HIS

Chapter Six

Anna's PoV

The guests started pouring in one by one.

I knew most faces, some I didn't. I obediently stick by Tara and Ruth in the beginning, but then some guests started recognising me as well, and I, morally wanting to complete my duty to the company, stepped ahead and met everyone, the normal greetings and things.

I could see my boss doing the same.

It was thirty minutes later when I was talking to someone who just arrived, when I felt Zach's fingers slightly trace my back as he walked towards me talking to someone else, almost making me flinch.

I had not realised when majority of my hair fell before my shoulders, leaving much of my back exposed, and although his fingers barely even touched my skin, the feeling of his cold skin against mine was enough to rise butterflies in my stomach.

"Ms. Collins," he teased in a deliberately husky whisper dangerously close to my ear, his breath falling on the skin of my neck and I could swear there were goosebumps on my hands , "I'd like you to meet my mother."

That came as another shock as I instantly let go of the previous feelings and looked at the lady in front of me. She was as tall as me, and had worn a dark blue gown as well, alone with a diamond studded necklace. She had blonde hair in a low updo , a gorgeous smile on her face. She was much older than me, yet did pretty good for her age. You could say Zach got a fair share of his features from his mother.

"So you're the famous Anna Collins?" She says, forwarding a hand to me.

I took her hand, not knowing what to say. "I–," I stutter, almost star struck. Did I forget to say? His mother was also a very famous wedding gown designer. "It's nice meeting you, Mrs. Davis," I finally bring it out.

"Oh, call me Raina! Besides, it's been years since I divorced his father," She laughed.

"Mom," Zach cleared his threat uneasily.

"Sorry," she immediately said, "So Anna, you're my son's date?"

I steal a quick glance at Zach. "That would be me, yes."

"I'm really surprised he has such a gorgeous girlfriend," she smiles generously, more like excitedly, but the words in her sentence vanish my smile.

I instantly look at Zach, hoping he'd clear it out, but he's only opened his mouth and shut it again, trying to find the right words.

"I'm his personal assistant," I say, as softly we I could.

"Oh yes I know that," his mother, Raina, replied, "But aren't you also his girlfriend?"

"I–," I only begin but was cut off by Zach himself.

"She is my girlfriend, yes," he interrupts. My eyes widen as I look at him, and he goes on, "She's been my personal assistant for two years now, and I've just asked her to be my girlfriend. You're probably making her uncomfortable mom."

"Shush," his mother scolded him, "I ought to know the girl who's handled you for two years and had the courage to be your girlfriend after that."

She turned back at me, but my eyes were fixed just at my boss. He gave me a pleading look. I helplessly sighed to myself, before turning back to his mother.

"So, Anna, what exactly do you like about my son?" She turned towards me.

I almost choked on nothing but air. "I....," I was tensed, but then let my shoulders fall. I was a terrible liar, and even worse actor. I had to make this believable. For Zach. And for whatever reason I had to pretend to be his girlfriend.

I pull a smile on my face. "I think it was a long time before which I got to know the real him," I tell her genuinely, "At first he was always really distant, but then he came around and accepted me as a part of his world. Despite what he showed at office, I'd like to say he's one of the kindest, most honest, and sweet person I've known."

A smile spreads over his mother's face. She looked towards her son with a smug smile, and raised eyebrows. "I'm so happy you've ditched those models for a girl who gets who you really are. You should bring her home some day. Anna, if he forgets, please give me your number later, would you? I'd lobe to catch up over lunch. You should come over some day, whenever this boss of yours gives you a free day."

"Sure, ma'am," I say dubiously.

"Raina," she corrects firmly.

"Raina." I nod.

"Now can we go, mum?" Zach turns towards his mother, "There's a lot of people you still have to meet. You've embarrassed her enough."

Raina rolls her eyes, but let's her son drag her away. I release the breath I didn't even know I was holding. 

I feel someone tapping my shoulders, and I turn behind to see Tara.

"Meeting someone's mother, hmm?" She looks at me playfully.

"I–" I scoff, not knowing what to say.

"Yeah, yeah," she teased, "You and your excuses. Let's discuss them over drinks."

"I really shouldn't," I say, but she rolls her eyes, and drags me to the bar anyway. 

"Shots, please!" She instructs the bartender and I look at her pleadingly.

"Me and drink isn't a good idea, trust me!" I tell her.

She looks at me in disbelief. "When was the last time you got drunk, Anna?"

