Hello everyone!

Happy new year to you all! I know it is late but I wanted to wish you a year full of happiness and achievements.

Enjoy!

************

Anna sighed heavily as she sat next to Alex's bed. He didn't wake up yet, and his chest and leg were bandaged heavily. She clasped his cold hand in her warmer one trying exasperatedly to transform some of it to his body.

"Come on Alex, you have to wake up. It had been so long since you opened your eyes. Didn't you sleep enough already?" Anna's words were faced with nothing but silence.

Anna felt tears gathering in her eyes. The last few days were hard on her. She spoke with Edward, and he assured her Alex would be fine but will need time to wake up. It was like a curse following them. Every time someone is hurt, they are all afraid he would never wake up again. The process of waiting was worse than the final result itself.

"It is time we return to your room." The nurse's words brought Anna out of her mind-consuming thoughts. Anna squeezed Alex's hand one last time and followed the nurse who helped her adjust her clutches.

"Thank you so much for accompanying me," Anna said with a smile to the nurse who was helping her lay on the bed after she helped her walk to the room.

"It was my pleasure to walk with you, Miss Anna. I hope the fresh air would help you to recover. Also, don't worry much, Mr. Alex will be fine in no time."

Indeed the fresh air was a breather from the confines of her room. Anna rested her back against the head of the bed and closed her eyes. It had been six days since she woke up. Her injuries were mostly healed by now. Edward even told her she can leave the hospital at the end of the week.

"Didn't Hunter come to visit me today?" Anna asked hopefully.

"No Miss, he didn't come." The nurse said with an apologetic smile. Anna nodded and sighed. Hunter didn't come back to her room since the day he spent the night with her. She waited for him every day, but he never came.

"I will leave those books here for you so you won't get bored." The nurse said and placed a stack of books and magazines on Anna's bedside table before she left her.

Anna grabbed a book and started reading it in an attempt to get the thought of Hunter out of her mind.

Twenty minutes later, she heard knocking on her door. She cleared her throat and said, "come in."

A large smile broke on Anna's face when she saw Lillian and Diana enter her room. She placed the book in its place and returned the hugs both girls offered to her.

"And how is our princess today?" Diana asked taking a seat on one of the sofas scattered around the room.

"I am feeling great. The walk in the garden did me tons of good." Anna replied, leaving the part of her visit to Alex out of the conversation since she knew the animosity between him and the Salviatti clan.

"Look! I brought you your favourite cupcakes." Lillian waved a paper bag in front of Anna's face. Anna's eyes lit up and she clapped her hands excitedly

"Wow! Thank you so much, Lillian. This is the best gift ever. I was getting sick of the food Edward instructed me to eat."

Lillian rolled her eyes,

"tell me about it, I have to beg him so I can bring you the cupcakes. He was adamant that you need healthy food. My winning ticket was the fact that they are homemade."

Anna fetched one cupcake and took a bit. She moaned in delight as the blueberries jam attacked her taste buds. Lillian and Diana kept their silence until Anna was done eating the treats.

"I am full, they are the most delicious thing I tasted my whole life." Lillian arched an eyebrow at her friend's statement "really Anna! You could have fooled me. I am sure Caroline's dishes are incomparable."

"Well, you caught me. Caroline's food is heaven but you see, I am deprived of sweets, and your cupcakes are like a balm for me." Anna laughed at the expression Lillian formed on her face.

"What can I say? I will take second place. It is better than nothing."

"You are not okay," Diana observed from her seat.

"What?" Lillian asked confused by her cousin's words.

"I am talking about Anna. There is something bothering her." Diana explained. When Lillian looked closer at her friend, she saw the troubled look in her eyes she tried to cover.

"What's going on Anna?" Lillian asked alarmed. Now that she saw it, she can't ignore it.

"There is nothing wrong girls. I am just sick of staying in bed all day." Anna laughed hoping she was convincing.

"Come on Anna! We know you, and I suggest you stop trying to fool us." Diana said admonishing her friend.

