ANNA SAT IN THE sleek, modern waiting area, her fingers lightly tapping against the edge of the chair, her legs crossed neatly. The room smelled faintly of polished wood and coffee, a subtle reminder of corporate efficiency. She kept her posture straight, reminding herself to stay composed, even as her mind raced. The interview was important-this could change everything-and she forced herself to focus. Each tick of the clock on the wall seemed to stretch time, but she remained calm, almost serene, letting the anxiety simmer beneath the surface rather than letting it show.

She observed the other candidates, all busy adjusting ties, clearing their throats, checking phones. Anna didn't need to perform any of that. She had prepared, she had memorized strategies, marketing approaches, and even the company's recent campaigns. All that was left was patience.

Minutes passed, and then the door to the boardroom opened, and a few executives stepped in. Anna's attention was immediately captured, and her breath caught-because there, at the center of the board, sat Blake. Blake, with that same magnetic presence that had consumed her the previous night.He looked... normal. Professional. Like he was simply another board member conducting business. No trace of the wild, electric night they had shared lingered on his expression. He didn't smirk, he didn't glance her way with a hint of recognition. He was entirely unreadable.

Anna's heart skipped a beat, and a slow realization dawned on her. He was the one behind this. He'd arranged for her to be interviewed again. All the connections, the push she hadn't understood before-it made sense now. And yet, the calm, collected look he maintained made it impossible to guess what he was thinking. It was as if the previous night-the intoxication, the closeness, the heat-they had shared never happened at all.

She sat even straighter, smoothing her skirt and adjusting her notebook on her lap. She would not falter. She would not give him-or anyone-an indication of the storm that surged within her. She was just another candidate waiting her turn, patient, composed, and determined.

Her pulse, though, betrayed her. Every so often, her eyes flicked toward him discreetly, catching his profile, his posture, the way he tapped a pen against the table absentmindedly. The contrast between the man in front of her and the man from last night was jarring, and yet, oddly thrilling. She reminded herself to breathe, to wait, to be patient. Soon, it would be her turn to step into that boardroom-and she would walk in not as a woman marked by desire or surprise, but as a professional ready to claim her place.

Soon her name was called into the room. Be calm Anna you've prepared for this

" Miss Jenkins, why should we hire you over the ten other applicants who have more experience in wine marketing than you?"

Anna took a deep breath, preparing herself once again for the battle ahead. " Because experience means little without innovation. I understand the traditional market, but I also understand how to capture modern consumers through digital story telling and data- driven campaigns". There was a nod among the boards before another member spoke.

"Interesting. How would you reposition a poorly performing red wine brand that hasn't sold in the past six months?"

" Firstly, I'd study the target market; their taste preference, age range and where they spend their time. Then I'd redesign the label for better shelf appeal, use influence marketing platforms and launch limited time offers with user generated content campaigns "

"What's the most important element in advertising a luxury wine product?" The only woman in the board asked. Till now, Blake had barely spoken a word , he just sat, watching her.

" Emotions. You're not selling grapes. You're selling celebration, exclusivity, and taste. The imagery, language and even background music must reflect that."

" And if a budget cut slashes 40 percentage of your marketing spend?" Mr Kingsley asked leaning towards her.

" I'd double down on high RO platforms. Cut traditional ads, push SEO, email campaigns, retargeting, and brand partnerships. Quality over quantity."

"She's not here to play " the woman whispered to Kingsley. They were both taking in low tunes until Blake cleared his throat.

" What's our biggest weakness?" Blake asked, his gaze boring deep in Anna. This wasn't about an interview alone. He was scaling how smart she is.

"Your digital presence. Your website is outdated, SEO is weak, and you're barely engaging social platforms. In this era, a premium wine should have premium visibility. " You seem confident. What makes you think you can survive the pressure here?" Blake asked.

" I've survived worse than pressure. I thrive on challenge, and I don't fold. Give me a chance and I'll prove that no one will sell Valencia better than I will."

" Interesting" Mr Kingsley said as e eyed her, intrigued. Blake wasn't done yet. " You talk a good game, but this is a male dominated boardroom. What makes you think we'll listen to you ?"

"You don't have to listen to me. Just watch the numbers after I'm hired" Anna replied calmly but firmly.

" And what if we don't hire you? " Blake asked rising to his feet. Everyone from the boardroom rose along with him.

" Then you'll hire someone safer and in six months, you'll still be having this same meeting, wondering why your numbers haven't moved. There was silence as Blake stepped away, moving to the door. " I want you here tomorrow by 5." He said and walked out of the room.

Yes Anna couldn't hide her joy more better. She did it! Finally she's going to get the best medical attention for her brother. Anna stepped out of the boardroom with her heart still pounding-not from the questions, not from Blake's unreadable stare-but from the weight that had been sitting on her chest since morning.

She didn't even wait to reach the lobby.

Her hands trembled as she dug out her phone, scrolling immediately to the name she had called too many times in her life.

She pressed call.

It rang once. Twice.

