55. （BOSS）y
VERENA
55
Iwoke up with apprehension coursing through me. This was it—the moment of truth. Jae had quite literally fucked me into convincing me to stay. His dick could be used by the CIA as a tool for extracting information from terrorists. It was lethal, and now, here I was, about to live with him again.
Today was his first day back at work, and it felt like a crucial test. Our time at his vacation home had been a bubble of bliss where I didn’t think he’d go back to his old ways, but now we were back to reality. I woke up alone in bed, a pang of sadness hitting me. Had it all been a dream?
I dragged myself out of bed and wandered into the kitchen, half expecting to find it empty. Instead, there was Jae, standing by the stove, flipping pancakes with an air of casual domesticity that almost made me do a double-take.
I checked the clock. 7 a.m. “You always go to work at six,” I said, confused.
“I go in at nine now,” he replied, glancing over his shoulder with a smile.
“Really?” I asked, suspicion lacing my voice.
“I want to have breakfast with you every morning,” he said, leaning over to kiss my cheek. “Sit down.”
I sat, staring at the plate he set in front of me like it was a UFO. “Can you join me for lunch?” he asked, his tone casual.
“You always have lunch meetings,” I pointed out, narrowing my eyes.
“Not anymore. I told my new assistant to always block them off,” he said, sliding into the seat across from me.
“New assistant?” I echoed, raising an eyebrow.
“I fired Mina the night of the rehearsal dinner,” he admitted.
I nodded. I knew this, but hearing him say it felt…good. Like a closure I didn’t know I needed.
“In the future, I won’t tolerate anyone who undermines our relationship or makes you uncomfortable,” Jae said, his tone so familiar, that bossy man who built an empire and made billions.
“I…appreciate that,” I croaked out.
“Will you meet me for lunch? I want to talk more about your book and your plans. I won’t interfere, but I want to know what you’re going to do. It’s so good.”
I was floored. “Really?”
“Yes, really. And I’ll be off at six. Why don’t we go pick out some new furniture and decor for the place? I want it to be comfortable for you here.”
I couldn’t hold back the tears. They came out of nowhere, surprising both of us. Jae got up immediately and wrapped his arms around me. “Are you really going to be here?” I asked, my voice cracking.
“Yes, baby,” he whispered, his hand stroking my hair. “I’m here.”
“Okay,” I said, sniffling into his shirt.
He pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes. “We also need to visit your mom and pick up our cat. I had Laura bring me Mina a month ago.”
I paused. “You requested Mina?”
He blushed. “When I take my allergy medicine, she’s not too bad. And once she settled, she was nice to have around.”
I let out a laugh through my tears. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope,” he said, grinning. “But be warned, she likes me more now.”
I rolled my eyes. “Keep dreaming. I’ll see you at lunch.”
He kissed me softly before grabbing his briefcase and heading out the door. As I watched him leave, I marveled at how much he’d changed. The man who used to leave for work before dawn was now making me breakfast and adjusting his schedule to spend more time with me.
I spent the rest of the morning thinking about all the little ways he’d shown he was serious. The way he’d talked about my book, his new schedule, firing Mina. It was all so…different. And good. And it made me hopeful.
Walking into Jae’s office building felt like stepping into a different lifetime. The sleek lobby, the polished floors, the hum of productivity—it all brought back memories of when I used to work here. Back then, I was the efficient, invisible assistant, making sure everything ran smoothly while keeping my own dreams on the backburner.
I remembered the day I quit. It felt like jumping off a cliff, exhilarating and terrifying all at once. But it was the right decision, a necessary step to reclaim my life and pursue my passion for writing. Now, walking through these familiar halls, I felt a sense of closure rather than trepidation.
People whispered as I passed by, their curious eyes following me. But I didn’t care. Let them talk. I was here for Jae, and nothing else mattered.
A cheerful voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see a bubbly guy with a wide smile heading toward me. “You must be Verena. I’m Connor, Jae’s new assistant.”
