"Miss Lisa, I know they have interviewed you, but I want to also interview you — or more like give you instructions."
"Why should I let you work in my house?" His tone was cool, almost haughty.
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from saying something rude.
"Because I'm capable," I replied, matching his calm with my own.
He lifted his shoulders slightly, clearly unimpressed, jaw clenching. "That's it?"
"You've already made up your mind about me. I'm not here to win your heart with fancy words. I know my abilities. If you're not willing to take my word for it, that's up to you."
Silence settled between us.
Then he asked, "I assume you've read the rules and instructions? There are no second chances here. One mistake and you're gone."
"Crystal clear," I replied without hesitation.
He held my gaze a moment longer, then turned and left the kitchen without saying another word.
The second he disappeared from view, Jason exhaled loudly.
"That was intense," he said.
"Intense?" I scoffed. "I'm sorry he's your brother, but he's a jerk."
He laughed. "Don't worry about it. I've heard worse, trust me."
He chuckled again. "You'll get used to him. Or not. Either way, you held your ground. That's more than most people manage on their first day."
I rolled my eyes. "I'm not most people."
"That's becoming obvious," he grinned.
Jason showed me to my room, which was close to Oliver's office.
I unpacked.
Hours later, I went down to make dinner. I turned my attention back to the kitchen, opening the cabinets and checking the pantry.
"I need to take inventory," I muttered. "Make a list of things needed."
"Want some company?" he asked.
"You're still here?"
"I don't have much going on today. I actually came to annoy Oliver but ended up meeting you instead."
I gave him a sideways glance. "Lucky me."
He smiled unabashedly. "So how often are you going to be working here?"
"Mondays to Saturdays. Why?"
He tapped the island counter. "I'm shooting an ad content and I need a vixen for my client. I think I just found the vixen for it."
I paused, eyebrows raised. "You've got to be kidding me?"
"I'm as serious as a running temperature."
"Jason, I cook. I don't do content."
"Ouch." He clutched his chest. "The first favor I ask my new friend and she refuses me."
He gave me a fake wounded look, bottom lip poked out.
I laughed. "You're not playing fair."
"Never have, never will."
I sighed. "Fine. I'll think about it. Here I was thinking I'd be the one using you."
He leaned forward, eyes twinkling. "You're still free to take advantage of me."
"You're insufferable," I said, shaking my head.
"You have no idea."
He stood up. "I need to call my client."
I watched him leave the kitchen.
Once I was done checking the inventory, he returned, a grin on his face.
He handed me his phone. "Type in your number."
I hesitated, then took the phone and entered my number. I called myself so I could have his number too, then handed the phone back to him.
"Perfect," he said, slipping it into his pocket.
I turned my focus back to the stove, chopping onions and preparing ingredients for dinner. Jason remained seated, watching me with mild fascination.
"You didn't have anything better to do today?"
"Nope. Today is for bothering Oliver and watching you cook."
I smirked. "Well, mission accomplished."
He leaned back in the chair. "How old are you anyway?"
"Don't you know it's rude to ask a lady her age?" I said, rolling my eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I'm a curious cat."
"Twenty-two," I said. "You?"
"Twenty-six."
"So tell me, if you're not working here, what do you do with your free time?"
"For now, nothing, because I just came to this town. But I stay with Jerry, my best friend."
"I studied engineering because of my parents," he said, "but I love music and content creation."
That got my attention. I paused. "Seriously? You did?"
"Yes."
"That's actually impressive."
He shrugged. "You'd be surprised how many layers people have."
He kept me company until I was done cooking. I set the table for dinner for him and Oliver.
"Well, Jason, this was unexpected—in a good way."
"Yes. Please call me Jay."
I smiled.
His brown eyes followed me upstairs.
"Goodnight, Li," he said, a playful glint in his gaze. "Get ready to explore a lot of things during your stay."
I laughed softly, shaking my head. "We'll see about that."
The moment I walked into my room, I went straight to the shower. Then to the bed.
Out of all the people in California—millions, by the way—it just had to be him who ended up being my boss.
Oliver freaking Scott.
Of course it couldn't be Jay. Jay is humble, kind, and charming. There's no air of arrogance around him, no I'm-better-than-you vibe. He's easy to be with. If only his arrogant brother would emulate him.
I let out a sigh and shut my eyes.
Almost immediately, sleep took me.