Jason drove Eric and Ashley to school. As they sat in the car, Ashley looked out the window, her knuckles clenched together. Nervousness washed over her. It was her first day working with Eric, and she couldn't help but wonder how awkward it would feel. What would her friends think about their new dynamic? Swallowing her nervousness, she turned to Eric,who was also lost in his thoughts, gazing through the window. "Boss?... Boss..." she called out in a soft whisper, trying to catch his attention. Eric jolted and faced her. "What?" he asked.
"About us... working together, can we try not to make it too obvious?" Ashley said. "Why?" Eric raised an eyebrow. "It's awkward. My friends might distance themselves from me, thinking I'll favor you. Let's not make it obvious, please," she pleaded.
Eric looked at her, then nodded. "Okay, fine," he responded.
"Thank you," Ashley smiled slightly and sat back.
Shortly after their arrival at the school, the school gate opened on its own and they drove in. Eric let out a frustrated sigh upon seeing the group of reporters waiting for him at the entrance. "They just don't give up," he muttered, feeling exasperated. Jason, noticing his boss's frustration, offered, "Should I stop them, boss?" Eric quickly replied, "Don't worry, Jason. You won't be able to handle them alone and besides, we didn't bring any bodyguards with us. We'll find a way to get past them." Eric's words left Jason speechless, as he couldn't quite comprehend his boss's sudden change in attitude.
Eric put on his glasses and stepped out of the car. Jason followed closely behind, followed by Ashley, Eric walked into the crowd of reporters, while Jason tried his best to clear a path for him. Meanwhile, Ashley found herself stuck in the middle of the reporters. She winced as she tried to make her way through the crowd, struggling to find a clear path for herself. After Eric and Jason made their way out, they found themselves at the entrance of the school. A crowd of students had gathered, eagerly watching and cheering as Eric noticed Ashley was not by his side, concerned, he removed his glasses and glanced back into the crowd of reporters. There, he saw her stuck amidst the reporters, struggling to break free, he walked towards the reporters, and Jason wondered why he was going back there. He inserted his glasses into his pocket and entered the midst of the reporters as they started bombarding him with various questions. However, he remained silent, focused solely on his goal of getting Ashley out of there. Reaching Ashley, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her away. She was immediately shocked as she was abruptly pulled out with one swift motion. Jason's lips parted in shock as Eric walked out with Ashley, still holding her wrist. He was supposed to let her go the moment he was able to pull her out, but he didn't. "Let me go now," Ashley whispered, but Eric turned a blind ear. They started hearing the students shouting, shocked to see Ashley with Eric. Filled with embarrassment, Ashley bowed her head, her hair covering her face, while Eric's gaze remained cold as he walked them into his office.
As they entered the office, Jason could sense the tension in the air, why would Eric do that he wondered He finally let go of Ashley wrist wrist and walk to his table sitting down, Jason remain numb, Eric sits at his desk and begins sorting through the files scattered across it, as if trying to ignore the recent events. "Ehem..." Jason clears his throat, attempting to bring attention to the awkwardness in the room. Eric looks up and sees Ashley standing nearby. "Ohh... Ash... Your desk is actually over there," he gestures towards a desk six feet away from his own, "oh... Oh... Okay sir" Ashley responded with slight frown now he had got her embarrassed everyone in class will ask her of what she is doing with Eric, Jason left the office shortly after, and then Ashley seized the opportunity to move closer to Eric. "I told you not to make it obvious," she whispered to him. Eric looked up at her, confused. "How did I make it obvious?" he asked. Ashley bit her lower lip and inhaled sharply. "I was just trying to help you, though," he said and Ashley shot him a smug look, "And thank you so much for the help, sir. Can I leave now? I have vocal class practice," she asked with a hint of anger,rendering Eric speechless. "I will leave anyway. I can't afford to be late for class," she turned her back and walked away. Eric threw his pen with frustration, wondering where he had gone wrong again.