Ana was woken up by the loud buzzing of her phone, the vibrations rattling against the wooden side table and pulling her from the depths of sleep. She groaned softly, her hand fumbling across the sheets until she found the device.
Without checking the screen, she slid to answer. "Hello…?"
"Good afternoon, Ms. Gilbert," Rachel's cheerful voice rang on the other end.
Afternoon?
Ana's eyes flew open. She blinked at the hazy sunlight slipping through the curtains and quickly turned her gaze to the small clock beside her bed.
12:25 PM.
She sat up in a rush, brushing her hair out of her face. "Afternoon…? Wait, it's noon already?"
"Yes, ma'am. I didn't want to call earlier in case you needed the rest." Rachel's tone was gentle, but Ana could hear the restrained amusement behind it. "Any update on the board's decision?" Ana asked, her voice still thick from sleep.
Rachel hesitated for a heartbeat. "Unfortunately, not yet. Half of the board still wants you transferred to China. But President Michael has been pushing back hard. He's giving them all the reasons why you're needed here, especially now that you've secured the FusionX partnership."
A faint smile tugged at Ana's lips. "FusionX… yeah, I guess that turned the tables."
"It did. You're the golden egg now." Rachel's tone softened. "Also, the board approved something else. They've granted you a week off. It's their way of thanking you for securing the partnership."
Ana blinked, sitting up straighter. "A week off?"
"Yes, ma'am. Starting today. You've been pulling long hours and the president insisted you needed the break."
Ana released a slow breath, surprised at the unexpected relief that washed over her. "Thanks, Rachel. Keep your eyes on the board while I'm gone. And make sure Jess stays away from my office. I don't trust her anywhere near my files."
"Already noted, ma'am. Enjoy your break. You deserve it."
Ana smiled softly. "Thank you."
She ended the call and let the phone fall onto the sheets. But as she shifted, the soft brush of the duvet against her skin made her pause. Something felt… off.
Her gaze dropped and her heart nearly stopped.
She was completely naked.
As if on cue, the memories of the previous night surged back Ethan's steady hands, the warmth of his body, the way he had touched her with such quiet intensity. Heat flared in her cheeks, mortification sinking into her bones. She pressed a hand over her eyes.
What in the world…
Shaking her head quickly, Ana jumped out of bed, hurried to the bathroom, and stepped under the shower as though the warm water could wash away the flush clinging stubbornly to her skin.
Even under the steady stream, the memories wouldn't let her go.
The way he had held her. The way he had whispered her name like it mattered.
A week off. She really needed this break to clear her head.
After her shower, she wrapped herself in a towel and slipped into a soft cream sweater and simple shorts, tying her damp hair into a loose bun. She stepped out of the bedroom, the quiet aroma of something warm and inviting pulling her toward the kitchen.
And there he was.
Ethan stood by the stove, his back to her, focused on the pan in front of him. He wore a crisp white long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves neatly rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms. A slim silver chain rested at the base of his neck, peeking through the slight opening of his collar. His hair was slightly tousled, as though he had run his fingers through it one too many times.
The morning light no, afternoon now streamed through the kitchen window, wrapping around him in soft gold.
He looked completely at ease, like this wasn't something new for him. Like he belonged here.
Ana leaned on the doorframe for a moment, quietly watching him, taking in the strange calm that had settled over her. There was something soothing about him like this unrushed, unguarded.
As if sensing her gaze, Ethan turned, his dark eyes meeting hers. A soft smile appeared on his lips, one that didn't need words to fill the silence.
"Good afternoon," he said, his voice gentle.
Ana stepped closer, her arms crossing lightly over her chest. "Good afternoon."
"I made pancakes. I thought you might be hungry."
Her lips curved. "That smells really good. Thank you."
He nodded, returning to the pan, carefully flipping the last pancake before plating it.
Ana settled at the dining table as he brought the food over a neat stack of golden pancakes with a small bowl of fresh strawberries and a jar of honey on the side.
They ate quietly for a moment, the peaceful hum of the kitchen wrapping around them like a soft blanket.
Ethan poured her a glass of orange juice, setting it in front of her. "Did you rest well?"
"Yeah… surprisingly well," she said, lowering her gaze to her plate, her fingers idly tracing the rim. "Actually, I just got off the phone with my secretary."
His brow lifted slightly, waiting.
Ana hesitated for a beat, then said, "The board approved a one-week break for me. Starting today."
His eyes warmed with something like relief. "That's good. You need the rest."
"I didn't expect it. But… I think I'll take it."
He smiled faintly. "Any plans for your time off?"
Ana thought for a moment, then gave a small shrug. "I haven't really thought about it yet. I guess I can finally slow down a little. Maybe read. Maybe just… breathe."
"That sounds like a good plan," Ethan said softly, his gaze lingering on her with quiet affection.
"Would you…" She trailed off, her voice smaller than usual. "Would you like to spend some of it with me?"
Something flickered in his expression, something gentle and steady. "I'd like that very much."
A soft smile spread across her face, and for a moment, the weight of board meetings, deadlines, and corporate battles seemed to fall away.
Here, in this small shared space, with simple pancakes and quiet promises it was enough.
It was more than enough.