The Shy Beauty and the Billionaire Beast (Ana and Jaxon) novel Chapter 18

*Ana's pnt of view*

The next six months following my escape were a rollercoaster. Within the first three months, anytime I'd open the TV, celebrity gossip news would be gushing all over Jaxon's love life with Rose. Their pictures of "love" littered my brain, and it began to take a serious toll.

Not even Sonya tried to reach out to me.

My heart was broken.

Then unexpectedly, Jaxon and Rose became engaged.

It burned.

It honestly crushed my heart.

I spent hours crying into the night.

John never knew what was taking place. He knew that I was broken up over an ex, he didn't know that my ex's love life was practically being thrown in my face everywhere. Newspapers, magazines, the news, everything. He was everywhere, always in my face. It's as though I never left in the first place.

When John finally found out that Jaxon was my ex, he was pretty shocked, but nevertheless, he made it his priority to help me forget him. He made sure that instead of live television, I got hung up on work, Netflix, and hobbies that didn't include spending much time at home.

John took me indoor skydiving, we went forest trail walking, we went kayaking, and he even took me dancing. There was a bar where they held karaoke nights, and it was my favorite place to go because John made sure to pick the corniest songs, just so he could get booed off the stage, in order to put a smile on my face. He was the absolute gentleman I needed in my life, and I truly appreciated him. He was romantic, respectful. He planned the most awesome dates, and there are time where we just sat and talked.

Within a week of announcing their engagement, Jaxon and Rose had married, and for a while, the news no longer cared for them. It felt great to open up a magazine, and just breathe in relief, knowing that I wouldn't see his face, his eyes. One night, after just taking a stroll around town, John and I were walking hand in hand, when I just stopped him. I looked up at him as he gazed at me curiously.

He was taller than me, so I found myself standing on the tip of my toes, as I leaned up and kissed him.

I felt something, a quick jolt of excitement traveled through me. It wasn't much. But it was there.

I pulled away smiling, and he looked at me and said, "What was that for?"
"Thank you." I simply stated, and we kept walking.

From that day, things changed between John and I.

We were a couple. We were happy. We were healthy

We were a happy healthy couple.

I was happy.

Then, a few months later I turned on my television, and the first thing I saw was a headshot of Jaxon on my screen, his blue eyes piercing his gaze at me. The anchor explained that Rose's father passed away, and that caused her to go into a serious meltdown. Their marriage became toxic, and they got a divorce.

Maybe the old me would've been affected, but now, I simply shrugged and changed the channel.

John was going away on a business trip, and we were together getting some final things.

He dropped me off on my front door, but I wouldn't let him go. Every time he turned to leave, I grabbed his arm, I hugged him, kissed him.

At some point he chuckled and said, "Babe, I'll only be gone for three days. Plus you can just call me, and we can talk."

"Yeah, but talking is not the same when you're miles away." I whined and pouted. I actually cared for this man.

"Okay, if you let me go now, when I come back, you will get a reward," he paused and pecked my lips, "fit," he said then kissed me again "for a queen." He said, then kissed me deeply.

I found myself molding my body against him, then just like that he pulled away. He got in his car, and I watched him drive away. I stood at the top of the steps in front of my door, and I gazed up at the shining moon and stars. They twinkled down at me, and I admired their beauty, I felt at peace. Happy.

I giggled out of wonder, I actually found happiness. The ice king couldn't take that away from me.

He moved on.

I moved on.

Life moves on.

A little chilly wind is was cautioned me to get inside.

The minute I stepped in my house, something felt odd.

I quietly placed my purse down, and retrieved the trusty bat that was hidden behind my giant flower pot.

I didn't turn on any lights, I didn't need them.

The first place I turned to was the living room. The tv was on, and I know for a fact I didn't leave it on.

Securing my hand around the bat, I took a silent step forward, then another, then another.

I was in the middle or my living room, when I felt it.

Or in other words him.

Without hesitation, I turned and swung the bat. He expected my attack, and ducked. I didn't hesitate to swing again, but this time he caught it. While his hand clasped onto the bat, my foot when flying, and I kicked him dead in the shin, shocked he stepped back, and with all my strength I tackled him to the ground.

John and I took a self-defense class for fun, but turns out, the techniques became handy.

I straddled him, and pinned him to the floor, using the bat as a hold at the base of his neck, he placed his hand under the bat in order to keep me from choking him.

"Ooh, getting a little feisty there princess. Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Get out!" I demanded, my eyes looking straight at him.

"No."

"No?"

"No."

"Get out or else."

"Or else what?"
"Or else I call the police, and say that you broke into my house." I simply explained.

"With what proof? There is no sign of forced entry." He shrugged.

"Jaxon just leave!"

"Kiss me."

"What?"

"Ana? Ana?" Came a voice startling me from my daze.

"Huh?" I said shaking my head, as I looked to find my next door neighbor Martha looking at me strangely.

"You've been standing there for a good minute. John left about thirty minutes ago, and you haven't moved. Is everything alright?" She asked slightly concerned.

"Oh! Uh yes! Yes, everything is fine. I'm just a little tired. I'll be heading in now." I said, blushing out of embarrassment.

It was all a daydream.

"Okay, well you have a good night dear." Stated Martha, as she turned and left.

I sighed and shook my head again.

I was happy with John, now the only thing that held me back from fully loving him was that cold-eyed bastard, and the way my mind played tricks on me.

I entered my house, and trotted to the living room, where I plopped down on the couch with a sigh.

I turned on the tv, and as an episode of friends began to play, I felt a chill rise above my skin. But before I could fully acknowledge it, my heart dropped as I heard a voice say, "hello princess."