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Assistant: Title: Chains From The Past
        Author: ynessa_re ynessa_re 
        Chapter: 1/34 
        Summary: Anya Forger, the 24 year old eldest child of the influential Forger family, a determined and independent woman with a sharp mind and unique powers, returns to Berlint after years abroad, determined to launch her own business despite her family's objections.During a meeting with her best friend, Becky, and business partner, Bill, Anya's past resurfaces when Damian Desmond, her ex-fiancé, reaches out to her after hearing of her return.The unresolved tension and lingering feelings from their past relationship complicate her future as she navigates her life, family expectations, and business aspirations. Amidst new ventures and old wounds, Anya must confront both her past and her future as she makes a bold decision to move forward—whether the Desmond name is involved or not.
        Contents: Chapter 1: Prologue
    

    


  

  
  
    
    
  “I thought you weren’t gonna come?” a dark-haired man with blue eyes asked. It was one of her twin brothers. 
 
  In all honesty, she didn’t expect her brother to see her at this time of the day, especially when she knew he was busiest this time of the day. She expected it to be just her driver. She rolled her eyes when she thought of something. It must have been another fight between her brothers and the elder of the two came to curry her favor to him. 
 
  “I wasn’t, Andie. Who said I was gonna go?” 
 
  The pink-haired girl didn’t wait for her brother’s reply, she opened the door to their Benz and went inside, while the other quickly followed after her. He was still looking at her sister analyzing her mood. 
 
  “To the mansion-“
 
  “Hotel Berlint, Aris” her voice demanding but with a sweet smile on her face. 
 
  The driver looked at the two with a look on his face, probably confused about who to follow. He looked at the more frightening woman and nodded. 
 
  Sighing in defeat, “Again, Peanut?” 
 
  “Stop calling me that pet name, you know I hate that,” the woman quickly said obviously irritated. The dark-haired man took a deep breath while looking at her sister who was looking straight and not even glancing at him. 
 
  “Why are you in a hurry to go home when you’re not even gonna attend the Desmond gathering?” his eyebrow perked up, with a genuine concerned face.
 
  The woman angrily turned to her brother with eyebrows furrowed, openly irritated “That is not why I came home. I don’t care about that, I have a project coming up. I want to go back to Westalis.“
 
  “That project of yours again,” Andie snorted. “You can always work at one of our companies, Anya.”
 
  “I don’t want to work for you” Anya smirked and let out a large sigh.
 
  “But it’s what father wants, he wants you back. He’s stressed out every day at home when you were abroad. He’s getting old, Anya” Andie looked pensive looking at her sister.
 
  “Can’t I start on my own if that’s what I want?” looking a little defeated hearing her father’s state. “Papa has been calling me every day to tell me that, can you just back off? I’ve heard enough disappointment for the day.”
 
  “He’s never disappointed with you, you know that” the man sighed looking straight at the road instead. “But fine, do whatever you want. I’ll support you either way”. 
 
  “I know, that’s why I’m doing it. Whether Papa wants it or not” she said with finality and determination.
 
  “You will need more than support from me, I’ll send some people to help you with your project and maybe-“
 
  “No, Andie. I don’t want your help or people from our company. I will find my own people, but now I just have to reserve the building and then-“
 
  “I know you don’t want my help but let me do this for you. This plan of yours seemed a bit enthusiastic. Let me help, Peanut.” he insisted.
 
  “I said don’t call me that name, Andie!” her voice boomed in the car that the driver was shocked to hear her like that. If she was just irritated a while ago, now she is mad. 
 
  Andie raised a brow, slightly amused that her sister was this easily irritated just by being called by that name. A ghost smile was on his face before he nodded and a thought came passing by his mind. 
 
