After feeding the motionless Austin, Ana and Jake sat on the couch that was placed in Austin's office. The two of them had their gazes fixed on the brunette.

Ana couldn't believe herself when she expectantly waited for her boss to wake up and start shouting at her randomly about how clumsy she was or something along those lines.

If someone told her before that she would miss her obnoxious boss and his coldness, she would have laughed. But now that she desperately wanted him to wake up, she was having trouble believing herself. Was this the same Ana as the one who found her boss annoying?

Soon afterwards, her eyes fluttered shut. She leaned her head against Jake's shoulder and fell asleep, not caring about the world or the man with caramel hair who sat next to her.

On the other hand, Jake was concerned for Austin. Even after fifteen years, he continued to destroy himself. All he wanted was for his friend to move on and find happiness again, but he was aware that his efforts and thoughts would be in vain.

Only if Austin listened to him and did not act like the stubborn man that he was, he would not be spoiling his health and life like this. He pitied his friend who was sleeping on his chair so peacefully.

Just when he was lost in his thoughts, he felt something heavy on his shoulder. He looked to his right and saw Ana sleeping soundly, her head propped up on his shoulder. Her pink lips were slightly parted, and she snored softly.

A smile crept on his lips unconsciously when he noticed the proximity between them. His head spun when her calming scent filled his nose. Only if he could hold her so closely all the time after confessing his feelings for her, but he was too nervous to do so.

Being bashful, he was sneaking peeks at her when there was a knock. If a person could die with only a glare, the individual entering the room would pass away in front of Jake. After all, the intruder was breaking his beautiful moment with his crush.

John barged into the office and almost yelled, "Austin, where the hell are-" until Jake shot him a death glare and warned, "Yah! Lower your voice."

Ignoring her friend's scowl or warning, the ravenette looked straight at the boss and muttered, "Why is he sleeping?" His gaze shifted to Jake, and as he saw Ana dozing off with her head leaning against Jake's shoulder, he couldn't resist raising another question with furrowed eyebrows, "And what's wrong with Ana? Did you give them something in their drinks or what?" He let out a chuckle.

Jake rolled his eyes and patted the couch to his left, asking him to sit beside him. "Be quiet and place your ass next to me. They both are sleeping, so don't shout and act like a human being." He whisper-yelled, making John shudder and submit to the elder. Stomping his feet, he marched up to Jake and took a seat.

"What's the matter with him?" This time, he asked seriously which made Jake sigh. "Same problem," he said, running his fingers over his caramel hair and licking his lips. "Before we lose our friend, we need to figure this out." Looking at his pal for the hundredth time that day, he sighed. His heart pained to see him in this condition and he knew that John was the only one with whom he could discuss his friend's concerns.

"Let's make a plan. Now I'm concerned as well." John responded with a sigh, as the two had their attention glued on their boss.

Ana shook her head and moved towards Jake to make herself more comfortable before drifting off to sleep again. "Let us talk about it later," Jake hurriedly murmured, gesturing to the sleeping person. When John understood what Jake was saying, he nodded and sat calmly, not uttering another word to not be heard by the only girl in the room.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

A few minutes later, Ana woke up with her hand on her neck. "Ahh, my neck hurts." She grunted as she gently tried to massage her aching neck, her eyes closed due to sleepiness.

Playfully saying, "Good morning, sweetie," John couldn't help but wink as he saw Ana quiver.

When the realisation hit her, Ana quickly bowed, "I'm so sorry, sir. I forgot to call you."

"Why would you call him?" Jake interjected with a raised brow. Before Ana could respond, John quickly questioned while wiggling his brows, "Perhaps, are you jealous?"

"Shut up," Jake rolled his eyes in irritation.

An awkward silence fell for a minute or two. When Ana noticed the two friends staring at each other with unreadable expressions, she quickly responded, "Actually he wanted to talk to Mister Smith because of some work. He-"

"Sweetie, why are you explaining yourself?" Playfully asking a question, John laughed. "Are you guys dating?"

"Who's dating who?" Austin spoke in hushed tones, grabbing the three's attention.

They all switched their focus to the voice and stood up from the couch at the same time.

Unlike the other two who hurried over to their companion, Ana remained still. "You awakened? Are you okay?" Together, the two of them questioned, their voices tinged with apprehension.

"Are you both alright?" Austin asked, eyebrow lifted, observing their apprehensive expressions. He was baffled as to what was bothering his pals and making them so anxious.

"You got the nerve to joke after giving us a scare?" Jake growled, but John calmed him down by putting his hand on his shoulder.

Austin ignored his frustrated friend and noticed a warm atmosphere in his office. He placed his hand on his forehead and found himself sweating. "I'm sweating. Who turned off the AC?" He took off his tie and threw it on his desk harshly before proceeding to open his shirt buttons.

