Chapter 41

Howard's POV

In the morning, Annie and I walked Lucy to preschool, following our usual path along the maple-lined street. At the entrance, Lucy turned to wave goodbye to us - she's really doing better. I couldn't help but smile at this small yet meaningful change, silently thanking Annie for all she had done to help Lucy come this far.

Just as we were about to turn and leave, a little girl with pigtails approached Lucy, and I held my breath, remembering all the times Lucy had dissolved into panic at such moments. Lucy tensed - I could see it in the slight stiffening of her shoulders - but instead of running away like she used to, she managed a hesitant nod followed by a gentle shake of her head. My heart raced as I watched the interaction unfold, fighting the urge to step in and protect her. Though the exchange was awkward,it was worlds away from the completely withdrawn child of a few months ago who would have been hiding behind my legs by now.

"Do you think she's finally starting to open up?" Annie asked softly beside me.

"We'll see how it goes," I replied, watching Lucy disappear into the building.

"She's been practicing, you know," Annie shared with a gentle smile. "Both last night and this morning. I heard her whispering 'good morning'and thank you' over and over in front of the mirror." "One small step at a time," I nodded, thinking about how far Lucy had come from those early days of silent tears and blank stares. Every tiny gesture forward felt like a victory. The car was already waiting when we walked back. As Annie slid into the backseat beside me, her perfume filled the enclosed space, bringing back memories of that night on the terrace. The night after my heated argument with mother, when Annie had found me there. The warmth of her embrace as she quietly stood with me, understanding without words needed.

The drive to the office was unusually quiet. Usually, we'd discuss Lucy's progress or upcoming projects, but today the silence felt charged with unspoken words. I caught Annie's reflection in the window-she was gazing out at the passing city, a slight blush coloring her cheeks when our eyes briefly met in the glass.

These precious moments alone with Annie had become increasingly rare since hiring a full-time driver. It had seemed like the right decision at the time - making things more convenient for Annie and Lucy. But now,every second we spenat together in this confined space felt electric, charged with unspoken words and stolen glances.

Since that night after my fight with mother, I'd caught Annie looking at me when she thought I wasn't watching, her eyes dark with an intensity that made my breath catch. The way she'd quickly look away, a slight flush coloring her cheeks, only made the attraction more maddening.These moments of connection, however brief, sent my heart racing every time. As we approached the office building, I found myself drowning in possibilities and what-ifs. Perhaps I could suggest lunch today,somewhere private where we could finally address this magnetic pull between us. The tension was becoming unbearable - surely she felt it too? After a morning of back-to-back meetings and endless document reviews,I allowed myself a brief respite. Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, I stretched my stiff shoulders, attempting the exercises Thomas had demonstrated. The morning sun warmed my face as I rotated my neck,trying to release the tension that seemed permanently lodged there these days.

A knock at the door interrupted my impromptu exercise session.

"Come in," I called out automatically, still focused on working out a particularly stubborn knot in my shoulder.

"Documents requiring your signature, Mr. Thomnpson," Susan's voice made me pause mid-stretch. My longtime secretary stood in the doorway,barely concealing her amusement at catching her usually composed boss doing what must have looked like awkward yoga moves.

"Thank you, Susan," I straightened my tie, suddenly struck by a thought."May I ask you something?"

She paused by my desk, documents still in hand. "Yes, Mr. Thompson?"

I hesitated for a moment, then decided to press on. "What's your impression of me? Personally.Be honest."

Susan hesitated, clutching the documents to her chest. Though she'd been my secretary for years, I rarely asked her personal questions.

"It's alright," I assured her, gesturing for her to take a seat. "I value your candid opinion." She placed the documents on my desk and sat down, still looking uncertain. "Well.,. at first glance, you're quite... attractive, sir. The type who could sweep any woman off her feet, if you wanted to." She blushed slightly."Some even assumed you'd be the type to have a different date every night."

I kept my expression neutral, though inwardly I was somewhat surprised by this perception. "I see. Please continue."

"But you're rather... mysterious," she chose her words carefully."We've never seen you with anyone at the office. There are even rumors..." She trailed off, clearly uncomfortable.

My fingers stilled on the pen I'd been holding."Go on."

"Some wonder if you might not be interested in women at all, though," she glanced at me quickly, "they say you look a bit too... rough for that."

I met her gaze steadily, my face betraying nothing of my thoughts."An interesting theory."

"And in the office, you've always been quite serious, almost aloof. Though lately," she added with a slight smile, "you've become more approachable.Like laughing at Jenkins' terrible joke during last week's board meeting -that really surprised everyone."

I set down my pen and leaned back slightly, considering her words. The office gossip was more detailed than I'd anticipated. "Thank you for your honesty,Susan." The rumors weren't entirely unfounded - I had withdrawn significantly from social life. My mind drifted to the past, when I used to date frequently, maintaining a steady stream of social engagements that kept the gossip columns interested. But everything changed after Lucy's parents'accident. The last time I'd been intimate with anyone was that night with Annie... Since meeting her. I'd changed in ways I hadn't even realized. If Susan thought I was charismatic, why had Annie pushed me away? The question nagged at me, refusing to be dismissed.

As the lunch hour approached, I found myself heading toward Annie's studio,rehearsing what I might say to finally break this tension between us. But through the glass walls, I saw Catherine Morgan already there,perched casually on the edge of Annie's desk. The mere sight of her made my jaw clench.

Susan had mentioned Catherine's increasingly frequent visits to Annie's studio lately. Though Annie had dismissed my concerns, insisting there was nothing to worry about, something about Catherine's presence here set my teeth on edge. Perhaps it was the way she carried herself with that calculated grace, or how her eyes always seemed to hold a hint of mockery.

Annie looked up as I entered, her smile warm but slightly nervous.She started to say something, but Catherine smoothly cut in.

"Join me for lunch?" she asked Annie, standing up with that perfect poise that only irritated me further.

"No." The word left my mouth before I could stop it, sharp and decisive.

Annie turned to me, surprise evident in her widened eyes. "Why not?"