She's special

Steve POV

My attention swayed toward the door when it opened, and I watched Jackson enter the room and closed the door. 

When our eyes met, he had that look on his face that said he was confused to see me seated behind his KEFA executive desk, even though I am his boss. 

Lowering his gaze, he stared at his watch, and I could tell that he felt a bit anxious about being late to work.

And honestly, I was concerned about him breaking his records for the month, even though there was no need for him to worry about showing up at work late or seeing me in his office.

"Hey, Steven," Jackson asked, using a causal tone with me. “What are you doing here?“

My thoughts were occupied with his expression, and his words didn't concern me for a while.

After approaching me, Jackson laid his donuts on his desk next to a pile of documents and focused his eyes on me.

 When I raised my brow, he ignored the suspicious look I gave him and sat at the edge of the table. 

Silently, I grabbed the donuts and munched on them, and shockingly, Jackson did not react, which worried me. 

From the moment he walked into the room, I knew something was off because I had known Jackson for years, and right now, he looked pissed and drained. 

Most mornings with this dude are impressive, and yet today he acted differently. Even after I stole his donuts, he seemed chill about it, like WTF.

"You are an overbearing man! I sat here questioning how gray and long my beard needed to grow before you report for work." I teased with a faint laugh.

When silence followed my reply, I understood that he was upset. 

Even my stupid joke couLd not make him laugh, nor lighten his mood, and I think I started stress eating his donuts because this was the first time he had been this way.

"Steven, can you tell me what up want or get out!" Jackson shrieked, his fist clenched in a fist.

His tone and body language did shock me, but I wasn't mad. Instead, I was extremely worried now because the was no reason for him to use such a tone with me… at least none that I know of.

"Straight to business discussion. What is disturbing you this morning? Also, it is not early if you are reporting to work at this hour." I told him, raising my voice to give him the idea that his shitty attitude wasn't going to fly by me.

Since I and Jackson have known each other for years, we both have had our fair share of arguments, but never in a thousand years has he spoken to me in such a manner.

"What business do we need to handle?" Jackson asked in a low pitch. “And sorry about the way I spoke just now." 

It was clear that he was dodging my question, and knowing Jackson, if he doesn't want to talk about it, you are not going to get a word out of him. And pushing the discussion would only piss him off and mess up your relationship at that moment.

So I backed away from the desk and cornered Jackson, smirking at him as a wild thought came to mind for tonight.

"Okay...! Here is the thing… There is a party tonight, and I need a plus one. That's where you come in. You are my plus one!" I told him, beaming at the frown on his face.

“You know what, I just realized that being my boss's friend from college is annoying as fuck, even if we are buddies from Harvey University and are brothers.“ Jackson mocked with a smirk.

His expression was softening, and he did smile when he let out, "Plus one regularly involves some hot chick hook on you for the night. Why do you want me?"

This dude understands me like the “ABC” and I like that, even though we are nothing alike… Well, at least not recently.

“I know everything you are thinking about, and you are correct.“ I mumbled, chuckling when he squirted his eyes at me.

“But?” Jackson asked, not losing the doubtful look on his face.

“But the club party is regularly full of ladies. I do not need some chick by my side, spoiling my chance to get ladies' numbers. Tonight I am a bachelor, and the ladies are my targets." 

“It's safe to say that you change women like you boxes.“

“Hey! That's not fair!“ 

It is not a secret to me that he's disappointed in me, and I hate that he is. But then again, not all of us can be patient and understand like he is. 

In all fairness, I tried, but fail, and that fuck me over. So yeah, I don't plan on trying that again.

"Sorry, dude, unlike you, I am married. Jennie is arriving home tonight, and I need to be home earlier. Still, I wish you the best on your ladies' hunt," Jackson uttered calmly.

Although I felt downhearted that he turned me down since the only reason I invited him was to cheer him up, I didn't hold his rejection to heart.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Jackson mumbled, “That should be Kate. I asked her to make me coffee for the donut that you are munching on!“

. "Mr. David here is your drink," Kate called out after the third knock.

“Come in!“ Jackson said, staring at the door.

When it finally opened, Kate walked in and rested the cup on the desk, then left immediately.

"I guess she overheard something not intended for her ears.“ Jackson mumbled, frowning at me as though I was at fault or something.

Still stuck in my feeling about him turning me down, I gave a half-smile and said, “Enjoy the last donut, man. I envy Jennie, for finding a treasure like you still, I am happy you found your life partner.“

“Come on man.“ Jackson mumbled, giving me a doubtful gaze.

“No. I'm being honest. Although I dislike sharing with you, the rules do not apply to her. I love you, man, and for the last time, I am not gay!"

“I know.“

“Great! I should take my leave then.“ 

After a brief pause, I walked out of the office, and I could feel his eyes on me until the door shut after me.

When I walked out of the building, I stood still, drawing a breath of fresh air as my feeling finally got to me.

Although I don't want to say it out loud, I hated being an unattached Friend.

The guys who could get any woman but could never keep a serious relationship are the ones and I hate those kinds of men the most. But I know that I am no different from them and don't have the right to shun them.

 To be real, I appreciate how Jackson doesn't blame me or judge my character. But we both knew about the nasty breakup I went through. So it makes sense that he is so chill without our differences in lifestyle.

If there is anyone who is appreciated wholeheartedly in my life, it is Jackson because he is the reason he became successful, and seeing him in that miserable state breaks my heart.

If I must say, people don't decide to become damaged individuals. There are various happenings in their life that cause them to forget who they are, why they are alive, and how to love again. It was like that for me after my breakup.

"Pardon me, sir. I am sorry for bumping into you." A lady's voice suddenly echoed in my ears as I tried to figure out what exactly happened.

"Uh," I replied, focusing my gaze on her kind eyes.

"Julie over here!" A voice calls out from the taxi to the lady.

For a moment, she gave me a faint smile and then walked away, getting into a taxi with her friend.

My gaze followed the cab attentively because her smile did something to me. It made my heart race for the first time in a long time, and I didn't know how much I miss that feeling until now.

 Love, at first sight, does not exist in my mind. But, that lady touched a part of me that died a long time ago… at least, the part of me that I thought had faded after all these years.