The days passed quickly, and Ana continued to cook delicious food for Jake and John. Specifically for Jake and Austin, even though she was completely unaware of this. John had been putting in a lot of effort at the office and had been making even greater efforts to help his friend improve his health.

Jake thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Ana during their lunch break. Every day, he eagerly awaited their lunchtime; it seemed the only time he looked forward to. He couldn't help but fall more in love with Ana. It wasn't like he was complaining, but he was totally whipped for her.

During these days, Ana made sure to inquire about John, but she never realised how much she enjoyed Jake's company now. Somewhere, she started to share a great bond with the caramel-haired male. 

Because of her injury, he had been helping her out, and Ana was thankful for that. It is often said that we get close to someone who helps us in our tough times and accompanies us through the darkness of our journey. Though she didn't develop romantic feelings for Jake, she was surely attracted to him. She felt blessed to have a person like him in her life.

Jenny, on the other hand, could see everything. She had been staying with Ana for the past few days. When she got home, the elder would listen to all of her nonsense and not-so-nonsense conversations. After becoming friends with Jake and John, she could see how Ana began to enjoy her work more. And she was pleased with the changes in the younger girl's life.

Talking about Austin, he continued to vomit for a week. However, as the days passed, he began to feel better. He was living in a delusion, believing that the chef of some high-end restaurant prepared the food he was eating. However, neither Jake nor John were willing to burst that bubble as long as it helped him. He began to appreciate the food now, and he no longer had the urge to vomit.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

After a few days, the two friends decided to experiment with something. After a few weeks had passed and Austin hadn't vomited, they tried to make the CEO eat food that Ana hadn't prepared but had come from an expensive restaurant. 

He couldn't consume a single mouthful, let alone finish everything on his plate, much to their amazement. That was when they realised, he wasn't doing well. He could only eat the food that Ana made. 

Now, this was a new challenge for them. Despite the doctor's assurances that he would recover, he required emotional care as well. They weren't dumb enough to understand what the doctor meant. And he was twenty-eight already. Being single all his life was enough, according to them.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

While strolling back and forth in the office, Jake raised his concern to his friend. "I believe we need to take control of the situation now. It has been more than a month since we discussed Austin's situation with the doctor. Even though he is eating well now, the problem still exists because he is unable to eat food prepared by someone else. We should try and make him understand now."

"It's not going to work, bro." John conveyed his disapproval with a shake of his head. He recalled how they attempted it in the past but failed each time. Jake sighed at the reply, though he couldn't help but question, "What's the hassle in trying?" 

"He wouldn't date just any girl. When you already know the reason, how can you say something like this?" John was on the verge of yelling at his 'always optimistic' friend. This made Jake sigh in disappointment. 

Whatever John said was true. Austin was a stubborn man, and he would never date any girl. They might have tried in the past to convince him, but it was all in vain. 

The two friends were lost in their thoughts, completely unaware of how a girl was standing outside, listening to their conversation with utmost curiosity.

"What exactly did he mean when he said he wouldn't date any girl? If I'm not mistaken, they're talking about Mister Smith. I think I should listen more. Eavesdropping is bad, but my curiosity is getting the best of me." Stacy mumbled to herself as confusion took over. 

She glanced around to not get caught. When she noticed no one, she continued her business of eavesdropping. She was waiting to spill the tea to her best friend after she learned about the whole reality. Hence, she decided to pay attention to the discussion going on inside the office.

"I know everything. But he needs to date someone now. Didn't you hear what his doc-"

"I was there with you, buddy." John sighed, abruptly cutting off the elder. When he noticed a pleading look on Jake's face, he changed his statement to a positive one. "Okay, let's try setting him up." He pressed his lips into a thin line when he received a gentle nod from Jake.

John couldn't help but feel bad for Jake. The latter was a caring person when it came to his loved ones. He was overly empathetic too. If John had continued to remind him of the sad reality, Jake would have acted like a heartbroken person, and the former couldn't afford to see that hurtful sight. 

"How about a blind date?" Jake questioned enthusiastically, making the other sigh. He tried to convince him since he knew all their efforts could go in vain. "I still think that it is a bad idea. He can't accept anyone oth-."

"Who's there?" They both turned their heads to the door when they heard a banging on it.

Now here is what happened. Stacy was trying to make out what John was trying to say behind those vague statements, but as she closed the gap, her head banged against the door. The banging sound was a little too loud for her liking. Fear ran down her spine when she dreaded how she would be caught any second if she did not run for her dear life.

She decided to run and let Ana know about everything in her cabin. With that, she ran to protect her life as well as her job and went to Ana's cabin. When she noticed it was empty, she decided to check for her in the office cafeteria.

"There you are. I need to tell you something, so stick with me." She grabbed the younger's hand and began dragging her.

"Can you tell me where you're dragging me?" Ana inquired curiously, letting herself be dragged by her friend.

"To our secret place," Stacy muttered, earning a question in return. "You mean the fire exit stairs?"

"Yes, now fasten your pace before someone catches us." 

