Jackass Boss [COMPLETED]

A story to tell....

What's going on with him? One minute, he's kind and attentive, and the next, he's cold as ice. I caught a glimpse of him driving away in his car, his expression unreadable as always.

"Is he really your boss?" Mark asked, eyeing the car as it disappeared down the street.

I nodded. "Yeah."

"He looks... cold," he added thoughtfully.

"He's always like that," I shrugged with a small smile. "It's just how he is."

"But it was kind of weird, though," Esme chimed in, arms folded. "Everyone talks about Mr. Erickson like he's a heartless, arrogant tyrant. Ruthless, even. But he came all the way to visit you at the hospital. That doesn't seem cold to me. I think he's a pretty decent boss."

I tilted my head, thinking back on it. "Yeah... Honestly, I don't think he's as scary as people say. He just has... his own strange way of showing he cares."

"Oooh... really now?" Esme grinned, leaning in mischievously. "Sounds like someone's got a little crush on the boss~"

"H-Huh?! Are you kidding me?" I felt my face go warm. "He's cold! How could anyone possibly like a man like that?"

Esme and Mark burst into laughter.

"Sure doesn't sound like you don't like him," she teased, nudging Mark. "Right, honey?"

"Definitely not convincing," he agreed with a chuckle.

"Oh, come on! You two are being ridiculous!" I huffed and turned on my heel, storming back into the house before they teased me to death.

After a quick shower, I returned to my room, drying my hair with a towel. The bathroom in Esme's house wasn't attached to the rooms, so I had to tiptoe through the hallway in my towel just to get in and out. Slightly annoying, but I'd gotten used to it.

Standing in front of the mirror, I caught a glimpse of myself... and then suddenly, I remembered.

That moment in the hospital.

Mr. Erickson leaning down...

His lips...

My hand flew to my mouth.

Damn it. How dare he steal my first kiss?!

But... damn. His lips were soft. Really soft. And kind of sexy, too...

No! What the hell, Jessy?! Get a grip!

It wasn't like that. He only did it to distract me so the doctor could give me the injection. That's it. Nothing more. Just... forget about it.

I woke up the next morning feeling surprisingly energetic. The clock read 5:30 a.m., but I was already wide awake. Maybe because I'd slept so much the day before. After getting ready—just a tank top and jeans, hair tied in a high ponytail—I scribbled a quick note for Esme, who had a later shift and was still asleep, then slipped out of the house.

When I reached Mr. Erickson's place, it was just 7:00 a.m. He usually went for a jog around this time, and like clockwork, he entered the kitchen, wiping sweat from his face with a towel.

"Mr. Erickson!!" I greeted him excitedly.

He flinched slightly at my volume. "Miss Booby, do you ever talk quietly?"

"Oops, sorry!" I grinned, not sorry at all. "Here, your drink," I said, holding out an isotonic water bottle like a peace offering.

He raised an eyebrow, eyeing both me and the bottle suspiciously. "What is this? Poison again?" he asked with a smirk.