MIDNIGHT FLOWER

CHAPTER 11: JENNY'S SEDUCTION

The moment she stepped inside, however, the atmosphere was charged with tension. Shau was standing by his desk, his expression a mix of frustration and annoyance. But it wasn’t just him in the room—a familiar woman stood facing him, her back to Jenny.

The woman’s tone was sharp, filled with barely restrained anger, and for a split second, neither noticed Jenny’s entrance.

It took only a moment for Jenny to recognize the woman. It was the same sophisticated, poised woman she had seen at Shau’s condominium, the one who had opened the door when Jenny had gone to investigate the mysterious man who took her home that night.

Shau’s eyes flicked toward the door as Jenny entered, and his expression instantly shifted, a controlled mask slipping over his features. The woman turned abruptly, and their argument ceased as if on cue.

“Ms. Gonzales.” Shau greeted, his tone deceptively calm. “You’re back.”

Jenny’s eyes darted between Shau and the woman, the tension in the room unmistakable. It was clear that whatever they had been arguing about was something she wasn’t meant to overhear.

The woman gave Shau a tight-lipped smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll be going now,” she said, her voice cold and clipped. Without another word, she walked past Jenny, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she made her exit.

As the door closed behind her, the silence that followed was thick and uncomfortable. Jenny could still feel the lingering tension in the air, the argument that had just been interrupted hanging between them like a dark cloud.

Shau ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident despite his attempt to appear unbothered. “Sorry about that,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

But Jenny couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. The image of the woman’s face, her familiarity with Shau, the way they had stopped talking the moment she walked in—it all pointed to something more complicated than she wanted to deal with.

She nodded, forcing herself to focus on her work. “It's alright, Mr. Zhang,” she replied simply, moving to her desk.

On the afternoon, Jenny went to Mr. Duavis to hand some checked reports from Shau. The office was abuzz with excitement as the announcement in their workday accounts was posted regarding the upcoming company party approached. Conversations about what to wear dominated the office, with employees sharing ideas and complimenting each other’s planned outfits.

Jenny, however, was more focused on her work, trying to avoid the whirlwind of party chatter. She wasn’t particularly looking forward to the event, given the awkward dynamic between her and Shau. She’d even considered skipping it altogether but knew that wasn’t an option.

As she returned to her desk, she noticed a sleek, black gift box with a silver ribbon sitting on her chair. Her heart skipped a beat as she hesitated, then carefully opened the box. Inside, she found a stunning cocktail dress in a deep emerald green—a color that would undoubtedly complement her complexion. Alongside the dress was a pair of elegant sandals, perfectly matching the outfit.

A small card was nestled between the fabric, with Shau’s handwriting neatly inscribed: "I thought this might suit you. I hope to see you wear it at the party. -Shau."

She threw a glance on Shau's desk and wondered where he had gone.

Jenny stared at the card, her emotions a mix of surprise, irritation, and something she couldn’t quite name. Shau’s gesture was thoughtful, and he clearly had a knack for choosing things that would suit her. But there was a part of her that bristled at the idea of him trying to control what she wore.

She carefully placed the lid back on the box, leaning back in her chair, deep in thought. The dress was beautiful—there was no denying that. But accepting it felt like more than just accepting a gift; it felt like giving in to the dynamic Shau was trying to create between them.

As the hours ticked by and the workday came to an end, Jenny found herself still staring at the box. She knew she had a decision to make. She looked at Shau's desk, he's not yet back.

---

When Shau entered his office after a meeting, he was met with the sight of the gift box sitting on his desk. His heart sank, a mixture of confusion and frustration stirring within him. The dress and sandals he had chosen so carefully, imagining how beautiful she would look at the company party. Yet, there it was, returned to him. His irritation grew with each glance at the rejected gift.

He glanced at Jenny's desk but she has left.

Shau left his office, determined to find Jenny. He spotted her in the hallway going to the elevator, her expression as calm and composed as ever. But Shau could see the walls she had built around herself, the cold distance she maintained. It was more than he could bear.

"Miss Gonzales," he called out, his voice carrying a sharp edge of frustration. The employees around who were heading home began to chatter as Jenny turned to face him. "In my office, now."

Jenny had no choice but to follow him.

She could sense the tension in the room, the way Shau’s eyes darkened as he stared at her. She knew this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.

“Care to explain this?” Shau’s voice was deceptively calm, but the undercurrent of irritation was unmistakable. He gestured to the box on his desk, his eyes locking onto hers.

Jenny squared her shoulders, refusing to let his mood intimidate her. “I don’t need it,” she replied coolly. “I’m perfectly capable of choosing my own clothes.”

Shau chuckled, but it was a low, humorless sound. “It’s not about the clothes, baby. It’s about the gesture, the thought behind it. But you—” he paused, stepping closer to her, his gaze intense and searching, “you just tossed it aside, like it meant nothing.”

Jenny met his stare head-on, her voice steady. “Where do I stand with you, Mr. Zhang? An an employee? Or something worse… just a convenient f**k buddy you can summon at will?”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. Shau’s eyes flashed with something that wasn’t quite anger but wasn’t far from it either. There was also a glint of something mischievous, something that hinted at the deeper game he was playing.

