Chapter 49: You’re My Boss
The sun had barely crested the skyline when Bella and Chloe stepped into StoneTech’s glass tower, a neat folder tucked under her arm.
The city outside was still yawning awake, but her mind was already racing with figures, graphs, and the words from the board report she had polished until past midnight.
Her heels clicked softly against the marble, each step a reminder of her fatigue. She was bone-tired, but her report was flawless. It had to be.
She had just set her bag down at her desk when Jake’s office door swung open. He stood there in a dark suit, every line of him perfectly pressed and composed. Yet when his gaze met hers, she noticed it—the faint heaviness shadowing his eyes, as though he hadn’t slept much either.
His attention dipped to the folder in her hands. "I see you’ve printed it just as you said in your email," he said, voice low, steady, but carrying something that almost sounded like relief.
Bella nodded quickly, keeping her tone clipped. "Yes, sir. It’s ready for the meeting."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, then he extended a hand. She blinked when she saw what he held.
A paper cup, faint curls of steam rising from the lid.
Coffee. He got her coffee?
Her fingers hesitated as she took it. "You... got this for me?" she asked him instead of asking herself.
The corner of his mouth shifted, not quite a smile, but softer than his usual mask. "Don’t look so surprised. You were up late because of me. Least I can do is make sure you stay awake through the meeting."
Bella’s throat tightened, unexpected warmth slipping into her chest. For one reckless moment, she wanted to smile back. But she caught herself just in time, hiding behind a brisk nod.
"Thank you."
Jake inclined his head like it was nothing, like it hadn’t just unsettled her entire morning, and disappeared back into his office.
Bella sat down, staring at the cup. He remembered. One offhand comment, days ago, about her favorite coffee. Why did he remember that? Why did it matter? Was what Chloe said true?
She gripped the cup tighter, reminding herself of Timothy’s smile when she dropped him at school. She shouldn’t be thinking of anything. None of this was anything. She told herself as she prepared for the meeting.
By mid-morning, the boardroom buzzed with the low hum of voices, the shuffle of papers, the faint clink of glasses being set on the table. Executives in sharp suits lined the long oak table, their expressions sharp, calculating.
Jake sat at the head, calm and commanding as ever, while Bella slipped quietly to her seat at the side, laptop open, her report ready to display.
When it was her turn to present, she rose, every nerve in her body alive. She spoke steadily, her voice carrying across the room as graphs and figures glowed on the screen.
She knew the material down to the decimal, but her heart still thudded when she caught Jake’s gaze across the table. His faint nod of approval, and pride nearly made her stumble over her words.
But she didn’t. She pressed on. Answered every question. Countered every doubt. By the time she finished, even the older directors which were men notorious for never being impressed were murmuring their approval.
Jake leaned forward, his tone crisp but firm. "As you can see, Miss Isabella Howells has given us a clear, comprehensive report. I expect you all recognize the value of her work."
Bella’s breath caught. Recognition like that from Jake was... totally unexpected. And it was dangerous to her. She dropped her eyes back to her notes, trying to calm the flutter in her chest.
When the meeting adjourned, chairs scraped and voices rose as the directors filed out. Bella gathered her papers, ready to slip out when Jake’s voice cut through the noise.
"Bella. Wait."
Her pulse spiked. Had she missed something? She lingered until the last suit disappeared and the heavy door clicked shut.
Jake turned toward her, his shoulders still tight with the weight of the meeting, but his voice softened in a way that made her stomach twist. "You did well today. Better than well. The board hasn’t been that agreeable in months. Before you came."
Bella blinked, caught off guard. Praise from him wasn’t just unexpected—it was unsettling. "I was only doing my job," she managed, forcing steadiness into her tone.
His gaze sharpened, holding hers. "You keep saying that. But what you’re doing isn’t just your job. You’re making this company stronger. You’re making my work easier. Don’t brush that off."
Her breath caught in her throat. For one dizzy second, the weight of his words pressed into her chest, threatening to crack through walls she had spent years building.
Don’t let this in, she warned herself. You can’t afford to let this in.
She lowered her gaze quickly, clutching her folder as if it could anchor her. "Thank you, sir."
She needed to keep herself in check.
"We’re back to that?" Jake said,trying to hide his frustration.
"You’re still my boss and deserve that respect whether we’re friends or not," she said, not looking directly at him.
Jake studied her for a beat longer, then gave a faint nod. "Fine. You can go. I’m sure you’ll stop with the formalities when you’re on the same path."
Back at her desk, Bella tried burying herself in emails, but her thoughts wouldn’t settle.
Not on subject lines or spreadsheets. They drifted back to the warmth of the paper cup in her hand that morning. The way his voice had dipped when he told her she mattered to the company. The way his eyes had lingered a second too long. And then when he’d said she’d stop with the formalities when they were on the same path.
Exactly what was he doing? What path and what did it mean? Does he really like her as Chloe had said? Could she afford to entertain this thought?
She shook her head, almost angrily. No. She couldn’t afford this. Not with him. Not when Timothy’s paternity would be at risk.