"Look, I know it is something petty, but Hunter didn't visit me since the day I woke up from the accident." Anna looked at her friends and was surprised to see their faces expressionless. "Now, it is my turn to ask you girls, what's wrong?" Anna asked afraid the answer will hurt her.

"Nothing is wrong, Anna. Hunter is just busy with work. You know, grandpa didn't come back yet, and he is angry at everyone. We are all treading carefully around him until his mood improves." Lillian said with her voice steady.

Anna snorted and shook her head. "You are lying to me, Lillian. And your excuse is lame, my friend. Everyone came to visit me, even Damien came. The boys were here yesterday and stayed until night keeping me company. What work are you talking about?" Anna asked.

"Look, Anna, Hunter is....." Lillian started to talk, but Anna raised her hand to stop her.

"Don't lie to me anymore. I know something is the matter. So, if you can tell me what is it, do it. If not, I wish to stay alone. It is better than hearing lies." Anna said feeling her anger brewing to the surface.

"I don't have the right to tell you anything, Anna. I am sorry, please understand my position." Lillian pleaded with her friend to spare her.

Anna didn't say anything and lied on her bed. She brought the covers to her chin and closed her eyes. Lillian sighed and stood up from her spot bedside Anna on the bed. She kissed Anna's cheek and whispered: "sleep tight, my friend."

The moment Anna heard the door closing behind her friends, she opened her eyes and looked at the ceiling. What are you keeping from me this time, Hunter? Anna thought to herself.

***************

"Another meeting and I will be dead while standing." Hunter groaned as he took a seat beside his brother.

"Yes, it is exhausting to have meetings all day. I don't understand why the Don didn't return yet." Ethan wondered.

"He wants to finish his work in New York first. You know he is stubborn and won't announce his defeat ever." Hunter said and looked at his watch.

"Do you have other planes?" Ethan inquired.

"I have a conference with grandpa."

"Grandpa?" Ethan asked with confusion.

"I have an important matter to discuss with him," Hunter answered his brother's curiosity.

"And may I ask, what's this matter you couldn't have discussed with him during the endless meeting we just had?"

"It is personal and not related to work," Hunter answered his brother briskly and left the room, not giving Ethan the chance to interrogate him further.

Hunter entered his room and changed his suit to something more comfortable. He opted for sweatpants and a t-shirt. His phone rang displaying the name of one of his guards. "Is everything ready?"

"Yes sir, everything is like you ordered." The guard answered.

"Good job, I will be there at nine. Tell the nurse the time, and she will know what to do. I don't want any mistakes." Hunter hung up the phone and turned on his computer. Ten minutes later, the face of his grandpa was on the screen. After they shared pleasantries, Hunter moved directly to the topic.

"I want you to grant Anna her freedom."

"I had a deal with the girl. The mission is over, we know our enemies now. She can leave if she wants." The Don said nonchalantly not understanding why his grandchild was calling him for a problem that was already solved.

"I know the deal with heart grandfather. What I want from you is to cut any relation with Anna. I want her free one hundred percent from the mafia. In other words, I want you to break the Omértha." Hunter spoke with his voice steady wanting to show his grandfather he was serious.

The Don laughed hard, then he frowned at his grandson. "You are asking for the impossible Hunter."

"There is nothing impossible, grandfather. You can do anything you want. You make the rules, and you have the right to break them. Anna doesn't belong here. Set her free." Hunter reasoned.

"Hunter, I want you to stop this foolishness. Anna is bound to us by a deal, and that deal is unbreakable." The Don spoke sternly.

"Okay, don't break the deal. I want you to promise to never involve her in any mission. Promise you will let her live wherever she chooses and however she loves." Hunter said with his voice not leaving any room for negotiation.

"Alright, I promise." The Don said with a sigh. He understood his grandson's intentions, and he respected them.

"Write it on paper and sign it," Hunter said making his grandfather look at him in shock. Hunter knew he was crossing a line, but he needed reassurance.

"Hunter, are you mad?" The Don asked, "Since when do I need papers to keep my word?" His grandfather asked in astonishment.

"Since the day you decided to deceive me, Grandpa. Did you think I forgot what you did?" Hunter asked bitterly.

