Annie was on top of the steps. She changed into dark wash skinny jeans and a black poncho, her long hair up in a pony tail, the shorter layers that framed her face were pulled to the side of her face in a light wave. She slowly started descending the stairs, one step at a time all the while taking deep breaths. She was nervous about talking to him. She didn't know exactly what state of mind her father was in and if he will even let her utter a word of reason.

As Annie descended the last step she took a deep breath and walked toward her father's study. The double doors were closed. She hesitantly knocked twice waiting for a reply.

She listened intently as her father's voice call, "Come in!"

She opened the doors and closed them behind her. Her father was seated behind his grand desk, his elbows resting on top with his head in his hands. He looked up with exhausted eyes. His hair looked like it had been raked through a few times. She smiled at him and walked towards him standing beside his desk.

"Come walk with me dad. It's a beautiful night, I wanted to take a stroll and I don't want to go out alone." Holding her hand out. She was delighted when he pushed his chair, paused, then stood, taking her offered hand in his and walking her outside silently.

Annie had a hidden agenda other than talking some sense into her father. The walk was an excuse to get a closer look at the St. James' house and hopefully it's inhabitants....two birds with one stone, she thought smiling to herself.
****
The night was clear without a cloud in sight, the temperature was a little cool with a slight breeze as they started walking down their large private pathway down toward the sidewalk. Like a true gentleman he held out the crook of his arm for her to take as they slowly started to walk silently.

Patrick took in a large deep breath and let it out, letting his frustrations out into the sky. Annie looked to the side watching the house Julien and his family occupied. Lights illuminated trough the windows in random rooms. "Did you hear we have new neighbors move in across the street?" Annie started, nodding toward the house breaking the silence.

"I actually saw the moving truck but haven't officially met the owners. Your mother told me about the accident a few days ago and about meeting the St. James'. She seemed to like them well enough." He replied, Annie grateful he's started to speak. "I hadn't a moment this past week to properly talk to you about it..." He trailed off, his shoulders sagging remembering his dilemma.

"We met Duncan, their driver Kash and Julien St. James. We didn't see or meet the other family members yet." Annie continued as if she didn't hear the hostility in his voice.

"I've heard about Julien and his father Victor through my business acquaintances. They are quite ruthless when it comes to business but have an elemental foundation when it comes to family, just like us. I'm sure we'll meet them soon enough." Her father informed as they passed the St. James' residence.

"Speaking of family....I'm just going to get to the point...I hate what's going on with you and Cici. The anger you're holding in is hurting you more than the person or people who upset you. We all make mistakes, and odds are we all could have messed up just as easily. You can't protect us forever and ward off all the hurt, pain, and injustice the world throws at us. Cici, Sonny and myself included are not completely independent, how could we be if we don't learn from our own mistakes and failures? Dad, what I'm saying is: you have to learn to let go."

Patrick's head was bowed, listening to what his daughter was saying. "It's easier said than done....I know that I have to let go and it will take time." He said slowly. "But my real shock and disappointment was when they swooped in, excited about the news they were about to share with me instead of my own daughter informing me before hand! Had she come to me and shared how she was feeling, such as you are now, I would have reacted differently. Not hear it from Anthony and his parents! She should understand and put herself in my position! I may have been stubborn but it's the principle!" He boomed.

Annie patted his arm and rubbed his back with her other arm.

"Dad please calm down, I know it's upsetting but calm yourself. Breathe and let it all go."

"Besides, is he good enough for her?" He continued, "The boy didn't utter a word. All he did was sit there, sweating like a pig!" Annie burst out laughing, she laughed so hard she had to hold her stomach, catching her breath as she wiped the tears from her eyes. 

"Dad."  She admonished playfully, swatting his arm. 

However, Patrick went on as though she never spoke.  "Yes, yes, I know he's a lawyer like his father and his family is well off, but I'm speaking in terms of his personality. Will he be good to her? What if he abuses her, doesn't shower her with the love and affection she deserves or has an affair!?!"

