Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 241

Anastasia had turned a bright shade of red, and she could hear her heart beating in her ears. The man who stood in the room with her was so suave that he was basically a walking tower of testosterone.

Just as she tried to recollect her thoughts, Elliot suddenly reached out and drew her close with one arm. She gasped when he suddenly leaned forward and dipped his head, and his lips were but inches away from hers.

She blushed furiously as the air around her grew warm and became engulfed with his scent, which had a familiar tinge of peppermint to it. She blinked and realized that Elliot’s skin still looked flawless from up close.

For some reason, this goodbye kiss was becoming too hot-and-heavy for comfort. More importantly, he was gazing down at her with nothing but endearment, which made her heart beat so fast that it could fly out of her chest.

She looked away nervously, and though she tried to back away from him, his arm was so tightly wound around her waist that she could not budge. She could only cling to his muscular arm and his broad shoulder, using them as her pivot as she tried to break free.

“Three!” Elliot started counting in a voice that sounded like a low, dangerous growl.

She gaped at him incredulously. Wait! He said five seconds! How did it become three all of a sudden? This guy’s trying to weasel his way out of the deal!

However, she couldn’t let her anger settle; when she was about to accuse him of cheating, he parted his lips and said, “Two!”

This sent panic coursing through her. In a fit of desperation, she reached out her delicate hands and cupped his face. Then, she closed her eyes as she leaned forward to kiss him on his perfectly-carved lips. It’s just a kiss. What’s the big deal—

“Mmph!” Anastasia’s eyes widened when she realized that Elliot’s ferocity was probed.

He was kissing her back aggressively, seeming as though he wanted to pack all his pent-up feelings into this one kiss. At that moment, he was no longer the cool and reserved president of a company; he was a man who had relinquished all his self-control just to pour his love out for her.

He had abandoned his calm reasoning in favor of heated recklessness. He wanted to show his true self and bare his soul to her.

On the other hand, Anastasia was startled by how hungrily he kissed her that she instinctively tried to push him away. However, he did not release her, and as he demanded more of her, she found herself starting to cave into the kiss. She was losing herself, and the air was thick with electrifying tension.

Just then, the tenant upstairs moved what sounded like a heavy object, and two muffled thuds were all it took for Anastasia to snap out of her reverie. She summoned all the strength she had and pushed Elliot away before he got the better of her. He was a little confused by her sudden rejection at first, but he quickly broke into a grin as he said, “I’m very much satisfied.”

It was by sheer force of will that she managed to keep her heart from leaping out of her ribcage as she said calmly, “You may leave now.”

Elliot stared at her. She was so beautiful under the lights that he felt he could stay there and look at her forever.

A bad feeling rose in her when she met his burning gaze. Why is he still looking at me like that when he’s supposed to leave? “Are you considering going back on your word?” She was furious now. She could hardly believe that he would refuse to hold up his end of the deal after what she had just done.

He raised a brow. “Of course not. I’ll get going now. Call me if you miss me.” Then, he suddenly thought of something and asked in a confrontational tone, “You’re not planning to carpool with that programmer punk to work, are you?”

She was at a loss for words. She didn’t think it had anything to do with him whether she carpooled with anyone or not.

Before she could say anything, a frosty look flashed in his eyes as he ordered imperiously, “You are not allowed to have any man other than myself in the passenger seat of your car, Anastasia.”

She nearly burst out laughing, but she kept a straight face as she drawled sarcastically, “Is that so? I should probably have all the men in the company line up to take a ride in the passenger seat of my car. What are you going to do about that? Fire all of them?”

Elliot was stumped by this for a few seconds, but when he thought about how he had given the programmer a stern warning earlier that evening, he figured that the man would know better than to try his luck with Anastasia.

This was the first time Anastasia had ever encountered anyone so outrageously demanding and controlling. It was as if he wouldn’t be happy until he could pick out all the molecules in the air and force her to only breathe in the ones he deemed fit. Perhaps he should try getting global warming under control and do everyone a great service!

“I’m leaving now,” he said as he gave her a long, hard look. After that, he grabbed his keys off the table and left without putting up a fight.

