Alexander
I had arrived an hour ago, earlier than scheduled. The quiet of the building was comforting, the kind of silence only broken by the occasional muffled footsteps of staff rushing around to get things ready. Theo was supposed to be here with me, but I had sent him on an errand, nothing major, just something to keep him out of the way for the moment.
Sometimes I like moving unnoticed, like a shadow observing the world. It gives me the advantage of seeing people for who they really are when they think no one's watching. It shows their hidden emotions and vulnerability.
I was on the phone, discussing a slight change in the week's schedule, when a faint commotion echoed through the corridor. The sound was soft but distinct- heels clicking, voices whispering, something being dropped and quickly picked up again.
She was here.
I ended the call immediately, my lips tugging into a smirk. Anastasia always brought with her a certain… energy. You could hear it before you saw it…the little ripple she created in every room she entered.
I walked toward the noise, each step deliberate, and stopped just at the edge of the doorframe. There she was.
Her assistant, a petite girl who looked both flustered and overexcited, was struggling to keep up with Anastasia's determined stride. Bags of files, flowers for the desk, a laptop case- it looked like they were moving into a new apartment rather than settling into an office.
"Careful with that, it's glass!" Anastasia scolded lightly as her assistant nearly toppled a vase.
I bit back a laugh. Watching her fuss around the room was more entertaining than half the board meetings I attended. She was trying so hard to arrange everything perfectly, her brow furrowed, lips pressed tight in concentration.
I leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, just… watching.
She didn't notice me at first. She was too busy adjusting her chair, pushing her assistant aside to move the desk a few inches, then stepping back to judge if it looked better that way.
Her assistant turned, spotted me instantly, and froze like a deer caught in headlights. I pressed a finger to my lips, silently instructing her to stay quiet. Wide-eyed, she nodded, clutching a stack of files to her chest like a shield.
I could've stood there forever. Anastasia, in her natural state, was a rare sight. Usually, she wore that mask of composure, that aura of "I have everything under control." But right now? She was adorably chaotic.
Finally, she straightened up and turned around, only to spot me.
The look on her face was priceless.
Her mouth parted slightly, her eyes widened, and for a second, I could've sworn her soul left her body. She froze, staring at me as I had materialized from thin air.
I raised an eyebrow, enjoying every second of her panic.
"Relax," I said casually, pushing off the doorframe and stepping inside. "I'm not a man-eater. Didn't I tell you that already?"
She blinked, as if trying to reboot her system. "What are you…how long have you…"
"Long enough," I cut her off smoothly. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about your… interior design skills." I gestured toward the desk she had just shoved across the room.
Her cheeks flushed. "I was… arranging."
"Of course you were." I let the teasing lilt hang in my tone.
She shifted uncomfortably, her assistant still looking like she might faint from holding her breath too long. I gave the poor girl a reassuring nod before turning my attention back to Anastasia.
"I just came to welcome you properly," I continued. "I hope you like your new office. Consider it a peace offering."
She narrowed her eyes slightly, suspicion flickering there. "Peace offering?"
"Yes. You don't have to look at me like I'm about to eat you alive. Whenever we cross paths."
Her lips parted again, but no sound came out. She was beyond shocked, still trying to piece together what was happening.
I smirked, stepping back toward the door. "Welcome, Miss Cater. Make yourself at the office."
And with that, I turned and walked away, leaving her staring after me, more flabbergasted than I'd ever seen her. That was indeed the most pathetic way to welcome a person; the first mission was complete.