Chapter 8
2047 Words
Miguel Anguer had always considered himself a man of extraordinary self-control.
He could negotiate billion-peso contracts without raising his voice.
He could stare down an entire boardroom without blinking.
He could fire an executive with three words.
He could remain calm during a financial crisis.
But apparently, there was one thing Miguel Anguer could not handle.
Anya Margo going on a date with another man.
It began on a perfectly ordinary Tuesday morning.
Anya was preparing breakfast when Christopher Picque arrived at the mansion.
Miguel was sitting at the dining table, reading a financial report.
He didn't look up when Christopher entered.
"Good morning," Christopher said.
"Morning."
Christopher smiled.
"I came to see Anya."
Miguel's eyes remained on the report.
"She's in the kitchen."
"Thank you."
Christopher walked away.
Miguel turned a page.
Then another.
He wasn't reading anything.
He was listening.
A few minutes later, he heard Christopher laughing.
Then Anya laughed.
Miguel's fingers tightened around the paper.
He tried to ignore it.
He failed.
Eventually, he stood.
He walked toward the kitchen.
Anya and Christopher were talking.
Christopher held a small box.
"I brought you something."
Anya opened it.
"A bracelet?"
"Yes."
"It's beautiful."
"I thought you'd like it."
Miguel appeared in the doorway.
"Another gift?"
Anya turned.
"Good morning."
Miguel nodded.
"Morning."
Christopher smiled.
"I was just giving Anya something."
"I can see that."
Miguel looked at the bracelet.
Then at Christopher.
Then at Anya.
He didn't like any of it.
Not the bracelet.
Not the smile on Anya's face.
And especially not the way Christopher looked at her.
Christopher cleared his throat.
"Actually, I wanted to ask Anya something."
Miguel's expression hardened.
"What?"
Christopher looked at Anya.
"Would you have dinner with me tonight?"
Silence.
Miguel's entire body became rigid.
Anya smiled.
"I'd love to."
Miguel almost dropped the folder in his hand.
Christopher smiled.
"Wonderful."
"I'll pick you up at seven."
"All right."
Christopher left.
Anya turned toward Miguel.
He stared at her.
She smiled.
"Something wrong?"
"No."
"You look angry."
"I'm not angry."
"You're making the face."
"What face?"
"The one where you look like you want to fire someone."
Miguel looked away.
"I'm busy."
"You were just standing there."
"I was thinking."
"About what?"
"Business."
Anya laughed.
"Of course."
She walked away.
Miguel watched her go.
His jaw tightened.
Dinner.
With Christopher.
A date.
He hated the idea.
But he would never admit it.
At ten in the morning, Miguel was in his office.
Harris entered.
"Sir, the meeting with the Singapore partners is at eleven."
"Cancel it."
Harris blinked.
"Cancel?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I have other things to do."
"What things?"
Miguel looked at him.
"Work."
Harris nodded.
"Of course."
He turned to leave.
"Wait."
Harris stopped.
"Yes, sir?"
"What time does Anya usually return from dinner?"
Harris raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know."
"Find out."
"Why?"
Miguel stared at him.
"I want to know."
"Why?"
Miguel frowned.
"Because she's part of the household staff."
Harris nodded slowly.
"Of course."
At eleven thirty, Miguel was in the library.
Anya's replacement maid was dusting the shelves.
Miguel looked up.
"What time is Anya leaving?"
The maid blinked.
"Seven, sir."
"Do you know where she's going?"
"Sir?"
"Dinner."
"Oh."
She smiled.
"With Dr. Picque."
Miguel's expression darkened.
"I know."
The maid continued dusting.
Miguel returned to his book.
After five minutes, he asked:
"What time do restaurants usually close?"
The maid stared at him.
"Sir?"
"Never mind."
At noon, Miguel asked Harris again.
"Where is Anya?"
"Having lunch."
"Where?"
"The kitchen."
"How long?"
"About thirty minutes."
Miguel nodded.
Then he realized what he was doing.
He was monitoring his maid.
He was behaving like a jealous husband.
Except he wasn't her husband.
He wasn't even her boyfriend.
He was her employer.
He returned to work.
Three minutes later, he asked:
"What time did you say she was leaving?"
Harris smiled.
"Seven."
Miguel glared.
"I know."
"Of course."
At two in the afternoon, Miguel had officially lost his mind.
He called Anya into his office.
She entered.
"You wanted me?"
"Yes."