The Don cleared his throat, "Well, the paper will be on your desk in half an hour." The Don said with a stony look on his face. He didn't wait for Hunter to say anything and ended the call.

Hunter sighed and threw his head back in frustration. The first part of his plan was over. Now, it was time to move to the next phase.

*************

"Anna, Anna you need to wake up." Anna felt someone shaking her; she opened her eyes to find Felicia, her nurse standing next to her bed.

"I want to sleep more, Felicia. I am tired." Anna whined and closed her eyes.

"You have a date, and you had better start moving if you don't want to miss it." The nurse said with an excited voice.

"A date?" Anna opened one eye and peeked out of her covers.

"Yes, so move it," Felicia ordered.

Anna accepted the help of her nurse and went to the bathroom. She took a quick shower careful not to damp her still bandaged thigh. She dried her hair, and Felicia curled it for her.

They went back to the room, and Felicia put two bags on her bed. From the bigger one, she fetched a stunning short black dress. Anna fell in love with it form the first sight. Felicia helped her in putting it on. Then, she assisted her in wearing her black flats.

Anna grabbed some lip-gloss from her bag and mascara to put on some make-up. Her face was too pale and still had some fading bruises marring it.

Anna was smiling as she used her crutches with the assistant of the nurse who led her to the rooftop of the mansion.

The view was magnificent under the moon rays. The sky was full of stars, and the quietness of the night added to the serenity of the place.

Anna sat on one of the bag beans scattered around the place and lifted her head towards the sky. She wanted to absorb the moment and engrave it in her memory.

"You look stunning today." Anna turned her head and smiled when she saw Hunter standing not far away from her.

"And where were you?" Anna reproached as she hauled herself up and crutched her way to stand in front of Hunter.

"Sorry, ma belle, I was busy and didn't have the time to come. I hope you can forgive me by the end of tonight." Hunter said with a smile. He moved closer to Anna and drew her for a hug. Anna put her head on his shoulder and sighed.

"We will see. My forgiveness will be based on the date. If I like it, then consider yourself forgiven. If not, then you have to work harder." Anna teased Hunter. She had forgiven him already. It was impossible for her to stay mad at him. Being in his embrace was something wonderful for her, and she would give up anything so they stay like this forever. She wanted to live those moments and ask questions later.

"Come, let's eat," Hunter said and grabbed her hand.

They both sat on a table for two with the covered food trays already there. Anna smiled when she uncovered her tray and saw one of her favorite dishes. Today was her lucky day as everyone was spoiling her with food.

The dinner was delicious, and they both conversed comfortably. When the dessert arrived, they both took their plates of chocolate cake and sat on the bench.

"I wanted to give you this before, but the circumstances didn't allow it," Hunter said as he took out a black velvet box from his pants pocket. He opened it and revealed a beautiful necklace with a shining star as a pendant.

Anna took it in her hand and examined it delicately. She smiled at Hunter and spoke, "It is so beautiful Hunter, thank you."

Hunter smiled and said, "here, let me help you put it on." He moved behind Anna and gathered her hair on one side, then clasped the necklace around her neck.

He kissed her shoulder and said: "You know, you are the star that came and shone in my dark world. You are my light, Anna." Hunter breathed and stood up. He took his place and look at Anna's teary eyes.

"Thank you so much, Hunter. That's means a lot to me. You can't imagine how much your words are precious." Anna spoke honestly and leaned over to plant a kiss on Hunter's lips. The kiss was brief and short, but it expressed many feelings and emotions words can't give justice.

Hunter wounded his arm around Anna's shoulders and brought her closer to him. He breathed in the scent of her hair and ran his hands through the softness of her dark locks. It was moments like those that made him believe his decision was right, and he needed to continue it whatever the price was.

"I am happy the nightmare is over. Now, we can live without fear." Anna spoke after she took the first bite from her dessert.

"But our life is revolved around fear and danger," Hunter stated.

"Why are you talking like this?" Anna asked.

"Well, I am saying the truth," Hunter said nonchalantly. It was time to execute the plan.

