The soft sound of rain against the car windows filled the silence as Anna sat quietly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She felt Alexander's sharp gaze on her from time to time, but she didn't dare meet his eyes. Every moment in his presence was like standing at the edge of a cliff, unsure if the ground beneath her would hold or crumble.
When they pulled up in front of a towering building, Anna's breath caught. It wasn't just a building; it was a marvel. The sleek glass façade reflected the stormy sky above, and the sheer size of it made her feel smaller than she already did. The massive gates had opened as if on command, and uniformed guards stood at attention, their postures rigid and disciplined.
"This… this is your house?" she whispered, barely audible.
Alexander didn't answer. Instead, he stepped out of the car and opened her door. Without a word, he scooped her into his arms, ignoring her faint protest.
"Mr. Voss, I—"
"You talk too much," he cut her off, his voice calm but firm.
As the other man—the one who had been quietly accompanying them—held a large umbrella over them, shielding them from the relentless rain, Anna clung to Alexander's coat. Her heart raced as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. Every step he took toward the building made her feel more out of place.
When they entered the grand foyer, she couldn't help but gasp. The interior was like something out of a dream. Marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers, and a sweeping staircase curved elegantly to the upper floors. The air was filled with the faint scent of lavender and something else she couldn't quite place, something rich and expensive.
"This… this isn't real," she murmured to herself, her voice trembling.
Before she could process it further, Alexander's commanding voice echoed through the room. "Everyone, gather."
From seemingly nowhere, maids in crisp uniforms and guards in black suits appeared, lining up in neat rows. Their eyes were wide with curiosity, some darting toward Anna, who was still cradled in Alexander's arms.
He introduced her briskly, his tone leaving no room for questions. "This is Anna. She'll be staying here. These two," he gestured toward a pair of young maids, "will be assigned to her. Whatever she needs, you provide it. Understood?"
The maids nodded quickly, their faces a mix of surprise and nervousness. It was clear that this was an unprecedented moment. Their boss—known for his cold, distant demeanor—had not only brought a woman into his home but was treating her with an uncharacteristic gentleness.
Anna, on the other hand, felt a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. She hated the attention, hated the way everyone was looking at her. She wanted to melt into the floor and disappear.
Alexander carried her up the grand staircase, his steps steady and deliberate. She couldn't bring herself to speak as they moved through a series of hallways, each more luxurious than the last. Eventually, they reached a room.
When he opened the door, she couldn't believe her eyes. The room was enormous, with a large canopy bed draped in soft, cream-colored linens, a sitting area with plush chairs, and a balcony that overlooked the sprawling gardens below.
"This will be your room," Alexander said, his tone neutral as he set her down gently on the bed.
Anna stared at the room in disbelief. It was more space than she had ever dreamed of having. "This… this is for me?" she asked hesitantly.
He raised an eyebrow. "Do you see anyone else here?"
She shook her head quickly, lowering her gaze. "Thank you, Mr. Voss. I—I don't know how to repay you."
He studied her in silence for a moment before speaking. "Do you not talk unless you're spoken to?"
She looked up briefly, meeting his icy blue eyes before looking away again. "I only talk when it's needed or important," she said softly.
His expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes—something she couldn't quite identify. He turned to leave without another word, his footsteps echoing in the spacious room.
Anna let out a shaky breath, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. She glanced around the room again, her mind struggling to process everything that had happened in the past few hours.
But just as she began to relax, the door opened again. Alexander stepped back inside, his gaze as piercing as ever.
"What's your surname?" he asked abruptly.
The question caught her off guard. She blinked at him, unsure why he wanted to know. "Wallace," she answered hesitantly.
He nodded once, as if filing the information away, and walked out again without another word.
Anna stared at the closed door, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't understand him. One moment he was cold and distant, the next he was carrying her as if she weighed nothing and giving her a room that looked fit for royalty.
She wrapped her arms around herself, her thoughts a jumbled mess. She couldn't afford to let her guard down, not even here.
For now, she would take each moment as it came. One step at a time.