Desires Die Hard

“That’s all?” Evan was a little surprised. He had been expecting something serious.

He sat back in his chair. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements.”

“Do you have anyone in mind?” Dan asked

Evan thought about it. Somehow, the first person who popped into his head wasn’t Jake, the experienced managing director of JK Couture, or any of JK Couture’s more senior designers, but Anya

Damnit. Why was he thinking about her again?

He could feel a headache coming on Something was really wrong with him. He hadn’t been acting like his usual self for the past two days

His thoughts never strayed far from Anya and he had no idea why.

He couldn’t stop thinking about her soft, pink lips.

He honestly detested that woman but somehow, he couldn’t seem to stop thinking about her either

“What’s wrong with you?” Dan reached out and peered at Evan’s face when he caught his friend lost in his thoughts. “You’re

spacing out.”

“It’s nothing” Evan yanked himself out of his thoughts. He collected himself and gave Dan a cool look

“So, do you have any recommendations?”

He was more concerned about the choice of designer.

His cousin’s wedding was just around the corner. They really needed a designer who had great taste and knew how to get

the job done

I

“I’ll speak to the folks at JK Couture and let you know as soon as I find someone suitable”

“Thanks”

“No problem.

Meanwhile, at JK Couture

Anya was just done with the design for Mdm Welton’s hat

Sydney arrived then.

She was currently working in the media department of Welton Group. The department had little work. Most of the work

M

involved the occasional press conference and talking to the press. You had to appear in front of the cameras.

The work clearly suited Sydney, who loved appearing in front of cameras and the press.

She didn’t turn up at JK Couture because she missed Anya or because she wanted to get to know the company better.

She was here looking for trouble.

She needed an excuse though. Luckily, the media department was hosting an event today and needed someone to help. out. The other departments were all busy with their own work.

She came to JK Couture to request someone to help them out with their event.

It

t was a great

great opportunity to order Anya around and humiliate her in the process. Naturally, Sydney wasn’t going to let it slip through her fingers.

She tottered into the office on her four–inch heels and sashayed into Jake’s office to inform him of her request.

Jake had no clue about the history between Anya and Sydney.

He agreed to Sydney’s request.

They headed to Anya’s desk to discuss the matter with her.

Anya’s spirits fell as soon as she saw Sydney.

They plummeted as soon as she heard Jake tell her that she was to help Sydney out with the media department’s event.

Anya would rather die than do that. She turned towards Jake. “Jake, I’m feeling unwell. Is it alright if I don’t do it?”

“You’re unwell?” All thoughts except concern for Anya fled Jake’s head as soon as he heard that. “Do you need to see the

doctor?”

He had forgotten all about Sydney’s request.

Sydney knew that Anya was feigning discomfort. But she hadn’t expected Jake to take Anya’s side so readily.

Incredulity and contempt dripped from her words as she spoke. “Ms. MacMillan, so, you happen to feel unwell at the exact moment I decide to request your help.”

“Seems like too much of a coincidence to be true.”

“Are you suggesting that I’m pretending to be sick?” Anya said calmly. “I’m simply telling you the truth. I don’t feel too good right now.”

The look on Sydney’s face darkened. Scorn colored the look in her eyes. She knew that Anya was just putting on an act.

She had walked right past the woman when she had been making her way to Jake’s office. Anya had looked fine.

Yet here she was, moaning and whining about how sick she felt because she had work to do.

Sydney wasn’t going to let her off that easily. She raised her voice slightly and began taunting her stepsister. “Ms. MacMillan, do you have anything against the media department? Are you unhappy about doing us a favor?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Anya leveled a frosty look at the other woman. Her nails pressed into her palm.

“Well, in that case, please follow me.”

“I told you, I’m not feeling well.”

“Ms. MacMillan,” Jake finally said. “I’ll find you someone else. Anya’s not feeling well.”

The look on Sydney’s face took on a dark and thunderous shade when she heard what Jake had said. She couldn’t believe it. The man took Anya’s side.