Oliver Cooper Pov
I flip through the departmental reports. With our financial year ending and the annual General Meeting just weeks away, I need a solid strategy for our short- and long-term goals. Identifying the lagging departments is crucial.
As I jot down some notes to remember, a face crosses my mind.
"Jessie" The name slips through my lips. Or should i call her- Spiralis â that name suits her better. Jessie sounds too unisex, too manly for her soft, feminine features.
Thoughts of her keep slipping in.
I smile, knowing this is dangerous.
It takes a while to coerce my thoughts to focus on my goals and not on a the curly head girl. But damn!
I am about to continue with my task when my phone rings. Let's just say I have a good memory for numbers, or maybe just for a specific one.
"Hello..." I answer and wait for a response.
She remains silent, and I patiently await her reply. There must be a good reason she called.
"Jessie, is that you?" I ask when the silence lingers. Did she dial my number by mistake?
The thought is saddening but exciting too.
"I..." Her voice wavers.
She must still be traumatized by the sight of the body. It might be her first time seeing a dead person.
'You can't sleep?' I ask.
She agrees.
'Talk to me. I am listening.' I use the words growing up, i wish i would have heard them more. Then she quickly hangs up and i am surprised if i was wrong to say that.
Maybe she needs someone to talk to, but as her boss, she can't. I make a note to find her a therapist and consider changing my number.
She is definitely not what I need. None of my checkboxes she ticksâ except whenever I think of her, my pulse quickens and I can't help but smile.
I put my phone away as Gina walks in with a steaming mug.
"I brought you something," She says and places the hot chocolate on my desk.
"Thank you," I reply. "Why are you awake this..." I pause, noticing she's fully dressed. "Where are you going or coming from?"
She purses her lips.
"I was out with friends," She says.
I take a sip and immediately put the mug down; it tastes like sawdust.
She watches my reaction with curiosity. I inwardly sigh at her how she can't make a cup of chocolate. "That will wait," I mutter, sparing her feelings.
"Sit," After a while I tell her.
She sits. Where do I start without hurting her feelings? Cara was right; I am scared of a girl half my size, one I've raised most of her life.
"Have you been thinking of what to do with your life?" I ask, ensuring I leave room for what I want to say next.
She slumps back, wearing her usual defiant look. Usually, I'd increase her credit card limit and send her off on my jet. She'd return with something new, only to lose interest soon after. Seeing her stare now, I'm tempted to maintain the status quo for peace's sake. However, things are about to change.
"I haven't healed yet, the professor humiliated me... us." She says rolling her eyes.
I sigh, "Us?" I ask. I know what she will say next but i want to hear her say it.
"Yes. He tarnished the Cooper name. He failed me on all my papers, and everyone laughed at me."
She is unbelievable i am the one to blame for enabling it.
"You didn't write anything; I saw the papers."
She pouts, "You donate a lot of money to that school; they should extend credit where due and my grades could use some credit."
Shaking my head, I realize this won't end until I put my foot down.
"I plan to get married, and until then, you need to enroll in a business course." I turn serious.
"What am i suppose to do with a degree?" Her brows into a frown.
"For a job," I state the obvious.
"You are kidding, right?" I seem to have caught her attention.
"Starting tomorrow, you'll work at La Cooper and study," I say, almost smirking at her gobsmacked expression.
She takes a second to recover before she stands, shaking her head, "That is like being the help," She says pacing around.
"No, it is called being responsible." I say.
She seems shocked then turns to me with a disappointed look.
"When will I have time to hang out with friends? What will my friends think? I'll become a social outcast," she mutters.
"You're worrying about the wrong things. You should be in bed; you have less than four hours of sleep left." I state hiding my smile.
She turns to me with a death glare, "I will be humiliated. Those lowlives at La Cooper hate me."
I know how Gina has always been rude and condescending to others and this may be an opportunity for her to learn.
"I'll make sure you're treated right," I assure her, though I'll make it tough. If I have to pay the workers more to push her harder, I will.
"Why?" she whines, stepping closer, "Are you tired of me?"
"No. Why?"
"Now that my father is out, you're looking for ways to be rid of me."
I reach out and touch her hand. "No, I would never do that. I'm just trying to help you. I won't always be here, and the world doesn't care what you're going through. Everyone has burdens and won't be lenient."
Her eyes stay on me, expression flat, "Ugh!" she cries and storms out.
I shake my head, shut my files, and take a shower. Tomorrow will be hard with Gina starting work. She's hard-headed, and I'm sure there will be countless complaints. One of them will be Cara when she finds out.