Work Text:
Jinx lounged in her leather chair, boots propped up on the expensive mahogany desk she never actually used for work. A gold-plated pen spun effortlessly between her fingers as she watched Ekko, her ever-efficient secretary, type away at his tablet with infuriating ease.
She’d had many secretaries before him. Each one barely lasted two months before quitting—either scared off by her unpredictable work ethic or too incompetent to keep up.
But Ekko? He was different. He was unshakable.
And damn if that wasn’t attractive.
Jinx had long accepted that she had a crush on him. The real problem was figuring out what to do about it.
Ekko, ever the professional, never gave her so much as a hint of distraction. He handled her chaotic schedule, kept her from forgetting board meetings (mostly), and never even flinched when she threw her stilettos across the office in frustration. If he did notice her lingering stares or the way she conveniently found excuses to keep him working late, he never showed it.
----------
3 pm
A knock echoed through the office. Jinx exhaled, already knowing who it was.
"Come in." The door opened, and in walked Ekko—effortless, composed, moving with that natural confidence she could never ignore.
There was something about the way he carried himself, like every step was measured but never forced, like he owned whatever space he entered without even trying.
He didn’t just walk—he glided, smooth and assured, the kind of movement that made it impossible for her to look away. And she never did.
Her eyes traced him like they always did. The tailored fit of his deep charcoal-gray suit hugged his frame just right—polished, sharp, but still undeniably him.
His sleeves were rolled up just enough to hint at the ink on his forearms, the rebellion beneath all that professionalism. A subtle gold chain rested against the collar of his black button-up, a quiet flex that only made him more infuriatingly attractive.
And then there was his scent. God. His scent.
Warm, rich—notes of cedarwood and spice, something deep and grounding, with a faint undertone of fresh citrus. It wasn’t overpowering, just enough to tease her senses every time he got close. It clung to the air around him, leaving traces of him wherever he went. She swore she was in heaven whenever he was near.
"Ma’am, here are the reports you asked for," Ekko said smoothly, placing a neatly organized folder on her desk. "Financial summaries from last quarter, the revised projections for next year, and the updated proposals for the expansion project. I highlighted key points, and I flagged a few sections you might want to review before the board meeting." Jinx barely heard a word.
Her focus wasn’t on profit margins or expansion plans—it was on the movement of his lips. His full, dark lips, shaped perfectly for a sharp quip or a slow, knowing smile. They moved with effortless precision, forming words she should probably be paying attention to. Instead, she was utterly fixated on the way they curved, the way they parted slightly when he spoke, the way they looked like they’d feel—
Shit.
She shifted in her seat, forcing herself to look at the folder instead of him.
Jinx had never considered dating her employees—hell, she’d made a whole rule about it. No workplace relationships, no messy entanglements. It kept things simple, professional.
But right now, staring at Ekko as he stood there, looking way too composed, way too effortlessly attractive, she had one single, overwhelming thought.
Fuck the rules.
Because all she wanted—all she needed—was to feel those lips on hers. "Thanks," was all she replied as she grabbed the folder. Cold as ever.
Ekko nodded, ready to head out, when Jinx called his name. He turned back, brow raised slightly. "Yeah?"
"Uh, I have a meeting later. At seven. You're coming with me," she said, keeping her voice even, her fingers tightening slightly around the folder in her grasp.
Ekko barely reacted, just gave her a small nod. "Yes, ma’am." Then he left. Jinx let out a slow breath, slumping back in her chair as the door clicked shut behind him.
Actually, no. There was no meeting. She was going out. With him. The thought alone made her skin tingle, her pulse quickening in a way that both annoyed and excited her.
God, this is stupid. She could’ve just asked him—Hey, wanna go out?—but no, that would’ve been too easy. Too direct. And direct meant vulnerable. It meant risking rejection. Jinx wasn’t good at that. So instead, she lied. Simple.
