Not Just a Job
1255 Words
Murmurs erupted through the conference room the moment Vincent’s words hit the table, a wave of shock moved through the boardroom.
A few board members exchanged glances. Others whispered quietly, but Jace didn’t move. He just sat there, fozen.
River saw it immediately. The stillness in Jace’s shoulders. The way his hands gripped the edge of the table. The way his eyes grew wide and his lips parted like he wanted to say something, anything, but couldn’t.
Vincent’s didn’t stop.
“You let your company become a soap opera,” he said. “This used to be about innovation. Now it’s about gossip columns and scandals.”
Jace didn’t answer.
River’s jaw clenched. He waited, gave Jace a second, maybe two, to speak up. To shut Crane down, but he didn’t.
That’s when River stood up, his eyes cold.
“The CEO will reschedule this meeting,” he said, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. “He’ll address everything next week.”
Vincent laughed. “Who gave you authority?”
River didn’t look at him. He turned to Jace instead.
“Let’s go.”
Jace didn’t argue. He stood, nodded stiffly to the others, and followed River out of the room.
Silence trailed behind them. As soon as the office door shut behind them, River slammed his hand against the wall.
The sound echoed like a gunshot.
Jace flinched. “River!”
Blood dripped from his knuckles. His hand stayed pressed against the glass wall, his body tense, breathing sharp.
Jace rushed to him. “You’re bleeding, why would you?”
River scoffed and pulled his hand away. “Because I’m tired of watching you sit there and take it.”
Jace reached for his hand again, but River stepped back.
“You act like a damn coward,” River said, his voice low but angry. “You’re the CEO, Jace. The head of one of the biggest tech companies in the world. And you let Crane talk to you like that?”
Jace’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
“I don’t care. You need to start acting like someone who built this company.”
“And you need to remember your place,” Jace snapped. “You’re my bodyguard, River. That’s it. Not my trainer, not my therapist and not my damn voice!!”
River’s brows lifted slightly. Hurt flickered beneath the anger.
“Right,” he said. “Of course.”
The silence after that was worse than anything.
River’s eyes went cold. His jaw clenched.
Without another word, he turned and stormed out, the office door slamming shut behind him.
Jace ran a hand through his hair, pacing the room. He hadn’t meant to say it like that. But River had been getting under his skin lately. The way he looked at him, spoke to him, tuched his hand like it meant something.
He sighed and dropped into his chair.
Then another knock sounded and the door swung open.
Jace didn’t look. “So, you finally decided you were wrong…..”
“Who was wrong?”
Jace blinked. That voice was too high and too dramatic.
He turned, and saw Leo. His personal assistant.
With a cup of iced coffee, sunglasses still on, and a lopsided grin that didn’t belong in any workplace.
Leo grinned wider. “Were you talking about me again?”
Jace groaned. “What are you doing here?”
“Returning from Chicago,” Leo said, plopping down in the chair across from him. “I was gone for two weeks, Maddox. Thought you’d miss me at least a little.”
“I didn’t.”
Leo pouted. “Cold. So cold. Is that how you treat the man who just closed the Darren Automobile deal?”
Jace’s eyes shot up. “Wait. You got it?”
Leo’s grin returned in full force. “Signed, sealed and delivered. They’re moving forward with the AI installation by Q3. All thanks to my irresistible charm.”
“Or the proposal I wrote?”
“Details.”
Jace leaned back, surprised by how relieved he felt. After the meeting disaster with Vincent, this was the first bit of good news all day.
“Good work,” he said, quieter.
Leo beamed. “You hear that, world? He said good work.”
Before Jace could roll his eyes again, the door opened and Sasha walked in with a file.
“Leo,” she said flatly.
Leo instantly sat straighter. “Sasha. You look stunning as always. Did you miss me?”
Sasha didn’t even glance at him. “Behave. We’re at work.”
Leo deflated slightly but still watched her like a hopeful puppy.
Jace cleared his throat. “What now?”
Sasha dropped the file on his desk. “You have an interview with Times Channel this evening. Seven p.m. at the Five Star Restaurant.”
Jace frowned. “What kind of interview?”
“A soft one. About your AI project, your leadership, and… your relationship.”
Leo leaned in. “Wait. Relationship?”
Sasha smirked. “Yes, Leo. With the man who literally tackled an intruder in front of a camera.”
Leo blinked. “You mean… the bodyguard?”
“Yes,” Jace muttered, rubbing his temples.
“You’re really committing to this PR thing, huh?” Leo said, his eyes wide.
“It wasn’t my idea.”
Sasha pointed a red manicured nail at Jace. “And you will be there, with River, on time. Looking like you’re not plotting to strangle each other.”
Jace didn’t answer.
Sasha raised a brow. “Do I need to bribe you?”
“I don’t respond to bribes.”
“I’ll cancel the interview and tell the world your fake boyfriend broke your heart.”
Jace glared.
Leo laughed. “Oooh, I’d watch that interview.”
Sasha spun on her heel. “7:00. Sharp. I’ll send a stylist.”
“Can’t wait,” Jace muttered.
“Wear something that says ‘I’m powerful, but vulnerable,’” Leo offered helpfully. “Oh, and make sure River wears black again. That shirt did unholy things to the internet.”
Jace threw a pen at him. Leo caught it easily, laughing.
“You should be more grateful to your assistant-s***h-media genius-s***h-future godfather of your fake children.”
“There are no fake children,” Jace muttered.
“Yet.”
Jace groaned. “Leave.”
Leo stood but leaned on the desk, his grin softening. “Hey… for what it’s worth, I’ve seen you lead better than anyone. You’re having a rough patch, but you’re still Jace Maddox. Don’t forget that.”
Jace didn’t respond right away.
Leo tapped the desk once and winked. “Now I’m really leaving before Sasha tasers me.”
Sasha left and Jace slumped in his chair once she left.
Leo grinned again. “So, you and Mr. Bodyguard, huh?”
“Shut up, Leo.”
Leo leaned forward, teasing. “You sure you two aren’t a little… real?”
Jace gave him another death glare.
Leo raised both hands. “Okay, okay. I’ll behave.”
But the sparkle in his eye didn’t fade.
And even as Jace tried to focus on the report in front of him, his mind wandered back to River’s hand bleeding against the glass… and the way it had felt when their fingers were locked tight in the crowd.
He didn’t want to think about it but he just couldn't get it out of his mind.
- Writer