"Probably when I was reckless teenager," I glare at her.

"You need to let go," she looks at me pointedly. I just stare at her. "No, seriously, Anna. Let go. Live your life. Have fun. And when you have a crush on someone, even if that is your boss, accept it to your friends atleast!"

My eyes widen.

She smirks, taking the shots from the bartender, and passed me one.

"You really thought I wouldn't notice?" Her smile just widens. I take no effort in correcting her, or defying my feelings. I just take the shot she had passed me, and look at her gulp it.

"Come on," she pleads. I sigh. Just this one night.

And then, I drink it. A burning sensation evades my throat, and I realise I had almost forgotten what these sharp vodka shots actually feel like.

"Another?" She smirks.

I squeeze my eyes for a brief moment, letting myself grin. "Another."

About three more shots later, I told her to finally stop. We diluted the shots by the end, so I wouldn't end up feeling very drunk. But still, I felt heavy. Drinking after a long time could have that effect on you.

"I'm going to go out," I tell Tara, "I need some fresh air."

The music was blasting behind us. She leans closer to shout over the music, "Should I come along?"

I nod negatively. "You stay."

"Okay!" She shouts in the air, raising another shot. I give her a final smile before getting up, and walking outside.

I had honestly forgotten how being tipsy and lighthearted felt like. But also, after such a long time, it felt good to be able to 'let go', to be careless. I really did need to party more often.

Lucky for me, there was a balcony attached to the first floor room of Zach's house where the party was. It was mostly meant for people to go outside and smoke, but it was empty when I walked out.

I stood by the railings, leaning ahead, taking deep breaths of the fresh air and staring at the night sky. The night was cloudy, and there was slight thunder, making it a possibility to rain. I loved looking at the sky, especially the stars. Although there were not many stars tonight, thanks to the dense layer of thick clouds, the picturesque didn't disappoint. It was beautiful in its own way.

"Miss Collins?" I hear a very familiar person's voice behind me, almost freezing me in my place. He was close behind my back, and I realise how my hair were all in front, leaving my back absolutely unguarded. He was standing close behind me, close enough for me to almost feel his breath tickle down the skin of my shoulder and back. 

And then, I flinched, turning around to face him. He was only a feet away, and his eyes were amused, despite there being the ghost of a smile on his face.

"Sir," I reply.

"Having fun at the party with Tara, I saw?" He raised his eyebrows.

I shrug, smiling sheepishly.

"I would have to apologise," he says. I look up in confusion. "For my mother," he adds.

"Oh," I say in realisation. "That's okay... I guess," I add, "Just, why did you not tell her the truth?"

"It's a long story," he says quietly.

"I have time," I insist.

A smile spreads over his lips. "The night is long, isn't it?"

"I guess," I say, quiveringly as I realised he took a step closer. I take a step backward almost in reflex, leaning on the railings. His hands find their way on either side on the railings too, one on either side of me, entrapping me in between.

"Thank you," he whispered. This was the closest I have been to him in a very long time. My hands involuntarily find my way to his chest, having no space in between.

He leans in half way down, and I almost shut my eyes. I could almost feel out breaths mingling, with his face being only inches apart from mine.

I lost all sense of right and wrong in that moment.

I was only tipsy, but I could smell the strong scent of alcohol from him as well. Oddly enough, he still his breath still smelled like apple and mint, in a very intoxicating way.

"Zach!" Someone called him from behind.

I flinched again, being dragged to reality, as I snap my eyes open. He, on the other hand, was unfazed. A smile takes over his lips, reaching his eyes.

"I guess I'll have to see you around then, Miss. Collins." He promises, before turning behind and leaving to attend whoever just called him.

I stay numb. Even long after he left, his cologne's scent lingered. He hadn't even touched me, but I felt dazed by him. Long after he left, I just kept thinking about him, and the moment we just shared. We almost kissed.

Holy s**t. I almost kissed him. More like, he almost kissed me. Zach Davis. The rockstar. The human Greek God. I almost kissed Zach Davis.

Taking a grip on my emotions a few minutes later, I walked back inside.

My eyes scanned through the crowd for a familiar face, and I saw Zach's band playing. Coincidentally, they were just done. I had been lost in my thoughts for too long, maybe longer than I thought.

The DJ switched the music back to the songs he was playing.

"Hello," I hear a voice next to me.

