Hanna POVAt last, I heard the dial tone.I placed the receiver back in its cradle in relief. I know I am not off the hook yet, and my audacity would bring backlash later, but I decided not to think about it for now. There will be enough time for that from when I return to Rowan’s lair. I resumed working. My hunger had been completely gone, but I did not throw the food bag Rowan sent me. I don’t know, maybe it is a reminder to myself of how long I can endure. Afternoon break, I decided to forgo the employee cafeteria. Instead, I ordered takeout to eat at the pantry. It was cowardly, but I don’t think I was as thick-skinned as Rowan. Unlike him, I can’t walk with my head held high after the stunt he pulled. I was gunning for anonymity when I got here - keeping to myself and never letting anyone know my connection with Briana or my sister Britney. But Rowan shot that aim very neatly, creating disorder in my neat and orderly life away from Redwood. Now, I can fairly assume tha
Hanna POVI dreaded after office hours because I knew Rowan would fetch me. I did not understand what his game was. Was it not enough to keep me under duress that he had to create havoc in my professional life, too?Besides, he has a girlfriend. What would Linda think when news about Rowan’s stunts reached her ears? Was Linda’s feelings immaterial for his revenge plan against me?Until now, I was smarting from what happened earlier. All my efforts at anonymity went down the drain when Rowan publicized our nonexistent relationship to everyone. I looked up from my computer when I heard the notification on my phone. Without checking, I was not sure who it was from. Rowan. A quick glance at my desk clock confirmed my guess. It’s four in the afternoon. Rowan told me that he would pick me up around this time. Not wanting to make him wait for fear that he might pull another stunt to embarrass me at the Hotel, I decided to leave and gather my things. I took some folders, intending
Hanna POVAll through our ride, Rowan was silent. There was too much tension surrounding us that I kept to myself and stared out the window.Rowan did not make any effort to initiate a conversation between us, and it was fine by me. I was still bristling with his action at the hotel but did not want to start another fight. Besides, Rowan’s silence felt ominous. It was like he was a ticking time bomb ready to explode at the merest provocation. “We’re here, sir.” His driver announced after we stopped outside his mansion. My head lifted to take on the house’s exterior. Until now, I still can’t get over the fact that Rowan owns a mansion in Vegas. Curiosity abounds in my head. My tongue itched to ask, but I remembered I hated him and clamped my mouth shut.I did not wait for the driver to open my door. I clambered out of the car without turning back to see if Rowan did the same. I marched inside the house and hurriedly climbed the stairs to my room.“Hanna.” The warning in Rowa
Hanna POV“Shut up!” I hissed.I looked at Rowan in skepticism, trying to gauge the sincerity of his words, but however hard I tried to weigh the pros and the cons, it did not add up.The only explanation I could think of was that it was part of his plan. Rowan wanted to hurt me in the most despicable way and was using my attraction to his advantage.I wanted to blame myself for being transparent. I should have upped my guard against him, but I couldn’t.I wanted to blame him, too.I already put hundreds of miles between us to avoid contact, but he pursued me here. He found me to make me suffer.The thought made me sick to my stomach. How could I love someone so ruthless?So many times in the past, I wanted to seek medical help to know if there was something wrong with my head because what other plausible reason is there for me to keep loving someone who does not treat me
Hanna POV“No.” The refusal was out of my lips even before I was able to process it in my head. The vehemence in my reaction startled Rowan. His face shifted. He looked at me ominously, and I shrank back in fear. “I don’t take no for an answer, Hanna.” His voice sounded low and dangerous. Despite that, I quelled the raging emotions inside me. Even though my hands itched to slap him, I refused to give in to my feelings. Rowan and I needed to thresh this through like two adults. I shook my head. I won’t let some man use my body for his pleasure, even if my body craves his touch. “This is manipulation and coercion. I won’t be manipulated and coerced.” I told him fiercely.“I am giving you a way out. Would that be so hard when we both know how much your body wants me?” His voice became sultry.The hands-on my waist tightened until the valley between my br*asts cradled his head. He sniffed through my clothes, sending shivers down my spine. “Rowan!” I pushed him away, afraid o
Hanna POVAwkward. That is how I felt when I woke up nestled protectively in Rowan’s arms.A smile laced my face when I realized I liked the feeling of being held like this. Not by just any man, but Rowan Ford whom I like very much.Yes, I am finally admitting it. I do like Rowan.I probably love him, I said to myself while I ran my eyes over his sleeping face.He grunted.The sound alerted me and made me scramble to look elsewhere. My eyes landed on the bedside clock.For a while, I stared at it blankly, but when I realized what time it was, urgency filled me.I am going to be so late!In panic, I sat up when I realized it was past my waking hour. I can't afford to be late. Not only because I was new to the branch. I can't have Hailey throw shade on me now that I am aware she covets my job.In my rush, I had forgotten the man sleepi
Hanna POV“I am so late.” I cried, frantic as I got dressed.Rowan, on the other hand, looks chill. He sat on my bed with a fluffy towel wrapped around his waist.His eyes followed my movement, and it unnerved me. I didn’t have anyone watching me while I got dressed in the past.“Rowan! Go back to your room. I am in a hurry, remember? I am a mere member of the working class. I can’t be late.” I whined.Rowan chuckled. “One night, and you are becoming bossy with me. I wonder what will happen after three months.” He said, sounding amused, but it made me falter.
Hanna POVI ditched my intention to leave after hearing my secretary confront Hailey.This should have been my fight, not hers.I turned around, saw Hailey smirking, and felt anger boiling inside me.She initiated this to provoke me.“Sara.” I gently shoved Sara, and I came face to face with Hailey.“I thought you were a coward.” She spat.I smirked and put my hands on my hips for the confrontation. This time, I won’t be letting Hailey get her way.