I Woke up Next to Lukas Podolski and Holy Crap We're Married

Reyna POV

“Oh my freakin’ god!” cried Teresa a few weeks later. I tried to pull my hand from my friend’s grasp but couldn’t budge. “Oh my freakin’ god!”

“Will you stop saying that?” I said miraculously able to keep from blushing. After a few more tugs finally managed to give me back my hand I turned back to the menu in front of me. Jack had reluctantly allowed us a lunch break after a problem with the set had required us to stay an extra hour or face a meltdown from him. Teresa and I had walked a few blocks from the hotel to a very cute Irish pub to eat.

“Oh my FREAKIN’ god!” Teresa practically flew as she waved her hands around in excitement. A few of the other people in the restaurant were looking at us.

“Shhh, people are staring,” I tried to calm my very, very hyper friend down. Before she could most likely repeat what she had been screeching at me again our waiter approached.

“Have you decided what you want ladies?” he asked.

“Yes, thank you. I’ll take the Irish stew,” I said glad for the distraction, even if it was for a few seconds.

“I’ll take the same,” Teresa said as we hand him our menus. As soon as he turned his back her gaze bore into mine and she said only one word. “Spill.”

I looked down at the beautiful crescent tattoo on my wrist that was the center of our discussion, “Lukas made me.”

“I knew that yummy footballer was behind it!” she squealed in delight and getting a few glares for her noise in the process. To keep from getting us kicked out I quickly told her about the day I got the tattoo. I had already told her of my weekend at my in-laws but had left that part out. Unfortunately, today I had been so stressed trying to keep Jack in check that I had forgotten to cover the tattoo. When I was done she was staring at me in awe. “I can’t believe he got you to do it. It’s so not like you.”

“I know! I should have said n--.”

“It’s amazing!” Teresa interrupted seriously looking as close to speechless as was possible for her.

“Amazing?” I asked a little more than a bit confused.

“Yeah. I mean I’ve know you for years and have tried to break through your shell and haven’t even gotten close! Here you are with your bum-a-licious husband for a few months and he’s not only gotten through but tore your whole damn wall down and unleashed the real you!” I didn’t really know what to say to that. It was true. Lukas had most definitely brought forth a new me…and it scared the hell out of me.

“Isn’t that a bad thing?” I asked weakly.

“Are you kidding? It’s great just like I pl--predicted,” Teresa stumbled over her last word.

“What were you going to say?” I said frowning.

She gave me her I-am-innocent look, “Nothing.”

I chuckled, “You’re impossible.”

“Which is why I’m your friend.”

I laughed as our food arrived and we dug into our stews. It was delicious and we talked about everything for a few minutes. It was good to talk in English again, sometimes all that German was tiring. Plus it was good to hang with my friend, I felt like I hadn’t seen her in ages with Lukas and my new friends taking up my mind these last few months. Suddenly I felt bad for having ignored her for so long. “I’m so sorry,” I blurted out.

“What for?” Teresa asked in confusion as she took a noisy sip of her soup. She couldn’t even be quiet while she ate.

“I feel bad because I’ve totally left you on your own all these months while I think of Lukas. I’m a terrible friend.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She shook her head as if saying it was already forgotten. “Besides, I haven’t been alone. I’ve had my sexy French pastry to keep me company.”

“Who?”

“François ,” Teresa said with a wink. “I haven’t told you about him?” Without waiting for my answer she went straight to her story. “Okay so this was when you were first with Lukas and I went out to a bar, all by lonesome. Well of course a single women alone with my gorgeous legs soon caught the attention of many men. However, I had my eyes only for the French hottie with the sexy accent. He said a few French words into my ears and I was lost, we’ve been inseparable for months.”

“It’s just like you to come to Germany with tons of German men around and you go for another foreigner.” I was glad that I hadn’t left her completely alone.

“I know, I get all the luck!”

“So when do I get to meet this François ?” I asked as we paid the check and made our way out into the busy streets.

“What about tonight around ten? We can go to the club and have an informal double date,” Teresa suggested.

“Sounds great. I’ll tell Lukas,” I said glad to have an excuse to call him and hear his voice.

Stopping in front of the hotel Teresa said, “Don’t take too long, you know Jack wants you to rewrite the ending of the movie.”

“Got it.”

