My Boss's Son

Alice Collins

To tell the truth... I've never stopped to think about what my future would be like exactly, whether I would be working in something cool, building a family, or having a successful career. Not that I was someone without dreams, plans, or goals. What I mean is that, unlike other people who wished to focus exclusively on themselves, I wasn't like that. On the contrary, what I most desired was to be able to give a comfortable life to my mother and my two younger sisters. Since my parents separated, the four of us have gone through great financial difficulties, to the point of having to leave London and move to my mother's home country. I confess that leaving the life I had in England in my adolescence was a very difficult decision for me because starting in a new place completely different from what I was used to was a very strong reality shock. But I had no choice. Either I moved to Canada or I would have to live with my father, who unfortunately was not a faithful man, even though he had been an excellent father to both daughters. However, he was not the kind of husband that other women with a frustrated relationship could envy because he was equally a frustration. And as much as I loved him with all my heart, I would never accept living under the same roof as the woman who destroyed my parents' marriage. So, at the age of thirteen, I accompanied my mother to her home country. As she was not British, she had only moved to London because of my father. The only choice she had was to return to where her entire family was and that undoubtedly would help her in whatever was necessary, something that wouldn't happen if she stayed in London. At first, I reluctantly accepted my mother's decision, but today I understand that change was necessary for her, and I don't regret agreeing to it.

But of course, just a change of country wouldn't completely change our lives. We still had scars from what we had lived in England, especially my mother, who cried hidden in the back of the small house where we lived every night because she was full of debts and household expenses that she couldn't cover every month. And as much as there was help from the family, it wasn't enough because they didn't have much themselves and the little they had had to meet their own needs. Seeing her in that desperate state filled my heart with pain, and all because she decided to leave with a man to a completely different country from hers, instead of focusing on her own professional career. However, I don't judge her. Some people end up being blind to love for others and doing things that they may regret someday, but I would be different. As much as my main focus was to give a comfortable life to my family, I still nurtured the dream of having a successful career in the artistic field. Of course, if I couldn't make it, it wouldn't be a problem. What I most desired was to live in a reality where I could financially help my mother. And having that idea in my head, I didn't think twice about doing it. Maybe I had made a hasty decision because I didn't calculate the weight of the consequences that would come when trying my luck in another country. But I was so tired of all the turbulence and complications over the years since my parents' separation that any fresh start wouldn't affect me so much.

I decided to move to Los Angeles as soon as I turned eighteen. It was not easy, on the contrary, I had to work very hard to finally save enough money. I worked for months and in three different shifts, until I got enough money for the airfare and to support myself during the time I didn't have a job. But I confess that the reality in Los Angeles was painful. I couldn't get a job right away, which made me want to give up, even though I moved there without any expectations of returning. But my desire to do what I could to help my family gave me strength and encouraged me not to go back home defeated, so I persisted. Until a miracle happened. When I least expected it, a job opportunity as a domestic worker in the home of a middle-aged man came up. The salary was not exactly what I expected, but at that moment I couldn't demand much, at least it would be enough to help my family a little at first, then I would look for some other part-time job.

Years passed, and I continued working in the same house. And not to brag, but I think I ended up becoming very dear to Mr. Scott's family. Maybe it was because of the years I worked there, but all I know is that they increased my salary by a very good amount, even giving me the chance to pay for a scholarship to an Arts college. Everything was going perfectly well and the chances of continuing like that were immense. At least that's what I thought. But like a large and sharp spear, piercing my chest, Mr. Scott's eldest son returned home after years. I never thought someone like him could awaken things in me that I repressed for a long time, especially after promising myself that I would not let any man awaken feelings in me until I could achieve my life goal. But he, with his incredibly beautiful and sexy physique, with his magnificent personality and fair character, moved my ground and I had nowhere to run, but to face him. Jared owned one of the largest cosmetic companies in London and because he had very little time available, he ended up going years without visiting his parents, probably much more than the years I had been working for Mr. Scott, so I had never seen him in my life, I had only heard about him a few times in conversations between Mr. and Mrs. Scott, but nothing else. And after meeting him in an unusual way the first time we met, I could swear that my relationship with Mr. Scott's eldest son would be embarrassing, especially when I found out that he had a reputation as a womanizer. He was a man who was not within my reach, and based on his reputation, he would only take advantage of me, so everything I felt when I met him had to be suppressed within me, especially considering the fact that he was the son of the couple I worked for. I would never commit the madness of getting involved with my boss's son... Well, that's what I thought. Accepting to work for Jared was where my world turned upside down, and from the moment I became his secretary, I saw my life change completely, to the point where I felt like I was in heaven countless times with him, but... I still don't know if I should believe in "happily ever after".

