13. No（THING）
JAE
13
My business was just starting, but it was already growing faster than I’d ever imagined. Every day brought new work requests. People loved what I did, and I loved working with Vee. She was incredible, truly helping to shape Luminous into what it was becoming. Together, we were unstoppable.
I was at my desk, surrounded by blueprints and sketches, when my phone rang. Glancing at the screen, I saw Auntie’s name. I answered quickly, eager to hear her voice.
“Hi, Auntie,” I said, leaning back in my chair.
“Jae! How are you doing?” Her voice was warm, but there was a rough edge to it, followed by a cough.
“I’m good. Busy, but good,” I replied. Her coughing made me sit up straighter. “Auntie, are you sick?”
“No, no,” she insisted, though her voice was strained. “Just a cold.”
I frowned, not convinced. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, Jae. Just tired. How’s Verena?” she asked, deftly changing the subject.
“She’s doing good,” I said, a smile creeping into my voice. “Working hard, as always.”
“When are you coming home to visit?” Auntie pressed.
“Work’s been crazy, Auntie. I’ve got so much going on,” I began.
“That’s good. But don’t forget to take breaks. Vee wants to visit,” she said softly. “It would be good for you both.”
Verena always had a way of getting me to do things I wouldn’t normally consider. “Alright, once things settle down, I’ll come visit.”
“Good,” Auntie said. “Take care of yourself, Jae.”
“I will. You too, Auntie.”
The call ended and Verena walked into my office, juggling a stack of papers. She was a whirlwind of efficiency, but she always had time to fuck with me.
“Hey, boss,” Verena said with a grin, dropping the papers onto my desk. “Got a minute?”
“For you? Always,” I replied, leaning back in my chair to get a better look at her. She was wearing a fitted blouse and a pencil skirt that hugged her curves just right. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, a few loose strands framing her face. My eyes traced the line of her neck, lingering on the delicate curve where her shoulder met her collarbone.
“Busy day?” I asked, my gaze following her every move.
“You know it,” she said, rolling her eyes. “We’ve got three new projects coming in, and everyone wants them yesterday.”
I chuckled, trying to focus on her words and not the way her lips moved. “Sounds about right. What would I do without you?”
“Crash and burn, probably,” she teased, leaning over my desk to point out some details on a blueprint. Her scent—vanilla and something floral—filled my senses, making my head swim. The proximity made my pulse quicken. I could feel the warmth radiating from her, and it took every ounce of self-control not to reach out and touch her.
“Speaking of crashing and burning, have you eaten today?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. Her fingers brushed against mine as she moved a paper aside, sending a jolt of electricity through me.
“Uh, no,” I admitted. “Haven’t had time.”
She shook her head. “Jae, you need to take care of yourself.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you to keep me in line,” I said, giving her a playful wink, trying to ignore how I imagined keeping her in line. In the bedroom.
No.
Best friend.
Best friend.
Best fucking friend.
She laughed, the sound like music to my ears. “Yeah, yeah. You know, you’re lucky I haven’t found another job yet.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” I said, standing up and walking around the desk to stand beside her. The air felt charged between us. “Who else would put up with my shit?”
“Good point,” she said, looking up at me with a smirk. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, but there was something else there, something that made my heart beat a little faster. “But seriously, take a break. Eat something.”
I nodded, knowing she was right. “Alright, Mom,” I teased, earning a playful shove that sent a thrill through me.
“Watch it, boss. I can still quit,” she warned.
“Not a chance,” I said, my tone softening. “I’d be lost without you.”
She held my gaze for a moment, and the air between us seemed to thicken with unspoken words. I felt a pull towards her, an urge to close the distance and finally say what I’d been feeling for so long. Her lips parted slightly, and for a heartbeat, I imagined leaning in, tasting the sweetness of her kiss. But then she broke the moment, turning to grab another stack of papers.
“Let’s get through these, and then maybe later we can grab some lunch,” she suggested, her voice all business again. I couldn’t help but notice how her fingers trembled ever so slightly as she handled the documents.
“Sounds like a plan,” I agreed, though my thoughts were still lingering on that brief, intense moment. Her proximity made it hard to think straight.
As we worked side by side, the familiar rhythm of our banter and shared focus on the projects brought a sense of comfort. Her presence was a balm to my scattered thoughts, her laughter a constant reminder of why I needed her in my life. But underneath it all, I couldn’t shake the feeling that things were changing. The growing demands of the business and my evolving feelings for Verena were all coming to a head.
One thing was clear: I needed to find a way to balance it all without losing the people who mattered most to me. And that started with taking care of myself and being honest about what I wanted—both in business and in my personal life.
“Jae,” Verena said, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Are you okay? You seem a bit off.” Her voice was gentle, laced with concern. Her hand rested lightly on my arm, the touch sending warmth through my body.
I forced a smile, trying to push aside the turmoil inside. “Yeah, just thinking about some stuff. I’ll be fine.”
She studied me for a moment, her eyes searching mine. “I’m here for you, Jae.”
“Yeah, I know,” I said, my voice softening. “Thanks, Vee.”
As we continued to work, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for her presence. She was my rock, my confidante, and the person who kept me grounded. And as much as I tried to deny it, she was also the person I was falling for, more and more each day.