Chapter 61

Mia Lawrence’s eyes sparkled with mischief.

She leaned closer to Anna Ross, lowering her voice to a whisper.

“Something’s off here. The vibe between you two isn’t normal.”

She winked playfully.

“He’s supposedly your boss, but I bet he’s actually your boyfriend.”

Her finger gently poked Anna’s flushed cheek.

Anna turned away, her ears burning.

“Stop making things up. He’s just upset I took a day off today.”

She looked down, nervously smoothing her clothes.

“He just wants me at work on time tomorrow.”

Mia burst out laughing.

She threw an arm around Anna’s shoulders.

“Work? I heard him specifically ask if you were still out!”

She squeezed her friend gently.

“That’s concern, Anna! You can’t fool me.”

Anna sighed, rubbing her forehead.

“You should see him when he’s angry.”

A cold shiver ran down her spine at the memory of Adrian Sinclair’s icy glare.

“That’s because you haven’t seen his gentle side!”

Mia hugged a plush toy from the couch.

She tilted her head, studying Anna intently.

“You’re just too oblivious.”

Anna squirmed under her gaze.

She pushed Mia toward the bedroom.

“Go to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow.”

Mia giggled, sliding under the covers.

“I knew it! Your face is completely red!”

“I’ll really get mad if you keep this up!” Anna turned away to switch off the light.

Darkness finally silenced Mia.

Only her steady breathing remained.

But Anna lay awake, eyes open.

The thought of seeing Adrian tomorrow tangled her thoughts into a messy knot.

She pulled a pillow over her head.

Eventually, she fell into a fitful sleep.

The next morning, Anna woke before dawn.

She rubbed her eyes with a bitter smile.

Even her subconscious feared being late and facing his wrath.

She hurried through her morning routine.

A dry piece of bread served as breakfast.

Her new apartment didn’t even have jam yet.

As she packed her bag, Mia still slept soundly.

Anna closed the door softly behind her.

She sighed at the gray, overcast sky.

The miserable daily grind of a worker began before sunrise.

Standing on the quiet, cold street, she froze.

She realized he never told her where to meet him yesterday.

After a moment’s hesitation, she finally dialed the number memorized by heart.