Carley's POV

I've been working at the hotel resturant for a month now and so far I've only manage to get to know Leanne a little, but not as much as I would have hoped for in this amount of time. I always imagend that when I saw her again we'd have this instant connection and we'd be much closer, but it didn't happen that way. She tends to only say little thing's about her life and seems to only have a small group of people she really talks to, Which is mainly Michael and his family and Emma, the girl that works on reception

All Leanne has ever told me about herself is that she grew up here in California and is Married to a man who purchased her when she was a child and forced her into the marriage and has twins by him.

Of course she didn't actually say the part about him buying her or forcing her to marry him, but it's true. Dispite how Randy tried to justify his brothers actions by saying on his post that Michael only paid Mary to "Rescue her" the fact is. He still purchased her like she was an object and it's pretty clear to me that Michael has brainwashed my poor baby into thinking she truly loves him and he wanted what was best for her because he loves her. If he really did love her then he never would have gone to that disgusting brothel in the first place and he would have stayed away from Leanne.

I've been trying my best to get close to Leanne, but with her not wanting to get close to people, it's making thing's more difficult. I know she was only a few days old when she was stolen from me and unlikely to remeber, but I know Leanne can sense something because the first time we met she asked me if we'd met before and told me I looked familiar. I wish I could have just wrapped my arms around her and told her there and then who I really was and what those people who claimed to be her parents did, but it's not something I can just blurt out. I have to do this slowly and sensitively and really get to know her first. I know it isn't going to be easy getting close to Leanne, but I'm just going to have to keep staying patient with her and hopefully she'll start to warm to me.

She hasn't been to the hotel at all last week, but I know she's definitely coming in today and I can't wait to see her again. I really wished she'd come to work more often so I could spend more time with her. It's so hard trying to get her alone when she only comes in once or twice a week because as soon as she walks through the door, everybody's trying to get her attention. So I've been keeping a look out for her today so I'll be able to talk to her for a while without everybody getting in the way.

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Leanne's POV

After cleaning up the dishes from breakfast, I go into the living room and Michael is on the phone.

"No, it's fine. We'll figure something out. You just concentrate on getting better" he says.

"Janet still sick?" I ask once he gets off the phone and he nods. "She should be fine in a few days though"

"And when you said we'd figure something out?"

"I'm really sorry, but I'll try and get back as soon as I can. I promise"

"But, I'm supposed to be going to the hotel today. I haven't been there all week and..."

"I know and I'm sorry, but I've had meetings all this week and I tried to rearrange them, but it's the only times everybody could do"

"It's fine" I smile at him though pursed lips. "Why don't you take the twins with you and I'll stop by after this mornings meeting and take over for awhile?" He suggests. "I suppose so" I shrug and he goes to say something, but his phone starts ringing.

"Yeah, I'm just on my way.... I'm in the car, driving as we speak" he says searching around for his keys and I go into the kitchen and get them from the counter and hand them to him.

"Thank you" he sighs slightly in relieve then pecks my lips. "I'm gonna have to go, but I'll meet you at the hotel about 11. I love you" he smiles and pecks my lips once more then quickly rushes out the door.

After Michael leaves, I got started on the housework, which took me longer than usual because Annabelle is being really clingy with me today. Once everything was finally done I'm ready to go to work, but Ryan decides otherwise and keeps kicking his arms and legs around, making it as difficult as possible to get him dressed.

"C'mon, Ryan. I don't have the energy for this today" I sigh heavily. After a few more minutes of fighting me, I finally get him dressed and there's a loud smash from the kitchen which causes me to jump and scream which in turn causes Ryan to do the same.

"Sshhh... It's ok sweetie" I whisper shakily trying, to calm him and look over nervously towards the kitchen door.

I don't hear anything for a moment then Bugsy comes strolling out and his paws are covered in dirt. I slowly and nervously walk towards the kitchen then sigh heavily seeing it's just a plant that was by the window that Bugsy has obviously knocked over.

