The CEO's Romantic Wager

Chapter Three: A Night Out With The Boss

Jayla stepped out of the office building later that evening, her heels clicking against the pavement as she looked out at the holiday-lit streets.

It was chilly, another exciting characteristic of the approaching holiday season, and the world seemed to sparkle under the glow of the Christmas lights, with each store window filled with cheerful displays of twinkling bulbs and ornaments.

The smell of fresh pine and spiced cider filled the air, mingling with the notes of a nearby street musician’s rendition of Silent Night.

This time of year, right through to January, was always guaranteed to leave Jayla feeling warm and fuzzy inside, even when the air was cold and biting like it was.

Your girl was just an absolute sucker for the holiday season.

Jayla shot the street singer a gentle smile as she dropped a few coins in the box in front of him, her gaze softening as she took it all in.

There was just something magical about times like these. Jayla knew that, but she also knew that the season was even more perfect if you had someone to share it with, and though she currently had no one, she had long made her peace with it.

Heartbreak was an inevitable part of life, was it not?

And there was always something one could use to fill that void, such as the love of friends and family, something she had in great abundance, which was why tonight, instead of going home to sleep the beautiful night away, she had other plans.

Her best friend and roommate, Gimorrah Michaelson, was showcasing her art in a gallery downtown, and Jayla had promised to stop by.

The blond woman was so deep in thought that she barely paid attention to where she was going, she turned the corner and almost walked straight into a familiar figure.

Ajax Creed.

“Mr.… Mr. Creed?” She blurted out the words, stepping back in surprise. “What are you doing out here on the street and on foot nonetheless? Where’s your car? Do you have a fault? Do you need me to call the mechanics?” She switched right into work mode—force of habit, but the CEO smirked, casually stuffing his hands into his coat pockets. “Calm down, Ms. Beckett, there will be no need for that. My car is currently at home, evading traffic, and here I am, trying to get a bloody taxi, and I’m right on the verge of walking home out of sheer frustration.” He grumbled bitterly.

Oh.

Jayla rolled her eyes, half-smiling. “Well, some of us do love the holiday rush.”

“Really?” He asked her almost as though he couldn’t fathom why anyone would, but funnily, his eyes lit up in interest as he gazed down at her. “Why? Got any romantic plans lined up for the night?”

“And why do they have to be romantic?” She teased lightly, raising an eyebrow. “I’m just heading to a gallery showing for a friend.”

Her boss paused, a thoughtful glint filling his gaze. “Mind if I tag along?”

Jayla hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was appropriate, and if most importantly, she wanted to hang out with him outside the office space.

No warning alarms blew off in her head, and so with a shrug, she nodded, “Sure, Mr. Creed. Why not?”

The two walked together in surprisingly comfortable silence, the only sounds between them the clacks of their shoes meeting the pavement, and the faint echoes of holiday music spilling from nearby shops.

Jayla was surprised by how relaxed she felt around him, because usually, her interactions with Ajax Creed were charged with pressure, even when they were not in the office.

As for Ajax, he couldn’t help but think that things were finally off to a pleasant start with the girl that was supposed to be his redemption.

His investigations had already told him all he needed to know about her. She was an only child, with both parents alive in Pittsburg, where she was born and raised, but she lived nearby with a female roommate and was currently, and most importantly single, a fact that wounded his ego and made him even more determined to establish a connection with her.

That laugh still bothered him, he wasn’t going to lie. It had rung loud and clear in his mind all day. Even now, as they walked, it continued to reverberate in his head.

But he was going to charm his way into her heart even if it was the last thing he did.

They arrived at the gallery, a cozy yet sophisticated space filled with artwork ranging from vivid, surreal landscapes to bold, abstract portraits, a good fifteen minutes later.

And Jayla felt her heart swell with pride as she took in the elegant space.

Oh, how far Gimorrah had come from being a starving artist sleeping on the streets.

She deserved all the streaks of luck coming her way now, though if you asked Jayla, she’d tell you that none of it was luck, and it was all hard work and dedication.

The woman in question approached them excitedly when Jayla called out to her, a broad grin splitting her face.

She was an unmistakable presence, Gimorrah, with her shaved head, piercing green gaze, and a bold, colorful scarf draped over her shoulders. As her gaze landed on Ajax, her smile turned wicked.

“Oh, Lord, now isn’t this a treat,” Gimorrah whistled appreciatively as she eyed Ajax up and down with open appreciation.