"Well dad, if any of the things you say happen, which I personally think won't, I will personally kick his butt and make him regret the day his mother brought him into this world." She responds with a serious frown on her face. "Anyway, you can't just jump to these conclusions and expect him to be perfect, nobody is. Everybody deserves somebody who helps them look forward to tomorrow and for Cici, it's Anthony. Chances must be taken, mistakes must be made, and lessons learned. It won't be easy, nothing ever is, it's called life."

Suddenly, Patrick looked at her and stopped walking with a thoughtful expression.  He turned to her and held her head in both his hands. He brought her head forward and gave her forehead a light kiss. "You grew up too fast. And you're one of the smartest people I know. No truer words could have been said by someone else and have them come out the way they do when you say them. I love you kids, you are my world, I know I'm too strict at times but it's for your own good."

"Please make the effort and talk to Cici, don't ignore her. Communication is key to any relationship. It's her fault it came to this, I agree, but please be reasonable and don't be too harsh. Mom and I need everything back to the way things were. Besides, you wouldn't want everybody at work to turn in their resignation, you were literally going to bite their heads off!"

Both Patrick and Annie herself, giggled at her joke.

"I've put your mother through enough in the last few days, and I'm exhausted to tell you the truth." Running a hand down his face.

They turned around making their way back toward their home. They had traveled about a mile distance as they walked back. Patrick wrapped his hand around Annie shoulders lovingly.

"....Eventually the princess moved out of the castle and went into another line of work, but her dad is still a king...and always will be..." Annie recited a quote that she loved to him. Her father laughed deeply throwing his head back, squeezing her closer to his side.

"Beautifully said words, princess."  Her father told her holding her close.

It was wonderful to hear her father's laughter, it made her heart swell with happiness. All her father needed was reassurance and time to process. He was just as exhausted with the current situation as they all were. She was relieved, releasing a deep breath. Now it was up to Cici to smooth out the edges and have a sit down with him.

They continued talking and reminiscing about the past. Her father seemed to have loosened up considerably back to his old self.

They were about to cross the street when they heard a slight movement. They both stopped and looked around. A dark figure approached which appeared to be a man walking his big black dog. The dog wasn't on a leash as it neared them cautiously. Patrick and Annie stood still as the man and dog came closer. Annie squinted her eyes trying to make out the man's features.

Patrick stiffened beside her. "Annie don't move a muscle, it's the Panther your mother told me about when you had the accident."

Annie's body stiffened at will as her heart started beating erratically. Looking from the man, which she still couldn't see very well due to the darkness, to the Panther. She had easily mistaken him for a large dog.

It's him. It had to be.

Julien finally came into view, standing tall next his Panther, Raja, who stopped moving towards them and eyeing them curiously. Julien caught a couple walking hand in hand suddenly stop in their tracks. He hoped they wouldn't scream upon seeing Raja. People don't react well when they see him. Raja had been restless being confined in the house for the last few days, so Julien decided to walk him outside for some fresh air. They both had been roaming around aimlessly, about ready to end their walk, nobody crossing their path until now.

As he walked closer he saw her. The woman that had been his every thought for the last few days. A streak of irritation sliced through him at the thought of another man with her, possibly her lover. But as he looked more closely he saw the man was much older than her, his features clearing into his view, instantly recognizing the notorious Patrick Taverron.  The highly successful business man and father of the young lady next to him.

Relief flowed and spread inside of him. He's heard about the well known business man and his family.

Everybody knew about the Taverrons and their success. Patrick was well respected amongst the elite and known worldwide in business as lethal and cunning. His children were a strong foundation and element in his business dealings.

Especially Annie.  Rumors swirled in the business world.  She was known as the Ice Queen. Many described her as knowledgable, straight forward, and a cut-throat with no heart. She showed no remorse, never smiled, and always demanded what she expected when negotiating.  It was believed her heart was made of ice.

What you see is not always what you get so it seems...

He approaches with a charming smile. Annie eyed him closely, her gaze taking him in, quite pleased with her reaction to him. Julien knew she felt the attraction–the connection between them.

He is so attractive, she thought to herself. Flashing his amazing smile at them dressed in black pants, and a dark long sleeve shirt.

He looked so good in black. 

