Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Annabelle's POV

"Anna please come to my office,'' he said and left just as suddenly as he had appeared.

"What's wrong with him? He never comes in here. Today he's been here twice already that too now during lunchtime? " said Cassandra frowning. The others chuckled at her comment.

"What am I missing out, guys?" Asked Cassandra and I rolled my eyes. They've now started again.

"He likes Anna, I think. He already has called her four times to his office today," grinned Harry as I blushed. This was so embarrassing.

"Not at all. Today's my first day, so we talked about my classes. You have a dirty mind, mister," I said smacking his arm. He laughed out loud and shook his head.

"I don't think so. In fact, we all agree on this. What say, guys?" He asked all of them.

"Yes, we agree with Harry, " they chorused. This was really embarrassing now. I glared at them all at a loss for words as I hurried towards his office.

I went up to his door and knocked. What could he want now? He gave me permission to enter and I went in.

Michael was sitting at his desk with two chicken wraps and two slices of blueberry cheesecakes and two diet coke cans. He looked up with a smile.

"Please join me. I noticed that you didn't get to eat lunch. You weren't prepared for today's class," He said, gesturing for me to sit.

"It's okay Michael. I'm not hungry. Thanks for asking." I said, smiling awkwardly. Why would he want to share his lunch with me? He was my employer after all.

"I insist. I ordered for both of us. I'm not taking no for an answer. The food will be wasted if you don't share, " He insisted.

"Okay," I said, giving in and sitting down. The food looked delicious and I was feeling a little hungry after that hectic class.

He pushed me my wrap, cheesecake, and coke. We ate talking about the institute, how he started it with his brother-in-law Kyle Parker who now lived in Melbourne. I was impressed by his story. I informed him about my own Institute in New Jersey and about gran's health because of which I shifted here. He listened with utmost interest, asking me details about gran and my family. He was in a chatty mood and I opened up to him. Of course, I didn't mention Stefan to him as it was something very personal to me and we weren't officially together yet.

After eating I thanked him and went to check my schedule. Everyone in the staff room had also finished lunch, ready to resume work. They coughed and wiggled their eyebrows when I entered. I just ignored them and went to my desk to check my schedule. I had a short-term freestyle class with a group of 10 middle-aged women. I went to take their class. I inspected for hidden cameras but didn't find any. The class went well and I was satisfied as the ladies were.

At last, it was time to go home. I was satisfied with the way my first day went. As I came downstairs to the reception area, my eyes popped out seeing Julian sitting on the sofa in front of the reception desk, staring at Cassandra, while she looked here and there uncomfortably to avoid his gaze upon her.

"Jules, what are you doing here?" I asked with irritation.

"I'm on duty to pick you up and drop you off every day," he said rolling his eyes

"What utter nonsense! I don't need a bodyguard, dammit." I said with more frustration. I wasn't a child who had to be escorted to and from her school.

"Sorry, bro's orders. If I follow, I will get free booze for a month." He said grinning.

"Go to hell, both of you," I said as I nodded towards Cassandra, ready to leave.

"Whoa, wait. Won't you introduce me to your friend?" He asked, indicating Cassandra.

"Alright. Julian, meet Cassandra and Cassandra, this is Julian, my..." before I could finish my sentence, Julian interfered. "I'm her boyfriend's brother, on duty. Pleased to meet you, Cassandra, " he said, winking at her.

I rolled my eyes and went towards the door. Julian said "See you tomorrow" to Cassandra, then followed me out.

"Stay away from Cassandra, Jules," I warned him seriously. I didn't want him toying with women at my workplace. It would affect me and I didn't want complications there.

"Ouch, you're hurting me, Anna. I don't want to stay away from Cassandra. I will meet her every day while on duty," he said grinning like an idiot.

"Don't you have any work to do?" I said in frustration. I wanted to kill Stefan as well as Julian.

He shook his head vehemently while cheekily eyeing me. I glared at him and climbed onto his car and he drove me home.

Every day, Julian drove me to and from the institute, much to my frustration. He had good chemistry going on with Cassandra. He might have taken her out on a date also, I wasn't sure.

I settled nicely with my classes and colleagues. Michael called me many times to his office on work excuses. If he would have given a hint about his interest in me, I would have informed him about my being unavailable.

The whole week had passed by and it was Friday. I had missed Stefan and thought about his question a lot. Yes, I loved him and was ready to be with him. I wanted to be his girlfriend, anything to make him happy. I wanted him to be happy. My mind was at peace with my decision. At last, my classes were over and I went downstairs to go home. Julian was busy at a project site and couldn't escort me home, much to my relief.

As I was going out, Michael called me while he came downstairs too.

"Anna, I'm leaving too. Come I'll drop you. " He offered with a smile.

"I'll walk down. I live very near, " I told him, as we both went outside.

"Please, I insist. I will drop you," he said, opening his car door for me. I got into his red Audi RS Sportback. He went around and got into the driver's seat. Starting the car, he asked for my address. I told him and in 5 minutes we arrived in front of Stefan's mansion.