CHAPTER 5

Sebastian found himself banging hard on Ana's door and when she finally opened the door, she was covered in soot

The moment she saw him she froze on the spot, as she couldn't help but look at his perfectly chiseled body

She almost burst into tears 'oh God why me, why must it be today of all days,I just wanted to impress him urghh' she said inwardly

Sebastian looked at her from head to toe and asked "were you cooking?"

While she tried her best to stop herself from drooling at the sight of him and the way he looked

Before she could answer him, Sebastian rushed in to her house looking for the source of the fire

Her kitchen

"no boss please don't go in there" Ana cried out after him

When Sebastian. got to the kitchen, he stared at Ana then at the kitchen. Back at Ana then back at the kitchen, whatever she was trying to fry in the pan looked horrible

"If you can't cook, you can always order" Sebastian calmly said looking at her unfazed

Anastasia couldn't breathe, aside from the less choking burning smell as she had opened all the windows in her house, his words literally suffocated her it felt as though he said 'if you can't cook, don'tbother just order'

She had been fantasizing about how beautifully romantic their dinner date would turn out while she was dishing out the jollof rice and chicken that she had totally forgotten to remove the plantain out of the frying pan until she slowly started to smell the suffocating smoke

Ana's shoulder slumped "you're right boss, I was caught up in my thoughts while preparing dinner for you that I forgot to turn down the gas when I was done frying"

"Making dinner for me?" Sebastian asked

"Uhm yes Boss. It was my little way of welcoming you as my neighbor and also a way of apologizing to you for referring to you as a mute person earlier" Ana lamented

Sebastian raised his eyebrows "is that so?"

Anastasia nodded hard and he looked at her intrigued at her strange gesture

"Go clean yourself up, while I'll go wear something" He finally said

Anastasia Smiled "of cause Boss, I'm sure it must be quite a torture for your eyes seeing me look this way"

' Me? Being tortured? How?'

Sebastian swiftly turned around and left for his house

When he was done dressing up he went back to Anastasia's house for dinner

As he arrived at Ana'shouse fordinner, he couldn't help but marvel inwardly at how delicious the food looked and tasted

For starters, the rice tasted so rich and spicy having the right blend of spices and tomatoes although it was a bit spicy but it tasted so sweet that he couldn't help but ask for more, the chicken was tasty and chewy.This was indeed a wholesome homemade dish.

Staring at Sebastian's emotionless face as he continued eating his meal, Ana couldn't help but feel nervous, and quickly lost her appetite and drank only the orange juice in front of her

When the dinner was over, Sebastian thanked Ana for the meal and was about to leave when Ana said

"Boss, I have some ice cream in the fridge, if you aren't too busy and in a hurry we could have dessert"

Sebastian thought for a moment "okay"

He sat down on a fluffy couch in the living room and waited forAnastasia to bring the desert from the kitchen, since he was bored and had nothing to do he reached for her photo album on the center table and casually looked through untilhe saw a picture of Anastasia with a man who looked oddly familiar, smiling happily.

He stared at the man for a rather long time

"Mateo" he breathed out as a distant voice rang in his ears

"Hahahaha even if you kill me now I promise you, your deeds will be brought to light .........."

A tap on his shoulder brought him out of his little trance

"Boss I've brought the icecream" Ana smiled as she handed him a bowl of icecream

She looked at the photo album in his hand "oh I'm sure you must be wondering who that handsome man is, don't worry he's just my annoying older brother Mateo Leon"

Sebastian quietly glanced at her and then back at the picture "I am aware, and I'm not worried"

"You are aware? How?" Ana blinked her eyes in confusion as she stared at her handsome prince charming

"The both of you look alike, what does he do and why isn't he here with you" Sebastian replied

Ana's gaze softened "yes we do, Big bro works as an under cover cop and right now he's on a mission although I haven't heard from him for a while now, but that's how it is when he's out working"

"I see" Sebastian said as he took a big spoon of ice cream

Ana continued "I kind of miss him though, this is the longest time we've spent without speaking to one another and it kind of makes me feel worried about him"

