Just Business [AnunKamol Fanfic] {ENG}

Chapter 5

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"Boss?" Paz asked hesitantly, standing just close enough to be noticed. Her tone was casual, but the weight of her question hung in the air.

"Mhm?" Lovelyn responded, her eyes glued to her laptop. She was deep in negotiations with a producer about Thirteen Days Without You, their newest, most anticipated series about two best friends on the edge of losing each other. The irony.

"Are you... okay?" Paz finally asked, her voice soft. She'd been trying all morning to get a read on Lovelyn's mood, but her boss's usually expressive face had been impossible to decipher.

Lovelyn paused, fingers hovering over her keyboard. She looked up at Paz, her expression unreadable. "Speak directly, Paz. What's on your mind?"

Paz hesitated, then decided to just rip off the bandage. "It's just... before I left on Friday, I heard the yelling. Between you and Miss Anunta. It sounded..." She trailed off, choosing her words carefully. "It sounded intense. I just wanted to check in."

Lovelyn leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. Her expression softened slightly, though her tone stayed measured. "I'm fine. But thank you for asking."

Paz didn't move, and Lovelyn's eyes narrowed. "Anything else, Paz? Or are you hoping to make this a habit?"

Paz smirked faintly, not backing down. "I just wanted to say... if you ever need something, you can count on me."

Lovelyn raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth twitching into a small, amused smile. "Did you just tell me you'd kill someone for me?"

"Not exactly," Paz replied smoothly, "but if it came to that, I'd figure something out."

Lovelyn let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "That's not in your job description, last I checked."

Paz shrugged. "Maybe not. But I've seen what happens when things get rough, Boss. I just don't want you to go through that again. You don't deserve it."

Lovelyn's smile faltered. For a moment, she looked like she might argue, but instead, she sighed. "You worry too much."

"And you deflect too much," Paz shot back, leaning against the desk.

Lovelyn's eyes glinted with a mix of exasperation and humor. "You're awfully bold for someone whose check I sign."

Paz grinned. "Boldness is part of the job." She paused, her voice softening. "I mean it, though. I don't want to see you lose yourself again. Whatever happens with Miss Anunta, just... don't shut down, okay?"

Lovelyn tilted her head, studying Paz. The sincerity in her assistant's words was disarming, as always. "You're talking awfully sweetly, Paz. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were getting ready to confess your love to me."

Paz laughed, the tension breaking. "Sorry, Boss, but Miss Anunta though.."

Lovelyn chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, is that so? Let me call Nora to fire you immediately. We can't have that kind of betrayal around here."

Their laughter filled the room, the moment of light-heartedness easing the weight of the conversation.

"Seriously, though," Paz said after a pause, her voice quiet again. "I hope things work out between you and Miss Anunta. For both your sakes."

Lovelyn gave her a small, faintly amused smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "We'll see, Paz. But thank you."

"Anytime, Boss." Paz lingered for a second longer before heading out of Lovelyn's office.