She had already chosen the place: The River Café. Nestled right under the Brooklyn Bridge, it was one of the most stunning restaurants in New York. The kind of place that had reservations booked months in advance, where the rich and powerful dined over candlelight while the Manhattan skyline sparkled over the East River.
Not the kind of place she usually found herself in—too refined, too polished. But tonight, she wanted something perfect. The moment she saw it, she knew it was the spot.
A secluded table by the window, the soft hum of live piano music filling the air, the scent of fresh roses lingering from every table. The kind of place where people confessed things they wouldn’t dare say anywhere else. And that’s exactly what she was going to do.
It had been a year. A whole damn year of suppressing this ridiculous crush. Of sneaking glances when she thought he wouldn’t notice. Of finding excuses to keep him in her office longer than necessary. Of pretending she didn’t care when he looked stupidly good in those rolled-up sleeves, his gold chain peeking from his collar. And honestly? She was sick of it.
Fuck the rules. Fuck the company’s strict no-fraternization policy. Her rule, ironically. Fuck the fact that she was his boss and that this was probably a disaster waiting to happen. She wanted him. Needed him.
And if he didn’t want her back? Well… she could always fire him and pretend he never existed.
…Okay, no. That would be too much, even for her.
But Jinx was reckless. Always had been. And tonight?
Tonight, she was about to make her boldest move yet.
--------
Jinx stepped out of her office, heels clicking against the polished marble floors as she strode toward the elevator. She jabbed the button, exhaling slowly as the doors slid open.
Her mind was a whirlwind—part nerves, part anticipation—as she descended to the parking lot. The underground garage was dimly lit, the cool air wrapping around her like a quiet embrace. And then, she saw him.
Ekko
He was leaning against her car, effortlessly casual, one foot crossed over the other as his fingers scrolled over his phone screen. His face was bathed in the soft glow of the screen, his brows slightly furrowed in focus.
The dim light of the garage cast shadows across his features—sharp jawline, smooth dark skin, and those damn lips that had already taken up too much space in her mind today.
He barely looked up before she got close, but when he did, he gave her that small, easy smile. The kind that was quick, subtle—but still managed to wreck her.
He tucked his phone away and, without hesitation, stepped forward to open the passenger door for her.
She huffed, sliding inside.
“Thanks.” Ekko didn’t say anything, just shut the door and made his way around the car, slipping into the driver’s seat like it was second nature.
And, honestly? It was.
He had been driving for her since his third week as her secretary. It had started on a whim—one night after she had gone too hard at an afterparty, barely able to stand straight, let alone drive herself home. She had been too proud to call a driver, too stubborn to admit she was wasted, and then there was him, rolling his eyes before offering to drive her home.
She’d let him.
And then, before she even realized it, it became a habit. Jinx wasn’t sure when exactly she got so comfortable with the idea of someone else in control of her car, but with Ekko, it was… different.
Maybe it was the way his fingers gripped the wheel—strong, steady, his veins subtly visible beneath his skin. Or maybe it was how his forearms flexed ever so slightly when he made a turn, muscles shifting under the ink that stretched across his skin, a contrast of elegance and rebellion.
Or maybe it was how he looked when he drove—focused, brows drawn together in concentration, lips occasionally pressing into a firm line whenever some asshole on the road tested his patience. She’d stolen glances at him more times than she’d admit, watching the way the city lights reflected in his eyes, the way his jaw would clench whenever he was deep in thought.
She still remembered the first night he drove her. How her head swayed slightly from the alcohol in her system, how her stomach fluttered when she realized just how attractive he was up close.
She had been flustered, caught up in thoughts she shouldn’t have been thinking about him.
She blamed the drinks for it back then.
But she wasn’t drunk now.
And yet, here she was—just as flustered. Just as desperate to look anywhere but at him.
"A new client?" Ekko suddenly asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled in the car. Jinx snapped out of her thoughts, caught off guard by his voice.
