8“Yeah, for now.” He responded, Anna's eyes Caught pictures on the table slabs looking exactly like her, she made to take a closer look but he immediately swept her off her foot and she laid on his hands in a bridal style. Their eyes locked together, their faces almost closer to each other.What the heck?“I..um..my place is really messy. I don't want you to see it like this, that's why ummm…” He stammered, Anna chuckled softly and nodded. He was still holding her tightly in the bridal style.“Um, yeah. I think I understand.” she nodded nervously. “If you don't mind, you're holding me tightly.” she added.“Oh that's right. Cool.” He said and lifted her immediately. The anxiety in his eyes could be clearly seen which made Anna laugh inwardly.“You know what, I will leave you here now. You can freshen up, and then we can talk about dinner.” He said hastily.“Yeah, sounds good.” Anna said and left for the inner room to pick out something to wear. Xavier quickly picked up the pictures o
9“Finally. I really have to move on with my life now.” she said and scooped some food in her mouth.Xavier twisted and rolled all over the bed, he could sleep he laid down straight up facing the ceiling as his whole thoughts drifted to Anna.***Flashbacks***Xavier paced around the room rehearsing the best words to tell Anna about his feelings for her. “Anna, I've loved you ever since the very first moment I've seen you, I know that you're with my brother. And that you're happy but I think that I can make you so much more happy.” He recited. “Yes!” He rejoiced at his winning, his heart beating so fast, he nodded in so much confidence and stepped out to meet her.“Yeah, I will marry you Michael!” Anna said happily, Micheal slid the ring in-between her finger and they kissed happily. Xavier's eyes widened and he stopped halfway. Tears were already forming in his eyes.Michael disengaged the kiss and turned to him smiling broadly “Xavier…look! She finally agreed to marry me!” He rejoi
10The next morning, Anna woke up with a sense of resolve. She dressed carefully, her face set with determination. The pain of the previous day still lingered, but she refused to let it defeat her. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she took a deep breath. She wouldn’t let Sophie or anyone else dictate her life.She was done with hospitals for now. It was time to find a new path, a new beginning. And she would do it on her own terms.She got to the first company whom she searched online before getting the update that they needed employees to work in their company. Anna sat down waiting for the queue to reduce before it could reach her turn.“Miss Anna!” The receptionist called. Anna heaved a sigh of relief and took her bag, she got to the Manager's office and it was a very plumpy lady in her late 30’s. “Good morning ma'am. My name is A….” She tried to say but the lady cut her off with a hand sign in the air.“Your resume and qualifications please?” she said. Anna clumped down ha
11“Actually, I do. And Anna is my new assistant!” Xavier smiled. Her eyes widened in shock, mouth agape as the breath caught in her throat, unable to comprehend what she just heard.“Excuse me!?” Those were the only words she muttered.***Anna was in the kitchen preparing dinner of fried rice and grilled chicken laps for herself and Xavier. She decided to call Jessica so that she can have company and someone to talk to.“Hey Jessie!” Anna said happily. She flavored the chicken laps with a spicy sauce and placed it into the oven.“Girl, how have you been? What the fuck is going on with your life? Everything seems like a super story to me.” Jessica said on the phone.“How is it confusing, I told you that I'm now living with him. Like, c'mon girl…I have nowhere else to go to and I don't want to stress you up you know.” Anna responded in a playful tone.“What? First you ran into your Ex-husband's Brother along the road, he saved you and now you're living with him? And he's a billionaire
12“Everyone loves a munchkin with chef Anna!” Jessica added happily. “What?” Anna said and scrolled through her followers. She saw a strange follower without a name but just a letter. “N”“Who the hell is this? Trying to be anonymous. Could it be….” Anna thought she was confused.***MorningIt was morning in the office and all the employees gathered around the table with assorted foods with some other two popular chefs as they tasted the food on the table which was prepared by Anna.“Hmmm…it's really delicious.” They are hummed as they taste different delicacies on the table. “She is really a good cook!” The two famous chefs complimented. Maureen stood by the corner, her eyes narrowing as she watched her colleagues gather around the food and eat from it, praising her homemade dish with enthusiasm. Each compliment felt like a personal attack, igniting a fiery rage within her chest. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she forced a tight smile."Can you believe
13“Yeah, but you seem to be her number one fan. That's why you're letting her live with you right?” Maureen asked, everyone stared at them surprised.“Live with him?” They all asked, looking at each other.“Well, you're right! We are living together. He dropped the bombshell. Mara covered her mouth with her palms and smiled sheepishly. “Oh, they are so cute!” She whined.“I knew it!” Maureen said nonchalantly, she walked to him seductively and arranged his tie in a seductive manner. “You know what, it's really not good luck , Xavier. Shacking up with your little assistant. You should go accordingly to work policies as the leader.” Maureen said with a smirk.“Really? That's right, but now …was my assistant!” Xavier responded, he drew back from her and Anna's eyes widened. “What?” Anna was devastated and lost about his response.“Wow! Firing her already. I see.” Maureen giggled happily and laughed at Anna.“No, I'm not firing her. She's not being fired and I don't really know where yo
14Anna straightened her posture, her chin held high, and without a word, she turned on her heel and walked away. Each step was confident and deliberate, her head held high as she moved through the crowd, leaving Michael to stew in his own humiliation. The room remained silent as she exited, her presence commanding respect, the strength of her actions speaking louder than any words could have.Michael burned with anger, he brought out his phone and dialed a number. “ hello, find out who's funding Anna's businesses. Now!” He said on the phone and hung up the call. He stormed off.****Anna re-entered the winery, her heart still racing from the confrontation with Michael. The adrenaline was slowly ebbing away, leaving her feeling slightly unsettled. She scanned the room for Xavier, but he was nowhere to be seen. A growing sense of unease settled over her as she searched the crowded venue, her earlier confidence wavering.After a few minutes of fruitless searching, Anna decided to call h
15“Xavier, I... I don’t know what to say,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. A single tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly brushed it away, a radiant smile breaking through the shock. “Thank you. I can’t believe this... it’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”She looked around the restaurant with new eyes, realizing that it was no longer just a beautiful space—it was now a reflection of her passion, her hard work, and the faith Xavier had in her.*****On the morning of her first day at work in her very own restaurant, Anna awoke with a mixture of excitement and nerves buzzing through her. The sunlight streamed through her bedroom window, casting a warm glow over the room, but her mind was already focused on the tasks ahead. This was the day she had dreamed about for so long, and now it was finally here.After getting dressed in a crisp white chef's jacket, she decided to call Jessica, her best friend, for a bit of moral support and some extra hands to help with th