Anastasia was skeptical as she watched him leave, and she wondered if this truly marked the end of his constant presence in her and Jared’s private life. She began to question if he really would hold up his end of the deal, and she found herself hoping that that would be the case.

As she lay in bed that night, sleep evaded her once again. She couldn’t stop replaying the scene of the kiss from earlier, and there was no shaking it off no matter how many times she had tossed and turned in bed. She was starting to think that Elliot had cast some kind of spell on her.

Chapter 242

Anastasia didn’t know why she would think of Elliot now and then even though they had already agreed to go back to being strangers. No, stop this, she chided herself. I have to stop thinking about him. I still have work tomorrow. She still had to work for a living, and she couldn’t afford to lose sleep right now. In fact, she had to catch up on rest.

However, the more she tried to convince herself to sleep, the harder it was for her to actually drift off into slumber. She gave up in the end, and at some point, sleep came to her without having to be beckoned.

Early the next morning, she woke up and opened her eyes blearily. Then, she reached for her phone and texted Oliver, telling him to meet her at the basement parking lot later.

Her phone rang shortly after, and she answered the call. “Hey there, Oliver. How much longer will you need?”

“Uh, Anastasia, I don’t think I can carpool with you anymore. I… I need to make a trip back to my hometown, and I’ll probably be there for half a year,” Oliver said on the other line.

“That’s sudden,” she remarked. “Did something happen back home?”

“Oh, no, it’s just… I figured I should keep my parents company for a while. Anyway, don’t worry about me. Remember to drive safe to work,” he replied, adding a gentle reminder at the end.

She nodded and said kindly, “Well, you take care as well and don’t overwork yourself.”

Oliver’s reluctance did not wane even after he had hung up, but he was admittedly relieved. After all, getting too close to Anastasia would only evoke the Presgraves’ wrath and put him on their assassination radar.

When Anastasia had dropped Jared off at school, she got a text from Felicia telling her to drive safely to work and that she had already helped her check into work. Upon reading this, Anastasia felt a surge of warmth go through her, and words couldn’t describe how grateful she was to have such a considerate person for a superior.

Now that she was no longer anxious to get to work on time, she slowed down and found herself maneuvering through the streets easily. She hardly hit any traffic on the way, and by the time she pulled into the company building’s basement parking lot, she deliberately chose not to park in the spot Elliot had reserved for her, but in one of the ordinary spots instead.

She had only just gone up to the office when Grace told her that Felicia wanted to see her. Since she didn’t want to dawdle, Anastasia headed straight into Felicia’s office.

Felicia was dressed in a rose-red suit today, adding a vibrant edge to her already-professional appearance. Although she was 36 this year, she was still full of life and zest.

Presently, it was only after Anastasia had walked into her office that she looked down at Felicia’s fingers as they flew across the keyboard, and she noticed the diamond ring Felicia was wearing. She couldn’t help smiling as she leaned forward and asked knowingly, “Felicia, has someone perhaps… proposed to you?”

At once, Felicia grew bashful as she glanced at the ring on her finger. “You’re the first one to notice, and yes, I’m seeing someone right now.”

“Congratulations! Do I hear wedding bells?”

“No, we’re still in our early stages! We just want to take things slow for now.” Felicia was known to have strong ideals, and it went without saying that her values and principles in life were carried into her newfound relationship as well.

Having exchanged pleasantries, Felicia opened up a cabinet and produced an intricately-wrapped gift box. Then, she opened it to reveal an ornate jewelry case painted over with floral motifs. In the case were nestled two necklaces that glittered breathtakingly under the natural light.

“I didn’t think these would be ready so soon!” Anastasia exclaimed in surprise. The necklaces were designed by her, and she had toiled over them in earnest. To see them brought to life now made her feel like she was on cloud nine, and any other designer would relate to this.

Felicia hummed in response as she gazed at the jewelry proudly. “The workmanship and the design are flawless. If these weren’t limited edition pieces, I would have petitioned to have them sold at all of our boutiques.”

“What time will the client be coming to collect these?”