Sebastian didn't utter a word, instead he calmly took another scoop of his icecream

Ana placed her hand on the picture "normally he'd call to checkup on me or to tease me but it's being up to a month and he hasn't done so"

Sebastian felt as if the icecream in his throat was stuck "Did he tell you the case he was working on"

Ana licked her icecream as she thought about it "ugh not really but he once said it had something to do with some mafia man"

Ana missed the way Sebastian's face contorted as she said those words but he said nothing

"I have a bad feeling about this though but each time I do he always comes back. But boss aren't Mafia members really dangerous and scary andevil. I know my brother is the best in his field but I feel a bit scared...."

Ana felt surprised at just how much she had opened up about her brother to a man she had only just met

Sebastian suddenly snapped her out of her daze "Do you have another bowl of icecream?"

Anastasia was surprised when she saw thathe had finished his icecream so quickly

"Yes boss I do, let me go get you another one"

As she walked back to the kitchen, Sebastian stared at the photo with an expressionless gaze as he texted Philip

S- 'Find out everything you can about that detective Mateo and Anastasia '

P- 'Right away boss'

......

The next morning, Anastasia was about to go over to Aunt Corazon's house when she saw her walking up the stairs "Good morning Aunty" Ana beamed as she greeted her

"Good morning dearie" Aunt Corazon happily replied

"Are you Just returning from your morning stroll?" Ana asked

Aunt Corazon nodded "yes dear I am, so how was dinner date with your handsome boss?"

Ana coughed " it was alright"

"Hope he didn't die after tasting your food" Aunt Corazon laughed out loud

"No Aunt, he didn't die and I brought you a little something" Ana handed Aunt Corazon a food flask. " This is for you I'm sure you'd love it"

"Oh thank you dear, I promise to give you a very honest review"

"So did something happen during your dinner like maybe a kiss or a peck?" Aunt Corazon curiously asked

Ana giggled " oh aunt isn't that a little bit too early?"

"What?? For someone who fell in love at first sight, your complaint about a kiss. You youngsters are weird" Aunt Corazon said

"I don't wanna force myself on him it'll make me look desperate." Ana replied

Aunt Corazon grumbled " well that's understandable, but just in case you need help wooing him I'm right here for you"

Ana went on a laughing spree

"Don't forget, my husband fell for my charms and games it would surprise that I have a lot on my sleeves, I've watched a lot of kdramas to be an expert in the game"

Ana smiled " of course Aunty, oohh and aunty could you please not mention to anyone in the neighborhood that boss is really rich"

Aunt Corazon curiously eyed her " and why is that?"

"I got a text from his assistant, they want to keep boss's stay here, a secret" Ana sighed

Aunt Corazon nodded " okay, that's not an issue"

"Thanks Aunt" As Ana turned to leave for school Aunt Corazon called out to her

"Ana dear could you try to come home early, there is a stalker on the loose I heard it when I went jogging this morning that he stalks young girls and takes them with him"

Ana nodded " oh my, I'll try my best Aunt"

As they were talking, Sebastian stepped out from his flat, looking dashing in his navy blue suit pants and white crisp long sleeved shirt

"Good morning boss, how was your night" Ana greeted

Sebastian couldn't help but remember how uncomfortable he felt in the little bed he slept in

"I had a rough night"

Aunt Corazon smiled "that's what happens when you sleep in a new environment for the first time, din't worry your body will soon adjust"

"That's true, okay Aunt I'll see you later" Ana said as she hugged her Aunt

"You're off to the university right, I'll drop you" Sebastian said out of the blue

" That's a great idea" Aunt Corazon chirped

Ana coughed " thank you boss"

As they headed to the staircase Aunt Corazon said " Ana come home early okay, don't forget that there is a serial kidnapped and stalker on the loose in the neighborhood"

"Yes Aunt"

Sebastian's eyes squinted at the mention of the kidnapper and stalker before he walked away