01.

Emma had just stepped out of the shower when she heard her phone chirp. Grabbing her towel with one hand, she reached for the phone with the other and opened the text message from her boss.

--:Ms. Smith, The board meeting has been rescheduled for tonight, and the directors will be at the airport by eight. Be there on time, and escort them to the penthouse.'

Emma shoved her head backward and let out a frustrated grumble. She had gotten off work only an hour ago, and now her boss was texting her to come back for overtime.

Her phone beeped again and her gaze went to it.

It was a reminder from Josh- her boyfriend- about their date later that night. Emma was already halfway through the preparation, and now her boss needed her too.

With another grumble, Emma glanced at the time. It was half past seven and she was supposed to meet Josh at his place for their date in two hours.

She had no idea how to tell him she couldn't make it anymore. It would be the fourth time in a row that she was bailing on him because of work.

How was she supposed to explain this to him?

What if he's not as understanding as the other times?

Emma didn't want to lose her job as much as she didn't want to lose her relationship with Josh. He was the best boyfriend she's had yet.

She palmed her forehead and spent a minute, thinking.

Josh might be understanding, but her boss? She greatly doubted. With a lot of competitors ogling at her position and waiting for her to make a mistake that would lead to her termination from the S.H. Group, Emma knew she would easily be replaced.

A man like Jace Sanders wouldn't give consideration to the fact that she had worked as his secretary for nine years nor her contribution to S.H. He would fire her at once if she made a mistake.

How she managed to stay with him for nine whole years was a miracle to her and others who served in that position before her.

Maybe she could pick up her boss's guests and plead with him to let her off for the night. If he needed her, Sia- a junior staff that was under her training- would assist him for the night. Also, his assistant was available.

Hesitantly, she began messaging Josh:

-: 'Babe, I'll be a little late to your place. I have to quickly do something for my boss but it'll only take a few minutes, please understand. I love you.'

She dropped her phone and began taking off her towel when Josh's reply came. A little nervous, she clicked on it.

-:Your boss again.'

The first text read and another popped in right after.

"You know tonight is special, babe. It's been all that I've dreamed of for months. If you're going to keep me waiting, at least send me some spicy pics to hold onto while I wait for you. Since you're in the shower, some shower pics will do. Please, baby.'

A naughty emoji was placed at the end.

Emma blushed hard, it was the first time Josh was asking for her nudes. Although she wasn't one who fancied sharing her naked pictures with anyone, she agreed to do it. He, at least, deserved that much from her for his patience and understanding so far. Quickly, Emma minimized the app for her gallery and selected three of her nude pictures with sexy poses, that she took in the shower.

-:'No reply?'

She shook her head. Why was he so impatient?

He must be excited.

Emma giggled as she sent the pictures.

She waited for his reply, but it seemed to be delayed; the message had already been ticked, so she was certain he received it.

Emma shrugged it off, switched off the connection, and dropped her phone before hurrying to her wardrobe to pick out an outfit.

When Emma arrived at the airport in her BMW, she discovered her boss already sent a limousine to convey the directors to his penthouse.

It was five minutes past eight when they arrived and the moment it hit eight, Emma was already getting pissed.

When she got the information that their plane landed, the escorts quickly left to get their pieces of luggage while she walked up to them. They were six in number, four men and two women, all dressed in expensive wear.

"Hello. My name is Emma Smith, I am Mr. Sanders's secretary, and I have come in his place to welcome and accompany you all to the penthouse." Emma professionally introduced herself.

It wasn't her first time doing this.

"Please tell me if you need anything. Also, an official ride is here and ready to convey you all to the meeting venue."

They all requested nothing, thanked her, and followed her to the limousine.

Emma waited until they were all comfortably seated in the car, and it drove off before she went to her own car.

As she drove, she picked up her phone when she heard it ring.

"Good evening, Mr Sanders."

"Where are you?" His husky voice penetrated her ears.

