Matched with my boss

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Daphne

I lay back on the couch in my small living room, holding my phone to my ear while listening to Sofia’s laughter on the other end of the line. It was comforting to talk to her after a hectic day at the office; she always had a way of making me laugh and putting things in perspective, things that otherwise might seem like complete chaos in my mind.

"So, tell me, how’s it going with your 'friend' Jake and the date?" she asked, emphasizing the word "friend" as if she wanted me to think twice.

I sighed, unable to suppress a smile. Honestly, every time I thought about Jake, something in my chest seemed to ignite, like I was constantly on fire.

"I don’t know, Sofia. It’s weird. We’ve only been talking for a little while, and… I feel like I’m falling way too fast, and thinking about that date just fills my stomach with butterflies," I admitted, letting the words flow without any filters.

There was a moment of silence on the line before Sofia responded, her tone a mixture of curiosity and understanding.

"Well, sometimes it happens like that, right? I mean, feeling such an intense connection with someone, just like that. But what is it that really worries you?"

"It’s just that I’ve never felt something so strong for someone I… practically don’t know. It’s crazy, Sofia. We’ve only chatted, and while I like what I know about him, I can’t help but think maybe I’m idealizing him too much." The words spilled out quickly, as if saying them out loud could relieve some of the pressure in my chest.

Sofia laughed softly, probably imagining me in one of those romantic comedy scenes where a woman falls for someone she hasn’t actually met.

"Daphne, I think it’s something we’ve all done at some point. But have you realized something? You don’t even really know what he looks like, do you? I mean, you’ve barely seen his face. Those photos he’s sent are always partial, the kind where you can hardly see anything. And you like him. I think what matters is the inside, too," Sofia said, with a hint of criticism that I couldn’t deny made sense.

I bit my lip, realizing she was right. Sometimes I even wondered if my imagination had done more work than the actual photos of Jake. In all the pictures he’d sent, I could only see shadows, partial angles, as if he preferred to keep an air of mystery.

"I don’t know, you’re right. The photos don’t show much, and honestly, I’d like to see him a bit better. But..." I hesitated, not knowing exactly how to express it.

"But? Daphne! You can’t fall so fast for someone you barely know what they look like." Sofia’s laughter was louder now, mixed with incredulity. "Look, it’s simple: ask him for a picture. A good one, where you can actually see him properly, just to get a clearer idea of him. What’s the harm?"

I let out a nervous laugh, knowing she was right. Sofia always made everything seem simpler than it actually was.

"Well, yes, but I don’t want to come off as some obsessed crazy person. I don’t even know how to ask him without it sounding… weird."

"Daphne, how weird could it sound? Just tell him you’d like to see him better; it’s no big deal. If he’s interested, he’ll send you one without any issues. Do it, okay?" Sofia insisted, and for a second, I allowed myself to go along with the idea.

I took a deep breath, determined to message Jake, though I still felt a mix of nerves and excitement. I opened our conversation and looked at the last message where he promised me that the date would be amazing. I spent a few more seconds thinking about the exact words I wanted to use, and in the end, I typed:

"Hey, Jake. I was wondering, would you mind sending me a picture? One where I can see your face better. Just to get to know you a bit more."

Before I could even question myself, I hit send and waited, feeling a tickle in my stomach. It wasn’t long before I saw the typing indicator pop up. My heart raced, anticipating his reply. But then, instead of receiving a message, I got a notification that made me freeze in place.

"Jake has sent a video call request."

My eyes widened as I stared at the screen, unable to fully process what was happening. I stayed frozen, holding the phone, not knowing whether to accept it or not. Panic overtook me, my mind racing in every direction.

"Oh my God! Sofia, he’s calling me on video!" I whispered, almost shouting, as if she could understand the urgency of my dilemma.

Sofia burst into laughter on the other end. God, could she only laugh, or would she be a good friend and do something to help?

"Well, isn’t that what you wanted? Now you can see him live. Accept the call!"

I shook my head, even though she couldn’t see me. My heart was about to leap out of my chest. I wasn’t ready for this, not in such a direct way, so… unannounced.

"No, I can’t… this is too much. I just wanted a photo, not a video call right now," I whispered in desperation, as if speaking softly would somehow calm me down.

"Daphne, calm down. Breathe. What’s the worst that could happen? Look, you don’t have to do anything special, just be yourself. Breathe and answer; it’s fine. Maybe he’s nervous too." Sofia’s voice tried to calm me, but the trembling in my hands wouldn’t go away.

I hung up… on Sofia.

Finally, I took a breath and told myself that this might be a good opportunity. If I really wanted to know him, maybe the video call was the best way. I looked at the accept button, took a deep breath, and with a mix of fear and excitement, I finally accepted the call.

My phone screen flickered, lighting up with Jake’s image, and time seemed to stop at that moment. The image, blurry at first, gradually cleared, revealing his full face for the first time. It wasn’t just a photo; he was there, live, looking at me, and I felt as if my breath was caught in my chest.

Jake’s eyes held a shade I couldn’t quite define, but they seemed warm, looking at me with a mix of interest and tenderness that made my nerves fade, just a bit. His dark hair fell casually over his forehead, and he had a soft smile, as if he too felt a bit shy. I noticed the contour of his cheeks, that slight shadow of stubble, and the structure of his jawline, which seemed so confident.