“See, I may bat for the other team, but I really wouldn’t mind turning for that handsome face—and that ass.” She gave Jayla a knowing look, her seriousness turning into a chuckle of amusement at the horrified look on her best friend’s face. “What, Jayla? I’m just calling it like it is.”

“Gimorrah, he’s my boss!” She whispered as inconspicuously as she could, her cheeks heating up in embarrassment, but Gimorrah continued in her loud, sultry voice. “Oh really? And here I was thinking I’d never see the day when I meet the famous CEO.”

No, honestly, why had Jayla thought this would be a good idea?

She had forgotten how loudmouthed her friend could be sometimes.

But to Jayla’s surprise, Ajax just grinned, seemingly amused by the whole exchange.

“Glad you find me handsome, Gimorrah. I actually asked your friend here to lunch just this afternoon, and she laughed in my face. Seems she’s not attracted to my… handsome ass.” He repeated Gimorrah’s words as he shot Jayla a smirk.

Was it weird that he was enjoying watching her squirm a bit too much?

Gimorrah burst into laughter, clapping Ajax on the back with surprising familiarity. “I like you, CEO… but well, what can I say? She’s a smart woman, this best friend of mine. A face like yours can only bring heartbreak, but if it were me, I’d have said yes in a heartbeat.”

They laughed, all three of them, and despite the way her face burned, Jayla couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread through her at the ease with which they all interacted.

The evening passed in an enjoyable blur of laughter, and conversation as Gimorrah showed them around and introduced them to people and paintings. Jayla was discovering an interesting side of her boss that she had been kept in the dark about, and as for Ajax, his executive assistant grew intriguing by the minute. Every revelation her best friend exposed about her only kept him wanting to know more.

When the gallery’s event finally began winding down for the night, Gimorrah shook Ajax’s hand and leaned over to hug Jayla, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Thank you so much for making it, my love, and for bringing your handsome boss. I want nothing more than to keep this going, but this is where the real work begins, and it could take a while, so you’ll have to leave me. Plus, I’ve set sights on a dream I’d like to sink my teeth in, so don’t wait up.” She winked suggestively, making Jayla shake her head at her.

Gimorrah made kissy sounds as she walked away from them, waving goodbye, “You two lovebirds have fun.” She winked suggestively, “Get the bedsheets all soaked up and wrinkled.” She echoed loudly, making Jayla wish the ground would just open up and swallow her.

“GIMORRAH!”

Her horror only made her friend laugh.

Jayla pulled her amused boss away before her friend said anything more to embarrass her.

As they stepped out into the chilly night, Ajax couldn’t help but let out a chuckle of amusement. “Your friend has quite the spirit, Ms. Beckett.”

Jayla smiled, still feeling the blush on her cheeks. “Oh, that’s putting it mildly, Mr. Creed. Gimorrah’s one of a kind, but aside the ribbing at my expense, I’m glad you had a good time.” She said playfully.

“You know, I’m really surprised I did,” Ajax admitted to her, his voice turning soft, almost vulnerable. “I don’t really do Christmas, or anything related to it.”

Jayla stopped in her tracks, looking up at him in shock, like he had said something downright atrocious, like the earth was flat, or that he didn’t believe in zodiac signs, or something even worse. “Wait—you don’t do Christmas?”

He shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets once again. “Never have. Never will. It’s just not my thing.”

Jayla just couldn’t believe her ears.

How could one take a look at the beautiful scenery, the joy and love and good cheer in the air and decide that they wouldn’t believe in the spirit of Christmas… that they wanted nothing to do with it?

She almost looked like she was going to burst into tears as she looked up at her boss.

“So, wait, Santa?”

“Utter balderdash,” Ajax said in disgust, his British accent becoming even more pronounced in his fury, “Don’t tell me you believe in that crap? Of someone climbing through your chimney to deliver gifts, because that’s just begging to be robbed.” He warned.

“Well, now it’s my mission to indoctrinate you into the holiday spirit,” Jayla declared with a teasing grin. “You haven’t lived until you’ve fully embraced Christmas, and I won’t take no for an answer.”

But to her surprise, Ajax’s gaze turned distant, his expression hardening.

He looked down at her, his face suddenly unreadable. “I appreciate the thought, Ms. Beckett, but… some things are better left as they are. Have a good night.” He gave her a curt nod and turned, walking away into the cold, chilly night, leaving Jayla standing there alone, wondering what at all she could have said to cause such an abrupt end to their first night out.