Chapter 87: Chapter 87

Anne nodded in understanding. "Alright, I don't want to disturb him even though I feel guilty. Who can sleep comfortably like this?"

This made Jack burst into laughter. "Haven't you slept in this position quite often?"

Anne couldn't escape afterward. She joined in the laughter, albeit restrained because what Jack said was true. More than once, she had dozed off while sitting and comfortably leaning back in her chair. Luckily, Sam had given her a gift that amazed her—an expensive and comfortable chair as part of her workspace in the headquarters.

"You're all so noisy," Eland murmured softly. His eyes still refused to open, although he had longed to gaze upon the face of the girl he had missed in the past few days. But he didn't want to reveal himself too much. Even for just one day, he had no news about Anne, Hugo, and Jack, who had become vulnerable targets for him to exert his efforts in finding out what Anne was up to.

It's ridiculous how often he asks Sam to reduce Anne's workload, which always ends up with a long scolding from the boss. He says, "You need to differentiate between work and your dates. You also need to focus, Eland, on the mission at hand. You haven't reported any progress. If there's no movement in the next two hours, I won't give Anne access to respond to your chats and calls!"

"You better leave my room. This is where the boss counts all his wealth. I don't want to take any risks because you guys are here."

Eland immediately opened his eyes. "You jerk!" He threw his cigarette pack at Jack, who just laughed at his annoyance. "Jeremy hasn't arrived yet? It's taking forever!"

Jack ignored Eland's grumbling. Instead, he waved his hand as a sign that they both needed to leave his room. No, Jack wasn't bothered at all. Even if they suddenly turned this room into a date spot, Jack wouldn't mind. His workspace had doubled in size. The monitor displaying CCTV footage from all corners of Flown was now in the corner, complete with a much wider screen than before.

There was a plush and comfortable sofa with storage drawers for various snacks, as well as a server ready to cater to any special requests from Jack's guests. It was Jack's crazy idea to make sure the man didn't move anywhere other than his workspace, with a connecting door leading to his private room.

Jack had made himself comfortable to work there. So even if Eland wanted privacy with Anne right now, he could quickly go to his room. Just as long as no one touched his work desk. But this time, Jack felt that Eland should leave. He had been checking the notes that Sam had given him just three hours ago.

"I'll have Jeremy take you to your room later." Jack grinned widely. "Now go quickly."

"Damn it!" Eland grumbled as he walked out. Not yet. He didn't want to greet Anne yet, even though the desire to hug the girl was strong. Later. Eland would do it just to satisfy his longing because he had been in the border region for two weeks. He was overseeing the delivery of special-order weapons that Sam had made with his colleagues.

From the corner of his eye, Eland could tell that the girl with shoulder-length hair was following his steps. Including the jacket that Anne casually hung on the chair in Jack's room, brought by Anne without hesitation.

"I asked the kitchen to prepare dinner for you. Boss Sam is actually waiting for you at the headquarters," Anne said moments before they entered the elevator that would take them to the fifth floor. The fifth floor was exclusively reserved for a few VVIP rooms for guests.

"The boss is just waiting for the copies of the work and some photos. You already gave them to him some time ago." Eland pressed the number five on the panel, observing Anne who was now standing next to him. Unable to resist, he stared intently at the girl who returned his gaze with a curious look.

"You're going to the headquarters?"

The distance between them disappeared as Eland closed in. Trapping Anne was something he enjoyed. If before, Anne looked at him with a scared look, now it was replaced with a gaze that made Eland impatient to embrace her as tightly as possible.

"No."

Anne frowned. "The report?"

"Boss Sam knows what I sent." Eland smirked. He was about to greet those soft pink lips when the sound of the elevator chime interrupted them. "Damn it! Why didn't we just take the emergency stairs earlier?"

Anne laughed as the metal doors opened. It coincided with two servers seen pushing a food trolley. "Is it the order for Mr. Eland? Is that right?"

"Yes, Miss," one of the servers spoke. "We have prepared it in the room as requested. Enjoy your meal."

The girl smiled broadly. "Thank you." She then freely linked her arm with the one that had always been ingrained in her memory. Muscular and strong enough to defeat his enemies. The arm that, for some reason, she trusted more than just a comfortable place to lean on.

Maybe... behind her cold and annoying demeanor when they were together, Anne began to understand that was how Eland showed his care.

"Let's eat first, shall we? This time the menu isn't too fancy."

"No shrimp, right?" Eland looked at the girl with a sarcastic expression as she walked ahead, dragging him slightly to exit the elevator. He thoroughly enjoyed that cheerful face. In fact, Eland really liked how that face was smiling so widely right now.

"No. I removed the seafood menu even though it's delicious. This time I chose egg and noodles."

"Whatever." Eland released his arm from Anne's grasp. He could see the questioning and unaccepting look from the girl beside him. But did Eland really want that distance? Absolutely not. In fact, he embraced Anne to bring her closer. He gave a quick peck on the side of her head, catching the surprised expression on her face. "How are you, An? I haven't asked you that since earlier, right?"

