Laura
"It's fine, I understand you. You did what had to be done to protect yourself and your family. I probably would do the same too." I let out while he glanced at me and shook his head.
"What's the matter?" I asked.
"It's just funny. Having to explain myself to my assistant…"
"Ohh sorry, I didn't mean that in a bad way." He quickly corrected while I dismissed it with a wave.
"You shouldn't apologize for calling me your assistant. I am indeed your assistant, and I'm proud of myself and work." I affirmed while he clapped lightly.
"As you should." He added.
"I just meant that this is new for me. I do things my way unapologetically. I never have to worry about who it hurts and I never have to apologize or explain like I'm doing."
"What have you done to me, Laura?" He quizzed and I didn't know when a blush escaped my cheeks. I tried to quickly comport myself afterward but it was too late. He already saw and registered my reaction.
"You think I have something to do with it?" I finally found my voice.
"Ofcourse, you got to me. My heart had been heavily guarded from women and distractions until you showed up. Ever since then, you've been fighting those walls and I think you finally pulled them down."
Standing there with Jake, I could hardly believe what I was hearing. The man I'd been fighting so hard to forget, the one who had caused me so much frustration and heartache, was now confessing he felt the same way. It felt like a weight I didn't even realize I was carrying was finally lifting.
His words were so genuine, so raw, and as he looked at me with those earnest eyes, my heart raced. It was like he was finally seeing me, really seeing me. And in that moment, it all felt worth it, the misunderstandings, the heartbreak, the nights I'd spent convincing myself he was out of my reach.
"Laura," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "This isn't easy for me to say, but… the way you feel about me, it's not one-sided."
The words hit me like a tidal wave, knocking the air out of my lungs. I stared at him, unable to speak, my mind racing to process what I was hearing. Could this really be happening?
"I've been so afraid to let you in," he continued, his gaze dropping to his hands before he looked up again. "But the truth is, I can't keep pretending I don't feel anything. I'm in love with you, Laura. I've tried to fight it, but it's there. It's real." He let out slowly.
My breath caught, and for a second, I couldn't move. Here was the man I'd been secretly longing for, the one I'd assumed was beyond my reach, telling me he loved me. I could feel tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, but I held them back, not wanting to ruin the moment. This was everything I had dreamed of, and yet, a part of me hesitated. He needed to know the real me, the parts of my past that I had kept hidden.
Jackson. A horrible past but a necessary story to tell.
Even if he wouldn't want me anymore after knowing, Jake needed to know what he was getting into with me.
Taking a shaky breath, I started to speak, my voice trembling. "Jake, there's something you should know. I haven't been… completely honest with you about my past. I'm not proud of it, and it's hard for me to talk about, but if any of this…" I let out and then circled my finger in between us…"
"If any of this is going to be real, then it should start with whole truths. deserve to know."
"It's fine if you change your mind afterward. I would be pained but happy that I was sincere."
He looked at me, his expression a mixture of concern and encouragement. "Laura, you don't have to be afraid. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."
Just as I was about to pour my heart out, his phone buzzed, breaking the moment. He glanced down, irritation flickering across his face. "I'm so sorry. It's an urgent call. I have to take this."
The moment shattered, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable. He put a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it gently. "We'll continue this later, I promise."
I forced a smile, nodding as he stepped away to answer the call. Watching him go, I felt a pang of disappointment, as if the universe was conspiring to keep me from opening up completely.
A few minutes later, I heard his voice behind me and I turned.
"We have to get back to the office now. The clients I was expecting came earlier and are waiting for me now." He said while I quickly stood up and grabbed my bag.
As we made our way to the car, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd missed my chance to come clean.
"Care for some?" I asked as I brought out my snack from my bag.
"Thanks, but I'm okay for now." He looked at me and smiled while I smiled too. I didn't get why he smiled but I just didn't want to leave him hanging.
The snack was really nice and I enjoyed every bit. I found it on my table this morning and immediately knew it was from Cynthia. She had promised to bring me some snacks as gratitude for helping her with some of her works.
Once we pulled into the driveway, he made straight for his office while I ushered in the clients and they started immediately.
The meeting itself was a blur. Jake was his usual confident self, taking control of the room with ease. I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to his confession. The words replayed in my head, filling me with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Could this really be happening? Could he actually feel the same way?
I barely heard the details of the contract being discussed, my thoughts too tangled up in the whirlwind of emotions I was experiencing. But every so often, I'd catch Jake glancing my way, his eyes filled with a warmth I'd never seen before.
After the meeting, as we walked back to his main office, he turned to me, his eyes filled with curiosity. "So… about what you were saying earlier. You mentioned there was something you wanted to tell me?"
Panic surged through me. The confidence I'd felt earlier had faded, leaving me feeling exposed and uncertain. I wasn't ready to reveal everything, not yet. Not here, in the middle of the office.
"Oh, it's… nothing," I stammered, forcing a smile. "It's nothing too serious, it can wait."
He gave me a skeptical look, clearly not convinced, but he didn't press the issue. "Alright," he said slowly, "but whenever you're ready, I'm here." I nodded and turned to leave but he called me back.
"I wanted to ask earlier, did you enjoy the snack?" He asked while my brows furrowed in confusion, wondering why he was asking.
"Of course, I did. Why?" I quizzed too.
"Because I wanted to know if you would want me to bring some more tomorrow, would you?" my jaws dropped when he said this. I couldn't believe it was Jake who left the snack on my table.
How could you have eaten it without confirming?? - I thought to myself.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry please. I had no idea it was you. Cynthia promised to bring some…"
"I don't care what you discussed with Cynthia. She's not my business, you are. And you haven't answered my question, would you want some more tomorrow?" He cut in sharply. He was even still arrogant while caring, but it did turn me on though.
I didn't want to give a direct answer, so I just smiled and nodded.
He got it too and then press further. He went into his office while I left too, practically fleeing to my office. My heart was still racing, my mind a chaotic mess. I needed time to process everything, to sort through my emotions before I could face him again.
On the way home, I decided to stop by the grocery store, hoping the mundane task would help clear my head. I wandered down the aisles, tossing a few essentials into my basket, trying to focus on anything but Jake. But even here, the thought of him lingered, his confession replaying in my mind like a song I couldn't shake.
Lost in thought, I reached for a carton of milk at the same time as someone else. Our hands brushed, and I quickly pulled mine back, mumbling an apology.
"No worries," the woman said with a friendly smile. She was striking, tall, with a perfect figure and an air of confidence that seemed effortless. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she studied me, as if she were trying to place me.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," she continued, her voice warm and inviting. "I'm Chloe, by the way."
The name rang a bell, but I couldn't quite place it…