Needless to say, Felicia had contacted the customer at the very first instance. “I’ve already given them a call, and they said they’ll be here in the afternoon.”

Anastasia nodded. “Let’s have lunch together. I’ll make reservations.”

Felicia agreed to this with a nod.

When Anastasia left the office afterward, she did not notice the malicious gaze fixed on her.

Alice had never expected Anastasia and Felicia to get along so well, much less be on such friendly terms. She couldn’t put pressure on Anastasia now even if she wanted to, for Felicia would only nip it in the bud.

Alice knew that the only way for her to climb up the corporate ladder now was to have Felicia and Anastasia kicked out of Bourgeois. Otherwise, her career here would stagnate.

That afternoon, Anastasia and Felicia brought their assistants along with them to lunch. The whole affair was a lighthearted one as they exchanged funny anecdotes and enjoyed the reprieve from work.

Meanwhile, over at the luxurious villa, Hayley had already gotten a call from Bourgeois at 10.00AM telling her that her jewelry was ready to be collected. This was the moment that she had been waiting a whole month for, and now that she could finally gloat in Anastasia’s face, she was not going to let the chance go.

Chapter 243

Harriet had been waiting for days to have a meal together with her grandson, and he finally returned to Presgrave Residence to fulfill her wish.

They were both seated at the dining table when she asked hesitantly, “Elliot, did Anastasia really mean it when she said she would never marry?”

“Relax, Grandma,” Elliot consoled. “Things change all the time.”

“I’ve been speaking to Nigel on the phone over the past few days. I was hoping that he could put more effort into pursuing Anastasia romantically, and I told him not to give up just yet.”

Elliot’s spoon halted mid-way to his mouth as he sighed and said, “Grandma, Nigel and I both like the same girl, and you should be encouraging me now that he’s backed off so that I can go on to pursue her.”

Harriet’s eyes lit up when she heard this. “What? Are you pursuing Anastasia now? Does she reciprocate your feelings?”

“I’m still working on making that happen, but don’t worry, Grandma. I promise I’ll marry her,” Elliot said solemnly. For some reason, he was confident that he would make her his wife.

When Harriet saw how determined her grandson was about this, she chuckled. “Well, I know you’ll give it your best shot. Don’t let me down, Elliot.”

“Got it.”

boy around here sometime soon. I want to take a look at him too,” Harriet

right time, but give me a month and I’ll bring him back here to

come by house whenever she’s free.” She nodded slowly. Knowing that her grandson would take care of everything, she could

while tweaking some design sketches on the table when her extension line

have

Anastasia said. She set her coffee aside and grabbed the relevant folder off

each other in the middle of the hallway, they turned to make their way

hand, Anastasia fell in step behind her. When she saw the customer, her eyes widened in surprise as well, for the girl who was seated on the couch was not

after a few seconds of hesitation, and she

it turned out, Hayley had asked someone to place the order for two necklaces specifically designed by her. It would be of no surprise now if Hayley were to tell her

a deep breath, Anastasia sat down next to Felicia and glanced at Hayley, only to meet the girl’s triumphant

with them,” Hayley said as she crossed her legs. “I’m sure Elliot would love them

Next to her on the couch, Felicia interjected politely, “We’re glad to hear that, Miss Seymour. You’re a really important

eyed Anastasia viciously. “How about you personally give me your blessings, Miss Tillman? Just a few nice words for

like all the air had been sucked out from her lungs, and she bit out icily, “I’m

I help you start it off? You can never go wrong with wishing

Tillman and all the employees here, I wish you and President Presgrave all the happiness in life, and that the both of you

unhappily and pointed out, “I don’t want you to give

knew how wicked Hayley could get. Since she didn’t want to humiliate Felicia, she said begrudgingly, “Hayley, for the sake of getting you to shut

you’ve given us your blessings, Miss Tillman, I will be ever so gracious and thank you for it. Elliot isn’t in the office

