Lute's gaze seared with unbridled intensity, his eyes locking onto the petite, raven-haired woman standing at the far end of the office. Jai's slender yet athletic physique seemed almost fragile, a delicate porcelain doll wrapped in a warm, golden undertone that betrayed her Chinese heritage. Her dark, almond-shaped eyes sparkled like polished onyx, fringed with thick lashes that added to her porcelain doll-like beauty.
As Lute's gaze burned with an inner fire, Jai's raven tresses cascaded down her back in luscious waves, framing her heart-shaped face with an elegance that seemed almost otherworldly. Her small, delicate features seemed to glow with an ethereal light, as if illuminated by an inner radiance that drew Lute in like a moth to a flame.
Jai's attire only added to her allure, the fitted, off-the-shoulder lilac gown hugging her curves like a second skin, while the delicate black flowery ballet shoes on her feet lent an air of whimsical charm to her overall demeanor. As she stood poised, clutching the box of Mr. Cornell's office files, Lute's gaze remained riveted on her, his eyes drinking in every detail of her loveliness with an unquenchable thirst.
Jai's slender frame seemed to sag under the weight of the box, her leg trembling ever so slightly as she struggled to maintain her balance. Her hands fluttered around the edges of the box, her fingers drumming a staccato beat against the cardboard as she stood there, her eyes fixed on Lute with a mixture of anxiety and expectation.
Lute, however, seemed utterly unmoved by her distress, his expression a mask of indifference as he lounged in his chair, his long fingers cradling the coffee cup with an air of studied nonchalance. Yet, despite his affected apathy, a flicker of guilt danced in the depths of his eyes, a telltale sign that he was, in fact, acutely aware of Jai's discomfort – and was bothered by it.
As Jai's soft, pink lips parted to speak, Lute's gaze drifted lazily to her face, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he took in the hesitant apology. "Am sorry for being rude earlier," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Lute's response was a deliberate, exaggerated slurp of his coffee, the sound designed to convey his utter lack of interest in her apology – or her, for that matter.
Lute's scowl deepened, his eyebrows furrowing into a menacing glare as he spat out the words, "Can you stop talking already?" Yet, despite his gruff demeanor, a contradictory thrill ran through him as he watched Jai's lips move, her words painting a picture of hesitant apology. The scared look in her eyes only added to her allure, a captivating blend of fear and vulnerability that left him entranced.
But Lute's fascination with Jai was a liability he couldn't afford. He needed to maintain his focus, and having her around would only serve as a distraction. With a curt nod, he delivered the verdict, his voice devoid of emotion, "Clear your desk, you're fired." He turned away, feigning disinterest, but his eyes betrayed him, sneaking a glance at Jai's stricken face.
Jai's reaction was immediate, her voice rising to a desperate squeal as she begged, "Please, you can't fire me!" Her hands clasped together in a supplicant gesture, her eyes wide with panic. "It took me months to get this job, please," she pleaded, her words tumbling out in a frantic bid to change Lute's mind.
Lute's frown deepened, his eyes clouding over with a mixture of irritation and unease. He didn't like the way Jai's desperation was making him feel - like he was the one being manipulated, not the other way around. He turned away, his gaze drifting out the window as he struggled to regain his composure. Who was this woman, and why was she having this effect on him?
With a deliberate effort, Lute schooled his features into a mask of indifference, his voice dripping with disdain as he delivered the final blow. "Luther-croft doesn't need your services anymore. Leave now." He didn't even bother to look at her, his attention focused on the files scattered across his desk.
But Jai refused to back down, her voice ringing out with a desperate intensity. "I propose a truce." Lute's gaze snapped back to hers, a sly grin spreading across his face as he contemplated the possibilities. Only he knew the naughty thoughts that were running through his mind, the visuals that were playing out like a tantalizing movie.
He leaned back in his chair, his eyelids lowering into a lazy, intimidating glare. "What truce?" he drawled, his voice dripping with skepticism. Jai's words tumbled out in a rush, laced with a hint of desperation. "I would do anything you want if you let me work at Luther-croft." Lute's grin widened, his eyes glinting with amusement as he repeated her words, his voice trailing off into a provocative whisper. "Anything? You say..."