  “She still hadn’t moved on I see”
 
  “I can still hear you, stop insinuating things” she said with teeth gritted together. 
 She had these powers for as long as she can remember. It helped her a lot throughout her life, she sought out the people who treated her well just because of her family name. With her power’s help, she also knew who really thought of her as a friend and not just an influential name. Most people she met just seemed nice to her because of the name she held. It also helped her a lot during her schooling, when she needed to cheat her way to maintain good grades for her exams, because she wasn’t able to study. She was not stupid or anything, she was one of the best in her class so it hurt her pride knowing sometimes she had to resort to that. She rarely used her powers to cheat on exams,  but the rare times she did, she would read the minds of the people she knew who were good at that subject and copy off of their papers. She was one of the most popular girls in her year and the whole school in general. It was probably because of her family name and her undeniable beauty. She had cotton candy colored hair, which was unusual but it’s what stood her out of all her peers, she had deep emerald eyes that anyone would fall for, and most of all she was elegant, beautiful, and funny. Most of her peers were aware of her name so most of them were terrified to approach her. If you asked the courageous people who approached her, they would they you that she is the most genuine person you could meet. Anya  wasn’t someone who dragged around the bush, she was direct to the point, quick on calling b@llsh@t with her classmates, but she was sweet and kind and respectful. Some thought of her arrogant, while some admired her for it, but everyone thought that she was just perceptive and good at reading people.  When she met Becky Blackbell(the Blackbell’s youngest and only daughter) in first grade, who thought she was the coolest person she met, she instantly knew they were gonna be the bestest of friends. She was also a bit like her, arrogant but not a show off, direct but honest, but sweet and kind. They were partners-in-crime, she was her soul-sister and best friend, she was her person since primary school.  
  “I am gonna meet Becky at the restaurant in the Hotel, she’s gonna help me with this project so you better not stick your nose in my business,” she looked at her brother with pure determination.
 
  “Of course, then I could also assume that she’ll invest in your project?” 
 
  “She will be my partner and we’ll meet with Bill Watkins at the restaurant to talk about it” she said rather bored with this conversation. 
 
  “Bill Watkins? That jock from your high school? Is he not in the military by now following his father’s footsteps?” Andie asked confused why Bill Watkins was involved with her sister when he thought he had been in the military.
 
  “He’s a friend of us, and he has a lot of connections with our target clients, so he’s helping us start the project and maybe even be a collaborator” 
 
  “I’m so confused, Anya. Didn’t he like you back in high school ? He followed you around like a puppy back then. Are you sure he has no other intentions besides helping you with your business?” 
 “Yes, I am sure. He hasn’t liked me for a while now and he had been a good friend” Anya was now again irritated with her brother’s insistent meddling.  He sure got it from our uncle,  she thought. She groaned “Andie, don’t you have work? Why are you even here meddling?” she grimaced.  
  “I do have work and I will go after this. Mama and Papa wanted me to escort you home first but that isn’t happening anymore. They’ll probably be mad at me.” He puffed a breath out. “I also thought you would be coming to the wedding so we could come together”. 
 
  “Again, I am not going to that wedding. I went home to start the project. I have been waiting for this since I was in college and now I am finally doing it”.
 
  “You will need investors. It won’t be enough with just Blackbell and Watkins since what you want is big. Who do you have in mind?” he asked her sister waiting for a reply since she looked like she was thinking of it hard.
 
  “Will you invest?” she smirked knowing he wouldn’t be able to say no to her. The man was shocked and a little smile irked up, he loved her sister dearly and her asking him to invest in her business made his heart warm.
 
  “Of course I will, Anya. It would be a pleasure working with you” he smiled and she lightly tapped his shoulders. “But you know….. Damian Desmond seemed to be interested in investing as well” he probed knowing her relationship with the man. 
 
  She saw the ghost smile her brother had, she rolled her eyes and pretended not to hear any of the words coming out from his mouth talking about Damian Desmond. Here they go again with the scion of the Desmonds. Her brother laughed at her reaction to hearing the Desmond name, “I am just saying, Anya. You both are civil, right?”
 
  “We may be but that doesn’t mean that I want him to invest in my company” she declared.
 
