Chapter 2: A Dangerous Line
951 Words
A New Routine
The next few weeks passed in a blur.
Alodia quickly adapted to the whirlwind that was Jasper Sinclair’s life. Early morning calls, late-night meetings, surprise script revisions, and sudden trips across the country. She became his shadow—always by his side, anticipating his needs before he even voiced them.
And in the process, she learned who Jasper really was.
He was demanding but never cruel. He was intense but had a dry, unexpected sense of humor. He was private, but there were rare moments when his walls would crack—just for a second—revealing a man far more complicated than the one the world saw on screen.
But the most dangerous part?
The way he looked at her.
It wasn’t obvious at first—just fleeting glances, lingering stares when he thought she wasn’t watching. But the longer they worked together, the more palpable the tension became.
And Alodia hated how much she felt it too.
She reminded herself every day: He’s married. You’re here for work.
But some things weren’t that simple.
---
The Night Everything Changed
One evening, Jasper had a last-minute event—some industry gala filled with producers and actors.
Alodia wasn’t supposed to go.
But at the last second, Jasper called her.
“I need you here. Now.”
She didn’t hesitate. She never did.
An hour later, she was stepping into a lavish ballroom—golden chandeliers, waiters in black tuxedos, the scent of expensive champagne and high-end perfume filling the air.
And then she saw him.
Jasper stood near the bar, dressed in an all-black suit, his dark hair styled to perfection. He looked effortlessly powerful, every inch the Hollywood star.
But he wasn’t alone.
Standing beside him, wrapped around his arm, was Camilla Ford.
His wife.
Alodia froze.
She had seen pictures of Camilla before—stunning, elegant, poised. But seeing her in person, standing so intimately with Jasper, felt like a slap to the face.
What the hell was she doing here?
And why did it bother her so much?
Before she could dwell on it, Jasper’s eyes locked onto hers.
And in that moment, everything else disappeared.
He murmured something to Camilla before excusing himself, walking toward Alodia with purpose.
“You came,” he said, his voice low.
“You asked me to.” She kept her tone neutral, ignoring the way her pulse quickened. “But I didn’t know your wife would be here.”
Jasper’s jaw tensed. “Neither did I.”
Alodia raised a brow. “That’s… odd, don’t you think?”
A smirk ghosted his lips, but there was no humor in it. “You have no idea.”
Something about the way he said it sent a shiver down her spine.
Before she could press further, a voice interrupted.
“There you are.”
Alodia turned, and there she was—Camilla.
Up close, she was even more breathtaking—icy blue eyes, a perfectly sculpted face, her posture radiating wealth and confidence.
And the way she stared at Alodia made her stomach twist.
Jasper’s wife didn’t just see her as an assistant.
She saw her as a threat.
---
Tension in the Air
Camilla’s sharp eyes flickered between Jasper and Alodia, her lips curving into a polite but unmistakably cold smile.
“And you must be…?”
Alodia straightened, keeping her expression neutral. “Alodia Martinez, Mr. Sinclair’s personal assistant.”
“Ah.” Camilla’s gaze swept over her—assessing, dissecting, judging. “I’ve heard about you.”
Alodia’s fingers clenched at her sides. From whom?
Before she could respond, Jasper cut in smoothly. “Alodia keeps my world from falling apart. She’s been invaluable.”
Camilla’s smile didn’t waver, but Alodia saw something flicker in her eyes. Annoyance? Amusement? Suspicion?
“That’s wonderful,” Camilla said. “It’s rare for someone to last long in that position.”
Alodia forced a polite smile. “I can handle pressure.”
Camilla hummed. “We’ll see.”
Jasper sighed. “Camilla—”
His wife placed a delicate hand on his chest. “Darling, I need to steal you away for a moment. A producer wants to discuss your next film.”
For a brief second, Jasper hesitated.
Then, without another word, he allowed himself to be led away—but not before casting one last glance at Alodia.
She exhaled, her heartbeat too loud in her ears.
She should leave. There was nothing more for her here.
But something about the encounter nagged at her.
Camilla wasn’t here just for Jasper.
She was here because of her.
And Alodia didn’t know whether that terrified her or thrilled her.
---
An Unspoken Invitation
Later that night, Alodia sat in the backseat of Jasper’s car as their driver navigated through the city.
Jasper sat beside her, silent, his jaw tight.
After a long moment, he spoke.
“You handled that well.”
Alodia gave a small, humorless laugh. “What was I supposed to do? Crumble under pressure?”
Jasper turned to her, his gaze dark.
“Most would.”
She met his stare, refusing to back down. “I’m not most people.”
A slow smirk curled his lips. “No. You’re not.”
Silence stretched between them, thick with something unspoken, undeniable, dangerous.
Then, Jasper leaned in, his voice low.
“Come upstairs with me.”
Her breath caught.
He wasn’t asking her to work.
This was something else. Something she couldn’t take back.
Every part of her screamed that this was wrong.
But when Jasper’s fingertips grazed hers, sending a shiver up her spine, she realized something far more terrifying.
She didn’t want to say no.
- Writer
