Chapter 31: Caught In The Wrong Moment
Anastasia’s POV
I walked out of my office, heading toward the pantry. Maybe a cup of coffee could calm the storm boiling inside me. Lately, nothing in my life had gone as I planned. Philip’s divorce hadn’t even started, and I hadn’t seen him since the last time Marceline almost caught us in the boardroom. He had stopped answering my calls, and I couldn’t freely walk to his office anymore like before.
Just as I reached the pantry, I spotted a junior worker standing by the elevator, holding a file in her hands. My eyes narrowed. Was she going to Philip’s floor? Before I even thought about it, my feet moved fast toward her.
“Is that document for the CEO, Rose?” I asked, trying to sound casual. My heart silently prayed it was for Philip.
“Yes, Director Winslow,” she replied, startled that I spoke to her.
Of course she was surprised. I had never talked to her—or to most junior workers. Since the day I became a director, I had always kept myself above them.
“Hand it to me. I’m going there anyway,” I said sweetly, forcing a smile.
“Thank you, Director,” she said quickly, handing me the file.
The elevator dinged, and I stepped in, pressing the button for Philip’s floor. My heart raced. When I arrived, my eyes darted toward Marceline’s office door—closed. I exhaled in relief, though my nerves didn’t ease. For some reason, Marceline made me uneasy these days. Almost afraid.
I knocked gently on Philip’s door.
“Come in,” his voice came, calm but distant.
I pushed the door open and walked in, trying to keep a straight face.
The moment his eyes landed on me, his calmness vanished. “Why are you here, Anastasia? How many times must I tell you to keep your distance when we’re at the company? Marceline almost caught us last time!” he snapped sharply, his words cutting like knives.
My heart trembled at his cold tone. The irritation in his voice stung, but I forced my tears back.
“So I can’t even come to your office anymore?” I said softly. “Well, I’m here because I need your signature on this document.”
“Which document?” he asked, his voice still hard.
“Here. Please sign it.” I handed it to him, keeping my expression blank.
He narrowed his eyes at me before looking down at the file. I stayed silent, watching him read through it before signing.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he returned the file. His voice was calmer now.
I let out a bitter laugh. “Are you seriously asking me if I’m okay, Philip? How can I be okay when I haven’t seen you in days, and you don’t pick up my calls?”
“Calm down, Anastasia,” he said, standing up and walking toward me.
“Don’t tell me to calm down!” I hissed, stepping back. “We don’t spend time together like before. Everything between us feels… broken.”
“You should understand,” he said in a lower voice. “We need to be careful. Marceline works here now, and I think she’s getting suspicious.”
My blood boiled. “So this is all about Marceline? Because of her, I can’t even walk around this floor anymore?”
“Lower your voice,” he warned.
I shook my head, tears burning my eyes. “Philip, I’m tired. Let’s just end this.”
He froze. “End what?”
“Let’s end whatever we have between us.” My voice was steady, but inside, my heart raced.
“What? Anastasia, you can’t be serious.” His eyes widened in shock.
“I am serious. I can’t continue like this,” I said, blinking fast to hold back my tears.
“No, Ana, you can’t end this. Not like that,” he said quickly, his voice desperate. He grabbed my arms and pulled me against him.
“You left me no choice, Philip,” I whispered. “You promised to make me happy, but all I feel these days is sadness.” I struggled to break free, but he only held me tighter.
“I’m sorry,” he said, pulling me even closer. “But don’t end what we have.” His lips suddenly pressed against mine, urgent and needy. His hands moved to my shirt, unbuttoning it with haste.
“Stop, Philip!” I said, struggling weakly, but he didn’t stop. He trapped me between his desk, kissing me like a man drowning.
“Don’t end this, Anastasia,” he murmured against my lips, his kisses raining down my neck.
My heart screamed with joy because this was exactly what I wanted. My words about ending things were never true. I only said them to shake him, to make him afraid of losing me. And it worked. If he reacted like this, it meant he was still wrapped around my fingers.
“Stop, Philip, we’re in the office,” I said again, pretending to resist. But he kept going.
My shirt hung open now, his lips burning against my skin. A smile tugged at my lips. I had him exactly where I wanted him.
But that smile didn't stay for long because the office door suddenly pushed open.
And someone walked in. Someone neither of us hoped to see us in this position.