“Nice to meet you, Connor,” I replied, smiling back at him. His enthusiasm was contagious, a refreshing burst of energy in the otherwise polished and sterile office environment.
“Mr. Lee is just wrapping up a meeting,” Connor said, gesturing for me to follow him. “But he’s already ordered your favorite lunch. He said you love the chicken avocado salad from that place down the street.”
I raised an eyebrow, impressed. “He remembered.”
Connor led me to Jae’s office, chatting animatedly. “I was so nervous to work for Mr. Lee. I heard he’s really strict. You were his previous assistant, right?”
“Yeah, I was,” I said, smiling at the memory. “And he can be strict, but he’s fair. Once you get to know him, you’ll see he has a soft side.”
“Really?” Connor’s eyes widened in surprise. “I haven’t seen that side yet.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “It takes a little while, but trust me, it’s there.”
Connor’s curiosity seemed piqued. “Any tips on handling him? I mean, besides the obvious.”
I leaned in conspiratorially, grinning. “Oh, I have a few tips. First off, never let his coffee sit for more than five minutes. He’s convinced it loses its optimal temperature and flavor profile after exactly five minutes and thirty-two seconds.”
Connor chuckled, nodding. “Got it. Coffee—five minutes, thirty-two seconds. What else?”
“Don’t ever, and I mean ever, let him run out of those little imported sugar packets from Italy. I had to beg a customs officer once to release a shipment because they were stuck in transit.”
“Seriously?”
“Oh, it gets better,” I said, laughing. “He has this thing about the blinds in his office. They have to be at a twenty-three-degree angle. Not twenty-two, not twenty-four. Exactly twenty-three. I used a protractor for months.”
Connor burst out laughing. “That’s insane.”
“And then there’s his Post-it notes. They have to be the recycled kind, but only in pastel colors. No neon. He says neon colors distract him from serious thought processes.”
“Wow, he really is particular,” Connor said, shaking his head in amazement.
“Oh, and let’s not forget the office supplies,” I added, warming up to my theme. “His pens must be fountain pens with black ink—blue ink is a mortal sin. And every notepad he uses has to be leather-bound. I once had to drive three hours to get him a specific brand because it was out of stock locally.”
Connor looked like he was struggling to keep up. “Is there anything else?”
“Well, he has this thing about meetings. If they start even a minute late, he’s grumpy for the rest of the day. I used to set all the clocks in the office five minutes ahead just to make sure no one was late.”
“Smart move,” Connor said, laughing.
“And if he’s had a really stressful day, he likes to unwind with a specific playlist. It’s all eighties power ballads. He claims they’re the ultimate de-stress music.”
Connor was practically in stitches by this point. “I can’t believe you had to deal with all that.”
“Yeah, well, it kept things interesting,” I said with a grin. “And it was worth it. He’s a great boss once you get used to his quirks.”
As we arrived at Jae’s office, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of nostalgia. The memories of my time here, the challenges and the triumphs, all came rushing back. Connor opened the door and motioned for me to sit down. “Make yourself comfortable. He should be out any minute.”
I sat in the plush chair, glancing around the office. It was the same as I remembered—minimalistic and efficient—yet there were new personal touches that reflected Jae’s transformation. A framed photo of us from a recent beach trip sat on his desk, making me smile. It was a small reminder of the love and commitment we had built together.
Moments later, Jae walked in, his face lighting up when he saw me. “Hey, you,” he greeted, crossing the room to kiss me. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“It’s fine,” I said, smiling against his lips. “Connor kept me entertained.”
Jae laughed, glancing at his assistant. “He’s good at that. Did he tell you I ordered your favorite?”
“He did,” I replied, touched by the gesture. “Thank you.”
We sat down to eat, the atmosphere comfortable and relaxed. Jae listened intently as I talked about my book and my plans. He seemed genuinely interested. It was a pivotal moment, seeing how supportive and invested he was without being overbearing.
