Plan

Anika forced herself to return to reality. She had to concentrate, but she had wasted at least two or three opportunities to make a good impression and get her father to talk to her again. Completely absorbed in memories and the sudden feeling deep in her stomach that something was profoundly wrong, she felt almost watched. Klaus tried to reassure her, taking her hand with a calming gesture and kissing her gently. It was almost dinner time when the man finally forced her to look at him. Anika blinked, blushing when she realized that, once again, he had been talking to her without getting a response. His furrowed brow was the only real sign of his concern, and the thoughtful way he looked around the room, as if making sure no one was listening, made her think that perhaps she had been ignoring him for too long.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, gently taking her chin and getting her attention. Anika swallowed hard and blinked a couple of times, trying to keep the tears that threaten