MARRIED TO THE DYING CEO

CHAPTER TEN - OFFICE RIVAL

ANNA POV

I stepped into the magnificent building, immediately noticing how different it felt from the mansion.

Everything was busy.

Employees walked in different directions, some carrying files while others spoke quietly into their phones. A few stood near the reception desk, discussing something on a tablet.

Nobody seemed to have time to look at anyone for more than a second.

I approached the receptionist.

"Good day”

She looked up from her computer.

"Good day”. How may I help you?"

"I'm here to see Mr. Sterling Blackwood."

Her fingers paused above the keyboard.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No, I don't. I just wanted to drop something off for him."

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but Mr. Blackwood doesn't receive visitors without appointments."

I glanced at the food bag.

"It's just lunch. I won't take much of his time."

The receptionist gave me a polite smile.

"I understand, but you'll have to contact his office first."

I sighed quietly.

"Could you tell me where his secretary's office is?"

"Executive floor. Second floor."

"Thank you."

I entered the elevator and pressed the button.

As the doors closed, I looked at my reflection in the polished metal.

I had spent almost an hour deciding what to wear. Nothing too formal, but nothing too casual either.

For some reason, I wanted to make a good impression.

Perhaps because this was the first time I was visiting my husband's workplace.

Or perhaps because I wanted to see a part of his life that he rarely spoke about.

When the elevator opened, I stepped into another reception area.

A woman sat behind a large desk, typing on her computer.

She looked up when she noticed me.

"Yes?"

"Good day. I'm here to see Mr. Blackwood."

Her eyes moved briefly over my clothes before settling on the bag in my hand.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No. I brought him lunch."

She glanced at the clock.

"Mr. Blackwood is in a meeting."

"That's alright. I can wait."

She leaned back in her chair.

"Are you a business associate?"

"No."

"A client?"

"No."

Her expression became less welcoming.

"Then I'm afraid you'll have to schedule an appointment."

I tried to remain patient.

"Could you please tell him Anna is here?"

"Anna?"

"Yes."

"Just Anna?"

I blinked.

"Anna Blackwood."

Something changed in her expression, but it disappeared almost immediately.

"Right."

She returned her attention to her computer.

I waited.

A few seconds passed.

Then a minute.

Finally, I cleared my throat.

"Are you going to inform him?"

She looked up.

"Excuse me?"

"About my arrival."

She sighed.

"Listen, Mr. Blackwood has a very demanding schedule. He doesn't appreciate unnecessary interruptions."

I stared at her.

"I understand that. But I only want to give him his lunch."

"Then you can leave it here."

I looked at the food bag.

"I'd rather give it to him personally."

She folded her arms.

"Do you understand how many women come here claiming to know Mr. Blackwood?"

My eyebrows rose.

"Women?"

"Yes. Some pretend to have business with him just to get his attention."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Well, I'm not one of them."

"That's what they all say."

I took a slow breath.

"Could you just call his office?"

Before she could respond, another employee approached the desk.

"Vanessa, Mr. Blackwood's meeting has been moved to three."

"Thank you, Linda."

The woman, apparently named Vanessa, returned her attention to me.

"See? He's busy."

I was beginning to regret coming.

Not because I was afraid of Sterling's employees, but because I hadn't expected to spend so much time arguing over a simple lunch delivery.

I placed the food bag carefully on the edge of her desk.

"Please make sure he gets this."

She glanced at it.

"I'll see what I can do."

I nodded.

"Thank you."

I turned to leave.

"One more thing," she called.

I stopped.

"Yes?"

"Next time, please make an appointment before coming here. Mr. Blackwood's time is valuable."

I slowly turned around.

"I'll remember that."

I was about to walk away when the elevator doors opened.

Several employees immediately straightened.

A familiar voice came from behind me.

"Marcus, move the meeting to tomorrow."

I turned.

Sterling.

He stepped out of the elevator, dressed in a dark tailored suit looking so hot as ever. His expression was serious but cute and Marcus walked beside him holding a tablet.

But the moment Sterling's eyes found me, his steps slowed.

"Anna?"

I smiled.

"Hello."

He looked surprised.

"What are you doing here?"

I lifted my hands slightly.

"I brought you lunch."

His gaze moved towards Vanessa's desk.

Then he noticed the food bag.

"Why is it there?"

