apter 93
The room was soundproof. But worried that someone might be outside, Jessica texted Zachary
first.
“Can I come out now?”
“Yes.”
She let out a breath of relief and opened the door to the junior suite.
The moment she spotted Joshua and Ian, everyone froze, their eyes darting around in confusion.
Panic gripped Joshua. He had made the call at the worst possible moment. An hour ago, Zachary had texted him, asking him to give Jessica the rest of the day off. He’d thought Jessica was sick or something.
But apparently, that wasn’t the case.
Standing at the door, Jessica wished the ground would swallow her up.
“Here.”
Zachary glanced at her flushed face, then nudged the dessert in front of him to the side.
Jessica’s legs turned to lead. In a daze, she trudged over to pick up the dessert, then left without looking back.
A soft chuckle left Zachary’s lips. At the same time, Ian had gone pale.
“Joshua, wait for me on the first floor and finish the handover,” Zachary said.
“Alright.”
Joshua placed a file on the desk, then followed Jessica toward the elevator.
He whispered, “You and Mr. Jones-”
“What idea did you give him this time?”
“Didn’t you say he never makes a move on you? I just suggested he take the initiative.”
Jessica started to argue, “When did I ever-”
“Didn’t you?”
“I…”
Jessica clenched her teeth. Sure, he did take the initiative–but it was too over the top. It was
no wonder he’d messaged her first thing this morning.
The elevator arrived with a soft chime.
Glancing at the slightly ajar door of the CEO’s office, Jessica saw Zachary taking off his shirt and draping it over his chair. She quickly withdrew her gaze and strode into the elevator.
In the junior suite earlier, she hadn’t even dared to open her eyes. She didn’t have the nerve to do so in broad daylight. Yet now, she couldn’t help sneaking another look.
Something seemed off, though. Why did he suddenly take off his shirt?
“Next time you suggest something to him, could you at least think of me?” she grumbled. He’s as stubborn as a mule.”
Joshua snickered. “No way. My salary outweighs our friendship.”
“You’re wasting your talent, not matchmaking for a living.”
“What matchmaker walks a tightrope like this?”
“By the way, about Ian-”
“Don’t ask,” Joshua quickly said, pressing the button for the 28th floor as he ushered her out
of the elevator.
Knowing better than to press the matter, Jessica carried the dessert back to her desk. She decided not to dwell on Ian and to keep her distance in the future.
Besides, Lucas and Evelyn had already helped smooth things over. It should be behind them
now.
Just as Jessica sat down, Julia and another colleague she rarely spoke with sidled up to her.
“Ms. Lockman, you and Mr. Smith…”
“Yes?”
Jessica noticed the women’s eyes gleaming with a hunger for gossip.
“Are you seeing Mr. Smith?”
Jessica snorted as if she’d just heard the joke of the year.
“There’s no way I’d ever date Joshua. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“But you’re always together, chatting so happily. He even gave you the day off today, and I saw him in line buying you a dessert this morning. You didn’t refuse at all…” the colleague rambled on.
Jessica was at a loss for words.
“The news is spreading all over the design department,” Julia added quietly.
Jessica eyed the dessert in front of her, her head spinning.
Unperturbed, her colleagues were still going on and on.
“Ms. Lockman, you and Mr. Smith…”