  “Why not, Anastasia? This is business. ‘Feelings’ don’t have a place in this world. You and I both know that having a Desmond’s influence can greatly impact your business.” he said with certainty. “Besides, I think he still has a sweet spot for you” he said musingly, clearly looking for a reaction.
 “Feelings? I don’t know what you mean. I just don’t want to get involved in their family” … again  she thought.  
  “Unfortunately, he is still your ex, and the rumors of your engagement have not faded. As everyone knows you two are still involved. And by that, he’s not even an ex, he may as well still be your fiancé” he smirked. 
 Anya did not say anything after that, she didn’t know what to say. That’s the reason why she dated Arnold Crowley, to let the rumors of their engagement die down. She has no idea why the Desmonds have  still not addressed the rumors of their engagement. It would be better for both of them if he did. Damian could chase that girl for all she cared. Why hasn’t he denied the rumors? 
  “I am going to Westalis after all my engagements here. I also booked a hotel room in Hotel Berlint, so I won’t be coming home anytime soon. Give my regards to Mama and Papa” she was not looking at her brother but through the window she was leaning on.
 
  “What? Papa will kill me if you’re not home by tonight. Do you want me to get killed?” He turned so fast at his sister’s words. But her words were laced with grit and finality so he knew he wouldn’t have a say on this. “Don’t tell me you’re still with that Crowley guy. I will kill him if Mama won’t get to him first.” 
 
  Anya just looked at her brother with one eyebrow raised. She faced him head on, “If you tell Papa and Mama that, I will tell them about that party you swore you didn’t go to with Anton, after all, he was the only one who got in trouble for it after you two sneaked out of the house so you could go and meet your girlfriends” her brother gulped at her sister’s threat. He wouldn’t want that to come out, not to their parents of all people, they would ground him for life. And certainly, that threat was not just a threat, he knew what her sister could do, he didn’t want to cross her, let alone be on her bad side. He knew both her parents favored her.
 
  “Fine, I will tell them you would be alone in a hotel. But you owe me.” He said defeated to which her sister smirked and turned back again at the road.
 
  They arrived at the hotel, and the staff instantly went and helped Anya with her bags to her room. They knew she frequented at their hotel, she always wanted a specific room and they always reserved it for her every time she called for a reservation, so she knew where to go. Ever since she left home and went abroad, she refused to go home to their house, she felt ashamed to face her parents’ disappointed faces so she didn’t. When she went to Berlint for business, she only slept at the hotel she went to frequently. It was her home for 2 years after not coming to their mansion for a while. 
 
  When her brother and driver left, she went to the restaurant and greeted Becky who was already having tea at a table near a window. When she saw Anya, her beautiful walnut-colored eyes sparkled with excitement. She instantly stood up and hugged her best friend who also hugged her back with a huge smile on her face. 
 
  “Oh my God, Anya! You look gorgeous with that tan! I missed you so much, I haven’t seen you for a year now!” she said with her eyes almost tearing up. 
 
  “I missed you too, Becky! You’re as lovely as ever! Tell me, how is work? Is there new gossip?” she quickly longed for gossip. She missed her best friend dearly. It’s been a year since she went back to Berlint, she had missed her best friend’s quirky personality and her stories about her hobbies and favorite shows. It has been a while since they had tea together, she missed the times when they would just sit on their favorite spot at Eden and just talk like two wild, and carefree girls. 
 
  After their hug and reunion, they sat at their favorite table and talked about everything about everyone. Although one particular name had not yet been brought up, she was glad it hasn’t because she wouldn’t know what to say or how to react. She didn’t want any news from him let alone know if he had found that girl. Her best friend knew that so she didn’t bring him up, unless of course if Anya asked.
 
  “Sooo, how’s Ewen? Has he been good to you?” Anya asked after an hour of catching up with her friend. 
 
  “Yes! I’ve been meaning to tell you, but you went completely off. We’re engaged!” Becky brought out her huge emerald-cut diamond ring. Anya had noticed it before they sat down but she didn’t say anything because she wanted her best friend to tell her herself. 
 
