Nathan's POV

As we got out of the elevator and walked towards the IT section I could see Ananya becoming visibly uncomfortable.
I stopped midway and held her hands in mine bringing it closer to my lips. I kissed both her knuckles and looked into her eyes.
"You have nothing to be embarrassed about. If you don't feel comfortable to go with me and get your stuff we can always send someone to get it."
She was still looking at the floor lost in her own thoughts.
"Hey beautiful. Look at me."
Her eyelids slowly moved and her deep grey eyes peeped from underneath and stared into mine.
I pulled her closer to which she did not protest.

"Oh!!! So it was you Nathan. I mean Mr.Swornwell."

The shrieking voice broke our eye contact and took us by surprise.
I let go off Ananya's hands and turned around only to see a grinning Grace standing in a corner.
I took a quick look at Ananya and she had a look of a teenager getting caught in the act by her parent.
I smiled at it. And without taking a look at Grace I wrapped my arm around Ananya's shoulder to comfort her.
"Its ok! Relax."

"Yes Ms.Grace. And I would appreciate if you maintain discretion about this. You are making Ms.Donavan uncomfortable."

Grace was still wearing the grin when she walked towards us.
"Congratulations both of you. You know we had a bet going on in the work bay as to who Ananya's secret lover is. You or Alex. My bet was on you and I won. So I am double happy you know."

I don't know if it was the mention of Alex or the fact that my employees were having a pool and betting on my personal life, that made me angry.
I let go off Ananya who was now staring at me.
I know my face was now fuming with anger. I gave a sharp look at Grace who was for some reason still smiling broadly.
"Trust me when I say Ms.Grace that this is the most polite way I am using to convey my displeasure. I will not tolerate another word about my personal life on the workfloor again. And Ms.Donavan being special to me makes her part of my personal life too. In no way would i tolerate anyone embarrassing her in public. Hope I have made that clear."

Grace looked stunned for a moment and then gathered herself.
"Yes Sir. I will keep that in mind."

"Now help me Ms.Grace to get Ms. Donavan's stuff from her desk. Will you?"
Grace just nodded back.
I looked at Ananya who was tensed now.
"Ana.. please go down and wait for me near the reception. I will call the driver and inform him. We will leave as soon as I collect your stuff."
She shook her head like an obedient child and left.

*******************
Ananya's POV
I saw the look on Nathan's face when he heard Alex's name.
Throughout my way downstairs, i kept thinking about what had happened.
Does Nathan still think that I am hiding my feelings for Alex from him?
I love Alex. But I have loved him as a friend. He is my best friend who ofcourse is not speaking to me anymore. I need to meet him and sort things out with him.

I never realised he had feelings for me. He never mentioned anything. Or was I too blinded by my past that I did not once see where my friendship was leading him on.
I reached the ground floor reception area and sat on the couch next to it.
I closed my eyes in exasperation.
I miss you Alex. For no fault of mine you are punishing me. Talk to me once. I really need you by my side. I want to be there for you as you have stood by me in my toughest time.

"Hey princess. Are you ok?"
Nathan's words broke my trance.
Tears rolled down my eyes when I opened my eyes.
"Hey. Why are you crying? I am sorry. I know the little theatrical display of my affection this morning put you in an awkward position in front of your colleagues. I promise I will not do anything to make you uncomfortable again. Now relax baby. Lets go get some lunch. I am starving."

He wiped my tears with his handkerchief. I decided not to tell him anything about Alex and that night, yet. As it is he doesnt like Alex and he wouldn't understand why Alex did what he did.

I quickly controlled my outburst of feelings and gave him a smile.
"Sure."
I could see people staring at us. Why wouldn't they? The CEO of their company was kneeling down in front of a crying girl, wiping away her tears.
Nathan held my hand in his and still carrying my purse in his other hand directed me towards the exit.

To my surprise I didn't mind doing that.
We sat in his limo and drove off.

He kept smirking at me throughout the drive towards the restaurant. And I felt so shy I couldn't look him in the eye. His presence was making my cheeks go red and his constant staring without speaking a word made my heart race.

I could still feel his lips on mine and the reminiscence of his touch made me shiver with an unknown pleasure.

Why was I letting him have this effect on me? What if he broke my heart?

I heard the click of the door handle and Nathan stood there holding the door open for me.
"Let your bag be here."
He held out his hand which I quickly grabbed on to and hopped out of the car.

"Nathan, I am not dressed appropriately for this place. Look at those girls. Lets not go in. I am anyways not fond of such high priced food."

Nathan was smiling.
"You look beautiful. Don't worry. And just this time. Lets have lunch here. From next time you pick the place. I promise the food here is going to be awesome."
I was still not sure. Something did not feel right.
The hotel lobby was oozing of class and luxury. I kept looking around at the interior in awe while the people around were shooting quizzical gazes at me as I accompanied this handsome CEO.

I was looking like his secretary.
"This way Mr. Swornwell." the hotel manager escorted us.