He took another step closer, closing the distance between them. “Is that what you think?” he asked, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “That you’re just a convenient distraction for me?”

Jenny held her ground, her heart pounding but her resolve firm. “You haven’t given me any reason to think otherwise. One moment, you’re ghosting me, and the next, you’re pulling me back into your life like nothing happened.”

Shau’s gaze softened slightly, but his frustration still lingered.

"You're not making it clear so I decided our employer and employee relationship. Nothing more."

He sighed as he took a step back, his eyes never leaving hers. "Is that what you really want?"

"Yes Mr. Zhang." She nodded, though the uncertainty still lingered.

He nodded without a word.

"If you don't need anything for now, I'll be going. Excuse me." She then left him in silence.

--

On the following day, the office buzzed with nervous energy as whispers spread about the chairman's return. Jenny arrived early, hoping to get a head start on the day's tasks.

As she settled into her desk, the sound of the office door opening drew her attention. Shau walked in, his expression stern and focused. Jenny took a breath, mustering a smile despite the tension. "Good morning, Mr. Zhang," she greeted him, her voice steady.

Shau barely glanced at her, his eyes scanning the room with a sharp, assessing gaze. "Prepare the reports," he ordered, his tone clipped. Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode towards his desk, his footsteps echoing in the quiet room.

Jenny's smile faltered as she watched him. The coldness in his eyes, the way he barely acknowledged her—it was a stark contrast to the playful, flirtatious Shau she had come to know. Her mind raced with possibilities. Was this the result of her request for a professional relationship? Or was he just under immense pressure with the chairman's impending arrival?

The uncertainty gnawed at her as she got to work, preparing the reports with a new sense of urgency.

As the time tic, Jenny worked diligently, the sounds of her typing filling the office as she prepared the reports for the meetings. The tension in the air was still thick, but she was determined to push through it. Shau's cold demeanor had rattled her, but she was too focused on her work to dwell on it.

Just as she was about to finalize the last of the reports, Jenny noticed Rose, one of the senior employees, approaching Shau's desk. Rose had a stack of papers in her hands, but her posture and the way she leaned slightly towards Shau as she handed him the documents were anything but professional.

"Here are the reports you requested, Mr. Zhang," Rose said in a voice dripping with sweetness, her eyes lingering on Shau longer than necessary.

Shau barely glanced up, nodding as he accepted the papers. But Jenny couldn't miss the way Rose's fingers lightly brushed against his hand, or the smile she gave him—one that was clearly meant to be more than just polite.

Irate, Jenny quickly finished her own report, her movements sharp and precise. She gathered the documents and marched over to Shau's desk. Without hesitation, she handed him her report, her gaze shifting pointedly to Rose. "Mr. Zhang, here are the reports you needed," she said firmly before turning her attention fully to Rose.

"And Rose," Jenny added, her tone cool, "in the future, please pass any documents for Mr. Zhang to me. I'm his executive assistant, and it's my job to manage these tasks."

Rose blinked, momentarily taken aback by Jenny's assertiveness. "Oh, I was just trying to help," she replied, attempting to keep her tone light. "I thought I'd save you the trouble since you looked busy."

Jenny's eyes narrowed slightly, but her voice remained steady. "I appreciate the thought, but it's important that all documents go through me. That way, I can ensure everything is handled correctly and nothing gets overlooked. It's part of my responsibilities as Mr. Zhang's assistant."

Rose opened her mouth to respond but then seemed to think better of it. She glanced at Shau, who had remained silent during the exchange, before nodding curtly. "Of course. I’ll keep that in mind," she said, though there was a hint of annoyance in her voice. "I'll be leaving, Mr. Zhang." She said then looked at her annoyed before leaving.

Satisfied, Jenny turned back to Shau, who was watching her with an unreadable expression. Ignoring the tension in the room, she nodded once before heading back to her desk.

On the afternoon, atmosphere in the office was thick with anticipation as everyone gathered in the entrance hall, preparing to greet the chairman. The whispers and nervous energy were palpable; this was the moment everyone had been preparing for. Jenny stood beside Shau, her posture straight and composed.

The front doors swung open, and all eyes turned as the chairman entered. He was a tall man in his early sixties, with sharp features that spoke of a lifetime of hard work and authority. His presence commanded respect, and the room fell silent as he walked in, flanked by a few senior executives.

Shau stepped forward to greet him, his usual confidence now tempered with the formal respect owed to his father. "Chairman, welcome back," Shau said, extending his hand.

The chairman shook Shau's hand firmly, his eyes briefly softening at the sight of his son. "It's good to be back," he replied in a voice that was both warm and authoritative. His gaze then shifted to Jenny, standing quietly beside Shau.

"She is Jenny Gonzales, my executive assistant." His voice steady.

Jenny felt the weight of the chairman's gaze on her and quickly dipped her head in a respectful nod. "Welcome back, Chairman." she said, her voice clear.

