A One Night Stand With My Boss

At three in the morning, Connor’s computer pinged with a notification for a new email.

Rubbing his temples from fatigue, he clicked to open the message. His brow furrowed immediately upon seeing the contents. NôvelDrama.Org © 2024.

It was a work document from Camila, detailed and professional, but there she was working at this hour!

He quickly replied to the email, simply writing, [Sleep.]

After sending the email, Connor sighed deeply. Had he assigned her too much work?

Camila was twisting her neck, when she was startled by Connor’s email.

He hadn’t gone to bed yet?

Connor rummaged through a pile of papers to find his phone and texted Camila.

Camila closed her laptop, and suddenly her phone buzzed twice. She opened it to find a message from Connor. [Don’t rush the work. Get some sleep. Good night.]

He seemed to often stay up late himself.

Camila responded. [Thanks for your concern, Mr. Connor. Good night.] She paused, then deleted the words “good night” before sending.

Just as she sent the message, Claire’s call came through.

A call in the dead of night startled Camila, who immediately answered. “Mom, is everything alright?”

“Cami, haven’t you slept yet?” Claire’s tired voice came through the phone.

“No, not yet. What’s happened?” Camila asked anxiously.

Claire took a deep breath before speaking slowly, “I just got a call from the police station... they said Riley and the others got into a fight and are detained now.”

Camila frowned, irritated. “They really can stir up trouble. All of them together are centuries old and still brawling.”

“I know. I’m fed up with them too,” sighed Claire helplessly. “They said they were packing to leave in the middle of the night and got caught by a neighbor. Many neighbors were talked into investing in Capital Solutions by Riley, and their money’s gone. When they confronted him, it turned into a fight, and now they’re all at the station.”

“What a mess,” sighed Camila. “So what now?”

“Riley and his wife are detained for ten days because of the brawl, but Grandma was let go. She bought a train ticket back to her hometown, probably will leave by dawn,” Claire explained.

Camila was silent for a few seconds. “Mom, don’t be too soft-hearted anymore. Just stay out of their business from now on. It doesn’t concern us anymore.”

“I understand. Don’t worry,” Claire said firmly.

“What about Drew?” Camila asked, worried.

“I don’t know. He wasn’t with them,” replied Claire.

Camila sighed, “Drew is a good kid by nature. It’s just bad luck he’s got such parents. Luckily, he wasn’t involved. He’s still on bail, so it would have been troublesome if he ended up at the station too.”

“Cough... yes, I believe Drew will grow more sensible after these incidents,” Claire coughed and said.

Camila noticed something was off with her mother. “Mom, why are you coughing?”

“Just a little under the weather these past few days,” Claire replied.

“Get some sleep early, and if you still feel unwell tomorrow, go see a doctor. Don’t just endure it,” Camila advised worriedly.

Claire agreed and turned to head to her bedroom, feeling indeed quite fatigued lately.

After hanging up, Camila quickly took a shower and went to bed.

At just past seven in the morning, her alarm rang, and she struggled to sit up in bed, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

Yawning, she dragged her weary body to the bathroom.

She mechanically went through her morning routine and got dressed, then noticed she was almost running late, hurriedly slipping on her high heels.

The moment she opened the door, Camila froze.

There stood Connor, holding a large bouquet of flowers. The sunlight shone on him. He was enveloped in its glow.

“Good morning,” he smiled tenderly at Camila. His eyes were full of warmth. “For you.”

Stunned, Camila stared at the bouquet and then up at Connor.

“Aren’t you allergic to pollen?” she blurted out.

Connor’s face briefly showed embarrassment. He coughed lightly, slightly awkwardly responding, “Actually... I’m not allergic to pollen.”

“What?” Camila’s eyes widened, seemingly in disbelief.

“But last time...” She was confused, looking at Connor. “You had all the flowers removed from the office.”

Connor held her gaze, and his voice was serious. “I was jealous.”

Camila’s heart skipped a beat.

Jealous?

Jealous of Howard?

“I probably liked you a long time ago, just too dense to realize it,” Connor said regretfully.

He took a deep breath, and his eyes reflected a touch of sadness. “If I had realized sooner, maybe you wouldn’t have gotten involved with that person...”

Camila’s mouth fell open. Her eyes blinked rapidly, and her heart pounded so hard.

Connor held her gaze, and his expression was resolute. “But it’s okay. Like Howard said, as long as you’re not married, I still have a chance.”

He gently touched Camila’s head.

A surge of electricity ran through her from head to toe, leaving her mind blank. She stared at him incredulously.

Connor spoke tenderly, “I’m not trying to pressure you. Even if you don’t choose me in the end...”

He paused, with his eyes intensely on Camila, assertively adding, “I hope you choose me.”

Camila, looking into his earnest eyes, felt her defenses crumbling. She gently closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

“Bring the flowers inside,” Connor said softly, holding her wrist.

Camila’s eyes widened, staring at the bouquet wrapped in black paper with a cute heart-shaped card attached.

“It’s my first time giving someone flowers, so please don’t reject them.” Connor gently shook Camila’s arm, and his eyes were pleading playfully.

Camila was completely stunned.

She had never seen Connor like this before, this expression, this tone.

Was this still the calm, confident Connor?