"Is that you, Anna?" I was asked, but my voice box didn't function. It was like yesterday, when it happened, when everything changed.

As I reached my house, I see him pacing back and forth in the little garden of my house, filled with the flower of Amaranthus which symbolises Hopelessness..... Like my life.

"Where were you?" He hugged me.

"There is no one was at your home. And I lost the track of time while walking back to home."

"Why were you walking back home?" He looked for any injury. "We were planning to surprise you. Five O'Clock. Remember? But you didn't show up."

"I just wanted to kill the time, so I walked to your home, but then something happened, and I changed my mind..."

"Everyone can come here if you want....."

"I am tired." I hugged him. "Good night."

"Is this goodbye?"

"I will contact you when I can. Trust me, I am good."

"You are best friend till my last breath. Contact me anytime."

Another question came to hit me with my reality, "Did you miss me?" He asked, and I could hear the joy in his voice.

Then I realized.....

Jacobson.

Jacobson.

Trina Jacobson.

My drowned memory started to swim back to the surface by this name. Why I didn't think before. I thought there are a lot of Jacobson in the world, but the reality is that the world is small. It's a circle. And here, I walked to Trina Jacobson, who is none other than the wife of George Jacobson. My best friend.

"Where were you all these years?" George almost run towards me but stopped when he sees my reaction.

I actually flinched away.

This was the time I recollect the incidents that have happened all these years... How I was raped almost every night by a drunk, grieving man. How stupidly I would cook breakfast for my rapist, the next morning. I was trying to give my daughter a normal family breakfast time.

"Where were you?" He repeated the question with calmness... As if he knows.

"You know her?" Norma jumped in between. I guess she understood I am panicking. And I need her help.

"I stalked James Carter to see you, and you are here. Did you divorce him?" George walked towards me with slow steps, testing the water.

"Do you feel uncomfortable?" Norma asked me again, this time with anger.

"You are making her uncomfortable." Trina joined the conversation and surprisingly, she supported me.

"She is my Anna." George let out the frustrated words.

Trina's eyes danced with revelation from George to me. She was shocked.

"But she doesn't wear the signature big glasses you mentioned." Trina finally recovered.

"They are unfashionable." George gave full attention to his wife.

Ahhh....

The shriek took our attention. It was Jamie who shrieked. He looked at Ryan, who was looking at us with confusion. My boy called Ryan and finally, they both run to hug each other with their baby talk.

"You are still with him," George said while looking at Jamie, intensely. He knows Jamie is another Carter. My son has his father's features, and I hope, he would take only good genes from Carter because if he becomes a complete Carter, I would break.

"So they are Carters." Trina interrupted.

"I waited for your calls. James threw me out of his office several times, his address is not available anywhere. And you have been here all this time." George accused me.

"Listen to me...." I tried to convince him, but he didn't listen and raised his both arms in the air, gesturing me to stop.

"This little fellow is my best friend now...along with my son." He pointed at the two toddlers, ignoring me. "You have no idea." His voice almost gave up before walking towards the boys to join them.

"I was planning to drop the partnership, but since you are Anna... The Anna that George trust, then I feel I could be useful to you." Trina offered an apologetic smile. The stunt her husband pulled was the definition of embarrassment. This is George. He is a walking example of embarrassment. I grew up with him, and I am happy for him that his partner has accepted the way he is.

"Can I hug him?" I asked Trina because she is his wife. I don't want her to feel any insecurities with me. I love George. He is the brother I always prayed for. We grew up together. Sunday lunch, greenhouse help... Projects. Everything he did at my home.....ex-home.

I don't have a home, anymore... Without Cherish. No home.

The day I married James, I hoped to have my home with James with our kids, but he never invited me into his life. He failed me. I was his guest. I lived in the guest room for 16 years in his mansion.

"Of course. That was a silly question." Trina passed the genuine smile, that helped to relax my nerve and I stormed to George.

My best friend was sitting on the floor while the boys were speaking baby language to him. Jamie was showing off his toys. My son loves aeroplanes. You name it he has it. Thanks to his father, James Sr. Who generously has started to send alimony before finalization of divorce.

"That is creepy, church girl." George was still looking at boys, and he has Zippy in his arms... The unknown pup.

"You look old." I closely noticed the changes in the embarrassing man. He aged gracefully yet, He still looks the almost same. Clean face, lean body, and no grey hairs on his black hair.

"But you still look the same... Tell me the formula of this forever young technology." When George looked at me, I see the tears almost making their way out of his grey eyes.

"Go to church whenever you are free." I joked.

My words loosened the tension in the air, and George smiled. He moved a little and gave me the space to join them, beside him. We sat and watched the little boys playing, unaware that Trina and Norma was alone preparing for lunch.

When we were called, I was embarrassed as I ditched my guest and the old lady was alone, hosting my business partner.

"I am so sorry....." I rushed to the kitchen, but Trina stopped me.

"We are family...... George calls you his family. So get used to me in your kitchen... Partner." Trina pushed me into the dining table where we sat and had our conversation.

It's been years, that I had a family lunch. I always cooked and packed them for James, but he always threw it... And he displayed it every time. Never bothered to hide it.

I guess I needed this family, not the imaginary family with James. He never bothers to call me. Even he is not aware of Jamie.

"James loves you a lot." George was smiling while he finished the lunch.

"What?" I was surprised.

"George, I think there Is a misunderstanding." Norma was trying to be polite, but I could feel the itch in her voice.

"No, there is no misunderstanding." Trina laughed. "He is possessive of her. He even hired Roger's security firm for her. George was thrown out multiple times."

"She thought I am having an affair with you until the people from Roger's security firm came to our house and assured me of your safety." Adding the new piece of information, George was a laughing mess. "He has her picture framed in his cabin."

"I went To his office. ." I couldn't understand the situation.

"He is...." Norma was about to speak but shut her mouth, when I looked at her.

I went to my husband's office. I was raped there twice. I didn't see any of the pictures.

If George is speaking the truth, then, where is the office of James Carter? Why does Daniel take me there every time? Am I missing something?