Jackass Boss [COMPLETED]

Accident

I had been staying at Mr. Erickson's house for the past two days since Leah had to return to her hometown. Despite being in the same place, I barely saw him. He didn't come to the breakfast table, didn't leave a word before going out, and returned so late that everyone was already asleep. Something was clearly off. He looked like a man under pressure, burdened by something invisible and heavy.

I was set to leave in four days, but before that, I wanted—needed—to clear the air. Today, I decided I would wait for him no matter what. I ended up dozing off on the living room couch.

I was startled awake by a high-pitched giggle.

"Haha... your house is so nice," a woman's voice rang out.

I sat up groggily and blinked the blurriness away. My stomach twisted. There he was—Mr. Erickson—standing with a woman half-dressed, draped on his arm like she belonged there.

"Mr. Erickson?" I called out, my voice hoarse with sleep and something more—hurt.

He turned, startled to see me. "What are you doing here?"

"I... I wanted to talk to you," I stammered, my eyes flicking to the woman who was now caressing his chest like I wasn't even there.

"Baby, please," she purred, pressing a kiss to his neck, "I can't wait any longer."

He didn't stop her.

I turned my face away, rage and something unfamiliar boiling beneath my skin. Jealousy? I didn't even want to name it.

"Rosie, wait for me in my room. I'll be up in a minute," he said, his voice flat.

She pouted but obeyed, casting me a smirk as she disappeared upstairs.

He faced me again. "Well? Say it fast," he snapped, irritation flashing in his eyes.

I shot up from the couch. "What the hell is wrong with you?" I blurted. "If you want to screw around, do it outside. Don't bring it home like this!"

In an instant, he stormed toward me, shoving me against the wall so hard I gasped. His face was inches from mine, furious and wild.

"What the fuck do you care what I do?" he shouted. "I'm your employer! This is my house! You don't get to tell me what I can or can't do! Watch your damn tone!"

My hands trembled as I looked up at him. But I didn't flinch. I couldn't.

"Why are you doing this...?" I whispered, tears slipping down my cheeks. "You're not like this. You've changed... Is it because of me? Did I do something wrong?"

For the first time, his anger cracked.

His eyes... they softened, just for a second. He looked exhausted. Worn down. Haunted.

He looked away from me, his jaw tight. "This is who I am," he said quietly and turned his back to me.

I wanted so badly to wrap my arms around him and tell him it was okay, that whatever demons he was facing, he didn't have to face them alone. But my body stayed frozen, my limbs refusing to move. And just like that, he was gone.

Saturday came. There was no school, so Andrew and Finlay slept in. To my surprise, Mr. Erickson was actually at home. I saw the three of them having breakfast together, like a proper family.

After a while, he stood and walked away. I followed him, needing to tell him that I'd be leaving tomorrow. But just as I entered the living hall, I saw Tanya—yes, that Tanya—wrapped around him, kissing him forcefully.

"Tanya, what the hell?" he pushed her away gently. "Why are you drunk this early?"

"I miss you," she slurred, fingers trailing down his jaw.