Chapter 244

to it as she said nonchalantly, “Sure, that won’t be a problem at all. I’ll personally drop these necklaces off

was somewhat unsettled after hearing this, so she turned to address Felicia curtly, “Director Evans, could you give me a few moments alone with

courteously and rose to leave, but

door had only just fallen shut when Hayley glowered at Anastasia viciously and snapped, “If you’ve taken my warning to heart, you ought to know better than clinging to Elliot like gum stuck

the one who told that man where I was, and that was how he found me,” Anastasia deduced grimly instead of responding to Hayley’s threat. The man had even arranged for her to sleep with punters just to rake in some extra cash for him,

how miserable he is right now? He’s completely broke, and he has neither family nor children of his own. He has nothing in this world to live for, so when he found out about his adorable and precious son, he was elated. I was the one who gave him money to stall him from coming after the both of you. Pretty charitable

fictional character anyway, and

into her palms as she seethed, “Why must you go out of your way to put me through hell

You don’t know how invisible I felt next to you. You were beautiful, on the honor roll, and from a well-off family. When I finally summoned enough courage to confess my feelings to a boy I liked, he told me that he had a crush on you the entire time!

with Hayley during their school days. Some people in this world simply didn’t deserve kindness and friendship. Needless to say, Hayley was so

thing for Anastasia to do when it came to dealing with people like Hayley—she had to stay away from

to see you writhe in misery and become a shell of the person that you were. I finally got my wish five years ago,” Hayley went on to say. She reached for her tea, but just as she was bringing her cup to her lips, another cup of tea splashed onto her face and ruined

dare

much as mess with me again,

Hayley when she heard this. As droplets of tea rolled down her cheeks, she looked as pathetic as a

added coldly. Then, she spun

used to it anyway, and all she had to do now was wait for the right time to unleash vengeance on Anastasia in a fit of maniacal rage, just like

empathetically, “Anastasia, would you like me to have these delivered

task to Anastasia to rile her up, but she would not rise to the bait. She would execute it personally just to show that she was better than

and after hanging up, she told Anastasia, “He doesn’t usually come

all, she wasn’t in

Anastasia opened up the ornate jewelry case and gazed upon the necklaces she had so

designed them, she had hoped that whoever received them would share an eternal love and that nothing would separate the lovers no

Chapter 245

got a call from Felicia at around 3.00PM informing her that Elliot had come into work. From the looks of it, Felicia

jewelry case from

report he was holding to the man in the white shirt who had just shrugged off his suit jacket. “President Presgrave, according to the investigation, Lawrence will be actively acquiring Tillman Constructions within a week. As of now,

knock came from the door, and it was followed by

and gave Rey a meaningful look. “Keep an eye on Tillman Constructions and

sir,” Rey replied. Then, he hurried over to open the door and flashed a smile at Anastasia as he greeted, “Good afternoon, Miss

to you as

is in,” he said before stepping

door and immediately saw the man at the desk. He was wearing a simple white satin shirt, but

thought about what happened last night, her clear and determined gaze suddenly wavered, and she felt

lowered her gaze and headed straight for his desk, and she later heard Rey closing the

for you?” Elliot asked

the jewelry case and said casually, “Here you

for it looked like it contained jewelry. He took

gift from her. She crossed her arms and explained pointedly, “It’s a gift from a woman, but the woman isn’t me. It’s Hayley.” She ground out the

and he let his hand drop as he asked, “Why are you giving it to me

the necklaces, I have no choice

on her heels when a low male voice

look at him with narrowed eyes. “What? Do you want me to help you put

slightest bit jealous. He raised a

give it back to Hayley yourself,” Anastasia countered indifferently, though her heart gave a

towering height seemed to put

as to why he was making such a random proposition all of a sudden. He was the president of the company, and he could have all

smile curled on her lips as she asked, “Are you serious about this, President

he answered, and he didn’t look like he was joking as he

long as I get paid

expected, the woman was highly motivated by

had been feeling earlier was gone. She was amused at how the sentiment behind Hayley’s gesture was lost on the likes of Elliot, who had not only been uninformed of the gift