"Hi, Daphne," he said in a soft voice that sounded warm and deep, far more real than I’d ever imagined. There was no comparison to the words on a screen or the few blurry photos I’d seen; hearing his voice live made me feel more nervous and excited than I’d expected.

"Hi, Jake…" I replied, trying to keep my composure, though I knew my eyes must have been shining with excitement and nerves. Could he see how much this moment affected me? Did he know the effect he had on me?

We stayed in silence for a few seconds, both smiling a little, as if we were gauging the situation, trying to process the novelty of seeing each other for the first time. I felt a bit overwhelmed. I had imagined many times what it might be like to meet him in person, but now, with him right in front of me on the screen, all those fantasies felt insufficient. He was real, beyond the messages and words. And something in his eyes seemed to say he was a bit nervous too, which made me smile.

"I wasn’t expecting this call," I said, breaking the silence with a nervous laugh. I wasn’t sure how it had sounded, but I felt that if I didn’t say something soon, I might go speechless.

Jake laughed, his laughter low and contagious. He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture so casual and natural that it made him look even more attractive.

"Well, I thought it was a good way to fulfill your request. A live photo, so to speak."

I laughed along with him, feeling the atmosphere relax a bit more. My nerves were slowly dissipating, though the rapid beat of my heart remained, reminding me of how special this moment was for me.

"It’s… much better than a photo, actually," I murmured, smiling shyly. I noticed he was doing the same, looking at me with that intensity that made everything else around me fade away.

"Really? Well, I’m glad to hear that," he replied, his tone suggesting that he, too, was relieved. The connection between us was so palpable that I could feel it even through the screen. It was as if the digital barrier didn’t exist, and we were both in the same place.

For a moment, we just looked at each other, saying nothing, as if we were both discovering something in the other. My mind raced in a thousand directions, wondering if he felt the same way I did in that instant. Did he feel that strange mix of anticipation and calm that I was experiencing?

Suddenly, his voice broke the silence.

"You know, I didn’t think I’d be this nervous seeing you," he said, lowering his gaze for a moment before lifting it back to me. The sincerity in his words touched me, making me feel a little closer to him.

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest.

"I feel the same… it’s strange. It feels like I already know you, but… I don’t know, seeing you is something completely different. It’s like you’re someone new."

Jake nodded, and for a second, I saw a slight smile on his lips that seemed understanding.

"That’s what I like most about this," he said. "It’s like discovering everything all over again. Every word, every laugh, feels different. Like… it has a deeper meaning."

My cheeks flushed slightly, and I was grateful that the screen didn’t let him see it clearly. Jake looked at me with a calm intensity that made me feel both nervous and at ease, as if I were in the right place. I felt the need to know more, to discover him beyond this video call.

"What are you thinking?" he asked suddenly, with a curious tone. I realized I had been so lost in my thoughts that I hadn’t noticed how long I’d been silent.

I swallowed and smiled at him, trying to be honest, though I didn’t know if my words would be enough to express what I truly felt.

"I was thinking that… well, I never thought a video call could make me feel so…" I trailed off, searching for the right word.

"Nervous?" he suggested with a knowing smile, as if he perfectly understood what I was trying to say. His voice was soft, and his gaze held a touch of empathy that made me feel comfortable.

"Yes, nervous… and also excited. It’s strange, but it’s like all of this feels very real, much more than the messages," I confessed, feeling a bit of my vulnerability slip into those words.

Jake looked at me with a gentle seriousness, as if he were taking in every word I said. I realized that there was a connection beyond what I could explain with words, as if something bound us beyond the screen.

"I feel the same, Daphne," he said. "What surprises me most is how much the words mean when they’re for someone who truly… matters."

That "matters" made my heart skip a beat, and for a moment, I didn’t know what to say. There was something in his words that resonated deeply within me, making me feel vulnerable and happy at the same time. I wanted to tell him so many things, but at the same time, I wanted the moment to stay just as it was, without complications, without expectations.

"I’m really glad to know that… well, that you feel the same. I thought maybe I was the only one who…" I trailed off, not knowing how to continue, but Jake looked at me with a smile that seemed to say he understood everything.

There was a comfortable silence in which we just looked at each other, with no need to speak. I knew that at that moment I was feeling something deep for him, something that scared and thrilled me at the same time. It was strange how someone I’d only known through messages could now mean so much in my life.

Jake sighed softly, and for a moment, I thought I saw a hint of nervousness in his gaze, as if he were about to say something important.

The conversation continued, smooth and full of laughter, as if we had both left behind our fears and insecurities. We talked about our lives, our little routines, and those everyday details that usually go unnoticed, almost the same things we had already said in messages, but this time, we were looking each other in the eyes, even if through a screen. With every passing minute, I felt Jake becoming more real to me, closer. When the call finally ended, I felt like a part of me already missed him, even though we had just disconnected.

Lying in bed that night, I stared at the ceiling, processing what had happened. I knew I was taking a risk, but for the first time, I felt it was worth it. With Jake, every word, every silence, every smile made me feel alive in a way I hadn’t experienced before.

Maybe it was too soon to say, but deep in my heart, something told me I was beginning something that would change my life forever.

And the most amazing part was that, somehow, I felt he wanted it too.