Falling for the Ace Assassin

Soft Serve

The next couple of days, instead of asking for things to do, Connie just quietly observed Jason. At first, it was just furtive glances until she realized he didn’t care if she was watching him so she ended up staring at him from the start of the workday till the end.

He drank water or black tea, he ate sandwiches possibly for convenience and not for taste, he went to the bathroom three times a day at a specified time, and he worked like the devil was on his heels.

Connie noticed his water glass was getting low so she walked over to the refreshment area and poured him some more water. She glanced at the time and noted it was close to lunch. He will be taking a break soon.

“Sir?”

Jason hummed as he continued reading.

“Would you like me to get you a tuna fish sandwich from the cafeteria? You’ve been having turkey swiss for two days in a row.”

Jason hummed again. Connie took that as an affirmative and went out to grab something for them both. She pressed the down button for the elevator and waited patiently. To her right, she heard tittering and the sounds of heels clicking on the marble floor. She stifled an internal groan and struggled to keep a straight face as the “special” secretaries strutted over.

“Good afternoon,” she managed a polite smile.

They returned her greeting with a snooty look, then started giggling. “Look at her. She thinks she’s all that. She’s nothing but a glorified secretary.”

Connie couldn’t even find the words to retort so she turned back towards the elevator, closed her eyes, and counted to ten to keep her cool.

“Look at her tacky professional wear. Where did you buy that pencil skirt? A thrift store?”

Connie looked down at her plain black skirt, was it that obvious?

“Oh my goodness, I don’t know why she was picked to work for Jason, but I would have been a much better choice.”

The blonde beauty rolled her eyes, “Anyone would have been a better choice.”

Connie debated if she should just walk away and let the three take the elevator down so she wouldn’t have to deal with their mockery. Though she was heavily tempted she remained fixed in her spot. If she left, Jason would have even less time to inhale his lunch. He was quiet but in his own special way, he took care of her. Not to mention the time he saved her from the CEO’s wrath, he had been sending her his notes on the financial reports he had reviewed so she could better understand his style and expectations. He never complained when she bumbled around him as if she was walking on two left feet. Like Darren had mentioned, Jason is a quiet man to a fault and she didn’t want him to suffer more than he had to.

Connie’s lips twitched slightly but she patiently bore the snide remarks thrown her way.

“What’s going on here?”

The three women snapped to attention at the low stern voice. Connie turned, surprised. Jason had never left the office in the last few days she had been working for him except for restroom breaks.

The blonde tucked a strand of her golden locks behind her ear, “You must be Mr. Jason Smith. My name is Sherry, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” She batted her long eyelashes shyly and smiled.

Jason snorted gently and ignored her. He took his place next to Connie and stood facing the elevator.

A deep crimson blush flushed over Sherry’s face. She had never been snubbed before. Her mouth opened slightly in indignant amazement. The other two women smirked behind her back but held their silence in fear of being mocked as well.

When the elevator door opened, Connie gladly stepped aside and held the door open for Jason to enter.

Jason looked down at her with a c****d brow and slept his large warm hand behind the small of her back and nudged her forward. Connie almost yelped in surprise but thankfully her feet had a mind of their own and she stumbled into the elevator. Jason followed closely behind and stood at the edge of the door blocking the entrance. Turning towards the three women, he quietly addressed them for the first time.

“Take the next one.”

Connie peered from behind Jason at the faces of the women as the elevator door closed. She hid a smirk behind her hand; she couldn’t wait to share the story with her secretary friends.

“Which floor is the cafeteria?”

Connie was jolted out of her thoughts. “Oh! Here,” she quickly pushed the button to the company cafeteria, “Why did you come out yourself?”

Jason didn’t answer so Connie pursed her lips and stood still.

***

Jason had just finished looking over all the reports the secretarial staff had compiled over the last five years. He got a good overview of what was going on and what needed to be done. Now he understood why Johnson was so eager to drag him into the company. While the company was operating well on the surface, there were issues within a few key departments. He wasn’t sure if there was a mole planted by their rivals or if it was just negligence but he intended to get to the root of it.

He looked up and saw Connie had already disappeared. Something about her calmed him. Ever since he started working here, he has been able to sleep normally. Waking up refreshed for once was amazing and the idea of reverting to his insomniac ways terrified him. He wasn’t sure what it was about her that made him feel relaxed but he resolved never to let her go.

Against his better judgment, he followed after her, hoping he could catch her before she went down to the cafeteria. What was he going to say? Jason drew a blank. He used to be such a charismatic extrovert but since his kidnap, something in him broke and he couldn’t connect with anyone. True to their word, his tormentors had successfully killed him and the only thing that returned was just a shell of what he used to be.

“... A thrift shop?” Jason paused, as he opened the door and heard a woman’s mocking voice and their annoying laughter. Walking out, he saw Connie surrounded by three long-legged women with short, form-hugging dresses. Despite the mocking laughter and rude remarks, Connie stood tall, waiting for the elevator to come.

Jason wasn’t an i***t, he knew Connie was putting up with it all just so he could eat on time. She had been so adamant in learning his schedule and habits that even he was surprised to find a drink available whenever he felt parched. Something in him clicked and he quickened his steps. No one messes with his people.

***

When the door opened, Connie welcomed the fresh air and the smell of food. Although she stood in proximity to her hot young boss, it was one of the most stifling few seconds of her life. She was too afraid to engage in conversation again and ended up fiddling with her fingers as she stood behind his towering frame. She was tall for an Asian but was easily a head shorter than Jason.

“This way, sir,” she motioned with an open palm towards the right as he stood fixed in front of her.

“Jason.”

“Hm?”

“I told you to call me Jason.” He turned down to look her in the eye.

Connie felt her heartbeat quicken and a small blush crept across her cheeks. “Ah… alright.”

Jason moved out of the elevator and Connie quickly followed and started leading the way to the cafeteria.

“If you have time to eat, try the hot foods. It’s so delicious.” She rambled on embarrassed, but as they neared the hall and Connie saw the digital menu, she soon forgot who she was talking to and grew excited.

“Oh my goodness!! They have lasagna!! It’s to die for! You have to try it! The chef here is really good with his Italian dishes. Let me tell you…” Connie turned and remembered who she was walking with and immediately froze.

“I like lasagna.”

Connie smiled, “Me too!” Let’s stand in line. There’s a salad bar too. When I have time to eat, I like to eat a balanced diet. They also have a soft serve machine over there but it’s been broken since last week,” she trailed off sadly.

Jason hummed and walked to the salad bar. Connie hurriedly followed and made a mental note of what he placed on his plate.

After they got their food and sat down at an empty table, Jason pulled out his phone and sent a text then put it back in his pant pocket before he started eating.

***

Johnson was in his office racking his brain for a reason to sack the three women in his office. One was hanging over the back of his chair and hugging his neck while another sat in his lap and the third was perched on his desk. He regretted his original plan of acting like a playboy, it was coming back to bite him in the ass.

“He’s so rude! He didn’t even say hello.”

Johnson sighed, he must have spoiled these airheads. “Don’t bug him. He’s not outgoing.”

Suddenly his phone vibrated on his desk. Relieved to have an excuse to shrug off the clingy women, he pointed to his phone, “I’m waiting for an important call from my doctor. If you would please excuse me.”

The three huffed but got off obediently and walked out of his office. Johnson waited until they left before his soft gaze hardened. He had to fix the company quickly and then he would have time to deal with the women and the people behind them. He looked at his cell phone and raised a brow.

Jason: Soft serve machine is broken.

Johnson tilted his head, confused. He thought Jason didn’t have a sweet tooth, when did he start eating ice cream?