Chapter 3

Jessica's POV 

I still couldn't believe my eyes.

I was still in a state of panic. 

Why?

Why was all of this happening to me?

Why was I so out of luck? 

I still couldn't believe that he, the same man I humiliated, was going to be my new boss.

Ahh…

Why on earth did I have to do all that?

I should have been nicer with my words.

Would he fire me for what I said?

“Fire me.” I exhaled. The horror of it.

No! That was the last option. If it was even an option. 

I can not afford to be fired. I have to take care of my little sister and my ill sister. 

I took some steps back. I have to breathe. 

I glanced over at the head table. He was there. The man I humiliated hours ago. He introduced himself as Alex Martinez.

When he searched the gazes of everyone in the room, I avoided him by lowering my head and covering my face with my fringe.

Right then and there, all I could pray for was that he didn't notice me and it felt like my prayers were being answered.

Every second I spent in there was unbearable for me but I managed to sit still without making a sound, asking questions or getting noticed.

A smile stretched on my lips when I heard the closing remarks for the meeting. I was the first to sneak out, in my head I believed he did not notice me.

When I got back to my cubicle, I told Trixie everything. 

“You're joking right?” 

“Do I look like I am joking?” I asked with a flash of agitation in my tone. 

Her expression shifted from confusion to excitement in less than a minute, then I heard her giggle. “Girl, you should be happy! You slept with the heir of the company. That's impressive.”

My arms measured enough distance between us. “Did you hear anything I said at all? I said I threw money in his face. What if he tries to get back at me and then fires me? I have a sister and a sick mom. I can't be unemployed right now.”

Oh goodness. 

I knew going to that bar to drink was trouble.

I should have left immediately my instincts told me so.

I should have been more cautious.

I shouldn't have had sex with a stranger!

And I shouldn't have even thought of humiliating him first. 

How stupid of me was it to insult him!

Trixie tapped me out of my zone. She flashed me a bright smile with her pearly whites but crooked teeth. “You don't need to worry too much. Maybe he forgot about it easily.”

The manager’s voice tore through the silence. “Jessica, Mr Alex wants you in his office at this minute.”

I swallowed hard, gaze turned to Trixie with my eyes wide open in horror.

“I'm dead.”

****

Shakily, I knocked on the door of his office with a gentle tap.

“Come in.” his deep baritone announced.

I dragged my feet underneath me as I walked in. My breath was shaky, as were my fingertips and the rest of me.

I can't believe the man in a bathrobe this morning turned out to be the new boss. Life was crazy.

I stood there with my hands to my back and head bowed, exhaling as quietly as I could while he flipped through documents, pretending I didn't exist.

I didn't want him to notice me. Not now, not ever but my paycheck wouldn't sign itself. 

Releasing a breath I didn't remember holding, I spoke. “I'm sorry, Mr Alex but I was told you sent for me.”

He lifted his head at once and I flashed the most practiced friendly smile I could make.

I smiled harder, maybe he'd change how he saw me, from a meanie to a nice employee… which I was.

He stared at me for minutes, head to toe and then back. My body stiffened as I tried not to tremble before him.

He leaned back on his swivel chair, his pose nonchalant, his lips thinned. “My father told me the people working here were responsible. I never imagined seeing you here.”

I felt a slap to my jaw. 

Yes, we met the night before and mistakes happened but that didn't give him the right to call me names.

If there was one thing I hated hearing was a colleague looking down on me. Much less a boss who went around taking random girls for a one night stand and paying them.

I snapped but with a professional tone. “Well, good thing that our company has a policy of keeping private lives as what it is— private life.”

He cocked his eyebrow, his lips parted in shock. I didn't stop there. Might as well lay it all out.

“But if you insist on talking about private lives, Mr Alex.” I flashed a sly smug, leaned closer, eyes bright and sparkling. “I don't think you should be a judge here. I seem to remember you beside me last night… offering me a drink… letting loose. Or wasn't that you?”

His expression hardened. 

Damn. I seemed to make him more furious than he already was.

I was sure I was never going to receive another paycheck. 

He rose from seat gently, the tension in the room tightened, my chest tightened with every movement he made…

This was it, I thought.

I pressed my eyes tightly shut, held my breath in, fingers clenched into a fist while I lowered my head, waiting for the words to come..

But they never came.

Not even a breath.

Instead, Mr Alex called my name. 

“Open your eyes, I want you to see this…