It was a dimly lit restaurant, one of the many restaurants this lavish hotel had.
I walked swiftly behind Nathan and grabbed onto his arm.
" I feel awkward to be here Nathan. Look everybody is staring at me. Ofcourse its not my office girl look but its just that I m guessing they think I shouldn't be here with you. It's more of 'you deserve better' kinda looks they are giving you "

"Oh please stop will you?"
Nathan stopped midway and faced me. His face was now too close to mine and I know he realised what that was doing to me. I looked away trying to avoid his gaze.
"Look at me. You are the most beautiful girl in the room. These girls who are staring at you are not questioning you being with me. They are just jealous. I tend to have that effect on women you know."
He laughed and then placed his hand around my waist sending goosebumps in my body.
"Relax and enjoy. I am sure you will love the desserts here. They are my favourite."

The manager escorted us to our table which was in the far corner. We almost had to walk across the entire restaurant to reach it. The table was in a corner where in place of walls it had glass aquarium with fishes of different colours swimming freely.
It suddenly brightened my mood and seeing the fishes swim I could only smile.

"I knew you'd love it. And so I insisted to come here."

During the rest of the lunch all I did was follow the fishes with my gaze, moving here and there in their tanks.
We spoke about so many of our likes and dislikes.
Believe it or not, Nathan fed me my remaining pasta when i was too busy chasing fishes.
We had a lot of fun, but occasionally I felt like being watched by someone. I brushed the thought off assuming it would be one of those girls smitten by Nathan's looks giving me an angry stare.

*************
Alex's POV

It hurts. It hurts bad to see her with someone else.
She is enjoying herself so much as if I never existed. I guess i never mattered to her.
I couldn't gather enough courage to face her after what I did that evening. I was a douchè. I know it was inappropriate.
While Chasing shadows I lost a friend.

"Bro, I guess that pig knew you were here. Look how he is teasing you. That dirty smirk on his face says it all." John spat rage while we were sitting in the far end of the restaurant and watching Ananya with Nathan.
John my cousin is the first born to my Uncle Ben. He is the heir to my Uncle's chain of grand hotels across the world. He was almost 35 now but still a hottie amongst all age groups, a desirable bachelor.
"Let it be John. Let them be. She loves him. I guess she was never meant to be with me." I gulped down the last few sips of my whiskey.

"Dude he did this on purpose to show you. I am sure of this. Why would he bring Ananya here when he knew this restaurant belongs to me?"

"Lets not overthink it. I don't wish to come in her way. She is free to be with anyone she wants. Not that we had any commitments. You are my brother. I am sure you'd be worried about me. But trust me, I am ready to move on I guess."

"You are faking it all Alex. Anyways, if you are ok, lets leave. My mom is throwing you a surprise party to celebrate your decision to finally join office. You didn't hear that from me, so act surprised .. ok? So don't drown yourself in alcohol and be presentable. We have until evening. Lets go and pick up Lizzie. She said she has some plans."

I took one last look at Ananya and with the remaining pieces of my heart left the hotel.

********************************

Nathan's POV
I was not lying when I told Ananya she was the most beautiful girl there.
But after everything I couldn't forget what she has done to me.

We left the hotel after Ananya was fully content playing with the fishes. I wont be lying if I say I completely enjoyed that.

I have always wanted a pure hearted girl for me. Someone who wouldn't be interested in my money.
Someone who still had a child inside her for me to pamper.
And I thought Ananya would be the perfect girl.

Just after lunch I asked her to accompany me to a movie or something of her choice. But she seemed a little disturbed.

May be because she saw him at the restaurant.
But everything happened as and when I wanted it to happen.

She asked for the rest of the day off and left. She did not even let me drop her off.
'You don't need to chauffeur me around to win my heart Nathan. I loved our lunch together today. Trust me I would be smiling for a week with just the thought of it. I will take the bus and leave. You should head back to office.'

She said this and left off. She hopped onto a bus but as far as I know, that bus went in the opposite direction to where her house was.

I asked my driver to discretely follow her. I think I could guess where she was heading.

I was right all along. The Ananya I fell in love with was just a pretentious little player who was now playing around with 2 billionaires, one in each of her hands.
Has she planned this from start? Did she know who I was when I joined her team as Nathan and not the CEO?

It was fairly easy to convince her to give me another chance, wasn't it?
I loved you Ananya and you chose to stomp on my heart and break it.
You were so engrossed in your petty game that just after you kissed me you went ahead and kissed that secret boyfriend of yours in my office right under my nose.
Yes, I saw them kissing that night. I followed Ananya to win her back but her passionate love show broke me completely.
I will not let you win at your little game.
I will destroy you and your dreams Ms.Donavan. i will beat you at your own game.
You broke my trust.

My thoughts were interrupted when my driver Mr.Miller informed me through the intercom.
"Sir, Ms.Donavan I suppose has reached her destination and is entering the mansion on our right."

I slid my window open as the car passed the Mansion.
The board clearly read 'Lextur Residence'.

I clenched my fist struggling for control.

I was right. She is playing me.
"I will never forgive you."