Brandon's eyes widened as he heard footsteps approaching the pantry. In a flash, he grabbed Jessie's hand and pulled her into the tiny toilet cubicle beside them.
The sudden movement caught her off guard, and she stumbled slightly, her body pressing against his.
"Shhh," Brandon whispered, his finger pressed to his lips.
His eyes locked with hers, conveying the urgency of the situation.
"Now's not the time."
Jessie nodded. The scent of Brandon's cologne filled her senses, a subtle mix of sandalwood and something uniquely him.
As they stood in tense silence, Jessie suddenly realized they were still holding hands.
A warmth crept up her neck, her cheeks burning as their fingers lingered.
She glanced down at their intertwined fingers, then back up to Brandon's face.
Brandon followed her gaze, noticing their joined hands. His eyes widened, and he quickly released his grip.
"Sorry," he mouthed silently, a hint of embarrassment in his eyes.
Jessie shook her head, indicating it was fine. She tucked a strand of hair behind her reddened ear.
The footsteps grew louder, then faded as they passed the pantry.
Brandon let out a quiet sigh, the stale air of the tiny cubicle pressing in on them, his shoulders barely brushing the cold, tiled wall.
He turned back to Jessie, their eyes meeting in the dim light of the toilet cubicle.
Brandon's pulse quickened as Jessie's perfume—jasmine and vanilla—enveloped him in the confined space.
He couldn't help but notice the way her cheeks flushed, a rosy tint spreading across her face.
Jessie's gaze flickered nervously.
Her lips parted, but no words came.
Brandon found himself captivated by the curve of her neck, the way her dark hair fell in soft waves around her face.
'Oh my god, it's really him,' Jessie thought, her mind racing.
'The mysterious '13' is right here, in this tiny space with me. And he's my new boss? Am I dreaming?'
She sneaked a glance at Brandon, taking in his chiseled features and intense grey eyes. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized how close they were standing.
'He's even more handsome up close,' she mused, feeling her face grow even warmer.
Brandon noticed Jessie's quickened breathing, the way her chest rose and fell rapidly. He couldn't help but admire the graceful line of her collarbone, exposed by her slightly askew blouse.
'She's stunning,' Brandon thought, his eyes tracing the contours of her face.
He felt a warmth spreading through his chest, a feeling he couldn't quite place.
'Get it together, Brandon,' he chided himself.
'She's your employee now. But damn, she's gorgeous, in a sexy OL kinda way.'
Brandon cleared his throat awkwardly, breaking the tension that had built up in the cramped cubicle. He took a small step back, as much as the limited space allowed, and met Jessie's gaze.
"Look, I've summoned the company's higher-ups to the performance theater for an impromptu showcase of our signed talent. Have you not been notified?"
Jessie's expression shifted, her brow furrowed. Her lips pursed into an adorable pout, frustration evident in her eyes.
"Hmph. Ashford, Derrick, and their little gang have been trying to push me out ever since—"
She cut herself off, realizing she might be saying too much.
Brandon's eyebrows shot up, his expression turning serious.
"Who's Ashford, Derrick? And ever since what?"
He leaned in slightly, his voice low and intense.
Jessie sighed, her shoulders slumping.
"Julien Ashford, the CEO. Derrick Mallon, the Head of A&R, and Fred Mallon, the Creative Director and Derrick's nephew. They've been tightening the noose ever since I started digging round their shady business. Every time I get close, they push back harder. "
Brandon nodded, his jaw clenching.
"Who else is in on it?"
Jessie ran a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated.
"Besides their departments? I'm not sure. The production, marketing, and promotion departments are too busy creating miracles for our talentless artists. The head of legal is a straight arrow; he'd at most turn a blind eye..."
She trailed off, then added,
"Even as COO, I've been relegated to the second floor, so... there's only so much I can do. Too busy trying to keep this sinking ship afloat."
Suddenly, Jessie's eyes widened as she realized what she'd just said.
"No... uh, I mean—"
Brandon waved his hand dismissively, his posture straightening as he adopted a more domineering tone.
"Now that I'm here, things will change. BMG deserves better."
Jessie's eyes lit up, a spark of hope igniting in their depths. Her lips parted in surprise, and for a moment, she looked at Brandon with a mixture of awe and admiration.
"We should head to the performance theater," he said, his voice low. "I need you there for the showcase."
Jessie nodded, forcing a smile.
"Yeaahh... Boss."
But beneath the surface, a dozen questions swirled in her mind.
Brandon reached for the door handle behind her, his arm brushing against her side. The cramped space forced him to lean in closer, his chest nearly touching hers. He could feel the warmth radiating from her body, hear her breath caressing his neck.
As he fumbled with the handle, his fingers grazed Jessie's hip.
She inhaled sharply, her body tensing at the unexpected contact.
Brandon froze, acutely aware of their proximity.
"Sorry," he murmured, his breath tickling her ear.
Jessie turned her head slightly, her lips mere inches from his.
"I-It's okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Jessie shifted, trying to give him more room to open the door.
As she moved, her foot slipped on the smooth tile floor. She lost her balance, stumbling forward.
Brandon instinctively reached out to catch her, his arms wrapping around her waist.
The sudden movement caused him to lose his footing as well, and they both tumbled against the door.
*Thud *
Brandon's heart pounded in his chest, his mind whirling as Jessie's lips pressed against his.
The world blurred, reduced to the warmth of her lips, soft and unexpectedly electric against his.
For a heartbeat, everything else fell away.
Jessie's fingers dug into his shoulders, her breath catching in her throat. Brandon tightened his grip on her waist, steadying them both against the door.
The kiss lasted only a second, but time seemed to stretch.
Brandon's mind went blank, all thoughts of the company and his plans evaporating in an instant.
* Creeeaakkk~*
A loud creak shattered the silence.
For a split second, they froze, breath held, waiting for who—or what—would appear.
The cubicle door swung open, revealing a startled janitor. His mop clattered to the floor, eyes wide with shock.
Brandon and Jessie sprang apart, faces flushed. Jessie smoothed her blouse, avoiding eye contact. Brandon cleared his throat and put on his face mask.
The janitor's eyes widened, his gaze flicking between them as if unsure of what he'd just walked into.
'I... uh... sorry,' he stammered, backing away quickly, leaving the door ajar.
Silence lingered in his wake, thick with unspoken words.
Brandon's cheeks burned beneath his mask. He glanced at Jessie, catching a glimpse of her reddened face before she scurried away.
"See you at the theater," she whispered, still feeling the ghost of his touch. But neither of them was thinking about the performance now.