She cut the call after providing the instruction to her favourite assassin. "You choose the wrong person to mess with, now face the consequences."
***
"Good morning, Dr Steel," Anna answered her call.
"Good morning, Miss Brown. I called to inform you about the test results." She holds her breath, praying. "Congratulations, they matched."
"Oh! thank god." She breathes, finally. "Thank you, doctor. It is the best news I have heard in weeks."
"It's part of the job, and it is just the beginning, we have a long battle to survive," she nodded her head, not aware he can't see her.
"Yes. I know. Still, thank you."
"I tried to call, Mr Knight, but it didn't pick. Could you pass this message to him?"
"Sure, thank you once again." She hung up the call and rushed out of her bedroom to pass the good news.
She knocked, constantly before the bedroom door firmly opened by a half-naked Zach, wrapped up in a white towel around his waist.
"Jeez...woman! Can't you let me shower peacefully?" He turned around, giving her enough space to enter.
"Umm...sorry, but the news was important, and I couldn't help myself." Her smile was mesmerizing, and he couldn't help but felt lost in it. "They matched." He gave a confused look at first, but soon he realized.
"They matched!" his excitement got the best of him, and he ended up picking Anna, spinning her around. Their laughter filled the room, ceasing the tension between them.
"Zach...put me down." She said, between her laughter.
He put her back to the floor, and the awkwardness was back, "I'm sorry, got overexcited," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"How're the stitches?" she asked.
"It's been three days, so it's fine now."
"I should get going. Hazel and Chase are playing in the garden. I will make them some snacks." He nodded his head, and she left his room.
"Shit! Control, Zach. Focus." He shut his eyes and went back to complete his shower.
***
"Mummy, I'm scared." Her precious said, which made it even harder for Anna.
"I know, sweety, me too. But It will be over soon. You're my brave princess, right?" Hazel nodded her head and hugged her mother. The doctor injected the infusion through her vein.
"Ah!" Hazel cried in pain, throwing her hands away.
"Shh...It's okay. It will go away, baby. Sh..." Anna side hugged her, stroking her arms and hair.
"It's hurting, mummy." Her pearl-like tears dropped from her eyes, wiping them away, Anna continued hugging her daughter.
After a few minutes, Hazel was normal and gave her full co-operation to the nurses.
"How was Chase?" Anna asked Zach, who just entered the VIP room of the hospital.
"It was horrible, he is with Mia, and she is trying her best to cheer him up.
"I should be the one with him, he must be devastated after knowing Hazel is sick." He sat beside Anna, and held Hazel's hands, kissing her tiny fingers.
"He is a big boy, Anna, and Hazel is the one who needs us right now. And I know my buddy, he will be okay." He placed a stuffed bear beside Hazel's chair, and that lighten her mood.
"It is cute, daddy. Thank you." She smiled at them and kissed her bear. "I'll call you, Mr Bear." She grinned and hugged it.
"That's a creative name," Anna chuckled and leaned her head on his shoulder. It was comforting for her, his warm presence.
After half an hour, the session was over, and they put Hazel on the bed for some rest.
"How was she doing, Dr?" Zach asked.
"It was just the first session, Mr Knight, but her body took it well. I have monitored her heart rate and other organs, and they are functioning quite well too. But we can not be sure right away. It takes time."
"Thank you," the doctor passed a pitied smile and left the room. "Mom called earlier today. They are returning from their vacation from Greece, tomorrow" Zach informed. Zach never told his parents what actually happened between them. He just informed them about their breakup, and that's it. Sophia tried to dig deep, but Zach never allowed her, and just like that, the topic never re-occurred.
"How are they? God! I never really asked about them since I came back." Anna said with guilt.
"They are fine, reviving their youthful days," he chuckled, "How are yours? They must have been heartbroken after knowing about Hazel."
"They did. When they visited us in California and asked me to return to Boston, I declined it. I was not in that condition, and I had to visit you for her treatment so..." she trailed off.
"Do your parents knew what happened between us?" he questioned. Her eyes met his, they were full of guilt and regrets. She shook her head, denying it.
"I couldn't do it. I got scared, what they might think of me. How I disappointed them and you." She wiped her tears and cleared her throat.
"I wanted to ask you something too. Uhmm...Did you told your parents about us?" She was being anxious about her meeting with William and Sophia and can't help but asked him that question.
"I didn't, actually." He signed.
"Why?" She didn't expect this answer.
"I don't know." He took a sharp breath and stood up from the couch. "I'll get us some coffee," he changed the subject and left the room.
"Hey, baby. You feeling good?" Anna asked Hazel when she saw her waking up from her nap.
"Yes." Her low voice replied. "Where is Daddy?"
"He went out to get some coffee. Are you hungry?" She nodded her head. "I'm sorry, baby. But you have to wait for another hour before you could eat. Can you handle that, baby?"
"I can. Don't worry, mummy?" She kissed her forehead and let her sleep again.
***
"It's been a week. What the hell is taking you so long to finish your job?" Emily was getting furious with the delay in the work. Zach and Anna were getting close day by day cause of their daughter, and she hated it.
"I would have completed the job the very day, but you want that video first. It is well hidden, Miss Roberts. Give me some time to find it."
"I don't have the fucking time to spare. I don't know, what you will do, but I want that video by tomorrow." She cut the call without waiting for an answer.
"Anna!, Just wait till I deal with this problem. You will be my next target." She screamed and laughed evilly, imagining the worst for Anna.
Only Emily knows, what she has planned for Anna.