Falling for the Ace Assassin

Inner Demon

The moment Johnson got back to his office, he swept all the paperwork off his desk with a heavy hand. Roaring like a wounded lion he leaned against his desk, chest heaving.

Fuck! f**k! Another witch ripping his family apart. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to ignore the pulsing pain drilling into his skull. Johnson fell into his chair and clutched his chest, forcing himself to breathe. His childhood flashed through his mind:

Oh honey, why is Johnson still living with us? Send him to his mother!

We can’t, babe. Johnson’s my firstborn so my father says he ought to inherit the family company.

But we have Kyle! What about our baby?

Don’t worry. I’ll handle it…

Johnson, only a young teenager at the time, overheard his father scheming with his stepmother to kill him. Since then, Johnson battled with various illnesses, poisoning, and kidnap attempts. It only ended when his grandfather threatened that if anything were to happen to Johnson, Kyle would share the same fate.

Since then, Johnson harbored a severe distrust of everyone around him. He could never truly believe anyone; after all, his mother abandoned him with a father and stepmother who constantly tried to kill him. Although he knew his mother couldn’t take him away, as a child, he still hated her for not trying harder.

He grew up alone, fighting for his life and what was rightfully his every day. He just started to take revenge and is one step from destroying Kyle and his father. He is so close and yet another unknown factor appears to foil his plan.

Johnson inhaled deeply and opened his bloodshot eyes. First things first, he needs to figure out if Connie is a risk factor. If she is, it would be better to get rid of her quickly and quietly before Jason sunk into her grasp.

Stupid little brother, don’t be like our father.

***

Connie retreated to the cafeteria to grab a caramel frappuccino with extra whipped cream. She needed the cold sugary drink to quell the fire burning through her veins. Did Johnson just imply she was just a fucktoy? The way he condescendingly looked at her and smirked when he mentioned a leather sofa.

Ugh! If only I could slap him!

She threw the lid away and tilted her head back to take a long swig. For once she welcomed the mind-numbing pain which took her mind off her current frustrations, if only for a few seconds. Licking the sweet cream off her lips, she walked to the elevator and pressed the up button. There was barely anyone in the hallway as everyone was busy at work so the elevator came down quickly.

Connie took another swig when the door opened and she stood sideways to eye the interior of the elevator, the cup still tilted towards her lips.

***

Jason waited impatiently for the elevator door to open. He couldn’t find Connie on the CEO level so he figured she probably went down to the cafeteria to get something sweet. Connie had a penchant for sweets and the way she stormed out of the office, she probably went to get something to cool down.

The moment the door opened, he found himself sighing in relief. Connie’s eyes widened in shock and she spluttered into the cup.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, coughing.

“I came to find you,” Jason replied softly before he moved aside for her to step in.

“Why?” Connie grumbled softly, stepping into the elevator with him.

“Because you looked upset. I was worried.”

Connie huffed and looked at her icy drink as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.

Jason watched her quietly. He smiled softly when he noticed the tension in her shoulders slowly loosen.

When the elevator arrived at their floor, Jason held the door open and let Connie exit first, then followed her to their shared office. Once they entered and closed the door, Connie turned sharply to confront him.

“So, what was that all about?”

Jason chuckled and swept his thumb under her chin catching a fluff of whipped cream, he placed it to his lips and licked it off. “Hm, that was bothering me for a while now.”

Connie blushed at his flirtatious gesture, a bit thrown off at his unusual actions. If anything, she pinned him as innocent, maybe ignorant to love but now he seemed like a playboy. Maybe all men are wolves.

“Hmph!”

Jason blinked, seemingly unaware of his own change. “I’m sorry for what you had to hear earlier. Johnson… he doesn’t trust anyone. It is nothing against you. Don’t take it to heart.”

Connie rolled her eyes. “Is he going to throw a wad of cash at my face and tell me to break up with you? If he is, just tell him to wire it to my bank account.”

Jason’s eyes opened wide and his brows drooped like sad caterpillars. “Why would you leave for pennies on the dollar? If you marry me, all my money is yours.”

Connie gaped at him. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. Clearing her throat she tried again. “Did you… just propose to me?”

“Yes.”

Connie shook her head. “Wait, we just started dating, it hasn’t even been 24 hours…”

“And I’m absolutely sure you’re the one for me.”

Connie took a swig of her drink again. She needed the sugar to invigorate her brain cells. The man was nuts. “What makes you think I’ll marry you? I don’t even know you.”

“That’s why we’re dating.” Jason moved closer and slowly placed his large hands on her hips.

Connie felt dizzy. Unsure if it was all the sugar she drank or the nonsense Jason just spouted. “How are you so sure you love me?”

Jason pondered the question for a moment. “No one makes me feel the way you do.”

Connie shook out of his hold and stared him in the eyes. “Jason, I’ll be upfront with you. The way I see it, you’re an extreme case of an introvert. Honestly, I’m glad you like me and I’m willing to give this relationship a go because you’re such a good catch but,” Connie paused, “I am taking a huge risk of having my heart broken so I want you to promise me two things.”

Jason nodded, “Anything, it doesn’t have to be just two.”

“Just two is fine. I feel like since we have worked together you have been more outgoing. Sooner or later, you will become more personable and meet more people. You might even meet a girl that is more… suitable for people like you…”

Jason scowled and interjected, “People like me?”

“I mean rich people. Jason, let’s be real. I’m from a middle-class immigrant family. We’re not even the same ethnicity. People from your family and social circle are going to be like your brother and treat me like I am just a casual fling. This is also the reason why I didn’t accept the offer of living with you before. I know where I stand.”

Jason felt a headache coming on. His brows knit together into a line. “So what are the two things?”

“First, if you find someone else, tell me immediately. Don’t leave me hanging or have me find out through someone else. I won’t cling to you if you don’t want me anymore. And secondly, don’t ever promise me anything you can’t deliver.”

Jason ground his teeth. “Is this what you think of me?”

Connie shook her head slowly. “I believe you are sincere now but like I said, we barely know each other and you have changed so much in such a short period. How can I be assured you won’t have a change of heart?”

“So how do I prove myself?”

“There is nothing to prove right now. Let’s get to know each other. Don’t promise me marriage until you are absolutely sure you love me and want to be with me for the rest of your life. My family doesn’t condone divorce so once we tie the knot, it is for life.”

Jason smiled for the first time since the serious conversation began. This is a good piece of information to know.

“Then I have a request of my own.”

Connie frowned but figured it was only fair. “Let’s hear it.”

“Don’t run away from me. Give me a chance in this relationship and if anything ever bothers you, let me explain.”

Connie pursed her lips, the request was too broad. “What if I don’t like your explanation? I don’t want to be chained down in any weird relationship.”

“I’m not a psychopath, don’t worry,” Jason smiled. I just kill bad people who deserve it.

“That’s a reasonable request,” Connie muttered, “I support an open dialogue in relationships so I agree.”

Jason smiled and reached out to hug Connie again. This time, she let him. Squeezing her warm body into his own, he whispered into her hair, “I’m curious, how long do we have to date before you would be okay with a marriage proposal.”

Connie chuckled into his chest. This guy…

“Let’s date for a few months first. If we’re not at each other’s throats by then, we can reconsider the topic.”

Jason pursed his lips and blinked.