PAYBACK'S A BITCH

imly lit room, the city skyline stretching out before him like a canvas of twinkling lights, he couldn't help but feel the weight of his crumbling empire

han's eyes scanned the documents, his mind reeling as he struggled to comprehend the magnitude of his failure. He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his disheveled hair as

ite was beginning to falter, eroded by the relentless tide of bad news and failed deals. Jonathan

de, clutching a folder close to her chest as if it held secrets she dare not speak aloud. "Sir, the latest updates," she said quietly, her expression a mask of concern that betrayed the grim news

nathan said curtly, not

ng again. "Sir, the Johnsons are officially pulling out of the p

ching on the armrest of his chair. "Tha

hedule a meeting with the boa

ng to deal with Jared. Personally." He grabbed hi

"I think it might be better to approach this caref

refully? Do you think I've gotten t

left the room, the door

r and dialed, his grip on th

oothly after a few rings. "To

u're doing. You've been sniffing around my accounts, poa

Jonathan. If you can't keep your clients, that's on you. Besides, the Jo

hone tightened. "Listen

gly calm. "Losing your temper won't solve your problems. Meet me tonight

e went dead. He slammed the phone onto

through her hair. Her thoughts were miles away, tangled up in the events of the previous da

sternly, setting the brush d

his coldness, and his singular focus on his company had left a void in

ut of her thoughts. She picked it up, her heart skip

iful. Couldn't stop thinkin

ng over the keyboard. She knew she sh

o be careful. Jon

y came almos

secret is safe with me.

a moment before ty

t: "

apartment building. He stepped out, looking effortlessly handsome in a tai

" he said, his voic

plied, feeling a blus

ure making her smile. As they drove through the bustling stre

ay from the prying eyes of the public. Jared held the door open for

anet found herself laughing at Jared's witty anecdotes

ul laugh," Jared said, his

ropping to her coffee cup. "It's been a whi

is hand covering hers. "Jonathan

is, a mix of guilt and longing s

e said softly. "To be appreciated

sarming. Janet opened her mouth t

zing with low conversations and the clinking of glasses. He spotted Jared sitt

eaning back as Jonathan a

rom him, his expression hard. "Let's

ed question. But if you're asking about the Johnson account, well, let's ju

ing. "You think you can waltz in and take what's

athan, I know exactly who I'm dealing with. A man who's l

ch to the gut. His eyes narrowed,

Jared,"

y me? Face it, Jonathan. You're already crumbling. It's only

g against the floor. "This isn't over," he

, a satisfied smile

tic mess. The day with Jared had been intoxicating, but now, in th

, and she glance

tomorrow? Jus

walking a dangerous path, but the pu

d a quic

'll think

built with Jonathan and the thrilling possibility of something new with Jared.