"What do you need?"
Miguel looked at her.
Then at the papers on his desk.
Then back at her.
"Nothing."
Anya raised an eyebrow.
"Then why did you call me?"
"I wanted to ask..."
He paused.
"What?"
"Are you prepared for tonight?"
Anya smiled.
"For dinner?"
"Yes."
"Yes."
"Where are you going?"
"A restaurant."
"Which one?"
"Why?"
"No reason."
Anya smiled.
"Are you jealous?"
"No."
"You're asking a lot of questions for someone who doesn't care."
"I care about security."
"Security?"
"Yes."
"At a restaurant?"
"People are dangerous."
Anya laughed.
"You're ridiculous."
She turned to leave.
Miguel suddenly said:
"Be careful."
Anya stopped.
She smiled softly.
"I will."
At six thirty, Christopher arrived.
He was wearing a dark suit.
He looked elegant.
Miguel saw him from the staircase.
He immediately disliked the suit.
He didn't know why.
It was a perfectly respectable suit.
Perhaps that was the problem.
Christopher approached Anya.
"You look beautiful."
Anya smiled.
"Thank you."
Miguel's expression darkened.
Christopher noticed him.
"Good evening, Miguel."
"Evening."
"We'll be back later."
Miguel nodded.
"She can do whatever she wants."
Anya smiled.
"That's right."
Christopher opened the door for her.
Miguel watched them leave.
The moment the door closed, he turned to Harris.
"What time will they return?"
Harris sighed.
"Sir."
"What?"
"You just told her she could do whatever she wants."
"I did."
"Then why do you need to know?"
Miguel stared at him.
"Because I'm curious."
"Of course."
At seven fifteen, Miguel asked.
"Any word?"
Harris shook his head.
"No."
At eight:
"Any word?"
"No."
At nine:
"Did they call?"
"No."
At ten:
"Did Christopher say anything?"
"No."
At ten thirty:
"What time does that restaurant close?"
Harris looked exhausted.
"I don't know."
"Find out."
At eleven:
"Has she returned?"
"No."
Miguel stood by the window.
He looked outside.
Rain had started falling.
His mood became worse.
He told himself he wasn't jealous.
He told himself he wasn't worried.
He told himself he simply wanted to make sure Anya was safe.
But every time he imagined Christopher making her laugh, his stomach tightened.
Every time he imagined Christopher holding her hand, his jaw clenched.
And every time he imagined Christopher kissing her...
Miguel stopped.
He didn't want to think about that.
He grabbed his phone.
He almost called Anya.
Then stopped.
No.
He wouldn't.
She had the right to enjoy herself.
She could do whatever she wanted.
That was what he had said.
At eleven forty-five, the front gate opened.
Miguel immediately looked toward the window.
A car entered.
Christopher stepped out.
Then Anya.
Miguel's heart jumped.
He immediately straightened.
Harris smiled.
"She's home."
"I know."
Anya entered the mansion.
Miguel walked into the hallway.
He tried to look casual.
Very casual.
Too casual.
Anya removed her coat.
Miguel approached.
"You're back."
"Yes."
"Good."
Anya smiled.
"Did you wait for me?"
"No."
"Really?"
"I was working."
"At midnight?"
"Yes."
Anya laughed.
Miguel frowned.
"Did you enjoy your date?"
"Very much."
Miguel nearly choked.
"Good."
Anya smiled.
"He took me to a lovely restaurant."
"Good."
"We talked for hours."
"Wonderful."
"He made me laugh."
"Excellent."
"And he gave me flowers."
Miguel's eye twitched.
"More flowers?"
"Yes."
"How many?"
"Why?"
"No reason."
Anya smiled.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
She stepped closer.
"You're jealous."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You asked the staff when I would return."
Miguel froze.
He looked at Harris.
Harris immediately looked away.
Traitor.
Anya laughed.
"You spent the entire night waiting."
"I wasn't waiting."
"What were you doing?"
"Monitoring the household."
"Of course."
Anya smiled.
"Good night, Miguel."
She walked away.
Miguel stood there.
He had no idea what to say.
Then he whispered:
"I hate Christopher."
From the staircase, Harris coughed.
Miguel looked up.
"Did you hear that?"
"No, sir."
"Good."
The next morning, Anya woke to find something strange on her bedside table.
A small black box.
She opened it.
Inside was an elegant necklace.
It was made of delicate silver with a small blue gemstone.