She cleared her throat and quickly turned her attention back to him. "Uh… yeah, yeah, new client," she lied, not even bothering to glance at the folder she’d hastily shoved into her bag earlier. The reports were a lie—there was no meeting, no client. Only this ridiculous, reckless plan she’d cooked up to get him alone. To finally get this out in the open.
Ekko nodded, the car moving smoothly through the evening traffic. The streets of New York were alive, filled with honking horns and flashing lights.
Traffic. Great.
More time for her to stare at him like some hungry wild animal, helpless and desperate.
She couldn’t help it. She always stared. She’d been doing it for so long now, she was almost certain he noticed. The way her eyes followed every movement he made—how his fingers gripped the wheel, how his jaw clenched when he had to deal with some asshole cutting him off.
How his hair fell just perfectly over his eyes, and how, no matter how messy his day had been, he always seemed so effortlessly put together.
But why wasn't he saying anything? Was he pretending he didn’t notice?
Or maybe... maybe he did notice and just didn’t care.
Her heart sank at the thought. Was it really possible that he didn’t want her like that? She’d convinced herself for so long that it was obvious—the stolen glances, the way her body would heat up whenever he was near, the way she found herself laughing at things that weren’t even funny, just because he was the one saying them.
But why hadn’t he said anything?
Ekko was far from stupid. He was sharp, clever—he graduated top of his class, got into a prestigious university on his own merit.
He was no fool, and Jinx was sure he wasn’t blind either. Yet, he hadn’t done a damn thing about it. And that drove her crazy.
Maybe he wasn’t into her at all. Maybe he was just professional, keeping his distance because she was his boss. Or maybe... just maybe, he hadn’t figured it out yet. Maybe he was that dense.
No. Jinx scoffed under her breath. Ekko wasn’t dumb. She knew he wasn’t. But if he really was that oblivious, maybe—just maybe—she could keep pushing it, keep giving him subtle hints until she couldn’t take it anymore. Until she forced him to acknowledge it.
She bit her lip, her heart thudding louder as the silence between them stretched on. This "meeting" plan—this dinner—was her last chance. She couldn’t keep torturing herself like this. She needed to know.
The thought of just telling him, of being straightforward and honest, felt like an impossibility. The idea of him rejecting her, of watching him awkwardly withdraw or pretend nothing had happened, made her stomach twist. So no, this wasn’t just a meeting.
This was a carefully calculated chance for her to lay everything out, for her to finally end the suffering of keeping her secret.
"Fucking reckless," she muttered under her breath, her fingers tapping impatiently on the leather seat. Ekko didn’t seem to hear, focused entirely on navigating through the traffic.
His attention was on the road—safe, predictable, as if he hadn’t noticed the storm brewing beside him. It frustrated her, in a way. But it also... gave her hope.
Maybe he was waiting for her to make the first move.
But tonight, things were going to change. She’d put her pride on the line, risked everything for this moment.
And if it didn’t work out? Well, at least she wouldn’t have to live with this fucking crushing desire anymore.
----
They stepped inside, the soft hum of conversation and clinking silverware filling the air. The restaurant was warm and intimate, with dim lighting and a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline through the large glass windows.
Jinx scanned the area, her fingers twitching at her sides. Shit, why is this so nerve-wracking?
Ekko, oblivious to her inner turmoil, spotted a table with four seats and gestured toward it.Of course, he was expecting someone else to join them. The supposed “client.”
They sat in silence. Ekko’s sharp eyes roamed the restaurant, subtly scanning the crowd as if trying to match a face to the imaginary client Jinx had made up.
His fingers tapped idly against the table, and every now and then, his gaze flickered toward her.
Meanwhile, Jinx was doing everything in her power not to look at him. Her hands clenched together under the table, her heart hammering against her ribs. What do I say? How do I start?
"Hey, Ekko, you know I like you for a year now. Can I be your girlfriend?"
No
"Hey, I really think you’re hot. We should kiss."
