Leave it to Me Chapter 43 Analise's POV My eye flew towards the mirror , but he had turned in the seat and had his piercing blue eyes focused on me . Frustration was all over his face , but he sounded hurt when he finally asked , " Why did you call the company and try to have me changed out ? Why are you trying to avoid me ? " " I didn't want you to feel forced to work with me anymore . I know that Gwen forced you into helping out . I didn't want you to be forced into doing it again . I'm sorry that you were placed in that position . It wasn't my intention to use either of you like that . I will get Gwen to apologize to you as well . It won't happen again . I don't want you to get in trouble at the security firm . " I stated before averting my eyes again . " Gwen didn't force us to do anything . It was our choice , and I volunteered to work with you , " Charlie told me , and smiled when my eyes flew back to his . His low chuckle was doing things to me . " I need to go up , please ," I replied . I didn't want to get into this right now . Not when I'm about to go and bare my soul to the therapist . " Say my name ," Charlie demanded . " Please , Charlie , I need to go up , " I said after a minute - long stare down . " That's my girl , " Charlie said as he unlocked the doors and turned the SUV off . " I'm not your girl , " I muttered . " Maybe not yet , but you will be ," Charlie said as he approached to escort me . His hand on my lower back felt more possessive than anything else . Neither of them has touched me to conduct their duties until the photo shoot . That's when everything changed . We were quiet as we headed up . I would have preferred for them to stay in the lobby , but they refused . It was hard enough to reach out for help , as there's a stigma attached to anyone who seeks help , but why ? I never asked to be bullied . I never asked for them to do what they did to me . They were the ones at fault . I was just trying to piece myself back together . They said nothing as we entered or while I filled out my paperwork . I deliberately sat at the lone chair in the room , leaving the sofa for them to sit at either end . Except Charlie didn't sit on the couch ; he stood directly behind my chair . Drew shot him a look , but sat on the couch . Where he could watch out for us . No one would see him until they fully entered the room . I turned my paperwork in and sat back down to wait . Charlie came closer to me now that I was done filling out the paperwork . I appreciated him giving me privacy , but he was now hovering over me . I knew he wanted to say something . But he knew I was actively ignoring him . I didn't want to have this discussion in front of Drew or the lady watching him from the receptionist's desk . She was practically undressing Charlie with her eyes , and I didn't like it . I knew the moment I was called back , she was going to flirt with him . The only positive about it was that at least I wouldn't have to witness it play out in front of me . Small 16 DOMNN ||| 1/4 Leave it to Me +15 Points > blessing that was . When the doctor called me back , I didn't want to go . I had just gone over this recently , but I didn't want to keep having nightmares . I also didn't want to have to battle anxiety or depression again . " We'll be here when you come out . It's okay , " Charlie solrtly told me . I headed to the door and turned back to look at him . He nodded at me and sat down in my chair to let me know he would be waiting for me when I returned . I entered with hesitation , but knew I needed to do this . The doctor was kind to me . She didn't dive right into it . She asked questions and let me control the speed of the session . I liked that she actually listened to me . When she asked me what had brought me here , I answered truthfully . I told her what Roger had done and about what he planned to do to me . I then told her about the assault Tiffany had inflicted on me on Sunday night , and that my nightmares were back . I didn't want to allow Tiffany to be able to mentally scar me again . She let me speak , occasionally asking me a question to clarify . When our time was almost up , she spoke , " I see you don't want to be put on any medication . I agree . You seem to be doing a good job at compartmentalizing everything . I think it would be beneficial for you to return and share your experiences . I also know that you probably only scratched the surface of what happened in order to keep from upsetting your family . I think one session a week , until you have a better handle on this , will work . I think that you've done so much to protect your family . It's clear that despite what you were put through in high school . You still wanted their friendship to remain ," she advised . She studied me for a little while before saying , " I think being able to get this off your chest , in a no - judgement space , was a good idea on your part . When would be a good time for you to return ? " she asked . I was surprised that an hour had passed so quickly . I