Intimate Affair Dilemma

Los Angeles, California – Alodia’s New Chapter The lobby of the Sinclair Agency was a world of its own—glass walls reflecting the golden sunlight, sleek marble floors gleaming under expensive chandeliers. People in tailored suits walked briskly, their conversations laced with urgency. Alodia Martinez tightened her grip on her résumé, feeling the sweat on her palms. She took a deep breath. This is your chance, Alodia. Don’t screw it up. After separating from Raegan, she had been desperate for a fresh start. When she saw the job listing for a personal assistant to Jasper Sinclair, she almost didn’t apply. What would a Hollywood star need from someone like her? But the salary was too good to ignore, and now, here she was—waiting for her interview in one of the most exclusive talent agencies in Los Angeles. Her heart pounded as the receptionist, a woman with sharp cheekbones and a headset, glanced up. “Miss Martinez?” “Yes?” “Mr. Sinclair will see you now.” Alodia swallowed hard and stood, smoothing the creases on her navy blue dress before following the receptionist through a glass door. --- Meeting Jasper Sinclair The office was massive—floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, leather furniture that smelled of wealth, and a bar stocked with expensive liquor. And there, sitting behind a mahogany desk, was Jasper Sinclair. The Hollywood icon. The man whose face graced movie posters and magazine covers. Alodia had seen him on screen countless times, but in person, he was intimidatingly handsome—dark hair tousled like he’d just rolled out of bed, piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through her. He wore a white dress shirt with the top buttons undone, his sleeves rolled up, revealing strong forearms. He didn’t smile. He leaned back in his chair, observing her with a gaze so intense it made her knees weak. “You’re here for the assistant position?” His voice was deep, smooth, and commanding. “Yes,” she managed, forcing herself to stay composed. Jasper studied her. “Tell me, Miss Martinez. Why should I hire you?” Alodia straightened her spine. “Because I’m organized, hardworking, and I can handle pressure. I may not have worked in the entertainment industry before, but I adapt quickly. And I don’t let emotions get in the way of professionalism.” Jasper’s lips twitched. “That’s a bold claim.” Alodia met his gaze. “I believe in honesty.” For a moment, the air between them thickened. There was something about the way he looked at her—something unreadable, something dangerous. Then, Jasper smirked. “Congratulations, Miss Martinez. You’re hired.” --- A Job She Never Expected Alodia barely had time to process what had happened. One moment, she was being interviewed; the next, she was being given a phone, an itinerary, and a list of rules. Rule #1: Always answer when he calls. Rule #2: No personal questions. Rule #3: Never be late. Simple enough. Or so she thought. Her first day was a whirlwind—scheduling meetings, filtering calls, handling PR requests. But the biggest challenge wasn’t the work. It was Jasper. He was cold. Mysterious. Intense. One moment, he’d barely acknowledge her presence; the next, his gaze would linger too long, making her pulse race. And she hated how easily he affected her. You’re here for work, Alodia. Nothing more. But deep down, she knew—this job was about to change everything. --- Thrown Into the Chaos Alodia barely had time to breathe before she was thrown into the fast-paced, high-stakes world of being Jasper Sinclair’s assistant. By noon, she was juggling his schedule, handling last-minute changes to a press event, and answering emails from his manager. Her phone buzzed constantly with updates from studios, fashion brands, and journalists wanting a piece of Hollywood’s most sought-after actor. She quickly learned that Jasper was not an easy boss. “Miss Martinez.” His deep voice cut through the office as she stood outside the conference room. “Yes, Mr. Sinclair?” She hurried inside, clutching her notepad. Jasper leaned against his desk, his piercing blue eyes locked onto hers. Even doing nothing, he exuded authority. “I need you to move my flight to New York up to tonight.” “Tonight?” she repeated, flipping through his itinerary. “But your interview with Vogue is scheduled for tomorrow morning—” “I’m aware.” His voice was patient but firm. “Have it rescheduled. Prioritize the flight.” Alodia nodded, quickly typing out an email. No hesitation. No questioning. Jasper smirked. “You’re learning fast.” “Fast is the only way to survive this job, isn’t it?” His lips curved slightly. “You’re smarter than I expected.” She wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it. “Anything else, sir?” she asked, keeping her tone professional. Jasper studied her for a moment, and for the first time, his gaze softened just slightly. “That’ll be all—for now.” Alodia nodded and left, but she could feel his eyes on her long after she walked away. --- A Glimpse Into His Life By evening, Alodia was in Jasper’s private penthouse, organizing his travel documents while he packed. She had assumed he had a personal butler or staff to do this for him, but apparently, Jasper hated having too many people in his space. Which meant she was the only one there. The penthouse was sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city. But despite the luxury, there was something lonely about it. “Do you live here alone?” she asked before she could stop herself. Jasper, who was adjusting his cufflinks in front of a mirror, glanced at her. “That’s personal.” Her cheeks burned. “Right. Sorry. Rule #2.” He chuckled—low and smooth. “It’s fine. But to answer your question… my wife lives elsewhere.” Alodia stiffened. Right. His wife. She had almost forgotten about her. The tabloids loved speculating about Jasper Sinclair’s marriage to Camilla Ford, a former supermodel turned businesswoman. Some said they were on the verge of divorce, while others claimed they were secretly separated. But hearing Jasper confirm it himself felt… different. He turned to her, his gaze unreadable. “Does that bother you, Miss Martinez?” She met his eyes, forcing herself to stay composed. “Why would it?” Jasper smirked. “Good answer.” --- The Night That Changed Everything Hours later, after ensuring his flight was set, Alodia finally exhaled. First day, complete. She leaned against the kitchen counter, scrolling through her emails when she noticed a message from an unknown sender. "Careful, Miss Martinez. You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into." Her blood ran cold. Before she could process it, a hand brushed her lower back. She jumped, turning sharply—only to find Jasper standing behind her, too close, too intoxicating. “Something wrong?” His voice was low, almost teasing. “No. Nothing.” She quickly locked her phone. Jasper raised a brow but didn’t press. Instead, he reached past her, grabbing a glass of whiskey. The space between them was nonexistent. Alodia could feel his warmth, smell his cologne—intoxicating and masculine. Her pulse quickened. She should step away. She should leave. But she didn’t. And neither did he. For a long, tense moment, they just stared at each other. And then— Jasper leaned in, his lips brushing just beside her ear. “Get some rest, Miss Martinez.” His breath was warm against her skin. Then, just like that, he was gone—leaving her standing there, heart pounding, skin burning where he had almost touched her. And in that moment, Alodia knew. This was dangerous. This was inevitable. And it was only the beginning.