I look to my left to a recognisable, yet unfamiliar face. He was Daniel. The owner and CEO of St. George, Ivory Star's biggest competitor. The company who's receptionist is Fai, whom Zach pretended to be while offering me a job yesterday.

"Hi," I say, nervously. This was so unexpected, that it almost knocked the breath out of me. I hate this thing about me, my head almost stops functioning when I'm nervous. Or when a hot boy approaches me. In this cases both.

His blue eyes shone under the dim light. He was much taller to me, had black hair and dark, tanned skin, reminding me of Sam in a way.

"I'm Daniel," he introduced himself, forwarding his hand.

"I know you," I say, almost immediately regretting for how creep that sounded. I try to make my hands not tremble as I keep my hand in his. "I'm Anna."

He chuckled, taking my hand to softly kiss it. "I know you too."

I smile nervously. He goes on, "Would you like a dance?"

"I–," I look around, as if hoping someone would jump in and save me. And then I realise, who even probably could? I try searching for excuses, but like I said, my mind suddenly becomes dysfunctional when I'm nervous.

Having no other option, I nod, trying to keep the smile on my lips as he leads me to the centre of the dancing floor. Much to me luck, there were other people on the floor, and I wouldn't be embarrassed to be the only one dancing. Me and dancing was not a very good idea anyway. 

His hands were delicately places on my waist, and his gaze was intense, making me uncomfortable when I realised I had to hold him back too. I let my hands on his arms, instead of his neck, and look everywhere except at him.

The song was slow, and I cursed the DJ for not changing it anyway.

"I don't think me and dance is a very good idea," I tell him nervously. It was true. I liked dancing, but I was very clumsy most times.

"I think you're doing just okay," he replies back, in a huskiness that's makes me shiver. Yeah, I was fine because what we were doing was just swaying around here and there.

As if just on queue, I felt a hand tightly grip my worst which was on his hand. I immediately pulled away from Daniel, relieved to see my boss, also my date for the night, hovering over.

"That's my date," he looks at Daniel, "You wouldn't mind if I steal her, right?"

"Not at all," Daniel smiles, playfully hitting his shoulder, before leaving. I breathe in relief.

"Dance?" Zach turns to me.

"I–," I say, almost going to refuse him, when something about his face stops me midway. I nod.

He smiles, asking me for my hand. One of my hand remains in his, the other of his hand around me waist, and I couldn't help but notice how my other hand felt comfortable around his neck.

"I'm not much of a dancer," I tell him. He gives me a look of disbelief, twirling me around with a force that I had no control over myself, and pulling me close. Dangerously close.

I was leaning onto him, both his hands around my waist, holding me that close, and both my hands around his neck. 

"Turns out, I can make you dance," he whispers in my ear, before moving along, and making me move with him. I laugh, holding onto him tighter, and following his lead, as he twirls me and holds me and then sways me again.

"See," he says, and we were just swaying slowly now, in our own place. Our faces were inches apart yet again, our foreheads almost touching, even though he was taller than me. He looked down at me, and I, up at him.

Our noses slightly brushed together, passing shivers down my spine.

"I...." He begins, but stops when we realise everyone else had almost stopped dancing.

We moved apart from each other, me being slightly flushed about forgetting where we are, admist so many people, and him, still being unaffected by having so many eyes on us.

He looks at me again, to give me a quick smile and a wink. I return the smile. He reaches out for my hand again, but then stops.

The song had ended.

----

"Come on Anna!"

"Anna!!"

"Anna!!"

I sighed, before giving a helpless smile and gulped the shot. 

Ladies and gentlemen, this strong shot thereby took me from tipsy to drunk.

Now, the thing is, I wasn't the kind of girl who has just studied all through her college and university life. I had attended my fair share of parties, made my fair share of mistakes.... but the one thing I hadn't, and couldn't do, was getting drunk.

I had been 'drunk' only one day of my entire life, did some crazy things that night with no control on myself whatsoever, and woke up with no memory of the previous night. Not to forget, a killing hangover, terrible headache and even a bad stomach by evening.

That was the day I decided to never drink again.

And this, right now, was the closest I've come to ever being drunk again.

I'd call this the things we gotta do under peer pressure, but this wasn't peer pressure exactly. I didn't know a whole lot out of the people who forced me to drink, except Tara and Justin.

Tara and Justin, both were ironically Zach'a bestfriends, but it hadn't taken the duo long to make me one of them.