  Anya eyes went from shocked to being delighted as she took her friend’s hands with the ring and stared at the huge rock on her hands. “Oh my God, Becky! Congratulations! I didn’t know Egeburg had it in him! When’s the wedding? Where? You have to tell me everything!” she screeched and went to hug her best friend again. “We have to celebrate tonight” Anya who was so happy for her best friend. Becky hugged her back and agreed to have a celebration with her best friend.
 “Oh, Anya Im so glad you’re back, It had been a disaster planning without you. I wasn’t sure when you’d be back so we haven’t decided on the date yet, but now that you are, you could help me decide! Ewen has been nothing but useless with all the planning.” Becky groaned in frustration. Anya just laughed at her, as she looked stressed out just thinking of it.  
  Becky looked at Anya, “But Anya…” she hummed looking a bit nervous at her best friend. 
 
  Anya waited for her to finish her sentence, “I want you to be my maid of honor. Would you do me the honor?” Anya looked at Becky shocked (but not quite shocked as they already promised each other that they would be each other’s maid of honor even when they were just little kids) but still hearing the words that came out of her mouth almost made her eyes water. She couldn’t wait for her best friend to get married!
 
  “Becky, of course! I’ve waited for this moment ever since we met!” And by that the two girls hugged each other again.
 But then a huge man appeared at their side and greeted them both. It was Bill Watkins, “Good Afternoon, ladies. I wasn’t late, was I? I for sure thought I came early ” the big man said.  Of course they almost forgot that they had a business meeting, they were so engrossed with the news and gossip they both missed, that they had forgotten their commitments for that day. 
  “Bill! Of course not, we were just early because we wanted to catch up before our meeting. How are you?” Anya smiled with her emerald eyes as she stood up and hugged the nearly 7 foot man to greet him. Becky also stood up and greeted Bill, a bit annoyed that he was in fact early, and that he had ruined their conversation and them catching up. She still hugged the guy and they proceeded to talk about the business they all went there for. 
 
  After hours of talking business and eating their orders, their conversation turned to other things. “Oh that reminds me, are you guys going to Demetrius Desmond’s wedding?” Bill asked after a long conversation about their high school classmates. Anya was drinking her iced tea when Bill mentioned that and she choked, Becky that was by her side gave her a pat on the back and handed her a tissue. She wiped her face looking at Becky for help.
 
  “Uh, I am going, my father asked me to be the Blackbell representative as he and my brothers are busy.” She answered with a lot of thought with her words. Bill nodded and proceeded to look at Anya wiping her dress that had some spill from her ruckus a while back. Her head was bowed down and she tried not to look at Bill, but she could feel the way he looked at her intensely, almost examining her for a reaction. 
  F@ck@ng Bill Watkins   she thought. But she was smarter than that, she would not give in to his teasing. Until…. 
  “How about you, Anya? Are you coming? I heard a rumor that after Demetrius’, you and Damian’s are next” Becky kicked his shin from below the table as she looked at him wide-eyed as if telling him not to poke the obviously vicious bear. 
 
  But Bill being Bill he shrugged clearly unfazed by the heel bumping on his shin, he was intent on hearing what the pink-haired girl’s answer, so he smirked and looked at her closely. He definitely did not hear that rumor but he wanted to poke his friend a little more after seeing her reaction at the slightest Desmond mention. 
 
  Anya looked up so quickly at Bill who was drinking from his coffee but his eyes were looking at her, even teasing her. “What?! Where the hell did you hear that from?” she cursed herself for being way too loud and bothered. She cleared her throat, “I mean, where did you hear that?” she said more calm and composed now, she was also a little flushed. 
 
  Bill with narrow eyes looked at Anya and Becky who were communicating quietly without opening their mouth. He was confused with their friendship but he shrugged it off as their weird way of relating. “I heard it somewhere from someone” he said clearly prompting them to talk.
 
  “The engagement is off” Anya said with finality. Bill looked shocked at the revelation because he was just teasing, he did not know of this news. He did not expect this as he himself was a witness of their love story. “What? What do you mean it’s off?” He said shocked looking at Anya who only sipped her iced tea again as if she cool with everything. In reality, she was thinking of what to reply when he spoke again.
 “But you guys were in love, you were the greatest love story! Damian Desmond’s heart beat for you! I even heard Melinda Desmond really likes you and she’s not someone who was easy to please. Especially when it comes to the woman his sons would marry. Plus isn’t Donovan Desmond the one who asked your family for the engagement at such an early age?” he said breathlessly as if it was the biggest scoop of the century. 
  Anya just took a deep breath and rolled her eyes. “Didn’t you know? We broke up after college, it was so long ago. I have moved on, he also probably did. So I don’t know where this engagement thing came from. I don’t even know why the Desmonds haven’t denied or talked about the rumors yet ” she said annoyed and clearly wanting the conversation to be over. 
 
