Intimate Night With My Boss

Chapter 5: Breaking Ties

Cassie Jones looked at her best friend Agatha Sue, and something was different. The stranger in front of her was a person guarded like she'd never seen before. Cassie could tell by the way Agatha spoke—so matter of fact, so accusing of it—that Agatha wouldn’t like being questioned; she wouldn’t want anything that got in her way, especially if it were Cassie.

“You have a boyfriend now?” She asked, her voice laced with disbelief. I’ve never heard you mention him before. What does he do? Where is he from? He asked you to move in with him. You can’t trust a promise like that, Agatha. It’s just words; men always talk big. You want a job; you want to be independent. What if he—”

Agatha interrupted, “Cassie.” “Do you think that of me?”

Cassie blinked, taken aback. She said quickly, “That’s not what I meant.”

But Agatha still needed to finish speaking. She said defensively, 'He wouldn't lie to me.' “He’s local, from a wealthy family, and owns his own company." It is more important to find a suitable man than a suitable job. Why should you work yourself to death when there’s another way? I’m not like you, Cassie. I’m not as capable or as confident. Not only that, but I want to live with someone who can be happy and care for me.”

Cassie felt her heart sink. They couldn’t be more different in their outlooks.

Cassie said carefully, “If you think you’ve found the right person, I’m thrilled. I hope you know what you’re doing. Bring him by sometime. I want to meet him if my best friend moves on with someone."

Agatha hesitated and shrugged. “He’s busy. Perhaps when things calm down. Just be there for me now, okay?’”

Cassie said, “As long as he treats you well, I support you. When are you moving? Do you need help packing?"

“No,” Agatha said quickly. “He’ll have his assistant handle everything.” Her voice grew softer, and she went back to peeling potatoes. “Cassie, do you see much of your boss now that you’re in the secretary’s office?"

Surprised by the sudden topic change, Cassie raised an eyebrow. “Not before, but now? “I admit it, she said with a sigh, all the time. Luca Carter picked me as his secretary, so I’ll probably see him daily. It’s a little overwhelming.”

Agatha froze. She dropped a potato from her hand, which rolled to the floor. “Luca Carter’s secretary, huh?"

Cassie bent to pick up the fallen potato. “Yes,” she said. She chuckled nervously. “It’s weird, right? I don’t know why he chose me. His current secretary, Damien Finn, said it might be because I look plain and have a fiancé. Perhaps Luca believes I’m safe or uninteresting. Who knows?"

Agatha’s face went pale, and her voice was sharper than she had meant. “Do you... like Luca Carter? Would you want to?"

Stunned, Cassie looked at her friend. “What? Of course not. What’s gotten into you, Agatha?” She tried to ease the tension and laughed lightly. “Come on. We’re talking about Luca Carter, a billionaire! He’s way out of my league. I’m just trying to keep my head down and do my job,” he said.

Relief crossed her face, and she exhaled slowly. She murmured, though her words were barely audible, "Good."

Cassie's head tilted with confusion. “What’s good?"

It was then that Agatha turned and occupied herself with the potatoes. “Nothing. I just… I think it’s smart not to get involved with someone like him. He’s too high up. Women like us don’t mix with men like that. I wouldn’t want to see you get hurt.”

Cassie smiled faintly and nodded. Don’t worry about that. I’ve heard the stories. No woman who chases after Luca Carter ever comes out on top. “Stay far, far away,” it’s best.

Agatha flinched as if the words stung, but they weren't.

Agatha felt twisted with guilt. All the while, she had dreamed of a life with him and told Cassie to avoid Luca. She felt like a hypocrite. She wouldn't let this opportunity slip away. She couldn’t just walk away from a man like Luca Carter; fate had handed her a chance.

But she couldn’t tell Cassie the truth.

Agatha finally said her name, her voice steady despite the world melting inside her. “I’m going to move out soon. Cassie, I will miss this place, but I think it’s the right thing to do."

Cassie’s expression softened. She said gently, ‘If you’re sure, I’ll support you.’ “Remember, you can always return if it doesn’t work out.”

Agatha smiled, but it didn’t reach her heart, which was weighted down by the lie itself.

---

Cassie took over later that night, cleaning up after dinner while Agatha sat alone in her room, staring at the business card Luca had given her. Her thoughts were bouncing around like a crazy person's.

Luca Carter didn’t matter to Cassie. That much was clear.

Agatha told herself that if Cassie didn’t want him, then it wasn’t wrong to take the chance for herself. She could have the life she’d always wanted: a secure, wealthy, and respectable life.

She knew she wanted to believe it, but the guilt still nags at her. And this was the ultimate betrayal. She would always be there for Cassie.

Agatha shook her head, erasing the thoughts that came into her mind. She had made her choice. She was safe if she could keep the truth hidden for longer.

She thought fate had given her this chance. She would not let it slip through her fingers.