Chapter 7 Annie

• The whole security issue and James having to be around annoys me and I will speak to father about it but as father said, he is famished and so am I. I need to first eat and when I’m done eating I’ll have the strength to go head to head with father. I can’t believe him tightening the security just because I nearly burnt down the kitchen while trying to cook or could there be something else?
• Dinner is served and I sit opposite father as I eat, it is father’s policy not to discuss business while eating or even talk while eating because as he says it is simple table manners. I try to obey him when we are in the same room but if it is brunch with the girls everybody is going to have something to say and there is no way I would not have a thing or two to add but since papa is here I am just going to eat and not ask about the security till we are done. Eating with my father can be quite boring sometimes, since we do not speak I would prefer to watch something while eating but papa doesn’t like that. I sigh thinking of the boring rules I have to follow, I wonder what a life without bodyguards hovering around you is like and people taking pictures of you when you step out. Don’t get me wrong I love the attention because I always give them something to talk about or to look at but days when I just want to move around quietly it can be really annoying.
• I sigh again thinking of how I am not be getting any attention from the outside world because I am grounded in my house like a teenager. Ridiculous, when does the grounding end anyway? I need to get some new bags tomorrow and get my nails done. Father gives me a warning look about my sighs after I sigh again and I just proceed to eat the rest of my dinner in silence.
• Dinner is over, finally. I am going to have a talk with father, I need answers. I’m not going to be treated like a teenager when I am a grown woman.
• “I need to talk to you Annie.” Well he beat me to it. Dad sounds serious and he doesn’t really call me by my name except if it is serious or if he is tired but now he sounds serious.
• I tense a little trying to think about what father will want to talk about with me, could this be about working or signing me up for a class I don’t want to attend or worse, cooking class? Or is he still going to talk about last week’s incident?
• “As you have seen, the security has been tightened around you and this is not about you being grounded but it’s because I got a threat.” Dad announce and I tense, is someone trying to harm me or my father?
• “We don’t know yet about the source but the person was targeting you because they know it is a good way to get to me and I don’t want you to get hurt. I can’t loose you too Annie.”
• “I can’t loose you too papa.” I hugged him and the thought of something bad happening to either of us scared me. Now I see why dad had to tighten the security, he can even have as much bodyguards around as much as he likes.
• “You’re not going to loose me angel. I just need to get the attention off you for a while , you just need to lay low, we just need to lay low, I’m thinking of taking you to a country where no one knows me or know who you are.” Dad suggests and I start thinking of countries I could go on a vacation, should it be Italy, Paris or Spain? No one should know me there, it will be perfect. I will take lovely pictures and shop at Paris stores, sounds wonderful.
• “I’m thinking an island in Africa, you won’t be using the internet and no posting on Instagram or any social media platform.” A huge frown appears on my face instantly. Papa bear say what???
• “What do you mean no internet, no posting on social media. What else am I supposed to do? I might as well just die from boredom don’t you think? That’s outrageous papa, why do I have to go that far? What about you?” I stand up fuming, how did my life just deteriorate to this level?
• “It’s for your safety angel…” dad starts and I cut him off.
• “How am I supposed to be safe on my own in a foreign country where no one knows me? What if the person follows me there too huh?”
• “That’s why James will be coming with you, he will protect you while you are there and that is the major reason why you won’t be using the internet or social media, so they won’t be able to track you.” Dad answers and I hate that his answer is right.
• “But dad…” I whine on the verge of tears.
• “It’s for your safety Annie, believe me I’ll rather not do this.” He says reaching out to me but I pull away from him with tears in my eyes.
• I run all the way to my room and slam the door. Once in I just laid on the bed and cry my eyes out . Why is this happening to me? Why now? Today is officially the worst day of my life. I can’t afford not to live like this, what is a life without internet, without social media? I don’t even want to imagine it. It’s all going to be a dream, I’m going to wake up tomorrow and see that it’s a dream, just a dream to make me turn a new leaf that’s all. I closed my eyes and fell into a sweet dream of luxury and freedom.