Chapter 9 A Necklace
Even after reaching home, Dante couldn’t stop thinking about Anya. She had said she was living with a friend, but hadn’t said where—or with whom. The lack of answers ate at him. The thought of her living with someone else kept him on edge. He wanted her back in his house, in his bed, where he could see her, touch her, keep her close.
As he walked into the house, crossing the hallway, Janet came rushing out of one of the rooms.
“Dante!” she called, stopping when she saw him. “You didn’t see Annie today, but don’t be discouraged. You’ll meet her again soon.”
She smiled warmly and came over, rubbing his arm.
“My son is so talented, handsome, and well-known. With your good reputation and looks, Annie will definitely fall in love with you at first sight.”
“Mom, please,” he said, cutting her off. There was an edge in his voice now. “Stop talking about it.”
He didn’t want Janet to know he’d already made up his mind. Annie was never going to happen. And he knew his mother well—if she found out, she’d only push harder.
So he added calmly, “I need you to stay out of my personal life—and the company’s business. Can you do that?”
Janet’s smile faded. Her expression darkened.
“What do you mean?”
Dante took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, his voice low and controlled.
“I’ve asked Anya to return to work. She was my secretary before, and I need her back in that position. I want you to stay away from her. If you bother her again in any way, I’ll move out of this house just to make sure you stay out of my business.”
His tone was sharp, final. Then he stepped past her and stormed off without looking back.
“Really? You’re going to talk to me like this over some girl?” his mother shouted after him, her voice rising with fury. Her eyes burned with disbelief and anger. “I’m your mother! How do you expect me not to care about you or the business? Do you think you’re running some corner shop? This is a massive empire, Dante. I’ve held this house and company together!”
But Dante didn’t stop. He didn’t even flinch. He headed straight upstairs, disappearing into his room and slamming the door shut, leaving her fuming in silence.
***
Anya stepped into the Carter estate, the soft click of her heels echoing through the grand entrance. She made her way to the backyard, where Charles usually spent most of his time.
Behind the house stretched a vast, beautifully maintained garden, acres of green land and trees swaying gently in the wind. A sunroom with tall glass windows overlooked the entire view—it was the most serene part of the property.
Charles had once told her that her mother had insisted on building that garden before even constructing the house. Now, it was a haven of peace and memory.
Anya stepped into the sunroom and found Charles seated on a plush couch, gazing out at the land with quiet reflection. Across from him sat Luca, deeply engaged in conversation.
Her footsteps caught Charles’s attention. He turned toward her and his face lit up instantly. “My child is back.”
Anya smiled at his words. She was twenty now, but Charles still called her his child every chance he got. And she didn’t mind — not at all. It was as if calling her that made up for all the years he’d missed, for all the times he hadn’t been there to say it before. The love in his voice whenever he said it made her feel at peace.
“Daddy,” she said sweetly and walked over to him, settling down on the couch beside him.
“Sit closer. Come here,” he said, patting the space next to him.
She shifted and snuggled right up next to him. He stroked her hair affectionately, then added, “Luca brought you a gift.”
She turned to Luca with a curious smile. Over the past few weeks, she'd grown used to him. He was a gentleman—respectful, patient, polite, and so genuinely kind that it made her wonder how a man like him stayed so patient and gentle in a world like theirs.
Luca smiled from the single-seater chair next to them.
“I didn’t have time to get you anything when we first met. I was too busy searching for you,” he said with a soft grin. “So, this is a little something I bought for you now. I hope you like it.”
He reached into his coat and pulled out a small blue box. Handing it to her, he watched as she opened it.
Inside was a delicate necklace—gold, with tiny ruby stones encircling a small, flower-shaped pendant. Vines and leaves wrapped elegantly around the chain, giving it a soft, yet intricate beauty.
Her breath hitched.
“It’s stunning,” she whispered, staring at it in awe.
“I remember that your mom loved trees, flowers, all things green,” Luca said gently. “So, I thought this might make you happy.”
“I am happy,” Anya said immediately, her eyes wide with wonder. “It’s so beautiful. Thank you, Luca. I love it.”
Hearing her words made Luca’s face brighten. He reached out his hand. “Let me see if it fits.”
Without hesitation, she turned around, and he stepped behind her, gently fastening the necklace around her neck. Luca then returned to sit on the couch, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.
She stared at the pendant, her fingers brushing over it as a soft smile played on her lips. It felt like wearing a piece of her mother’s soul—calm, green, and filled with love.
Charles smiled as he watched the exchange. He ran his hand affectionately over her hair and then spoke with quiet intent.
“Anya, if you don’t like Dante… Luca’s a good man too,” he said, making her eyes widen in surprise.
“He works with me and manages most of our operations. His father and I built this company together. After his parents passed, I’ve been like family to him. He’s smart, loyal, and kind. If you want… you can give him a chance.”
Anya blinked, flustered. She glanced at Luca, who now looked slightly tense, then back at her father.
“Dad!” she protested gently. “I never said I don’t like Dante. I actually came to tell you something.”
The moment her words fell, Luca shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His fingers tightened, and his posture stiffened.
