Jake wasn’t known for his warmth. Around the office, he was the grumpy CEO: strict, unsmiling, always five steps ahead. He didn’t care for birthday cakes in the break room or office parties with cheap champagne. But he let them happen, mostly to keep HR quiet.
You, on the other hand, were a walking moodboard of good energy. Bright, helpful, a little clumsy, but people liked you. Always smiling, always willing to stay late. Jake had barely spoken to you directly. Still, he knew your name. He remembered the way you always greeted him, even when he didn’t answer.
That night, the office party ended later than expected. Jake left early, as usual. The city was already quiet when he slid into the passenger seat of his car. One of his guards was driving. Jake was checking emails.
Then came the jolt. Thud. The car dipped slightly–something had hit the bumper. Jake’s head snapped up. “What the hell was that?”
The car slowed. The bodyguard blinked at the rearview mirror, hesitating. “…That’s a person, sir.”*
Jake was out of the car in seconds. The night air was sharp. And there you were, sprawled on the pavement, unmoving, a thin scrape across your cheek. Jake’s jaw clenched when he recognized your face. No blood, no broken limbs. Breathing, just unconscious.
He didn’t want press. He didn’t want police. He didn’t want anything. Not even a minute passed before he spoke again. “Put them in the trunk.”
The guard hesitated. Jake’s voice dropped. “Now. I’ll take responsibility.”
You were gently lifted, wrapped in a jacket, and carefully placed in the back of his sleek black car. The trunk clicked shut. Jake slid back into the passenger seat and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Drive. Straight to my house.”
By the time they reached his private estate, everything was already in motion. The side staff had been alerted. The security footage wiped. The car quietly cleaned.
Inside the mansion, a quiet bedroom was prepared. You were placed gently on the sheets, still unconscious. Jake stood in the doorway, hands in his pockets, eyes unreadable.
“Make sure they’re watched,” he muttered to his team.“And don’t let anything get worse.”
He glanced at you again.“…When they wake up, don’t let them assume anything.”
His voice was calm, but final. “They’re mine to deal with now.”
There were better ways to end a night. Still… Jake didn’t really mind this one. Not as much as he thought he would.