The next morning, I arrived at MECH earlier than necessary. Not because I wanted to impress Jason—definitely not. But I refused to be seen as just another assistant running errands. If I was going to survive here, I had to prove I was more than that.
Stepping out of the elevator, I straightened my posture and walked toward Jason's office. The air felt just as heavy as yesterday, but I pushed through.
I knocked once before stepping inside. Jason was already at his desk, his fingers moving across the keyboard, eyes locked on the screen. He didn't acknowledge my presence.
"You're early," he muttered, still typing. His voice was as cold as ever, void of any interest.
I placed the files on his desk, keeping my tone even. "I wanted to go over today's schedule."
Jason finally looked up, his sharp gaze flicking to me for a brief second before dropping back to his screen. "Not necessary."
I didn't back down. "It'll save time. You have back-to-back meetings, and there's an investor call this afternoon."
Silence. His fingers stilled for a moment before he leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. His eyes met mine again—brief, calculating—before he picked up one of the files and flipped through it without interest.
"Do your job and stop wasting my time," he said flatly, setting the file down.
I clenched my jaw but nodded. "Understood."
I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me.
"Jessica."
I hesitated, glancing back.
"Coffee. Black. No sugar."
That was it. No glance, no further words. Just an order.
I exhaled quietly before nodding. "On it."
As I walked out, I realized something.
Jason wasn't just cold.
He didn't care whether I stayed or left.
I returned with his coffee, setting it down carefully on his desk. Jason didn't even glance up. Instead, he continued typing, his focus entirely on whatever was on his screen.
I stood there for a second, waiting—maybe for a nod, maybe for some acknowledgment—but nothing came.
"Your coffee," I said, keeping my voice steady.
Jason finally reached for the cup, his fingers brushing against the warm surface as he took a sip. No reaction. No thank you. Not that I expected one.
"You're still here," he stated without emotion, his eyes never leaving the screen.
I clenched my jaw. "I was going to ask if you needed anything else."
His typing stopped. He leaned back slightly, finally looking at me. His gaze was sharp, assessing—like he was deciding whether I was worth his time.
"You're my assistant, not my shadow," he said coldly. "Do your work and stay out of my way."
His words were like ice, and for a moment, I felt the sting. But I quickly masked it. I refused to let him get under my skin.
"Understood," I said, forcing a professional tone.
I turned to leave, but before I reached the door, his voice came again, crisp and direct.
"I have a lunch meeting at one. Make sure the documents are ready before then."
No please. No details. Just another order.
I didn't turn back. "Got it."
The door closed behind me, and I exhaled, my fingers tightening around the tablet in my hand.
I made sure to have everything ready before his lunch meeting. The documents were neatly organized, the reports double-checked, and I had even anticipated any follow-up papers he might need. If Jason wanted perfection, then that's exactly what he was going to get.
At exactly 12:55, I knocked on his door.
"Come in," his voice came, emotionless as ever.
I stepped inside, holding out the files. Jason finally looked up from his desk, his sharp eyes locking onto mine for only a second before he took the documents from my hands.
He flipped through them in silence, his expression unreadable.
Then, without warning, he tossed one of the papers onto his desk with a sharp flick of his wrist.
"Redo this," he ordered, his voice as cold as ever. "You missed a minor detail."
I frowned, picking up the page. I scanned it quickly but saw nothing wrong.
"What's the issue?" I asked, keeping my voice calm.
Jason leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping once against the desk. "Figure it out."
I clenched my jaw.
So that was how he worked. No explanations. No guidance. Just impossible standards and the expectation that I would magically know exactly what he wanted.
I grabbed the document, turned on my heel, and walked out.
But just as I reached the door, Jason's voice stopped me.
"And Jessica," he said, making me pause. "Don't waste my time again."
His words stung, but I swallowed my pride and stepped out, closing the door behind me.
Fine. If he wanted a challenge, then I'd give him one.
But just as I was about to sit down at my desk to figure out his so-called "minor detail," my phone buzzed.
Liam:Jess, we have a problem. Call me. Now.
I stared at the screen, my stomach twisting.
A problem?
What kind of problem?
And why did I suddenly have a bad feeling about this?
I frowned, my unease growing. I hadn't even been at work for a full day, and yet something about Liam's message sent a chill down my spine.
I quickly dialed his number, bringing the phone to my ear.
"Liam?" I said, my voice low.
"Jess," he replied, his tone sharp. "You need to get home. Now. There's something I need to tell you."
The tension in his voice was unmistakable. My heart rate quickened.
"Liam, what's going on?" I asked, my stomach sinking.
"I can't explain everything over the phone, but it's important. Just come home. Please."
"I'll be there in ten minutes," I replied, already turning back toward the elevator.
As I rushed out of the building and into my car, my thoughts raced. What was going on? What could be so urgent that Liam needed me to come home immediately? Had something happened to one of them?
The drive felt too long, each minute dragging by as the weight of Liam's words pressed on me. My mind couldn't help but wander to Jason, wondering if I had somehow failed him. But then I pushed the thought away. It didn't matter. Liam needed me.
When I finally arrived home, the house was eerily quiet. The door opened before I even had a chance to knock, and there stood Liam, his face pale, his eyes wide with concern.
"Liam, what's going on?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he stepped aside, motioning for me to come in. As I entered the house, I saw Mia pacing nervously, her face as troubled as Liam's. Mom and Dad were seated at the dining table, their expressions serious.
"Jess, you need to listen," Liam began, his voice barely a whisper.
"What is it?" I demanded, my anxiety growing.
"I found something," Liam said, his eyes meeting mine. "Something about Jason. It's not what it seems. There's more to him than we know. And I think you're in danger."
My breath caught in my throat. Jason? Danger?
"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Liam hesitated before continuing. "I've been digging into his background—trying to understand why he's been so cold, so detached. And I found something. Something that doesn't add up. I need you to stay away from him. It's not just about the job anymore."
I stood there, my mind reeling. What had Liam uncovered? And why had he waited until now to tell me?
Before I could speak, the phone on the table rang, breaking the silence. Everyone in the room froze, and I could feel the tension in the air thicken.
Liam reached for the phone, his hand shaking. When he answered, his face went pale.
"Liam, it's him," he whispered.