Jai's words tumbled out in a hasty correction, her gaze dropping to the floor as she added, "Anything but not everything." Lute's expression twisted in exasperation, his eyes rolling heavenward as he waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. He was done with her, and the young woman's obvious distress only served to hasten his desire to be rid of her.
As he spun around his rocking chair, Jai's stammered protests trailed off into an anxious, shaky whisper. "I...but..." Lute's patience snapped, his voice cracking out in a harsh, unforgiving tone. "Just go." The words hung in the air like a slap, sending Jai scurrying out of his office with a haste that bordered on panic.
~ ~ ~
As Jai closed the double doors of the refrigerator, the soft hum of the appliance faded into the background, replaced by the sound of her own labored breathing. She had retrieved the frozen carp from the fish tray, its glassy stare seeming to mock her as she placed it under the running sink. The cold water cascaded over the fish, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within Jai.
Her mind wandered back to the events that had led her to this point. The memory of Lute's handsome, innocent face flashed before her eyes, a face that belied the evil that lurked beneath. How could someone so captivating be so ruthless? Jai's thoughts swirled with a mix of emotions: anger, frustration, and a hint of fear.
Just then, a gentle voice broke the silence. "Jai, are you okay?" Nana, Jai's grandmother, stood in the doorway, her arms folded across her chest. Her eyes, etched with concern, searched Jai's face for answers. Nana had been Jai's rock since her father's passing, and she knew her granddaughter's moods all too well.
Jai forced a shrug, attempting to downplay her distress. "I'm fine," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, as she continued to wash the fish in the sink. Nana's gaze remained on Jai's face, her expression a testament to her skepticism.
Without a word, Nana wiped the flour from her hands onto her clothes and stepped closer to Jai. She placed her hands on Jai's shoulders, her touch warm and comforting. "You can tell me anything, lán lán," Nana coaxed, using the affectionate nickname she had given Jai. The wrinkles on Nana's forehead deepened, a map of her concern.
Jai's resolve crumbled under Nana's gentle prodding. She heaved a sigh, the weight of her secrets threatening to overwhelm her. "I'm having problems with my boss," Jai confessed, the words tumbling out of her like a pent-up storm.
Nana's expression remained serene, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of concern. "I thought Mr. Cornell was sweet," she said, her voice laced with a hint of innocence. Jai's response was immediate and venomous.
"Technically, his son is the new CEO, his youngest son," Jai spat, her face contorting in disgust. The words dripped with malice, and Nana's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Nana expertly placed the dressed fish in the microwave, her hands moving with a practiced ease. As she set the timer, she turned to Jai with a sly grin. "Is he handsome?" she asked, her voice tinged with a playful gush.
Jai's response was a curt shrug, her silence speaking volumes. Nana's eyes twinkled with amusement as she teased, "Is someone having a crush?" The words sounded adorable coming from Nana's lips, but Jai's expression remained unyielding.
"Nana, he's four years younger," Jai emphasized, her tone firm. Nana rolled her eyes good-naturedly, her smile toothy and knowing. "I know you don't like him," she said, her voice dripping with conviction. Nana had known her granddaughter long enough to recognize her feelings.
"The feeling is mutual, he doesn't like me too," Jai jeered, her mocking laughter echoing through the kitchen. She tucked her hair behind her ears and stood akimbo, her hips cocked to one side in a defiant pose.
Nana's eyes sparkled with interest as she began to ask, "So how is Jamie and his husband..." But her voice trailed off as the beep from Jai's cellphone interrupted her.
Jai picked up her phone and pressed it to her ear, leaning against the kitchen counter for support. "Hey Babes, the boss wants you here in 15," Jamie announced, his voice laced with a hint of urgency.
Jai's jaw dropped in disappointment, her eyes widening in dismay. "I can't, it's my day off," she squealed, her voice sounding shaky and desperate.
As she listened to Jamie's response, Jai's expression darkened. She could hear Lute's voice in the background, his tone low and menacing. Jamie sounded scared, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke.
"He's changed his mind," Jamie said, his words dripping with a sense of foreboding. "He wants you here in 5 minutes."
Jai's eyes met Nana's, her gaze filled with a mix of fear and uncertainty. What had she gotten herself into?