Absolutely not.
She swallowed hard and subtly signaled the waiter for water. Maybe hydrating would help.
A moment later, a glass was placed in front of her. She wasted no time, grabbing it like a lifeline and drinking, gulping it down like she had just crossed a desert and was about to die of dehydration.
Ekko watched, one eyebrow raising slightly. His expression shifted from mild confusion to actual concern.
“…You good?” She barely heard him, too focused on how the cold water did nothing to cool her burning nerves. She needed to do something.
"Fuck it."
"Give me your hands," she blurted out.
Ekko blinked. "What?"
"I said, give me your hands."
There was a pause before he slowly placed his hands on the table, palms up, waiting. Jinx wasted no time grabbing them, her fingers wrapping tightly around his.
God, he’s warm. His hands were large, rough in some places, calloused at the fingertips—a sign of someone who worked with his hands, who had been through shit. Strong, yet gentle.
Her gaze drifted up, finally meeting his eyes. And fuck, his eyes.
Deep brown, rich like espresso under the restaurant’s golden light, holding that quiet intensity that always made her feel too exposed. They were sharp and full of questions—questions she knew he was about to start asking.
"Jinx," he said, his voice low. And then, the inevitable:
"There’s no client, is there?" Her stomach dropped.
Shit, he noticed.
"What?" she said, playing dumb. She wasn’t sure if she was scared now because he realized or relieved because he finally realized.
Ekko tilted his head slightly, his brows furrowing. "This was… a lie, right? There’s no client at all? I mean, we’ve been here for about twenty minutes. You told me they’d arrive soon, but—” He gestured around the empty seats, his expression puzzled.
Jinx stayed silent. She could feel the words hanging in the air between them. The realization just on the edge of his mind.
But he still didn’t get it.
He was so damn smart—so brilliant, so observant. But when it came to this, to her, to them, he was utterly clueless. Or maybe he was just waiting for her to say it.
Enough of this.
"Yeah," she admitted, inhaling sharply.
"No clients." Ekko sat back, eyes flickering with something unreadable. The confusion was clear, but there was something else there, too. Something she couldn’t quite put a name to yet. And now, there was no going back.
"Look, it was the only way for me to have you to myself," Jinx admitted, her voice firmer now. Ekko blinked, still processing.
"What?" She groaned, rubbing her temples.
"I wanted us to... have a date. But it felt stupid to just ask you that, so I lied." Ekko leaned back, staring at her with an unreadable expression.
"You lied... for a date?"
"God, Ekko, do you have ear damage or something?" She threw her hands up in frustration. "Yes, I fucking lied for a fucking date with you!" He was silent for a moment. And then—
"Asking me isn't… entirely stupid, you know."
She exhaled sharply. "It is, idiot! I'm your boss. The same boss who set this 'Don't date your co-workers rule' shit." Ekko chuckled, a slow, knowing sound.
"Well, at least your plan did work." He leaned in slightly, his voice dipping lower. "Made things easier for me."
Jinx narrowed her eyes. "What the hell was that supposed to mean?" He laughed again.
And God, his laugh—deep, warm, rich with amusement. It was the kind of sound that wrapped around her like a melody, making her chest tighten. It was ridiculous how much she loved hearing it.
"You were that clueless?" he teased, shaking his head. Jinx frowned.
"What?" Ekko sighed, leaning forward, his elbows resting on the table. His gaze softened as he looked at her.
"I’ve always wanted to go out with you." Her breath hitched.
He continued. "I’m pretty sure you’ve forgotten, but I knew you in high school. I went to your school for a while. I remember watching you—how smart you were, how your creations amazed me. Your confidence—"
And damn, Jinx was confident. She walked like she owned the ground beneath her feet, like she never needed permission to take up space. She was reckless and brilliant, a wildfire of energy and passion.
