Jackass Boss [COMPLETED]

Mystery Girl

AFTER FIVE YEARS.....

JAY POV

"Mr. Erickson, they accepted our proposal," Isabella said, her voice calm and professional.

"Good. They didn't really have another option. Schedule a date—I'll sign the contract," I instructed, not looking up from the file.

"Of course, sir."

"Yo, man!" Dev barged into the room without knocking—because, of course he did. The guy has never changed.

"Hey, Bel," he added with a wink.

"Hello to you, Mr. Dev," Isabella chuckled, unfazed. "I'll take my leave."

"Bel," I called just as she was about to walk out. She turned with a curious glance.

"Thank you."

She smiled, gave me a nod, and disappeared down the hall. The moment the door shut, Dev made himself at home, drumming his fingers on my desk like a hyperactive child.

"What?" I asked, already annoyed.

"Nothing," he shrugged with a smirk. "Just seems like someone is falling in love..." He whistled, dragging out the last word obnoxiously.

"Jeez. You're exaggerating," I muttered, grabbing the next file.

"Oh, really? You think I don't know you kissed her that night?"

"I was drunk."

"Sure, sure. 'Drunk,'" he said, spinning the crystal paperweight on my desk. "You know what being drunk leads to..."

I slammed the file shut. "Dev."

"Alright, alright! I'm done!" he threw his hands up. "But hey—still coming to the party tonight?" He gave me a wink.

I gave a reluctant nod. He wouldn't shut up otherwise.

Once he left, I opened the third drawer of my desk. Her photo was still there.

It's been five years since Jessy disappeared from my life, and everything has changed—except the way I think of her.

Elina once told me she'd gone back to her hometown. But when I saw her that day... with him... the pain was indescribable. Like a blade twisting in my spine. It knocked the air out of me. They said I screamed, but I don't remember that. Just the pain. Raw and consuming.

There were times I wanted to go find her. Just to see if she was okay. After that suicide attempt, it haunted me.

Even when I tried distracting myself with other women—random, forgettable encounters—I couldn't go through with it. Something inside me always held back.

Andrew and Fin missed her too. They just never said it out loud. Maybe to spare me. Maybe because it hurt them just as much.

The house wasn't the same without her.

But at least we had each other. Our bond, if anything, only grew stronger.

"Mr. Erickson, it's a pleasure to have you here," Mr. Davies greeted me warmly.

"Likewise."

"I hope your trip was smooth. All your accommodations have been arranged—you and your team will be staying at my hotel. My assistant will help you get settled."

"Appreciate it."

Dev and I were in town for a major new project with Davies' firm. It would take a few weeks to finalize. The whole team—Dev, Isabella, Elina, Justin, and I—had flown in. And of course, Andrew and Fin came along too, having emotionally blackmailed me with their two-month school break.