Chapter 14
1658 Words
Third Person POV:
On Monday, Ana went to meet Alex in the afternoon along with Clara. She was genuinely afraid something like last time might happen again if they were alone, so she made sure Clara accompanied her. She had prepared all the modifications and color corrections Alex had asked for. Clara was extremely tense because he had been rejecting their designs for the past few days. She felt responsible for losing such a big project, while Ana didn’t care much. "If he doesn’t like it, he can look for another designer "she thought.
On the other hand, Alex had returned from another meeting an hour before. He was buried in documents when Mrs. Charles, his PA, entered.
“Sir, Khanna staff has come to show the designs. Shall I send them in?”
He simply nodded. He wasn’t interested in seeing the staff; but if she had said “Ana is here,” that would have been different. Their staff had been coming for the past few days, and Alex had rejected the designs intentionally each time, thinking Ana herself would come next—but it never worked.
He heard a knock and said, “Come in.”
Ana and Clara entered the cabin, but he didn’t look up. They reached his desk and Ana greeted, “Good afternoon, Mr. King,” followed by Clara. The moment he heard her voice, he immediately raised his head. His focus went straight to Ana, even though Clara stood right beside her.
He greeted them and gestured for them to sit. This time Ana explained the designs herself. But Alex wasn’t listening to a single word—he was only staring at her lips moving, remembering the kiss.
Clara, on the other hand, listened intently so she wouldn’t make mistakes again. Ana could feel Alex’s intense gaze on her but chose to ignore it and continue.
After the explanation, Alex finally approved the designs. Both Ana and Clara sighed in relief and started packing their things. Before they left, Alex asked:
“Ms. Khanna, you can work in the cabin provided by our company. Why do you always travel from so far?”
Ana replied politely, “I’m sorry, Mr. King, but I must decline your offer. I have other projects to manage as well, which I cannot handle from here. I can only work on the Maldives project in your office. So it’s better for me to work from my company. Thank you for your concern.”
Alex did not accept her answer.
“You can work from here. The cabin can accommodate more than ten people. You can manage both your project and others from here. You’ll save travel time, and it will be easier to communicate with me for decisions.”
At last, Ana gave up. “Okay, Mr. King.”
She had no interest in debating.
“From tomorrow, my staff who are working on this project will also come here.”
With that, she and Clara thanked him and left. Alex’s plan had succeeded—he wanted her close, where he could see her anytime he wished.
Both returned to their respective work. Ana was nervous about working near him; she feared he might try something again. She made a decision—never be alone with him.
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**One Month Later**
In the entire month, Ana felt relieved that Alex had stopped his flirting. Every day she arrived at 9:00 AM with her staff, worked like she used to in her own office, and left at 6:00 PM. After that she visited her restaurant, checked everything, and went home. This was her daily routine. Working from King Co. had reduced her constant travel, and her cabin now felt like her own office. All her staff operated from there.
On weekends, Fin and Jen never leave her alone—girls’ night, clubs, movies, outings. Ana appreciated their efforts and felt happy.
On the other hand, Alex worked only from the company now. He never got alone time with Ana because she always arrived with her staff. But seeing her daily was more than enough for him. When she worked, he watched her through the glass door without her knowledge. Ana often felt someone watching but never paid attention.
Earlier he used to travel constantly, but now he managed through video conferences unless absolutely necessary.
Whenever he was stressed, he would simply look at Ana from a distance.
In the past, he drank or slept with women to relieve stress.
Now, Ana herself has become his stress relief.
She was an addiction he never saw coming.
His friends noticed changes in him—the camier, happier, more focused—but didn’t understand the reason. They suspected someone was behind this transformation, but Alex never discussed it, and Ana remained unaware.
---
Around 8:00 PM, Ana was still working. When she finally checked the time, it was already late. The whole floor was dark except for her cabin. She felt tense—darkness triggered her childhood nightmares. Quickly, she packed her belongings.
At the same time, Alex returned from London and came straight to the office to collect some files. He knew the building would be empty at this hour.
He took the lift to his floor.
