Jay's POV
Jay was arranging files on her desk when Keifer appeared in the doorway, hands folded. Her chest tightened automatically.
"Jay," he said, voice calm as always. "You're coming with me on a business trip next week. All arrangements are being made on my jet. You'll handle my schedule, clients, and documents personally."
Jay blinked. "M-me, sir? On your… private jet?" Her voice trembled slightly.
"Yes," he said, expression unreadable. "You'll be in charge. Mistakes won't be tolerated."
Her stomach twisted. On a jet with him? Alone?
"Yes, sir. I… understand," she said softly, trying to sound confident. Her hands shook slightly as she picked up her pen to note it in her planner.
Keifer's eyes flicked to hers, sharp and calculating. "Good. Be ready. I expect perfection."
"Yes, sir," she whispered, muttering to herself once he walked back to his office: Perfect? How am I supposed to be perfect when I'm… nervous… just thinking about being near him…
Keifer's POV
He noticed the slight flush creeping up her cheeks when he mentioned the jet. The way her fingers fiddled with the pen, her gaze darting away immediately—it caught his attention.
Interesting, he thought. She's nervous. Flustered. Curious… maybe even scared. And yet… there's something else. Something more.
He let it go, returning to his documents, though he found himself stealing glances at her from time to time.
She's mine to notice. That's all she is. Nothing more. But why does it feel… so complicated?
Jet POV – Day of the Trip
Jay stepped onto the jet, clutching her bag tightly. Her eyes widened at the sleek interior, polished leather, and the quiet hum of engines ready to take off.
The air hostess greeted her politely, guiding her to her seat. Jay tried to focus on anything else… but then she saw him.
Keifer was already seated, reviewing a folder. The city lights glinted in his eyes. He looked untouchable, commanding… irresistible.
Why does he have to look like that right now? Jay thought, cheeks heating.
She tried to distract herself, but her stomach flipped when the air hostess leaned slightly toward him to clarify a detail. Keifer gave a polite nod, just the faintest smile.
Ugh. Why am I jealous? Jay muttered under her breath.
She realized, with horror, that her heart was racing not because of the jet, the trip, or the schedule—but because of him.
Keifer's POV
He noticed immediately. The subtle stiffening of her shoulders, the quick glances, the flush creeping up her cheeks whenever someone approached him.
Jealous, he thought. She's jealous. Interesting.
He didn't comment. He didn't have to. That tiny flare of her emotions was enough. Every nervous gesture, every fleeting glance, drew him in more than he cared to admit.
She's just my secretary. That's it. But… damn it. Why does that feel so difficult to remember?
Jay sank into her seat, heart still racing, wishing she could hide from herself and from him at the same time. The tension was thick, unspoken, and burning quietly between them.
Neither of them said a word. But both knew… something had shifted.