"It's ok. It was just Bugsy being silly... nothing to be scared of" I smile nervously at the twins and quickly pick them up and hurry towards the car and quickly put them in their car seats and drive away.

When we get to the hotel, one of the security men helped me with the stroller and make my way inside and smile slightly when I see Emma rushing over.

"Oh my god! Their getting sooo big" She coos at Annabelle and Ryan then turns her attention back to me. "So how's everything going with you?"

"It's going great" I nod and smile at her through pursed lips and she looks at me for a moment.

"I'm due on my break soon. Maybe we could talk in your office for awhile?"

"Sure" I shrug and follow behind her with the twins.

****
Emma's POV

"So how are you really doing?" I ask, closing the office door. "What do you mean?" She mumbles while checking on the twins.

"I mean. You just don't seem yourself. Like your nervous about something"

"I'm just tied is all. The two s were awake most of the night again that's all" she shrugs. "Isn't Michael helping you? And what about his sister? I thought she was their nanny now"

"He does help, he's just had alot of meetings and stuff at work lately and Janet's had a bug for the past 2 weeks so she can't go near the twins. Babies catch thing's really quickly and it's much harder for them to get better. She'll be fine soon though"

"Well if your tierd. I could always watch the twins for you, while you get some rest" I suggest and she shakes her head. "It's fine. Michael's coming by later and he's gonna watch them so I can get in with some work"

"Has something happened?" I ask and she shakes her head, but I can see by the look in her eyes, she's hiding something. "You can tell me" I say softly and she looks at me unsure for a moment.

"I just saw sombody last week is all. It's nothing really" she shrugs. "Who did you see?"

"It was um.... It was Officer Charles, but it was no big deal. He didn't even see me and..."

"But you saw him" I cut her off and she nods. "Leanne, if your upset or scared. That's ok. Your allowed to feel that way. Especially after those things he did to you and the last night you were at the broth..."

"Can we please not talk about this anymore?" she cuts me off shakily. "He can't hurt you anymore. Your safe now and..."

"But that's not gonna make him go away though is it? It won't make any of them go away" she croaks and I wrap my arms around her, not saying anything and she starts crying and holding me tighter.

"I try not to think about it, but it's all there..  everytime I go to sleep and no matter how busy I try and keep myself. I still keep getting all these flashbacks an.. and I just want them to go away" she sobs in my arms. "Have you spoke to Michael about this?" I ask and she shakes her head. "I can't. He's been really busy with work lately and when he comes home he's so happy and I don't wanna make him upset and even if I did he wouldn't understand. Because he wasn't there... I mean was, but he wasn't. So he can never fully understand and he's been through enough already without me putting this on him too"

"I'm sure he does understand what you went through, but I know what you mean about him not being there. But if you didn't feel comfortable talking to Michael about this stuff then why didn't you come to me? You know I understand. Because I was there remember?" I say softly and she doesn't say anything.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" I ask and again she doesn't say anything, but nods shakily.

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Carley's POV

I stand listening behind the door and the more I hear the two of them talking. The more my heart is breaking. I knew about the brothel and the trauma my poor baby went through, but listening to her talking to her friend about it in detail is killing me inside and all I want to do is go in there and wrap my arms around her and take her home with me where she belongs and tell her everythings going to be ok.

I stand and listen for a few more minutes and I hear someone call out Michael's name and I turn and see him on the other side of the hall, smiling and talking with one of his security so I quickly rush to the restroom before he turns around and see's me.

As soon as I get to the restroom. I start throwing up. After listening to what she said. All these images start rushing through my mind. The police are supposed to be there to help and protect people, but this evil monster didn't. He knew what was happening to her and he did nothing to stop it. Instead he allowed it to happen and even abused her himself and on final night there he encouraged others to abuse and traumatise her in the most evil way possible.

