115 Who Was Anna?

Anthon could no longer focus on the conversation of Jim and Nap. He really had a strange feeling as he read it. Who was Anna? Why would she want to see him? He clicked on the profile and noticed the date. It was just created this morning.

Finally, Atty. Guevarra approached and thanked him. "Engr., thanks for everything. You both better take a rest now. It's been an exhausting day. We can continue the discussion tomorrow. " He smiled as he patted his shoulder.

Jim stood up without a word and hugged Anthon. With tears in his eyes, he gave him a bitter smile and patted his shoulder.

"Please tell Jian I was here. "He said before walking towards the door.

He walked over to his car which he left here before going out to the airport with a taxi. He brought Jian back to Ate Nita after he decided to go after Jim in El Nido. While turning on the engine, he took his phone again and replied to the strange message.

"Who's this? "

"Anna Reyes."

She replied to his amazement. Could she be waiting for his reply?

"See you at the office tomorrow. "A regular client must make proper appointment.

"No, I want it now."

Anthon frowned. How could she be this demanding?

"You don't have any appointment with me. I don't entertain strangers."

"I'm not a stranger. We are business partners. We even meet twice last week and once this week. "

He really could not remember a client named Anna Reyes. "What do you want? "

" A house and a car ASAP."

"Let's talk about it tomorrow. Come to my office. " He said, dismissing her.

"I can't. I won't let you sleep if you won't come."

Irritated, he put down his phone and start driving. As soon as he arrived home, he directly went for a quick shower and changed into a pair of shorts and a polo shirt. He planned to go to back to the beach resort he often went to everytime he wanted to be alone. Everytime he missed Jia. Everytime he wanted to think about her.

In fact, he had once brought her there and the memory had been bittersweet.

His message notifications beeped again. "Where are you? I'm waiting. "

Damn this woman! Who could she be?

He ignored her messages again and put back his phone inside his pocket. He put on his leather shoes and went back to his car. He then headed out towards the resort, his mind still bothered by this certain Anna Reyes.

Halfway towards the beach, he suddenly thought of turning back and drove instead to Hidden Park Subdivision. This woman won. He just didn't know why he could not ignore her.

___

Jia's thoughts was really drawn to the oil painting inside the master's bedroom. Yet, she couldn't dare to ask Arvin about it. She knew he was firm in keeping confidential matters.

She could neither dare to steal the keys. Who knew then if their were CCTV's all around? She didn't want to go against the rule set on her. It would be an insult to their hospitality if she would break into the room.

However, she really had to find a way. She just couldn't take her mind off her. Who was she in the life of her eccentric rescuer who set his house into an experimental lab?

___

Anthon pulled up in front of a security booth. The guard asked for his ID and asked the name of the person he's going to visit as well as the house number.

"Anna Reyes, House#46." Anthon said.

"We don't have a homeowner in that name, sir!"

"But I am sure she is here. I can even show you her message. "

"I am sorry, sir. I could not let you in if the homeowner does not confirm your arrival. This unit has no landline. If the homeowner expects a guest, he always informs us ahead." The guard explained.

Anthon nodded. He understood that the guards were just doing his duty. It's for the safety and security of the homeowners.

He sent a message to this certain Anna again.

"I'm at the guard's house. Let me in! "

However, 15 minutes passed and he got no reply. This woman must had fooled him and he was so stupid enough to become an easy victim. She wanted a house and a car? Sure, he could provide the house but not the car. He was not an agent, nor affiliated to any car company. Above all, she should be the one to take the initiative to see him.

He shrugged his shoulders and turned the car to leave. Just as he was about to speed up, another guard met and stopped him.

"Sir, we are really sorry. I was the one who got the call but I went inside to respond to another homeowner' s call before informing my fellow guard. "

He nodded and the other guard who stopped him was already on his motorcycle, gesturing him to follow. Once they reached the place, the guard pressed the buzzer. After few minutes, he heard the guard said, ..."someone is here to see Miss Anna Reyes. "

The guard nodded at him before he sped off with his motorbike. Then, the tall, black gate slowly opened up to let him in. After a man in his mid - twenties locked the gate, he walked towards him.

"She's waiting by the garden at the back. "

Anthon could not understand his feelings. There, really, must be something about this woman that draw himself towards her. He slowly walked towards the back, his eyes were sharp. He was new to this place and he was sure he had not met her before. When, finally, he could see her midway, he walked more slowly to observe. . .

She was sitting in a wood porch swing with her back towards him. She wore a black, denim jacket and her hair was short, in a layered boy - cut style. Somehow, her built looked familiar...

He then walked faster with his competing heartbeats and stopped by the side of the swing. She must have sensed his coming because she halted her rocking by placing a leg forward. But she remained looking far away without glancing at him.

He stared closely at her. He couldn't be wrong. She had a big, black mole on her right cheek. Her eyelashes were thick in a perfect cat eye look. Her nose was slightly upturned above a pale, pink lips.