Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe)

Anna's head swiveled, her gaze locking onto the boy's smiling face.

Despite his innocent face, a chill ran down her spine.

She was starting to wonder if he was one of them.

His hand settled on her shoulder, sending shivers through her. He advanced, his voice deceptively gentle, "Don't be scared. I'm not a baddie."

The gruesome scene replayed in her mind, turning his words into a cruel joke.

He noticed her trembling body and chalk-white face.

"Hungry? Want something to eat?" he asked.

After all, she was a child and was truly famished. She nodded instinctively.

He knelt, meeting her eyes. "Come with me."

Anna blinked at his reassuring smile. "Okay."

"Let's go," he said, holding out his hand.

Following him, Anna asked, "Where are we? Those people were scary. Do you know who brought me here?"

"So many questions," he said, his tone neutral. "Which first?"

"Are you a good person?"

He tilted his head. "What do you think?"

"I don't know," she whispered. "They're bad, but you... you're different."

The boy was dressed like an aristocrat, with a bow tie around his neck. He was gentle with her, that was what made him seem like a good person to Anna.

A faint smile played on his lips.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Taylor Carlyn."

"Taylor? Anna muttered, "Like... someone who makes clothes?"

"Yes."

"My name is Anna Sander. It means 'gracious defender'," she explained. "My parents wanted me to be able to protect myself and fight for what's right."

Taylor met her innocent eyes. He murmured, "Defend, huh? You probably won't get anywhere near that."

His voice was so soft that Anna didn't catch it. "What did you say? I didn't hear you."

"Nothing. Let's go," he responded.

He took her to a corner and served her a plate of risotto. "You must be starving," Taylor said, his eyes gentle.

Anna nodded. "Very."

Despite her encounter earlier, her childish mind had quickly pushed it aside. As she reached for her førk, Taylor suddenly stared past her, his expression hardening.

He abruptly spilled the risotto onto the floor.

"Eat," he commanded. His voice devoid of emotion.

Anna was confused. She knew she couldn't eat food off the floor. Was he joking?

Taylor's shift in character was too abrupt.

A limping man and a girl with sharp calculating eyes entered, sending a shiver down Anna's spine. Shee instinctively clung to Taylor

"Anna Sander?" the man asked.

"Yes, Uncle Hamilton," Taylor replied, his tone clipped.

"A Sander, yeah?" said Hamilton coldly, "Get rid of her."

Anna's heart raced. What did he mean?

Taylor's gaze shifted to her hand, which was gripping his clothes.

"There's no rush. She needs to be studied first. Wisteria needs to know some of

her characteristics, habits and her past."

"We'll keep her for a few days then," said Hamilton.

He gave Anna a cold glance which sent chills down her spine.

The girl who was about her age approached. Her voice was like a sweet venom. "I

am Anna Sander now."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll find out. Just to satisfy your curiosity, I'm Wisteria Carlyn, Anna Sander."

Wisteria smiled and reached out her

hand to Anna. Instinctively, Anna

reciprocated, but as their hands met, Wisteria pushed her to the ground.

AQUASnoveldrama

Wisteria held Anna's head down as she let out an evil cackle. "Aw, poor thing. You must be hungry. Eat all you want, you dog."