"Alice?!" My boss called my name, trying to regain my attention. I looked at him, a bit spacey. My gaze was focused on him, but my thoughts were elsewhere.

"Did you hear what I said?"

"What?" I was completely distracted. "Huh... Yeah..."

I closed my eyes slightly, trying to recall his words. Without success. The only thing I could remember had to do with Mr. Scott's son and nothing else.

"Alice?" He frowned, looking at me suspiciously.

"Sorry."

I lowered my gaze and stared at my well-worn sneakers. I heard a sigh escape Mr. Scott, and my heart started beating faster. At that moment, I expected a scolding from him, the biggest one yet, since I had been very inattentive lately.

"My eldest son will be arriving from London today."

I quickly moved my head to look at him again. I didn't show any change in my facial expression, as I didn't know how to react. I thought I would receive another scolding from him, and maybe the last one.

After processing the context, I became curious. I would finally meet Mr. Scott's eldest son, after hearing so much about him.

"Is everything okay?" my boss asks, perplexed. "You've been acting strange lately."

"It's nothing. Everything's fine."

I did have something on my mind, my family. But it wasn't something I should convey to him.

"Okay... I need you to tidy up the upstairs room before he arrives."

I agreed and got up from the kitchen counter stool after Mr. Scott.

"Oh! Before I forget..." He took a paper out of his pocket and handed it to me. "Take this. I need you to buy what's on here."

I looked at the shopping list and nodded my head.

"You can do the fastest thing first."

I agreed with what he said again and analyzed the paper in my hands. It wasn't much. Just enough to make a family dinner.

Mr. Scott left the kitchen, and I was finally alone. Before preparing the room for Mr. Scott's eldest son, I would go to the supermarket.

With that in mind, I put the list in the pocket of my shorts and headed towards the exit of the house. The supermarket wasn't far away, so I could walk there.

***

It had taken longer than expected. It seemed that much of the town had decided to leave their homes to go shopping, and on top of that, in the same place! I tried to hurry my steps home, but the five shopping bags hindered me a bit.

If it weren't for the time spent only in the supermarket, I could have already completed the first thing Mr. Scott had asked me to do, finished my shift, and gone to meet some friends. But things don't always go as we want.

After minutes of lamentation, I arrived at my destination.

The door was locked, so, as usual, I used the spare key that was always under a plant pot.

It seemed like the house was empty. Probably Mr. and Mrs. Scott had gone to pick up their son from the airport, and the other employees had already ended their shifts, leaving only me and my mission of tidying up the suite.

I walked to the kitchen and placed the groceries on the counter, then returned to the living room. I had a small amount of time left to finish my day and not be late for the meeting I had.

Without thinking of anything else, I walked quickly to the balcony, where I had left the cleaning supplies a few hours ago. I grabbed them and headed upstairs. I placed the materials on the hallway floor, near the bedroom door. I took my phone out of my pocket and connected it to my earphones, selecting an upbeat song and turning up the volume. I soon entered the room.

Accustomed to starting cleaning from the bathroom, I went to the next door, which was slightly ajar. I looked a bit suspicious, as I didn't remember leaving it open when I entered the room earlier. Anyway, since I was alone at home, I ignored it, maybe I had really done that and no longer remembered.

I dragged the bucket with the cleaning products closer to the door and pushed it open. I was about to start cleaning when my gaze collided with the half-naked body of a man.

God!

Who was he? Was he Mr. Scott's son?

I wanted to run away, but my body no longer responded to my commands. What a terrible time to freeze, Alice. I was stuck in front of a stranger, a stranger who had such a magnificent body... It was almost impossible not to pay attention to his well-built chest and the damn towel around his waist that threatened to fall at any moment.

