I got into work early, for once. Jasmine hadn't even arrived yet, and I knew to overlook it because it was barely eight, and she didn’t need to be there until half past eight, officially.

Maybe I could shift that to nine, I mused to myself. I probably won’t need her any earlier than that.

Besides, if I kept keeping her late in the office so we could fuck around, she would probably appreciate the help. I smirked as I walked into my office, remembering all the times, and all the places, I’d had her in there already.

I walked around my desk and dropped my bag down, then set down my coffee and the pastry I’d bought on my way in, then sat down. I let my computer boot up as I started in on my coffee.

Before I could so much as take a sip, though, there was a knock on my office door. I paused and checked my watch. It was still too early for Jasmine…

“Come in,” I called out, setting the coffee down.

The door opened, and the person that walked in wasn’t who I expected. Marianne worked as the assistant to the CFO. I hadn't known the man even needed an assistant—I didn’t have one—though she usually joined the meetings with the managers. I’d spoken to her a few times before I came to the company, but I still knew so little about her.

“Good morning, sir,” she said as she carefully stepped into the room. “I know it’s early, and I hope I'm not a bother…”

I arched an eyebrow, forgetting my coffee for the moment as I gestured a hand at her. “Please, it’s no bother. Have a seat.”

She smiled and crossed the room to sit down across the desk from me. I leaned back in my chair, bracing my elbows on the arms as I loosely tangled my fingers and considered her.

“I have to admit, though, I’m surprised. It’s a bit early, for one thing.”

She nodded, one hand smoothing down her skirt, tucking a lock of her blonde hair behind her head with the other.

“I know it’s early, and I am sorry for bothering you at such an hour. But I saw you walk in, and I had something I wished to talk to you about.”

I pursed my lips. I’d encouraged people in the company to come to me if they had something important to say, but that was a while ago. She could have come to me at any time. I narrowed my eyes at her and she fidgeted, rubbing her hand on her skirt again as she shifted a bit in her seat, enough to have it squeaking.

After a moment, I leaned forward, leaning toward her with my arms folded on the table top.

“I’m glad you came to talk to me, Marianne. Now, why don’t you tell me what you have in mind?” I smiled politely.

She seemed to relax almost immediately, her back straightening as her eyes rose up to meet my gaze. “It’s actually about your secretary,” she said with a wrinkle of her nose. “Jasmine.”

Ah, I thought to myself. That explains everything.

Jasmine was probably the reason she’d jumped on the chance to talk to me. She wouldn’t be arriving for at least another half hour, so we had some privacy. I waved a hand at her to continue.

She clasped her fingers together on her lap, eyes glancing down before they met mine again. “I just feel… like I can't sit back and keep watching things as they are anymore, sir.”

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, arching an eyebrow in interest.

“Your secretary, sir. She worked closely with the former boss.” She paused to lick her lips. “I was only in this office a few times when he was here, and she was in here every time, and he had her working on some files…”

I frowned. I hadn't asked either my dad or Jasmine, just how closely they’d worked together. As far as I could see, Jasmine probably hadn't worked much. She’d been so damn disgruntled when I gave her work like it was a chore to do what she was getting paid for.

“Do you know the nature of the files he had her look at?”

She shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t, sir. But I wanted to talk to you. I wasn’t surprised when the FBI came for the boss. I know Jasmine was questioned and was, for some reason, let go. But I think, whatever business he had been involved in, she was in on it.”

I didn’t let any surprise show on my face. Even though her words had been the perfect lead up to it, it was still the last thing I expected.

“That… is a serious accusation, Marianne. Do you have any proof to back it up?”

She shook her head again, slower, biting on her lower lip and looking disappointed. “I’m afraid I don’t. They’re both private, and as I’ve said already, I didn’t get many chances to appear in the office. It probably happened a handful of times before you came. I have no proof, but I do think they were working together.”

I hummed, narrowing my eyes. “That is all very good to know but… I’ve been working with Jasmine,” I reminded her. “And I have a hard time believing she would be capable of deceit. I am sorry to doubt you, but I can't give much credence to what you’re saying.”

Marianne’s lips flattened, her fingers clenching together in her lap. “I know you're working with her, sir, and that’s why I’m worried. I know the effort you’re going through to keep this company afloat, and I’m not sure if you should trust her. I know a lot of people think she’s innocent, but she only appears that way.”

“How so?”

“She usually got by without doing any work at all, most of the time. The boss had her do specific errands only, and they tended to be rare, though I don’t know what they were all about. And she spent a lot of time in here, rather than at her desk. She only looks innocent on the outside, but I think she and the boss were having an affair.”

She said the last words with her voice hushed like she didn’t want the words to carry.

“You mean they were fucking,” I said bluntly, frowning.

Marianne winced, but she nodded. Then she stood up. “I just wanted to let you know about all of this before she came in. I’m sorry for taking up your time; please go on with your breakfast.”

She got up, gave me a quick nod, and left. I barely paid attention to her, though, my mind on what she’d implied about Jasmine and my father.

My frown grew more pronounced when I felt something in my chest draw tight. It bothered me, what she’d said. More than that, just thinking about Jasmine and my father… I didn’t like it. My hands clenched as I scowled down at my desk. What bothered me more than thinking of the two of them together was the fact that I was jealous about it.

Still, I tried to go about my day as normal, dismissing Marianne’s words completely. I didn’t believe Jasmine could be like that.

The lady in question arrived on time, at almost exactly eight thirty. She even knocked on my door to greet me good morning and let me know she was there so I wouldn’t have to punish her. That made me crack a smile.

She was about to walk back out, but I suddenly called out to her.

“Hey, Jasmine?”

She paused, turning to glance at me over her shoulder, curious.

“Would you like to go out to dinner with me?” I asked bluntly.

Her eyes widened as she whirled around, jaw dropping.

“Wh-what?” she stammered.

I smirked and repeated, “I asked if you’d like to go out to dinner with me? I believe we’ve both been working hard enough; we deserve a bit of a treat, don’t you think? You, especially, for all your hard work.”

She just stood there a moment, blinking and processing everything. “Um,” she fluttered her hands a bit before forcing them down. “I would love to.”

I gentled my smirk into a smile. “After work then,” I said.

She left my office.

We got through the day like usual. Even though I didn’t believe she could have had anything with my father—either fucking him or helping him out with fraud—I still kept a close eye on her. She didn’t seem to notice I was acting strangely, and the day went pretty much like any other for us.

By the time it was evening, and we were heading out, I’d all but forgotten what Marianne told me because it was too impossible. It was probably fuelled by jealousy on her side with no actual basis. She had no proof, after all.