I hesitated.

"Your secretary said I couldn't see you."

Silence followed.

Sterling looked at Vanessa.

"Is that true?"

VANESSA POV

I immediately stood.

"Mr. Blackwood, I was only following company protocol."

Sterling's expression didn't change.

"What protocol?"

"She arrived without an appointment. I explained that you were occupied."

"Did she tell you who she was?"

Vanessa's gaze shifted towards me.

"She said her name was Anna Blackwood."

"And you still refused to contact me?"

" Sir, i didn't know she was…”

"Then you should have asked."

His voice was quiet, but there was something in it that made the entire reception area uncomfortable.

I felt my cheeks grow warm.

"Sir, I apologise. I was only trying to protect your schedule."

Sterling stepped closer to the desk.

"Protect my schedule from my wife?"

The words echoed in my head.

His wife.

I looked at Anna.

Then at Sterling.

For a moment, I couldn't find my voice.

"Your wife?"

He stared at me.

"Yes, Vanessa. My wife."

My stomach tightened.

I had heard whispers about a private marriage, but nobody had confirmed anything. I had convinced myself that the rumours were exaggerated.

Apparently, they weren't.

Sterling turned slightly, placing one hand against Anna's waist.

"Everyone in this department needs to understand something."

People had begun looking towards us.

"Anna Blackwood is my wife. She is not a visitor who needs to beg for permission to see me. She does not need an appointment to enter my office."

My eyes dropped to the hand resting against her waist.

He had never touched me like that.

He barely even looked at me outside professional conversations.

Yet there he stood, making sure the entire department understood exactly who she was.

"I expect every member of this company to treat her with the respect she deserves. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," I answered quietly.

He held my gaze for another moment.

"Good."

Then he turned to Anna.

"Come with me."

And she followed him.

Just like that.

I watched them disappear towards his private office.

My fingers tightened around the pen in my hand.

I had spent three years working for Sterling Blackwood, convincing myself that being close to him meant I had a special place in his life.

But apparently, there was an entire part of him I had never seen.

And her name was Anna.

STERLING POV

I closed the office door behind us.

I grabbed her waist and kissed her, those soft cute lips of hers.

"Is this where you spend all your time?"

"Most of it."

She walked towards the enormous windows.

From there, the city looked almost miniature.

"Beautiful."

I removed my jacket.

"You're talking about the view?"

She turned.

"Yes. What else?"

I gave her a knowing look.

She laughed.

"Don't flatter yourself."

I approached her slowly.

"You're in my office, Anna. I think I deserve at least a little flattery."

She shook her head.

"You're impossible."

I looked at the food bag.

"You brought all this?"

"Yes."

"You cooked?"

She placed her hands on her hips.

"Why does everyone keep looking so surprised when I say I can cook?"

"I didn't say you couldn't."

"You looked surprised."

I smiled.

"Perhaps I underestimated you."

"Perhaps you should stop underestimating your wife."

The word caught my attention.

Your wife.

I moved closer.

"Say that again."

She looked confused.

"What?"

"Your wife."

A small smile appeared on her face.

"You're my husband, Sterling. I think it's safe to say I'm your wife."

I laughed softly.

It was becoming increasingly easy to laugh around her.

Something I hadn't expected to happen.

I took her hand.

"Thank you for coming."

"You're welcome."

"And I'm sorry about Vanessa."

"It's alright. She didn't know."

"That doesn't excuse how she spoke to you."

Anna shrugged.

"She seemed very protective of you."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Protective?"

"She looked at me like I had come to steal something from her."

I stared at her for a moment.

Then I chuckled.

"Did you?"

"Did I what?"

"Come to steal something?"

She rolled her eyes.

"Your lunch, apparently."

I smiled.

Then I noticed her eyes moving over my face.

"What?"

"You look tired."

"I'm fine."

"Sterling."

I knew that tone.

It was the same one she used whenever she suspected I was hiding something.

"It's been a long morning."

"Did you take your medication?"

"Yes."

"Have you eaten anything?"

I remained silent.

She sighed.

"Sterling Blackwood!"

I looked at her.

"You're beginning to sound like a very demanding wife."

"Then perhaps you should behave like a husband who wants to stay healthy."

I looked away.

Healthy.

If only it were that simple.

