Chapter 644

"Pretty tasty, huh?" Juniper grinned, her eyes twinkling like little crescent moons.

"Man, I didn't think my first day at work would end with us munching on hot dogs. Is this what they call team bonding? I mean, we're in the same company, so we're kinda like comrades, right?"

Anthony noticed her tone had shifted. She used to just blurt out whatever, which was kinda cute and carefree. "You don't have to be so uptight around me."

"Yeah, right. You're my boss, the big CEO. You control my job. What if I say something dumb and you fire me?"

"Are you calling me petty?"

"No way, you're the most generous," Juniper replied sweetly, though she still remembered how he almost blocked her from getting the job.

But she wasn't one to hold grudges. The past didn't matter; what mattered was now.

And right now, she was stoked to be hanging out with him, eating hot dogs by the street.

After finishing her hot dog, Juniper started to flag down a cab.

"I'll drive you."

"No, no, no, you're the CEO. It's not cool for you to drive a newbie like me."

"Don't sweat it. It's not safe for a girl to go home alone at night. Or I can have the driver take you, and I'll drive myself."

"Well, okay, thanks."

Honestly, she just wanted to spend more time with him.

As she stared out the car window, Juniper couldn't remember a time she loved this city more. It looked more beautiful than ever.

The ride home becomes the best journey when you're with someone you care about.

Anthony had brought light back into her world, making everything better, including herself.

"Mr. Eilish, thanks for handling that situation with Mr. Cox... I know you didn't do it just for me, but women often face harassment at work, and bosses usually ignore it or even make them entertain clients. I've never worked before, but I've seen it happen. One of my friends went through it and ended up with depression."

"So it's really cool that you stand up for your female employees," Juniper said, looking at him gratefully.

"My employees work for me because they trust me. It's my job to protect them."

"You're so kind..." Juniper's eyes sparkled with affection, "I mean... you're such a good boss."

Anthony could tell she was keeping things professional today, like their relationship was strictly business.

Anthony paused. Wasn't it? It was supposed to be. Did he think there was something more?

But his feelings for her seemed to be shifting. Getting to know her better made him appreciate her more. Even eating hot dogs with her was a blast.

Juniper stopped talking, worried she'd say too much and mess things up. Sometimes, silence was golden.

She admired the scenery outside and Anthony's reflection in the car window, feeling a warm glow inside.

It was probably the best moment of her life, one she wanted to remember forever.

Anthony suddenly felt a slight weight on his shoulder and turned to find Juniper asleep on him.

Her workday ponytail had come loose, with soft strands of hair framing her face.

Her delicate face, pink lips, and well-defined nose. Her features weren't overly striking but were very exquisite.

Her lips looked like they were coated in honey, tempting him to kiss them.

Anthony was startled by his own thought. He wanted to kiss her?

How could that be?

He only had Layla in his heart. Even if he didn't dislike Juniper now and enjoyed her company, he only wanted to be friends with her. He didn't want to date her.

And even if he had that thought, he had to control it. Starting a relationship while his heart belonged to someone else was deeply unfair to his girlfriend. Juniper was a good girl, and he didn't want to hurt her.

But keeping her around would only deepen her feelings for him, and rejecting her later would hurt her too.

Anthony couldn't help but worry about this. Maybe he had made a mistake? But he didn't want to fire her now; it would be too capricious. She was doing a great job and was very enthusiastic. He didn't want to dampen her spirits.

What should he do with her?

"Juniper, Juniper, wake up, we're here..."

"So noisy. Don't you know it's a grave sin to disturb someone's sleep?" Juniper grumbled as she opened her eyes.

This was in the car, Anthony?

"Sorry, Mr. Eilish, I shouldn't have fallen asleep," Juniper stuck out her tongue, "Please disregard my previous statement."

"Go wash up and rest early. Tomorrow will be even busier."

"Mm-hmm, Mr. Eilish, you rest well too. Good night."

Juniper happily returned home, even seeing Aaron and Elara didn't dampen her good mood.

"Dressed like that, you went to work?" Aaron asked, "Where did you get a job? How can you focus on work, given the unresolved issue with Mr. Eilish? Even if you want to work, just get a nominal position at the Cooper Group," Aaron said.

"My years studying finance abroad weren't for nothing, unlike someone who doesn't learn anything," Juniper glanced at Saffron.

"What do you mean? Insulting Saffron?" Elara immediately defended Saffron.

"The only thing I noticed she was good at was attracting people who were already in relationships."

"Speaking of that, I haven't settled the score with you. Do you still deny the photos from the bar?"

"I don't have a habit of collecting trash," Juniper said coldly.

"Stop arguing, all of you. Arguing all day long." Aaron had a headache, "I asked where you work because I care about you. Why do you always act like a porcupine, thinking I'm out to get you? I'm your father."

Juniper's eyes twinkled, "Want to know?"

"What kind of good job could it be? Probably you're working at some shady company, that's why you don't dare to say," Elara said sarcastically.

"The Eilish Group is a shady company?" Juniper said.

Elara and Saffron's countenances abruptly shifted..

Aaron stood up abruptly, "What did you say? You're working at the Eilish Group now?"

"Yes, and I'm the CEO's secretary," Juniper answered.

"You became Mr. Eilish's secretary?" Aaron was overjoyed, his stern face breaking into a bright smile, "That's my daughter, amazing. I was worried for nothing. I thought you weren't taking action, but you already had such a good plan. Haha, you inherited my good brains."

Aaron beamed, happier than on Chrismas Eve, "Juniper, I was right. You are my pride!"