“So, what’s next for you?” Jae asked, taking a bite of his sandwich.
“I think I’m going to self-publish,” I said. “I want to have control over the process.”
Jae nodded approvingly. “I think that’s a great idea. And you know I’m here to help if you need anything.”
“I appreciate that,” I said, my heart swelling with gratitude. “But I really want to do this on my own.”
He reached across the table, taking my hand in his. “I understand. Just know that I believe in you, Verena. You’re going to be amazing.”
Connor walked in, carrying a stack of files. “Mr. Lee, here are the reports you asked for.”
“Thanks, Connor,” Jae said, taking the files. “And call me Jae.”
Connor blinked in surprise. “Oh, sure…Jae.”
Once Conner was gone, Jae turned to me. “Why did my new assistant look at me like I had two heads when I told him to call me Jae? Is my reputation really that bad?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re doing just fine. But if you want some advice, maybe don’t yell at him if he forgets to charge your smartwatch.”
Jae grinned. “Noted. Anything else?”
“Listen to Connor’s ideas,” I suggested. “He seems bright and enthusiastic. Encourage that.”
Jae nodded thoughtfully. “Anything else?”
I leaned back in my chair, considering. “Well, let’s start with the basics. For instance, don’t freak out if he accidentally uses regular paper instead of recycled for your daily reports. I remember that happening once and it was like the world was ending.”
Jae’s eyes widened. “Got it.”
“And maybe ease up on the binder clips,” I continued, smirking. “You have a tendency to treat them like gold. Let the man use them without fearing a lecture about resource conservation.”
Jae chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Okay, okay. Anything else?”
“Yes, actually. If he ever needs to reschedule a meeting, try to be a bit more flexible. I know your schedule is tight, but life happens. Give him some leeway.”
“I won’t be flexible when it comes to my time with you,” he argued, making my stomach flutter.
“And for the love of all things holy, please don’t make him run across town to get those specific pens you like. Remember that time I almost missed a conference call because I was hunting down the last Montblanc in the city?”
Jae laughed, the sound filling the room. “I remember. You were pretty mad.”
“Mad? I was ready to quit on the spot,” I teased, shaking my head. “Seriously, though, it’s the little things. Show some understanding and flexibility, and it’ll go a long way.”
As we finished our lunch, the conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and sweet moments. Jae kept asking about my book. It was so different from the days when I felt like a cog in the corporate machine. Now, I was a woman on the brink of achieving her dreams, supported by the man who had become my biggest champion.
“I can’t wait to see your book on the shelves,” Jae said, squeezing my hand.
“Neither can I,” I replied. “It’s going to be incredible.”
By the end of the meal, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and hope for the future. The anxiety that had been gnawing at me earlier that day had dissipated, replaced by a warmth that spread through my entire being.
As we left the office, I couldn’t help but marvel at the journey we’d taken. I used to be the girl who felt invisible, drowning in the shadows of my own doubts and insecurities. But not anymore. It was surreal, a blend of the unbelievable and the inevitable.
Somewhere, I knew Auntie was smiling. Her faith in us, in Jae, had been resolute. She had seen the potential in him, the strength buried beneath his grief. She knew he could emerge from the storm of despair and become the man she always believed he could be.
Strong. Settled. Still. And so, so loved.
Grief had tried to drown us, but instead, it forged us into something unbreakable. Jae had become everything Auntie had hoped for, and more. His transformation was proof of the power of love and resilience.
As Jae pulled me close, whispering promises of forever, I felt the most beautiful sense of certainty. This was just the beginning of our story. The road ahead was filled with promise, not because it was free of challenges, but because we were ready to face them together.
And in that moment, I knew—our story would be one of hope, of unyielding love, and of countless mornings spent wrapped in each other’s arms. This was our new beginning, and I couldn’t wait to see where it would lead us.