Chapter 194 Aftermath
Chapter 194 Aftermath
ANASTASIA POV
My head hurts so much, it’s like a splinter is stuck inside my brain. My entire body aches too. To make everything worse, the stupid alarm on my bedside table won’t stop ringing and I fucking hate it.
I palmed my head in frustration, but my hand didn’t even hit my skin. It hit paper. I peeled it off my forehead and groaned at the sticky feeling, staring at the messy handwriting.
You better remember every fucking thing tomorrow morning.
What? Remember what?
The moment I tried to get off the bed, I winced in pain, especially between my thighs. I braced myself up and took a look at my pussy, and then I noticed some dried white patches on the sheets.
Oh fuck!
Everything came rushing back in a huge wave. I remember going to the club. I remember getting so wasted. I remember calling Alexander and telling him how good I look. I literally slammed my hands over my face when I remembered telling him I was going to take off my panties. Somebody fucking take me away from alcohol forever.
And then the worst realization hit. He brought me home and I practically threw myself on him and fucked him.
Oh my god! No. No. No.
Why did I have to remember? God, why?! The drink was already wearing out when we had sex, or more like when I forced him.
"Ana!" A sharp knock at the door startled me, pulling me right out of my panic.
"Ana, you’re late for work!" my mum called out.
Fuck. I almost forgot I actually run a company now.
"Uhm... give me a few minutes mum, I’m almost down!"
"Okay, darling," she said and her footsteps left. I violently squeezed the note, dumped it on the floor, and headed straight to the bathroom.
It took me almost two hours to bathe and get ready. Honestly, thirty minutes of it was just me trying to physically get out of the bed because I was so fucking sore it wasn’t even funny. I spent another thirty minutes just hunting down painkillers to use.
I was two hours late to the office, and I wouldn't be lying if I said the staff weren't taking double looks at me. Maybe my face still completely screamed sex, or maybe it was the fact that I wasn’t wearing heels today. And that’s simply because I couldn’t walk properly.
Thanks to Alexander, the man with the big dick energy.
I spent most of the day trying to navigate my workload, but Alexander wouldn’t stop blowing up my phone. Defeated, I finally decided to reply to him.
Me: What do you want?
The response was instant. Sometimes I genuinely wondered if the man did any actual work anymore. He had recently dropped to number three on the list of America's richest men, and at this rate, it was clearly because he preferred chasing me around to managing his empire.
Skull Collecting Husband: That is no way to speak to the man you assaulted all night.
A furious blush burned straight up my neck. Fucking asshole.
Me: what? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.
I typed out the lie, feigning ignorance. If I didn't deny it now, I would never be able to look him in the eye again.
Skull Collecting Husband: Don't you fucking dare, Ana. Do not play dumb with me.
I could practically hear the frustration in his text, and despite myself, a small grin broke across my face.
Me: Go away. I have a business to run.
Before I could even see if the three typing dots appeared, my office door was suddenly pushed open without a single warning knock. I jolted upright in my leather chair, my heart leaping into my throat. I had completely forgotten to lock the door, though I couldn't conceive of who would have the nerve to barge into the CEO's office without permission.
I turned around, and the moment I saw the visitor, I wanted to slap myself and just go home.
"Hello, Ana," Mr. Brown said, flashing that greasy, arrogant smile that made my stomach instantly turn.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Brown," I said, making no effort to hide the annoyance in my voice. "How can I help you?"
"Oh, nothing specific. I just noticed you arrived quite late today. Is everything alright?" he asked, putting on a sickening show of concern.
"Yes, I am perfectly fine. Thank you for your concern," I replied coldly, hoping the brief answer would prompt him to leave.
Instead, he stood his ground, maintaining that unsettling stare.
"Are you done reviewing the financial audit reports I handed you?" I pressed, taunting him with the heavy workload to remind him of his place. "Or do you need me to assign you more tasks to keep you busy?"
"Actually, I should have those reports wrapped up very soon, so there's no need to add anything else to my plate just yet," he said smoothly, stepping further into the room. "But Ana, what about our last conversation? We should still go out after hours. Just to talk through a few strategies."
His desperation was boundless. I knew exactly what he was doing. This persistent pursuit wasn't because he's attracted to me; it was a transparent attempt to manipulate his way into a higher executive position now that I held the keys to the company.
"I have already made myself clear, Mr. Brown. I am not interested in coffee, dinner, or anything else outside of professional matters," I gritted out, though a sudden spike of fear hit my chest. The floor was quiet, the door was unlocked, and if he decided to corner me, nobody would see. "You are my employee. I highly suggest you return to your desk and focus on your job."
Instead of backing away, the older man stepped closer, his hand suddenly shooting out, his fingers grazing dangerously close to the fabric at my waist.
I recoiled instantly, my breath catching in my throat as panic flared. "What do you think you're doing? Leave me alone and get out of my office right now!" I practically shouted.
But he didn't listen. If anything, the rejection seemed to embolden him as he stepped right into my personal space. "Don't be like this, An—"
"She told you to fucking leave her alone."
Alexander’s voice cut through the room. Before Mr. Brown could even turn his head, Alexander marched into the office, his large hand instantly locking onto the back of the man's head, and violently slammed his face straight into the hardwood desk.