Chapter 6: The Bullfight
571 Words
“What?!”
For a split second, Anastasia thought she must’ve misheard.
But Alex’s voice came again, calm and steady:
“Take off your clothes.”
She instinctively stepped back, eyes wide in disbelief.
“Excuse me?! What gives you the right?” she snapped. “I am not undressing in front of you!”
Alex gave a crooked little smile — the kind of grin a predator gives when it spots its prey.
“Good. Keep that attitude, Miss Smith.”
“What? I… wait—” she blinked, trying to process.
“My personal tailor is on her way. She usually works exclusively with me, but today…”
He gave her a slow, appraising look that made Anastasia reflexively cross her arms over her chest.
“…Today, she’ll be taking care of you. And believe me — there’s tons to fix.”
“Oh wonderful, another one of your little jabs…” Anastasia muttered, clicking her tongue and looking away.
“She’ll be here any second.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because it’s 2:59. And Jane is never late.”
Sure enough, as the digital clock on the wall clicked to 3:00, there were three sharp, confident knocks at the door.
A moment later, it burst open — no invitation needed.
A petite woman in her early thirties stood in the doorway, with soft features, large brown eyes, dimples, and a pixie haircut. Her posture, her look, her outfit — everything about her screamed effortless style. Her entire look — the pose, the expression, the outfit — made it seem like her photo should be the lead image on the Wikipedia page for “Style.”
Alex spun around, frowning.
“Miss Jane, who let you in?”
She didn’t even flinch. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed her small purse aside — it hit the floor with a clatter, like a jar full of coins or a keyring packed with metal.
And then — things got weird.
She bent slightly, put her fingers to her head like bull horns, stomped her right foot a few times, and charged straight at the CEO, aiming her “horns” at his stomach.
Anastasia stood frozen, eyes wide, watching the bizarre scene unfold.
Alex, surprisingly, met her energy.
“Hyah!” he shouted, dropping into a wide-legged stance, arms raised like a ninja or samurai.
Just as Jane was about to collide with him, he stepped aside with a matador’s grace, letting the “bull” pass — and then swiftly caught her by the waist mid-charge.
She thrashed in his arms like a caught fish, kicking playfully as if this was their usual routine.
Laughter broke out.
“You’re still quick!” Jane grinned. “But one day, I will get you! Don’t forget — you’re three years older, so you’ll wrinkle first. And when that day comes… oh, the sweet taste of revenge! For that time—”
“Ahem.”
Alex cleared his throat loudly, cutting her off with a glance toward Anastasia — who Jane, apparently, hadn’t noticed until now.
“Anastasia Smith,” he said. “Receptionist intern… and as of today, my fiancée.”
“Oh!” Jane beamed, not even pretending to be surprised.
“Lovely to meet you. I’m Jane. And I happen to be the first woman to ever see your fiancé completely naked.”
- Writer