"Just a few miles away from the penthouse, sir. I took my car, so Gerald will most likely be arriving before me with the directors."

"That's fine."

"Um, Mr. Sanders, can I ask for a favor?"

"Right now?"

"Yes sir. I think it's just perfect that I ask now that we're talking."

"Go on then."

"Can I not join the meeting tonight? I will call and have Sia replace me just for tonight. I already briefed her about the meeting yesterday so she knows what to do. I have an important--

"You are my secretary," the stressed words cut her off. "These directors flew all the way from Spain and you suddenly have somewhere important to be? Didn't you say you were free for the rest of today?"

"I did but it's not that kind of 'free' Mr. Sanders, I already made plans with.. with my boyfriend to meet tonight and--

"Your boyfriend?" Jace scoffed, "This is work, Miss Smith. The meeting will only last for two hours, your boyfriend can wait."

"But Mr. Sanders--

"Are you tired of your job, Miss Smith?"

Emma paused, holding her breath, "No sir."

"Good. See you at the penthouse."

He ended the call afterward and Emma sighed.

She waited until she reached the penthouse, before grabbing her phone again to send a quick text to Josh, informing him of the change.

There was an unread text from him with a picture attached.

-: I got matching underwear for us. Pick your favorite pair, and I'll wear it for you tonight while waiting at the door.'

Emma sighed again, biting her lower lip and feeling like the worst girlfriend on Earth.

She had fantasized about her night with Josh the entire day.

Tonight was supposed to be their first intimate time together since she returned with Jace from a business trip to Barbados, five months ago.

Just like her, he greatly looked forward to this day. She recalled the excitement on his face when she proposed the date, after bailing on him four times in a row.

At a slow pace, Emma dialed his number. He picked at the first ring.

"Hey babe, are you here already?" His excited voice filled her ears.

She shut her eyes and exhaled for a long moment, hating to cut short his excitement. "I'm sorry, babe but I can't make it tonight. There's an urgent business meeting that might last for--

"Are you ditching me again for the fourth time in a row, Emma?"

She could already tell he was pissed.

"I'm sorry, babe. I really never planned to do this. Please understand."

"Understand? I don't even know what we are anymore! I can't spend one full hour with you without your boss calling you for one reason or the other. It's always about work with you. If you're now dating your boss, why don't you just tell me?"

"I'm not dating my boss, Josh. How can you even say that? It's you I love and you know it. Do you think I enjoy this? I feel so horrible every time I have to bail on you. It's not easy for me too."

"Are you for real right now? For five months, five whole fuckin months, Emma, I haven't touched you. I'm stoned as hell right now cos I'm no cheat yet you say I'm being difficult?"

"Babe, I didn't mean--

"You know what, I'll make it easy for the both of us. It's over. I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore. Now you can screw your boss undisturbed, I'm done being your fallback."

A knot tightened in her chest, "y-you're joking right, babe?"

"I'm not joking, Emma, don't call me ever again." He fumed, "The pictures? You can keep them for your boss."

Josh ended the call after that.

Emma dropped her head on the steering as a pool of tears welled up in her eyes.

With a subconscious flashback, Emma grabbed her phone and went through her chat with Josh. Scrolling down, she realized Josh never got the pictures, or rather, she didn't send the pictures to 'boo,' as intended.

Panic kicked in as she checked to whom she sent the pictures.

"Boss?!" She sent the pictures to Jace!

Her eyes widened, and her heart thumped; she checked and discovered he hadn't seen them yet.

She has to stop him!

Opening the car door, she looked up to find Jace on the stairs, outside the penthouse; his eyes fixed on his phone.

Emma gulped heavily as she glanced down at her phone again. Her eyes rested on the double-blue ticks.

*Viewed two seconds ago*

Emma's heart dropped.

"Oh no, no, please! Fuck no!"

Looking back up, her body went limp when she found Jace's gaze now pinned towards her.

Her life was officially over.