CHAPTER 6: A Knife To A Gunfight.

Annalia widened her eyes at Silas as though she was asking for an explanation as she couldn't believe her father had done it. She could also tell that even Donovan was baffled by what he saw. A Delatorre hired by his father will work for their company? Has he lost his mind? Even though Annalia forbids it, once Annalia and Adam become acquainted, a lot may happen to them. She had to object to this agreement because otherwise, many problems would occur.

"Mr. Santiago," Adam said with a tinge of respect for Silas.

"I wanted to introduce you to someone you will be working for. I know you met a few years back." Mr. Santiago said with a hidden meaning in his voice. 

"Anna-"

“I need to go,” was all Anna could say as she cut his sentence.

"Where are you going?" Annalia heard Donovan whisper while looking at her solemnly. Anna gritted her teeth as she averted her eyes from Adam, who was now looking at her intently.

"I'm going home."

"All right, then. Let Adam go with you. Today will be his first day of work," Mister Santiago replied cheerfully.

"No need. I have my car ready outside the building," Anna calmly responded, completely ignoring Adam.

"I can drive you home," Adam meddles with his warmth and sexy voice. Fucking no way! Although Anna had planned to utterly ignore him, doing so would have been disrespectful and rude. Despite her heart pounding like a drum, she still manages to speak to him politely.

Anna simply smiled and responded, "I can handle it, Mr. Delatorre." 

Donovan interrupts the awkwardness between Annalia and Adam by saying, "No. Let me. I'll take you home. I have urgent matters to discuss with you as well." What Don did just give Anna one ray of hope to escape from Adam.

"All right, Papa, I'll see you home. And please, I don't need a personal bodyguard." Anna turns away from his father and faces Adam, who has an enigmatic expression. She ignored it and walked right past the young man. Annalia could hear her heartbeat even though Anna was already far away from the conference room. She was disturbed by the number of questions she had. What brings him to the Philippines? How did he end up as a bodyguard? Is his family aware of what he is up to? He is Delatorre's son; why would he serve as a bodyguard for the Santiago company?

"Did you know?" Donovan asked as he managed to follow her.

"No," Anna briefly answered.

"I thought you met him earlier," Don asks, wondering.

"So do I."

Anna hurriedly climbed inside her car and turned the engine before her father could catch up with her. Shit! I will never allow this to happen. Having a Delatorre around her will ruin her, especially her plans. What was Father thinking?! He didn't even consider that he would endanger her if Adam learned of her pursuits for his family. Anna needed to talk to his father and change his decision. And no matter how good the reason, if he has a plan that involves Adam, Anna won't like it. 

When Anna arrived at her penthouse building, Donovan immediately followed her.

When Anna entered, she exclaimed furiously, "What was he thinking?!" She dumped her bag onto the couch before slumping into her swivel chair.

"You know him. Father won't make such a decision if there isn't a solid plan in place." Donovan said, trying to cool down Anna's temper.

Anna vindicated, "He can just talk to me first." She's getting a headache from this!

Don replies with a hint of skepticism, "Is it really that big a deal for an Adam Delatorre to be your personal bodyguard?"

"What do you mean? Of course, it is a big deal! Don't you understand? What if, while serving me, he discovers some sensitive information? We don't know him! He may disclose something, Donovan. All our plans, my misery, and horrible events that occurred before will be for naught." The stress Annalia was facing today was so overwhelming that she could no longer control her rage. 

On the other hand, Don was instantly quiet in response to what Anna stated. Despite the various issues Anna faces—some of which are significantly worse now—she doesn't always blow up like this. Donovan, though, hadn't seen Anna's rage until now. He knew that something was responsible for this—something behind the explosion. It is not simply about ruining her vision and plans. 

"I know you very well, Anna, and this is not just about this," Donovan added with an air of wonder and suspicion. 

Anna said in a frustrated tone, "What? I don't understand you."

Donovan said matter-of-factly, "Of course, you do. You are just avoiding it, which is why you have no idea what is causing you to behave like this." This caused Anna to scowl in perplexity. 