Charles tilted his head curiously.
“I’m going to start working at Kingsley Corporation from Monday,” she said quietly, her voice steady but firm. “But I need you to promise me something—don’t tell anyone that I’m your daughter. That I’m Annie.”
Charles frowned, a flicker of hurt crossing his face. “Do you think our company is smaller than Dante’s?” he asked, his tone quietly offended. “Anya, my company is bigger than Kingsley’s. If you want to work, I’ll hand it all over to you — today. You can be the CEO. Everything I have belongs to you. Why would you choose to work for someone else?”
“It’s not that,” Anya said quickly, her voice soft but earnest. “Dad, I just graduated a few months ago. I want to learn first—to prove myself, to grow into the kind of person who deserves the position. Once I’ve gained enough experience and confidence, I’ll leave that company and come work for you.”
Charles looked at her in silence for a moment, then sighed. “Alright. If that’s what you want.”
Luca gave her an encouraging look, then turned to Charles. “It’s okay, Uncle Charles. She’s really talented. I’m sure she’ll return soon and take over the company like you want.”
Charles took a deep breath, then gave Anya a small smile. “Alright then. I’ll wait for you to come back and take your place. But—” he paused, his tone turning serious as he looked her in the eye, “I can’t keep the fact that you’re my daughter a secret for long. I’ll have to announce it soon. And if the truth comes out before I do, you’ll have to return immediately and start working at the company.”
“I understand,” Anya said softly. Charles finally relaxed a little, the tension in his shoulders easing.
Luca, however, kept his gaze locked on her. His jaw clenched slightly. He was trying to act calm, to support her decision, but the unease in his eyes betrayed him.
He wanted her at Carter Industries now—not later. The fact that she hadn’t rejected Dante outright left him uneasy.
‘I’ll wait for you,’ Luca thought silently, his gaze dropping from her smile to the necklace on her neck. He took a deep breath—one that didn’t quite reach his heart.
He had waited so long already… and now she was asking him to wait again, for a love that felt just out of reach.
***
“Anya, Mr. Kingsley has asked for you in his office,” a man informed her.
She nodded. She had returned to work for Dante again. And even though she still didn’t trust Janet, she wasn’t going to let that woman control her life. She had already left the Kingsley house—just as Janet wanted. She wouldn’t let the woman dictate anything else.
She picked up the file the man handed her and started walking toward Dante’s office. Her heart pounded with every step. She had only caught a glimpse of him when he arrived that morning, and they hadn’t spoken yet. Now, walking toward him sent an exhilarating shiver down her spine.
Without knocking, she opened the door and stepped inside. Dante looked up immediately, his eyes locking on her.
Her smile bloomed instinctively, and his gaze lingered on that smile the entire time as she approached his desk.
"Here, Mr. Kingsley," she said, handing him the file.
He took the file from her, eyes skimming the contents before lifting to her face—then halting at her neck. At the necklace resting there.
Her neck was delicate. Graceful. The necklace glinted against her skin, making her look even more striking.
‘Maybe I should buy her jewelry too,’ Dante thought darkly, pulse skipping. ‘Something for her ears… her thigh… her waist.’
The thought made his throat tighten. He cleared it quickly, pushing the dirty images out of his mind. He had never lost control like this over any woman. But with Anya, it was different. He felt possessed—helpless in his need for her. Craving her. Reckless. Obsessed.
Her presence overwhelmed his senses, her soft fragrance floated in the air around him, wrapping around his senses. Sweet. Addictive. He couldn’t get enough of it.
His gaze returned to her eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “That necklace looks good on your neck,” he muttered, voice low and rough.
Anya blushed. Her fingers brushed the pendant lightly. “Thanks,” she whispered.
His hand reached out—large, warm, commanding—and took hers with a firm gentleness that made her breath falter. He rose from his chair, stepping into her space until there was nothing left between them but heat.
His hand slid up, tracing the delicate curve of the necklace chain that rested against her skin. His touch was slow, almost featherlight, as his rough thumb rubbed over the pendant, the metal warming instantly under his skin.
A jolt of electricity pulsed through her. Her knees weakened.
His fingers drifted down, gliding over the back of her hand. He turned it over deliberately, like he was unwrapping something precious, then caressed her palm—fingertips circling, lingering, tracing the gentle swell of the ring on her finger.
Her breath hitched. Her knees felt like they might give out at any second.
But Dante wasn’t looking at her face. His gaze was still locked on her neck—intense, hungry, as if the chain resting there had him under a spell.
He leaned in slowly, his breath warm against her throat, his lips barely skimming her skin. Then his tongue flicked beneath her ear—hot, wet, slow—trailing downward in a sinful line toward the necklace. His other hand never let go of hers, grounding her while setting her ablaze.
Her fingers clenched around his, instinctively seeking something to hold on to. Her body trembled from the inside out, heat spiraling through her like liquid fire.
And still, he didn’t speak. He just breathed her in, tasted her skin, like he’d been starving for her and finally, finally had his first bite.
A sudden knock on the door shattered the moment.