“He always likes your writing better than the screenwriters,” Teresa commented as she opened the door. “He should just hire you full time and fire their asses.”

“Okay jokester,” I chuckled.

“I’m being serious here,” she pouted. “Just call your man and hurry, Jack scares me on days like today.”

Lukas POV
I was nervous. There was no point in denying it to myself. Me, Lukas Podolski footballer for Germany and Bayern Munich was scared shitless. Grumbling under my breath I lined up the football and kicked. It landed in the back of the net perfectly yet hadn’t relieved my stress one bit. I found another football and shot, hitting the crossbar it went in. All the other guys were in the locker room changing after practice but I had decided to stay a while longer to think things through.

I was going to ask Reyna on a date.

A real date.

And like a little boy scared of rejection I was worried about what my wife was going to say when I got the courage to ask her. I continued kicking and getting goals until I was too tired and gathered them all up before jogging off field and into the locker room. Bastian was, typically, still there.

“It’s really sad how long it takes you to get dressed,” I said.

“Don’t even start on that bullshit,” he warned as I chuckled and jumped into the shower. Ten minutes later I toweled off and slipped my jeans on.

“Still here,” I mocked when I saw Bastian fixing his hair.

This time he flipped me off, “I have a date with Sarah and want to look nice.”

“Whatever you say.” I smiled to myself and slipped my shirt on.

“What’s wrong with you anyway?”

“What do you mean?”

“You only stay after practice to shoot when something’s on your mind,” Bastian pointed out. Having finished positioning his spiked hair he turned his full attention to me. Shit, he knew me too well.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Bullshit my friend,” he shock his head. “You might as well tell me because I’m going to get it out of you at some point.”

Grunting I finished dressing and we walked out of the locker room together. “I’m asking Reyna out tonight.”

“So what’s the big deal about that? You’ve been on dates before.”

“I’m asking her for real this time, not for show,” I confided.

“Oh, I see now.” Bastian shot me a strange look as we approached our parked cars.

“What was that look?” I frowned.

Bastian sighed and looked straight at me, all lightness gone from his eyes. “I think that Reyna has gotten to you on a level that no one has before--”

“That’s ri--.”

“Shut up and listen for once,” Bastian scolded. “On one hand I’m thrilled for you, she’s perfect for you and I’ve seen you two together. You guys are always staring at each other when the other isn’t looking and there’s so much sexual tension I want to scream at both of you to get a room and just do it.” He threw his hands in the air to make his point but then settled down. “On the other hand I’m worried that this isn’t going to end the way you want it to. Maybe this whole pretending to be married in all senses is going to bite you two both in the butt and leave you even more screwed up then before. I’m just worried is all, you two seem to love each other but sometimes it’s not enough.” I looked down at the floor trying to wrap my head around what Bastian had just said. I knew he meant well but it had just messed with my head big time. What the hell am I suppose to do? I thought. “Well,” Bastian cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I better get going.”

“See you tomorrow,” I replied automatically. When Bastian had driven away I was finally able to shake out of my daze and unlock my car. Getting in I sat with the door open and one of my legs still outside, thinking. Did this mean a date with Reyna wasn’t a good idea? Was it better if I ignored her? My phone rang at the exact instant breaking me out of my melancholy. I looked at the ID and saw that it was Reyna. My heart beat faster. Ignore her? It just wasn’t possible. I would just as soon ignore breathing.

Flipping the phone open I answered, “Hello libeling.”

“Lukas.” She said my name almost breathlessly and I knew that she loved when I called her that. Just saying my name and hearing her voice made all my doubts wash away. I would fight to keep her at my side.

“It’s good to hear from you,” I said. “How has your day been so far?”

“Fine, a little crazy on set but I’m managing. And you? How was practice?”

“Interesting. Listen, do you want to go out tonight? We could get something to eat and catch a movie?” I said as casually as I could.

“It would be good since we haven’t been in public much since we went to your parents--.”

“Reyna,” I interrupted her. “I want to go out tonight because I want to be with you, not for our little charade. I’m asking you out on a real date.” I heard her gasp and then the minutes seemed to tick by so antagonizing slow. My insides tightened as I realized that I had been mistaken in her affections for me. “Never mind Reyna.” I added hoarsely. “I don’t want to pre--.”

“I’d love to,” Reyna said quickly.