My gaze collided with his. He raised his eyebrows as if questioning my intrusion into his personal space.

"Alice! What are you doing?!" I tried to awaken my body, and finally, I moved. The only action I could take was to slam the door and turn my back to it.

I couldn't see my face, but I was almost certain it was reddish because I could feel my cheeks burning and my breathing irregular.

It wasn't expected to find a man in just a towel in the bathroom of that room, still as sexy as he was. Seeing him definitely shocked me, especially since he was the boss's son.

"When did he get here?"

"Hey!"

I froze when I heard his muffled voice from the other side of the door.

"I... I'll come back later!" I warned and walked away.

I hurried to the room's exit, and when I was about to leave, I remembered that I had left the cleaning supplies behind. I mentally cursed myself for making that mistake and let out a heavy sigh. I turned to return to where the products were and came face to face with the sexy figure coming out of the bathroom.

Damn.

"I'll clean your room later," I said, trying to prevent any questioning, and passed by him, avoiding eye contact.

"You work here?" His tone of voice sounded surprised.

"Yes, for almost five years."

I picked up the bucket with the cleaning supplies and pulled it through the room, close to the exit.

"How come I didn't know about you?"

His voice persisted in the same surprised tone, which confused me. Why the surprise?

"What do you mean?" I glanced at him.

He seemed as confused as I was. But why? And then he became hesitant to answer my question.

"No, nothing. I just thought I knew all the employees in the house."

Ah! I nodded, accepting his answer, and turned to leave, but I was stopped once again. I heard him say:

"You didn't clean the room before my arrival?"

I sighed and remained with my back to him, intending not to make any eye contact. I just wanted to get out of there and forget about that embarrassing situation.

"Yes, and I apologize for that. There were some setbacks. But as soon as you leave the room, I'll clean it."

"Why don't you clean it with me here?"

I felt a chill run down my spine when he said that.

"I don't want to bother you."

"You won't."

I closed my eyes. What was he up to? It's impossible that he didn't realize how embarrassed I was to see him in just a towel. I had never seen a man like that in my entire life, except in movies and pictures, and he was the boss's son, so I needed to maintain decency.

"Why don't you look at me?"

Once again, I felt my body tremble, and suddenly the feeling of being close took over all my senses. Was he close to me? But I didn't move to check.

"Are you embarrassed about what happened?"

I said it was noticeable. The more he spoke, the more he contributed to my restlessness.

"It's okay. I'll tell my parents that I didn't let you clean the room."

I thank mentally and leave there like a rocket. Surely, after that, I wouldn't be able to look at him normally.

Alice Collins

I descend from the upper floor, still in ecstasy.

The scene kept replaying in my head. I couldn't measure the level of shame I felt. Why did I have to find him like that, and just at the first time I see him? And to think that I'm having an internal meltdown just from seeing him in a towel, imagine if he had nothing on, I could be having a heart attack now.

I close my eyes for a few moments and shake my head, trying to chase away those thoughts.

I descend the last steps of the stairs and make my way to the kitchen. I see one of the oldest cooks in the house rummaging through the shopping bags I had placed on the counter.

"Betty!" I say her name loudly to startle her. "What are you still doing here?"

"Jesus!" she turns automatically, hand on her chest, giving me a dirty look and shaking her head. "One day you'll kill me!" she says and I end up letting out a laugh and going towards her to hug her.

Betty was like a mother to me. She had been by my side since I started working in Mr. Scott's house. She helped me when I needed it, and she took care of me as if she were really my mother.

"Sorry! You know I have great affection for you, don't you?" I pout my lips, hugging her from the side. I intensified my laughter when I saw her annoyed face, but soon Betty normalized.

"Mr. Scott asked me to stay. They want me to make a welcome dinner for Jared." She answers my question.

"That guy upstairs?"

"Yes. Has he arrived? Did you see him?" she asks curiously.

Oh, and how I saw him.

I let go of Betty from my arms and lean on the counter.

"I was going to tidy up the suite when I saw he had arrived..."

"How is he? Is he okay?" she interrupts me.

"Calm down!" I laugh as I see her curiosity. "You seemed like a mother concerned about her child."

