Stranded for Christmas with my Boss (Forbidden Billionaire Boss Daddies)

7. Alyssa

Chapter seven

Alyssa

I f I had it my way, I would avoid Jensen as much as possible during the workday.

I would spare myself the confusion and torture of being around someone so perplexing and moody because my life is stressful enough trying to keep myself and my parents from drowning in financial ruin. This job is my lifeline, and Jensen is holding the other end of it.

My boss and also the guy I can’t stop fantasizing about.

Obviously, it’s hard to avoid him when I work for him, but for the past few days, I’ve filled up my daily schedule with as many tasks as I can that don’t require me to be in the same room as him. Until I can completely ignore the pull on my body that I feel when I’m around him, I have to put some distance between us.

Besides, the stress of the upcoming update has made him so tense and antsy lately, which makes him even less fun to be around.

“Brr!” Maya, the company’s brand specialist, shudders as we stand in line for a coffee truck outside of the office.

Light snow dances in the air, twirling in the breeze and coating the sidewalks and streets as New York City life still rages on. A little bit of snow won’t slow down its hectic pace in the slightest, especially with Christmas coming up.

Between people shopping for presents and enjoying all the different festivities around the city, the streets and sidewalks are packed with activity. The city truly comes alive during this time of year to the point of being able to feel it in the air.

Like a little sprinkle of holiday magic.

When I’m stressed like this, I wish I could get lost in it more, but reality is viciously demanding.

“Tell me about it,” I say as we shuffle forward in line. I wrap my arms around myself, hiding in the warmth of my black belted coat as much as I can. Despite the wind being light, it still feels like needles pricking my cold nose.

The only reason I’m enduring the elements right now is to get Jensen a coffee to kick the day off right and to get myself a cup of hot cocoa. I have to maintain my holiday spirit, even if my boss can be a real Scrooge at times.

Maya tightens her pink scarf around her neck, snowflakes dotting her black hair. “I’m so ready for January to get here.”

“Because the update will finally be out?” I’m ready for that too, so that I can see what working at this company is like without a major deadline hanging over our heads. Will it be any less hectic than now?

Maya shakes her head as an eager smile lights up her face. “Because I’m moving across the country to sunny California.”

My eyes widen as she hits me with an unexpected answer. “Really? You’re leaving the company?”

“I love working here, but my husband got an offer at this big engineering firm over there. It’s impossible to say no to,” Maya explains with a shrug. “I wouldn’t mind a change in scenery and weather either.”

I’m happy for her, but it’s kind of a shame. Lately, I’ve been working with her a lot since some of my duties have dipped into marketing territory. She’s been a big help in getting me further situated and acquainted with the company and the other employees.

“Well, you’ll definitely be missed here. I’ve heard from multiple people that you’re a big part of why Soul Flames has a great public reputation,” I tell her, feeling a tug of determination within me.

That’s the kind of impact that I want to make. The kind of reputation that I want to have.

But how do I get there in a reasonable amount of time? I don’t want to work as an assistant for multiple years without any sort of upgrade in position. I believe I’m meant for more than just fetching coffee and writing emails.

Maya smiles, pride lighting up the rich brown hue of her eyes. “I worked really hard, but it was fun too. I’m the connection between the company and our consumers. I’m in charge of showing the people just how amazing our project is.”

She’s a very important piece in a large, complex puzzle, and she ensures that all of the work done in the background shines through to the public. An expert strategist.

Honestly, her position sounds really cool, but it seems a bit out of reach. I haven’t proven myself yet, even if I’ve been working hard communicating with influencers and possible sponsors on Jensen’s behalf.

“Has your replacement been chosen yet?” I ask her before telling the barista my order once she pops her head out of the coffee truck’s service window.

Maya rubs her eyes tiredly. “Not yet. Everyone’s focus is on the update.”

Right. It’s full steam ahead until the beginning of the year. Nothing else matters until the update successfully goes live, and I’m sure there will still be a ton of work to do after that.

I glance behind me after paying and freeze at the sight of Jensen and another notably good-looking, nicely-dressed guy heading toward the front of the building. I remember seeing him outside of the elevator when Jensen and I were finally freed. “Isn’t that the CTO?”

Maya’s gaze follows mine before a sly smile crosses her lips. “Yep. That’s Austin Hayden. Did you know they’ve been friends since college? Built the app before even starting the company.”

I raise my eyebrows as my eyes continue to trail the two as they share a laugh with each other. Good, he seems to be in a decent mood. “That’s impressive.”