"I know it is the truth, but it is our life, and we need to cope with it," Anna said and put her cup of dessert on the coffee table in front of her.

"Yes, we have to cope with it because we were born in this dark world. You, Anna, are not forced to live in this. You can get your freedom and live like any normal teenager who graduates from high school and wants to go to college." Hunter spoke with conviction in his voice. He needs all his skills to convince Anna of his point of view.

"I am not following you here, Hunter," Anna said confused. Without a word, Hunter gave Anna the paper and watched as multiple emotions crossed her face.

"What's the meaning of this?" Anna asked wishing for Hunter to laugh and tell her every word written on the paper was a joke.

"It is the paper that will grant you freedom from the mafia world. As soon as you are healed, you can leave for any part of the world you wish. You can even go back to your friends and live with them." Hunter explained to her ignoring the look of hurt that crossed her face.

"Hunter, I don't want any freedom. I am free here." Anna said still shocked.

"You are not free Anna. You are tied to the mafia. You will never be free Anna, you need to understand that." Hunter's voice got louder, and he started pacing in front of Anna. "You have to hate this life. This is not the life you deserve."

"That's the problem, Hunter. I can't hate this life because if I do, I will have nothing. I will be alone. Finally, after waiting for years, I have family and friends. I don't want to give this up." Anna shouted hoping her words will make him see reason.

"And do you think that staying here will give you what you desire? You are delusional Anna. Didn't you see what happened days ago? I nearly lost you. I prefer you living away than dying here in my arms." Hunter said, his voice getting higher.

"How about us? Let's say I left this life. What will happen next?" Anna asked desperately.

Hunter turned away from her. He closed his eyes and spoke in a cold voice.

"The moment you leave the mansion, we are done. I will cut any contact with you."

His words brought stinging tears to Anna's eyes. She swallowed hard and stood up on shaking feet. It wasn't helping that she had to walk using crutches.

"Very well, but let me tell you something. I am a Black now. I was going to tell you the news of Karen finalizing the adoption papers. I have my family and friends, and I am not leaving them behind. You don't want me to die in your arms? That's okay; you don't have to deal with me anymore, Hunter Salviatti." Anna said with tears running down her face.

On her way to the elevator, Anna tripped and fell on the ground. Hunter came running to her side and tried to help her. She shrugged his arm off and wobbled to her feet. Anna looked at him and gave him a fierce glare.

"Don't you ever touch me again," Anna said angrily and left Hunter standing alone. He sat on the bench and put his head in his arms. He never wanted things to escalate like this. He was just trying to protect her. He never intended to break her heart.

"You did a wrong move brother," Ethan said and took a seat next to Hunter.

"You were eavesdropping on us?" Hunter asked.

"No, I came here to fetch you for father. He wants to see you, and when I came here, I heard the heated conversation." Ethan explained.

"I was trying to protect her, nothing more. Damn it, I love her. I know it seems like a coward move, but believe me, you have to be brave to let go of the person you love." Hunter said in frustration.

"You went through it the wrong way. You stripped Anna of her choices and tried to force your decision on her. Here is the result."

"What should I do now?" Hunter asked desperately.

"I suggest you go and see father because he sounds angry," Ethan advised his brother and patted him on the back encouragingly.

Hunter nodded and went down the elevator to go to his father's office. He knocked on the door and waited for permission to enter.

"Good afternoon, Dad." Hunter greeted and sat on the chair facing his father's desk after the man gave him a nod.

"There is nothing good about this afternoon Hunter. When will you understand the chain of order? When will you learn to respect those higher than you in rank?" Damien spoke angrily.

"Look, Dad, if it is about the way I talked to you when you ordered me to set Lucca free then, I am sorry." Hunter decided to apologise and be done with it.

"No, no, it is not about me Hunter. It is about the way you talked to your grandfather hours ago. This is unjustifiable. You can't disrespect the man. You are not allowed to do it, do you hear me?" Damon admonished his son.

"I am not sorry about that, Dad. I had to do it." Hunter wanted his father to understand.