She wasn't a fan of flying; the mere thought of it could trigger a mild panic inside her. The cramped quarters, the throngs of people bustling around, the endless announcements echoing through the terminal; in her mind, airports were a necessary evil. Unfortunately, this trip could not be postponed. The purpose of her visit brought a lightness to her heart, softening the sharp edges of her irritation toward flying to New York City in the first place. New York had cemented itself as a second home for her—a vibrant, chaotic world filled with endless possibilities.
She was captivated from the moment she set foot in the city during her first visit, from the eclectic mix of styles in the architecture to the unrelenting hum of life on every corner. Yet, she had never been one to fall into the stereotypical disdain for the city; those complaints about rats the size of cats, cockroaches moving with wild abandon, and the overwhelming scents that clung to you as if they were a second skin repelled her. No, she was enchanted. However, the bittersweet reality was that, Seattle was her true home. While her love for New York was fierce, she had ultimately made the heart-wrenching decision to leave it behind. After all, home is where the heart is, and hers had always belonged to the cozy familiarity of Seattle.
Ana reflected on her time in New York with warmth; she had been fortunate to share a lavish apartment on Madison Avenue with her two closest friends. Many of her college acquaintances outside of the conservation program, which was fully funded, living stipend included, had to scrape by in cramped quarters far from the luxury she enjoyed, and with each tale of those less fortunate, Ana grew more grateful for what she had. Gratefulness tempered by the reality of the American education system's exorbitant costs, especially when attending a university sitting at the epicenter of a bustling metropolis.
"Well, you called it," Luke said, sliding into the seat opposite her, a knowing smirk on his lips. "Someone is poking around in regards to you."
"When you say someone, you mean Grey," Ana noted matter-of-factly, her fingers wrapping around a steaming cup of tea.
"More interesting is that his man is not going through the usual channels," Luke replied, leaning back in his chair with an air of smug satisfaction that made Ana roll her eyes.
"Do we know who his man is?" she asked as Mrs. Stevenson, their cheerful housekeeper, slid breakfast onto the table.
"Thank you, Mrs. S," Ana murmured, her appetite already piqued as she dug into the spread of eggs, sausage, and pancakes.
"Anything for you, Luke?" Mrs. Stevenson asked, wiping her hands on the kitchen towel tucked into her apron. Her affection for both of them was evident in her warm smile.
"I'll have what Ana's got, thanks!" Luke replied eagerly, hunger clear in his eyes. He wasn't one to turn down breakfast, especially when Mrs. Stevenson was at the helm.
"I can make some inquiries, but there's a good chance that word will get back to him... or her. What are you thinking?" Luke continued. He suspected that Grey's man was avoiding the go to channels because they likely knew who Ana's father was.
"Guys like that are usually ex-intelligence, so it's possible he knows who I am or at least suspects," Ana mused with a knowing shrug. "Let's wait a few days and then dig deeper on Grey. A thorough background check."
"Actually, we have one on file already." Luke grinned at her. "Remember? We did that when we were looking into his brother. You know how your dad is."
"Yes, I remember. I also recall it was doctored to death. I don't just want a cursory look; I want to know what he's hiding." She paused thoughtfully, chewing on her lower lip in consideration. "Actually, let's skip that for now. I'll ask Dad directly. I don't want to give anybody a heads-up."
"Okay," Luke murmured, excitement dancing in his eyes as Mrs. Stevenson returned with a heaping plateful of food for him.
"I will be ready to go in an hour," Ana said, finishing her meal.
"I'll be done with this plate in no time," she chuckled playfully, glancing at the clock as she began cleaning her area. Mrs. Stevenson grumbled when she did that, but she couldn't help it. Despite growing up with great wealth, her parents had thought her to be self-sufficient and considerate.
With her apartment now a distant memory, the Conrad Hotel became her temporary sanctuary for the trip back. Thirteen months had passed since she left; if everything went well, she would find herself broadening her professional connections and addressing an old problem.
"Professor Hyde?" she called out, her voice tinged with genuine excitement as she spotted him in the lobby.
"Ana Steele! What a lovely surprise," Jack Hyde replied, his eyes scanning her like a book, unable to mask the desire that brewed within him.
"Please, call me Ana," she said, biting her lip in a way that came far too naturally. The gesture was calculated, teasing, and she was fully aware of the effect it could have, even if she wasn't entirely sure she liked the thought of it.
"Well then, you can call me Jack," he said, stepping closer, invading her personal space. Ana stood tall, refusing to let his height intimidate her. She wasn't about to grant him the satisfaction of feeling inferior to him in any way by looking up at him.
"Work," she stated simply, pivoting quickly, her heels clicking firmly against the polished floor as she strode toward the reception desk. "A colleague from The Met thinks he's come up with a new treatment method. He invited me and a select few to his workshop to trial it and see if it needs refining. Honestly, I can't tell you how elated I am about this opportunity."Ana said with genuine excitement.
"Of course. Having your name attached to a new method of art conservation would be quite the coup de grâce," Jack noted, his voice laced with arrogance as if the honor belonged to him. As Ana faced away from him, Hyde's eyes roamed freely, indulging in the sight of her slightly swaying hips. She had entranced him since she was a student in his class; back then, crossing any moral line would have cost him everything, but the boundaries had shifted. Not that it mattered in the end; he'd still lost his job over one careless and inappropriate comment. She was no longer one of his students, and in his eyes, that was an opening he intended to take full advantage of.
"I've heard you've gone into publishing," Ana suddenly remarked, turning to face him decisively, forcing his attention from her body.
"I am. In fact, I'm moving to your neck of the woods. I've been offered the position of running a new publishing arm of The Wilks Corporation," he proclaimed, his pride and arrogance on display.
"Wow, that's something," she replied, feigning interest. "I had heard about their foray into publishing—buying out several small independent houses. I heard from a friend who worked at one called SIP."
"I initially applied for a position at SIP before this new opportunity came along. Quite the stroke of luck, really. With my resume on SIP's server, I got a job I didn't even know was available." He said with an arrogant smirk.
"What are you doing this evening?" Ana asked, navigating toward the bank of elevators with an air of casual intent. "Are you staying here?"
"Nothing this evening, and yes, I am indeed staying here," he replied, though she knew he wasn't telling the truth.
"Excellent! How about you meet me back in the lobby at nine? I hope you can keep an open mind," she proposed, her tone rife with flirtation and a confidence that bordered on daring. "After all, you are no longer my professor."
"You have no idea," Hyde chuckled, pressing the button for a random floor, his smirk lingering even as the elevator doors began to close.
"Excellent. See you later," Ana called out, her cheerful tone echoing as she waved him off with a sense of buoyancy that filled her up like a bubble.
As he disappeared from view, Ana felt her pulse quicken at the sudden thrill of the encounter. "No, it is you who has no idea." She whispered softly, her smile growing wider with each passing moment. Months of meticulous planning and preparation were finally coming to fruition. Every detail had been carefully crafted, and each element was chosen precisely. She had envisioned this moment countless times, replaying it in her mind, imagining every possible outcome. "Just wait," she murmured, determination lacing her voice. "You have no idea what's about to hit you."