And then his soft, familiar inhale came through the speaker.

"Anna?"

Her breath broke a little. "Hey, sweetheart... how are you feeling?"

There was a long silence-too long. She knew that silence; it meant he was overwhelmed, trying to gather words that didn't want to line up for him.

"I didn't like when you left ," he finally whispered. "Everything felt... wrong."

Anna closed her eyes, her throat tightening.

"I'm so sorry, Jay. I didn't want to leave you. I just... I had to go for the interview."

"You didn't say bye."

A tremor in his voice-so small, but it stabbed straight into her.

"I know," she breathed. "I know. I rushed. I should have said it. I should have looked at you before I left. I'm so sorry that I didn't."

On the other end, she heard the faint clicking noise-his fingers tapping his wristband, the one he used when he was anxious.

"Did they shout at you?" he asked suddenly.

"People always shout during interviews."

She swallowed a shaky laugh. "They asked very hard questions, but I answered them. I think... I think I did okay."

"You did good," he said immediately, with absolute certainty. "You're always good when you try."

That undid her. Her eyes blurred.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Are you coming now?"

Hope. Fear. Need.

"I am," she said softly. "I'm leaving here soon. I just wanted to hear your voice first."

Another pause.

"Anna... I was scared today."

Her breath hitched. "Why?"

"Because the nurse closed the curtain and the lights felt different. I don't like when things change."

A small, shaking inhale. "And I couldn't ask for you because I knew you were busy."

Her free hand pressed against her heart.

"Oh, Jay... you can always ask for me. Busy or not. I'll come."

She heard the quiet rustle of him nodding.

Then, in his small, honest voice:

"I want you to come now. Please."

A tear slipped down her cheek. "I'm already on my way."

"Okay..." His voice softened, fragile but calmer now. "I'll wait. I'll count the ceiling dots so time goes faster."

She smiled through the ache. "You do that, sweetheart. I'll be there soon."

"Okay... bye, Anna."

"Bye, my love."

The call ended, and Anna stood there for a moment, letting the weight of everything settle-her brother's fear, her exhaustion, the interview, Blake's cold eyes pretending nothing had happened.

Then she wiped her face, straightened her shoulders, and walked toward the exit-because Jay was waiting, and he always came first.

ANNA HAD JUST REACHED the glass doors, ready to breathe fresh air and finally calm her racing heart, when the receptionist called out sharply behind her.

"You. "

The woman didn't even bother to look up fully from her screen. "The CEO wants to see you. Now."

Her tone was clipped, irritated, like Anna had personally ruined her entire morning. Anna blinked, confused.

"Sorry... the C–CEO?" she asked.

The receptionist rolled her eyes dramatically, leaning back in her seat with exaggerated impatience. "Yes. The CEO. Or do you need me to spell it for you? Take the elevator to the top floor. They said you should come immediately."

Anna swallowed the irritation burning in her chest. This woman again. But she kept her mouth shut, nodded politely, and made her way to the elevator. Her palms were sweating by the time the doors opened into a quiet, expensive-looking hallway.

Then she saw his name on the frosted glass door.

Blake Harrington – CEO

Her breath caught.

She knocked once.

"Come in," his voice answered, smooth and calm.

She stepped inside. He was standing by the window, tall, composed, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his forearms. When he turned to face her, his expression softened-barely-but she caught it.

"Anna," he said, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk. "Please, sit."

But she stayed standing.

Blake raised a brow. "You did incredibly well today. Better than I even predicted. I was... amused. Impressed, actually."

Anna's jaw tightened. "Thank you, sir."

He noticed the edge in her voice. "You're angry."

"I'm not angry," she lied.

He stepped closer, studying her carefully. "Do you know why I kept attacking you with questions in there? Why I pushed you harder than every other candidate?"

Anna's eyes flicked away. "Because... we were strangers, right? That's what you were acting like."

Blake stared at her, confused. "Strangers?" He paused. "You're going to pretend we didn't share a night?"

Her breath hitched before she forced her calm back into place.

Blake's eyes dropped briefly to what she was wearing-his shirt, his trousers, tucked and styled neatly on her frame. A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. "You look good. Better than I expected in my clothes."

Anna exhaled, embarrassed. "I'm sorry for taking them. Truly. And... thank you. For giving me another chance after I-after everything." She swallowed. "But I'd appreciate it if you treat me like an ordinary worker. Not like... your one-night mistress."

Blake froze.

His eyes flickered with something unreadable-hurt? Surprise? Regret?-then he looked away.

A long, heavy silence fell between them.

Finally he nodded once. "You're right. I got too familiar. I apologize."

Anna stayed still, her heartbeat finally slowing as the power in the room shifted back in her favour.

She cleared her throat gently. "If that's all, sir... I'd like to go."

Blake's jaw flexed, but he quietly said, "That's all."

Anna turned, walked out of his office, and closed the door behind her-leaving Blake standing in the middle of the room, suddenly too aware of the space she had just left behind.