"Also, you were pretty trusting of father, whatever plans he makes even when you don't know what they are ahead of time; let's just wait for him to explain, and you... you need to calm down." What exactly is he saying? I'm not trying to avoid anything in particular.

This irritates Annalia even more. Donovan speaks to her as if he knows her too well to dispute her instincts and emotions. She is frightened. She is worried that her plans might not proceed as planned. Anna is terrified that everything she has fought for will be for nothing: that she will bring a knife to a gunfight.

Donovan has already departed from the penthouse by the time nightfall arrives. Following their brief disagreement, Donovan decided to give her some space to reflect on the proposition made by her father. Despite this, Anna is not fond of the concept, and she is well aware that she will never consent to it.

'Let us simply wait for his explanation.'

Anna suddenly recalled what Donovan had stated just before he left. Perhaps their father does, in fact, have a plan, and perhaps, Adam is a part of it. But regardless of what it is, it is still inexplicable. Anna lets out an audible sigh as she sets her hair blower down. I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I have no idea what you're thinking, Papa, but I will offer you a shot at this one anyhow.

Anna was in the midst of a profound contemplation when the doorbell suddenly rang. She frowned as she realized that it was nearly midnight. Who in their right mind would go to her penthouse at this hour? Thinking it was her father, Anna went to the door and didn't mind peeking through the peephole to see who it was. As soon as she opened it, a look of utter disbelief and dread appeared on her face as she recognized the person.

"What...W-what the heck are you doing here?"

"Work," Adam nonchalantly stated as if it were something that should be expected.

"What work?" Anna questioned while her mind was still trying to process what the heck this man was doing here.

"You know what kind of work, Annalia."

The realization that Silas takes this personal guard of Annalia's seriously causes Annalia to slam her eyes tightly shut in furious. 

"I'm sorry, you must have got the wrong idea about that work you're talking about. I didn't assent with that bullshit, Mr. Delatorre. So, please, don't bother coming back here," Anna remarked resolutely, her tone carrying a whiff of conviction along with it. Although she wants to give his father the benefit of the doubt, sending Adam here is just the wrong move. Anna was about to close the door when Adam reached out and grabbed Anna's elbow, preventing her from doing so. 

"You can't just shut me out again, Anna," Adam made a scathing remark, his eyes growing dimmer and more steely in their demeanor. When Anna felt the heat from Adam's touch on her skin, she covertly stopped breathing. This reignited the spark and rekindled the burning lust deep within her stomach. Anna subconsciously shakes her head to distract herself from the seed of desire sprouting deep within her body. She gave a brave gaze at Adam as she shrugged off his hand, holding onto her elbow.

"Again? When did I ever shut you out?"

"Should I even go ahead and say that to you?"

"Okay, let's talk about shutting someone out, Adam. You left without saying anything." As soon as Anna had finished saying that, she muttered a curse under her breath to herself. Fuck! Annalia, are you serious?! You just lost it! After hearing her remarks, it was clear that Adam was taken aback by the revelation. They became silent for a few seconds when Adam spoke again, breaking the stillness.

"I had an urgent matter to fulfill," Adam responded with sincerity, giving the impression that he shared her sorrow at having to leave her three years ago. 

"I don't care, Adam. Just leave! It is well past midnight," Anna said while she was struggling to resist the impulse to feel guilty for being rude to him. Shit! What on earth is going on with me?!

"You still owe me, Anna. And I am coming back to get it back from you," Adam smirked and replied with a tone in his voice that suggested there was some hidden context. Three years ago, Annalia would have gladly opened the door for him to find out what she "owed" him at the time. However, as those years went by, Anna also changed. She is not the same Anna whom he met. 

"No, Adam. I owe you nothing," Anna looked at him exquisitely and then slammed the door shut. Anna exhaled the air trapped in her throat as she attempted to tighten her knuckles to stop the electric pain she was experiencing in her palms.

Way to go, Anna.