My doctors had already explained what lay ahead. There were days when my body reminded me that time wasn't something I could negotiate with.

I didn't want Anna to spend every moment worrying about me.

But she was standing in front of me, looking at me as though my wellbeing mattered more than anything else.

"Come and sit," I said quietly.

She pulled out the chair opposite mine.

I opened the food container.

The smell filled the office.

For a moment, I simply looked at it.

She had remembered the things I liked.

I picked up my fork.

"Happy now?"

"Very."

I took a bite.

She watched me.

"Well?"

I swallowed.

"It's good."

"Just good?"

"Excellent."

She smiled.

I continued eating, and she began telling me about the journey.

Apparently, she had almost taken the wrong elevator.

She also complained about the receptionist downstairs.

I listened, occasionally asking questions.

Then she mentioned Vanessa again.

"Is she always like that?"

"Like what?"

"Very serious. Almost like she owns your office."

I shook my head.

"She's been my secretary for three years. She's efficient at her job."

Anna nodded.

"She seems to know you very well."

"She knows my schedule."

"That's not what I meant."

I looked at her.

There was something curious in her expression.

"Are you jealous?"

Her eyes widened.

"Excuse me?"

I smiled.

"Are you?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Blackwood."

I leaned back carefully.

"Interesting."

"Eat your food."

I laughed.

Then, unexpectedly, a wave of exhaustion settled over me.

I placed the fork down.

Anna noticed immediately.

"Sterling?"

"I'm fine."

She moved closer.

"You're pale."

"It's nothing."

She touched my hand.

"Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Act as though nothing is wrong whenever you feel unwell."

I looked at her.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then I squeezed her fingers.

"I don't want you worrying."

"Well, unfortunately, I'm your wife. Worrying comes with the position."

I smiled faintly.

I wasn't sure I deserved someone who cared so much.

But I knew I didn't want to lose the feeling.

ANNA POV

Hubby eventually finished his lunch.

I packed the containers while he checked a few documents.

He looked better, although the tiredness hadn't completely left his face.

I glanced at the clock.

"I should let you work."

He looked up immediately.

"You're leaving?"

I smiled.

"Unless you want me to sit here and watch you read documents."

"That doesn't sound like a terrible idea."

I laughed.

"Sterling."

"What?"

"You have a company to run."

"And apparently, a wife who enjoys reminding me of my responsibilities."

I walked towards him.

"Someone has to."

He caught my hand gently before I could move away.

"Anna."

I turned.

"Yes?"

"Come here."

I stepped closer.

He looked at me for a moment before lifting my hand to his lips and placing a gentle kiss against my knuckles.

My heart skipped.

"Thank you for making today different," he said.

I smiled.

"It was only lunch."

"No."

His eyes remained on mine.

"It wasn't only lunch."

Something warm spread through my chest.

I leaned forward and placed a small kiss against his cheek.

"Then I'll bring you lunch again."

His expression softened.

"I'll look forward to it."

VANESSA POV

I was reviewing the afternoon schedule when Sterling's office door opened.

He stepped out with Anna.

They were talking quietly, and he appeared more relaxed than I had seen him in weeks.

I immediately stood.

"Mr. Blackwood."

He stopped beside my desk.

"Vanessa, please arrange unrestricted access for Anna whenever she visits."

"Of course, sir."

"Also, inform the reception team that she is my wife. I don't want today's situation repeated."

"Understood."

He nodded.

Then he turned towards Anna.

"Ready?"

She smiled.

"Yes."

He placed a hand gently against her waisr and walked her towards the elevator.

I watched them disappear.

My phone vibrated.

A message from Linda appeared.

*Is it true?*

I stared at the screen.

Then another message arrived.

*The woman is actually married to the CEO?*

I typed a response.

*Yes. Apparently.*

I put my phone down.

For three years, I had been the first person Sterling saw when he arrived at the office and often the last person to speak to him before he left.

I knew his habits.

His preferences.

His difficult days.

But Anna knew something I didn't.

She knew how to make him smile.

And that frightened me more than I wanted to admit.

I looked towards his office.

The door was still slightly open.

On his desk, I could see the empty food containers Anna had brought.

For some reason, that ordinary sight bothered me.

I had spent years trying to become important in Sterling Blackwood's life.

But perhaps I had been looking at the wrong things all along.

I wasn't his wife.

I was only his secretary.