Ana winced at her boss's inquiry. "S-sir M-mee." She responded, stuttering badly.

"Sweetie, why are you scared all of a sudden? You got your boyfriend here. Right, Jake?" John winked at his friend, whose ears began turning crimson, and so was Ana's face.

"Shut up!" The two of them yelled together at John.

Ana informed politely. "Now that I know you're okay, I think I'll take a leave. It's late, and my family might be concerned about my safety. Sir, please take care of yourself and get well soon."

"Good night, you two," she said, turning to face Jake and John. "See you both tomorrow."

Ana rushed towards the door. She was about to open it when it was slammed shut by a hand. When she turned around, Jake was standing very, very close to her.

"W-what a-are y-you doing?" Ana gasped as she saw his face getting closer to her.

"Don't shout or tell anyone about this," Jake whispered in her ear. "If you are planning to bring meals from home tomorrow, prepare enough food for two people."

Ana felt his warm breath on her neck. She closed her eyes, shivers running down her spine. "S-sure," she stumbled hesitantly. Her heart started pounding so fast that she was afraid Jake could hear it because of how close they were.

"And you will prepare it," Jake said again in a firm voice. "Am I making myself clear?" He chuckled as he felt Ana's laboured breathing.

"Yes, sir. C-can I-I-I g-ooo n-now?"

"Sure, baby." He remarked, softly placing his lips on Ana's earlobe for a bit before stepping aside to let the startled girl go.

Ana quickly opened the door and rushed out.

Jake laughed at how shocked the girl appeared and muttered, "Cute." Those wide ocean-blue eyes and her pouty heart-shaped lips looked so kissable that it took his all to control his feelings.

Austin and John were taken aback by Jake's actions. Their mouths were hanging open. They were aware that Jake would never act in this manner without a reason, so they realised there had to be one. However, the entire scene seemed too real. He didn't seem to be acting out or anything. Furthermore, Jake and Ana's chemistry was apparent.

Once Ana went into her cabin, she quickly closed the door and stood against it while talking to herself. "What was that? Was he possessed or something? This stupid heartbeat!!! AHHHHHHHH!!" She shouted her lungs out while pulling her hair.

"That was a close call. No one had ever been that close to me in my entire life. Oh, my God! John was also present. What will his reaction be? Is there a way to make my life better? Ana, f*ck your life and go home before your brother starts interrogating you with ridiculous questions. I'm just hoping Hitler improves by tomorrow. He irritates me, yet I've noticed how uninteresting my work seems when he's sick or not shouting."

The moment Ana left her boss's office, Austin opened his laptop, went through the particular application where he could hear the girl, and opened the slides to see his assistant. Jake hurried up to his friend when he saw him opening the laptop, standing close to him with his eyes fixed on the furious girl.

The three of them heard everything Ana said. A puzzled John wondered how they were able to hear Ana, while Jake and Austin were smiling for distinct reasons.

"Why are you both smiling?" John asked.

Jake blushed as he looked down at the ground. "I make her heart flutter," he mumbled.

Looking into the enormous see-through glass, Austin said, "I never expected her to be concerned about my well-being." Unconsciously, a smile appeared on his face.

When John saw both of his buddies staring at Ana's form behind the glass and talking to themselves, he became agitated. "Guys, come back on earth you two," he yelled. "And she likes me?" he wondered, his eyes widening in surprise.

Austin and Jake's eyes widened in terror at John's comment.

"Jake, we completely forgot about John's presence." Jake bit his lower lip in response to Austin's nervous outburst, saying, "Now he's going to tell everyone about it."

"Before I ask Ana, could both of you tell me what's going on here?" With his hands clasped across his chest, John questioned.

Austin got scared. "No wait," he almost cried before his crazy friend rushed to Ana for real.

The two of them told everything about how they ended up placing that listening device in Ana's cabin.

"Okay, that makes sense," John answered with a nod. "And Jake, do you like her?" he asked as he turned to face the said male.

"What are you talking about?" The caramel-haired male inquired, and John shot him a mocking grin. "I heard that!"

"What?" Confusion overtaking him, Austin inquired, "Am I missing something?"

Jake and John screamed together, "NOOOOO!!!!"

Austin rolled his eyes. "Whatever! Let me freshen up now." He informed as he closed the laptop, noticing Ana switching off the lights in her cabin and walking out. He then stood up and was about to open the door of his bathroom until Jake's voice stopped him.

"We need a serious talk now. So better come out fast." Jake's voice was solemn which surely confused Austin, but he nodded without turning and proceeded inside as the other two stood patiently for their friend.