Page 9 of Love Under Siege

Jacob enters, looking a bit disheveled but still charming. I stare and admire his "morning after" appearance - messy hair, tight light blue t-shirt that accentuates his chest and arms. I've fallen hard for him and feel grateful that we found each other. He's like a golden retriever, always so happy and loving. Part of me feels guilty for bringing him into my complicated life. He doesn't deserve to be dragged down by my past traumas. But the other part of me knows that he's an adult capable of making his own decisions. That thought also scares me though, because I've fallen deeply in love with him and I'm afraid he'll one day realize I'm too much for him and leave. That would hurt more than anything Paul ever did. I've never been one to believe in soulmates or fate, but a small part of me thinks maybe the universe didn't care about all that and just sent me Jacob anyway.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Jacob says, leaning down to kiss me, but then he notices Nana and stops, looking at her.

“Don’t stop on my account. It’s not like the whole house didn’t hear you two last night,”.

“NANA!” I exclaim, noticing Jacob’s cheeks turning red and his eyes widening.

“Anya, I wouldn’t be surprised if our neighbors heard you two,” she says with a smirk, sipping her coffee.

Jacob coughs, his face as red as ever. “I... umm... I’m—”

“Oh hush, dear, I’m just teasing you. Now kiss her and get some breakfast.”

Looking embarrassed, Jacob smiles. “Yes, ma’am,” he says, leaning back down to place a kiss on my lips.

“Just remember that once you two are married, never stop kissing each other good morning and good night.”

I spit out my coffee, splattering it all over the dining room table. “NANA!” I exclaim, grabbing some paper towels to wipe up the mess.

“Oh please, Anya, you two are meant for each other. Mark my words, you both will get married,” she says, then walks out of the kitchen and down to her room.

I bury my face in my hands, heat rising to my cheeks as I apologize profusely. "I am so sorry for that," I say with a winced expression. "Sometimes Nana lacks a filter."

Jacob's laughter fills the air and his eyes twinkle with amusement. "It's all good," he reassures me, "I was more surprised by the fact she overheard us."

"Me!" I exclaim incredulously, breaking into a chuckle. "She heardme!"

Jacob's smile widens, his handsome features glowing in the sunlight.

"Now, don’t go getting a bigger head," I say, pretending to be annoyed.

"Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it," he replies with a sly wink. "But I think last night proved it’sbigenough," he adds with a mischievous grin, making my cheeks flush even more.

I let out an exaggerated sigh and gave him a light shove "Oh my god, stop it!" I say, rolling my eyes but smiling all the same. We enjoy breakfast with plenty of banter, until the sudden buzzing of my phone cuts through the moment. My heart skips a beat as I glance down, freezing at the message on the screen.

Welcome home Anya! I hope Pennsylvania wasn't too boring for you.

The text from the mystery guy sends shivers down my spine, and I feel Jacob's puzzled gaze on me.

"Who was that?" he asks, his expression now curious and slightly concerned.

I force a smile and quickly close the message, not wanting Jacob to see it or suspect anything. "Just Lana checking up on me," I say nonchalantly, but inside I'm shaking.

He nods his head but continues to watch me suspiciously. "Is everything okay?" he asks. I nervously twirl a lock of hair and nod my head, trying to brush off his concerns.

"Yeah, just a mix-up at work," I lie as I stand up and collect my dishes. I need space and time to think about how to handle this situation without involving anyone else, especially Jacob who has always been so protective of me. He can be perceptive and I don't want him worrying or interfering with something that is ultimately my battle to fight. Despite everything, I know deep down that I can handle this without needing a man to save me. And right now, I need to figure out how I will handle this mystery guy, and what his intentions are.

I make my way to the sink, thoughts swirl through my mind like a tempest. The clattering of dishes against each other provides a brief distraction, but it does little to ease the storm brewing within me.

I lean on the counter and take a moment to collect my thoughts, my gaze fixed on the view outside the kitchen window. The sun casts its warm rays over the world, and for a brief moment, I feel a sense of peace in its quiet presence. However, even the sun's radiant light cannot chase away the unease that lingers within me.

I've always been independent, fiercely so. But this situation feels different – a shadowy figure lurking at the edges of my life, his intentions masked by mystery. The realization that I am facing this alone begins to weigh heavily upon me.

My fingers clench around the edge of the sink as I take a deep breath, willing myself to find the strength within. It's not that I doubt Jacob's abilities or his well-meaning nature; he has been my rock these past few months. However, this time, I need to confront this challenge head-on, to prove to myself that I can battle my demons without relying on a man to rescue me.

I wipe my hands on the kitchen towel, feeling determination surge within me. It's time to dive into this mystery and uncover the truth. It may seem overwhelming, but I’m confident I have the inner strength to face whatever lies ahead.

I step away from the sink, feeling a wave of freedom wash over me. This is my path—an opportunity to discover who I truly am and grow from it. I won't let fear or others' expectations hold me back. Now, I just need to figure out how to make it all work. I need to talk to Lana.

---