Ruth had always been a little distant, but I believe she was coming around too.

Which meant everyone except Zach. My boss.

The only thought of Zach made me dizzy. He was tall and handsome, but what I loved the most about him were his hazel eyes and the jawbone, which was probably designed to kill.

Under normal circumstances, I kept these thoughts hidden, but I was afraid that wasn't happening tonight.

I was his date to this party, which is the most acknowledgment I have ever got from him in the past two years that I was working under him.

'A strictly professional party', that is how he had described this to be, but it seemed opposite so. It was a little formal at first, but now... people were dancing and drinking and having fun, and everyone was so friendly, everyone except my arrogant boss.

He'd probably be in some corner flirting with some girl.

Here's the thing about Zach Davis: he's a ruthless billionaire, and having all that money at a young age, he's also a big-time playboy. Playboy isn't even the right word to describe him. It's safe to say he's always had his own ways with girls.

I was firm as hell that I wouldn't fall for this man.

Not a man who changes his women, or mistresses if you'd call them, faster than seasons change.

And yet, I couldn't help bending in front of his looks.

Maybe it was that he was always so strictly professional with me, and never dared to cross a line against all rumours I'd heard about him that first attracted me to him.

And like a moth attracted to candlelight, I kept moving closer, and yet never felt the warmth.

My mind was a tangle of his thoughts, and my feet couldn't help but carry him around in search of him.

Just when I was about to give up, I heard a husky whisper belonging to someone very familiar.

"Miss. Collins?" 

I immediately turned, to the sight most welcomed to my eyes. 

"I'd like to be called Anna for the night, please," I gently whispered, asking him again.

I could see amusement flicker in his eyes but being the good actor he is, he hid it immediately. Looking at him, I couldn't help but remember how closely we were dancing just a little while ago, and the way we almost kissed. Twice.

"Are you finding somebody?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.

"I was just... bored," I say, and then almost bite my tongue. It was the alcohol. I swear it was the alcohol.

"Does my party not entertain you?" He asks, a half smile on his lips.

"I'm afraid not," my voice was low and unintentionally husky.

He takes a deep breath, a small smile on his lips as he takes a step closer towards me, leaving very little distance. I didn't know if it was reality or the alcohol on my veins playing tricks on me, but I felt his hand on my skin, making me contemplate if wearing a backless gown was a good idea or now.

As his hand settled on my lower back, pulling me slightly closer, I knew that the idea was good. Definitely a good idea.

"Perhaps I could entertain you better?" He said, his eyes twinkling in a way I couldn't fathom.

They seemed darker than usual and the intensity of his gaze made me feel butterflies in my stomach. I was confident I had goosebumps, and I prayed to God he wouldn't notice.

"I think I'd quite like that, yes," I answered before I could give the idea a second thought and his smirk just widened.

The next few minutes were an absolute blur, but I could roughly make out his hand slipping through mine as he confidently walked us from the crowd, towards his personal lift.

Who even has a lift in a house?

Apparently, my boss and the man I was so heavily attracted to, Zach Davis, did.

The second the lift door closed, I felt myself being pinned harshly to the back wall, my hands pinned to the sides and him hovering over me.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" He whispered, and I could feel his warm breath fanning my face.

It was probably the alcohol that took over me as I pushed him away.

He, who had clearly not anticipated that, was taken aback but his shock was even higher when I wrapped my hands around his neck and kissed him.

I kissed him.

I shamelessly kissed the man of my dreams.

I could almost feel his smirk as he kissed me back with an intensity I had never felt more, his nails digging into the skin of my back and I let him take complete dominance until the door of the lift opened and we entered his room, breathless, yet not taking the hands off each other.

He pinned me again, his lips hungrily kissing my neck as I let my hands roam over his hair, clutching them tight– something I had only ever dreamed of.

"You're drunk," he murmured breathless.

"As are you," I agreed, taking deep breaths as well. I could almost taste the whiskey off his lips, and he still tasted good.

His hands clutched the zip of my dress.

"You know there's no going back from here?" He said.

"That's how I'd like it," A small smile spread over my lips as I felt my dress being unzipped and in one smooth move, the gorgeous piece of red satin fell to my feet.

I was naked and exposed, but instead of making me feel vulnerable, I felt confident when his eyes scanned my body and he bit his lower lip.

When his eyes looked back into mine, I could see a lot of other emotions in them, but mostly only two.

Lust and desire.