Nichole
"I'm really sorry for coming up, but I didn't know your number, and I wanted to alert you about the time since it was getting late and I didn't want you to be late again because of me."
"Don't worry about it, I was just about to come down. Let's go," he said, shutting the door in the girl's face and continued walking as if nothing had happened.
That was just like him. Had it been me, I would have been so mortified I'd probably move countries and change my name. I even felt pity for the poor woman.
I followed him and he insisted on driving. He remained silent as he drove and I barely dared to breathe. I was like a helium balloon, all puffed up. He stopped at a restaurant before our meeting and we didn't have a lot of time. I didn't question it; I just followed him in. We sat down at the table and he stared at me. I felt like a scolded puppy, and he hadn't even opened his mouth yet.
He took a card out of his wallet and handed it to me.
"This is my number; call me anytime."
"Thank you. I'll save it in my phone," I said as I took out my phone and turned on the screen, prompting Jasper to laugh. "Is something wrong?"
"Your screen has a rather unique taste, Miss Nichole."
As I looked at the screen, I realized I still had a photo of two guys kissing as my wallpaper. I had forgotten to change it. I felt so embarrassed that I turned off the phone's screen immediately.
"Earth, swallow me up and spit me out on Mars," I murmured, and Jasper laughed again. "I'll save your number later."
"There's no need to be embarrassed; I have those kinds of pictures too, though not exactly of men. Shall I show you?" he offered with a smile, which only made me feel more uncomfortable.
Discussing such a topic with a boss isn't appropriate. Of course, this had to happen right in front of him.
"No, that's alright."
"It's just so we're even and you don't feel embarrassed over something so minor."
"No, really, it's fine. I'm over it."
After ordering, he looked at me again.
"I want to apologize and explain what you witnessed at the agency."
"There's no need for that."
"I would like to, though. The woman you saw is Karina. You've probably heard about her a few times. She was my previous assistant. A few months ago, we had an incident where I was drugged, and based on her behavior, I inferred she might have been involved. That day there was a party and she offered me a drink, after which I started feeling unwell. She found me under the drug's influence and purportedly wanted to help, but it all seemed very suspicious to me. Nothing happened that night because I managed to leave in time. I didn't bother with extensive investigations; I simply fired her. She has denied it ever since, but for me, it was clear-cut. I spared her the possible consequences considering the years she had worked for me, hoping she would learn from her mistake."
"I see."
"I hope after this she won't show her face at the agency again, and if she does, you have my permission to send her away. She and my mother have become very close recently, and I don't want that causing any unnecessary trouble. I also wanted to say that if someone belittles you or makes you feel bad, no matter who it is, you have the right to stand up for yourself. I mention this because my mother has it in her head that she wants Karina to be my assistant again and is looking for ways to get you to resign, which you are forbidden to do. It's good for us to trust each other to speak up so that our working relationship as boss and assistant remains long-lasting and comfortable for both. Do you agree?"
"Yes, Mr. Jasper."
"I'm glad to hear that. Eat up and make sure to fill up as you mentioned the other day," he said with a smile.
Cindy
"Nothing went as I had hoped. His son was rude to me. I don't think this is going to work, ma'am. I didn't do anything to your son. The day I went to look for him and found him sweating with labored breathing, I just wanted to help, and he misconstrued everything. He's never going to forgive me."
"Just calm down, honey. I'll think of something else, let's just wait a little while."
Nichole
After we finished lunch, we headed to the meeting. We were busy for hours. We were presented with photos taken of the models, and we needed to select the best ones. Jasper was very focused and my eyes kept wandering to him. From this angle, he didn't look half bad. The calm expression he wore while working was somehow soothing. When he's quiet and not baring his fangs, he looks quite attractive. His features are refined, and I remember his skin feeling soft.
"Do you want to take a photo of me?" he suddenly asked, causing me to jerk my neck in the opposite direction like a startled goose.
"Are you speaking to me, Mr. Jasper?" I feigned ignorance, pretending I hadn't been staring.
"You don't have to pretend; you're quite bad at it. Your legs are shaking, and without realizing it, your ears give you away. I wonder what you've been thinking about me that's made you so nervous?"
"I wasn't looking at you."
"And when did I say you were?"
I had given myself away like a fool.
"I didn't say that," I murmured so quietly he probably didn't hear.
I felt him spin my chair to face him.
"At least look at me if you're going to speak. It's rude to turn your back to someone."
Having him so close made me nervous. His eyelashes were so long. It wasn't the first time I'd been this close to a man, but something about him made me extremely nervous. My heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest, and I couldn't think of anything to say.
"Do you like bread?" The nerves had me asking something utterly ridiculous and unnecessary.
Jasper laughed.
"That's an unusual question, but yes, I like bread, and I also like girls who get nervous when they are in front of me," he covered his mouth and feigned surprise. "Oh, I think I just accidentally spoke my thoughts out loud. How careless of me," he teased with a smile, leaving me once again speechless.
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