Chapter 246

things were, Anastasia was rather pleased with how things

a customer who specifically asked Anastasia to design a men’s necklace for him, and he was willing to pay

get from two consecutive personal orders alone was staggering enough to make anyone’s jaw drop. She went to Anastasia’s office and said, “Anastasia, make sure you give this project your all. Forget about the other

gone out of earshot before picking up the phone to call the man’s extension

believe you actually placed the order,”

I have, I expect you to work

What about the style of the necklace?” she asked further, treating him like how she

had to stop himself

moment and suggested, “Why don’t I come up with a rough

a pause, he continued, “Just put your heart into

that for all my other designs, she thought dryly. “That’s sort of like an entry-level requirement for a designer,

throw your heart and soul into the design. Think of the necklace as

Presgrave, you are the

with me,” he warned darkly on the other end and immediately

at the time, only to see that she had to head over to pick Jared up from school now. It looked like she was going to

school that afternoon, he asked if Elliot would be dropping by the apartment later. She took the chance to tell him solemnly that the man would no longer be visiting them, and

Jared had fallen asleep before she started pondering on the design of the necklace. However, she found herself thinking about Elliot’s handsome face and his domineering expression from time to time. As night fell, she no longer had to keep all her emotions bottled up, and the lights above brought out the dazed look in

presence. She wondered why she had felt so uneasy when Hayley had given Elliot

was only happy to see Elliot turn down the necklaces because she didn’t like Hayley. She adamantly believed that her

disliked anything gaudy. With that in mind, she decided that the necklace would have to be simple and sturdy. Moreover, it would have to be something that could

inspiration for an elegant herringbone-chain necklace that would flatter the man’s chiseled and alluring collarbone, which, if left unadorned, would be a great disservice to

flexibility given that she was in charge of picking out the materials for the necklace. As for the design, it was up to her to imbue her personal flair into it. She gave a rough sketch and let inspiration take control. She imagined the way the chain would drape just above his collarbone, and if she added another

tip of her pencil gently sketched over the paper as she drew the man’s broad shoulders and the curve of his neck. She then added the chains, which nestled just slightly above the dip in his collarbone. She paused and leaned back

in her seat, and her mind went blank for a moment. Why does this drawing look so much like Elliot? Anastasia couldn’t believe what she was seeing. At that moment, she realized just how clearly she could picture every part of Elliot

Chapter 247

that giving Elliot too much room in her headspace during the day was a bad idea because Anastasia was having a hard time falling asleep right now without thinking about him. She even had a wet dream that involved him

all her other work had been set aside while she focused on designing Elliot’s necklace, she decided that it would do her

years, Francis’ company had doubled in size, and the land next to the ten-story office building was occupied by warehouse after warehouse where all the inventory for their building materials was kept. While the area was rather remote, the size of the enterprise was more than enough to compensate for

before she even drew close to the company building. At that moment, she suddenly understood why Francis could not bear to part with the business. He had poured all his blood, sweat, and tears into building up the company from scratch, and

the building entrance, she headed for the doors and was immediately stopped

here to look for my father,

was startled by this, and he appraised her in shock as he pressed, “You’re President Tillman’s daughter? How come I’ve never seen you

years.” Anastasia smiled. Since she didn’t want to put the security guard in a hard place,

he wasted no time in opening the door for her as he said, “Pardon me,

to a stop at the front desk. The company building had only been set up not too long ago, and she wasn’t sure which floor Francis’ office was on.

or formalities. One might even say he was laissez-faire. Since Alex had seen Anastasia before at the banquet, he approached her enthusiastically and told her that

chair behind his desk. She had long since outgrown days where she whined, pestered, and vied for her father’s

tea, the door to the office suddenly swung open, and the female assistant who had escorted her up earlier came rushing in.

she hastened out the door after the assistant

an ashen-faced Francis was being carried over to the couch by a few of his employees. Anastasia frantically ran over to him and crouched down next to the couch, urging, “Dad? Dad, what happened?” She was beside herself with panic as she demanded, “Has

looked fine earlier before

probably heard that the company is getting acquired and he couldn’t take the news,” one of

the company is getting

they were the representatives for the acquiring party, and they were here

stunned. The news of the acquisition must have been too much for Francis, and he had collapsed out

will be just fine,” said a young man.