The same night Eve filled one glass with red wine after having a quick dinner from the delivery service. Then she collapsed at her sofa and started processing all current events. While drinking the wine and being lost in thoughts, she received a text message. Her cell was lying at the coffee table. She grabbed it and wondered seeing JC’s name in the lock screen. He never texted her before.

„How was the meeting?“ [JC]

„Dunno.“ [Eve]

„?“ [JC]

„Eric took care of it.“ [Eve]

„Why?“ [JC]

„Ask him.“ [Eve]

„What happened, Eve?“ [JC]

„It’s pretty late. Can I just call it a day, please?“ [Eve]

Eve didn’t sleep well and arrived at the office before 7:00 AM. She was in a bad mood, still processing what Eric said about JC the prior day. 

JC didn’t sleep well, either. His migraine was gone, but he was thinking over and over again about what must have happened to Eve. Of course he tried to reach Eric after texting with her. But Eric didn’t answer his calls.

As he arrived in the office, JC saw Eve sitting at her desk from distance. He came closer and stopped standing next to her desk. She said good morning and gave her attention back to her laptop quickly. He looked at her for moment.

„Can we talk?“

Again she looked at him. He gestured her to follow him into his office. Eve did what he asked for and sat down opposite of him at his desk. 

„Why are you pissed off?“ he wanted to know. 

Eve prepared herself for that conversation and gave him a stern look, before she replied. 

„Why did you hire me?“ 

JC frowned.

„What that supposed to mean?“ 

„It’s a simple question. I want to know why you decided giving me the job.“ 

„Your CV was convincing.“

„My CV?“ 

„Yes.“ 

„You’re saying my CV was so convincing, that my missing knowledge about music and my above average salary expectations didn’t matter?“

JC sighed. 

„What the hell is this about?“

Eve was scared speaking out loud what was going on in her mind. But there was no way back.

„Did you just employ me because of my look?“ 

JC’s heart dropped. 

„What? Why would you say that?“ 

„Just answer my question.“ 

JC turned upset. 

„Did Eric say that to you?!“ 

„This is not about Eric.“ 

„Then tell me where this nonsense suddenly comes from!“ 

„Is it nonsense?“ 

„Of course it is! Do you really believe I’m that low?!“ 

„Honesty, I don’t know! I have no idea what kind of person you are!“ 

Eve stood up, not wanting to continue this conversation. But JC wasn’t finished, yet. He stood up, as well.

„It’s not fair what you’re doing here!“ he blamed her. 

„Excuse me?“

„Just because Eric pissed you off, it gives you no right wreaking your anger on me!“ 

„Of course it does! You promised you wouldn’t tolerate his degrading behavior!“

„I meant what I said! But I wasn’t here yesterday! And you still didn’t tell me what the fuck happen!“ 

Eve didn’t know how to reply. She was aware of that JC was right. He couldn’t help her in any kind, if she was acting like that. Her eyes started filling with tears. 

„Fuck no.“

Hastily she turned around and rushed out of his office. 

JC took a deep breath. Once again he realized how fragile she truly was. 

Eve hurried into the kitchen and leaned again the counter. She closed her eyes to calm down somehow. 

„You idiot just acted like a hysterical teenager,“ she blamed herself in her thoughts.

JC entered the kitchen and brought her back to reality.

„I’m sorry,“ she apologized, as he was coming closer. „This was completely unnecessary.“ 

JC didn’t reply. He stopped standing in front of her with little distance. She could smell his perfume and felt her heart accelerating. 

JC crossed his arms and begun smiling. Eve gave him an irritated look.

„What is happening?“

„Nothing. I just enjoy.“ 

„Enjoy what?“ 

„You admitting a mistake. I didn’t expect witnessing something like that. Ever,“ he teased. 

Eve tried hard not to smile back, but it was hopeless.

„Ya… enjoy your little moment…“

He turned serious. 

„Be sure, I’m gonna talk to Eric.“ 

She shook her head. 

„No. It will just makes things worse.“

„You wanna let him get away?“ 

She nodded. 

„Why?“ 

„Because I’m not upset about Eric. I’m upset about what he said about you and how you see me,“ she confessed. 

She looked vulnerable and hurt, waiting for his response. They stared into each others eyes. JC didn’t expect he could fall for her harder than he already did. But that’s what just happened. 

„Eve. Please believe me, I never made an inappropriate comment or talked disrespectfully about you. I would never do this,“ he finally said, without losing eye contact.  

Eve gave him a calm smile. She believed him. Both were still staring at each other. She wondered, if he could hear her heart pounding aggressively against her chest. Her weakness for him just turned into something deep. She felt excited and scared at the same time. 

„It’s official. You’re in love with your boss.“ 

The tension between them was nearly unbearable. Both wished for the same, but no one made the first move. Finally Eve looked away. 

„I should get back to work.“ 

He was still staring at her. 

„Do something!!!“ he was thinking. 

She passed him by. JC turned in her direction and grabbed her hand to make her stop.

„Eve…“

Her heart skipped a beat and her knees turned into jelly. She looked in his eyes again. 

„I’m happy to have you,“ he said quietly. 

She gave him another smile. 

„I should go now,“ she replied, giving him a last sheepish look.

He released her hand slowly. She left the situation and hurried into the bathroom. 

„Holy shit… holy fucking shit…“ she thought, while her whole body was shaking from excitement. 

„I need to ask once again. He grabbed your hand and said he’s happy having you?“ 

Eve nodded, sitting at a table opposite of Sandra during dinner. They met at their favorite Mexican restaurant after work. 

„And you said what?“ 

„I already told you the whole story. Stop asking the same questions.“ 

„I’m sorry, but this is surreal. I mean, three weeks ago you thought he’s an asshole. And now you’re in love with him?“

„That’s how things are,“ Eve replied, tasting her enchilada. 

„What will you do now? You can’t ignore your feelings, right?“ 

„I have to ignore my feelings. He’s my boss. I can’t be in a relationship with my boss.“ 

„Why not? Obviously he’s interested, as well.“

„We don’t know that, Sandy.“

„Oh come on, stop shitting yourself! His gesture said more than thousand words!“

„You mean grabbing my hand?“ 

„Yes!“ 

„I agree that there was a strong tension between us.“

„It’s called chemistry, darling.“

„But he’s my boss.“ 

„He’s hot for you. That’s what he is.“ 

Eve took a deep breath. 

„I hardly survived that day. Every time we talked to each other I became completely nervous. He on the other hand acted like nothing happened. But every time when our eyes met there was this tension again.“ 

„I’m abnormally jealous,“  Sandra confessed. 

Eve raised her eyebrows. 

„Well, your boss isn’t that bad, either.“

„Yes. But unfortunately he’s not into redheads.“