Every time Eland called her name, accompanied by a gaze that rendered her powerless and vulnerable, with nothing but him filling the dark depths of his eyes, Anne truly felt special by Eland's side. "I'm fine, although it was a bit troublesome yesterday accompanying Beatrice to Quassano's office."

"What's the matter?"

"Beatrice complained about a lot of things she didn't understand. I actually feel sorry for her, but there's nothing she can do except endure, right?"

Eland nodded in agreement. "Help as much as you can, An. Beatrice is not a foolish girl."

"Yeah." Anne smiled widely. "I'm learning so many new things that make me feel like I'm back in college. The mentor that Mr. Alfred provided for Beatrice is no joke."

Eland gently stroked Anne's hair. "That's understandable. Beatrice is his only granddaughter. Being separated for so long, and well... her life story is quite dramatic, isn't it?"

They reached the front door, and Anne's hand was about to turn the doorknob. She wanted to quickly make sure that the food they ordered matched Eland's taste and check if anything was missing from the dishes. But before her hand could reach the doorknob, Eland stopped her.

"Don't you want to keep me company tonight?"

Anne blinked slowly, quickly digesting Eland's words that instantly made her goosebumps rise. "You promised me, right? Besides, our wedding is six months away. Can you be patient?"

Eland sighed in resignation. "That's too long, An." Irritated, he pulled Anne closer by her waist. Her back pressed against his chest. He held her tightly from behind and gently kissed the nape of her neck, though hindered by her hair. Making Anne stand rigidly.

At first, Anne wanted to escape, but Eland's tongue had already started exploring. If Eland had been a bit rougher with her, maybe Anne could have regained her composure sooner. Unfortunately, Eland was being gentle with Anne, causing her to sometimes forget that there were boundaries he still held and guarded.

"Eland."

"Isn't it okay like this?" Eland stopped his nibbling. "You're so stingy."

"Let's just eat first, okay?" Anne took a deep breath, relieved that Eland released her. She wasn't afraid because Eland could do as he pleased. Even though her abilities were far below Eland's, at least Anne could defend herself a little. She positioned herself to face the man who looked at her with a melancholic expression.

"Not hungry. I stopped by a fast-food restaurant after coming back from the border." Eland rested his head on Anne's shoulder. "I'm just really tired because the final shipment was a bit delayed. So I could only work at night."

"After eating, go back to sleep. I'll let Boss know that you need a short rest."

Eland grinned. Anne didn't even need to ask Sam for permission. He was confident that the Twin Dragon's ruler understood what he needed right now. "Will you accompany me to sleep?"

"But not to be slept with?"

Eland laughed. "No guarantees."

"I don't want that then."

***[]***

Anne herself had never imagined being able to look at a man who was engaged in a rather serious discussion about several matters at the border from a different perspective. Since the beginning, she didn't realize when Eland approached her because his behavior was just the same as she had felt all this time. Nothing had changed.

"I like you. Do you allow me to get closer?" Eland's words couldn't be ignored by Anne just like that. Not because they echoed in her mind all the time, but since those words were uttered, Eland remained the same. Cold and indifferent. It made Anne confused and wonder, was that stiff man's statement true? However, there were moments when Anne felt perplexed. The attention Eland gave her was different from other men.

Anne had not forgotten when Sam asked her to further investigate Joseph's dangerous movements. Besides the well-organized network Joseph had built, which Anne could say was meticulously planned, he was also hindered by Joseph's connection to Quassano. Fortunately, she was given special access to investigate. Although the man's body had been buried months ago, Sam really didn't want any disturbances in the future.

For example, revenge.

It was better to destroy it completely, even though its head had been severed. Sam's principle motivated his subordinates to be deployed in such a way, ensuring that the incident that almost claimed many lives and was not easily forgotten would not happen again.

"Why are you here, Eland?" Anne asked, surprised to find Eland parking his motorcycle in the lobby of the Quassano office building. Anne had just finished copying some data related to Joseph to examine at the headquarters. Her intention at that time was to briefly visit one of her favorite noodle restaurants. Having visited Alfred's office several times, Anne had become familiar with some places there.

"Just dropping by," Eland said, offering the helmet he intentionally brought for Anne. "Come on."

"Where to?" Anne felt awkward meeting Eland at that moment. The statement he made not only confused her, but there was also no response from her side yet. Besides still holding on to a fragment of a love story that ended with Tony in her heart, she couldn't be certain if Eland was the right man for her. Even though they had been together at the headquarters for some time and Anne knew Eland's movements, it didn't mean she truly understood the person who was skilled in swordplay.

"Follow me."

"Where to?"

Eland stared at Anne sharply. "Hurry up!"

Anne frowned in displeasure but couldn't refuse the helmet that was still in Eland's hand. She put it on without much thought but was surprised when Eland approached her. She took a step back, but he held her back.

"Could you wear the helmet properly? You only have one head. If it hits the asphalt, it's over for you in this world."

Anne's body stiffened suddenly. Apart from Eland's annoying breath, she couldn't help but stare at him due to their close proximity. The black helmet was perfectly fitted on her head, and Eland had already put a thick leather jacket on Anne's unmoving body, following all of the man's wishes.