Falling Into The Unknown.

Anna’s Pov I was sitting at my desk, dread pooling in my stomach at the thought of entering my boss’s office. Right now, I’m not sure what mood he is in and it kind of makes me feel nervous. Michael had always been volatile, but since his wife cheated on him, his mood swings had become more unpredictable. Finally, I took a deep breath,mustering my emotions and headed toward his door. I knocked the first time but he didn’t respond. After a moment, I knocked again, this time louder. “Who is it?” he barked. immediately, i knew he wasn’t in a good mood. It’s me, Anna,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. “Okay. Come in,” he said, his tone sharp. I opened the door and stepped inside as I walked towards him. Michael stood by the window, lost in thought, his usual enthusiasm replaced by a weary shadow. His face was drawn like he hasn’t slept in a while, the stubble on his jaw a sign that he hadn’t bothered to shave in days. Since his wife, Victoria, had left him for a colleague, he’d been spiraling, and I worried about what that meant for him. What do you want, Anna?” he asked, not bothering to mask his irritation. “Good morning, sir,” I said, trying to inject warmth into my voice. “I’m sorry for disturbing you. I just wanted to see if you needed anything or if I could get you something.” “A hot coffee wouldn’t be bad,” he said, his voice flat. “Alright, sir,” I replied, turning to leave. But just as I reached for the door, I heard him call my name. Anna.” I turned back, my heart racing. “Yes?” “Do you think I’m a bad person?” he asked, his eyes searching mine, vulnerable in a way I’d never seen before. “No, sir,” I said firmly. “You’re one of the best people I’ve ever met. And I am very grateful to have met you i told him” He let out a small, humorless laugh. “I’ve been sleeping around since Victoria left,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know how to deal with this pain, so I’ve been trying to drown it out.” The confession hit me hard. I’d heard whispers in the office, but to hear it from him made it all too real. “You’re hurting,” I said gently. “It’s okay to feel lost.” He ran a hand through his hair, frustration mingling with sadness. “I don’t want to be this person, Anna. I want to find my way back.” “Maybe you need some time,” I suggested. “To figure out who you want to be without her.” He nodded but looked unconvinced. “Have you ever felt so broken that you didn’t recognize yourself?” Yes,” I replied, the memories flooding back. “But I found my way through it. It took time and support.” He met my gaze, a flicker of hope igniting in his eyes. “You really think I can get through this?” “Absolutely,” I assured him. “But it’s going to take work. You need to focus on healing.” He sighed, and for a moment, the walls around him seemed to crumble slightly. “Thank you, Anna. I appreciate you more than you know.” I smiled, relieved to see a hint of the man I admired peeking through. “Now, let me get you that coffee.” As I turned to leave, he called out, “Actually, there’s something else I need to ask you.” I hesitated, curiosity piqued. “What is it Sir?” He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. “My parents are coming into town for a work party, and they’ve been pressuring me about my ‘situation.’ I need a favor.” “What kind of favor?” I asked, sensing the weight of his words. “I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend,” he said, his expression serious. “Just for the night. They need to see I’m moving on, and it would take the heat off me.” I was taken aback. “Me? Pretend to be your girlfriend?” “Yes,” he insisted, his tone pleading. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but Victoria will be there, and I can’t let her see me alone and broken. I need them to believe I’m fine.” I hesitated, grappling with the idea. “What if someone finds out? What if this backfires?” “I promise it’ll be just for the evening,” he said, desperation creeping into his voice. “I need your help, Anna. Please.” I looked into his eyes, seeing the hurt and vulnerability. “Okay,” I finally agreed. “But we need to set some boundaries.” He smiled, relief washing over his features. “Thank you, Anna. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.” As I left his office to get his coffee, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. I was stepping into a complicated game, one that could either help him heal or drag us both into deeper emotional waters. But somehow, I felt that this was a chance for me to help him find clarity amidst the chaos.