She couldn’t tell Blake about her boss. All hell would break loose if he knew.
Oh dear! I am dead meat! She whispered to herself.
Her boss moved closer to her and extended his arm. She shook hands with him but she immediately got it back again.
Jay cocked an eyebrow. “Is something wrong?” he asked and she just shook her head . He took hold of her elbow, “Please have a seat.” He made sure that she was already seated before he want back to his office chair.
“So how are you sunshine?” He asked with a grin.
She scowled at him. That was what he used to call her. He leaned on his chair while looking at her intensely. His grin made him look more handsome. “Just seeing your pretty face makes me smile sunshine. I hope one day you will like me too sunshine. I will just be here sunshine…” He said with a chuckle.
She was just looking at him with a slight frown on her face.
“I’m sure you don’t remember those lines because I am sure you threw away all the cards and flowers I sent you before.” he said still smiling but his eyes appeared to be sad.
“Y-You still know what you’ve written in those cards?” She asked sounding surprised. She was guilty because he was right. Some of his gifts she threw away while the others she gave to her friends.
Jay nodded. “It’s hard to forget you.” he said as if to himself.
She moistened her lips. She didn’t like where their conversation was leading to. “L-Look sir..”
” Just call me Jay.”
She sighed. “J-Jay, I already have a boy-fr..”
“According to your resume you worked at Carla’s Boutique for a few weeks. Why did you resign?” he interrupted. He didn’t want to hear what she had to say. She was prettier and sexier so he knew it was impossible for her to be single. But he didn’t care. What’s important was that she was going to work for them, for him. She seemed restless as she tried to hold his stare.
“Her daughter and I didn’t see eye to eye. It was really awkward working with her.”
“I understand.” he said before he nodded. “How much salary do you want?” He asked her out of the blue.
Heather’s mouth opened. “What?” she asked in a surprised voice.
Jay stood up then walked to his personal fridge. He took a bottle of water. He also got a glass which he handed to her then opened the bottle to pour half of it in the glass. He drank the water in the bottle before he sat on the chair opposite her.
Heather was just looking at him. “Why are you asking me that kind of question?”
Jay just shrugged his shoulders. This close she could see how attractive he was. Unlike Blake, he was clean-shaven. She could sense that he also had muscles though he was in a long-sleeved shirt.
“I am more than happy to see you again. And I will do everything to keep you.” He said in a serious voice.
She frowned then stood up he got up from the chair too.
“Sorry. Let me say that in another way . I have seen your resume. Though you are not an experienced fashion designer, I want to give you a chance. You seem to be a promising one and employees like you are for keeps.” he said.
She chewed her bottom lip. “Please Jay, if I will work here , let’s keep our relationship purely professional. I am with someone..”
He interrupted her again. “Okay. I got that. I am sorry again Please sit down. We’ll talk about your tasks.” He said and his cute smile was back.
She just sighed then sat down again. She was glad that he became more formal as he talked about what she had to do at work. It was bad enough that her boss was a man but Blake would be more furious once he learned that Jay was her former suitor. But she really wanted this job. The salary they offered was three times higher. And she felt that the job was easier. As Joey had said, their bosses were not demanding. According to Jay they wanted their employees to feel at ease so they would be more motivated and creative that was why they never pressure them. But there was a small problem. She had to accompany him or his sister to some events or lunch or dinner with their clients. . She knew that Blake wouldn’t like that so she had to explain to him that they were a part of her job. She wouldn’t tell him yet that one of her bosses was male of course.
“And you have to always look classy. I like what you are wearing now but I think it’s too simple. Are you trying to tone down your looks?” Jay asked.
She chose not to answer him.
“I will expect that you will be less simple tomorrow. You will go with me . We’ll have lunch with one of our biggest clients.” he said and she just nodded.
****
She was able to breath much better after lunch. Jay left to meet up with a supplier. She really felt uncomfortable by the way he seemed to be watching her.
“Oh my gosh Heather! Our boss seemed to want to ravish you! Did you notice how he was looking at you? !” Joey giggled.
Heather was sketching some patterns but she just released a small smile. “You are exaggerating.” she said.
Joey sat across from her table. “Tell me the truth girl! Have you and our boss met before?”
She didn’t expect his questions. She nipped her lower lip when she made a mistake with her drawing. She got her eraser.
“Hmm…I guess you have. Is he your ex? ”
She raised her face and looked at him. “Of course not. You’re your imagination is something else.” She said with a light laugh.
“Well I can sense something between the two of you but I am not sure exactly what it is.” Joey tapped his chin with his forefinger.
Her phone started ringing. Blake was calling. “Wait I have to get this. It’s my boyfriend.”
Joey just nodded with a wink before going back to his corner.
“Sweetheart, did you eat lunch on time?” Blake asked.
She looked at the wall clock and she was surprised that it was past 3 p. m. already. “I had a sandwich and two cups of coffee.”
“That’s all? ” He seemed to be frowning.
“I’m okay with that sweetheart. How about you? Have you eaten?” she asked.
” Yes. Do you want me to bring you food? I am still at home. What do you want to eat?” He asked. He was planning to pick her up early so they could see a movie and then have dinner after.
“NO!” Heather didn’t expect him to say that. He couldn’t come to the shop. Jay might go back anytime. When she realized how she sounded, she said in a much relaxed voice, “I mean you don’t have to sweetheart. Just pick me up later around 5.”
“Okay. Do you want to see a movie?”
She smiled. “Are you asking me for a date Mr. Acosta?”
She heard him chuckle. “Yes my princess. Would you like to go out with me?” he asked huskily.
She bit her bottom lip and didn’t reply immediately. She pretended to be thinking. ” Sure. I would love too.” She was beaming.
Blake chuckled again. “See you later sweetheart. Since we are going to the movies, expect some petting okay?” he said.
She rolled her eyes but she was still smiling. “Perv!” She told him in a low voice. She didn’t want Joey to hear.
He laughed. “I love you sweetheart.”
“I love you too. See you later.” she answered before hanging up.
“Oh I am so jealous! Your man seems to be so sweet! I am sure that he is also hot!” Joey said giddily.
She laughed quietly. “He is super hot!” she agreed.
Joey made a giddy sound while he clapped his hands.
Jay was about to get in the office but he halted. He heard everything. He didn’t like it. Now that he found Heather again, he would do everything for her to like him. If they weren’t a good match before because she was pretty and he was geeky, now it was different. Though she was prettier, his looks had improved a lot. He had to do something to break her relationship with her current boyfriend now.
He showed himself and said, “Miss Williams, I want to talk to you in my office.”
Heather and Joey gaped. They didn’t expect the sudden appearance of their boss. They looked at each other because he sounded serious. She got up and followed Jay to his office. She knocked twice before entering. He was on his chair. He was reading some documents.
“Sir?” She called.
He looked up. ” When it is just you and me, I would much prefer that you call me by my name.” he said.
She moistened her lips. Jay looked at the documents again. “Go ask Joey about some dresses that we keep as samples. You need to wear one.” he said matter-of-factly.
She frowned. “Huh? Why?”
“We have to meet a client for dinner. Wear it.”
She frowned. Blake would be picking her up at 5. They have a date. “But sir…” She began and Jay raised his eyes to her
“This is a part of your job. Didn’t we just talk about that this morning?” He sounded formal. “So set aside your personal plans because you have to accompany me tonight.” he said firmly.
She almost groaned. She touched the side of her head. She felt her temples throbbed.
What will she tell Blake? And would he allow her to go with her boss?