Love in the line duty

The Company's event

Jeremy wasn’t quite sure what Iris meant when she said he needed to "look presentable." After all, he was attending as her bodyguard, so he wore the suit he normally used for work.

When he arrived at Iris's suite, he was taken aback. She stood before him, dressed in a red gown that clung to her body in all the right places. The slit along her leg gave him a glimpse of her smooth, toned skin. Her neckline revealed a little cleavage enough to draw his eyes. She wasn’t just beautiful and elegant, there was an undeniable sensuality in the way she carried herself. She was captivating, and Jeremy couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.

“Jeremy can you hear me?” Iris called out, snapping her fingers in front of his face.

“Yes… Yes” Jeremy blinked and swallowed hard, quickly snapping out of his daze. He straightened up.

“You need something better than… this,” she said gesturing at Jeremy’s suit.

She motioned to her designers. “Get him something better.”

Jeremy sighed, he realized he had no choice but to do as she pleased. She was the boss, after all.

After what felt like an eternity of fittings, they chose an exquisitely tailored suit.

When Jeremy emerged, Iris paused, her eyes widening slightly. For a brief moment, she seemed at a loss for words. He wore a tailored, dark suit that fit him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and muscular build.

"This... suits you," she finally said, her tone unexpectedly soft. Jeremy wasn’t sure if she was complimenting him or the suit, but either way, she was clearly satisfied.

"Thanks," Jeremy mumbled, feeling slightly out of place in clothes that probably cost more than his annual salary.

As they headed for the limousine, Jeremy instinctively moved towards the driver’s seat, but Iris stopped him. "Not tonight, Jeremy. Tonight, you won’t be driving."

He hesitated but obeyed, taking his seat beside her in the back of the limousine. As they arrived at the grand showcase of the Freeman Motors, Jeremy noticed the crowd of paparazzi waiting outside. He stepped out first to shield her from the frenzy. But before he could lead her through the crowd, she surprised him by placing her hand firmly in his and posing for a photo. Jeremy felt a wave of discomfort wash over him, he was not used to this level of attention.

The night was proving to be more than Jeremy had bargained for, especially when he spotted Nicole and Damien across the room. His expression darkened. The betrayal he had tried to bury resurfaced.

Damien and Nicole had been invited by the host and they were eager to discuss the business proposal they had submitted to Freeman Motors for the supply of powertrain components. It was a deal they desperately needed to close

Iris caught him glaring at the couple. "Still bitter about your ex?" she said, a smirk tugging at her lips.

Jeremy looked at her, surprised that she even knew.

"Of course, I did some digging." Iris replied, her voice had a nonchalant tone. "I like to know everything about the people around me.

“Your girlfriend... and your boss. That’s pretty cold," she added with a small laugh.

Jeremy’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Glad you’re amused."

"Come on, Jeremy. You’re in a much better place now. Just standing here with me, do you know how many people would kill to be where you are right now?" she said proudly.

"I don’t need the attention," Jeremy grumbled, scanning the crowd uneasily. "I’m just here to do my job."

At that moment, Nicole and Damien made their way over.

“Jeremy, it’s really you!” Nicole said, her eyes scanning him up and down. “You look… different. How did a former driver like you manage to get into an event like this? Isn’t it invite-only for high-class people?”

“Actually, when you’re accompanying the host, it’s not too hard,” Iris interjected smoothly.

Nicole raised an eyebrow. “The host?”

“Let me introduce myself properly,” Iris said, smiling. “I’m Iris Freeman, Langdon Freeman’s daughter. I now run Freeman motors while my father is away, so you’ll be dealing with me from now on.”

Damien and Nicole were stunned into silence, but before they should respond, Iris continued.

“Congratulations on your engagement, by the way,” Iris said with a chuckle. “I heard about how the CEO of Wellington Inc. engaged his driver’s girlfriend. That was quite the story.”

Nicole’s face turned pale, and Damien quickly stepped forward, trying to salvage the situation. "Miss Freeman, it's an honor to meet you," he said. "Whatever Jeremy may have told you about us... I assure you, it's not what it looks like. I really hope this won’t affect our business proposal..."

But before he could explain further, Iris dismissed him with the flick of her hand. “I don’t have time for irrelevant matters tonight, have fun and enjoy the party Mr. Wellington and Miss Gilbert.” She smiled at them coyly, grabbed Jeremy’s arm and guided him away, leaving the couple standing there, dumbfounded.

Jeremy couldn’t resist shooting a glare back at them. He might not have appreciated Iris's tactics, but the look on Nicole and Damien’s faces was deeply satisfying.