“You would?” I asked doubtfully but with a glimmer of hope. “You didn’t sound very enthusiastic a minute ago…you didn’t make a sound period.”

“I was speechless,” Reyna replied. “You have that effect on me all the time that I would think you would be use to it.”

I chuckled, “Shall I pick you up after work around six?”

“Yes that would be great---oh crap! I totally forgot to tell you what I called for,” Reyna said. “Teresa invited us to double date tonight.”

I thought quickly, “What time?”

“Ten.”

“It’s fine we should be able to make it.”

“Okay good. Do you think you can get my red dress from home before picking me so we don’t run out of time and I have something to wear to the club?” she asked almost shyly.

“No problem. Where do you keep it?” I asked as I closed the door to my car and put the keys in the ignition.

“It’s in the top drawer of the dresser on the left,” she replied.

“I’ll get it for you,” I said. “Oh and libeling?”

“Yes?” the breathlessness was back in her voice. I smiled to myself as I pulled out of the parking lot and into the street, I loved the effect I had on her. Before I could say anything there was a bang from the other end of the line and a tiny ouch.

“Reyna? Are you alright?!” I asked already panicking.

“I’m fine, just my pride is bruised,” came her beautiful voice.

“What happened?”

“I’d rather not say.” I could tell that she was blushing furiously.

“Reyna,” I growled in a way that let her know that I wasn’t going to drop the subject.

“Don’t growl you lion, I ran into the door while trying to enter the hotel,” Reyna admitted.

“Why is that?”

“Because you distracted me when you called me libeling!” She accused as I laughed out loud. “It’s not funny! I’ll have you know that there were quite a few people that saw.”

“I’m sorry sweetheart,” I said. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yes but I’m going to get back at you,” she vowed.

“No, now we are even from that time that you pushed me in the pool,” I replied.

“I have no idea of the incident that you are referring to,” was her reply. I laughed again as we hung up. I couldn’t wait for tonight.

Reyna POV

I looked at the text message that Lukas had sent me and sighed.

Last minute interview for a magazine. Sorry. Will be an hour late.

I wasn’t mad, he was a famous footballer after all and had other things to do then be near me. He had been surprisingly kind in not taking as many interviews, photo shoots, and add campaigns in the last few months to help me settle down in a routine with him but I knew that he had go back to doing them eventually. I was more disappointed in not having more time with him. I really loved his company and the way I was around him. I stepped out of the hotel and was about to go visit Denis and Julia when a familiar Ferrari pulled up beside me. I checked my watch and saw that it was only six thirty.

I climbed into the passenger seat and then looked over at my handsome husband, “I thought you were going to be late?”

“I got the interview over faster when I mentioned I had plans with you,” He smirked and I melted a little inside. “They were very interested in our personal life.”

“You didn’t tell them anything important right?” I asked nervously.

“I’m not an idiot Reyna,” Lukas chided me as he accelerated.

“Right, only when it comes to your driving,” I lifted my eyebrow and stared pointedly at his speed. He looked over at me with one of those looks that I couldn’t figure out before surprising me by pulling over. He got out of the car while I watched him and opened my door.

“Get out,” Lukas said calmly.

“You’re going to make me walk because I insulted you?” I asked shocked.

“No,” Lukas replied with that annoying calm still in place. He unbuckled me and pulled me out of the seat before sitting himself where I had just been. “You’re driving.”

“Pardon?” my jaw dropped.

“You heard me,” Lukas said looking way too comfortable and devilish as he leaned back. “Close your mouth love. It should only be open when you’re talking or when I’m kissing you.” That brought me back to my senses. I closed it with a snap and tried to keep the blush from spreading. When it didn’t work and Lukas just chuckled softly I slammed the passenger door close and went to the other side and climbed into the driver’s seat. Without looking at my too-handsome husband I turned the keys and eased my way back into the street.

“Why are you making me do this?” I said between clenched teeth so as not to yell at him.

“Because you always complain about my driving without ever trying it.” Lukas replied. “I bet you’ve never driven over the speed limit, admit it.”

“I have too!” I defended myself. “Once I went fifty in a forty-five mile area.”

“My goodness you could have been arrested!” Lukas looked at me in fake horror and I couldn’t help the little giggle that escaped. “What I mean is going really fast. Driving like Germans.”

