chapter 05

Anna's POV

"This is nuts, Faith," I muttered, sliding into a corner booth at Bean There, a cozy coffee shop across from Next Robotics' headquarters. "Spying on my maybe-future workplace?"

"Not spying," Faith corrected, swirling her caramel macchiato. "Strategic recon. Besides, after yesterday's chat, you barely slept. Isn't this exactly what you need?"

She had a point. After our talk, Faith's "genius" idea—scoping out Next Robotics' turf—felt like the only thing that might unknot my jangled nerves.

"First time here?" A cheerful barista with red hair and a nose ring swung by with my overdue latte.

"That obvious?" I cracked a smile.

She grinned wide. "I'm Jenny. Most Next Robotics folks are regulars."

"Perfect!" Faith perked up, practically bouncing. "We'd love some dirt on the place—especially Adrian Salvatore?"

I kicked her under the table, but Jenny's eyes lit up brighter than the espresso machine.

"Mr. Salvatore? Oh, where do I start?" She dragged a chair over, clearly jazzed for gossip. "He's like he stepped out of a magazine—tall, dark hair, those deep blue eyes…"

"Blue eyes?" Faith shot me a loaded look.

"And that jawline!" Jenny gushed on. "Every time he walks by, work stops dead. But he's not just a pretty face. Last month, one of our baristas, Tim, got sick—Salvatore covered everything. Top doctors, bills paid."

"Sounds too good to be true," I said under my breath.

"Oh, he's strict," Jenny hushed her voice, leaning in. "Three months, nine assistants! Half quit from the workload, the other half…" She glanced around. "Thought sleeping with the boss was a fast track up."

I nearly choked on my latte. Faith bit back a laugh.

"But he never…" Jenny went on. "Anyway, he's all business. Like a robot sometimes."

Faith's phone buzzed sharp. "Sorry, hospital calling—I've gotta run." She gave me an apologetic look. "You good solo?"

"Go. I'll hang here a bit." I waved her off.

Stepping out of the shop, I decided to walk the block, let the breeze untangle my head. At the corner, I slammed into a "wall"—a bespoke charcoal suit wall. That familiar cologne wrapped around me like a trap.

"Anna." His low voice sent a shiver up my spine. I looked up slow, meeting those piercing eyes. Him.

Adrian from that night. He shouldn't be here, and I shouldn't care. But damn, he looked better than I remembered—perfect stubble sharpening that sexy-dangerous edge.

"Didn't we agree to never cross paths?" he teased, a tired rasp in his tone. "Fate loves picking me when I'm beat."

"Technically, you ran into me," I said, steadying my voice.

He stepped closer, heat radiating from under his suit. His gaze pinned me. "Seems it's got its own plans."

I clocked the fatigue on him—something off in his pallor. "You okay? You look…"

"Just work," he brushed it off, but his eyes flickered. "Been extra rough lately."

He rubbed his temple mid-sentence, a wince crossing his face. That pale shade tugged at a memory from that night—same look, same vibe.

"You should get that checked," I blurted.

He blinked at my concern, a faint smile curling his lips. "What, worried about me?"

"Anyone would be, seeing you like this." I kept my tone even.

His phone cut in, shrill. He glanced at the screen, brow creasing. "Sorry, work call."

Watching him walk off, a strange unease coiled in my gut. That night's details were blurry, and his state nudged something restless in me. I'd check myself too.

Back home, I hunted for nearby clinics online. Next day, I was at the hospital. The doctor listened close, then pushed for a full checkup and preventive meds.

"I'm prescribing Bictegravir," she said. "One of the best out there. Might get mild side effects, but for safety, take it a month."

Staring at the pills, I let out a heavy sigh. This was the smart move.

As I stepped out, Faith called.

"Anna, decided yet? That job's made for you."

I gazed out the window, lost in thought. Then Mom's call broke in—landlord hiking the rent.

Today was too much: running into Adrian, the health check, rent woes. Maybe it was time for a shift.

"Faith," I dialed back, "I'm taking the job."

"YES!" she squealed. "Knew you'd make the right call!"

Monday rolled in, crisp and bright. I left before sunrise, padding extra commute time. After an hour of stop-and-go traffic and train swaps, I hit Next Robotics Tower—a glass-and-metal monument stabbing the sky.

In the lobby, a guy in a flawless suit strode up. "Anna Rose? I'm Charles, COO. Let's start your onboarding."

The next hour blurred by. Charles toured me through the building, each floor a showcase of Next Robotics' chops. First: admin, HR, marketing, showroom. Second and third: R&D. Fourth: finance, procurement, legal. Fifth held the executive suite, overlooking Silicon Valley.

"About Adrian," Charles said in the elevator, "he's brilliant—a real visionary, carving his mark. You'll handle his schedule, meals, keep his life on rails."

At the grand double doors, he tacked on, "One more duty—you'll oversee Mr. Salvatore's breakfast at his place."

I blinked. "Oversee breakfast?"

"He forgets to eat when he's working. You'll make sure he stays fueled." Charles checked his tablet. "7 a.m. daily at his Pacific Heights residence."

My stomach sank. Mission District to Pacific Heights to Silicon Valley—I'd be up by 6 a.m. every day.

"That's…" I faltered, "a hell of a commute."

Charles nodded, sympathetic. "It's tough, no doubt. Some tried moving closer, but the rents…" He shrugged. "Pay reflects it."

I squared my shoulders. I could hack early mornings and long hauls. I'd watched Mom build her restaurant from scratch, pulling sixteen-hour days.

The suite doors slid open silent. Morning sun spilled through floor-to-ceiling windows, lighting a minimalist space packed with holograms. A tall figure stood there, back to us, studying a projection.

"Mr. Salvatore," Charles said, "this is Anna Rose, your new executive assistant."

He turned.

Those sharp blue eyes hit me, and my carefully built world crumbled. A flash of recognition crossed his face—gone fast, but enough to confirm what I'd already clocked.

Of all the companies in this city, all the CEOs…