CEO'S Mrs. Clumsy

CHAPTER FOUR

Kane's Pov (continued)

Midway through the meeting, I caught him staring.

Matt Donald. Senior board member. Old enough to know better, but still looking at her like a predator eyeing his prey.

I felt my jaw tighten. My grip on the pen in my hand went stiff.

I wanted to skin him alive.

But why? Why was I even angry?

I was confused. This wasn’t like me. I was always in control—of my temper, my reactions, my focus. But something about the way his eyes lingered on Anna like she was some kind of object lit a fire in me I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Still, I forced myself to stay calm, to focus on the rest of the meeting. It wasn't the time or place.

After wrapping up the session and shaking a few hands, I was speaking with one of the more reasonable board members when I caught a glimpse of movement to my side.

Matt Donald again—heading straight for her.

He approached Anna with that same slimy smile, clearly trying to strike up a conversation. I saw her posture stiffen, and that was it. I’d had enough.

I marched over without a second thought.

“Matt,” I said, cold and blunt, “stay away from my personal assistant.”

He blinked, startled. “Oh—I was just—”

“I don’t care what you were just doing,” I cut in sharply. “She’s not here for your amusement. Back off.”

Without waiting for his reply, I turned to Anna. “We’re leaving.”

She nodded, startled, and followed close behind as I stormed out of the building. The nerve of that man.

By the time we got to the car, I was still fuming. My hands clenched around the steering wheel as I fought to calm down.

Anna sat quietly in the passenger seat, her hands folded on her lap. She didn’t say a word. Maybe she was too shocked, or maybe she just didn’t know what to say.

I didn’t blame her. I didn’t even know what was going on with me.

The drive was silent.

When we pulled up in front of her apartment, she turned to me with a hesitant glance. “Thank you, sir... for earlier.”

I gave a small nod, trying not to meet her eyes. “Get some rest.”

She got out, and I watched her walk into the building before driving off, still unsure why the thought of anyone else looking at her the way Matt did made me feel like I was ready to burn everything down.

Anna's POV

After wrapping up the meeting, I was standing just outside the conference room, waiting for Mr. Kane. I held the file to my chest, glancing around quietly, trying not to look out of place.

That was when an older, bald man in a grey suit approached me. His smile was too wide, and his eyes—well, they made me uncomfortable almost instantly.

“Hey there,” he said, voice slick and confident. “You’re Kane’s assistant, right? What’s your name, sweetheart?”

I froze for a moment. “Anna,” I replied cautiously, trying to keep my tone polite but distant.

“Anna,” he repeated with a smirk, his eyes trailing down briefly before coming back up. “Pretty name for a pretty girl. You know, assistants like you usually don’t last long around here... but you,” he leaned in slightly, “you might just survive if you know how to impress the right people.”

I took a small step back, my grip tightening on the file. “Excuse me, sir—”

Before I could finish, I heard heavy footsteps approaching. Then a sharp, familiar voice cut through the air.

“Matt,” Kane said, his tone dangerously calm, “stay away from my personal assistant.”

Matt blinked in surprise, trying to play it cool. “Whoa, I was just making conversation—”

“I don’t care what you were just doing,” Kane snapped, his eyes narrowing. “She’s not here for your amusement. Back off.”

I stood there, stiff and stunned. My heart was racing, and I didn’t know how to react. No one had ever stood up for me like that, not in such a direct, heated way.

“We’re leaving,” Kane said, not even glancing at me as he turned and began walking toward the exit.

I followed quickly, still in shock. The whole encounter had left me speechless.

The drive back was silent.

I sat quietly, hands resting on my lap, sneaking glances at him from time to time. His jaw was tight, his eyes focused on the road, and his grip on the steering wheel looked tense.

I wanted to thank him... say something... anything. But the words just wouldn’t come.

When we finally pulled up in front of my building, I turned slightly toward him. “Thank you, sir... for earlier.”

He gave a small nod, eyes still forward. “Get some rest.”

And just like that, he drove off.

I stood by the sidewalk for a moment, watching the taillights disappear, still feeling the weight of his words echoing in my head.

Kane’s POV

I sat back on the couch, staring at the ceiling, still confused by my reaction earlier. Why had I snapped like that? Why did seeing Matt anywhere near her set something off in me?

I shook my head and stood up, grabbing my jacket. I needed to clear my mind, blow off some steam.

A few hours later, I found myself at one of the clubs I frequented. The music was loud, the lights dim, and the air thick with the usual haze of alcohol and perfume. I nursed a glass of scotch at the bar, trying to drown out the lingering frustration, but no amount of liquor or meaningless chatter around me could erase her face from my mind.

Eventually, I gave up and headed home, still restless.

The next morning, I went into work as usual, sharp and precise on the outside even though my thoughts felt scattered.

She was already there. Early, as always.

When she walked into my office with my coffee, she looked... different. Exceptionally beautiful. The soft waves of her hair framed her face perfectly, her lips slightly parted as she focused on balancing the coffee tray.

I couldn’t stop staring.

She cleared her throat gently, snapping me out of whatever daze I had fallen into. I noticed the faint blush rising on her cheeks.

I coughed lightly and masked my expression. “You can leave now.”

As she turned and walked out, I couldn’t get the image of her out of my mind. I dragged a hand down my face, irritated with myself. Just the thought of kissing those lips sent heat straight through me. Hell. I needed to get a grip.

---

Anna’s POV

I woke up early the next morning, determined to get to the office before Mr. Kane arrived. I didn’t want things to feel awkward after what had happened yesterday.

By the time he came in, I was already at my desk, sorting through files and preparing his schedule. A few minutes later, I walked into his office with his usual coffee.

He was staring at me. His gaze sharp, intense, and unblinking.

It made me uncomfortable. My cheeks grew hot under the weight of it, and I instinctively cleared my throat.

That seemed to snap him out of whatever thoughts he was lost in. His expression shifted back to his usual blank mask.

“You can leave now,” he said simply.

I nodded and quickly left the office, my heart fluttering wildly in my chest.