had needed this . I quickly set my next appointment and headed for the door . Charlie was out there , but Drew was gone , which was weird . Charlie got up with a smile and held his hand out to me . I didn't take it . We needed to set some boundaries . But as soon as I passed , he stepped forward and opened the door for me , before placing his hand gently on my back , as we headed for the elevator . " Where's Drew ? " I asked as we exited the lobby , and I still didn't see him . " He left . It's you and me today , love . I'm taking you to lunch , and then to see Attorney Griggs . He sent a message that he needed to see you , " Charlie replied . He led me to the SUV and opened the front passenger door for me . " I usually sit in the back , " I said with a frown . " I can't reach you in the back . So you need to sit near me , in case of emergency , " Charlie replied smoothly . He seemed to have all the answers today . " I don't feel comfortable up here . I would rather sit in the back ," I told him when he got into the driver's seat . " I know , but you'll just have to get over it today . Drew has to work a special detail tonight , so he got sent home . I'm sorry that he's missing . I assure you that I will keep you safe . Scout's honor , " he said . He then held his arm up , with his thumb and pinkie together , and his other three fingers extended straight up . " You were a Boy Scout ? " I asked in disbelief . " I was , I made it all the way up to Eagle Scout . I'm sure my mother probably has my sash with all my badges 00 16 < 2/4 Leave it to Me sewn on it stored somewhere , " He told me as he drove out of the parking lot . " Is Italian okay with you ? " He asked after a couple of minutes . +15 Fronts > " I love Italian , " I replied . Still confused as to why he's taking me to lunch , and not straight to Rodney's office . " You haven't eaten much lately . We need to eat , and I need to talk to you , " Charlie replied . " We can hit a drive - thru , " I replied . I knew what he wanted to talk about , and I would rather face the conversation either in this SUV , behind the window tint , or in my office . I didn't need a group of people I don't even know to see me get rejected . " No , you aren't someone I want to hide . You are someone to show off , someone to treasure . It would be my honor to take you out . Please allow me to do that , " Charlie told me as we were stopped at the light . He was looking right at me , and he seemed to be telling the truth , but clearly , I'm not good at reading people . Someone honked behind us , and Charlie turned and started moving forward when he saw the green light . Roger used to do the same thing . Act like I was important , act like he cared , but it was all a lie . I don't think that I'm strong enough to go through something like that again . " No pressure , Ana . I just want to talk to you . You ran off on me and then ghosted me . I just wanted to have a meal together , it's just a few questions ," Charlie spoke again as he pulled into Benvenuto . I stiffened , as the last time I saw this place was in the video of Roger and his group mocking me . " Can we go somewhere else , please ? " I asked . I must have looked bad , because he pulled right back out of the parking space and left . " It has the best Italian in the city . Do you not like it there ? " Charlie asked as he pulled out again and drove us closer to Rodney's building . We stopped at a steak place , and I let out the breath I was holding . " I'll show you why later . I don't want anyone else to see or hear it , " I replied . " I'll hold you to that , " he replied . The steak place was a little busy , but he managed to get the hostess to seat us away from everyone else . We placed our order , and when she walked away , he asked . " I heard you liked Benvenuto . Will you tell me why you have an issue with it now ? " " When we get back to the SUV , I'll show you . It was the video Holden sent me . The one where I found out Roger went and got married to keep me from being able to legally marry him ," I quietly answered him . The server came with our drinks and a bread basket . She smiled at Charlie the whole time , ignoring me . I was glad when she walked away . I was getting pretty pissed at her attempts to flirt . No matter how many times he shut her down , she persisted . " What did you want to talk about ? " I asked when she finally walked away . " Would you date me , Ana ? Go out , be exclusive ? I think you're the one , but I want to make sure you want to be with me , too . Our kiss was one of the best ones I've ever had . I could tell you're inexperienced , but you're passionate . I've liked you since I met you . Unlike Holden and Roger , I knew you were a treasure . I don't want to let you slip out of my hands . So , will you date me , officially ? " Charlie asked . At first , I was truly stunned . Too stunned to even answer him . " I would , but my father isn't going to allow it . He values our name , he wants to choose who I date , " I carefully replied . 16