The office buzzed like a relentless hive as Anna waked in the next morning. She held her bah close to her body, shoulders squared,her chin slightly raised because she had promised herself she would walk into this new job with confidence, no matter how intimidating everything felt. She ignored the stares, whispers and the way the receptionist, that same rude woman from yesterday, gave her a slow smirk that felt like a slap.

Anna stepped into the marketing floor, where rows of sleek desks stood in perfect alignment. Her colleagues were already settled, clicking away on keyboards or pretending to work while eyeing her. Especially now that everyone knew she had been sent directly to the CEO's office in her first day. That alone had caused a storm of gossip. And she felt it floating around her like perfume.

She dropped her bag, opened her laptop, and tried to pretend her hands weren't shaking. Before she could even take a breath,her office phone blinked. Incoming call:CEO's office Her heart jumped. She swallowed hard and answered. " Good morning sir." Blake's voice filled her ear, love and steady. "Come up."

Just that. Two words.

She quickly stood, smoothed her skirt down, thankfully not his clothes today and hurried into the elevator. The climb felt slow, suffocating, as if every floor stretched the moment. When she stepped into his office, Blake was already seated, posture perfect, eyes unreadable. "Sit," he said, but this time, Anna obeyed. He folded his arms. "I have a task for you. You'll be in charge of revving a wine brand that has been dying for months." He slid a file across the table. " Chàteau Rouge." Anna opened the file and winced. The numbers were terrible. Sales were low. Reviews were mixed. Marketing attempts had failed. " It's one of our poorest performing labels," Blake continued. " I want you to push it. You want to prove yourself? Then prove it."

Something flickered inside Anna's chest, not approval, not encouragement, but a challenge.A flame. She nodded. "I'll do it "

He gave a small, satisfied smirk. " Good . You have two weeks."

Her breath hitched. "Two -?"

" That will be all. You're dismissed."

Anna left the office, half terrified, half determined. As the elevator doors slid shut, she exhaled shakily and pressed a palm to her chest.

Two weeks, one failing product. A whole company watching her to see if she would fail. She didn't know whether Blake believed she could do it...or whether he wanted to see her struggle. Either way,she would prove him wrong.

ANNA POURED HERSELF INTO project till it consumed her. She studied every detail of the wine; it's origin, the vineyard, the flavor profile. She visited the warehouse to see the bottles firsthand. She took notes, observed, asked questions until staff grew irritated. She mapped out a new marketing strategy. She created; A series of aesthetic social media posts showing the wine in luxury settings. She worked endlessly and tirelessly, from both the office and home. Shey stayed late, came early, edited videos and handled customers feedback manually so the algorithm stayed alive. There was rumors all around her "Why is she stressing so much?"

"Does she think she's the new favorite?"

"Watch her embarrass herself."

Anna heard everything; every sharp remark disguised as a joke, every eye roll. Something it stung badly. Sometimes she cried in the bathroom and washed her face before coming out again. But she refused; flat out refused to fail.

And slowly.... the numbers began to move. At first it was a spark. Then a flame. Then a wildfire. By the end of the first week, sales had increased by 15 percentage. Chàteau Rouge because an overnight sensation. Anna could barely contain her joy; her exhaustion, her relief.

She hadn't slept more than four hours a day, but seeing the sales chart spike felt like magic. She printed the reports, held them tight against her chest, and rushed to give Blake the news.

She knocked on his office door.

No answer.

She knocked again.

" Come in," he finally said. Anna entered, smiling brightly her cheeks hurt. " Sir, I have the numbers" Blake looked up slowly, and the expression on his face was unreadable. "I did it," she continued, breathlessly." Sales doubled within time target. Chàteau Rouge is back on the charts. I thought you'd want to see...." She stretched out the file but Blake barely glanced at it. " Good," he said, in a tone as cold as steel. " You did your job."

Anna blinked, the smile faltering. " Success has no limits. Don't be overexcited over something small. There's always more to do."

Her heart cracked quietly like a glass shattering inside her chest. "I... understand," she whispered. He nodded once. " Close the door on your way out." She walked out slowly, each step heavier than the last. Her vision blurred as she reached the hallway. She had worked so hard, pushed herself given everything, solved the puzzle a whole company couldn't in two weeks. And he called it small.

BLAKE HAD ALWAYS believed his company was efficient, but in the last two weeks it became unstoppable. The sales reports were undeniable. Chàteau Rouge had transformed from a failing label into one of their top selling wine and the shift began when Anna took over. He noticed it immediately. Every morning, the analytics team brought him new numbers. He tried to pretend he wasn't impressed. He tried to pretend she wasn't responsible for the sudden spark running through his company. But he knew the truth, she was brilliant. Relentless Creative in ways his entire marketing team hadn't been in months.

But the worst part was that he wanted her badly. More than appropriate for a CEO who had strictly, firmly and clearly been told that their relationship must remain nothing more than workplace professionalism.

Damnit it, Anna...

He stood and walked towards the window, watching the city breathe. He needed her close, but she didn't want closeness. He respected her choice, but it frustrated him.