Anya touched it carefully.
Then she heard footsteps.
Miguel.
"What's this?"
She held up the necklace.
"It was delivered this morning."
"I know."
"You sent it?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Miguel looked away.
"Employee appreciation."
Anya smiled.
"Employee appreciation?"
"Yes."
"That's a very expensive employee appreciation gift."
"You deserve it."
"Why?"
"Because you've been working hard."
Anya smiled.
"Then why is your face red?"
Miguel immediately touched his face.
"I'm not red."
"You are."
"It's warm."
"You're embarrassed."
"I'm not."
Anya laughed.
"You bought me jewelry because you're jealous."
"I did not."
"Then why blue?"
Miguel paused.
"Because..."
He had no answer.
Anya waited.
"Because it suits you."
She became quiet.
For once, she didn't tease him.
"Thank you."
Miguel nodded.
"You're welcome."
Anya touched the necklace again.
"Would you put it on me?"
Miguel froze.
"What?"
"I can't see where the clasp is."
He stepped closer.
"Of course."
Anya turned around.
She lifted her hair.
Miguel carefully placed the necklace around her neck.
His fingers brushed her skin.
Both became still.
He could smell her perfume.
She could feel his breath.
Neither spoke.
Miguel fastened the clasp.
His fingers lingered for one second too long.
Anya whispered:
"Is it on?"
"Yes."
"Do you like it?"
He looked at the necklace.
Then at her.
"Yes."
She smiled.
"Good."
Miguel stepped back.
"Very good."
Later that day, Christopher arrived.
He noticed the necklace immediately.
"That's beautiful."
Anya touched it.
"Miguel gave it to me."
Christopher looked toward Miguel.
"Employee appreciation?"
Miguel nodded.
"Exactly."
Christopher smiled.
"Very generous."
Miguel smiled back.
"Thank you."
Christopher looked at Anya.
"It suits you."
Miguel's expression changed.
"I know."
Anya laughed.
"You two are impossible."
Christopher smiled.
"He's becoming protective."
"He was always protective," Anya said.
Miguel looked at her.
She smiled.
There was something warm in her expression.
Something that made his chest tighten.
That evening, Anya found Miguel alone in the garden.
She walked toward him.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"The necklace."
"You already thanked me."
"I wanted to again."
Miguel nodded.
"You're welcome."
She stood beside him.
The evening breeze moved through the trees.
Anya touched the gemstone.
"It's beautiful."
Miguel looked at her.
"So are you."
The words escaped before he could stop them.
Anya froze.
Miguel froze.
Neither spoke.
Then Miguel cleared his throat.
"I mean..."
Anya smiled.
"I know what you meant."
His face turned red again.
She laughed softly.
"You really are bad at hiding your feelings."
Miguel looked away.
"I don't have feelings."
"Of course."
"You keep saying that."
"Because you keep lying."
He smiled.
She smiled.
And for a moment, neither cared about Christopher.
Neither cared about the investigation.
Neither cared about the secrets surrounding them.
They simply stood together.
Close.
Comfortable.
Happy.
But then Anya heard something.
A faint sound near the garden gate.
Her smile disappeared.
Someone was there.
Watching.
Again.
She turned her head.
Miguel noticed.
"What is it?"
"Nothing."
But Anya knew better.
The person following her had returned.
And this time, they weren't watching her alone.
They were watching Miguel too.
That night, Anya stood in front of the mirror.
She couldn't see her reflection clearly.
But she could feel the necklace around her neck.
She touched the gemstone.
Miguel had given it to her because he was jealous.
At least, that was what she believed.
And secretly, she liked it.
Across the mansion, Miguel sat in his office.
He held the empty jewelry box.
He smiled.
He had spent the entire day pretending he wasn't jealous.
He had failed miserably.
But there was one thing he finally understood.
He didn't want Christopher to win Anya's heart.
He wanted her heart for himself.
The realization frightened him.
Because Miguel Anguer had never been afraid of losing money.
Never been afraid of losing power.
Never been afraid of losing control.
But the thought of losing Anya?
That terrified him.
And somewhere outside the mansion, someone watched the lights go dark.
They had been observing Anya for weeks.
Now they had discovered Miguel's weakness.
The necklace.
The jealousy.
The almost kiss.
The growing attachment.
Everything was becoming clear.
Anya Margo was no longer simply a secret assistant.
She was the woman Miguel Anguer was falling in love with.
And that made her the perfect target.
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