Operation: Threads of Connection

Dreams

Damian's POV:

"You wanted to talk?" she said, her voice soft but clear. She looked at me with dull eyes. I couldn't help but feel guilty. I'm such an asshole, Father was right, I do end up ruining everything. Anya's eyes softened as she looked at me, she made her way towards the large rock, sitting next to me. "I'll listen to you..." She whispered.

I couldn't help but feel nervous. How do I tell you this? Would you even believe me...

"Anya," I slowly began. I looked at the sky, the stars all scattered around, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "I- I don't know how this happened... Three weeks ago, I was on cloud nine. I loved spending every second with you, I even loved spending time with your family. For days, I was trying to confess to you... The day I was going to, you pushed me away. I don't blame you at all, what I'm trying to say is..." I turned around to face Anya, she was looking at me with her big green eyes. I grabbed her hands, giving them a squeeze.

"Anya, I'm really sorry about everything that happened earlier. I know it must have hurt to see me with Alina, but I promise you, there's nothing going on between us. She confessed her feelings to me, but I turned her down because... because my heart belongs to someone else." I said. All the memories began flooding my brain as I thought of Anya's laugh, her smile, and her kindness. I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks as she looked at me with her mouth slightly open. She sat there for a couple of seconds, suddenly, her eyes began forming tears.

Shit! What did I do? Becky is going to kill me.

"Damian," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I... I'm sorry for pushing you away. You have to understand, Alina... she has a video." She said as tears began rolling down her face. Video? Of what?

"Video of what, Anya?" I ask curiously. Anya began shaking her head as she stood up suddenly. No, I can't have her leave.

"I have to go Damian, it's dangerous for me to be here with you. I have to protect you," She cried out as she began getting off the stone. I can't lose her again. Her back was to me as she began making her way towards the stairs.

"Anya, I love you." I shouted, my voice breaking with desperation. She froze, her back still turned to me. I could see her shoulders trembling, and I knew I had to do something, anything to stop her from leaving. "Please," I continued, my voice softer but filled with urgency. "Anya, whatever it is, we can face it together. Just tell me what's going on."

She turned around slowly, her face wet with tears, her expression a mix of fear and confusion. She took a hesitant step back towards me, her eyes searching mine.

"Damian," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The video... it's of your last performance."

My mind raced, trying to process what she was saying, what about it? A lot of people were recording that day. "What about it? I got second place so what? Is she going to try and embarrass me or something?"

Anya shook her head. She bit her lip, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. Finally, she took a deep breath and spoke. " Damian, she recorded what your father did to you..." Tears began flowing down her cheeks again. "She threatened to expose the video if I didn't stay away from you..."

The pieces of the puzzle began to fit together. Alina had been using this secret to control Anya, to keep her away from me. The anger I felt towards Alina was overwhelming, but I knew I had to focus on Anya right now.

"Anya," I said, standing up and closing the distance between us. "You don't have to go through this alone. We can find a way out of this. I promise."

She looked up at me, hope flickering in her eyes. "But what if she releases the video? Everyone will see... what your father did. You'll be humiliated, Damian."