Back to Work

CHAPTER 7

ANASTASIA

Anastasia woke up with the worst headache of her life. The sunlight filtering the curtains felt like a personal attack. Her mouth was dry, her stomach churned, and her head pounded as if a construction crew had taken up residence inside.

With a groan, she sat and realized she was still dressed in the cloth she wore the previous day. She was still wondering how she got home when a soft knock came on her door.

"Ana?" Her mother's voice drifted in

Ana winced. "Yeah?"

The door creaked open and her mother stepped in with a knowing smile "How's the head?"

"Like a marching band is playing inside"

Her mom chuckled and handed her a bottle of water and some painkillers "You should be more careful, sweetheart"

Ana took the painkillers gratefully "I don't remember much.."

Her mom's smile turned mischievous "Oh, you were a sight last night "

Ana froze. "What do you mean?"

Her father's voice called from downstairs "You should properly thank your boss. He was the one that brought you home"

Ana nearly choked "What?"

Her mother laughed "Oh yes, he helped you inside and made sure you were safe before he left"

Ana's eyes widened in horror " Please tell me I didn't..."

"Oh, you were quite chatty," her mother teased.

Ana groaned, burying her face in her hands "How am I going to show my face at work?"

Her mother patted her shoulder "It wasn't that bad. He was very patient with you" Ana knew him being patient means she had been a handful. She was dreading going to work.

Then she glanced at her alarm clock. And she nearly screamed.

She was late.

_____________

Ana felt so nervous as she walked towards her office building. Her head still throbbed lightly from her hangover but it was nothing compared to the embarrassment that was clawing at her insides.

It was only her second day and she had managed to get drunk in front of her boss, and worse he had been the one to take her home. How was she supposed to face her boss after what had happened?

She groaned and clenched her fingers around the strap of her bag as walked towards the elevator, mentally preparing herself. She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulder and walked into the office.

"Good morning Ana!" A cheerful voice greeted her. She turned to see Hayley, holding a cup of steaming coffee.

"Morning," Ana replied with a smile.

A few other colleagues joined as they fathered around the coffee station. The smell of fresh espresso filled the air, and for the first time that morning she felt a little bit relaxed.

"How was your first day yesterday?" Hayley asked, stirring her drinks.

Ana forced a laugh. If only she knows.

"It was.... eventful" she said carefully.

"Well, today is going to be different," Hayley said with a teasing smile. "Mr Grey is in"

Ana stiffened "Oh, right"

"He's very particular about things," Hayley added. But as long as you are efficient, you'll be fine."

Ana hoped so. She took a sip of her coffee and relaxed slightly.

Ana returned to her office to begin the day's work when she heard his voice.

"Ana?" He called.

That deep, unmistakable voice sent a jolt through her entire body.

She turned around slowly.

Lucien Grey stood there, watching her.

He was dressed in a sleek tailored suit -dark grey- with the top of his shirt undone, his sleeves rolled up just slightly. He held a coffee cup in one hand, and his expression was too amused for her liking.

"Mr Grey", she greeted, keeping her voice steady.

"Nice to see you in one piece today" he said sipping his coffee.

Her face burned. "I- uhm-"

Lucien raised her eyebrows, clearly enjoying her discomfort "No witty remarks today?"

Ana wanted to disappear.

"I think we should just....forget about last night" she said, forcing a polite smile.

Lucien chuckled "If that's what help you sleep at night" Then after a beat, he added "Come to my office, we have a lot of work to do today"

"Yes sir" Ana replied, back to her professional demeanor.

"I trust Hayley has taken you through your duties?"

"Yes sir, she had " Ana replied as she walked behind him to his office.

_________________

Lucien wasn't kidding when he said they had a lot of work. Ana barely had a second to breath before he started handing her documents after documents, meeting after meeting, request after request.

Her fingers flew across the keyboard, responding to emails, organizing files, scheduling calls. She took note, added last minute reports, handled last-minute changes, and double-checked everything to perfection.

By midday, she had scheduled three back-to-back meetings, responded to a flood of urgent emails, and organized two thick reports.

It was exhausting, but she was good at it. She wasn't just a secretary.. she was efficient, organized and quick thinking.

Lucien noticed all this. At one point, he glanced up from his desk watching her. "You are catching on fast"

Ana smirked, "I don't like being bad at my job."

Lucien's lips curved slightly "Good. Because I don't like inefficiency"

For a split second, there was something in his gaze.

Approval... maybe even something more.

It made her heart skip. She had tried to stay focused on work all morning, but she had noticed things.

The way Lucien's sleeves fit snugly around his forearms whenever he rolled them up. The way his deep voice sent shivers to her spines whenever he called her name. The way his cologne lingered in the air when he passed her desk.

And worst of all....the way he looked at her sometimes.

It wasn't obvious. It wasn't unprofessional. But there were moment--quick glances, a slight smirk, a brief pause before he spoke.

But the final blow came when she accidentally dropped a folder. She bent down to pick it up just as Lucien moved.

And suddenly..they were too close. She could feel his presence beside her. When she lifted her head, she was met with his sharp gaze which made her pulse pounded.

Lucien, still crouched beside her, raised her eyebrow. "Are you okay?"

Ana quickly snapped out of it. "Yes! Am totally fine." She practically jumped to her seat.

Lucien chuckled "Alright, then"

And just like that, he returned to work as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Ana sat there, gripping her pen, her heart racing. 'What is this?' she thought.

By the time work was over, she felt like she had run a marathon.

As she stepped out of the building, she knew she had to do something about her feelings, or it might affect her professionally.