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Leanne's POV

"You really need to tell him about this" Emma says sternly. "And like I just said. I will"

"I can stay with you if it makes it easier" she suggests and I shake my head. "It's fine. I'll speak to him myself"

"Are you really gonna tell him? Because we went through this before remember? You told me you'd tell Michael and the police about Mary's confession and..."

"Yes I know" I cut her off "I will talk to him"

"Well make sure you do this time. You need to tell him. You can't keep something like this from him. It's not good for you"

"I know" I mumble "I'll talk to him tonight when we get home.  It'll be better doing it then" I say and there's a knock on the door.

"Hi!" Michael smiles coming into the room and pecks my lips then smiles, looking at the twins sleeping in their stroller.

"So how's everything been going here? Did you manage to get any work done?"

"I got some stuff done but..."

"Actually. We've been in here talking the whole time" Emma cuts me off. "And Leanne has something she needs to speak with you about"

"No I don't" I frown and Michael looks at me concerned. "Is everything ok?"

"Everything's fine" I smile at him through pursed lips.

"Leanne saw Officer Charles a few weeks ago and she's been getting panic attacks and flashbacks again and she's also really overwhelmed with working here and taking care of the babies by herself for the past two weeks" Emma says to Michael blunty "I'll just give you both some privacy so you can talk" she adds then walks out of the room and Michael walks over and locks the door then comes back over to me.

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Michael's POV

"Why didn't you tell me all this before?" He asks concerned. "Because... It's no big deal. I'm fine and..."

"No your not" I cut her off. "If your feeling overwhelmed and started getting flashback and panic attacks again then you should have told me. How long has this been going on?" I ask concerned. "Just over a week, but I'm fine honestly. Emma's just over reacting"

"No she's not. She's really worried about you and so am I. I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on"

"You've been busy" she shrugs "So? You and the twins come first. You know this. You can't keep trying to block things out like this. It just makes it worse" I say softly and she doesn't say anything and tears start filling her eyes and I wrap my arms around her and she starts sobbing "I'm sorry" she sobs and I break away slightly. "Sorry for what? You have nothing to be sorry about" I say softly then look at her for a moment, not really wanting to ask, but I need to know.

"Have you done anything?" I ask softly and she shakes her head.

"Can I see?"

"For what? I've just told you I haven't" she shrugs. "I know, but I just wanna make sure" I say softly and she doesn't say anything and lifts up her sleaves and shows me her arms and see the burn on her right arm she got from the stove and the scares above it where she'd cut herself in the past, but nothing that looks like it was recent.

"I'm sorry. I just needed to be sure"

"It's fine" she mutters, pulling her sleaves back down. "Well now you've been honest with me about that. Now can we sit down and talk honestly about what's going on?" I ask and she doesn't say anything for a moment then nods.

*
After a long conversation with Leanne. I go out to the reception, taking the twins with me to talk with Emma while Leanne is speaking with her head chef about something.

"How did it go?"

"It went pretty good. She told me everything that's been going on after seeing Charles and her feeling overwhelmed with the twins and working here wasn't exactly helping the situation. So I'm gonna take her away for a week or so"

"That's a good idea. A little break away from everything might do her some good. Has she um... you know?" She mumbles that last part and I shake my head. "I checked for myself and she hasn't done anything" I say and she sighs slightly in relief. "Thanks for letting me know what's going on" I smile slughtly.

"I know it wasn't really my place to tell you, but she said she'd talk to you when you guys got home and I.."

