Love Struck (The Taylor Brothers Book 4)

Nelson stood at his door and watched her walk out of the restaurant with a frown. Had he taken this too far? He went back and sat down at his desk with his head in his hands. How had he become so pathetic? He had no business prying in someone's private life. It wasn't in his nature to do so. He was a fun-loving guy who although was more reserved than his twin, yet loved playing pranks and enjoying life with his brothers and friends. However, ever since he met Annalise Martin his whole body burned with a flame of jealousy whenever any man came near her. He didn't understand this crazy feeling and neither did he understand the constant anger bubbling inside him at the sight of those good-looking rich guys around her. He knew that what Adam told him were baseless accusations actually yet he too judged her just believing what he saw.

He sighed and started his work. There was no point in thinking about all that now. She had left the work and had gone out of his life forever. However, he didn't feel happy about it and just waited for the impossible. He waited for her to return back. After all she did say that she loved him. How could she stay away from him if she truly loved him? Maybe he had gone crazy actually. How could a teenaged girl reduce him to such a pathetic state? He sighed and tried to concentrate upon his work but her words had got him thinking. Were his accusations baseless? Was he judging her wrongfully? Then what was the truth? What explanations could she have about those guys? Then what about Greg? They too had a date together, didn't they?

There was only one way to find out. He would have to ask Greg about his date with Annalise. It was lunch time when after a lot of contemplation, Nelson went out of his office to the billing counter. He saw Trent and Greg busy with customers. Susan who he knew was Annalise's friend stood beside Trent waiting as he dealt with the customer.

The customer left and before Nelson could call Greg to his office to talk to him, there was a commotion near the entrance of the restaurant. They all turned to see that three men had come inside. Nelson's jaws dropped seeing the man who just walked in. It was the same man with whom Annalise and her mom had left on the day of the party at Adam's house. Accompanying him were Annalise's two customers, the Mercedes guy as well as the Ferrari guy. What was happening? They seemed to be talking to the security at the door.

Susan gasped seeing them. "Do you know them?" Asked Nelson with curiosity.

"Yes. That's Annalise's uncle, Edward Martin and those are her brothers, Erik Martin and Dean Martin. But what are they doing here?" Asked Susan perplexed. Nelson's jaws dropped at the information. Those two guys were her brothers? He stood shocked. They were her family? That had never crossed his mind. He massaged his temples as he remembered the things that he said to her.

The three men looked around and Susan went ahead to greet them. They seemed to be engaged in a serious conversation. Nelson slowly turned to Greg who too looked a little pale. "Greg how did your date with Annalise go?" He asked. He had to know.

"It didn't happen. I didn't go because Anna refused me. Her mom died four days back and her dad is in the hospital in a coma and she has two younger siblings to look after. She isn't interested in these things, she told me," said Greg, his eyes watching the three men talk to Susan.

Nelson's face paled at what he heard. "Her mom died?" He repeated dazedly. He felt like his heart had constricted at the thought. If only he knew the truth before, he would never have hurt her this way.

"Yes dude. I had the same reaction. I told her nasty things. She stopped all interactions with me. I'm feeling wretched now after knowing the truth. I wish I could apologize," said Greg. Nelson stood like a statue as all the words he told her and the hurt that mirrored on her face flashed onto his mind. He closed his eyes. God! What had he done? He had hurt an innocent soul.

"I wonder what they're talking about," said Trent staring at the four of them deep in conversation. Nelson opened his eyes and looked at them. They seemed to be very worried and tensed. He could sense that something was wrong from the look on their faces. After sometime, the men left and Susan came back to them.

"I need to take leave for the day, sir," she said in a panic. Before Nelson could ask her anything Trent interfered.

"Why? What happened?" Asked Trent. Nelson looked at her with concern. His heart beating faster with apprehension.

"Annalise's family is looking for her. She has switched off her mobile phone  and they can't get through to her so they came here to get her. Her dad has expired an hour ago and they couldn't contact her," said Susan with tears in her eyes, Trent caught her hand and she broke down completely.

"Anna's just disappeared, Trent. I don't know where she is," sobbed Susan. "She lost both her parents in just a week."

Nelson looked at her with guilt. He had driven Annalise away. It was because of him that she had taken this extreme step. If he hadn't been such a d*ck to her then she would've still been here. He didn't know what to do any more. "Where are you going then?" Asked Trent.

"There's a park near her father's house where she used to go house with her dad. Anna loves that place. She might have gone there. I'm going to look for her," said Susan.

"Can I come with you?" Asked Nelson, brokenly. His heart was breaking for Annalise. He couldn't forgive himself for what he'd done to her. Susan looked at him with apprehension.

"I don't know, " she said hesitantly. She knew how Nelson had insulted Annalise and didn't think it was a good idea to take him along but seeing the remorseful look on his face she just couldn't say anything.

She walked towards the door followed by Nelson. "We'll take my car," said Nelson. He started his car and Susan climbed into the passenger seat. She gave him the address of the park. After a fifteen minute drive they reached the humble park in one of the poorer residential areas of Houston.  "Do you know her house?" Asked Nelson.

"Yes. If we don't find her at the park, we'll go to her father's house. After her mom's death, her uncle has taken her along with her siblings to his house, " said Susan. Nelson nodded silently. He had wronged her so much. His first impression of her was true. He shouldn't have heard Adam and judged her influenced by his words. He parked the car and they walked towards the park. The next twenty-five minutes they scanned the entire park but found no trace of Annalise anywhere.

"She isn't here. Let's go to her house," said Susan. They climbed back into his car and he drove over to the address that Susan specified. Nelson parked his car but Susan stopped him before he could get out of his car.

"Sir if you don't mind, I want to do this alone. She's in a sensitive frame of mind and if she sees you with me, she'd go into a shell. She might break her friendship with me. She has no other friend. I value this friendship. Please, sir, " pleaded Susan. She knew that Nelson wouldn't like what she requested but she couldn't betray her friend. Right now, she needed to break the most sensitive message that her dad was no more and she couldn't do it in front of Nelson.

Nelson sighed and nodded. He understood that he had earned this. "I understand. Go ahead, I'll go back, " he told her with a brief nod. Susan got down from the car and went inside the dilapidated building as Nelson drove off. She had come here a few times with Annalise. She went up to her door and knocked. After five knocks, the door opened and Annalise's teary-eyed face came into view. She looked at Susan with surprise.

"What are you doing here Susan? Don't you have duty right now?" She asked, moving aside to let her friend into the house.

"I took leave, Anna. I was worried about you," said Susan.

"Oh, I'm sorry that I couldn't inform you before leaving," said Annalise. "After he insulted me, I just didn't want to stay there a second longer," she said as fresh tears fell from her eyes.

"I know Anna but now let's forget about all the that. You have to come with me," said Susan.

"Where?" Asked Annalise puzzled. "I'm not going back to the restaurant. I've resigned already, " she said vehemently.

"No, not the restaurant. We need to go to the hospital. You're family's looking for you," said Susan with dread. She didn't want to say it now but Annalise wouldn't go along if she didn't tell her.

"Hospital? Why? What happened? Tell me please Susan," she asked in panic.

"Your dad's no more, Anna, " said Susan.