Her eyes soaked up every detail, feeling deprived for so long. His features were strong and defined in the shadows. He appeared like someone you wouldn't want to approach, confident, powerful and dangerous.

Breaking the silence he said, "Hello," extending his arm to Patrick. "My name is Julien St. James, your new neighbor."

Patrick shook his hand.

"Pleased to meet you, I'm Patrick.  You've recently meet my wife, Charlotte and my daughter Annie during the run-in that happened earlier this week."

"Ah, yes, the pleasure is all mine. We meet again, Annie." His electric gray eyes boring into hers.

He releases Patrick's hand and stretched his hand out for her to shake. She hesitated he noticed, but tentatively unclenched her palm and met his handshake. She was cold whereas his was warm and inviting, holding on to her hand a little longer then necessary.

His hand was much bigger than hers she noticed. He didn't kiss the back of her hand like last time but his charm was vibrating off of him in waves. He released her before her father noticed, leaving her cold fingers a little warmer than before.

Shifting his gaze to Patrick, he smiled apologetically.

"Very sorry about that.  Raja decided to take a stroll on his own in the middle of the street during the move-in and nobody noticed."

Upon hearing his name Raja came up to Annie and started rubbing his shoulder along her leg. Annie was shocked, looking down at the big cat. She didn't, couldn't move. She wasn't afraid but she didn't expect the sudden contact.

"He must really like you, he isn't very trusting with people he's not familiar with. You can pet him if you like, he doesn't bite," his slight British accent smoothly informed her.

Patrick chuckled beside her. She looked at her dad and smiled.  It was the third time in the last 2 hours she'd heard him laugh.

Shifting her gaze back she watched Julien as he bent down to Raja's level patting his fur and gave her a smile of encouragement. She went down to his eye level as well, and lifted her arm reluctantly to touch his fur.

Julien grabbed her hand and she sucked in her breath in surprise, blushing. She was glad it was dark and the path way lights weren't the brightest, or he would've noticed her turning a bright red.

"I'll help you since you seem a little apprehensive." He explained, taking her hand and guiding it towards Raja's back.

She's glad he didn't use the term scared, she wasn't she assured herself, she just was unsure where to touch or how, for such a large creature.

"He's so soft," Julien let go of her hand as she grew confident, stroking his ears and back. Raja purred in approval enjoying the way she was petting him, his eyes half closed. He turned his face up and nudged her cheek with his nose.

In her surprise, she lost her balance and fell backwards, landing on her bottom and the backs of her hands. Julien quickly stood and bent forward to help her up. Patrick grabbing one arm and Julien the other.

"Are you alright, sweetheart?" Her father asked, his face etched with concern.

"Of course, I was just a little startled, I hadn't expected him to do that." She replied quickly.

Julie's hand wrapped around her arm was the only thing she could concentrate on. She could smell his cologne now that he was closer. He smelled heavenly, inviting her to lean in closer to him.

"I apologize for his behavior, he seems quite smitten with you."

Just as I am, he thought.

He stared into her eyes as she stared back. The same exact shade of her father's and remarkably striking. Out of the corner of his eyes, Raja stayed in the same position in front of her instead of backing away and continued staring as well, his tail up in the air–a sign he's happy.  It appeared like his little friend was even grinning. Julien released her arm as did her father allowing her some space.

Annie looked away slightly flushed.

"Charming fellow, isn't he?" Her father remarked patting Raja's head.

The wind picked up rushing around them. Julien caught the scent of Annie's perfume as it swirled around him, light with a hint of jasmine. He absorbed it, closing his eyes for a second, the feeling of euphoria engulfing him. She smelled like heaven and he couldn't help but imagine himself leaning in and kissing the pulse on her neck as he memorized the scent.

Annie wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off the cool breeze that sped by. Julien looked at her as if he could eat her up, his intense gaze warming her insides. She glanced at her father, hoping he hadn't noticed.

Thankfully, Patrick was occupied pulling out his cellular phone which was vibrating in his pocket.
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Thanks for reading!

More to come...things steam up between Julien and Annie in the next chapter.

-Shaz.