Shay's POV
For the past few days, as I continued to go to work, Jason and I had started to get a lot closer and act more comfortable around each other than I had thought we would.
One thing I had noticed recently was my mom's increased level of curiosity about my whereabouts. She even had me followed by her personal bodyguards one day, and thank God I lost them in time to make it back to work without being late.
Jason went on a business trip to Dubai three days ago, and according to Sylvia, he's returning today. Those last three days have given me enough time to build up my courage and practice what I was going to say to him.
I've made up my mindâI'm going to tell him how I really feel when he comes back.
All this effort cannot lead straight into rejection, because I know he feels the same way I do. Otherwise, why would he even bother trying to get to know me and suddenly be so nice to me?
As I quietly worked in my office, I couldn't help but glance at the time every five minutes. It was already past noon, yet there was no sign of him. The anticipation was contributing to my nervousness and was starting to make me feel unsettled.
My finger repeatedly clicked my pen subconsciously, and my foot kept tapping on the floor more than a few times. I finally shook my head and tried to focus back on my work rather than the fact that Jason still hadn't shown up.
What if he decides to stay back in Dubai for a few more days?
Will I be able to build up the courage to tell him by the time he finally returns?
Shit! No, that can't be.
Sylvia was absolutely sure when she told me this morning that he was coming back today, not tomorrow, or next week, or next month. It's today! I was so engrossed in my work that by the time I had finished, it was already 4 p.m. I leaned back in my chair and stared up at the ceiling.
I knew it. He's not coming today.
So much for building up the courage to say what I needed to say. I wasted half the day just practicing how I'm going to tell him how I feel, and right when the day comes for me to do so, he's not here.
I quickly grabbed my coat from the back of the chair, picked up my bag and phone, and turned off the lights in my office before leaving.
My mind was blank. I couldn't come up with anything, so I just focused my eyes on the road instead. My heart felt heavy with disappointment, and I was suddenly not in the mood to go home. I took a U-turn and drove to my favorite spot in the world to have some alone time. Ten minutes later, I pulled up beside the road.
I got out of the car and walked toward the stone bench nearby and sat down. The thing about this place that I absolutely love is the view. You can see the Golden Gate Bridge from this point and just silently listen to the distant sound of cars and voices from people walking nearby, staring at the shining moon reflecting on the clear dark water beyond me.
This is the perfect place where I love to be alone with my thoughts.
"Miss Kellen?" The voice disrupted my thoughts and made me jump in surprise.
I turned around and was shocked to see Jason standing just a few feet away, still dressed in a suit, staring back at me with a small smile on his face. I quickly stood up, straightened my skirt, and gave a little wave.
"Um... hi. Ah, what are you doing here?"
His smile widened, and he started to walk toward me.
"I was just on my way from the airport when I spotted your car. I'm actually surprised to see you here."
I folded my arms in front of me and gently rubbed my hands on them when a cold breeze suddenly enveloped us.
So that's why I haven't seen him all day.
"I, um... I just came here to be alone for a while."
He frowned at me and then looked off into the distance.
"By yourself?"
"Yeah."
"Don't you think it's a little unsafe for a young woman to be out here alone?"
It was my turn to frown, and I glanced around us in confusion.
"It's a public place. People come here all the time. And I can protect myself, thank you very much." I added a little too defensively.
He chuckled and gazed back into my eyes.
"I didn't say that you can't, and I might agree with you on that, but I still want you to be careful. I just don't want you to get hurt or be in danger, that's all."
This... this is why it's so hard not to like him.
When he looks at me that way, it not only gives me butterflies, but it also makes me feel this great desire. A desire to have a man who you can cherish all the good feelings that he makes you feel. I want that.
With him.
"By the way, did youâ"
"Can I ask you something?" I quickly cut in before he could finish his sentence.
He slowly nodded his head, and that's when I suddenly realized that I was really going to tell him how I feel about him. It's now or never. I need to get it all out, and there's no looking back this time.
Now's my only chance.
"I know that if I tell you this, I might be overstepping my boundaries in our boss-and-employee relationship, but, um... just so you know, I actually see you as more than just my boss because you're still a man. A very undeniably... attractive one, to be exact. So, um... as a woman, it's totally normal for us to easily like someone who has been caring and friendly to us, and also kind enough to offer us a ride home too."
I stopped and quickly tried to read his expression. He continued to stare back at me with a blank look on his face and raised an eyebrow when I suddenly stopped talking.
"What I'm trying to say is that I like you!" I quickly blurted out before I could change my mind.
His eyes slightly widened in surprise, and he pursed his lips.
"Oh," he finally responded after a long minute of silence.
"So, um, do you want to go grab some dinner or something? Or maybe get some coffee some day?"
He slowly turned away from me without a word, and that's when I knew that I had completely earned myself another embarrassing moment to be depressed about for the rest of my life.
Shawn always told me that it was always a good thing to do something first before the other person does it for me, but there are always bad consequences that follow.
He swiftly turned back around to face me and quickly shook his head with a tight-lipped smile on his face.
"No." My heart sank, and I quickly forced a smile.
I knew this would be the result. Screw my overconfidence for making me do things I never really thought twice about.
"Oh. Well, it's okay. I completely understand. What was I thinking? Of course, you and I are never going to work because you're still my boss, anyway, and dating at work is like... way out of character."
An awkward laugh escaped my lips, and I didn't know what else to say or do anymore, so I just sat back down on the stone bench, looked down at my hands, and pinched my fingers in annoyance because I was starting to feel really mad at myself. He suddenly sat down next to me as well, and his shoulder lightly pressed against mine.
"Do you want to know the reason why I said no?" I glanced at him, and he looked at me at the same time. Our eyes met.
"This is the first time a girl asked me out, and I hate that because that's usually my part to play. But now that the roles are reversed, that actually bruised my ego, I'm not gonna lie. I do appreciate you for telling me how you feel, and believe me, I do feel the same way because I was actually planning to ask you out first as soon as I got back. So how about we try this again?"
I stared back at him in surprise. His mouth curved into a smile, and he suddenly grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers together.
"Do you want to go out for dinner with me some time, Shay?"
I slowly nodded my head, completely incapable of forming the next words in my mouth.
"Great, then it's a date." He whispered low in my ear.
My excitement was ready to burst, and I was really trying my hardest to hold it in, hoping it didn't give much away in my expression. He stood up, pulled me up along with him, and fully turned around to face me while pushing a lock of hair behind my ear.
"Okay, now that that's settled, I hope you know that there's no such rule in my company where people are not allowed to date just because they're coworkers or he's in a much higher position than she is. You do whatever your heart tells you to do and be with whoever you like."
His words warmed my heart.
I didn't expect it to turn out this way because words cannot describe how happy I truly feel right now. With his hand still tightly wrapped around mine, he slowly walked me toward my car and opened the door for me.
"You should head home now; it's getting kind of late. We have another long day tomorrow."
I nodded with a smile and got inside my car before he closed the door for me. I put on my seatbelt, started the car, and smiled one more time at him.
"Drive safe." He leaned away from the car and smiled at me.
"Bye."
I started to drive away, but I couldn't help myself from staring back at him through the rearview mirror. I happily smiled to myself and headed straight toward Sylvia's place to share the good news over some wine and pizza.