Anna cleared her throat. “Yes, of course. Why would I ever say something like that…” she muttered, avoiding Laura’s eyes, awkward about the subject of Mr. Morgan and afraid Laura might somehow read her thoughts.

“Alright then, hurry up and bring it upstairs. Don’t let the tea get cold, or you know what’ll happen,” Laura said, waving her off.

“You’re right. I’ll take this up first. Bye, Laura!” Anna answered quickly, lifting the tray in her hands and slipping out of the kitchen. But Laura’s words stayed in her mind. Did Laura still love Daniel, even though she must know it was hopeless?

The elevator chimed open just as Anna reached it. Her heart froze, standing there was the one person she least wanted to see. Daniel. Looking sharper and more handsome than usual. 

Anna’s feet wouldn’t move. She just stood in silence.

“What are you doing? Get in!” Daniel barked, pressing the button again, holding the elevator, waiting Anna to join in.

Anna shook her head. “No, thank you, sir, I’ll just take the stairs,” she said nervously. She knew Rebecca was watching her somewhere.

“JUST GET IN!” Daniel snapped, his voice cutting through the air, luckily there was no one around them.

Anna shook her head again. “Please, sir, if Mrs. Morgan finds out, she’ll throw another perfume bottle at me. I’ll just take the stairs,” she whispered, already turning.

Daniel stepped out, holding the elevator door open with one hand. “Then I’ll take the stairs. You get in,” he said firmly.

Terrified that Rebecca’s tea would get cold, Anna slipped inside without another word, but Daniel didn’t take the stairs, he joined her instead.

The doors slid shut, trapping them in a silence heavy enough to choke her. Anna swallowed hard, trying not to think of the way Daniel’s face had been so close to hers the night he’d painted her. Her pulse raced. She didn’t understand her feelings or Daniel’s strange behavior toward her.

“I didn’t mean to put you in such a situation,” muttered Daniel without looking at her. Anna just swallowed hard, didn’t say anything until the elevator chimed open. “Sir,” she nodded and walked hurriedly down the hallway.

When she reached Rebecca’s door, Anna knocked softly. The door opened to reveal Rebecca, dressed in a sleek black dress that hugged her body. She looked stunning and terrifying.

“Your tea, ma’am,” Anna said politely.

“I don’t want it anymore,” Rebecca waved her off, not even glancing at her.

“Tell Tom to get the car ready. I’ll be in the library,” she added, sweeping past Anna.

Anna clutched the tray, then hurried down the stairs, she’d rather take the long way than risk sharing an elevator with Rebecca.

Her steps were too fast. She stumbled, but before she fell, a pair of strong arms caught her.

“Anna! What are you doing, running around with hot tea like this? What if you got burned?” Matthew scolded, helping her steady herself.

Anna gripped the tray tightly. “Mrs. Morgan told me to call Tom. If I’m late, she’ll be furious. I can’t get scolded again,” she said quickly, trying to move past him.

Matthew sighed, shaking his head. “Seriously, Anna? You act like you’re living in the stone age.” He pulled out his phone, dialing. “Hello, Tom? Mrs. Morgan’s waiting in the library.”

Anna laughed weakly. “I don’t even have anyone’s number except Karen’s.”

“Sit,” Matthew said, pulling her gently to sit beside him. “I’ll share everyone’s contacts with you.”

Anna obeyed, handing over her phone.

“So… everything okay so far?” Matthew asked while typing.

Anna shrugged. “Yeah. No problems.” She clearly didn’t want to talk about it more.

“Good.” He paused, then pointed. “You’ve got something on your cheek.”

“Really?” Anna touched her face but couldn’t find anything. Matthew leaned in and brushed it gently away with his hand.

“What the hell are you doing?”

The voice startled them both. Matthew pulled his hand back immediately. Daniel stood just two steps away, glaring.

Anna and Matthew jumped to their feet. Daniel climbed one step closer, stopping directly in front of Anna. Her grip on the tray tightened.

“Matthew. Leave,” Daniel ordered without breaking eye contact with her.

Matthew hesitated, glancing at Anna, then reluctantly went downstairs.

“Excuse me, sir,” Anna said in a trembling voice. “Could you please move? The tea’s already cold…”

Daniel leaned closer, his face only inches from hers. Anna’s knees weakened, her heart pounding.

“You still haven’t kept your promise,” Daniel whispered. “You have to be my model.” His breath was warm against her skin.

Anna swallowed hard. “I’ll only do what Mrs. Morgan tells me to. If you’ll excuse me—” She brushed past his shoulder and rushed down the stairs, her pulse racing.

At the bottom, she found Matthew waiting.

“Anna, are you alright?” he asked quickly.

She forced a smile and hurried past him toward the kitchen.

When she pushed the kitchen door open, Karen, Eve, Lucy, and Laura were all lined up at the marble counter, staring at her.

Anna froze. “Hi… is something wrong?” she asked, setting down the tray.

No answer. Just silence.

Anna’s patience snapped. “Fine. I don’t care what you think about me. People are all the same,” she muttered. She washed the cups quickly, slammed the tray down, and stormed out of the kitchen.

But outside, Matthew was waiting.

“They were watching you earlier,” he said quietly.

Anna frowned. “Seriously? Then they must think the worst! But nothing happened! Daniel just stood in front of me. Why is everyone so dramatic?” she muttered in frustration.

“Daniel?” A cold voice cut through the air.

Anna turned around. Her knees nearly gave out, she gulped nervously. Rebecca stood behind her.

Not her. Not again.

***