At the same time, Ana turned off her cabin lights and walked toward the public lift.
In the darkness, they couldn’t see each other.
Ana reached the lift and waited. Alex, coming from behind, saw the lift arriving and asked, “Who’s there?”
Ana shouted in reflex, “Haa!”
The lift opened, and Alex recognized her silhouette.
“Ana? What are you doing here this late?”
Ana exhaled sharply in relief at seeing him in the faint lift light. “OMG… you scared me. I was afraid when you spoke suddenly.”
“That doesn’t answer my question,” he said, clearly irritated. “It’s already late. Why are you still here?”
“I lost track of time while working. When I finally looked at the clock, it was already 9:00.”
Alex grew angrier. *How can she be so careless? What if something happened to her? Who would be responsible?*
He controlled his temper and stepped into the public lift with her.
They stood opposite each other, silent. It had been a long time since they were alone together. Tension thickened the air.
Suddenly, the lift lights flickered—
on…
off…
on…
and then complete darkness.
The lift jerked to a stop.
Ana gasped. Darkness swallowed her. She shouted for help, but no one could hear.
Alex moved towards her. “Ana, calm down—”
“I—I can’t breathe…” she choked, panic rising fast.
Alex immediately recognized the signs—panic attack.
He gently guided her toward the corner, speaking softly, “Slow breaths… inhale… exhale…”
But it wasn’t working.
Ana trembled violently, lost balance, and collapsed.
Alex quickly sat down, pulled her onto his lap, and held her. Panicked, he did the only thing he could think of—
**mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.**
Slowly her breathing steadied.
Ana blinked, humiliated, and pulled away to create distance.
“Thank you… Alex,” she whispered.
“It’s okay. What happened to you?”
Ana hesitated. He saved her—she owed him an answer.
“I’m afraid of the dark. I can’t breathe properly and get sudden panic attacks.”
“This happened before?” he asked gently.
“Yes… two or three times.”
“When?”
“Four years ago…”
She stopped him.
“Please don’t ask me about it.”
Alex understood her discomfort and changed the subject.
“Do you have your phone? I left mine in the car.”
Ana handed her phone. He tried calling for help, but there was no signal.
“How will we get out? Who will know we’re here?” Ana asked in fear.
“We wait until morning. When the security opens the office, they’ll notice.”
Ana sighed and leaned back. After a few minutes, her head slowly dropped onto his shoulder—she had fallen asleep.
A 17-year-old girl…
A 50-year-old man…
Hands grabbing her…
Tearing her dress…
“Please… I’m like your daughter… uncle… please stop…”
Ana jolted awake, sweating and trembling.
Alex had already woken up from hearing her begging in her sleep. He gently shook her.
“It’s okay. You’re safe. Breathe.”
Ana struggled for a moment, then placed her hand on her forehead, trying to calm herself.
Alex didn’t ask about the nightmare. He simply stayed close, letting her hold his hand. He turned on his phone torch for a few seconds to check her face—pale, exhausted, and vulnerable.
Her battery soon died.
He guided her head onto his arm again and wrapped his arms around her. She slowly relaxed and fell asleep.
Alex didn’t sleep much—he was too busy listening to her breathing.
---
Next early morning
A loud knock sounded.
“Mr. King! Are you in the lift?” the security guard called nervously.
Alex, still holding Ana, replied, “Yes. What happened?”
“I’ll call the technician immediately!”
When the lift started working, Alex gently woke Ana. She blinked, realized her position, and jumped up, embarrassed.
They stepped out when the doors opened.
The guard apologized repeatedly.
“I’m sorry, sir! I didn’t know anyone was inside. The lights were off. I saw your car only in the morning and realized—”
Alex was about to explode at the guard’s negligence, but Ana placed her hand on his arm and spoke calmly:
“It’s okay for now. But please be careful next time. Check the entire floor before locking up. We can’t predict emergencies.”
Her voice was soft but firm.
Alex quieted immediately.
Both exhausted, they left.
Alex dropped Ana home and told her to rest for the day before driving away.
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- Writer