"She wouldn't have said anything" I shake my head, cutting her off. "You and I both know that. I just don't get why she still keeps bottling all this stuff in though"

"Because she was scared of how you'd react if she told you"

"How do you mean?" I frown confused and she sighs slightly. "When Leanne and I was and the broth... that place. We weren't allowed to show any kind of negative emotion and if you did you'd get punished for it. Which is why she holds everything in and why she's scared to tell people if she's scared or upset"

"But I'd never get mad at her for being upset. Is that what she said?" I frown confused and she shakes her head. "She didn't say that and it's nothing your doing wrong because your not. But you have to keep in mind that Leanne had to block out any negative emotions for a long time and it's going to be really difficult for her to break down that wall"

"You seem to manage it ok. And you were there longer" I point out. "Yeah, but I was also a grown woman and came from living on the street with a drug problem and had to fend for myself long before all that. Leanne on the other hand was only 15 years old and came from being very sheltered by her parents. Then all of a sudden her parents are dead and she's being forced to sleep with men for money and being beaten and raped and then sold to someone like she was nothing. And it's not just the physical side. It messes you up mentally too and especially with her being so young when all that started because she hasn't really had the chance to mature as much as someone who hasn't grown up having to deal with what she did. She may seem happy and ok most of the times, but Leanne is still really traumatised from what happened to her. One day her life was perfect then suddenly turn into a nightmare all in one day. Do you have any idea how much damage that did to her? She's scared to be happy because she's scared that it'll all be taken away from her again like last time"

"I didn't buy her" I Frown "Not like that. It was the only way I could get her out of there. I didn't do it so I could own her or anything like that. She's her own person and can say and do whatever she pleases"

"I know that and. And she knows that too" she says softly. "You sure about that? Because it sounds to me like she doesn't think that" I mumble "I told her I was sorry for what I did to her God knows how any times, but it's not like I knew what was going on or how old she was. I ask her and she said she was 18 and she wanted to be there and I asked her many times. If I'd known from the start then I never would have..."

"I know you wouldn't have" she cuts me off. "And Leanne doesn't blame you for what happened either, but you have to keep in mind that you weren't the only man that went to see her. You were the only one who didn't hurt her and was kind to her and you even got her away from that place, but the others weren't so nice"

"What excactly happened in that place? I know about the night I took her away from there and about officer Charles, but everything else she refuses to tell me. Did something else happen to her?" I ask and she doesn't say anything for a moment.

"Mary was very abusive with us and so we're the men and Leanne got treated just as bad as everybody else. I get that it must be hard for you when she tries to block things out and push you away, but the more you try and push her to tell you then she's just gonna feel bullied and push you away. The best thing you can do is not push her into telling you about the past. If she does say anything then don't ask questions or talk, just listen and she'll eventually open up to you more. She knows your there for her. Just like I am, but you have to wait for her to come to you and she will eventually"

"So I'm supposed to just do nothing? But you told me what she said earlier and she talked to me about it then" I frown confused. "That was different. I told you because it was important and I was worried she'd try and self harm again, but all the details and stuff about what happened in the brothel don't need to be said. If she tells you that's great, but if she doesn't then just let it go" she explains and I nod, not saying anything for a moment.

"I just feel so useless not being able to help her" I sigh heavily. "I just wish she'd trust me enough to tell me when something wrong with her"

"Your not useless. You've done everything you can to help her and still do. Your there for her and she knows that, that's the best thing you can do for her right now. And she does trust you. She just has a hard time talking about her feelings is all. Maybe this week or two you guys are away the two of you can work on that. She might feel more comfortable talking more when she's away from everything"

"I hope so" I mutter.

"I'm ready" I hear and turn and see Leanne walking over to us. "What's going on?" She looks at me and Emma nervously. "Michael was just telling me that you guys are going away for a while" Emma smiles. "It's only gonna be for a few days or a week at most and..."

"You just go an enjoy yourself with your family. Don't worry about this place, just remeber to bring me back a present ok?" she cuts her off and give her a hug and Leanne hugs her back and I notice her smile slightly for the first time today.

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Leanne's POV

At first I was really pissed off and hurt that Emma told Michael everything I said to her, but now I'm really glad she did. I didn't want to tell Michael what I was feeling because I was scared about how he'd react, but he was actually really understanding and wasn't even a little bit mad and even suggested we go away for awhile, just us and the twins. I know I need to let go of the past and start being more open with Michael, but I am trying and hopefully this time away from everything will help me work on being more open and honest with him.