As soon as Ana entered her cabin, she slammed the door shut. Her breathing was laboured, her hands were shaking, and tears were pouring down her cheeks.

Without hesitation, she reached for her phone and called Jenny. She let her tears fall as she waited for the other to answer. Her sniffles were the only thing that could be heard in her cabin. She nonetheless did not compose herself.

After all, she had no fear of being judged when it came to Jenny. Nevertheless, she had no idea that the person sitting in the office next door could hear her sniffles and could see her condition.

Austin was confused about what happened to Ana suddenly. He wasn't in a position to question her, though. So, despite his confusion, he chose to observe her.

Austin's heart ached as he heard Ana sobbing while speaking to her friend, Jenny, whom he had learnt was her name. He could hear the girl on the other end of the phone trying to soothe Ana as she sobbed loudly.

Even with the phone on speaker, Ana's sobs were more audible.

He wouldn't say that out loud, but when he heard Ana saying, "I miss mom. I miss her. Can I go and meet her? I can't live without her anymore. I'm not so strong. I'd like to die as well. Jen, please help me end my life. Please," he felt his heart breaking in millions of pieces.

Naturally, the brunette detested his assistant's clumsiness, but his heart wasn't made of stone. Behind her tears and words, he sensed the sorrow. And why wouldn't he? He had been in a similar predicament before, but he still couldn't get over it.

The situation made him so weak that he was worrying his friends about his eating disorder. Therefore, it would be hypocritical of him not to understand Ana in this situation.

Oh, God! Austin, you really need to take anger management lessons. You can't just yell at someone without thinking. You can't just remind someone of their hurtful past.

Austin never thought the girl who always had a smile on her face and who made everyone laugh—aside from him, of course—with her funny remarks or acts had been through so much. He felt like a jerk, and hence he decided to act nicely with her from now on. At least he could try doing so.

When Austin heard Jenny was coming over to meet Ana, he decided to give her some privacy. After drawing the window blinds and shutting the laptop, he retrieved the files that needed to be examined.

On the other hand, Stacy came over to meet Ana as soon as she received a call from Jenny. Since it would take time for Jenny to reach there, she asked Stacy to accompany Ana. To say Ana's condition broke the other two girls' hearts would be an understatement.

When Jenny arrived, she engulfed Ana in a tight hug. It took them almost two hours to calm her down completely.

Jenny returned home after spending time with her two friends in Ana's cabin. Stacy and Ana happily escorted Jenny to the office entrance.

Ana fidgeted with her fingers and looked down after Jenny drove away, saying, "Hey Stacy. I think you were right."

"About what exactly?" Stacy asked with a frown on her face. Her heart ached as she studied the girl's face. In the broad sunlight, Ana's bloodshot eyes and puffy face were clearly visible to her, and it made her feel sad. She couldn't believe it took them such a long time to calm the other.

Ana pulled Stacy out of her reverie and took a step towards her. She whispered in her ear, "I think Mister Smith is gay."

Stacy quickly stepped forward and glanced at Ana with an 'I knew it' face as if she were mocking her. Her expression made Ana scratch her nape nervously. "I told you. You didn't believe me. Since I started working with them, I haven't seen him with any girls or heard him mention any of them."

"So do you think they all are g-"

"I don't believe so. Since, um, forever, John has been flirting with women. Jake, I suppose, can't be either." Stacy remarked, brushing Ana's ideas aside. She was certain that the aforementioned males were not homosexual. However, she was unable to say the same for Austin.

"They are so handsome. It saddens me if all three of them are." Ana almost cried out. Just imagine how heartbreaking it would be to work with disgustingly handsome males who wouldn't be interested in girls. Such a waste of those handsome faces.

"If I come across any more information, I'll let you know," Stacy said, earning a nod from Ana. The latter, however, was aware of Stacy's shenanigans. Because she loved gossiping so much, she was always the first to learn about everyone's private lives, followed by Ana.

The two talked some more while making their way towards their respective floors to work.

Later that day in the evening, Ana was inside Austin's office. She was called by the boss, and so she stepped inside, looking presentable as ever. Now that she looked fresh, Austin was envious of how strong the girl was. He would never admit it to anyone, but he agreed from within that she was indeed stronger than any woman he met in his life.

Now, when he looked at her face, it looked as beautiful and delicate as ever. Her ocean-blue eyes appeared exhausted, and her wavy blond hair was dishevelled. But those eyes still held innocence and curiousness like every other day. And it was amusing to witness how she had been crying just a few hours before returning to her natural, lovely self.

Ana gazed at her boss. She saw him staring at her face, and her brows furrowed. It appeared that even though his still eyes peered straight into her soul, his mind was wandering somewhere she was unable to comprehend. The man seemed to be captivated, or perhaps lost in his thoughts or on her face.

Ana was growing impatient as she stood before Austin for more than five minutes, waiting for the man to speak. She cleared her throat and asked, "Yes, sir?"

He was jolted out of his reverie by the question. Was Ana truly beautiful in his eyes? When had he looked so intently at the intricacies on her face? Either he overworked himself and his mind was playing tricks on him, or he believed he was going insane.

He cleared his throat and informed, "Miss Anderson, tomorrow we have an important client from Michigan. Clear all of my appointments until lunch, please."

"Alright, sir," Ana answered right away. She wrote something down in her diary and glanced at him again as it appeared like he wanted to say something more.

"Are you okay?" Austin asked hesitantly, his face worried.

"You think I'd tell you if I wasn't?" Ana thought and tried not to roll her eyes as she stood in front of her boss. If she did, the gesture would seem impolite.

When Austin noticed the girl lost in her thoughts, he spoke, "An- Miss Anderson?" He loudly cleared his throat to clear up the mistake that he was about to make.

"Austin, what's wrong with you? Ana? Like really?"

"Y-yes sir, I'm fine." Ana smiled politely.

Austin nodded, getting back to his original self. "If you say so. Also, you must attend the meeting with the three of us."

"Three?" Ana's eyes widened as she asked hastily.

Austin said, "Jake, John, and I," with an obvious expression on his face.

"Oh right," Ana responded with a stupid smile.

Austin said authoritatively, "I'm giving you a file; just recheck it and submit me soon," as he started looking for the file on his desk. He handed the file to Ana as soon as he found it.

The girl stepped forward, taking the file. She opened it and took a brief look at what was in the file. She noticed that it was the file that needed to be examined prior to the meeting tomorrow. She was eager to get home and call it a day. However, working for Austin brought unexpected work practically every day.

"But sir, it's already evening, and I'll be leaving soon." Austin's expression turned cold as she whined like a small child with her pleading.

"Can't you go late or take that file at home just for today?" With clenched teeth, Austin muttered, swiftly receiving an "Okay, sir."

She was about to leave when Austin continued, "Tomorrow is a big day for me and my company. Arrive early, act appropriately, and don't make any blunders. The deal is important."

"Al-alright S-sir." She swallowed a hard lump of her saliva and shuddered.

Austin said icily, "Stop stuttering and get back to work."

"Okay, sir. Bye. I mean, thank you." What are you saying, Ana? She thought, mentally facepalming herself.

"OUT!" Ana hurried out as Austin gestured towards the door.

"Stupid man, huh!" whispered Ana as she closed the door behind her, making an angry expression.

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So, are you loving and enjoying the chemistry between Austin and Ana?

I feel this chapter was important as it was a shift in Austin's feelings for Ana.

Just wait to see how Austin will start taking care of Ana unconsciously.

Also, do let me know your favourite part.

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