“Driving like Germans is crazy!” I protested as the sounds of horns blasted around me for driving too slow.

“Try it once Reyna and if you don’t find it exciting I promise to drive within the speed limit forever,” he promised.

“You promise?” I gave him a look of disbelief.

“Promise.” He grinned when I pushed down on the accelerator. My heart began to beat faster as I gained speed and I felt like I could outrun all my problems. There wasn’t doubts in my head anymore nor the nagging voice of my mother telling me that I was no good , while she tried desperately to change me. The engine made a roar as I went eighty in a sixty zone. There was only me as the scenery whooshed by.

Me and Lukas.

I looked over at him quickly and saw him stretch his legs out. Such muscular legs that even with jeans on I could see their powerful outline.

“Just keep your eye on the road,” Lukas said when he saw where my gaze was. “Reyna you can’t even see anything.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing at how he was teasing me with the same words I had told him when I caught him staring at my legs on our way to his parents.

“So where are we going to eat?” I asked steering the conversation to safer grounds.

Lukas shrugged, “Your choice.” Seeing that it was already close to seven and we had to catch our movie at seven thirty so we had time to met Teresa and her Francois a fast foods was a good choice. Spotting a McDonald I pulled in and parked. “Just like an American to go to a foreign country and find the only McDonald around to eat at,” he joked.

“Shut up,” I punched him lightly in the arm and then we both got out. I handed him the keys and said, “Is this place okay? With the timing and everything I thought--.”He kissed me lightly on the lips to get me to stop talking. That’s a great method, I thought dazedly.

“It’s fine Reyna.” We held hands as we went inside. There weren’t a lot of people as most ate later in the night. We went straight up to an open cashier where we were greeted by a very bored looking man.

“What can I get for you today?” he asked not bothering to look up.

“I’ll take a Big Mac,” Lukas said.

“I’ll have the same,” I added.

“That will be fourteen euros,” the man said in his monotone voice. Lukas handed the money over and as the man gave him back his money he finally glanced up. I have never seen a man that could go from bored to excited quite like he did.

“Holy mother of God!” he cried throwing his hands in the air with the change still in his grip. “You’re Lukas Podolski!”

“Yes I am,” Lukas replied giving the growing number of stares a breathtaking smile.

“I love you!” the little man cried in glee. “The match on Sunday was amazing and your goal was amazing!”

“Thank you,” Lukas replied smoothly even as everyone began bombarding him with questions and shouts of love. He took everything in strides, thanking everyone and signing autographs as I got our food and his change. I took the food to a table in the back and studied Lukas as he detangled himself from all his fans. He was so kind, never turning anyone away and you could tell that he really appreciated what they said to him and their support.

“Sorry about that,” Lukas said bashfully as he sat across from me.

“Don’t worry about it,” I said as I watched the rest of the fans settle down. They did watch us from time to time but were nice enough to give us some space and privacy. I took a bite of my Big Mac and found him watching me with those deep blue eyes. “What?” I asked as I swallowed.

“Nothing,” he grinned as he ate some fries. “It just occurred to me that all the other women I’ve ever dated wouldn’t be caught dead in a place like this or be eating a hamburger.”

Suddenly feeling foolish I looked down. Of course not, all the girls he had dated would want fancy restaurants with meals that cost fifty euros a person. Even then they would only eat a salad. I looked down at the burger in my hand and then at my curvy figure. He must think I’m a pig, I winced inwardly.

“Reyna,” Lukas’s concerned voice and his hand over mine made me look up. “I love that about you, you know.”

“Oh…” I was at a loss for words. He leaned over the table and gave me a hot kiss that had me breathing in tiny gasps in no time.

Lukas leaned back and smirked, “I never understood why they would want to eat grass instead of real food.” We laughed and ate our food, talking about our day and then Lukas gloated on how right he had been about the German’s way of driving.

“Did you remember to get my dress?” I asked him when we were done. I thought that it would be a better idea if I changed now.

“Yeah I did.” His mischievous smile had me on edge as he slid over a plastic bag.

“Thanks,” I said carefully taking it and walking to the bathroom. Five minutes later I was standing once more in front of Lukas with my hands on my waist and a frown on my face. “Lukas! That wasn’t the gown I’d asked for.” I knew this would happen! As a mother and child passed by us I tightened my hold over my knee length jacket so she wouldn’t see what lay under it.

