Chapter 9

The bathroom door was opened without warning. Anne, who was inside, froze. She watched the intimidating man, who suddenly appeared, nervously. Anthony glared at her and said, "You locked the door on my property? Who gave you the permission?" Anne was unable to refute it. This was indeed not her room. The Curve, including herself now, belonged to Anthony. However, she could not tell him why she locked the door. "I'm… scared…" Anne said weakly. Anthony fixed his sharp gaze on her phone and ordered, "Give it to me." Anne realized what he was after, and she tightened her grip on the phone. She did not expect Anthony to come at this hour. She was unprepared… "Don't make me repeat myself!" Anthony's aggressive voice resonated in the bathroom. Anne was fearful. She dared not wait any longer and had no choice but to hand out her phone. When Anthony got hold of her phone, her heart quickened uncontrollably. She was afraid that he might find out her secret… When Anthony looked at her phone, she said weakly, "I… I had a nightmare. I was scared. I tried to call my aunt, but I didn't want to trigger you. So, I didn't make the call, and then you came in…" She had deleted her recent call history, so Anthony would not find out. Anthony glared at her sharply as if he was about to see her through. "You can try." Anne looked at him perplexed. "She helped you to get away. Do you know what will happen to her next?" Anthony asked cruelly. "No, not that. I asked my aunt to bring me my passport. This has nothing to do with her. She knows nothing! I…I promise you, I won't contact her again…" Anne promised and clarified. She was too innocent. Anthony hated Sarah. How would he allow her to contact her!? In order to keep Sarah safe, she had to stop contacting her… Anthony went forward and grabbed her face upward. "Remember, don't challenge my patience. You can't afford it. Understood?" "Und… understood." Anne teared up. Suddenly, her phone rang. The sound resonated in the bathroom. Meanwhile, Anne's heart jumped. Who… who was calling? No, please, not Nancy and the kids… please! "You're shaking?" Anthony asked as if playing with his prey. His powerful fingers holding onto Anne felt her tremble. "No…" Anne turned away and quickly picked up her phone. "I'm answering the call…" Her turning away triggered Anthony. A big hand held her collarbone and pushed her against the glass by the bathtub, smashing her against it… "Argh!" Anne was shocked, and her legs turned to jelly. He was too powerful! "Behave!" Anthony narrowed his sharp eyes at her. His eyes were fixed on her phone screen with no caller ID. His finger slid through and answered the call. A man's voice was heard… "Anne?" Hearing this voice, Anne's body shivered, but she secretly let out a sigh of relief. That familiar voice was her ex-boyfriend. Why did he call? However, at this moment, as long as it was not a call from Nancy and the kids, she would be fine… "Anne, long time no see. How are you? Since we broke up, I've always thought of you. I can't forget you…" Lennon Bennet's voice was heard. Anne was stunned. She instinctively glanced at Anthony. "Anne, I know you haven't forgotten about me. If not, you wouldn't have kept this number, right? I heard you dropped out of college two years ago and finally returned. I'm coming back tomorrow. Let's meet up, shall we?" Lennon asked. "No, I'm fine." "Anne, you won't find another man who'd treat you better than I did." "I…" Before Anne could refuse, the call ended. Anthony hung up. Anne was pressured by Anthony's intense glare. She quickly said, "An ex, we have long broken up. I was suffering, so I dropped out of college. I didn't expect him to find me. We had not been in touch ever since." "Do I care?" Anthony scoffed. Anne felt awkward. She looked at her phone in Anthony's hand. The phone was just like herself, who was within his control. "Since he's coming back, you should meet him," Anthony said out of the blue. Anne refused, "Why should I?" "I'm not negotiating with you." Anne did not know what he was planning, but she knew it was nothing pleasant. The sense of uneasiness increased. However, she dared not go against his will. If not, she would lose her life! … Lennon asked to meet at a bar. Anne walked into the bar. She not only saw Lennon but also a black shadow in the VIP area on the second floor. He was like a beast preying, looking down at the ground. "Anne, this way!" Lennon saw her. Anne reacted and sat over. Although she had Anthony's permission, she was still very anxious and uneasy because she did not know what Anthony was trying to do. The uncertainties made her nervous. "Anne, it's been a while. I'm so happy to see you again," Lennon said with excitement. Anne did not speak. Lennon was a senior in her college overseas. He chased her for two months. Since they were both from Luton, they got on well. However, within half a year, she witnessed him sleeping with another woman with her own eyes. "I'll order a non-alcoholic drink for you. You don't usually drink." Lennon seemed to be an understanding boyfriend. "Why did you try to find me?" Anne was not keen on meeting him. She was not ready to forgive him. "Anne, no matter who was by my side, I've never forgotten you. I've regretted it. Anne, please come back to me! I promise you I won't let that happen again." "You know me well. Once is all it takes." "If that's true, why would you meet me? I'm sure you still have feelings for me!" Lennon reached out, trying to hold her hand. Anne quickly retrieved her hand. She looked up. No matter how far away that man was, it was impossible to miss his intimidating gaze. She wanted to leave! However, she did not know when she could leave. Even if she could not please Anthony, she must not disobey him! Before long… "Yo! Isn't this Anne? I almost can't recognize you in this outfit!" A heavily made-up man walked over to flirt with Anne. He seemed to have known her.