Jackass Boss [COMPLETED]

Taking Care

JAY'S POV

I don't know what the hell is going on with her. Jessy, the girl I knew—no, the woman who always filled the house with chaos and color—just snapped. Violent, cold, guarded. It was like watching the sun go out. Part of me was pissed at her for storming out like that. No warning. No explanation. Nothing.

If she were any other employee, I would've fired her on the spot. Hell, I wouldn't have tolerated this kind of behavior. But her? For some damn reason, I couldn't do it.

Is it my fault? She told me she didn't want to go to the event, and I pushed her anyway. Forced her out like she didn't have a choice. But why was she so reluctant? What was she hiding?

Could it be... Mendoza?

No. That's ridiculous. She doesn't even know the bastard. At least, she shouldn't.

She vanished. Left no clues behind. Just disappeared into thin air. Maybe she needed space. Time. I told myself she'd be back the next morning.

But morning came, and there was no sign of her.

I stepped out of the shower, towel still around my shoulders, and headed downstairs hoping—maybe irrationally—that I'd see her at breakfast. But the dining hall was empty of her. Andrew and Finlay were already seated, glancing around like they were expecting her too.

Something was off. The air felt too still.

Usually, she'd have burned the toast or knocked something over by now. She'd be pestering Leah with questions, humming off-key, making noise. But the kitchen was silent. It felt like the first day I moved into this house again. Cold. Lifeless.

"Mr. Erickson," Leah said, placing a plate in front of me. "Jessy's friend just called. She said Jessy won't be coming to work today."

I froze. My appetite vanished.

"What? She's quitting?" My voice came out sharper than intended. "No. Absolutely not. She can't quit unless I fire her. That's the contract."

Leah flinched a little but quickly added, "No, sir. She didn't say she was quitting. Just that Jessy has a high fever and needs to rest."

My shoulders dropped. I think I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"Oh. Okay." So she was sick. That explained... some of it.

"Can we visit her, brother?" Finlay asked, chewing on his toast.

"Of course," I said, trying to play it cool. "It's my duty to check on my employees' wellbeing." I forced a smirk. "Or maybe she's just pretending. Taking a day off to chill."

"Yeah, sounds like her," Andrew muttered with a smirk of his own.

"Shut up and eat," I said, rolling my eyes.

After breakfast, I had Holden drive us to her place—he apparently knew where she lived. We pulled up in front of a small, humble house. It was nothing like I imagined. A guy stood out front, watering the plants. He turned when he saw us.

Wait. I recognized him. That guy. He was with her at the restaurant that night.

Is that her boyfriend?

They live together?

What the actual hell?

We stepped out of the car, and I forced myself to keep it professional. Holden walked up to the gate.

"We're here to visit Miss Jessy," he said on my behalf. I didn't want to speak to that guy. Something about him rubbed me the wrong way.

The man blinked, looking puzzled. "And you are?"