Ekko's voice pulled her back. "I always liked you. Then I had to move to another school, and I never saw you again. Until I graduated. Worked some jobs. Hoped that maybe one day, I’d bump into you. And then…"
He exhaled. "I found your account. Saw that you were this famous CEO now. I was proud. And then I found your company’s page. You needed a secretary, and I figured… it was the only way to see you again." Jinx’s eyes widened, her chest tightening with something she couldn’t name.
"So I didn’t hesitate," Ekko continued. "And when I saw you, after all those years… the only thought in my head was that this—" he gestured between them, "—was the woman I dreamed of since high school. The woman I’d want to spend my life with. Even if it meant breaking the rules."
Jinx froze. Her mind screamed at her to say something, to respond, but words refused to come. Her heart was hammering, so loud she was sure he could hear it.
And then—without thinking, without hesitating—she moved.
She leaned in, shoving aside the stupidly large table between them, and cupped his face with both hands before crashing her lips against his.
It was messy, desperate.
She didn’t care. Neither did he.
Ekko responded instantly, his hands reaching for her, his lips pressing back with the same urgency.
They were clearly struggling with the awkward positioning—the table in their way, the uncomfortable lean—but fuck it. Let people stare.
Let them take pictures. Let her wake up tomorrow with social media exploding with photos of her kissing her secretary. She didn’t care.
Let them know.
Let them know she was madly in love with Ekko. And that he was just as mad for her. Let them know that she belonged to him—
And he belonged to her.
They pulled away, breathless, their foreheads almost touching. The world around them faded, leaving only the sound of their uneven breaths and the quiet hum of the restaurant. Jinx didn't hesitate this time.
She stood up and moved to his side, sliding into the seat beside him. They were close now—so close that she could feel the warmth of his body radiating against hers.
Their eyes locked. Ekko’s stare was deep, steady, unwavering—like he was memorizing every part of her, like she was something sacred. His gaze held years of silent admiration, of wanting but never daring to reach out. It was full of patience, yet now, there was something more—something raw, something that burned.
Jinx, on the other hand, was shameless in the way she looked at him. Intense, wild, unfiltered desire shining in her bright blue eyes.
She had spent a year keeping it bottled up, but now, it was spilling over, drowning them both.
Finally, she spoke, her voice teasing but laced with something softer, something vulnerable.
"So, what now?" Ekko exhaled a short laugh, shaking his head as he looked at her.
"What happens now, ma’am, is that—" he paused, lifting a hand to brush a stray strand of blue from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear, "—I’d ask you to be my girlfriend." Jinx’s lips curled into a smirk, but she couldn’t hide the pink dusting her cheeks.
Goddamn it, he was so smooth.
Without breaking eye contact, she reached forward, intertwining her fingers with his. His hands—warm, calloused, strong—fit perfectly around hers, like they were made to be there.
"Then she's officially yours," she whispered. Ekko grinned before pulling her in, pressing another kiss to her lips.
This one was slower, softer—less desperate, more sure. And when they parted, he didn't let go. Instead, his forehead rested against hers, his hands still cradling her face. His voice was quiet, but it carried more weight than anything else he'd said that night.
"I love you, Jinx." Jinx's breath hitched. The words hit her harder than she expected. It was different hearing them now, knowing this wasn’t just some reckless infatuation. It was real. He was real.
And he had loved her all this time, just like she had loved him. A small, almost disbelieving laugh escaped her lips before she whispered back,
"I love you too, Ekko." Ekko’s grin widened before he pulled her in again, sealing the moment with another kiss.
When they finally pulled away, the world felt different. Everything had changed.
The weight in Jinx’s chest was gone, replaced by something lighter. The tension, the waiting, the what-ifs—all of it melted away, leaving only this moment. The restaurant was still buzzing with life, but now, it felt like their own little world.
They took their time, eating, talking, savoring every second. Jinx had never felt anything like this before.
If this was a dream, it was the best fucking dream she ever had.
And she was never waking up.