Jackass Boss [COMPLETED]

Aria

"The only woman I loved was Tanya... and I never betrayed her, even though she never loved me back," Emanuel said quietly, his voice thick with something I couldn't name—pain, maybe. Tanya's expression shifted. For a split second, the bitterness on her face melted into something softer... guilt, perhaps?

He looked at Jay, then back at me. "I know what you're thinking. And I'm sorry. She wasn't just a maid. She was a good person. But back then... I was angry. I saw how much Tanya was hurting because of you two, and all I wanted was to see her smile again—even if it meant destroying someone else's happiness."

My heart twisted at his next words.

"When Tanya came to me with a plan... she said I could help her separate you both. I agreed. I would've done anything if it meant she'd look at me like she used to. But that particular person, she... she drugged your drink, Jessy. She brought you back to Elina's house, stripped your clothes, and waited with a camera. She told me to... to do it. To sleep with you. To take pictures to ruin your life."

I stood frozen.

Emanuel's voice cracked. "But when I looked at you—passed out, vulnerable—I couldn't do it. I felt disgusted... not by you, Jessy. By myself. I couldn't touch you because the only woman I could ever love was Tanya. I staged the photos—just a fake kiss, your hand resting on me. Nothing happened that night. I swear to God... nothing."

The room went silent. My breath hitched. I felt my tears roll down without restraint.

Nothing happened...?
Then that means... Julissa... she's Jay's daughter.

I looked at Emanuel, heart pounding. "How could you do this to me? Do you have any idea how much I've suffered over something I never did?" My voice trembled, then rose in a sharp, cracked scream. "You let me hate myself for years!"

Emanuel didn't respond. His silence said it all.

I turned to Tanya. "Did you ask him to do it?" I asked, voice cold, eyes fixed on her pale face.

"I... she didn't know about it," Emanuel answered, hesitantly. "Not until now."

My blood turned cold at what came next.

"It wasn't her, Jessy. It was... Aria."

My world stopped.

Aria?

My friend?

A sob escaped my lips as my legs buckled slightly. I gripped the edge of the couch.

The pain was unbearable. Worse than betrayal. It was annihilation. My heart felt like it had been ripped open and exposed to the cold.

"I regarded her as a sister," I whispered, more to myself than anyone else.

Mr. Holden stepped forward. "Paul, inform the guards. Have Aria detained immediately," he said sharply into his comm.

Emanuel stepped toward a drawer and pulled out a letter and a gun. "This came in the mail. No name, no fingerprints. Just this message."

He read aloud, his voice hollow.
"She deserves to die for your suffering. This is your chance. Her address and number are included. Kill her."

"I didn't know who sent it. I told Tanya not to go. But she did. She thought she'd just scare you. We didn't know anyone else was involved. But now I know—it was Aria who planned to trap you," he said quietly.

My head was spinning. The nausea returned with full force. Everything blurred. My knees gave out—but Jay was there, catching me just in time.

"Jessy!" he dropped beside me, helping me to the couch. His hands gently cradled my head as he crouched in front of me.

"I'm fine," I whispered, though I wasn't. My soul felt shattered.

"She's the one who told me about Tanya's whereabouts. I asked her to inform you, Jay, while I went to speak with Tanya," I said, laughing bitterly through the tears. "God, I was so stupid. She wanted me to come here alone... hoping they'd kill me."

"No," Jay said softly, holding my trembling hands. "You're not stupid, Jessy. She never understood friendship. But you did."

Mr. Holden leaned in close to Jay. "Sir... Aria has escaped."

I heard it. My breath caught.

Emanuel's voice rose in warning. "She said if I ever told the truth, she'd kill me... or Tanya. She has contacts, Jay. Real ones. She's dangerous."

Jay stood slowly. His jaw tightened, his eyes stormy with unresolved rage.

He turned to them. "I hate both of you," he began coldly, "but I also know part of this is my fault. Tanya... maybe I pushed you too far. I never loved you romantically, but I did love you... as a friend. I thought you understood the difference between love and obsession."

Tanya looked down, tears dripping onto the floor.

"You were so obsessed with me, you forgot the one person who truly loved you. Emanuel." Jay's voice cracked slightly. "He didn't just love you... he tried to save you, even when you were destroying yourself."

Tanya wept quietly now, no longer arguing.

"You had the chance to kill Jessy. But you didn't. That means something," Jay said. "You've changed... or you're trying to. Whether you believe it or not, you're not beyond saving."

"No," Tanya whispered, shaking her head, "I don't deserve forgiveness."

"Yes, you do. Both of you do," Jay said. "At least enough to try again. And Aria... she's still out there. She's dangerous. Stay in my house until it's safe. I'll arrange new jobs and help you both start fresh somewhere else."

Emanuel's voice broke. "Jay... you don't have to do this. Not after what we did. I'm a traitor."

"Shut up, Emanuel!" Jay snapped. "You're still my friend. I'm not excusing what you did—but I'm not forgetting what you didn't do, either."

A tear slipped down Emanuel's cheek. He stepped forward and hugged Jay, gripping him tightly. "I'm sorry, man... I really am."

Jay's eyes softened. He nodded. "I've changed too, Emanuel."

Tanya and Emanuel followed us back to the house. I didn't protest.

Because deep down, I knew... forgiveness wasn't weakness. It was healing.
And sometimes, the people most in need of redemption are the ones who never believed they deserved it.

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