"Good morning," Mr. Lee greeted cheerfully. Jason didn't even lift his eyes from his laptop.
"Come, Ms. Jessica," Lee said, ushering me out of Jason's office before my nerves collapsed. He showed me to my new workspace—directly across from Jason's office. Great. I could literally feel his presence through the glass wall.
I sat down and started doing the tasks Mr. Lee explained—scheduling, checking emails, organizing files. Nothing too complicated, but every time Jason passed by, my back stiffened like I was in military training.
When the day finally ended, I slipped out of my office, desperate for air. Outside the building, I spotted Jason walking toward his sleek black car. His posture screamed power and danger. I quickly looked away and headed for the road, deciding I'd rather walk than risk another awkward encounter.
"Ms. Jessica!"
I turned. It was Mr. Lee, standing by the car.
"Yes?" I asked.
"Come, get in. We'll take you home," he said.
I shook my head nervously. "I… I'll walk by myself."
Before Lee could reply, Jason's voice cut through the night, deep and cold. "Do you think you'll be safe in this dark?" His sharp eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, I swear my heart forgot its job.
Without another word, I slid into the back seat, right beside Jason. Lee took the driver's seat.
"Thank you so much," I muttered.
Jason finally glanced at me, his tone flat. "It's just… we live in the same house."
Right. Of course. Why did I even thank him? Useless words, Jessica. I shut my mouth for the rest of the ride.
When we reached the mansion, I headed straight to my room. I thought I'd collapse instantly, but sleep wasn't easy. Hours later, thirsty, I crept downstairs for some water. The lights were dim, shadows swallowing the wide hallways. I didn't want to disturb anyone, so I moved carefully.
But on my way back, I bumped into something—or rather, someone. My foot slipped, and before I could hit the floor, strong arms caught me. The next thing I knew, my lips brushed against his.
My brain froze. My eyes widened. His did too.
Jason.
He was staring at me with those piercing eyes, and for a heartbeat, neither of us moved.
I jerked back, face burning. "M-Mr. Jason…"
His voice was low, steady. "Are you planning to keep talking in this position?"
Only then did I realize—I was literally sprawled on top of him. Mortified, I scrambled to my feet.
"I am so, so sorry! I couldn't see clearly—it was dark, and I just… I fell." My words tumbled over each other.
Jason stood smoothly, brushing invisible dust from his shirt, his gaze never leaving mine. "Why did you come out of your room at this hour?"
"I… I just wanted some water," I stammered. "And on my way back, I—I tripped, and… you know… accident."
His eyes narrowed. "Go back."
That was all. Just two sharp words.
I didn't wait for him to repeat himself. I bolted to my room like a kid caught stealing cookies. My heart pounded so loudly, I was sure the whole house could hear it.
Great, Jessica. First day in the mansion and you've already kissed your boss. Accidentally. Totally, completely, one hundred percent accidentally… right?
I closed the door of my room, pressing my back against it like I was blocking a monster from entering. My lips still tingled, my cheeks burned hotter than the desert, and my brain… my brain was absolutely useless.
"Jessica," I whispered to myself, "you did not just kiss your boss. You did not."
But my lips were traitors. They remembered.
I buried my face in a pillow and groaned. This wasn't just a mistake—it was career suicide. What if he thought I planned it? What if he fired me tomorrow? Worse—what if he told Mr. Lee? I could already imagine the conversation: 'Oh yes, we hired a new assistant today, but she assaulted the CEO in the middle of the night.'
I rolled over, staring at the ceiling. No. It was just an accident. He knows that… right?
Sleep eventually came, but my dreams were even worse. Jason's eyes followed me everywhere—in meetings, in hallways, in elevators. In one dream, he even stood at the altar, glaring at me while I wore a wedding dress. I woke up screaming into my pillow.
Morning arrived too fast.
I dragged myself out of bed, got ready, and tried my best to look normal. But when I stepped out of my room, fate clearly hated me—because Jason was already in the hallway, dressed in a crisp suit, adjusting his cufflinks like some kind of Greek god.
Our eyes met.
My stomach flipped.
"Good morning," I said quickly, my voice way too high-pitched, like a cartoon character.
He didn't reply. He just gave me a brief, unreadable look before walking past me. His cologne lingered in the air—sharp, clean, expensive—and I had to remind myself to breathe.
In the car ride to the office, silence wrapped around us like a heavy blanket. Mr. Lee tried making small talk in the front seat, but Jason's silence killed every attempt. I kept my hands folded in my lap, staring at the window, praying for the ride to end.
At the office, I buried myself in work. Organizing files, taking calls, double-checking schedules—anything to keep me busy. But no matter how focused I pretended to be, every time Jason walked past, my skin prickled. Did he remember last night? Did he care? Or was I just a meaningless accident in his perfectly controlled life?
By lunchtime, I couldn't take it anymore. I sneaked into the restroom, pulled out my phone, and called Rose.
"Girl," I whispered into the receiver, "I'm dead."
"What happened now?" she asked.
"I kissed him," I hissed.
A long silence. Then Rose screamed so loudly I almost dropped my phone. "YOU WHAT?"
"It was an accident! I went for water, tripped, fell on him, and—it just happened!"
"Oh my God, Jessica. First week and you're already collecting husbands?"
"Stop it! He's not my husband—he's my boss! And he's terrifying!"
Rose laughed so hard I had to hold the phone away. "Terrifyingly handsome, you mean."
I groaned. "This isn't funny. He told me to 'go back' like I was a puppy that peed on the carpet."
"Well, at least he didn't fire you," Rose said. "That's a good sign."
"A good sign? Rose, he looked like he wanted to murder me."
"Or kiss you back."
"Rose!" I nearly screamed.
I hung up before she could make it worse and splashed cold water on my face. I needed to survive this job. Nothing else mattered—not the kiss, not my stupid heart beating faster whenever he was near, and definitely not Rose's wild theories.
When I returned to my desk, Jason's door opened. He stepped out, tall and intimidating, his eyes briefly landing on me. My heart jumped to my throat.
"Ms. Jessica," he said, voice calm but firm.
"Yes, Mr. Jason?" I squeaked.
"Bring the reports into my office."
Just that. No mention of last night. No strange looks. Nothing.
Relief washed over me—until I realized my hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped the folder.
As I walked into his office, I told myself one thing: Jessica, if you want to survive, you must avoid this man's lips at all costs.
Easier said than done.