The atmosphere in the office at Grey Enterprises had transformed into a warm and inviting space, with sunlight streaming through the expansive windows, casting a gentle glow over the room. Anastasia looked at Christians playful smile, and for a moment, she was transported back to their carefree childhood days. But the moment was fleeting, and with a surge of determination, she stomped down hard on Christians foot with all her might.
Christian, caught off guard and without any defenses, winced in pain as a sharp sting radiated from his foot. Anastasia, satisfied with her act of retaliation, made a hasty retreat. Heavens, her day had been nothing short of chaotic, and encountering that nuisance of a man had only added to her woes. She had thought that once his family moved away, she would be free from ever seeing him again. Little did she know that fate had other plans.
Christian watched Anastasias retreating figure, a chuckle escaping his lips. There was something undeniably charming about her, a mix of spunk and innocence that he found utterly captivating. Her departure seemed to take the warmth of the office with her, and Christians expression returned to its usual stoic demeanor, as if the playful banter had never occurred.
"Mr. Grey," his assistant, Ethan, appeared at the door, a question lingering in his eyes. The young woman who had just left was the new tea lady, and her presence in the CEOs office was unusual.
"How did this file end up here?" Christians voice carried an undercurrent of authority without a hint of anger, yet it was enough to make those around him feel the weight of his presence.
Ethan reached for the file, but Christian held it firmly. His eyes flicked to the documents title—office supplies procurement. This was not meant for his office but for the managers. He knew exactly what needed to be done to find out how this had happened.
Christian was known for his no-nonsense approach, and his reputation for dealing swiftly with any transgressions was well established. His employees referred to him as the "Duke of December" behind his back, a nod to his frosty demeanor and the chill he could cast over a room.
Ethan, well-versed in handling such situations, knew that an investigation would be launched. He was about to take the file to review it when Christian held it back, drawn to the scent that still lingered on the pages. It reminded him of Anastasias shampoo, sweet and inviting, just like her.
The memory of the pain in his foot from her stomp made him frown slightly. Had his little girl grown into a little chili pepper?
Meanwhile, Anastasia rushed back to her office, her face flushed with embarrassment as all eyes turned to her. She felt like a deer caught in the headlights, her usual confidence replaced with a sense of vulnerability.
"Anastasia, what are you doing here?" Eleanor Oliphant, her manager, was quick to confront her, her voice laced with suspicion.
Anastasia blinked, confusion written all over her face. Where else should she be?
Eleanors annoyance with Anastasias apparent naivety was palpable. She arched an eyebrow, her tone dripping with disdain. "Didnt you have a file to deliver?"
"Oh, yes, I did," Anastasia stammered, her mind racing back to the awkward encounter. The memory of it brought a fresh wave of heat to her cheeks.
Eleanors eyes narrowed further, disbelief etched on her face. They had all seen Anais leave Christians office, and if Anastasia had truly delivered the file, she would have undoubtedly crossed paths with her. The fact that Anastasia was still standing there, unscathed, spoke volumes.
"Youre lying!" Eleanor accused, her voice rising in pitch.
"Im not! I swear I delivered it!" Anastasias voice was small but insistent. She was on the verge of tears, her frustration mounting as she struggled to make her case.
Her tears threatened to spill over, but she couldnt quite put her finger on why no one believed her. She had always been a bit scatterbrained, but she was certain about the office location—she had heard "last office" clearly.
"Nonsense! I distinctly said the office to the far right. How could you have mistaken it for the last one?" Eleanors voice was sharp, grating on the ears of those around her.
Anastasia, cowed by Eleanors aggression, fell silent. She was on the verge of doubting her own memory when Christians voice cut through the tension like a knife.
"Anastasia, come to my office. The rest of you, Ethan will handle," Christians tone was as cold as ice, and it sent a shiver down the spines of those present.
Ethan stepped forward, his expression mirroring Christians. "You will all await disciplinary action from HR," he announced, his voice leaving no room for argument.
The office was in an uproar, but no one dared to voice their discontent. It was a common initiation prank for new employees, but this time, it had backfired spectacularly. Christian was known for his protective nature, especially when it came to Anastasia. It seemed that no one was aware of the special bond between them, and those who had dared to toy with her would soon regret their actions.