Anna stirred awake to the sound of low voices. Her body felt stiff, and she blinked against the light streaming through the large windows. A wave of heat rushed to her cheeks when she realized she was still perched on Alexander's lap. _How did I fall asleep like this?_ she thought, mortified.
His arms, still loosely wrapped around her, felt warm and secure. She dared to peek up at him, but Alexander was focused on the two men seated across from them, discussing something in hushed tones. One of them was the cold, intimidating man who had followed Alexander to the hospital. The other was unfamiliar, but equally imposing with his sharp suit and watchful eyes.
Anna shifted awkwardly, trying to balance herself better on Alexander's lap without drawing attention. However, her slight movement immediately caught their attention.
The two men glanced at her, their brows raising in unison. She ducked her head, feeling their stares burn through her.
_Why are people even working on a Sunday?_ she wondered in exasperation. Her lips moved before her brain could stop them. "Who on earth works on Sundays? I thought it was supposed to be for resting. But it's clear scary Mr. Boss is different," she mumbled under her breath.
The room fell silent.
It took her a moment to realize the impact of her words. Slowly, she looked up, only to find all three men staring at her. Alexander's eyes held an unfamiliar glint, and to her utter disbelief, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
The man she recognized as Marcus narrowed his eyes, clearly baffled by what he'd just heard. Meanwhile, the other man outright leaned forward, his face splitting into an amused grin.
"Mr. Boss?" the stranger repeated, his voice brimming with incredulity.
Anna's face flushed crimson. "I didn't mean—"
Alexander held up a hand, silencing her attempt to explain. His voice was calm, almost amused. "It's fine. Speak your mind."
Anna froze. Did he just... smile? The boss who could probably make grown men cry with a glare?
Marcus frowned, clearly struggling to process what was happening. "Sir," he said cautiously, "she just bad-mouthed you, and... you're okay with it?"
The stranger chuckled. "Not just bad-mouthed. She gave you a nickname. Mr. Boss? That's new."
Alexander's smile faded as his gaze shifted to Marcus. "Do you have an issue with it?"
Marcus stiffened immediately. "No, sir," he replied, his voice steady, though his unease was evident.
Anna, meanwhile, wanted the ground to swallow her whole. Her hands clenched the fabric of her dress, and she avoided everyone's gaze. _Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut?_
Alexander's gaze softened as it returned to her. "Anna," he said, his deep voice snapping her out of her thoughts.
She looked up at him hesitantly. "Y-Yes, Mr. Boss?"
The corner of his lips twitched again, and for a second, it seemed like he was holding back another smile. "It's already afternoon. Go to the dining room and have lunch."
Her eyes widened. "Afternoon?" She glanced at the clock on the wall, realizing with shock that it was nearly 2 PM. "Oh no, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to oversleep—"
"You needed rest," Alexander interrupted. His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. "Go."
She hesitated for a moment but finally nodded, carefully sliding off his lap. Her legs felt a little shaky as she stood. A maid appeared at the door, as if summoned by magic, and Anna followed her out of the room.
As soon as she was gone, the stranger across from Alexander leaned back in his chair, smirking. "So, who is she?"
"That's none of your business," Alexander replied coldly.
Marcus, however, wasn't as easily deterred. "She's... different," he said cautiously. "You're never this lenient with anyone. Let alone smiling."
Alexander's icy gaze silenced further questions. "We're here to discuss the Wallace family. Stay focused," he ordered.
Both men straightened immediately, the playful atmosphere evaporating as the conversation shifted back to business.
---
In the dining room, Anna sat at the large table, staring at the elaborate spread of dishes in front of her. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since the morning, but her thoughts were still stuck on the scene in Alexander's study.
_He didn't get mad,_ she thought, picking at her food absentmindedly. _In fact, he smiled... twice._
The maids moved quietly around her, ensuring everything was to her liking. One of them, a kindly older woman, leaned in and spoke softly. "Miss, you should eat before the food gets cold."
Anna nodded, though her appetite was more for answers than for food. She stabbed a piece of grilled chicken with her fork, chewing slowly as her mind whirled.
Alexander Voss was a puzzle she couldn't quite figure out. Cold and intimidating one moment, unexpectedly gentle the next. His smiles were rare, but they felt... real.
The memory of his arms around her, the warmth of his touch, flashed through her mind, and she quickly shook her head to banish the thought. _Get it together, Anna._
She forced herself to focus on her meal, though her curiosity burned brighter than ever. _Who is Alexander Voss, really?_