Stacy's behaviour was odd. It was usually Ana behaving like that. Noticing Stacy acting in such a way for the first time made Ana more curious. Perhaps she had something important to share, and now her stomach felt excited to learn about something new.

Once they reached the fire exit, they shut the door gently and descended the stairs. They stood facing each other, Ana's curious gaze fixed on Stacy, who took a deep breath before uttering. "I overheard Jake and John conversing."

Ana raised her brow as if she were questioning if this was the only thing she wanted to share, due to which she rushed her here. Stacy's wide eyes were glancing at Ana as if she expected a compliment, not really noticing how she didn't forget to share the important matter.

"Wow!" Ana began clapping her hands. "What great work you've been doing ever since you started working for John!"

"Let me finish first. They're setting up Austin on a blind date with a girl." With a strong emphasis on the word 'girl,' Stacy spoke.

"So how does that matter to any of us? Oh, don't tell me you have a thing for that Hitler." She said, wiggling her brows, which made Stacy roll her eyes. She wanted to hit Ana's arm because she was irritating her. 

"Offo! No, girl. They were chatting about how he couldn't fall in love with any girl. Do you understand what I'm saying?" She quoted and unquoted the word "any girl" with her two fingers, confusing the younger girl.

"No!" With a puzzled expression, she shook her head vigorously.

"Idiot, he's gay!" Stacy revealed. "What a joke!" Ana let out a hysterical laugh, sitting on the stairs while slapping her leg in the process.

"I'm not kidding, girl. You'll soon believe me."

"Yeah sure." She continued laughing like a maniac. "Okay, I need to go now. Keep taking Mister Smith as gay. You're impossible." Ana commented with a chuckle, standing up and walking up the stairs.

"Fine, Bye! Don't rush to me when you learn the truth. Huh!"

This girl doesn't listen to anyone. I could have heard everything if John hadn't noticed my presence. Anyways, I should leave too. I'm still not sure if he saw me or not.

___

While making her way towards her office, Ana mumbled to herself. "She could be correct though. She said she heard them talking." She quickly shook her head, dismissing the thoughts, "No, that can't be true. I mean, how can such a handsome man be gay? However, I read somewhere that the guys who are gay are handsome."

Ana entered her cabin with a sigh. It would be disappointing if her boss was gay because damn, his muscular physique with an amazing height of around one hundred and eight centimetres, intimidating hazel eyes, slim and structured jawline, and honey-tanned skin would make any girl's knees weak for the male.

Wait! Did she call her boss handsome? Did she really find him attractive? What had gotten in her to even think of him like that? She never knew she had observed Austin so carefully before because she thought she despised him and was only tolerating him.

Well, her life wasn't a romance story where her hatred for her boss would turn into love. She wasn't the lead actress, and her boss was nowhere her hero. He was more like a villain who made her life hell at times.

She shook off her thoughts when a file caught her attention. She quickly picked it up and walked out to hand it over to her boss before he considered firing her.

Ana was about to knock when a loud voice from Austin made her actions halt.

"Enough Dad! You know I'm not interested in dating anyone. How many times do I say she's not my mother? And I couldn't care less if she's a good girl or a family friend. I'm not going to date anyone other than-"

Is he really gay? Could Stacy be correct? 

While she was lost in her thoughts, she didn't realise how she had already pushed open the door and stepped on her feet before losing her balance and entering with a shriek. When Austin heard a voice, he disconnected the call without bidding goodbye and turned to face the girl, who had an embarrassed expression.

Ana noticed how pissed Austin looked and she hated that look on his face. It did not matter how handsome he was; he appeared rude most of the time, which convinced her that he was way far from being a hero in her story.

"What do you want, Miss Anderson? Don't you know how to knock?"

"I was about to knock, but the door wasn't entirely shut, which made me lose my balance and enter," Ana responded as she looked at her feeling, feeling embarrassed.

"Do you know how to walk?" The man's rude tone pushed all her buttons, and she glanced up and glared at the towering figure.

"Sir, stop taking all the anger of that phone call on me." She yelled; her nose began flaring in anger. 

Austin's mouth dropped to the floor. His assistant never yelled at him and he was low-key impressed. No one other than his friends ever yelled at him because mostly he was the one to yell at everyone.

"So, you were eavesdropping. Why were you doing that, huh?" Austin asked angrily. "Who are you working for? Are you spying?"

"Stop it! Who are you referring to as a spy? Have you lost your mind? I know you're angry because of God knows what reason, but you can't doubt me."

He was taken aback by the way she screamed again. She never talked to him in that tone, and it caught him off-guard. She was ready to walk away when she turned back to face him, who stood there stunned.

"And you're fortunate to still have a mother who loves you. Be considerate of her. When you lose her, it will be terribly late. Losing your mother is the most devastating loss someone can experience. So be grateful for her while you still have her because, Mister Austin Smith, not everyone is as fortunate as you!"

She dashed out, hurling the file onto his table and slamming the door shut. 

Wait! Did she give a death glare? That was scary. Her name should be Annabelle instead of Anastasia.