  “Huh, I talked to Damian last weekend and he clearly did not deny your engagement nor talk about your break up.” He said, puzzled by the contradicting statements from Anya and Damian. Anya’s eyebrow raised in an attempt to look angry but her eyes were shocked. 
 
  “What do you mean he didn’t deny it? He’s delusional and clearly playing. Don’t listen to any word he says.” she said angrily. Bill just shrugged it off and moved on, it was probably just a lover’s quarrel as he has seen from the past. 
 
  They have always had this competition on who’s better about everything AND anything (i mean ANYTHING), that has become Eden’s biggest entertainment when they were still in school. There wasn’t a day when the two didn’t bicker, it was a miracle or rather a curse when one of them, more so the two of them were quiet. It was common knowledge in Eden that when the two of them were quiet, something had happened, (they either fought hard or that they declared their love for one another) the previous day. 
 
  Bill still remembers their competition of who could be fastest at becoming an Imperial Scholar or who would top their grade at exams or even who would become prom king or queen (in the end, they both won and blushed the whole time during one of the dances). One time they even fought over who would get the last pastry from the cafeteria. 
  
  “Are you sure you two broke up or it’s just a lover’s quarrel?” Bill asked amused, Becky snorted and laughed out loud as Anya flushed like a tomato about to explode. She didn’t say anything anymore, and fortunately, her cellphone had an incoming call. She used that as an excuse to get out of that d@mn conversation. “Excuse me, I’ll just take this call” she excused herself, she could hear Bill laugh from her escape. 

  
  

  She managed to get out of that conversation and walked to the hotel lobby where there were seats comfortable enough. She looked at her phone to find out who was calling when her brows furrowed at an unknown number. It might be one of her brothers, she changed numbers two years ago when she left Berlint, so maybe it was one of them who she forgot to add to her contacts. But then again, she has memorized her brothers’ numbers and this is not one of theirs, so she’s a bit skeptical to answer, 
 
  “Hello, may I know who’s calling?” she answered the phone as elegantly as possible. 
 
  “You’re really home?” a deep familiar voice answered. She stiffened at the deep but sweet and calm voice she had not heard in a while. After years she still yearned to hear that voice again. The voice that was so irritatingly good–deep but sweet and calm, the voice she remembered calling her the sweetest of names, the voice who calmed her deepest storms, and the voice that broke her heart into a thousand little pieces. She hated how she wanted to hear it every d@mn day. Because she can’t and that’s the reality. She could not have him. She won’t allow herself to, not unless she has proven herself. To him, to his family, to her family, but especially herself. 
 
  “Anya?” he said again as she didn’t answer, she could hear his sigh even through the call.
 
  “Who is calling? And how did you get my number?” Anya said coldly, it broke her heart pretending she didn’t know his voice. 
 
  “It’s Damian, Anya. I heard you’re back.” Anya did not know where he had heard that and why the news was so fast that it had landed on Damian Desmond’s ear. All she knows is that she did not want to talk to him.
 
   “I missed you. Can we talk?” he said again, she could almost hear the plea in his voice. 
 
  “I’m busy, besides I won’t be here for long” she was trying so hard not to give in to his voice. She was glad that he was on call, she wouldn’t have had the courage to refuse him. After all, they dated for almost two years, they even lived together for a while. She did not wait for his reply when she ended the call. She took a deep breath and went to the bathroom. 
 
  After the trip to the bathroom, she went back to the restaurant and sat next to Becky who was looking at her intently, specifically how the blood from her faced was gone, and her eyes a little red from when she cried a little in the women’s bathroom after she ended the call. But Becky didn’t say anything, she’ll wait until Anya and her was alone. 
  Must have been Desmond   she heard Becky’s thoughts.'
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