As they moved away, Jeremy couldn’t shake the nagging thoughts in his head. Earlier, she had insisted on dressing him up far too fancy for a bodyguard, and now the way she had been clinging to him since they got here, the way she’s been looking and smiling at him, felt far from professional.

"I don’t get why you’re doing this," Jeremy said, his voice low.

“Doing what? Introducing myself to your friends?” Iris said as they maneuvered through the crowd.

“I mean, parading me around like this, I’m supposed to be your Bodyguard, I am not somebody who should be standing beside you this way.” He said

Before Iris could respond, a new voice interrupted their conversation.

"Iris Freeman?" Three middle-aged men with sharp suits and an air of authority approached them. Iris recognized the shorter man in the middle instantly, it was Thomas Ridley of Ridley Motors, their major competitor.

"Mr. Ridley, gentlemen," Iris greeted them with a polite smile. "I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight."

"Well, I had to come and see for myself," Ridley said, his eyes flicking briefly to Jeremy. "I hear the new head of Freeman Motors is making waves already, showcasing a new model amidst the recent controversy surrounding environmental pollution and the industry’s environmental responsibility, what’s your plan here Miss. Freeman?”

The question hung in the air like a challenge, and Iris felt the eyes of the other businessmen and potential investors on her. It was clear that Ridley had posed the question to embarrass her, to make her fumble in front of the industry’s elite.

“Well, the balance between environmental responsibility and, uh, production capabilities…” she stumbled, struggling to articulate her thoughts.

Seeing her struggle, Jeremy stepped in. “What Miss Iris is saying,” he began, his voice strong and unwavering, “is that Freeman Motors has always been a pioneer in innovation. We’re investing heavily in cutting-edge technology to reduce emissions while maintaining our high-performance standards. It’s a challenge, but it’s one we’re tackling head-on because Freeman Motors believes the future of the industry lies in sustainable innovation. Isn’t that right Mr. Freeman?”

Iris, regaining her composure, and shot Jeremy a grateful glance for the timely save.

“Exactly!” She found her footing and continued, her voice steady now. “And to add to that,” She said, looking directly at Ridley, “we’re not just reacting to trends. Freeman Motors is actively shaping the future of the automotive industry. Our commitment to reducing pollution and embracing renewable energy isn’t just about keeping up, it’s about leading the charge. I think, given the challenges we face globally, it’s important for competitors, like Ridley Motors, for example, to also embrace this direction. Otherwise, they risk being left behind.”

The subtle jab wasn’t lost on anyone. Jeremy chuckled at her sass, Ridley’s smile tightened, but he didn’t respond. The other businessmen nodded approvingly, clearly impressed with Iris’ confidence.

“Impressive,” one of the men finally said. “It seems Mr. Freeman made the right choice putting you in charge, Miss Iris.”

As they walked away, Iris turned to Jeremy with a grin. "Not bad for a former driver, huh?"

Jeremy smiled, “I guess.”

By the time the event began to wind down, Jeremy was mentally exhausted. As they headed back to the limousine, Iris turned to him with a thoughtful expression.

“I have to say,” Iris said, glancing at him, “you handled yourself well tonight. I knew there was more to you than meets the eye.”

"I’m glad you are pleased," he said as the limousine pulled away from the venue.

***********

When they got home, Iris couldn’t shake the admiration and growing attraction she felt toward Jeremy. She watched him closely as they stepped inside, her mind still replaying how he had fought valiantly the day before, and how he had spoken so boldly and intelligently earlier at the event.

“Would you like a drink?” she asked casually, trying to hide the fact that her heart was racing.

Jeremy hesitated for a second but eventually nodded. “Sure.”

As Iris poured the drinks, she looked at him, clearly impressed. “How did you know what to say earlier?” She said, handing him a glass.

Jeremy shrugged modestly. “I’ve always had a love for automobiles, so I follow the industry closely. And working with my last boss for years, I picked up the business lingo.”

Iris smiled, leaning back against the counter as she stared at him, her eyes lingering a bit longer than usual. “Nicole Gilbert is a fool for letting you go,” she said softly, her voice carrying an unexpected warmth.

Jeremy shifted, feeling the tension build in the room. The way Iris looked at him how, it wasn’t just admiration. Her gaze was filled with sultry desire. He cleared his throat, trying to break the moment. “I should probably head out.”

Iris smirked, “Jeremy, you didn’t tell me I looked good tonight,” she teased, her voice light but suggestive.

Jeremy flushed, clearly caught off guard. “You looked… absolutely gorgeous tonight,” he mumbled awkwardly, his eyes avoiding hers as he stood up to leave.

Iris couldn’t help but laugh at his awkwardness. “Goodnight, Jeremy,” she called after him as he hurried out.