“Tell me about it. They were building the app of a generation, and I was struggling during my midterms,” Maya replies with a light laugh.

Everyone certainly has different paths and purposes in life. We all ended up in the same office building, though.

“You’re a big part of marketing to the public,” I point out. She has probably brought in a lot of good numbers, which is nothing to sniff at. The reason why Jensen and Austin have an office full of employees is so that their app can get bigger.

Without all of us, the app’s success would be at a standstill. We should give ourselves some credit.

“And you’re handling the big CEO. Now, that is impressive.” Maya gives my arm an encouraging nudge.

She has no idea what all has happened in Jensen’s office, and it needs to remain that way. Forever.

But I still smile and laugh like I haven’t broken a bunch of company rules ever since my first day on the job.

“Cappuccino and a hot cocoa!” the barista calls out as she places the hot drinks on the window ledge.

I grab both cups before stepping away from the coffee truck. “I’ll catch up with you later. Meeting at one, right?”

“You got it!”

I shoot Maya a farewell smile before hurrying toward the building as Jensen and Austin stride inside together. My breaths come out in hazy clouds, the cold making my lungs tighten. I quickly sip on my hot cocoa, risking a slightly burned tongue to get at least a little bit of warmth into my shivering body.

“Mr. Riley!” I call out as I step into the lobby, making him pause and turn around before they reach the elevators.

Jensen stares at me for a few seconds with a slightly soft look on his face, his eyes sweeping over me. His body even seems to react, straightening up and turning completely toward me like his friend is long forgotten. But that attention doesn’t last for long. “I was just about to call you into my office.”

My stomach twists into a knot as confusion and dread collided within me, freezing me in place. His words cut through the air, sharp and unexpected, leaving me feeling exposed and raw. “You need to talk to me about something?”

Austin remains quiet as he glances between the two of us, making me feel even more wary now that I’m stuck under the gazes of the company’s founders.

Oh, God. What if I am getting fired?

“Yesterday, I asked you to send me a summary of last week’s marketing meetings,” Jensen tells me in a stern voice, making ice-cold horror seep into my very soul. “Why did I leave work without it in my inbox?”

Oh, no. No, no, no. I was so busy helping Maya and some of the other people in the marketing department that I completely forgot he told me to do that! I have to fix this.

“I’m so sorry. I was helping out over in the marketing department, and before I knew it—”

“Last time I checked, you’re mine ,” Jensen states as he fixes me with a firm glare. His expression wavers for a moment, his brow furrowing like he’s…confused? I can’t read the emotion, but he doesn’t give me more than a few seconds to ponder on it before continuing. “My assistant. Helping me with my work.”

At first, the way he says mine makes my mouth go dry, my heart pounding wildly. But I don’t like being bossed around like this while we’re still clothed, so any desire that I feel evaporates.

“I understand, but you told me—”

“I told you to send me a summary by the end of the day,” Jensen cuts me off again, making Austin’s eyes widen a degree.

“She can just do it now,” Austin tells Jensen, but he may as well be talking to a wall.

“Your position isn’t to inconvenience me,” Jensen warns me. “You should remember that going forward.”

He’s seriously threatening me in front of the CTO? Anger crackles through me like wildfire, making a few choice words perch on the tip of my tongue. I could say screw it and quit first. Go out in flames with some unkind words.

But he hasn’t fired me yet. Remembering that paycheck, I can’t quit. Too many people will suffer if I do.

“I will.” I manage to keep my voice and my hand steady as I offer his stupid cappuccino to him. “I’ll have that summary to you in thirty minutes.”

Jensen stares at the coffee for a moment, his shoulders slightly deflating as he takes it from me. He doesn’t look at me again.

Before he can decide to chastise me some more, I turn on my heel and make a beeline to an elevator that just opened. My forefinger jabs the “close door” button over and over until the doors finally slide shut, letting me have just a few moments of peace.

Alone.

With burning eyes, I sip on my hot cocoa, ignoring the lurch in my stomach and the lump in my throat. Jensen embarrassed me. He has always chastised me in private before and has made it a point to make sure no one was around.

Why the switch up now? Did the summary really set him off that much?

“Jerk,” I mutter under my breath.

However, as soon as the doors slide open, I dive right into work because I have too much riding on this job. Too much is at stake if I cross him and fail.

That includes my ego, because I can’t help but yearn for even a dash of praise. A semblance of pride.

It’s pathetic, but if that’s part of what keeps me moving forward, so be it.

I’d rather crawl on my knees and get to where I need to be instead of giving up and getting nowhere. That’s what happens when someone is backed into a corner they can’t escape from.