Bruce continued. “I don’t know if it’s your imagination or your low self-esteem but I...”

“My low self-esteem? Are you kidding me? Listen, I’m not freaking out for nothing, okay? I saw that woman getting out of your car right after hearing people saying that you did it again. Everybody knows you’re dating me!”

“What? How is it possible? What did you say?”

“Okay, I mean they don’t know it’s me, but they know you’re having an affair with someone in the building and if I believe all the rumors, they say it’s not the first time that you’re involved with your secretary or something. Am I right?”

Bruce exhaled loudly and closed his eyes. “Shit!”

Jennifer crossed her arms. “So this is true... Fucking unbelievable! Bruce, I want to understand how it works. Is it one of your... I don’t know how you guys call it... routines? Pickup techniques or whatever? You like to sleep with your assistants once in a while to kill time? I don’t understand why everybody has to know that.”

Bruce crossed his arms as well and leaned back. “No I don’t just sleep with my staff once in a while just for fun, okay? And I don’t know why everybody knows, but I don’t care what people think or say about me.”

He paused, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Yes I used to have a relationship with one of my former secretaries, but it happened naturally. It was serious, I mean I was committed and everything.”

“People at the office said it was ugly. What does it mean?”

Bruce stood up and came closer to Jennifer. He sat on the edge of the table and grabbed her hands. He closed his eyes and lowered his face. “Jen, this is something I wanted to tell you before, but I never found the right moment to do so.”

Jennifer started to breathe more rapidly, anticipating something serious to be revealed.

“I used to be married to my assistant when she was working at my previous company.”

Jennifer felt like she had been hammered in the face. She was literally in shock. She looked at Bruce in disbelief. “You were married before?”

“Yes, I’m sorry. It’s more complicated than that. Actually I...”

Bruce was interrupted by a loud ringtone. It was his cellphone ringing. He looked at it and sighed. “Oh no. Jen, I’m sorry, but it’s very important. I really have to go.”

“What? It’s midnight, where are you going?”

“It’s really serious, I can’t explain right now. Don’t worry, just finish eating, take whatever you want and go to my bedroom. Jack will drop you at the office tomorrow morning.”

Jennifer crossed her arms. “Sure, great idea. Let’s show the world I’m your new girl...”

“Okay, well I don’t know. He can drop you home first then?”

“I don’t think I’m going to stay here tonight. I really feel like a fool...”

“Look Jen, don’t do this to me right now. I really got to go.”

Jennifer grabbed Bruce’s arm. “Where are you going that late? Listen, I really don’t feel comfortable with what I just learned and maybe I need you to reassure me!”

“Okay it’s Mr. Schneider, my lawyer and it’s an emergency.”

Jennifer wasn’t completely convinced, but pretended to be fine with that answer. “Alright. I want to go home.”

Bruce called Jack who arrived in 3 minutes. “Jack, prepare the Bentley right now. I’ll be there in five minutes. Then take Jennifer back home.”

Bruce ran to his room to get dressed and disappeared in his Bentley. Jennifer went back to his bedroom to get her bags and on her way out of the mansion, she met Maria.

“Hey, Maria. Did you know Bruce was married before?”

Maria nodded silently.

“And what happened? He probably dumped her, right?”

Maria shook her head. “Not at all, my dear. She completely broke his heart...”

“Really? Was it that bad? Why so many people seem to know about it? Bruce is a tough guy and I can’t believe...”

Maria put a finger on Jennifer’s lips. She looked around, and lowered her voice. “I don’t know if I should tell you this but... after the divorce, Mr. Wilson actually attempted to kill himself in the middle of a party...”

Chapter Five

Bruce was still spending most of his time with Kenichi Sakamura.

When he was at the office, Jennifer barely saw him and the few words they exchanged were strictly professional. She sent him several text messages, but he ignored most of them, replying and saying it was better to talk face to face to avoid misunderstandings.

She had been able to talk to him on the phone only once, and his answer had been very straight forward: “Jen, I’m not paying you to call me every two hours. If there’s an emergency, there’s a process to respect. If not, wait until the weekly meeting. I’m not supposed to remind you how this company works, right? Fine, I’ll call you when I’m done.”

Every time he did call her back, it was to plan yet another meeting or to give her new instructions.

Jennifer was seriously wondering if having a secret relationship with Bruce while working for him was sustainable. She had office hours while he had no hours. He was often available when she was working and busy when she was free.

Most of all, she struggled to find the right balance between her work and her private life. Bruce seemed to handle the situation much better than her. He hadn’t changed at all and was still the demanding and result-oriented man she’d always known.

She wasn’t sure if she was mad or hurt, or even both, about Bruce’s previous life and marriage. She couldn’t help but feel a little jealous about his ex-wife. After all, Maria talked about a suicide attempt, so he had probably been deeply in love.

There was nothing she could do about it, but Jennifer felt it wasn’t fair. She had nothing to hide and didn’t have any unpleasant surprises for Bruce.

Why did she have to suffer from his past and secrets? Was it worth it? She realized that in reality, she never really knew where he was or who he was with. She wanted to trust him, but he made it difficult by holding back and leaving so many grey areas in his life.

Four very long days passed during which Jennifer literally agonized. Bruce had been very difficult to reach and still wasn’t sure when he would be available to meet her.

At the end of the week, Jennifer had no idea what Bruce was doing and didn’t dare to call to ask him. I’ve tried to call him so many times, and he’s treated me like a dumb assistant. It’s my turn to play hard to get now...

When she finally got home, she realized her fridge was empty. Crap... I have to go to the grocery store this week-end. Anyway, it’s Friday night, let’s eat junk. How about a pizza?

She sat in her sofa, turned on the TV, and ordered a pepperoni cheese pizza. After about twenty minutes, someone knocked at the door. Yes, the pizza is here! I’m starving.

She jumped out of the sofa and opened the door. Her heart skipped a beat.

It was Bruce.

“Bruce! What are you doing here?”

“Hey... It’s been a while. Can I come in?”

Jennifer was excited and happy to have Bruce at home, but tried not to show it. “Sure. Come in. I’m waiting for a pizza.”

Bruce sat down in the sofa and looked around. “Nice place... very clean and tidy, just like you.”

“Thank you!” Nervous, Jennifer didn’t know what else to say. “So what brings you here?”

Bruce looked surprised. “Well it’s Friday night, and I was thinking we should hang out. That’s what couples do, right?”

“Yes, that’s what normal couples do, but I don’t know if we belong in that category...”

“What do you mean?”

“Bruce you have been really tough with me this week! I mean, how many times did you yell at me saying you didn’t want to be bothered? Or how many times did you call me to say you miss me, or just hello?”

“It’s always been like that. During business hours you can’t reach me to chit chat, I’m busy. Now it’s the week-end, that’s fine. That’s common sense...”