“I know,” he said innocently but with a smile that was anything but.

“Then why did you get this dress when I told you I wanted the red one?”

“Well you see, I was in your room and opened the drawer you had instructed me to. I found your red dress but beneath it was the one you’re wearing. I couldn’t resist wanting to see you in it,” Lukas explained as he got up. “Now you might as well take the coat off since there’s nothing you can do about it now.”

“I could change back,” I replied as he wrapped his arm around me and led me outside. He helped me into the passenger seat and took my bag with my cloths inside. “Hey! What are you doing?”

“Just making sure you can’t change,” was his reply as he stuffed my bag in the trunk and locked it before getting in the car and driving.

“I hate you,” I said but couldn’t get any real venom into the words. “I’m not taking this coat off.”

“You will,” Lukas said giving me a glance from head to toe before looking me once more in the eye. I shivered at the hunger and danger in his eyes.

Somehow I knew that he would find a way to do to.

Lukas POV

The movie was boring. I couldn’t even remember the name of it as I sat in the dark with Reyna merely inches away. Damn, it was that night at my parents all over again. So close yet so damn far! The tantalizing glow of her legs was enough to drive a sane man crazy! As if Reyna knew my dirty thoughts she covered her legs as much as possible with her coat then serenely went back to eating popcorn and watching the movie. I kept imagining the very short, brown zebra print dress I had found tucked all the way at the bottom of her drawer. It was so unlike her other dresses and things that it had immediately caught my eye. I had brought it to see her in it, my mind having already come up with millions of images. Now, it was truly on her body…but beneath that damn coat! How I want to rip that coat to shreds, I thought as I gave it the evil eye.

At that moment something funny must have happened on scream because she laughed and shifted in her seat, once more baring some skin. My eyes went straight to it. Reyna had no idea what she was doing to me! I felt hot in my shirt and tugged on the collar even though I had already unbuttoned two of them.

While I felt hotter than a volcano, Reyna’s gaze was fixed on the movie before her, completely in the character’s story. Can’t say that I liked being ignored so I put my hand around the back of her chair, knowing that it would make her nervous. Sure enough I saw her look at me sideways as I pretended to be fascinated with the movie before me. When Reyna went back to looking at the movie I leaned my leg against hers, instantly earning a gasp from her as she went stiff.

“Is something wrong?” I whispered against her ear. I saw her tiny hairs stand on end and when she stared to fidget with my family ring I wanted to growl my satisfaction to the world. They were both signs that she was nervous and her attention was fully fixed on me.

“No, nothing.”

“Well something is wrong with me,” I said.

“What?” she asked turning to me in worry.

“We aren’t kissing.” I said boldly as she turned a very becoming shade of red.

“We can’t do it here,” she protested.

“Because there are so many other people watching this film,” I said sarcastically as I let my gaze wonder over the other people in the theater. There were about eight people there and all were couples that were most definitely not watching the movie. Reyna bit her lip and wanting to be the one to do that couldn’t resist a moment longer. I pulled her to me and began kissing her with all the frustrated need I had kept at bay. There was nothing gentle about our kiss. It was hot and passionate, each of us pillaging the others mouth. She moaned a little loud and tighten her hold on my shirt. I smiled into the kiss as I bite her lip playfully but it turned to a groan when she did it back to me. I pulled back from her and kissed her neck before putting my lips near her ear. “Who knew you would be such a vixen?” I teased her as my mouth found her soft spot. After a few more seconds Reyna pulled back, “We have to stop.”

“Why ?” I asked as I tried reaching for her again.

She squatted my hand away, “Because I’m minutes away from climbing into your laps and not caring that we are in a public place.” That made me stop in shock. She seemed to be shocked that she had uttered those words out loud too. “Anyway the movie is done and we need to get to the club,” she said getting up and moving away from me. I looked at the screen and sure enough it was done. I got up and followed her out of the theater in silence. “Did you like the movie?” Reyna asked as we were driving to the club.

“Remind me again what we watched.”

“Iron Man 2,” she reminded me.

So that was what we were watching, I mused. “It was great. Did you like it?”

“Yes.”

“That’s good.”

“Yes it is.” I chuckled at her answer. “What are you laughing at me for?”

“Because I think you were paying as much attention to the movie as I was.”

