The car came to a smooth stop in front of an upscale restaurant, its grand façade glowing softly in the dim evening light. Anna's eyes widened as she took in the elegant entrance, the polished glass windows, and the valet waiting attentively near the door. Her heart sank. This was not a place for someone like her.
"This… this looks expensive," she stammered, gripping the edge of the seat tightly. She turned her gaze to Alexander, whose cold blue eyes were fixed straight ahead. "Mr. Boss… I mean, Mr. Voss," she corrected herself, her voice trembling. "You don't have to do this. A roadside stall would be fine. I'm already a burden to you. Please, just—"
Her words were cut off as Alexander opened his door and stepped out, his long coat billowing slightly in the breeze. Without waiting for her to finish, he rounded the car, opened her door, and bent down.
"Stop talking," he said curtly, scooping her up into his arms before she could protest further.
"Wait, I can—"
"Quiet," he snapped, his tone brooking no argument.
Anna clamped her mouth shut, her face flushing with embarrassment. She could feel the strength in his arms, the controlled power beneath the tailored fabric of his suit. It was both intimidating and oddly reassuring.
As they approached the restaurant, Anna noticed the staff inside bustling to clear tables and usher guests out. Confused, she glanced around, wondering what was happening. By the time Alexander carried her through the door, the once-busy restaurant was eerily silent. Every single patron and staff member had disappeared.
The only sound was the soft clink of silverware being cleared away by a waiter who hurried out moments later, his eyes avoiding hers. Anna's stomach twisted. Her gaze darted to the empty tables, the pristine white tablecloths, and the faint smell of freshly cooked food lingering in the air.
Her mind raced with conclusions, none of them comforting. Why had everyone left? Her chest tightened as an ugly thought crept in.
Tears pricked at her eyes as Alexander set her down gently in a plush chair at a corner table. She stared at the polished tablecloth, her hands clenching into fists.
"They left because of me, didn't they?" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Alexander, who had been speaking in low tones to the man who had accompanied them, turned to her with a sharp look. "What did you say?"
Anna swallowed hard, unable to meet his gaze. "They must have thought I didn't belong here. I'm… I'm dirty. I'm from the slums." She looked at the clock on the wall, noting it was just after 5 p.m. "It's late anyway. I can wait until night. There's no need to trouble anyone."
Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. When she finally glanced up, she found Alexander's icy blue eyes locked onto hers, his expression unreadable.
"Are you dumb?" he asked bluntly, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.
Anna flinched, her cheeks burning with shame. "I—I'm sorry—"
"They left because I told them to," he interrupted, his tone firm and unyielding. "Not because of you. You're eating here in peace, and I won't have anyone hovering around to make you uncomfortable."
Her mouth opened and closed as she struggled to process his words. He had ordered everyone out? For her?
"I… I didn't know," she murmured, lowering her gaze. "Thank you, Mr. Voss."
"Eat," he commanded, motioning to the table now laden with an assortment of dishes brought out by a nervous waiter moments earlier. "You look like you haven't eaten in days."
She nodded respectfully, her stomach growling audibly at the sight of the food. She reached for a slice of bread first, her hands trembling slightly.
Alexander leaned back in his chair, watching her with an emotionless expression. He didn't speak or move, his piercing gaze fixed on her as she began to eat.
Anna took small bites at first, self-conscious under his scrutiny. But as the warmth of the freshly baked bread spread through her, her restraint crumbled. Hunger overpowered her embarrassment, and she began to eat with the desperation of someone who hadn't had a proper meal in years.
She tore into the food with fervor, alternating between bites of bread, spoonfuls of creamy soup, and pieces of tender meat. The flavors were rich and overwhelming, a stark contrast to the scraps she was used to scavenging.
Tears welled in her eyes again, but this time they weren't from shame. It was the sheer relief of having food in her stomach, of being treated like she mattered, even if only for a fleeting moment.
Alexander said nothing, his expression unchanging as he observed her. He didn't touch the food in front of him, his focus entirely on her.
When she finally paused, her hands trembling from the effort, she dared to glance at him. His gaze was as intense as ever, but there was something else there—something she couldn't quite place.
"You're not a burden," he said suddenly, his voice softer than before.
Her breath hitched. "What?"
"You're not a burden," he repeated, leaning forward slightly. "Stop saying that."
Anna's lips parted, but no words came out. She didn't know how to respond to that. No one had ever said those words to her before.
The sound of rain beginning to patter against the windows filled the silence between them. Anna lowered her gaze, her fingers clutching the edge of the tablecloth.
"Thank you," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alexander leaned back again, his expression unreadable once more. "Finish eating," he said. "You'll need your strength."
For what, she didn't know. But for the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of something she hadn't dared to hope for: safety.