The chairman gave a small nod, his expression neutral as he regarded her. "I've heard good things about you, Miss Gonzales," he said, though his tone was measured. "I hope you live up to the expectations."

Jenny forced herself to hold his gaze, offering a polite smile. "I’ll do my best, chairman."

The chairman didn’t respond but turned back to Shau, who stood slightly taller now. "Let's head up," the chairman said, and with that, the group began moving towards the elevators.

As they reached the upper floors, the chairman turned to Shau. "I'd like to discuss a few things with you," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Shau nodded, glancing briefly at Jenny before turning back to his father. "Of course."

As the chairman walked into his office, he gestured for Shau to follow, leaving Jenny behind in the waiting lounge. Jenny watched them go, feeling a strange mix of relief and unease.

The minutes ticked by slowly as Jenny sat in the lounge. She wondered what the chairman and Shau were discussing.

As the elevator doors slid open on Shau's office floor after his meeting with the chairman, they walked side by side back to his office. The tension from the meeting with the chairman hung heavily in the air, and Jenny couldn’t help but notice how stressed Shau appeared. His usually confident stride was slower, his shoulders slightly hunched as though weighed down by the burden of the conversation that had just taken place.

Once inside, Shau moved directly to his desk, sinking into his chair with a deep sigh. He leaned back, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, as if searching for answers in the intricate patterns above. Jenny hesitated by the doorway, unsure whether to say something or simply leave him to his thoughts. The silence stretched on, thick and uncomfortable.

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, debating whether she should just go back to her own desk or try to break the tension. Finally, unable to stand the silence any longer, she spoke up softly, "Do you want some coffee?"

Shau’s gaze drifted down from the ceiling, his eyes meeting hers with a weary expression. He gave a small nod, his usual sharpness dulled by whatever was weighing on his mind. "Yeah, that’d be good."

Jenny nodded and turned toward the small kitchenette tucked in the corner of the office. As she busied herself making the coffee, her mind raced. She could sense that something was really bothering Shau, and it wasn’t just the usual pressure of work. She wondered if she should pry, ask him what was wrong, or just keep things professional. But then, an idea struck her, one that she wasn’t entirely sure was appropriate, but it slipped out before she could stop herself.

Returning with the coffee, she placed the cup gently on Shau’s desk. He mumbled a quiet thank you, taking a sip without really looking at her.

The silence felt heavy again, so she finally asked, her voice a mix of concern and curiosity, "Is everything okay? You look... stressed. If you want to talk about it, I'm here to listen." She paused, then added with a small, hesitant smile, "Or maybe you just need a massage to help you relax?"

Shau's eyes shot up to meet hers, clearly startled by the offer. He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of his usual playful demeanor returning as he regarded her with a mix of amusement and surprise. “A massage, Jenny? Are you serious?”

"You just have to say no if, you don't like." Her expression laced with a teading challenge.

Without waiting his respone, slowly, Jenny began to walk toward him. Each step was calculated, her gaze never leaving his. Shau unnoticely swallowed hard as she closed the distance between them.

When she finally reached him, her hands slid onto his shoulders, and she began to massage him with a firm, yet sensual touch.

A slight smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth.

He then inhaled sharply, his body responding instantly to the feel of her hands on him. He could feel her fingers working the tention out of his muscles, but the way she lingered, the way her touch seemed to know exactly how to unravel him, left no doubt in his mind --- she knew exactly what she was doing.

She leaned in slightly, her breath warm against his neck, and Shau's eyes fluttered shut. He was caught between the pleasure of her touch and the simmering desire that her every movement stoked within him.

Her touch was firm yet gentle. Shau allowed himself to relax, the stress from the day gradually melting away under her skilled fingers. As she continued, Jenny's hands started to drift lower, her fingers grazing just near his sensitive areas. Shau's breathing deepened, and he felt a wave of heat rising within him. He was fully aware of how her touch was affecting him, and he couldn’t help but enjoy it. His mind started to drift away from the stress and focus entirely on the sensations she was creating.

As Jenny’s hands worked their way lower, her touch brushed dangerously close to his sensitive areas. Shau’s breath hitched, and he couldn’t ignore the heat building inside him. He clenched his teeth, trying to stay composed, but the proximity of her touch and her warm breath on his skin made it increasingly difficult.

He looked over his shoulder, his gaze locking with hers.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the tension between them shifting from professional to something more familiar, something that hinted at the complicated history they shared.

Her eyes mischievous as she focused on her task.

Feeling the heat of the moment, Shau aggressively pulled Jenny closer, their faces almost inches apart. His eyes were locked on her lips, and he could feel his pulse quickening. “Are you trying to seduce me, Ms. Gonzales?” he asked, his voice low and husky with desire.

Jenny’s lips curled into a mischievous smirk. “When did you start calling me Ms. Gonzales... daddy?" she said softly, her voice laced with a teasing edge.

Shau’s eyes fell to her lips again, which were tantalizingly close. His heart pounded in his chest, and he was on the verge of closing the gap and capturing her lips with his. The anticipation was almost unbearable.

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