“Which is how much?” she lifted an eyebrow in question.

“Nothing.”

“I was too watching!”

“Whatever you say. I will admit that you may have paid attention just a little more than me since I didn’t even know the title but not that much more.”

“You are insufferable!”

“It’s why you find me irresistible,” I flashed her my most disarming smile while she gave a snort.

“Look who is so full of themselves.” I didn’t reply as we pulled up to the club and we climbed out of the car. We took a few photos for the paparazzi before going in.

“So are you going to take your coat off yet?” I asked sweetly as I draped my arm around her.

“No.”

“It’s going to get hot,” I pointed out.
“I’m trying to find Teresa and you are bothering me so kindly stop,” she lifted her chin up like a proud queen and I smiled. “There she is.” Reyna took my hand and we weaved through the dancers to a table on the left where a blond woman and a black haired man were seating.

“There you are!” cried the blond as she got up and threw her arms around my wife. “I would have thought with Lukas’s famous driving you would have been here earlier!” I instantly liked the women whom I could see cared for Reyna very much and had a kind smile.

“We would have but Reyna drove some of the way and then we got a little distracted,” I said. Reyna’s eyes widened and Teresa threw her head back and laughed.

“Come lets sit and get to know each other,” she said excitedly. “I fell like I already know you so well!” It was a relaxing and animated conversation. François was a funny guy with jokes that had us laughing in no time and Teresa shared stories of her and Reyna. I smiled as time flew and Reyna relaxed. When the drinks ran low François and I went to get some more. We chatted about some things we couldn’t say in front of women before going back to the table. As Reyna came into view I almost dropped the drinks I was carrying.

Reyna had taken off her coat.

My imagination was nothing compared with the real thing. The dress showed off the length of Reyna’s tan and shapely legs perfectly as well as her shoulders. That they were bare only made me want to kiss her there. The dress fit snugly against her and the colors went well with her skin and lose hair.

“You look breathtaking,” I said to her as a slid into the booth next to her.

“I got hot,” she admitted and shot me a glare that said, if you say I told you so I will kill you.

“And now I’m hot,” I muttered as she turned to talk to François. When a great techno beat came on I grabbed Reyna’s hand and led her to the dance floor. Unlike when we had been in England she confidently moved across the dance floor. She swayed her hips in time to the music and lifted her hands in the air. Unable to resist her I snaked my arm around her middle and pulled her against me. Reyna looked up into my eyes and I saw hers smolder. Bringing her as close to me as possible we dance as one person, ignoring everything around us. Her laughter made me smile.

“And you said you hated techno music,” I yelled over the music. Reyna pressed the length of her body against mine and I couldn’t control the growl that came out.

“It might be growing on me,” she smiled seductively.

Reyna POV

A few days had passed since the night that Lukas had asked me out and I could still remember everything. We had danced until close to four in the morning before retiring home. Then Lukas had to go to Italy and then Poland for away games so I hadn’t seen much of him but he had called me everyday. I was excited because Lukas had text me this morning asking if I wanted to catch a coffee break with him since he was arriving home today but knew I had work. I had agreed even though things were really crazy around set since we only had a few more scenes to film. That gave me pause as I walked down the busy street to a coffee place right next to the hotel. When the movie was over, I would have to go home. Don’t think about it know, I scolded myself. You’ll have time to think of it later. I walked into the charming little place and found Lukas sitting in the corner with a magazine in hand and two cups of coffee in front of him.

“Sorry I’m late,” I said leaned down and giving him a kiss on the lip before taking my seat. I kissed him more for myself then our audience.

“It’s good to see you,” Lukas smiled as he took my hand in his. “How’s work? Jack been pushing you hard?”

“Yeah, he’s really stressed with what happened to the screenwriters with them going on strike and all so I’ve had to do a lot of rewrites for him.”

“I’m sure he would have had you rewrite their crap even if they hadn’t gone on strike.” Lukas was stroking my palm with his thumb and it was having that tingling affect on me that I couldn’t think. But then a voice entered my ears that had my mind working extra fast.

“This country is ridiculous!” cried a sharp feminine voice in English. “Does no one know English in this cursed land?!” Lukas was frowning at me and looking at me in concern. He said something but I didn’t hear anything as I turned my head to the owner of the voice.

“Mother,” I said in disbelief as blood drained from my face.