Anya instantly jumped back, startled. Dante’s eyes flicked up, confused by the sudden retreat, but she quickly tucked her hair behind her ear and looked away, flustered.
"Mr. Kingsley?" a voice called from outside.
Dante’s jaw tightened, but he raised his voice reluctantly. "Come in."
A girl entered the office, hurrying over to the desk. "Sir, I need your signature." She placed a file down, then her eyes drifted toward Anya, and widened.
“Oh my God, that necklace is gorgeous!” she gushed, eyes wide with envy. “I have one just like it—but mine’s a cheap first copy.” She let out a playful giggle. “This one’s real, isn’t it? I can tell just by looking.” She leaned closer, voice dropping into a teasing whisper. “It must’ve cost hundreds of thousands. Did you buy it yourself, or did your boyfriend get it for you?”
Caught off guard, Anya quickly covered her neck. Then, almost panicking, she pulled the necklace off and slipped it into her pocket.
‘How could Luca give me such an expensive gift?’ she thought in disbelief. ‘I thought it was just a simple gold necklace, maybe a few thousand at most… not hundreds of thousands! And I’ve been wearing it out in the streets like it’s nothing?!’
Dante, who had watched the entire exchange in silence, straightened.
His eyes shifted sharply to Anya. That one word— boyfriend —made him stiffen at once.
“Where did the necklace come from, Anya?” Dante’s voice was calm but firm, eyes sharp and locked on hers. The heat in his gaze made her tense.
“Uh… I-I brought it from my old house,” she stammered.
Dante’s piercing expression softened slightly at her words. He gave a small nod of understanding.
The woman who had been standing beside her quietly left the room, closing the door behind her.
Anya exhaled deeply, relief flooding her chest. She had almost gotten caught—on her very first day back in the office.
“I’ll leave now?” she asked hesitantly and turned to go.
“Wait.”
His deep voice stopped her in her tracks. She turned back slowly, unsure if he was still unconvinced.
“I have a lunch meeting,” he said. “Come with me.”
Anya blinked in surprise, then smiled. “Sure.”
Food, and him. Two things she could never turn down, and enjoy any day.
The thought made her lips twitch in a quiet giggle.
***
They headed to a nearby hotel. Even though it was close, the area was luxurious, and the place was just as high-end.
By the time they arrived, most people were already seated in a meeting room. The table was packed, the atmosphere buzzing with quiet conversation. Anya followed Dante into the meeting room where influential men in suits turned to look at them.
She sat beside him, trying to calm her nerves. But to her surprise, the meeting wasn’t nearly as scary as she expected. Dante was calm and confident as he spoke—completely in control, effortlessly leading the discussion.
Anya kept stealing glances at him.
Even as he addressed the others with his usual cold demeanor, whenever his gaze shifted to her, it would soften. The icy sharpness in his features melted into concern whenever he noticed her glass or plate empty. Without saying a word, he’d reach out and refill it for her, as if it was second nature.
The meeting slowly came to a close, and the mood in the room turned lighter. Laughter echoed. Men began talking casually, drinks clinking.
One of them, an older man with a round face and kind eyes, smiled at Anya.
“Mr. Kingsley’s new secretary is very beautiful,” the man said playfully.
“Thank you, Mr. Hoshi,” Anya replied quickly, cheeks flushing as all eyes turned to her. She shifted uncomfortably under the sudden attention.
He gave her a polite nod with a grin, and then turned to Dante, brows furrowing with curiosity. “Aren’t you and Annie Carter close, now that she’s back?”
Anya froze.
So did Dante.
It was as if someone had dropped ice down their spines.
“What?” Anya whispered.
‘Why would he bring up Annie right now? Does he know that I’m Annie?’ Anya worriedly stared at Hoshi, hand gripping the glass of juice.
“Mr. Hoshi,” Dante’s voice cut in, firm and cold, “who told you Annie and I have any sort of relationship?”
Mr. Hoshi shrugged casually and gestured toward the men at the table. “Your mother, of course. Everyone here knows you’re about to marry Annie. Janet’s so proud. She’s been talking about it nonstop at every party and gathering.”
Dante’s jaw tightened. His grip on the fork turned firm, knuckles going white, and his eyes darkened with anger, even though he tried hard to stay calm.
Still oblivious, Mr. Hoshi chuckled. “I hear Annie’s just as beautiful as her late mother. You must’ve met her by now, right? So, tell us, who’s more beautiful? Annie, or your secretary?”
Dante didn’t even blink. His voice was dry and distant. “I’ve never met Annie. So I wouldn’t know.”
The conversation shifted after that, and Anya breathed a sigh of relief.
Dante was clearly disturbed, but he relaxed again, engaging in small talk as people mingled around the room.
Anya, meanwhile, felt an uncomfortable sensation in her eye. She rubbed it, blinking rapidly—then panicked as she realized one of her lenses had fallen out.
Panicked, she bent down, searching the floor. But with her poor vision, everything beyond a short distance was a blur.
Dante, who was talking to someone nearby, noticed her crouching. His brows drew together, and he quickly excused himself and walked over.