"Hey, girl! I worry about Mr. Scott's son. I practically saw him enter puberty."

"Enter puberty?" I arch my eyebrows with an ironic smile on my lips.

"Yes. But then... did he say anything to you? Did he arrive well from the trip?"

"No...? And why would he tell me that?"

"You should have asked how he was. If he needed anything."

I looked at her a little perplexed. Betty seemed to praise him. And above all, my first encounter with him had not been one of the most... Normal.

"Why? If he needed something, he would say so."

"Hey!" she throws the cloth that was on her apron on my arm. "What's that? That's not the kind of treatment we should offer to the boss's son."

"What's wrong with what I said?" I looked incredulous after her reaction.

"We should always be available, even if he doesn't need it."

"We always do something for Mr. Scott when he asks, why would it be different with his son? You're sounding like you're praising him, Betty." I cross my arms, astounded.

"He's more demanding! And because he's our bosses' son, we should always be available."

"Whatever."

I step away from the counter and walk to the fridge, taking out a jug of water.

"You need to learn good manners. You need to be presentable for Mr. Scott's son."

"Why? He'll just be another one who'll boss me around..."

"Who will boss you around?"

"I heard a second voice in the kitchen. I turned my head a little to the side and saw Mr. Scott's son. I took a deep breath and swallowed hard. Maybe I had said too much. But at least this time, he was dressed.

"Jared!" Betty said excitedly, overflowing with happiness.

"Betty, what has time done to you? You're getting younger every day!"

"Don't be a liar," she laughed. "You've grown so much since the last time I saw you. You looked like a little puppy. And now... you're ready to have your own."

Continuing to face away from them, I just listened to them laughing until I heard my name in the conversation.

"Oh... This is Alice," Betty pulled me by the arm until I was facing him. "She's my assistant."

"Be-tty..." I looked quickly at her, then at him and lowered my head. "Hi," I said quietly, almost like a whisper.

As I imagined, I couldn't look at his face. I could only remember what had happened.

"Hi. You..." He tried to see my face, since I was looking down. "Alice, right?"

"Yes..."

"Alice, greet Mr. Scott's son properly!" Betty grumbled in my ear.

"Betty..." I grumbled back.

And she gives me an almost death glare.

"Anyway," we were interrupted by Jared. "It was nice to meet you... Alice." He smiled at me. "But I have to go now. If my parents look for me, tell them I won't be long."

"Yes, sir!"

Betty nodded and watched as he made his way out of the kitchen.

I felt a slap sting against my arm.

"Ow!" I rubbed the spot where she hit me and looked at her. "Why did you do that?"

"Didn't your mother teach you good manners?"

"Of course!"

"Then?"

"How did you want me to act?"

"You didn't even look at him!" she complained. "Argh..." She looked at the clock on the wall by the kitchen exit. "Go. Your shift is over. Go before I kill you!"

"Argh..." I mimicked what she said. "And I will, before I get intoxicated with so much flattery," I said those words emphatically.

"Go already!"

I walked to the kitchen exit and grabbed my purse from the coat hook near the door. I left the house and started heading to a bar where I was going to meet two friends.

***

"You're two minutes late," Caitlyn said as I approached the bar table where she and Zoe were.

"What?" I frowned at the comment. I sat in a chair in front of them and took off my purse, putting it on the table. "What are two minutes of delay?"

"Whatever," Caitlyn shrugged.

"Did you see? Magnate Jared Scott is in Los Angeles!" Zoe said, while playing on her phone.

"Who cares? He's just another billionaire in Los Angeles," Caitlyn replied, indifferent.

"You're no fun."

"What did I do?"

"Forget it."

"Look, I'm not to blame if you feed this illusion of marrying a billionaire."

"You could at least support me," Zoe complained and put down her phone.

"Friend, I will. But only when you're interested in someone easier to conquer."

"Zoe..." I called her attention. "Who is Jared Scott?"

I looked at her a little curious, but we were interrupted by an argument inside the bar. I looked at the two guys who were speaking loudly inside, attracting everyone's attention. They were getting close to attacking each other when a man, looking like a wall, separated them. I tried to recognize the face of one of them, until I was surprised to find out.

"The son of Mr. Scott?"