Being My Boss’s Desire

CHAPTER 3

RYDER

She was the last person I ever expected to see again. As I blinked at her, I tried to mask my surprise, keeping my composure as best as I could.

"Mr. Collins?" George Wembler called out to me, pulling my attention away from Ivy.

Turning my gaze from her, I focused on George. "Who is she?" I asked, though I already knew who she was. I was more concerned with what she was doing at my company.

"She's the newest member of the marketing team," George explained, gesturing towards Ivy. "Her name is Ivy Park."

I looked at her again, but this time she deliberately avoided my gaze. Deciding to set aside the awkward encounter for now, I turned my focus back to the meeting. "Our sales are dropping, and I'm concerned that the marketing team hasn't taken any action."

George cleared his throat, ready to address the issue. "We are already working on strategies to improve sales this month."

I leaned forward in my seat, fixating my gaze on George as he responded. "How many percentage points are we talking about for the increase?"

"Thirty percent," George replied.

That wasn't nearly sufficient. "Make it forty percent," I demanded, my tone brooking no argument. "Or I will withdraw the bonus incentives that were recently added."

The faces around the room twisted in visible disapproval, but no one dared voice their objections.

"This meeting is concluded," I declared. "I expect to see improved results by the end of the month."

As everyone stood up and began shuffling out of my office, I called out, "Ms. Park," and she froze, her posture stiffening. "Please, have a seat."

George gave her a parting smile before walking out of the office. I waited until the room was empty before speaking again. "I said, sit down."

Holding tightly onto the sales report, Ivy shook her head. "I don't think that's necessary, Mr. Collins. I'm fine standing."

My jaw tightened in response to her defiant tone. "I am your boss," I said, my voice firm. "In this environment, I will determine what is necessary or not." I pointed at the chair I had kicked out for her. "Sit."

With a resigned sigh, she walked over to the chair and took a seat, though she made a point of avoiding my gaze. Instead, she stared fixedly at the empty chair in front of her.

A question had been nagging at me ever since I learned she had refused the money I left for her. "Why didn't you accept it?"

The hotel staff had called me the next day to inform me that I had left some cash behind.

"What do you mean, Why didn't I accept it?'" she asked, her tone flat and indifferent.

"The money I left behind," I clarified.

Her head snapped around to face me, her eyes narrowing in a fierce glare. "We had an agreement that night, Mr. Collins. We both agreed that if we encountered each other in the future, we would pretend not to know one another." She moved her gaze away. "What are you doing?"

"Just answer the question, Ivy," I pressed, unwilling to let the matter drop.

"It's Ms. Park to you, sir," she retorted, her voice sharp as she rose from her chair. "And if you're worried that I might say something to the press or to anyone else simply because I didn't accept the money, then you can rest assured that you have nothing to worry about."

She closed her eyes, clearly exasperated, and let out a heavy sigh. "I am deeply ashamed of what happened that night, and I have no intention of recounting it to anyone. So, please, refrain from calling me in for personal conversations like this that don't pertain to work. I would prefer if our interactions remained strictly professional."

I was left questioning myself. Why was I so preoccupied with a one-night stand that was entirely consensual? I struggled with my own feelings and my reasons for bringing it up. "You're absolutely right. I shouldn't be engaging in these sorts of discussions with you." Standing up, I picked up my phone, my actions deliberate. "I sincerely hope you will keep your promise about not taking this matter to the press. I would find it incredibly frustrating to have to deal with both you and the media complications that would inevitably follow."

She scoffed. "What I'm about to say might cost me my job, but I need to get it off my chest."

I narrowed my eyes, taken aback by her boldness. For someone who knows I hold the power to terminate her employment, she certainly wasn't showing any fear.

"Go on," I said, intrigued by her audacity.

"Men like you are the most despicable," she declared with conviction. "You don't deserve any woman's love or respect."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise at her audacious remarks. "For someone who knows so little about me, you sure have a lot to say."

"I know enough"" she replied. She gave me a slight bow, as if to signal the end of the conversation. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to return to work. Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked out of the conference room with a purposeful stride.

Chuckling to myself at her audacity, I walked out of the office. Just as I stepped into the hallway, I ran into Ethan, who emerged from his office with a look of surprise on his face. "Are you smiling right now?" he asked, his eyes widening in astonishment.

As I walked past Ethan, who trailed closely behind me with evident curiosity, I made my way towards my office. "I had an interesting encounter with the woman from the club a few I mentioned few nights ago," I casually mentioned, not slowing my pace.

"Really? Where did you run into her? Was it at a café or somewhere similar?"

Without missing a beat, I proceeded straight to the bar, pouring myself a generous drink and one for him.

"She actually works at this company," I revealed, watching as his eyes widened with shock. "To be specific, she's part of the marketing department."

Ethan's reaction was immediate. "s**t, he swore quietly under his breath, clearly stunned by the revelation. "What's so amusing about running into your one-night stand in your own company? How can you possibly find any humor in that situation?"

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "What would you rather have me do? Sit around and cry about it?" I made my way back to the sofa with an air of casual confidence and handed him a glass before settling down.

Ethan's expression shifted to one of concern as he sipped his drink, his brow furrowing. "Do you think she might start spreading rumors or something? Is there any chance she took pictures or has some form of evidence that she might use to blackmail you?"

"Pipe down, Ethan," I said, dismissing his concern as excessive. "She doesn't seem like that kind of girl."

Ethan scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "You don't know someone's true nature until they decide to strike. She could be a stalker, you know."

I chuckled, finding his paranoia amusing. "You should really watch fewer of those fake documentaries online; they're clearly messing with your head."

Ethan's skepticism didn't waver. "You really think it's just a coincidence that out of all the companies in this city, she somehow ended up working in yours?"

"I think so, Ethan," I replied, maintaining my calm demeanor.

Shaking his head in disappointment, he placed his glass down on the table with a decisive clink. "This is fifty shades of wrong," he muttered, his frustration evident.

"Don't remind me," I said, a hint of exasperation creeping into my voice.

Ethan shrugged, leaning forward with a serious expression, his elbows resting on his knees. "Someone has to, Ryder. Let's just agree that this is all a pure coincidence and do our best not to make the situation worse."

I could sense the conversation veering into uncomfortable territory.

"Janet is going to lose her cool if she finds out that you're working in the same environment as your one-night stand."

"Drop it," I warned, my tone leaving no room for argument. "I don't want to revisit this conversation."

Ethan poked his tongue into his cheek. "Just make sure it stays a one-night stand between the two of you," he advised, or perhaps more accurately, pleaded.

"Emphasis on the 'one, please."

"Ivy and Janet are my problems to manage," I said decisively. "'ll handle them."

Ethan shook his head, his frustration growing evident.

"It's not just your problem," he countered. "If the media gets wind of any potential affair or cheating scandal, it's going to be a mess that affects you far beyond just your personal life. It'll have repercussions on your reputation and career that you won't easily be able to shake off."

"I said enough," I gritted out, my patience wearing thin. "If you're not going to change the topic, I'm going to have to ask you to leave my office."

Rolling his eyes with an exaggerated sigh, Ethan pushed himself to his feet. "No need to threaten to kick me out; I'm leaving already."

"Shut the door behind you," I instructed sharply.

He scoffed, not missing a beat. "Dad wanted me to remind you about the dinner with Janet's father."

There was no way I could forget about it; Dad would make sure I didn't.

"And don't forget to bring your smile," Ethan added with a smirk as he strolled toward the door. "And remember to stay away from Ivy. I don't know what's got you smiling like that, but I'm not sure it's a good thing." With that, he exited the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.