Chapter 4

Jackson grinned. "Your dream girl."

My heart sped up. I knew exactly who he was talking to.

Jackson said, "Gotta go. Talk later."

He hung up and looked at us. "Who are you looking for?"

"We're from Horizon Media," David replied. "This is Gianna, head of our planning department."

Jackson crossed his legs and looked down at us with a dismissive air. "Then let's not waste time. How do you want me to cooperate?"

David started to speak, but I cut in first. "Then please start by standing up from your chair."

David and the others froze, glancing at me in surprise.

Others might not know Jackson, but I knew him too well. Monica messed up the interview ninety-nine percent because of him.

Jackson held my gaze for about ten seconds. Under my unwavering stare, he finally stood up. Crossing his arms, he said with a smirk, "Gianna, no need to come in swinging right away..."

One second he was an iceberg, the next he was all smiles and mischief.

The sudden shift left David and the team completely baffled.

The shoot and interview went smoothly after that.

Once everything was wrapped up, Jackson's assistant brought over a phone so we could exchange contact info.

That was how I ended up with Jackson's WhatsApp. His profile picture was a dog, and his username was: NumberOne.

By my fifth year at Horizon Media Group, I finally made it to department manager.

And I finally bought my first home.

A hundred and fifty yards, not too big, not too small. To me, it meant everything.

That same year, Ella and Logan got married because she was pregnant. As for me, I'd been so focused on moving forward all these years that I'd stayed single.

I did try putting myself out there. I met a few decent guys. But something always felt... missing.

Ella threw a cushion at me. "Girl, you're thirty. You can't keep being as picky as you were at twenty-five."

I peeled an orange for her, carefully removing every strand of pith. Special treatment for the pregnant lady. "It's not about being picky. It just feels like... something's off."

"Spell it out. What's off?" Ella pressed. "Mr. Taylor. Tall, handsome, successful, loaded. And he was clearly into you. What exactly was wrong with him?"

I said, "He's 6'3", and I'm barely 5'4". That's a whole foot of difference..."

Ella suppressed a sigh and continued, "Then what about Logan's friend? Comes from a well-educated family, comfortable background, 6'2". Same height as that unforgettable ex of yours. What's the problem there?"

I kept peeling the orange. "He's too cultured. I'm too... ordinary. Not on his level."

Ella pinched my arm, and I yelped. "Ouch! Pregnant women shouldn't hit people. It affects the baby's IQ."

Ella couldn't help but laugh. "What kind of logic is that?"

I handed her the peeled orange. She sighed. "Why don't you just say it? They're not Benjamin."

"It's not that," I said.

"It absolutely is," Ella said.

Logan chimed in from the side, "It absolutely is."

I had nothing to say to that.

My phone buzzed. I picked it up. A message from NumberOne: [8 PM tonight, Summit Crest Villas. Be there or be hunted.]

Ella leaned over and glanced at it, frowning. "Who the hell gives themselves a name like that?"

I said, "Jackson."

Ella instantly changed her tone. "Actually, that name has a certain... boldness to it."

I gave her a look.

I quickly typed back: [Pass.]

Ella sounded almost disappointed. "Most people would kill for an invite from Jackson, and you just turn it down like that?"

I shrugged. "Who knows if he's trying to mess with me? Last time, to get him to cooperate with the interview, I didn't exactly go easy on him."

"Damn, Gianna. You play rough."

Logan echoed, "Damn, Gianna. You play rough."

I ignored them both.

Thankfully, Jackson got the message. He didn't push it after I said no.

But forty minutes later, he called.

I answered.

His voice came through. "Put on the prettiest thing you own and come downstairs. My car's waiting."

I walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Sure enough, his bright orange Apollo EVO was parked below.

Ella waddled over with her baby bump and couldn't help adding, "Now that's a man with guts."

I ended up going.

No choice. When I was building a career in Kandos City, I had to give Jackson some face.

I opened the passenger door and slid in.